So for the second year in a row we are camping in the Sierra Nevada Mountains during the Labor Day Weekend. To me this kind of camping in these slots just big enough to park in (but we have plug-ins!) is not umm … real camping. But I was out voted so here we are.

Last year on our camping trip, as you may recall, we had a run in with a bear - but fortunately I came to the rescue and scared the bear away, saving one and all. My family doesn’t see it that way (why I don’t know - but you might want to follow the link above) so since we are once again in bear country (but northeast of where we were last year) they are afraid of a repeat performance. I’ll let you know if we have any bear sightings.

Learning is messy!

Tags: Bears, brooms, mountains

One of the neat perks of teaching and living in Reno (where the Hot Air Balloon Races will be soon), is that occasionally you have a balloon come in for a landing on your playground. It doesn’t get any cooler than that!

Learning is messy!

Monday I broke the news to my students that we were down 10 laptops that had been stolen. We passed out the remaining 18 and figured out whose were missing. One student couldn’t get theirs to start up and upon investigation we realized that the keyboard had been opened and the airport card removed and other damage had occurred that prevented it from working.

So were the students that had their laptops stolen visibly upset? Not especially (note I said “visibly upset”). I mentioned when our classroom was broken into last year how during a class discussion it came out that this was not an unusual enough experience for my students (unfortunately). To that end we have begun a unit on perseverance and courage and “being involved.” I decided that during this election year would be an especially good time for “involvement.” We can’t do much as a class yet as far as being involved in replacing the computers because we don’t know yet what will happen as far as insurance (I’m not real optimistic - but we’ll see) - however we have already had some discussion about possibilities for being involved ourselves if necessary - not just being victims and having an “oh well” attitude.

From there I’m also planning on having the students look at other aspects of improving their lives. Having them identify issues that effect them … corresponding with various candidates for local, state and national office and so forth.

Should be some good messy learning!

Tags: Beinginvolved

Precision?

Originally uploaded by BCrosby

Nothing more to say.

Lesson planning short term and long term should be the top priority when getting ready for a new school year. If a few things need to be finished up in your classroom at the start of the year that’s not as important … having powerful lessons and activities and meeting with other teachers about the year that should come first!!!

So why is it I cannot shake having my room all arranged before I can get serious about planning?!!! I know I’m not the only one who suffers from this because when I mentioned it yesterday to a few colleagues at school I received a rousing AMEN!!

The kind of spooky part is that at about three o’clock Friday (school starts Monday) when I had finished a classroom inventory our principal assigned us and looked around and noticed the room was pretty much ready … all I could focus on was planning. My brain started connecting with the curriculum for the year and I was furiously making notes and looking for materials and thinking about a possible field trip. UGGGH!

The most infuriating part is that now the weekend is here and I really crave more time to think it all through. My very organized wife is going through this to a lesser extent, but she understands completely. How about you? Does this happen to you?

I was starting to hate Clarence Fischer this morning after seeing this post of his set-up room and school doesn’t start for a week for him. But who could hate Clarence? : ) I’ll have to learn to “channel” him next year I guess.

Learning is messy!

Tags: School

Photo_08.jpg

Originally uploaded by BCrosby

School begins next week and I’m busily preparing my classroom for my soon to arrive students. Tuesday I attended training provided by the textbook company on our newly adopted science program. I was putting away the teacher materials we received and realized what a load of stuff it was (various workbook pages, software, etc.). Realize all of this is for the teacher … the textbooks for students are not included here. The reading program we have has easily 3 times this much support material and EACH TEACHER gets this stuff. Our social studies program is a bit more than is pictured here. 1st to 5th grade math is at least this much. This is what adds to the extreme cost of these programs and helps keep the tree population in check.

Sheesh!

Learning is messy!

Results from the 40th Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK)/Gallup Poll of the “Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools are in and here are a few of the interesting and even heartening findings:

Federal Funding
Americans support an increased use of federal funds to maintain local public schools.

No Child Left Behind
Fewer than 2 of 10 Americans believe the No Child Left Behind legislation should be continued without significant change.

Biggest Problems
Lack of funding for schools tops the list of “biggest problems facing schools” for the sixth year in a row.

Assessment
In a change from nine years ago, Americans believe written observations by teachers, as opposed to scores on standardized tests, are a superior way to document student academic progress.

Teacher Pay
Almost three of four Americans believe teachers should be paid higher salaries as an incentive to teach in schools identified as ‘in need of improvement.’

Follow the link above for the whole study “downloadable” in PDF.

Learning is messy

Tags: Public’sAttitudes Toward the Public Schools

The good news is that we are being told that the 32 stolen HP laptops will be replaced … when that will happen is of course way up in the air - could be months. I don’t know yet about any possibility of replacing my students’ iBooks and I have no idea when I might find out yet. The worst part is I can’t be involved, so far at least, so I have to ask questions through my very-busy-the-week-before-school-starts principal who I really don’t want to keep bothering.

Now I’m deciding how to handle this with my students. We will share the laptops we have left (about 18 although I’m not positive they all work, one looks “messed up”), and blog the best we can. We’ll just have to adapt for at least awhile.

Thanks again for all your kind thoughts!

Learning is messy!

Tags: 1:1

Photo_08.jpg

Originally uploaded by BCrosby

Maybe if we start to paint our laptops like this they won’t get stolen as often? Just a thought.

Learning is messy!

Wow, I’ve had a lot response and offers of support since I posted yesterday about the theft of over 40 laptops from my school including 11 of the laptops that support my 1:1 laptop program - Thank You All!!!. Therefore I thought I’d better update you on the status of the investigation and replacement possibilities.

Today police reports and paperwork for “Risk Management” were filled out. What happens next is of course somewhat fuzzy, but my best guess is that the 30 HP laptops that were stolen will eventually be replaced … how long that will take ????? More complicated will be what happens with the 11 iBooks since they were old and we are now an “HP” district. Chris Lehmann suggested the HP Mini-Notes because of their cost … but we have to buy certain models of HP and Mini-Notes are not on the list. There was talk last year of me piloting an XO laptop program, but that went away because the money went away and IT was not real supportive - but maybe that would be a way to go.

So the upshot is that THANK YOU! so much to those of you that have offered sympathy and support, I am truly humbled that others would offer support so easily. I’m not 100% sure yet what support will be needed until the “Risk Management” part of this shakes out, but I will keep you updated on what happens.

Learning is messy!

Tags: laptoptheft 1:1