Hello and Goodbye......

   I know that I haven't been around for a while.  It's been a crazy Fall and I know I'm not alone.  I hope that everyone voted in their local elections this year and that, the upcoming year, might show some progress with the current educational system.  

   One reason I haven't made any entries is that I'm not sure what to say.  I taught for 28 years and I collected a lot of ideas and strategies to help children learn.  But I retired in June, 2010 and my familiarity with teaching the "Common Core" is non-existent.  There is limited (or no) time for imagination and a "teachable moment", it would seem, in this structure.

   So I am ending this blog in hopes that there may be a place for some of my skills to be used in classrooms in the future.  However, I want to leave you with some hope!  In the Syracuse Post Standard Opinion section this Sunday (12/29/13), there was an article asking area experts for their hopes for 2014.  This was from David M. Rubin, former dean of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University:

   "In 2014 I hope the educational czars in Albany and Washington will come to their senses and realize that constant testing, evaluating and "racing to the top" are clearly not the solution to our significant K-12 problems.  Rather, the solution is a simple one.  Hire the smartest and most motivated teachers available.  Pay them a decent salary.  Treat them with respect.  Give them a broad outline of what should be accomplished in each classroom for the year.  Then, stay out of their way.  Let them teach.  Stop overwhelming them with meaningless paperwork.  Don't require that they teach to the tests or fear for their jobs if their students don't perform well on dubious standardized tests.  In short, let our teaches teach.  Then we will see some progress."

   I don't think I could have said it better myself.  Have hope.  This is not an easy time but many are with you.  You're good and your students need you.  We all need you!

     

Be informed!

   I hope that you are all doing well and getting used to the school year routine.  I lost my focus for a while - life can get a little crazy sometimes.  But here I am with somethings to think about.
   The Common Core seems to be here for a while but that doesn't mean that you're powerless.  As the upcoming local elections are approaching, it's good to remember that there are important issues going on, both state wide and locally.  We are experiencing a situation with our government currently which shows us that having common sense and not acting like spoiled children is important.  Locally, I'm concerned with our school board elections.
   In my school district, many of the teachers live in other school districts.  The teachers (and other school employees) are the ones who truly know how the district works.  Even though teachers live outside their work districts, it's important for all teachers to vote, locally, for those individuals that have knowledge of social services and/or educational systems in their districts.
   In my district, I am very concerned with the types of programs offered to students, especially secondary students.  I want students to be offered more vocational and alternative programs.  Not all children want the college route and their needs to be a wider range of opportunities offered to these students.
   I also believe that not all students are "traditional " students.  In my district (as I'm sure as in most), we have to keep "DATA" in order to get those "Race to the Top" funds.  If only those in control would consider other avenues for those "untraditional" students, our graduation rates would be much higher.  We need people on these boards who can think outside the box for the sake of all students, not just those tracked for college.
   I'm looking into the back rounds and voting records of the candidates.  I want people elected who want to provide successful situations for all students, not just the "easy" ones.  Let us not follow the our government officials in their stubborn and nonproductive antics.  Let's be better!!!!!
    

The First Month

   I always thought that the first month of school was one of the most difficult times of the year.  First of all, there are so many variables to become familiar with - new students, a possible new school, new staff members, new curriculum, as well as the newest " Holy Grail" that will cure the ills of the entire educational system.  
   In September, you have new ideas and want to "tackle the world".  But you need to give yourselves a break!  You need to find out what the "world" consists of before you can tackle it.  Somethings, you can become familiar with over the summer.  But there are always those unexpected events that happen: you're teaching a different class; new staff; extra students.  A variety of things can happen.
   Another item that changes is your time.  During the school year, I was very efficient with my time, both at work and at home.  I was goal oriented in order to get everything done.  Then the summer comes and things relax somewhat. I didn't have to get up as early and the pace of my day slowed down considerably.  I might even read or relax in the backyard.  Then, works begins again and I have to get back into the rhythm of being super efficient again.  I found that this really took me a few weeks to master and, along the way, I got tired a lot!  So give yourself a break whenever you can.
   Lastly, in my previous post, I noted a link to a NYS - ELA (Social studies) domain involving Early World Civilizations. If you didn't click on the link, take a look.  Then on September 5, the front page of The Post Standard newspaper in Syracuse, NY displays, "WHAT SHOULD FIRST-GRADERS KNOW ABOUT MESOPOTAMIA?"  This article questions the appropriateness of the content and quantity of the material in this model lesson.  I was thrilled to see the newspaper discussing these proposed outlines(domains).  Are these domains widening children's horizons or making them completely confused?  I know how I would answer this question - try answering it for yourself.   

Here you go again......

   As a new school year is before you, I think that it's important to view it as a health decision.   (Of course, your health is more important!)  Take in as much information as you can, evaluate it and make an informed decision.    You have certain guidelines that you must follow.  However. there will always be certain ways that you can make instruction your own.  Teachers are excellent at doing this and I'm confident that this skill will continue.  
   That's not to say that you have to re-invent the wheel!  There are websites, other than the common core, that help you interpret these guidelines and give ideas from other teachers.  I always learned great things from watching other teachers but...THERE WAS NEVER ENOUGH TIME TO OBSERVE THEM!!!  One of these websites is www.sharemylesson.com.  It was in the NYSUT newsletter and I think it may be a good source of ideas.
   I have to admit that I wrote another draft before I decided on this one.  I thought it best to start the school year off on a positive note.  However, a friend sent me a link that I thought was very disturbing and, at some point, it might be important to view it.  We need to use common sense when we're involved in constructing, interpreting and instructing our students in terms of their developmental capabilities.   Make sure you're sitting down!  It is http://www.engageny.org/resource/grade-1-ela-domain-4-early-world-civilizations.
   Lastly, I was impressed when I read the 8/11/13 issue of Parade magazine in the Sunday paper.  There are 7 ideas from experts that make a lot of sense and I applaud them!!!!!  It's called, "Building a Better School Day" and it's worth reading.  
   Just remember, sometimes it's hard to be sure what your students are learning from you - academically, socially and emotionally.  Try to be honest, caring and sensitive, even if they drive you crazy!  They may thank you one day!
   
PS:  I have changed a few things around.  Let me know what you think.  I really made purple french fries and they were pretty good!
   

Summer Plans

  Now you can almost smell that first cup of coffee or tea you'll be drinking after leisurely waking up in the morning.  It's a well deserved experience that teachers look forward to from March on.
   After a little time to decompress, it's time to evaluate the school year.  Not for some form that will be filed in some far away folder but for yourself!  A little distance helps to review what worked and what didn't.  I always found that, even if I didn't want it to, thoughts about the year seeped into my brain.
   As teachers, we don't turn off our brains at the end of the day.  There were times I wish I could leave it behind but teachers are constantly evaluating themselves.   "How did that lesson go?  Why didn't that student understand the material?  How can I teach that lesson and target everyone's levels?"  These are the questions we hear inside our heads. Non-teachers don't realize the pressure we put on ourselves!
   So take some cleansing breathes, sleep a little late (if you can), and take life a little slower.  When those ideas about how to "spice up" your direct instruction sneak into your thoughts, you'll be ready to explore some new ideas and techniques.
   Have a great summer and you'll hear from me in August.  RELAX and RENEW!

Time to make a difference.

   There's only 3 weeks left.  For many of you it's hard to believe, maybe it went too fast or maybe it didn't go fast enough.  It has been a turbulent year for teachers.  Thrown into the "political pool"  feeling like you are without a life preserver is no fun.  However, there seems to be hope.
   I was pleased to open up my NYSUT magazine to see articles about reviewing the current testing situation and a rally scheduled for this Saturday, June 8th in Albany.  For a while, it seemed that the unions were being bullied, like many of the local school districts.  I'm thrilled that there is action  responding  to the testing situations thrust upon our schools.  
   Two of the articles in the magazine were especially disturbing to me.  One article on page 5 expresses the possible experience of an 8 year old child being excited about school.  And then, having her hopes dashed by testing pressure.  The other article is on page 10 about a 4th grade student who was waiting for surgery and in comes a teacher to administer to him the 4th grade test!  Are you kidding me! Something is seriously wrong when we insist on testing children in the hospital!  
   On page 12 of the magazine, there is a "Do It Yourself" insert that gives you the website to send a letter to Commissioner King describing what's going on in your classroom and some possible solutions.  The website is www.nysut.org/tellit.  Please take the time and let others know about your experiences and how you're feeling.  It will make a difference!

Be Proud

   I can't remember a year when teachers have been the heroes and the villains.  It is also interesting that teaching has become a pivotal issue in elections, financial allocations and political commentaries.  
   As of late, the issue of testing has been in the news frequently.  Whatever you viewpoint, this public conversation is necessary and healthy.  We need to communicate about these evaluations of students and teachers.  But perhaps, the most important evaluation is that of the tests themselves.  Do they enrich teaching in a way that will benefit our children as members of our community and future leaders?  Or, are they geared towards achieving a desired score to ensure a monetary gain?
   As teachers, we are charged to monitor, institute and, I believe, evaluate these tests.  As the summer approaches, we need to be proactive.  If the tests are unacceptable, let's work at offering viable alternatives.  If you were the test designer, how would you construct it?
   Lastly, and most importantly, we are the guardians of our students' well being during the school day, and sometimes beyond.  This entails intellectual, emotional and physical monitoring/safe keeping.  As was shown in Sandy Hook, Oklahoma and in schools throughout America, teachers intervene to ensure the safety of their students.  Teachers risk their own safety to allow their students to make their mark on society.  As teachers, we need to stand proud and realize our importance in society and in the lives of our students.  We have an obligation to them and, if you're not able to accept this responsibility, make a career change.  Let's make sure that we are our own best commercial!