Mad's Muzings

Recess Duty

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 21:55:00 -0400

Today I had recess duty. In my school all of the teachers take turns watching the kids at recess. Usually I totally forget about this until a teacher strolls in my room at lunchtime to give me a break since I’ll be on duty at recess and I generally give the reliever teacher a “deer in the headlights” look.

Anyway, when recess rolled around, there were 8 boys against the wall doing penance for various infractions in which they lose precious recess time. The sad part was that they were all of my boys!!! I knew it wasn’t just me because a veteran recess teacher came up to me, surveyed the boys and said, “Oh, yeah, those faces look familiar from last year!”

But I’ll keep on them till they finally see the light. They are great kids—just can’t stop talking when it’s listening time! Ugh! But I’m glad they are in my class—I love the boys!

newyorker: Ian Crouch on the power of Aaron Sorkin’s “The West...

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 20:26:17 -0400

newyorker:

Ian Crouch on the power of Aaron Sorkin’s “The West Wing” as a pedagogical political tool: http://nyr.kr/OJvfNc

What a coup for one of Michigan’s judges running for state office!

Time is Mortal

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 21:00:53 -0400

This week I’ve been thinking about how time is passing too quickly. Earlier this week, I received the 40th anniversary booklet of my high school reunion. I didn’t attend since it was on the other coast from where I live but I did want to see how my former high school peers were doing.

The thing that struck me was how many of my classmates are GRANDPARENTS! How did that happen? I was just dumbstruck at that revelation. I should have realized that would be the case since I attended the 20th reunion and found that most of my peers had teenagers while I had a baby and a toddler at that time. So why should I be surprised at what’s happened now? But it still blew me away at where people are at and how they looked.

Then I saw an article from the writer, Mitch Albom, on that same subject this week in the Detroit Free Press. He has just released a new book called, The Timekeeper. But he was writing about similar issues I have been having—how time is passing by so quickly and I need to accomplish more living (and writing) and less planning. So that’s my goal is to make more time for my passion of writing while still teaching school. I tend to let school take over my life for 10 months and then write the other two. But now I vow to better balance my priorities throughout the year.

newyorker: Cartoon of the night by Pat Byrnes. For...

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 22:13:46 -0400

newyorker:

Cartoon of the night by Pat Byrnes. For more: http://nyr.kr/U6w2X7

Important Goal for this year: Sit and eat my lunch.

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 22:39:52 -0400

teachingtoday:

I know a lot of you do the “eat and work” thing, as I usually do. Try to force yourself to take the time to sit and enjoy your lunch. With or without co-workers. Just take the time to regroup, replenish, etc… Remember, there is no reward for being or looking the busiest. You will be more productive when you are slightly rested and refreshed. It’s amazing what 15-30 minutes of stillness can do for you.

12 Characteristics Of An iPad-friendly Classroom

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 22:34:37 -0400

12 Characteristics Of An iPad-friendly Classroom:

world-shaker:

An awesome overview. I’ve included three below. Click through for the rest!

Assessment is…

Authentic (less academic)
Seamlessly transfers to physical and digital domains of learner, with useful artifacts, products, and applications in the “real world”

Frequent & Formative (less intermittent and summative)
A climate of assessment that yields simple data digestible to all stakeholders–including the teacher

Fluid and/or Project-Based (less obsessed with standards and “proficiency”)
“Fluid” assessment provides a constant stream from a wide variety of sources and forms. This is possible in Problem-based, Challenge-based, or Community-Based projects that reward innovation, risk-taking, self-awareness, and inductive thinking patterns

newyorker: A Sunday morning cartoon by Roz...

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:01:07 -0400

newyorker:

A Sunday morning cartoon by Roz Chast: http://nyr.kr/MoBMGq

Five Smart Habits to Develop for Back to School

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:56:06 -0400

Five Smart Habits to Develop for Back to School:

world-shaker:

Here’s one:

2. BECOME AN EXPERT IN ONE TOOL

There are at least half a dozen apps and software for every job. Should you use Diigo, Delicious, eduClipper, Pinterest, or BagTheWeb to collect links? Is Photoshop, GIMP, Pixlr, or FotoFlexer the right photo-editing software? It’s overwhelming, and there really is no single right answer. (For the record, though, Diigo is great because of its iOS app and GIMP works well because it’s both free and powerful.) So pick one class of tools and become a ninja in how to use one of the leading tools in that class. Skills from one platform are transferable to the others. You will benefit from learning everything about whatever tool you choose.

bookriot: What author haven’t you read because you don’t know...

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:59:01 -0400

bookriot:

What author haven’t you read because you don’t know where to start? We all have at least one, right?

Today, we are launching a Kickstarter campaign to create, produce, and distribute a book version of our popular Reading Pathways feature that we’ve re-named Start Here: Read Your Way Into 25 Amazing Authors, so you’ll never again miss out on an awesome reading experience just because you don’t know where to start.

teachingtoday: sweetbandnerd: This is something I’m working...

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 23:35:44 -0400

teachingtoday:

sweetbandnerd:

This is something I’m working on.

Great. Now I’m worried that I’m worrying to much.

Summer Vacation

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 22:35:00 -0400

“Come look at this photo,” Maria was staring at picture in the Sunday newspaper that was of a milk jug perched on a stool with a red bow tie. The milk jug stool was in the midst of 3 other stools containing men dressed in suits in a debate setting.

“How strange,” replied Cameron, “What it’s about?”

“According to this story,” Maria said, “This milk jug represents a missing candidate for state senate who couldn’t come to the debate. He is from the dairy family that makes the milk. I think that is rather clever, don’t you?”

“I think I would vote for the person who thought that up—I like their whimsy.” Cameron went back to his crossword puzzle.

Each summer for the past 2 years, Cameron and Maria rented a somewhat dated townhouse that had a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and glimpses of a lake. They didn’t mind putting up with the somewhat tired kitchen and faint mildew smell of the basement in order to see that view each morning.

At the beginning of their vacation, there was some tension but after the third or fourth day, Cameron and Maria became more at ease with each other and lovemaking was uninhibited and easily attained.

“What shall we do today?” Maria asked over the papers.

“Do you realize how many people would give anything to ask that question?” Cameron replied.

“I know—we are very fortunate people to have a day with no agenda.” Maria looked at Cameron with affection and gratitude.

“Let’s go back to bed and read the papers,” Cameron suggested.

“Oh, I can think of other things I’d rather be doing in bed,” Maria looked slyly at her husband.

“What, and leave the kitchen in disarray?!” Cameron gasped mockingly.

“I’m on vacation!” Maria slipped a shoulder out of her robe teasingly at Cameron. In all the ten years they had been married, Cameron could not remember a time coming downstairs to see the kitchen a mess. Maria could be a bit compulsive about cleaning at night.

“OK, let’s go back to bed and NOT read the papers” Cameron grabbed Maria who was giggling all the way back to their room.

As they fell into bed, Cameron said, “After we do the deed, let’s call for room service and have a long languid brunch sent up”

“You do realize, of course, that we ARE the room service,” Maria laughed as she took off her robe and slid into the covers.

“Right! But if you don’t mind being the room service, think of the tip I could leave you!” Cameron nuzzled her neck and Maria knew their marriage was going to be more solid than she had ever dreamed.

Just returned from Washington D.C. to visit our daughter, Katie....

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:38:00 -0400

My daughter and I at Nat'l Portrait Glry

Me at WW 2 Memorial in D. C.

Just returned from Washington D.C. to visit our daughter, Katie. I had been feeling a bit displaced from her social radar recently so I felt like we reconnected during our trip. Of course, it was fun to see her and see what her life is all about. My husband and I rode the Megabus from Knoxville to D. C. and it was great! Comfortable seats and very pleasant ride. We got to ride up front on the top level both ways so it was beautiful riding through the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. And you can’t beat the price—$100 for both of us roundtrip. All we had to do was pay $10 for parking our car at the Civic Coliseum garage next to the bus station.

Went to see the World War 2 Memorial which was a very moving experience for me as my father was a pilot in Guam during the war. I was surprised at how emotional I became while standing within the memorial. It reinforced to me how time is passing by and the Greatest Generation will be no more in only a few years. My parents always seemed so substantial to me and always there and now they are not.

I wonder if our kids see us as substantial and always there for them. I hope so…….

barbershop

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:02:57 -0400

Currently, we straddle two different cultures. We live in Metro Detroit during most of the year and lead fairly hectic lives. But during the summer, we are fortunate enough to spend weeks in East Tennessee where you definitely learn to slow down your life’s tempo.

One morning we visited a small 2-chair barbershop with only one barber on a little road outside of Knoxville. Jim had to get a haircut, and the price was right at $7.50. As he walked in, a mother and son were in there and the first thing she said to Jim was, “Are you here to get prettied up?”

The shop looked like it was in a converted converted double wide trailer. The well-worn chairs had deeply indented cushions from years of sitting, and you could hear country music playing in the background. Even though it was a somewhat rundown place, it was sunny and full of live plants draping around the doorway. The haircutter was in her 40’s and was wearing blue shorts, T-shirt and sneakers. Her hair was piled up in a loose top knot.

There was a pudgy 12 year old boy playing with a bug trap track that had a battery powered roach running all over it. Finally, when it was his turn, he and his mother discussed their new kitten that apparently loves the water. ”Have you ever heard of a cat that likes water?” began his mom. ”Why, no.” answered the hairdresser.

“Well, we got one at our house,” replied his mom. ”She loves to jump in the shower with us and dunks her head under the faucet!”

“Is that right?” the hairdresser paused momentarily while picturing the image of a kitten in the shower with another person.

“Yeah, it’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard,” the mom continued.

When the boy was done with his haircut, his mom said, “Go out to the truck and show your daddy your haircut to make sure he likes it.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He trudged outside and came back in a moment later. ”He likes it.”

“Ok, then, I’ll pay her and you clean up that bug trap,” the mother got up and went to pay the haircutter.

After paying, the mom sat down on the other chair while Jim got his haircut. It must have taken the boy 5 or 6 minutes to slowly clean up the bug trap toy. But the mother never once said, “C’mon, hurry up” or words to that effect. She just sat contentedly while he cleaned up the toy. He finally got done and they both said good-bye.

I couldn’t help but compare that scene to what it would have been like up in the Detroit area. Chances are the mother would have been more harried and probably would have pressured the child to “hurry up.” Or the mother might have jumped in and helped the child clean up the toy quickly just to get out of the shop.

Andy Griffith, Jr.

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:46:00 -0400

Amidst all the well-deserved tributes and Andy Griffith Show memorial marathons on TV, I was reading about his personal life and noted that his adopted son, Andrew Griffith, Jr., died about 16 years ago of complications of alcoholism. This got me to thinking about what it must have been like to grow up as Andy Griffith’s son in real life. I imagine he would be about the same age as Ron Howard who played Opie on the Andy Griffith show and I wonder if it must have been difficult for the real son. I wonder if his real son compared his relationship to his father to that of Andy and Opie’s very close and respectful relationship on the show.

Putting myself in the real son’s place, I think I could not help but compare the two relationships, and, no doubt, the real relationship may not have been as positive as the TV show father and son. Maybe Andy Griffith, Jr. found he wasn’t the son Opie was and made impossible demands on himself to live up to a TV ideal. I don’t know but I think there is a story in this man’s life. I may be reading too much into this but I wonder why the real son drank himself to death at such an early age which seems to be nearly 40! Wow! Also, I wonder how it was for him to see the TV son, Ron Howard, grow up to be a successful film director. Did he envy Ron Howard all his life and find himself wanting by comparison? Again, I am only speculating. For that matter, did Andy Griffith, Sr. compare the two sons either openly or unwittingly? Did the real son sense the comparison? Did he sense others comparing him to the Opie ideal? Lots of questions and I wonder if he drank himself to death to escape the constant comparisons……

This episode is just perfect—one of my all-time favorites....

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:39:33 -0400

This episode is just perfect—one of my all-time favorites. I am feeling sad about Andy Griffith’s passing and wanted to see this perfect scene again. I like to think of Andy and Barney up in heaven singing in the porch right now. It’s a good lesson about slowing down and savoring the moment. One of the things that cracks me up about this episode is how Barney feels the need to announce about 3 times what he plans to do—take a nap, go to Thelma Lou’s and watch a little TV.

It cracks me up because that’s exactly what I do—announce about 3 times what I plan to do! It’s like I need to say it a few times before I get motivated to actually do it! God Bless Andy Griffith and God speed.

world-shaker: angrylittledad: socialismartnature: (Photo)...

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 21:27:45 -0400

world-shaker:

angrylittledad:

socialismartnature:

(Photo) “Lazy teachers” aren’t the obstacle to improving education in this country. Lack of funding & resources, huge class sizes, segregation, budget cuts, and low pay & benefits ARE.

Boom.

Throws tha hamma down!

The Ultimate Simplified Guide to The Use of Evernote in Education

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:43:48 -0400

The Ultimate Simplified Guide to The Use of Evernote in Education

Phil Harris—that’s what I like about the south!

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:30:00 -0400

Phil Harris—that’s what I like about the south!

That's what I like about the South

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 20:22:00 -0400

That's what I like about the South

Why I love the South

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:01:50 -0400

Today we had a plumber come in to do some work. While there, he got to talking about Rockwood, Tennessee which is about 45 min. from here. That is also where my nephew in law comes from. His name is Greg Horton. Well, when I mentioned that to the plumber, he said “I know that name. There are a lot of Hortons in Rockwood.”

Then he said, “There used to be an older gentleman named Mr. Horton but everyone called him Hole in the Head Horton because he had a gash in his head for a long time. He got it when he was young. While riding in the streetcar, he stuck his head out and got bashed in by another street car!”

The plumber went on, “Well, he was fine for many years and he just went by that nickname, Hole in the Head Horton. Before there were street signs, everyone lived in different regions of Rockwood and he lived in Crawdad Hole section—nice section and a nice man!”

Where else can you be totally entertained by a plumber but in the South?!