My granddaughter started school today in Kindergarten. I thought it would be interesting to “interview” her about her first day in real school:
Paige: Hi grandpa!!
Me: Hi Paige! Did you do anything new today?
Paige: No…
Me: Did you go to school today?
Paige: Yes...
Me: Was it fun?
Paige: Yes...
Me: Is your teacher a boy or a girl?
Paige: A girl…
Me: Is she pretty?
Paige: Yes…
Me: Did you do anything fun today?
Paige: Yes…
Me: Did you meet any new friends?
Paige: Yes…
Me: What else did you do in school today?
Paige: I got books.
Me: What kind of books?
Paige: I got a book for the teacher to read.
Me: Was it a funny book?
Paige: Bye grandpa! (…hands back phone to Mom)
Mom: Well…that’s a lot more than I got out of her today!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Where’s My Credential?
Each year I have to renew my substitute teacher credential to be allowed to work.
Each year I send the state of California $57 for which they send me an official numbered document containing the validation ID and expiration dates needed by the school districts to activate my status as a substitute teacher for the school year.
Each year I take the official document to the local district office and have them make a copy for their records. Only then will they reactivate my status as a substitute in good standing in the district for the current year.
With school starting in less than two weeks I had yet to hear from Sacramento about my credential document renewal for the 2009-2010 school year. Calling the school district I was informed that, due to budget cuts, the state was no longer mailing the credential copies but a copy can be printed from the online website.
Was that information on the application renewal form, verification of payment form or any other form of useful information? No! Maybe I’m expecting too much for my $57 fee to include the cost of a single sheet of paper, an envelope and a stamp?
Now that I knew what I needed to do to work this year, I logged on to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website to view my credential information.
Sure enough, there was a button to select a “Printer Friendly” copy of my credential suitable for obtaining employment in school.
Notice anything missing? The “Printer Friendly” version seems to be missing all the useful information the district wants to see on a substitute teaching credential!
Information like: issue date, expiration date, document number, official state seal of California and official signatures from the govern-ator and teaching commission executives.
The local school district was not gullible enough to accept this bogus “official credential document” that looks like it was made using a Kindergarten “Good Citizen” award generator program.
The district finally settled for a computer screen shot copy of the “Details of Selected Credential” page on the state website.
I think I deserve a partial refund of my $57 credential fee since I don’t even get a copy of the credential anymore.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
City Council Meetings Are Boring?
Could be the basis for a new reality show? I'd watch!
As one commenter on the video says:
"...i live in Santa Cruz...City Council meetings are NEVER boring! I always watch them on tv just because of kooks like this"
P.S. I live about 40mins from Santa Cruz and it has always had a "colorful" reputation. Maybe she should not have smoked some of the farmers crop before speaking at the city council..."
As one commenter on the video says:
"...i live in Santa Cruz...City Council meetings are NEVER boring! I always watch them on tv just because of kooks like this"
P.S. I live about 40mins from Santa Cruz and it has always had a "colorful" reputation. Maybe she should not have smoked some of the farmers crop before speaking at the city council..."
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Dave Barry Banned On Campus?
Dave Barry is one of my favorite humor writers. While I might, at times, try to mimic his writing style the only thing Dave and I share is attending colleges a decade before PC stood for "Personal Computer" instead of "Political Correctness".
The following quote was deemed "subversive" by the Marquette University PC police:
"As Americans we must always remember that we have a common enemy, an enemy that is powerful, dangerous and relentless, I refer of course to the federal government."
Dave Barry responds: "Universities have become intellectually constipated."
Nothing funny about that...
HT: JoanneJacobs
The following quote was deemed "subversive" by the Marquette University PC police:
"As Americans we must always remember that we have a common enemy, an enemy that is powerful, dangerous and relentless, I refer of course to the federal government."
Dave Barry responds: "Universities have become intellectually constipated."
Nothing funny about that...
HT: JoanneJacobs
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Mountain Lion Sighting!
It's been a few years since this sign first went up. Claudette and I always take a look at our surroundings when we are out walking but we've never seen anything...
...until today.
I was walking through the park at the end of the block. I crossed the rusty bridge over the creek from the park on the way to McD's for lunch. As I was walking the path along the top of creek bank out to the main road, I saw a mountian lion meandering in the creek bed about 20ft below.
I watched it walk away around the next bend in the creek while silently cussing myself for not having a camera.
Google Maps Coordinates: 37.298945,-121.769012
The cat was just about between the green and red pointers in the picture (click to enlarge) below:
...until today.
I was walking through the park at the end of the block. I crossed the rusty bridge over the creek from the park on the way to McD's for lunch. As I was walking the path along the top of creek bank out to the main road, I saw a mountian lion meandering in the creek bed about 20ft below.
I watched it walk away around the next bend in the creek while silently cussing myself for not having a camera.
Google Maps Coordinates: 37.298945,-121.769012
The cat was just about between the green and red pointers in the picture (click to enlarge) below:
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
You Might Be a School Employee If...
Attributed to Jeff Foxworthy:
1. YOU might be a school employee if you believe the playground should be equipped with a Ritalin salt lick.
2. YOU might be a school employee if you want to slap the next person who says, 'Must be nice to work 8 to 3:30 and have summers off.
3. YOU might be a school employee if it is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered.
4. YOU might be a school employee if you can tell it's a full moon or if it's going to rain, snow, hail....anything!!! Without ever looking outside.
5. YOU might be a school employee if you believe, 'shallow gene pool' should have its own box on a report card.
6. YOU might be a school employee if when out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior.
7. YOU might be a school employee if you have no social life between August and June.
8. YOU might be a school employee if you think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce.
9. YOU might be a school employee if you wonder how some parents MANAGED to reproduce.
10. YOU might be a school employee if you laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the 'lounge.'
11. YOU might be a school employee if you encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the U-HAUL boxes should they decided to move.
12. YOU might be a school employee if you think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
13. YOU might be a school employee if you can't imagine how the ACLU could think that covering your students chair with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public.
14. YOU might be a school employee if meeting a child's parent instantly answers this question, 'Why is this kid like this?'
15. YOU might be a school employee if you would choose a mammogram over a parent conference.
16. YOU might be a school employee if you think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons...and desks and chairs for that matter!
17. YOU might be a school employee if the words 'I have college debt for this?' has ever come out of your mouth.
18. YOU might be a school employee if you know how many minutes, and seconds are left in the school year!
...and as a substitute teacher, I can identify with: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 16.
1. YOU might be a school employee if you believe the playground should be equipped with a Ritalin salt lick.
2. YOU might be a school employee if you want to slap the next person who says, 'Must be nice to work 8 to 3:30 and have summers off.
3. YOU might be a school employee if it is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered.
4. YOU might be a school employee if you can tell it's a full moon or if it's going to rain, snow, hail....anything!!! Without ever looking outside.
5. YOU might be a school employee if you believe, 'shallow gene pool' should have its own box on a report card.
6. YOU might be a school employee if when out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior.
7. YOU might be a school employee if you have no social life between August and June.
8. YOU might be a school employee if you think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce.
9. YOU might be a school employee if you wonder how some parents MANAGED to reproduce.
10. YOU might be a school employee if you laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the 'lounge.'
11. YOU might be a school employee if you encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the U-HAUL boxes should they decided to move.
12. YOU might be a school employee if you think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
13. YOU might be a school employee if you can't imagine how the ACLU could think that covering your students chair with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public.
14. YOU might be a school employee if meeting a child's parent instantly answers this question, 'Why is this kid like this?'
15. YOU might be a school employee if you would choose a mammogram over a parent conference.
16. YOU might be a school employee if you think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons...and desks and chairs for that matter!
17. YOU might be a school employee if the words 'I have college debt for this?' has ever come out of your mouth.
18. YOU might be a school employee if you know how many minutes, and seconds are left in the school year!
...and as a substitute teacher, I can identify with: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 16.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Don't Get Sick on Sundays...
I've said my bit about personal dealings with health insurance companies but I'm pretty ok with the doctors and actual medical services provided -- except the cost, of course.
But I don't think I want to change to anything resembling this...
But I don't think I want to change to anything resembling this...
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Seabreacher for the boys...
My sister lives on a lake in Georgia. I'm hoping she'll buy one of these before we come to visit next year.
Hey, Sue! Don't ya think the boys would love this thing?
Hey, Sue! Don't ya think the boys would love this thing?
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Atlas Shrugged Finally Done!
I started reading Ayn Rand’s novel “Atlas Shrugged” several months ago. It’s taken me several months to read because at 1168 pages, it’s a large book. It doesn’t help that I had to return it to the library every three weeks and try to check it out again as they would not allow renewals because there were always several people “on hold” for the same book of which they have only seven copies.
With several weeks delay between checking the book back in to the library and waiting for the next available copy to continue the novel, I was able to complete the last third of the book this week with only six days left before I have to return it.
Who is John Galt?
That’s the main catch phrase of the book revived by popular current day Conservative radio and TV personalities commenting on the apparent direction our US government is leaning.
In the book, John Galt starts out as a legendary myth that later turns out to be very real. John Galt seems to be Ayn Rand’s alter ego whose political view seems to be somewhere to the far right of extreme Libertarianism.
At one point in the book, John revels himself in a hijacked radio address to the nation with a three hour speech explaining his belief system and actions. I started reading the first few pages of Galt’s speech and noticed a recurring theme. I skipped several pages and picked up reading the same theme. Skipped more pages and found the theme continued.
Ayn Rand had become Ayn Rant which pretty much boils down to: “Government! Leave me the hell alone!”
It was only because I skipped much of that 60 page radio speech that I was able to finish the book by the library deadline.
I’m tempted to checkout her book “The Fountainhead” but I hear there is movie that I can complete in about 2hrs.
With several weeks delay between checking the book back in to the library and waiting for the next available copy to continue the novel, I was able to complete the last third of the book this week with only six days left before I have to return it.
Who is John Galt?
That’s the main catch phrase of the book revived by popular current day Conservative radio and TV personalities commenting on the apparent direction our US government is leaning.
In the book, John Galt starts out as a legendary myth that later turns out to be very real. John Galt seems to be Ayn Rand’s alter ego whose political view seems to be somewhere to the far right of extreme Libertarianism.
At one point in the book, John revels himself in a hijacked radio address to the nation with a three hour speech explaining his belief system and actions. I started reading the first few pages of Galt’s speech and noticed a recurring theme. I skipped several pages and picked up reading the same theme. Skipped more pages and found the theme continued.
Ayn Rand had become Ayn Rant which pretty much boils down to: “Government! Leave me the hell alone!”
It was only because I skipped much of that 60 page radio speech that I was able to finish the book by the library deadline.
I’m tempted to checkout her book “The Fountainhead” but I hear there is movie that I can complete in about 2hrs.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
No New Friends…
In the five years I’ve been subbing, I had no idea what she looked like.
“Oh! Hi there Ms. E! Are you working this week?”
This was from one of the teachers in the teachers’ lounge the last week of school. I was eating my lunch at the time and when I heard her name, I had to turn around to see who she was. Ms. E is one of the very few subs I hear talked about (favorably) at the schools I work.
Overheard in the office:
“See if you can get a hold on Ms. E if she’s available…”
“We need someone reliable for Ms. X’s class. See if we can get Ms. E”
“Ms. E and Mr. Homework are already booked, who else can we get?”
I picked up my sandwich and went over to introduce myself.
Me: “I just wanted to come over and introduce myself since I’ve heard so much about you from the teachers here. The kids here call me Mr. Homework but my real name is Mr. P.”
Ms. E: “So YOU’RE the Mr. Homework all the kids talk about. It’s finally nice to put a face to the name.”
It turns out that we started subbing about the same time five years ago. We traveled the same school circuit but never seemed to cross paths until today. Comparing notes, we both realized that neither of us could recall the names of any subs in this district except each other.
In the five years I’ve been doing this, I can recall the names of only two substitute teachers in the schools I work. One of those is a guy I’ve never met face to face. We only communicate via email. After finding my blog, he figured out from clues that we work the same schools. He quit the first year.
The other is Ms. E.
That is one aspect of substitute teaching that is different from any other profession, at least from my personal experience. You do not easily get to know others in the same profession. The infrequency of contact doesn’t sustain familiarity.
Other than the initial meeting at the start of the year where the newly minted subs and retreads like me get the mandatory job safety and rules of conduct training, there are no “meet and greet” type events where you can easily get to know your fellow subs. There are no “Sub Club” after school hangouts where you can down a few Diet Pepsi’s and swap war stories.
Unlike some work friends from some of my previous professions:
I’m still in touch with a guy, currently in real estate, that I knew from our pre-teenage days as paperboys.
My once a week racquetball partner is a guy I worked with over 30+ yrs ago on a private software project.
A twice a month “anyone up for lunch” friend is a guy I worked with for three years at a defense contractor company some 20+ years ago
A friend I don’t’ see enough of is a guy I met at my very first job at Fairchild Corp just out of college in 1970. That was in the days before Intel and Microsoft were invented.
…On the other hand, local anonymity sometimes has its advantages as the author of an online blog.
“Oh! Hi there Ms. E! Are you working this week?”
This was from one of the teachers in the teachers’ lounge the last week of school. I was eating my lunch at the time and when I heard her name, I had to turn around to see who she was. Ms. E is one of the very few subs I hear talked about (favorably) at the schools I work.
Overheard in the office:
“See if you can get a hold on Ms. E if she’s available…”
“We need someone reliable for Ms. X’s class. See if we can get Ms. E”
“Ms. E and Mr. Homework are already booked, who else can we get?”
I picked up my sandwich and went over to introduce myself.
Me: “I just wanted to come over and introduce myself since I’ve heard so much about you from the teachers here. The kids here call me Mr. Homework but my real name is Mr. P.”
Ms. E: “So YOU’RE the Mr. Homework all the kids talk about. It’s finally nice to put a face to the name.”
It turns out that we started subbing about the same time five years ago. We traveled the same school circuit but never seemed to cross paths until today. Comparing notes, we both realized that neither of us could recall the names of any subs in this district except each other.
In the five years I’ve been doing this, I can recall the names of only two substitute teachers in the schools I work. One of those is a guy I’ve never met face to face. We only communicate via email. After finding my blog, he figured out from clues that we work the same schools. He quit the first year.
The other is Ms. E.
That is one aspect of substitute teaching that is different from any other profession, at least from my personal experience. You do not easily get to know others in the same profession. The infrequency of contact doesn’t sustain familiarity.
Other than the initial meeting at the start of the year where the newly minted subs and retreads like me get the mandatory job safety and rules of conduct training, there are no “meet and greet” type events where you can easily get to know your fellow subs. There are no “Sub Club” after school hangouts where you can down a few Diet Pepsi’s and swap war stories.
Unlike some work friends from some of my previous professions:
I’m still in touch with a guy, currently in real estate, that I knew from our pre-teenage days as paperboys.
My once a week racquetball partner is a guy I worked with over 30+ yrs ago on a private software project.
A twice a month “anyone up for lunch” friend is a guy I worked with for three years at a defense contractor company some 20+ years ago
A friend I don’t’ see enough of is a guy I met at my very first job at Fairchild Corp just out of college in 1970. That was in the days before Intel and Microsoft were invented.
…On the other hand, local anonymity sometimes has its advantages as the author of an online blog.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
I Know What We’re Gonna Do Today!
"...There's 104 days of summer vacation
And school comes along just to end it
So the annual problem for our generation
Is finding a good way to spend it!"
Unlike Phineas & Ferb who ALWAYS know what they're going to do on this bright summer day, the substitute teacher is out of a job until the next school year starts in August.
What does a substitute teacher do during the summer? Well today I attended the Yahoo stockholders meeting (...we own 40 shares) in Santa Clara to see what the new CEO Carol Bartz is like in person.
I have to say I'm impressed. Very personable and engaging. I don't know if she can do anything about improving the situation with Yahoo but time will tell.
In addressing a question from the floor about Yahoo's decision nine years ago to turn over IP address information that was used by the Chinese government to imprison a Chinese national named Shi Tao, she responded in a serious subdued tone: "We made a mistake 10yrs ago but it's not our job to fix China"
A leader that admits a mistake without blaming her predecessor is a refreshing change these days.
And school comes along just to end it
So the annual problem for our generation
Is finding a good way to spend it!"
Unlike Phineas & Ferb who ALWAYS know what they're going to do on this bright summer day, the substitute teacher is out of a job until the next school year starts in August.
What does a substitute teacher do during the summer? Well today I attended the Yahoo stockholders meeting (...we own 40 shares) in Santa Clara to see what the new CEO Carol Bartz is like in person.
I have to say I'm impressed. Very personable and engaging. I don't know if she can do anything about improving the situation with Yahoo but time will tell.
In addressing a question from the floor about Yahoo's decision nine years ago to turn over IP address information that was used by the Chinese government to imprison a Chinese national named Shi Tao, she responded in a serious subdued tone: "We made a mistake 10yrs ago but it's not our job to fix China"
A leader that admits a mistake without blaming her predecessor is a refreshing change these days.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Silver, Gold, Diamond, Rock, Paper, Scissors, Laptop?…
Women can always tell you what the traditional anniversary gift is supposed to be when that special date rolls around. We guys can’t remember the last time we changed our socks.
So to celebrate our wedding anniversary, Claudette told me “39” is laptop computer and wireless router. What could I say? We’re not much into sharing one computer anymore.
Now if only I could find someone with Goggle’s video chat feature, I could try out the web cam …
Update 6/23/09: Video chat works (kinda)! Daughter installed it and "called" us. The audio and video not synchronized too well. Probably a result of the speed of our ISP. It's still pretty nifty!
So to celebrate our wedding anniversary, Claudette told me “39” is laptop computer and wireless router. What could I say? We’re not much into sharing one computer anymore.
Now if only I could find someone with Goggle’s video chat feature, I could try out the web cam …
Update 6/23/09: Video chat works (kinda)! Daughter installed it and "called" us. The audio and video not synchronized too well. Probably a result of the speed of our ISP. It's still pretty nifty!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Final Tally:2008-2009…
This is the last day of the eight day assignment in this classroom. It’s a minimum day.
Some of the teachers tried to warn me. I just didn’t quite believe how tough a final “fun day” could be.
I’m walking out to my classroom in the portables at 08:00am to find workmen boarding up the windows with 4x8 sheets of plywood.
“Securing the classrooms against the summer vandals” was the given explanation. The entire row of classrooms looked like foreclosed, abandoned housing units.
I thought it must make quite an impression for the parents of the graduating 6th graders to see the slum dwellings where their kids got their education. Couldn’t they have “secured” the classrooms for summer AFTER school?
The final day lesson plan:
This should have been an easy day and for the most part it was. The problems came during the movie in the classroom. Everyone was laying out on the floor because I had the kids stack desks and chairs right after recess. With the windows boarded up, the classroom was pitch black, movie perfect atmosphere. I turned out the lights and started the video.
Once my eyes adjusted to night vision, I noticed a couple of boys standing over by the teachers’ desk in the back of the room. Knowing that they were probably up to nothing good, I made my way back to where they were, only to see that one kid had my sunglasses that used to be in my backpack!!
“WHAT THE F-(remembering at the last fraction of a second that the next syllable would probably get me fired) ARE YOU TWO DOING! GIVE ME THOSE! HIT THE LIGHTS! TURN OFF THE VIDEO!”
“YOU!”, pointing at the kid with MY glasses, “GET OUT OF HERE NOW! OFFICE RIGHT NOW!” as I grabbed my glasses back.
I was so mad, I surprised myself. I could hardly talk to the office secretary to describe why I was sending the kid over. I was stunned that any kid would be going through my backpack in class. Even more stunned that he would do it while I was in the room. On the last day of school, even! I was so stunned that I even forgot about the second kid that was with him!
I went by the office at lunch time. Almost every chair available was occupied by a kid evicted from one classroom or another. The school secretary said it happens every year.
“The kids just go nuts the last week of school. We tried to warn you!”
Final Total: 78 of 180 days subbing.
Some of the teachers tried to warn me. I just didn’t quite believe how tough a final “fun day” could be.
I’m walking out to my classroom in the portables at 08:00am to find workmen boarding up the windows with 4x8 sheets of plywood.
“Securing the classrooms against the summer vandals” was the given explanation. The entire row of classrooms looked like foreclosed, abandoned housing units.
I thought it must make quite an impression for the parents of the graduating 6th graders to see the slum dwellings where their kids got their education. Couldn’t they have “secured” the classrooms for summer AFTER school?
The final day lesson plan:
- Clean the classroom
- Go the 6th graders “clap out” assembly
- Recess
- Show movie
- Lunch
- Stack desks and chairs
- Pass out report cards
- Go home at 1:20pm
This should have been an easy day and for the most part it was. The problems came during the movie in the classroom. Everyone was laying out on the floor because I had the kids stack desks and chairs right after recess. With the windows boarded up, the classroom was pitch black, movie perfect atmosphere. I turned out the lights and started the video.
Once my eyes adjusted to night vision, I noticed a couple of boys standing over by the teachers’ desk in the back of the room. Knowing that they were probably up to nothing good, I made my way back to where they were, only to see that one kid had my sunglasses that used to be in my backpack!!
“WHAT THE F-(remembering at the last fraction of a second that the next syllable would probably get me fired) ARE YOU TWO DOING! GIVE ME THOSE! HIT THE LIGHTS! TURN OFF THE VIDEO!”
“YOU!”, pointing at the kid with MY glasses, “GET OUT OF HERE NOW! OFFICE RIGHT NOW!” as I grabbed my glasses back.
I was so mad, I surprised myself. I could hardly talk to the office secretary to describe why I was sending the kid over. I was stunned that any kid would be going through my backpack in class. Even more stunned that he would do it while I was in the room. On the last day of school, even! I was so stunned that I even forgot about the second kid that was with him!
I went by the office at lunch time. Almost every chair available was occupied by a kid evicted from one classroom or another. The school secretary said it happens every year.
“The kids just go nuts the last week of school. We tried to warn you!”
Final Total: 78 of 180 days subbing.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Anthem Apathy…
It’s the same starting routine every day. Take attendance, take lunch count, stand up, sing the national anthem, salute the flag, sit down and begin the school day.
Unless exempted due to philosophical or religious reasons, every kid is required to follow the plan. Unless I hear a good reason, every kid is going to at least lip-sync with the rest of the class the salute and anthem.
Almost every class has a clown that likes to go against the flow and act up during the song or salute. All it usually takes from me is a hard stare from my location at the front of the room to get the clown back into sync with the rest of the class. If that doesn’t work, a hand gesture (no, not that one) usually gets the point across. But sometimes I need to escalate the situation to get my point across.
So it was with one 5th grade boy this last week of school.
The stare was enough to get him to stand with the rest of the class but executed with the vacant stare of defiance.
The escalation gesture step was noticed by everyone around him but had no affect on “mute boy”. A second silent request to get with the program was met with a blank expression.
My final “persuasion” technique was to walk over and stand directly behind him and sing the anthem as loud as I could. The other kids were starting to crack up and even the clown was trying not to break character. He ultimately gave in and completed the anthem with the rest of the class.
The next day, all it took to get the clown into gear at anthem time was to walk over and stand behind him while he sang with the rest of the class. In the afternoon, the class attended a school-wide spirit rally in the front of the school. The kids are grouped around the flag pole, school mascot, and principal with featured cheer leaders. The rally, of course, opens with the flag salute and singing of the national anthem.
At the start of the anthem, clown boy leaves his class group to come stand in front of me at the back of the crowd to sing the anthem.
A clown with an attitude is one thing but a clown with a sense of humor is ok by me.
Unless exempted due to philosophical or religious reasons, every kid is required to follow the plan. Unless I hear a good reason, every kid is going to at least lip-sync with the rest of the class the salute and anthem.
Almost every class has a clown that likes to go against the flow and act up during the song or salute. All it usually takes from me is a hard stare from my location at the front of the room to get the clown back into sync with the rest of the class. If that doesn’t work, a hand gesture (no, not that one) usually gets the point across. But sometimes I need to escalate the situation to get my point across.
So it was with one 5th grade boy this last week of school.
The stare was enough to get him to stand with the rest of the class but executed with the vacant stare of defiance.
The escalation gesture step was noticed by everyone around him but had no affect on “mute boy”. A second silent request to get with the program was met with a blank expression.
My final “persuasion” technique was to walk over and stand directly behind him and sing the anthem as loud as I could. The other kids were starting to crack up and even the clown was trying not to break character. He ultimately gave in and completed the anthem with the rest of the class.
The next day, all it took to get the clown into gear at anthem time was to walk over and stand behind him while he sang with the rest of the class. In the afternoon, the class attended a school-wide spirit rally in the front of the school. The kids are grouped around the flag pole, school mascot, and principal with featured cheer leaders. The rally, of course, opens with the flag salute and singing of the national anthem.
At the start of the anthem, clown boy leaves his class group to come stand in front of me at the back of the crowd to sing the anthem.
A clown with an attitude is one thing but a clown with a sense of humor is ok by me.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Do You Know About Girls?
I’m in the last week of the current school year subbing in a 4th/5th combo class. I’m riding herd on 28 kids with no lessons being given. Indoor movies or outside field games dominate the lesson plans for this final week.
During one outside activity with three other classes, one 4th grader boy from a different class comes up and asks: “Do you know about girls?”
I’m pretty sure I misheard his request and asked him to repeat the question. I’m not sure why he’s asking me about this subject. Maybe I’m the oldest adult he knows at school and figures age wise, I might be the best source of “girl information”.
There are a lot of potentially problematic mine fields with a loaded question like that but until I know more…
K4: Do you know about girls?
Me: Uhhh. I know some things. What specifically do you want to know?
(If it’s what I think, he’s going to have to ask ‘Mom or Dad’ or wait till they cover that next year in health class.)
K4: About dancing…
Me: Ok, What about dancing?
K4: I’m supposed to dance with a girl.
Me: …and?
K4: Do you know how to ‘Tango’?
Me: Actually, no. Does your Mom know how to ‘Tango’?
K4: Yea, she does.
Me: I suggest you talk to Mom when you get home. I'm sure she'll help you out.
(Whew!)
During one outside activity with three other classes, one 4th grader boy from a different class comes up and asks: “Do you know about girls?”
I’m pretty sure I misheard his request and asked him to repeat the question. I’m not sure why he’s asking me about this subject. Maybe I’m the oldest adult he knows at school and figures age wise, I might be the best source of “girl information”.
There are a lot of potentially problematic mine fields with a loaded question like that but until I know more…
K4: Do you know about girls?
Me: Uhhh. I know some things. What specifically do you want to know?
(If it’s what I think, he’s going to have to ask ‘Mom or Dad’ or wait till they cover that next year in health class.)
K4: About dancing…
Me: Ok, What about dancing?
K4: I’m supposed to dance with a girl.
Me: …and?
K4: Do you know how to ‘Tango’?
Me: Actually, no. Does your Mom know how to ‘Tango’?
K4: Yea, she does.
Me: I suggest you talk to Mom when you get home. I'm sure she'll help you out.
(Whew!)
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Water Park Field Trip…
Part of the motivation in writing this blog is to answer the question: “What’s it like being a substitute teacher?” Sometimes, it’s not actually teaching anything!
I worked on Monday to stay at school with the “left behinders” from two of the 4th grade classes. I had approximately twenty-five kids, while the rest of the 4th grade classes went on a field trip to the local water park for the day.
Status: Minimal inconsequential busy work. Boring day!
Yesterday, I subbed for the teacher of a 4th grade class from a different school on their field trip to the same water park. We walked to the park from the school and back with about 200 kids and six teachers. We didn’t get back until two hours after school let out.
Status: Longer workday. I sat in the shade reading a book, while the park personnel performed one lifeguard rescue, one vomit victim cleanup for our group. Relaxing day!
Next time I’m taking the swimsuit and getting wet.
I worked on Monday to stay at school with the “left behinders” from two of the 4th grade classes. I had approximately twenty-five kids, while the rest of the 4th grade classes went on a field trip to the local water park for the day.
Status: Minimal inconsequential busy work. Boring day!
Yesterday, I subbed for the teacher of a 4th grade class from a different school on their field trip to the same water park. We walked to the park from the school and back with about 200 kids and six teachers. We didn’t get back until two hours after school let out.
Status: Longer workday. I sat in the shade reading a book, while the park personnel performed one lifeguard rescue, one vomit victim cleanup for our group. Relaxing day!
Next time I’m taking the swimsuit and getting wet.
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