tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71919657284052790252024-03-19T05:56:33.651-07:00The Doc Is In"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-80084321575373242572007-12-29T19:59:00.000-08:002007-12-29T20:00:35.143-08:00I Have MovedYou can now find me at: <a href="http://drpezz.wordpress.com/">http://drpezz.wordpress.com/</a>Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-18485780729797236062007-12-29T10:30:00.000-08:002007-12-29T10:46:42.625-08:00Differentiated DiplomasI often wonder if a partial solution to helping colleges, trade schools, and employers determine the worthiness of students for their programs and businesses is the diploma itself. I anticipate my solution will not be popular among certain groups, but I do think it could eliminate some of debate over assessing student backgrounds and achievement.<br /><br />My rough idea for four diplomas, which I would probably color code rather than officially name:<br /><br />1 - The first diploma would be one where the student took the most rigorous coursework available, essentially an honors diploma for most students. Students could have their coursework scored on a points basis, and if enough points are earned then they would receive this diploma. <br /><br />2 - The second diploma would be for students who took the mainstream ("normal" or typical) courses available to them when they have not earned enough points for the first diploma.<br /><br />3 - The ELL (ESL) diploma for students who took a number of sheltered or ELL courses rather than reaching the basic standards or taking the basic course load of the mainstream student.<br /><br />4 - The special education diploma for students with a large number of special education courses as part of their academic course loads. If the special education courses were merely support for the mainstream courses, then the second diploma would be earned.<br /><br />These are just rough thoughts but make me wonder if it could be a potential assistance to determining or assessing student achievement. It may even lead to the elimination of the vast monies spent on testing and instead spent on more direct means of assisting students.<br /><br />Just an idea I think about from time to time.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-51783817728055940832007-12-29T10:10:00.000-08:002007-12-29T10:30:09.641-08:00Higher Standards<a href="http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071227/OP02/21261814/-1/OP">An editorial</a> supports raising the bar for students graduating from high school. Graduating seniors often take remedial coursework as freshmen in college and the low percentages of minorities applying to four-year universities are some of the pieces of evidence used to support this position. <br /><br />While I, too, would like to see students better prepared for university life and coursework, I also see some concerning factors not discussed.<br /><br />I firmly believe that elective courses often keep students in school and reveal to students their passions. By increasing the number of core classes (according to the article: "English, math, science, social studies and language") students take, the number of electives available to them would decrease.<br /><br />Also, the public and school officials must be prepared for failure rates to rise initially. In any system when standards are raised, a period of time ensues where success levels drop and then they begin to recover. However, success rates may never reach previous levels.<br /><br />Academic success is a social and community dilemma. The increase in single-parent households, the attitudes about school, the socio-economic status of households (the issue of poverty in general), and more affect student achievement. <br /><br />It seems as though every solution to perceived academic shortcomings is conducted entirely within the schools, even though numerous factors outside of the school setting greatly affect student success--arguably even more so than what occurs within the classroom.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-5768752432177426402007-12-28T20:43:00.000-08:002007-12-28T21:01:24.289-08:00Where is the Money?According to the <a href="http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html">U.S. Census Bureau</a> the United States has a current population of 303,124,730 and according to <a href="http://nationalpriorities.org/cms/costofwar">the NPP</a> the Iraq War debt is about $481 billion.<br /><br />Based on the population in Washington State, our share is approximately $10.4 billion. This could be used, at $58,000 per teacher, to hire almost 180,000 teachers. <br /><br />Obviously this is unrealistic, but I feel it does highlight how much money is not going to education that could be. Even 5% of that money could hire 9,000 new teachers.<br /><br />Class size is a continuing problem in my district and particularly in the high school, and I definitely hope this issue rises to the forefront of budgeting decisions this year.<br /><br />As I mentioned on a blog response earlier this week, one of our assistant superintendents repeatedly states that class size does not greatly affect achievement results at the high school. He says this despite mandating classes of 20 or fewer students for remedial and state-test prep classes and encouraging smaller AP class sizes. <br /><br />I used my classes two years ago to show how the same course I taught to two classes, one of 18 students and one of 28 students, showed a major contrast in overall achievement. The smaller class had a 10% higher average than the larger class. Plus, the smaller class had no failures.<br /><br />Did I mention the superintendent sent his kids to a private school where class sizes are half of ours? Hmmm...Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-36170158289759700332007-12-27T21:01:00.001-08:002007-12-27T21:34:43.955-08:00Attendance UpdateLooking at the new attendance policy's (the entirely punitive, unyielding policy we currently use) effects on absences and tardies, the preliminary numbers don't show success as of yet when looking at my past grade books. My look at the numbers is not a pure, scientific look, but it is what I'm seeing. <br /><br />I truly believe we are punishing the symptom of the problem. We don't cure appendicitis by giving the patient Tylenol for the pain. Masking the symptom doesn't cure the disease. Our attendance system punishes the symptom (absences and tardies) instead of curing the disease (attitudes about class and school).<br /><br />Following this post is a brief recap of what the staff was shown this year.<br /><br />This is what I've found so far on a per student basis, keeping in mind that the new policy began in 2006:<br /><br />1. Overall 1st semester absences have risen from 8.9 to 9.3 per student from 2005 until now. This is about an increase of 75 total absences.<br />2. Overall 2nd semester absences have risen from 9.6 to 10.5 from 2005 until 2006. Obviously this year's 2nd semester numbers won't be ready until June. This is an increase of about 162 total absences.<br />3. Honors students' absences have risen from 3.9 to 7.0 during 1st semester (2005-2007) and from 4.9 to 6.1 during 2nd semester (2005-2006).<br />4. Non-Honors students' absences have risen from 10.3 to 10.8 during 1st semester (2005-2007) and from 11.0 to 12.1 during 2nd semester (2005-2006).<br />5. Tardies have declined for honors students and risen slightly for non-honors students.<br /><br />What I'm seeing in my classes is that absences are on the rise, slightly in some cases but rising nevertheless. The honors students have effectively deciphered the system and are maximizing their absences with the fewest number of negative consequences. They openly discuss how they can dodge detentions while still missing classes.<br /><br />Additionally, I looked at absences by subject and period. Students in my Sophomore English courses (the lowest level I have) have the highest increase in absences while 1st period absences have risen more than any other period. I wonder what the Freshman rates are.<br /><br />We have one administrator and three full-time employees essentially working their entire shifts on this attendance system. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know this system is not cost effective and is not going to solve the problem.<br /><br /><br />--------<br />Brief Recap from an earlier post:<br /><br />"At a staff meeting we were shown a chart detailing how the number of assigned detentions has risen for attendance infractions and another chart detailing how many absences are labeled excused and unexcused. These were presented to illustrate our increasing successes in "solving" the attendance problem.<br /><br />At the beginning of the year we were told the measure of success would be the declining numbers of absences and tardies. However, this presentation did not show that data.<br /><br />Two staff members before me asked questions which were not really answered, so I asked what our ultimate goal is with the new attendance policy (we had the same one last year, but this year we give double the detention time and only track tardies on a weekly basis rather than through a full semester). I stated the data shows parents are doing a better job of calling in and excusing absences and we are doing a better job of enforcing consequences for unexcused absences and tardies, but isn't the number of absences and tardies our true goal? What are those numbers?"Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-17301393499478154572007-12-27T20:52:00.000-08:002007-12-27T20:59:39.704-08:00Online AlternativesIn this <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/education/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/119872771884060.xml&coll=7">Oregonian</span> article</a> the successes of an online school are touted as a potential solution for students looking for a new mean of success. <br /><br />And it works for some.<br /><br />Over 1800 students are enrolled in this online school with high levels of success in reading, scores comparable to public schools in math and reading, and special needs students with passing rates near their fully-abled peers. Sounds wonderful.<br /><br />Except there's a catch: "Connections Academy is off-limits for any student who can't arrange for a learning coach to be home with them for five or six hours, five days a week." <br /><br />I would contend that any student who is getting assistance online and who has a full-time tutor is going to perform quite well. This signals to me children of middle to upper-middle class parents who normally outperform their peers in public schools anyway.<br /><br />While I like the opportunities afforded (pun intended--sorry) these students, I do believe the comparisons are a bit disingenuous. <br /><br />My high school uses online learning to allow credit retrieval, but we encounter a few major difficulties with normal hours online credit retrieval:<br />1. The curriculum is not aligned with ours. <br />2. The rigor falls far short.<br />3. The course requirements (of the course being made up) are not required of the online students.<br />4. The students regularly finish the retrieved credit in less than six weeks (with no real plan for the other 12 weeks).<br />5. The students have a high failure rate in the next teacher-led course in the sequence.<br /><br />However, we are seeing some successes with <a href="http://moodle.org/">Moodle</a>. This Blackboard styled online system allows teachers to require the same knowledge as our normal classroom setting courses, but also allows the work to be submitted and worked on online. It's not a cure-all, but it does greatly improve the online systems and programs we have used in the past, especially the current credit retrieval programs.<br /><br />I would love to see online learning take hold in my community, but I also believe the rigor and content requirements must be included. In addition, I think teachers from our school (preferred) or teachers with the skills and and background in the content area (who understand our aligned curricula and become part of our departments) must instruct the online courses. <br /><br />This requires support from the district in dollars, time, resources, and people, so we'll see how serious it is to provide online classes with the rigor and high standards of the regular classroom.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-91695802227087313052007-12-25T19:38:00.000-08:002007-12-26T11:28:09.467-08:00The "Duh" StudyWhile flipping from channel to channel last night, I came across a report on Fox News about education. The researchers found that students who crammed all night for a test, the so-called "all-nighter," earned lower grades than the students who studied a bit at a time throughout the semester.<br /><br />Essentially, the study explains that good students outperform bad students.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">You don't say?!</span></span><br /><br />This study and the feature itself seem emblematic of the new data movement: data must be provided for everything, even for common sense conclusions. Unless a formal assessment or study is used, the results are often discounted, not accepted, or ignored altogether. <br /><br />While I believe formal studies and assessments are important, I do hope that informal assessments and qualitative data--the messy stuff that may not fit into a pretty chart--are not dismissed too quickly; they are weighted with authority as well.<br /><br />(60 minutes after the above post) Update: I found <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2004074530_allnight15.html">a link</a> briefly explaining the study in the Seattle Times. The way this article is worded, the study seems more like it focused on sleep deprivation, but the Fox News report seemed more like a good student vs. bad student study. Regardless, it still reads as common sense proved with data.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-17525362991850059972007-12-24T23:03:00.000-08:002007-12-26T11:26:30.649-08:00My Favorite Christmas MoviesStudents are often curious about me and my life, and every December the students eventually ask me about my favorite Christmas movies when I show a film while we work during the final week of classes before the holiday break. The conversation goes something like this:<br /><br />Student: Dr Pezz, what's your favorite Christmas movie?<br /><br />Me: See if you can guess.<br /><br />Students (one after the other): <span style="font-style:italic;">A Christmas Story, Scrooged, A Christmas Carol, A Muppet Christmas Carol, It's A Wonderful Life, The Santa Clause, The Santa Clause 2, A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Home Alone, Prancer, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street</span><br /><br />Me (after each response): Nope<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">30 seconds of silence</span><br /><br />Student (with a sigh): Ok, tell us.<br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style:italic;">Die Hard</span><br /><br />Student: That's not a Christmas movie!<br /><br />Me: Sure, it is. It takes place at Christmas. Ok, then tell me my second favorite.<br /><br />Wise Student in the Back: <span style="font-style:italic;">Die Hard 2</span><br /><br />Me: Excellent! And my third favorite?<br /><br />Student: <span style="font-style:italic;">Die Hard 3</span><br /><br />Me: Nope. That didn't take place during Christmas time.<br /><br />Student: What is it?<br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087363/">Gremlins</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Sighs all around</span><br /><br />Me: But...I brought my <a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0104940/">fourth favorite</a> for you to watch.<br /><br />P.S. The students all seem to know the <span style="font-style:italic;">Die Hard</span> movies, but I feel old mentioning <span style="font-style:italic;">Gremlins</span> since rarely has one of the students seen it.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-37504672940460996312007-12-16T22:22:00.000-08:002008-12-12T21:06:29.425-08:00Break TimeI'm taking a week's break from the blog. Enjoy your holidays and, as I like to tell my students, do something fun just for you.<br /><br />Here's a Merry Christmas from <a href="http://xmasdesktop.batcave.net/Wallpaper/Cartoons/Album/Christmas-Cartoon_040.jpg">a favorite family</a> of mine:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RfETWQNGaj1qTdgf2Cl0rmK7G2nhpTYi2diJ_jyFkTpBIHibqG0TpeQuFGENyBmdPfWZ3a3WyOqOrl5_Ii6uaBNyzX3cSQ8ozvxQJcTmZI8-ylP1igVGA26HfgNHJmjyB0d-PvkGhv8/s1600-h/Christmas-Cartoon_040.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RfETWQNGaj1qTdgf2Cl0rmK7G2nhpTYi2diJ_jyFkTpBIHibqG0TpeQuFGENyBmdPfWZ3a3WyOqOrl5_Ii6uaBNyzX3cSQ8ozvxQJcTmZI8-ylP1igVGA26HfgNHJmjyB0d-PvkGhv8/s320/Christmas-Cartoon_040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144824830745984994" /></a>Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-53705668328796252742007-12-16T22:17:00.000-08:002007-12-16T22:22:23.745-08:00Up NextI get to start some great units to begin the new year:<br /><br />Am. Lit.: Ray Bradbury stories and science fiction<br />Soph. Honors: <span style="font-style:italic;">The Princess Bride</span><br />College in the H.S.: <span style="font-style:italic;">The Red Badge of Courage</span><br />Mythology: Norse mythology<br /><br />It's going to be a fun finish to the semester! Plus, I only have six students (out of over 150) who I worry won't pass. All can, but they need to buckle down and improve in a couple areas. I'm hopeful.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-82131655148974156232007-12-15T08:56:00.000-08:002007-12-15T09:29:07.905-08:00Mad Dogging MeIn my high school the kids have a term called "mad dogging." This is when someone stares across at another student with the intent to harass or bully, which often leads to a shouting match, bad blood, or even a fight.<br /><br />I got mad dogged in a more figurative sense by an administrator (I will call this person Mad Dog).<br /><br />At a staff meeting we were shown a chart detailing how the number of assigned detentions has risen for attendance infractions and another chart detailing how many absences are labeled excused and unexcused. These were presented to illustrate our increasing successes in "solving" the attendance problem. <br /><br />At the beginning of the year we were told the measure of success would be the declining numbers of absences and tardies. However, this presentation did not show that data.<br /><br />Two staff members before me asked questions which were not really answered, so I asked what our ultimate goal is with the new attendance policy (we had the same one last year, but this year we give double the detention time and only track tardies on a weekly basis rather than through a full semester). I stated the data shows parents are doing a better job of calling in and excusing absences and we are doing a better job of enforcing consequences for unexcused absences and tardies, but isn't the number of absences and tardies our true goal? What are those numbers?<br /><br />Mad Dog told me I was "focusing on the negative" and am being "negative" while M.D. was presenting. I had to calm myself as Mad Dog had just labeled me and my speech in front of my 80 colleagues while M.D. uses the microphone. Mad Dog made it quite clear mine was the final comment with a stern look at me and then ended the presentation. I got mad-dogged!<br /><br />I see what M.D. is showing with his presentation, but "how are we doing?" is really what I want to know. Are absences and tardies decreasing across the building?<br /><br />Well, I was upset and attempted to speak with Mad Dog during my prep (busy), and I didn't want to speak about it at the staff party that afternoon, so I e-mailed M.D. my feelings and concerns about the attendance policy. M.D. called me unprofessional for sending my thoughts in an e-mail and said it's "easy to complain" and not be "part of the solution." <br /><br />Again, I was offended since I have been on every committee in the school for the last four years and have even tried to help Mad Dog create an attendance policy which is not completely punitive. In fact, I warned M.D. four things would occur, and three have with the fourth debatable:<br />1. Students whose parents are late calling in would be punished for their parents' failure, which would create animosity between students and staff.<br />2. The community would become confrontational and upset with a completely unyielding policy.<br />3. Absences and tardies will increase because they are only symptoms of the true problem: attitudes about attendance and tardies, which is where we should focus our efforts. I tested this theory by looking at my absences in my classes, which have increased from about 9 per student to 12 per student.<br />4. Any system with no reward and only punitive measures will fail.<br /><br />I tried to get a hold of M.D. before school, who was again unavailable. I sent M.D. another note saying I'd like to resolve the issue and asked M.D. to come see me Thursday or Friday. Again, no response and no visit.<br /><br />I have resolved myself to seeing that Mad Dog does not wish to resolve the issue and that M.D. does not value the power of relationship building with staff members (even though that very idea is written on the back of M.D.'s school shirt). This might sound like a bit of a stretch to assign these thoughts to M.D., but I have had five other staff members with similar complaints about Mad Dog, and now a group of teachers have approached me to set up some sort of meeting to help M.D. improve on people skills.<br /><br />I'm not sure what I will do, but I do know that the adversarial air is thickening and teachers are feeling less willing to work with Mad Dog.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-76671657059991709972007-12-12T21:16:00.000-08:002007-12-12T21:17:50.178-08:00My Favorite ThirteenCheck this out at History Is Elementary: <a href="http://historyiselementary.blogspot.com/2007/12/13-things-about-about-very-historical.html">13 facts about a Rudolph Christmas special</a> I loved as a kid.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-18458196562341214992007-12-12T18:24:00.000-08:002007-12-12T18:53:45.659-08:00I Got Tagged!Thanks for the tag, <a href="http://uncomfortableadventures.blogspot.com/">Clix</a>.<br /><br />The rules are as follows:<br /><br />- Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.<br />- Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself.<br />- Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.<br />- Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.<br /><br />1. A student once tested my Star Trek trivia knowledge with the question "What is the name of Jean-Luc Picard's fish?" I actually knew the answer: Livingston.<br />2. When flipping through channels I have to watch <span style="font-style:italic;">The Shawshank Redemption</span> every time it's on the TV.<br />3. I have a miniature Globe Theatre sitting on my entertainment center.<br />4. My favorite advice to students is to "embrace your geekiness."<br />5. All of my pets are named after literary characters.<br />6. I go to Las Vegas with my wife 2-3 times a year and really do go for the shows.<br />7. I could eat burritos or Chinese food every day if given the opportunity. I love both!<br /><br />Well, that's my eccentricity in a small synopsis. Here are the people I have tagged:<br />1. <a href="http://wsuhoops.wordpress.com/">Jeff</a> <br />2. <a href="http://teacherlingo.com/blogs/bettyb/default.aspx">Betty</a><br />3. <a href="http://ithoughtathink.blogspot.com/">Ryan</a><br />4. <a href="http://www.hoboteacher.com/">Hobo Teacher</a><br />5. <a href="http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/teacher_in_a_strange_land/">Nancy</a><br />6. <a href="http://nyceducator.com/">NYC Educator</a><br />7. <a href="http://repairman.wordpress.com/">Repairman</a>Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-81145717878487968172007-12-09T14:28:00.000-08:002008-12-12T21:06:29.754-08:00ComicOk, it's halftime of the football game I'm watching and time to share a cartoon I found on the net <a href="http://images.scripting.com/archiveScriptingCom/2005/05/26/blogCartoon.jpg">here</a>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEZ-kVlCKI1vBdNKfEuREm06Xeiw_M7fcKcCmZX0JsTVuV7Q3qfiUhZ-1_MgBD29ha9OAlVu9LoXOfz7VuQnMYkFBepiNBxYNzTTVL_j2Is8KGDxnAbNqnErxaFQssdyq24gMNmv7958/s1600-h/blogCartoon.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEZ-kVlCKI1vBdNKfEuREm06Xeiw_M7fcKcCmZX0JsTVuV7Q3qfiUhZ-1_MgBD29ha9OAlVu9LoXOfz7VuQnMYkFBepiNBxYNzTTVL_j2Is8KGDxnAbNqnErxaFQssdyq24gMNmv7958/s400/blogCartoon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142104523336657586" /></a>Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-84984778824708572472007-12-09T14:01:00.000-08:002007-12-09T14:08:40.319-08:00Walk the Line?I almost forgot to mention an interesting tidbit.<br /><br />My department head spoke with the local theatre company who is performing <span style="font-style:italic;">Romeo and Juliet</span> and received an opportunity to have a special performance for all of our 600 freshmen students who read the play during the Spring. We have the funding for the tickets but not for substitute teachers and transportation.<br /><br />When the Boss Lady was approached about helping get funding for the needed buses, she replied "Why not walk them to the show?" <br /><br />Let me see...600 freshmen, over two miles, on snowy and icy sidewalks, and then a return trek all uphill. Hmm...I wonder why that might be a bad idea?<br /><br />Needless to say, instead of trying to help us find a means of creating this awesome event, especially for students who may never have this opportunity again, we're told to "work it out."<br /><br />Sheesh!Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-80666647228420837612007-12-09T13:32:00.000-08:002007-12-09T13:48:52.724-08:00Enforcing the ContractThe union president and the Boss Lady approached me (since I'm on the union Exec. Board) this week about meeting to help ensure that teachers fulfill their supervision duties and work their contracted hours. I will admit that I usually feel somewhat negative when I hear the Boss Lady state her desire to make sure teachers work their hours because I know the vast majority of the teachers work many more hours than is contractually required. However, I feel she has a legitimate point in this case.<br /><br />Five teachers left the building without permission after the last class of the day and before the pep assembly, which they are required to supervise (by contract). Each was seen by the administrator supervising the parking lot for students trying to leave early.<br /><br />Also, four teachers who were sitting in front of the students rather than among the students refused an administrator's request to sit in a position better suited for supervision.<br /><br />Apparently, this issue follows the misuse of prep time by some teachers as well. We are supposed to use prep time to prepare for classes, not to make doctor appointments or to take a long lunch and so on.<br /><br />What bothers me is this: <br />a) These teachers make our requests for more collaboration and prep time seem unjustified since we are all painted with the same broad brush.<br />b) These types of duty avoidances make my job (and the jobs of others) more difficult.<br />c) Insubordination is never acceptable. We can disagree or discuss the issue later, but to refuse--especially in front of students--can't be tolerated.<br /><br />I hope the Boss Lady and I can determine a positive means of approaching the staff to review our professional responsibilities and behaviors. I'd like the review to be a positive one while still ensuring these types of actions don't reoccur. We, as teachers, would do the same in our classes, so I hope this is well-received.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-84262432517419469372007-12-09T13:14:00.000-08:002007-12-09T13:32:00.357-08:00Teacher Created FailuresI went to the high school state football championships this last weekend and watched a coach lose the title game for his team. His inability to adapt and poor play calling at critical moments (really, it was greed leading to opponent points) took the victory from the kids; the leader decided the outcome rather than allowing the kids the opportunity to succeed. <br /><br />The winning team's coach did not put his team into positions likely to cause failure. He set his athletes up to succeed, and they did.<br /><br />I see some of this same problem in my high school. While we have quite a number of wonderfully dedicated and industrious teachers, we also have a small few who refuse to collaborate and adapt.<br /><br />One department in my school has been labeled the cause of our status as a failing school. While I don't believe the teachers in the department are solely responsible, I do see a couple of them as part of the problem. And of course, this reflects on the entire school and impacts everyone.<br /><br />Two teachers refused to attend the training for their department's new approaches to teaching their content. This comes on the heels of their department being provided development opportunities from the state and district and on the heels of the department's agreement to alter some older methods of teaching in favor of some new approaches. At a minimum some best practices would be shared, and the potential is present to revolutionize and revitalize the department.<br /><br />The lack of collaboration, unwillingness to change, and outright lack of professionalism appalls me. For a group who is the focus of reform, I would expect that the teachers would at least listen to the suggestions even if they do not embrace them. This type of cancerous attitude needs to be cured and cured quickly.<br /><br />I hope to see these staff members won over by the rest of the department in their efforts to improve and ultimately help kids succeed. <br /><br />Additionally, I expect to see the administration step in and enforce the mandates of professionalism. Too often I hear complaints about the lack of professionalism with little done to rectify the behaviors. This is a definite opportunity to effect positive change.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-82523177048424159092007-12-03T19:58:00.001-08:002008-12-12T21:06:29.948-08:00Hmm...My wife says <a href="http://members.comics.com/members/common/affiliateArchive.do;jsessionid=beMjGkTwR_Wh?site=spi&comicId=&comic=pearls&stripId=328465">this comic</a> could be me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbbwwTR55P0G6c1QWm6J21AOliLV5QrV8OBUYlBUkvjxBE5nGvHFIoAMtlpcmFiSC1CfRRFjpbswUFrriLpu5Vmh3eLfWauj1Q4M6blToQTohALELHQ5TJen1T4HLiUDSS5XRsYZx2qs/s1600-r/pearls2002222371128.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIeb7rkdmN1jBXnLiKyjMh650VCbLWjeF9idFfASKptoFcmy-Gd03KoxMVVfzwcqEVaaZ0e9uRxCWAI_iIFQD0BXSAEVPa-kSd1D24SD3m9hIV6NPKAWIacmezTcaW2usaRTV2BygY2Y/s400/pearls2002222371128.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139963052642871970" /></a>Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-68110827542397579182007-11-29T20:30:00.000-08:002007-11-29T20:31:40.385-08:00Tongue in CheekToday is a day I love The Onion!<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/news/underfunded_schools_forced_to_cut">Check this out.</a>Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-91466102954720874042007-11-29T20:08:00.000-08:002007-11-29T20:23:12.721-08:00Should They Walk?In Wenatchee, a town with a single high school of 2,100 students, the school board will decide <a href="http://wenatcheeworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071128/NEWS04/711280030">whether or not seniors may walk</a> during the graduation ceremony if they have not passed the WASL, the state's test required for a diploma.<br /><br />In the state of Washington students must complete and pass the required courses, complete a culminating project, and pass the three sections of the state test (the WASL). If a student does not complete all three of these requirements, a diploma will not be earned.<br /><br />I think the school board should first decide the purpose of the graduation ceremony. Is it simply an all-inclusive ceremonial function for all seniors, or is the ceremony a recognition of accomplishment involving only those receiving a diploma?<br /><br />The potential difficulty I see arising is if students may walk during the ceremony without having completing all three requirements, which ones should be waived for ceremony participation? Is the state test the one to be set aside for participation? If so, why not the other two?<br /><br />Currently, 100 seniors (about 20-25% of the senior class) would not be allowed to walk. This could be embarrassing for the students and the school. I guess we'll see how serious individual schools and districts are about holding students entirely accountable for their successes and failures.<br /><br />I hope the Wenatchee school board decides to allow all to participate or only those meeting the graduation requirements.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-45882025567436900522007-11-25T12:12:00.001-08:002007-11-25T12:19:28.059-08:00Lacking Cultural Literacy?The other day in class I had The Monkees' "I'm a Believer" playing on the stereo, and one of the students asked me "Who screwed up the song?" <br /><br />At first I was going to laugh, but then I noticed the question was sincere. I realized he was referring to the new Smashmouth version from the film <span style="font-style:italic;">Shrek</span>.<br /><br />I felt very, very old.<br /><br />P.S. I heard a rap song using the beat from "Stand By Me," which is almost as bad as another artist I heard using The Archies' "Sugar, Sugar." Ugh!Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-66062377494154599552007-11-24T09:28:00.000-08:002007-11-24T09:31:28.415-08:00Thesis PapersAt my school we typically teach the standard, 5-paragraph thesis paper. We use the inverted triangle to begin, include quotations in each supporting paragraph, and conclude with the opposite of the introduction--pedestrian, yes, but effective for beginning writers.<br /><br />I have, as of late, experimented with other types of essay and am now curious what others do.<br /><br />What do you teach in your school when teaching the thesis paper?Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-50495595567190970652007-11-15T21:58:00.000-08:002007-11-15T22:12:19.377-08:00Relationships are the KeyAccording to kids interviewed in an article in the <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/15/BAC6TCFRK.DTL&feed=rss.education"><span style="font-style:italic;">San Francisco Chronicle</span></a>, the keys for creating successful students are mostly cheap and obvious.<br /><br />The students listed these items as the keys to their successes:<br /><br />- a quiet environment,<br />- fewer distractions,<br />- smaller classes,<br />- encouragement from teachers, <br />- help from teachers, and<br />- the ability to make up missed work.<br /><br />All of these ideas from the students reveal a need to establish, maintain, and deepen relationships with students--to know what students need and to know them.<br /><br />This article adds credence to my fervent belief in relationship building in the classroom. I feel it's the most important aspect of teaching and is the primary reason for just about all of my successes in the classroom.<br /><br />My students say much the same thing. My district said the same thing too, but only after numerous conferences, study groups, and trainings. <br /><br />I guess we should have just asked the kids.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-55731049948162804112007-11-15T21:56:00.000-08:002007-11-15T21:58:26.613-08:00Simple MajorityAccording to Washington State newspapers, including the <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004014577_websimplemajoritybox.html">Seattle PI</a>, the simple majority vote looks to be a success. Woo-hoo!Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7191965728405279025.post-72201612685407137212007-11-15T20:16:00.000-08:002007-11-15T20:33:39.765-08:00TangentsI love tangents in class. Yes, you heard me correctly: I love tangents in class.<br /><br />Sometimes I learn more about my students in these situations than in any other, and sometimes we all learn a bit more about life than we could have done during the normal lesson.<br /><br />Today while discussing the scene in <span style="font-style:italic;">The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn</span> where some townspeople exhume a body, students began asking unusual questions. <br /><br />"How bad would the body be when they dig it up?"<br /><br />"Is it true that the hair and nails grow when you die?" (I enjoy watching the kids' faces when myths are debunked.)<br /><br />"What is left when a body is cremated?"<br /><br />"How much is left after cremation?"<br /><br />"Where did cremation start?" <br /><br />(Oddly enough and maybe eerily enough, I just watched a program about cremation a few weeks ago on The History Channel, so I could answer many of these questions.)<br /><br />This led to a discussion about why people choose burial over cremation and vice versa. Also, we discussed how (sub)urban myths begin and what a few are. Finally, we discussed how the exhumation scene could become a part of a CSI episode and how the frauds (the king and duke as the Wilks brothers) could be exposed today and how they could succeed in conning a family. All this in the final 30 minutes of class!<br /><br />What a great day! The kids were engaged, they asked questions, they bounced ideas back and forth, and we all learned about one another. While we may have strayed from my intended discussion items, the kids thought critically, explored deeply, and decided to research the topic some more. <br /><br />I wish I had inspired them myself, but I'll take true and honest curiosity any day.Dr Pezzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09160506091556539766noreply@blogger.com0