Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Murphy's Law on Observations

My principal had orginally planned to observe my class two weeks ago and had asked for the lesson plans in advance. I wanted to make sure I was well prepared, so I created some outstanding lesson plans that included almost every "tool" in my my toolbox. Well, wouldn't you know, it ended up he couldn't observe during the designated time frame! He came to me last Monday and told me he would be in my room the next day. I decided that maybe the principal would be impressed with my plan to review and discuss the most missed questions from the previous day's test. I thought that this would be a great demonstration of my skills in remediation and mastery of concept. And I could count on my third year students to contribute and develop productive conversations. The class began, the principal walked in, and the class that is always "involved in the learning process," TOTALLY clammed up! They huddled in a corner like refugees, kept their mouths shut the entire time (leaving me to do all of the talking), and at the same time, they were cutting their eyes at the principal in the corner. When he left, I had to fight the urge to run after him down the halls telling him, "they're not usually like this!! Come back! Come back!" What's that saying about the best laid plans?????????

2 comments:

Jessie H said...

Murphy's Law indeed! I hope you receive a good evaluation despite your students' reluctance to participate in class.

Victoria said...

Unfortunately your students didn't act favorably for you, but remember he came to observe you therefore, it shouldn't matter. If you did the best you could, that is all that matters.
Keep up the good work and know that the weapons of warfare aren't physical, but spiritual...