No one cares no one sympathizes you just stay home and play synthesizers (Points if you get the reference)

Well.... here we go with the last blog post for the class.

        To tell you the truth I've rather liked blogging. I haven't ever had the real gumption to keep it up. Honestly, I probably won't do it again after this. Even though it is really fun to do, and I really do end up really proud of it in the end, it always takes a lot of time. I don't know how successful a blog from little ol me would turn out. But I'd like to think with this blog anyway, you and I have shared a few laughs and enjoyed going over things about teaching, sharing stories from my life and general guffaws!

Waldorf: Well, this has been an evening to remember. 
Statler: Why? 
Waldorf: I forgot. 
[they both laugh] 

      Perhaps this would be a good method to keep my students busy. If you have to you use technology, (and you DO these days.... you'll lose them quick if you don't.) why not do something that they can put a bit of investment in and be proud of? Heck, in an earlier post, I talked about doing historical fiction. Why not film that stuff? The list could be endless. Let them have a list of projects and let them pick what they want. For instance, I once did a radio show for a Psych class that was awesome. I had to find all of the things that I wanted for the sound effects and record them myself back in those days. However, these days, they could just Google little clips. Boy would I try to get a portable lab in my room..... sheesh.

Amongst other labs....

     This leads to a good point. There are so many diverse types of learners. As I said before, you've got to be willing to go down whatever road they would be most comfortable learning on. If the time would allow, I would want to make options for all of my class assignments. For instance, you can do A or B or C or D and do a good job of it and I'll still give you points. One other thing as well though, that really lands on the teacher's head is that you need to include all types of people in the curriculum to learn about. There are so many races and people that have made up our great history, make sure that you put as many of those groups as you can. I need to just make sure that I study my class. Whatever they bring to the table, I hope I can give them a shout out and make them feel important.  Let's represent as many of the students as we can! Right... everyone wants to be the hero at least once. 

Or... sit on the hero. (sniff! Kids can be so cruel!)

        I think all in all, you just want to make sure that your kids are getting it. They will most times! They're brilliant young souls! Make sure that you give them enough faith and also, just be patient. Honestly, if you will be patient, you'll be surprised how much they can surprise you. Check for understanding with formative assessments and get a pulse every once in a while. It's fun! If you take the time to let it be. You only get one shot at it most times, so make the most of every minute. 

With that!.... I sign off and let you know this was fun for me. Goodnight.

And in the end.... the love you take is equal to the love you make.

Say "awwww!"

It was my great opportunity to observe Mr. Thayne Weston teach. He was masterful at his lecturing. It was an interesting choice for a sixth grade teacher. However, he only had about 50 minutes to teach everything that needed to be covered, and he normally got it all. He had many ways to keep the group's attention as well.  For instance, did you ever hear about this:

Kahoot.... this word was created in the 20s right?

One day, to make review more fun for all there, he had set up a quiz on this website. Each student was able to make a fun nickname for themselves and compete in a quiz game. There was plenty of playful banter between each other and Mr. Weston!

On days that weren't review, he would have clips from a series from the BBC called Horrible Histories, and little snippets to show them from the History Channel. I think the thing that I noticed the most with him, was his ability to ask really good questions. Before watching the clip he would tell them to look for something specific and then after he would ask them follow up questions. For the most part he was able to keep the kids' attention and enjoy good results from it.

If I had to make a list of suggestions for him it would be this (and it's short, because he was doing great): 1. Do more group activities. 2. The competitiveness was good for that age group! Do more things where they can compete and really desire to learn. 3. Smile more! Let the kids know that you're happy to be there.

Sorry... this blog's not as funny as the other ones. I'm taking a break. :P