Sunday, August 29, 2010
What are weekends for anyway...
...That is the question I ask myself on Saturdays when I give up my time to do lesson plans. I am excellent at multi-tasking, so I can also clean house, do laundry and sometimes surf the internet while I am doing the plans. Not exactly at the same time, but I do split the time up for each of these. I guess I just pace myself. Actually doing lesson plans is fun for me. I love to learn and I am actually learning (or rather re-learning) while I plan away. The World History classes are studying ancient Egypt and the textbooks are older than I wish they were, so I do a lot of research on the internet in order to supplement my lesson plans. I have found some great sites and lots of information that isn't in the text. Information I can share with my students that will stimulate their thinking and help them pay better attention to the subject. I am finding that ancient Egypt was an amazing civilization. No one really knows how the pyramids were built so precisely and perfectly, but the ancient Egyptians seemed to have had incredible engineering, architectural and math skills. The people were very intelligent. Most of the pharaohs fascinate me and I love researching them and reading thier stories. There is one in particular that I became fascinated with; the first female ruler in history. This female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, lied and connived her way into being a pharaoh by saying that her father and the gods had appointed her after her husband (and half-brother) Thutmose II had died. Though she posessed great beauty, she dressed like and bearded herself like a male pharaoh and was adressed as "His Majesty". She actually became pharaoh in place of her stepson, Thutmose III, because he was only a boy when his father died. Even after Thutmose III came of age, Hatshepsut continued to rule Egypt. Under her reign, Egypt became wealthy and prosperous through trade, military expeditions, mining and agriculture. She was also known for her building activities. She had a beautiful temple built and dedicated to herself. She also began the practice of building obliques, or great monuments. Supposedly, Hatshepsut's name and likeness was removed from all Egyptian history by her stepson when he came to power after her death. Was that his way of getting back at her for "stealing" his position? Historians actually believe that Thutmose III wanted to relegate Hatshepsut to her correct status of co-regent so that he could claim that the succession of pharaoh ran from his father to him with no interference. In any case, it was interesting reading and research. Since I love learning and reading, it was perfect for me to take a little side trip into the life of Hatshepsut. I probably won't spend too much time on this female pharaoh with the class, as we will have many pharaohs and much history to cover while we are learning about ancient Egypt. But....it will be fun to throw a woman into the mix. Happy Tales!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Youth is Wasted on the Young....
This quote, in my opinion, was spoken in truth by George Bernard Shaw. The reason I quote it is because it reminds me that there is a lot to be said for wisdom and longevity.
Take, for instance, my sixth grade World History class. They are at the tender age of "11 - going on 12". We have been studying Mesopotamian Civilizations and have just finished a unit on the Sumerians, who were, by all accounts, the first to use writing. We learned how only the wealthy boys went to school and when they graduated, they became scribes. These were highly regarded traits in Sumerian society, as the scribes could read and write and usually gained important and pretigous employment positions. The schooling was difficult, lasted from sun rise to sunset daily and discipline was harsh and most often physical.
As we were discussing this topic, one of the sixth grade boys remarked that it wasn't fair that the Sumerians had "invented school". Always trying to teach the students to use critical thinking skills, and also hoping to challenge them to think outside of the classroom, I led them on a discussion about what they wanted to do when they finished school. I asked, "Do you want to be a cashier at MacDonalds or did you have something else in mind?" At first all of the students liked the idea of MacDonalds. "Hey, you'd get free hamburgers and french fries for life," one remarked. They all loved that idea and each had to chime in and add a comment. I was finally able to rein them back in and each student answered the question more seriously.
Not one of them wanted to work at MacDonalds, but everyone of them wanted to be some sort of professional....doctor, archeologist, dental surgeon, teacher, detective, computer engineer, etc. We finally concluded that each of them would need much more education for the jobs they hoped to secure in the future. They all agreed that education was important, although being sixth graders, I don't think they wholeheartedly believe that schooling is of the utmost importance. Ofcourse they don't, they are 11, after all! There is more playing to be done and more hamburgers and french fries to be had!
In any case, the seed has been planted. That's my job! I love this age and I have to admit that sixth grade is by far my favorite. So, as most of us do when we grow older, they will come around. But I still think age is wasted on the young!
Happy Tales!
Take, for instance, my sixth grade World History class. They are at the tender age of "11 - going on 12". We have been studying Mesopotamian Civilizations and have just finished a unit on the Sumerians, who were, by all accounts, the first to use writing. We learned how only the wealthy boys went to school and when they graduated, they became scribes. These were highly regarded traits in Sumerian society, as the scribes could read and write and usually gained important and pretigous employment positions. The schooling was difficult, lasted from sun rise to sunset daily and discipline was harsh and most often physical.
As we were discussing this topic, one of the sixth grade boys remarked that it wasn't fair that the Sumerians had "invented school". Always trying to teach the students to use critical thinking skills, and also hoping to challenge them to think outside of the classroom, I led them on a discussion about what they wanted to do when they finished school. I asked, "Do you want to be a cashier at MacDonalds or did you have something else in mind?" At first all of the students liked the idea of MacDonalds. "Hey, you'd get free hamburgers and french fries for life," one remarked. They all loved that idea and each had to chime in and add a comment. I was finally able to rein them back in and each student answered the question more seriously.
Not one of them wanted to work at MacDonalds, but everyone of them wanted to be some sort of professional....doctor, archeologist, dental surgeon, teacher, detective, computer engineer, etc. We finally concluded that each of them would need much more education for the jobs they hoped to secure in the future. They all agreed that education was important, although being sixth graders, I don't think they wholeheartedly believe that schooling is of the utmost importance. Ofcourse they don't, they are 11, after all! There is more playing to be done and more hamburgers and french fries to be had!
In any case, the seed has been planted. That's my job! I love this age and I have to admit that sixth grade is by far my favorite. So, as most of us do when we grow older, they will come around. But I still think age is wasted on the young!
Happy Tales!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
My first blog
Well...this is my first blog of sorts. I have blogged before but never really stuck to it, so maybe this will be different. My teacher friend, Auburnchick, blogs and she talked me into this venture. So here goes....
I am a first year teacher (sort of) and the interesting thing about that is that I am not a recent college graduate, nor am I one of those young, fresh out of college, starry eyed teachers who know little about the world. I graduated from college in 1980 with a degree in Social Sciences including a double minor in Psychology and Sociology. I had originally intended to become a teacher, then, half way through college, I decided I wanted to be a family counselor, thus the degree in Social Sciences, etc. Life can be funny and it had a way of taking me in other directions. I did enter the working world after college as a state worker in the Food Stamp Office. A friend lured me away from that promising career by asking me to teach at his school! I took that job offer, and with a (3 year) temporary teaching certificate from the state of FL, I began teaching Special Education - Emotionally Handicapped in 1982. The first year I taught at a middle school and had 13 students in a self contained classroom - mostly boys. I had success with the class in that I was able to teach all subjects according to individual education plans for each student and I had excellent rapport with the kids, many of whom had severe emotional and behavioral issues, as well as learning disabilities. The second year I taught at an elementary school and it was tough to see the kids I taught, from grades 3-6, with so many problems. I just didn't feel prepared for facing the emotions these issues stirred in me and after the second year, I decided not to continue. I had 3 young children of my own and was a single parent as well, so I wanted to maintain my emotional well being for my children's sake. I eventually went into sales and customer service where I remained until earlier this year. As a natural writer, I did take a stab at newspaper feature writing and column writing for 4 years and was very happy in that choice. However, in 2009 I decided to pursue my teaching certificate once again, passed the program with straight A's, took and passed the state exams and began searching for a teaching position. The school I am teaching at is a private school, the kids are great (which for my age is a blessing!) and I couldn't be happier. So......I am now blogging about the world of teaching for a five time grandmother! I hope I give you some laughs, some smiles and the feeling that it is never too late to follow your dreams! Happy Tales!
I am a first year teacher (sort of) and the interesting thing about that is that I am not a recent college graduate, nor am I one of those young, fresh out of college, starry eyed teachers who know little about the world. I graduated from college in 1980 with a degree in Social Sciences including a double minor in Psychology and Sociology. I had originally intended to become a teacher, then, half way through college, I decided I wanted to be a family counselor, thus the degree in Social Sciences, etc. Life can be funny and it had a way of taking me in other directions. I did enter the working world after college as a state worker in the Food Stamp Office. A friend lured me away from that promising career by asking me to teach at his school! I took that job offer, and with a (3 year) temporary teaching certificate from the state of FL, I began teaching Special Education - Emotionally Handicapped in 1982. The first year I taught at a middle school and had 13 students in a self contained classroom - mostly boys. I had success with the class in that I was able to teach all subjects according to individual education plans for each student and I had excellent rapport with the kids, many of whom had severe emotional and behavioral issues, as well as learning disabilities. The second year I taught at an elementary school and it was tough to see the kids I taught, from grades 3-6, with so many problems. I just didn't feel prepared for facing the emotions these issues stirred in me and after the second year, I decided not to continue. I had 3 young children of my own and was a single parent as well, so I wanted to maintain my emotional well being for my children's sake. I eventually went into sales and customer service where I remained until earlier this year. As a natural writer, I did take a stab at newspaper feature writing and column writing for 4 years and was very happy in that choice. However, in 2009 I decided to pursue my teaching certificate once again, passed the program with straight A's, took and passed the state exams and began searching for a teaching position. The school I am teaching at is a private school, the kids are great (which for my age is a blessing!) and I couldn't be happier. So......I am now blogging about the world of teaching for a five time grandmother! I hope I give you some laughs, some smiles and the feeling that it is never too late to follow your dreams! Happy Tales!
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