A re-post

It's exam week.

There's all types of questions this week: multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching. But the weight of exams in the way my students are assessed and graded are small, almost insignificant. It's the essays and projects and journal entries; and the "reporting" (where each child gets a chance to be teacher for one session, and it is up to them to teach the class a certain topic) that count, because how they explain it will tell me if they understood. If they understood, and can relay it to their classmates, and can apply it to everything else - that is what counts. The more creative the presentation (one student presented his topic - oceanic island habitats - as though it was a tour. He was the pilot, and all of us were passengers and he explained the islands as we "passed over them in his tour plane"), the better.

Admittedly, we give them tests just so that they know how to take them. We do not focus on the exams, or make a big deal out of them, really. Interesting thing, though. They took a standardized test at the end of the year and, wouldn't you know it, all of them rated "above average" and "excellent" and there was even one or two "superiors."

I am glad and flattered and relieved that the teachers at my school are allowed to let the children lead; and that our jobs do not depend on how well the child will do on a standardized test.

The kids at our little school may not have memorized all the capital cities of the world; or the dates when the world's events happened; but they can tell you the similarities and differences between religions and cultures; and how we are all different, and yet, all the same. They may not be very good at computing percents and decimals; but they can tell you, from first hand experience, about social entrepreneurship. And the oldest one of them turned 12 two weeks ago.

I came across this post, from Teacher Tom (whose blog is in my Google Reader):

A must read for teachers, for parents, for standardized testing supporters.

Teacher Tom: This Is What We Are Up Against




We may be in a different place than Matt Damon and Teacher Tom; but the troubles of education are the same.

Flashback!

 

I found remnants of my first and only adventure teaching art at a traditional school, where I had started the high school art program.  I finished my contractual obligations, then I left; and never looked back. 

These were backdrops for a party, or a soiree, or something. Concept and some execution by the Art Club. The photos are by Mary Anne, who was a high school junior at the time.  Taken in the second semester, SY 2004 - 2005.

 

I hated that school.  Wearing the uniform and withstanding a department head that knew little about the subjects in his department was only worth it because I got to stand in front of eager, interested faces (some of them were, anyway), and talk about drawing, and colors, and the Renaissance.

Teacher Lei

Catching up on my reading.  Very happy to see that Teacher Lei updated Pinoy Weekend Warrior.  Here is an excerpt, where he trains for a marathon, and helps a young person out by accepting [the young person's] offer to help.

As some of you already know, my full-time job is not the typical M-F, 9-5 workweek, which wreaks havoc on a training program that is best followed to the letter. Right now, I get a run in whenever I can, and fortunately, I have found a little help from a friend.

I told the young person I am working with about my plan to run my first marathon in September, and since he found out, he has taken on the role of being my personal coach. It's incredible. If I am on shift, at half past eight in the morning, he would tell me to lace up and go for a run while he rides his bike beside me. We do this twice a day, once in the morning, and again in the evening. In terms of training, this is great for me; but with regard to personal development, this is a step towards the right direction for him. The set-up we have could not have worked better.

For the fund raising portion of the run, I have found inspiration with some of the kids I used to work with at Kids Ahoy. Together, they have all raised money to contribute to the organization I'm running for, by performing chores around the house, or doing some fund raising of their own. I am grateful and truly inspired by the support they have shown.

• Full blog post here

• Help out his organization here

 

Routine Week

By Monday all the Mise en place was done, teaching materials bought, cut, personalized, signs and labels written, schedules set.  At least 2 weeks in advance.

And on Tuesday we met our students.  

We spent the first day laying down the schedule, the routine, designing name plates for each cubby hole. In the big kids' class (9 - 10 year olds) we wrote out the rules.  For each of the values we will learn, the students were asked to come up with a rule; written without the words, "Do not" and "never" and "no."  We call it THE CODE.

The values are: Peace, Spirit-lifting; Generosity; Persistence; Humility; Courage; Innovation; Responsibility; Concentration; and Ecological awareness.

And here is the code as the kids define them.

1. Keep [the environment] clean and all the inhabitants.

(Ecological awareness)

2. Think of other ways to solve a problem. (Innovation)

3. Keep on trying. (Persistence)

4. Practice quiet pride. (Humility)

5. Do a good job! (Responsibility. Not the enthusiastic punctuation mark)

6. Try something you've never done before. (Courage)  

7. Focus (Concentration)

8. Help other people, and they may help you! (Generosity)

Earlier, it was announced that there are only 2 absolutely unacceptable, non-negotiable behavior: Violence towards others; and Disrespect (Peace and Spirit-lifting)

Everyone agreed, and signed.

Reading through the list again, rules written in this manner appears easier to follow and is even encouraging. 

If only all rules were written as such.

It makes me look forward to teaching (and learning) from the kids.

Welcome back, Teachers

Teacher Ria at The Accidental Teacher wrote a post on the benefits of becoming a teacher.  I thought I'd add to her list a bit, since today is, generally, the first day of school.  Some schools started last week, but you'll know so much more schools are starting today from the difference in traffic and the difficulty of catching a jeep that isn't full.


Teachers, let's remind ourselves, as we should at the beginning of each school year, of all that is great about being a teacher.

1. Watching the students' faces light up when they get what the topic is about.
2. The accomplishments! Their accomplishments are yours as well.
3. Knowing that you had a lot to do with the positive change in your student, even if most of the time you will not get the credit.
4. You have a good excuse to buy more nice notebooks and pens.  
5. You get to test all the games and toys you will be using for teaching.
6. Getting into that creative groove as you make handmade signs, badges, labels for your classroom
7. Planning and going on field trips, and doing recon (or ocular inspections) before the class takes the trip. 
8. Receiving portraits of yourself, done by your students (this is especially true for art teachers);  and having a nice, warm chuckle as you look at yourself in clothes and accessories that you've never actually worn before. 
9. Flattering messages from parents, with anecdotes of their kids (your students) doing something at home - something you taught them.
10. Despite the countless movies and books about teachers, you know that the only people who'll really get what it's like to be one are other teachers themselves.
11. You make at least one difference a day, 5 days a week, from June to March.  Year-round if you teach in the summer also.  
12. Teachers are regarded as social and economic equals of doctors and lawyers. In Finland, anyway (Coyle, D. The Talent Code).  But, hey, if it can happen there, it can happen here.
13. Everyone else gets older, and you never do.

I'll leave it at 13, for now; as there are a few lessons yet to be planned.
There will be no "not-great" things about teaching.  We all know what they are, and we will teach in spite of them, so no point in making that list.

Have a good year!

Back to School

"For in every adult there dwells the child that was, and in every child there lies the adult that will be."  

- John Conolly (The Book of Lost Things)

Over the summer I watched and listened to my students as they entered their "tweenage" years, and I had to face the fact that there will be less cuteness (if at all!), and more angst.  When I read Teacher Thea's latest Tale, I wax nostalgic about my students' cute years.  I wouldn't go back, of course, but from time to time, one wishes for a classroom without side comments, without the snickering, and with so much less disquietude.  Then I snap out of it, and suddenly look forward to the interesting things they have to say, their opinions, their observations; and perhaps get a glimpse of the adults they will eventually become.


And get those "aaaw" cuteness moments from the sixes and sevens (the lower grades)

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I may be in for quite a ride this year, but so will the Blendies.

Make-cation in it's final weekend, I find myself gearing up for SY 2011-2012.
I've got first-week of schools plans brewing in my head, and I'm coordinating with guest speakers already.

I'll be teaching two classes I haven't taught before, and the journey looks to be an exciting one.  There will be a lot of blending in terms of methodology and more inter-curricular crossing!


I'll be posting some of them, in case somebody out there wants to use them at home.  


Stay tuned!