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#Post#: 6120--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: Adric Date: May 31, 2018, 9:49 am
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[quote author=Zyngaru link=topic=566.msg6119#msg6119
date=1527776492]
I find it very interesting that C.S. Lewis has been widely
accepted as wholesome reading for kids and J.K. Rowling has been
attacked for unwholesome reading.[/quote]
C.S. Lewis has a reputation as a significant Christian
theologian. A notable example of that is The Screwtape Letters.
These and other of his writings are widely discussed in
Christian churches. Perhaps this reputation leads critics to
forgive his foray into magic and other seemingly sinister
topics. I suggest reading the Wikipedia profile of C.S. Lewis
for a better understanding of his background.
#Post#: 6122--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: Jack Date: May 31, 2018, 11:58 am
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Zyngaru - it's not just reputation and word of mouth. The
administration sent out a letter detailing all my
accomplishments and making it sound like keeping me on as a
teacher next year was a major coup. That was the same letter
which explained I am also doing some office work, and that I'd
have the option of 'enhanced discipline' in my classroom,
because of the nature of my students. A few of the parents who
are new to me have requested meetings before the agree to their
sons being in my class, but most of them were accepting, and a
few of them seemed actually happy about it.
Adric, I think it's more than just them forgiving his forays
into Narnia. Remember that, in the Lion, the Witch, and the
Wardrobe, Aslan died to protect Edmund Pevensie, then he rose
from the grave. Many people see Narnia as a Christian
metaphor. Also remember that the witch in Narnia was evil. The
witches at Hogwarts were good characters, which clearly violates
what the Bible teaches (in the Old Testament, which Christians
don't follow, but please - don't explain facts).
And thanks for the heads up, Kier. I have already contacted the
Dallas Summer Musicals, requesting them to obtain the Lightning
Thief, and I know they do a lot of outreach to schools each
year. I am definitely keeping an eye out for it.
#Post#: 6124--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: jackson Date: May 31, 2018, 12:22 pm
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Sorry if you've already covered this Jack but what does
"enhanced discipline" mean in the context of your class?
#Post#: 6136--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: Jack Date: June 1, 2018, 4:04 am
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[quote author=jackson link=topic=566.msg6124#msg6124
date=1527787360]
Sorry if you've already covered this Jack but what does
"enhanced discipline" mean in the context of your class?
[/quote]
Enhanced discipline is the best term I could come up with. It
simply refers to the fact that I have a bit more freedom than
the average teacher, and I'm allowed to punish like Mr. P does
(i.e. - having them lower their trousers, if I think it's
required).
The funny thing is, I don't believe I used that in the classroom
(as opposed to when I was helping out in the office), except
with Taylor, who specifically requested it. I do know that they
suggested giving me that power, because I'm the only teacher who
had classes made up only of boys who were considered discipline
problems. I actually don't like that term, because they're
combining a few boys who actually had some type of discipline
issue, with boys who were simply ADHD and had trouble
controlling themselves, which is why I'm not referring to having
two 'undisciplined' classes next year and two advanced.
#Post#: 6269--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: Jack Date: June 8, 2018, 4:36 am
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Bobby and David (Mr. Witte and Mr. Warren) are coming over for
lunch today.
We've had an e-mail exchange going on, and we're talking about
the possibility of devoting an entire 6 weeks to studying Rick
Riordan's novels.
If you forgot, or don't remember, Percy Jackson - Rick's first
and arguably biggest character, is ADHD and dyslexic, so we fill
like it would be great for the kids.
While my class is mainly literature, I am still empowered to go
to other areas to 'enrich my curriculum'. We've been talking
about different areas we can where we can spread to keep the
boys interested, and how we can use these to increase their
research and writing skills.
The three of us are going to try to sit down this afternoon and
get an actual lesson plan for the entire 6-weeks worked out.
#Post#: 6273--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: Zyngaru Date: June 8, 2018, 11:16 am
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I am happy that you have these two men to talk with and plan
things out. It has to be better than having to make all of the
decisions on your own.
P.S. I said men although at my age they are boys. At the most
young men. ;D
#Post#: 6280--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: Jack Date: June 8, 2018, 3:41 pm
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[quote author=Zyngaru link=topic=566.msg6273#msg6273
date=1528474572]
I am happy that you have these two men to talk with and plan
things out. It has to be better than having to make all of the
decisions on your own.
[/quote]
Making the decisions doesn't bother me. My problem is that I
can think pretty good most of the time, and I think better when
I can write things down and look back, but I think best when I
can discuss things. Even talking things over with someone who
has no idea what's going on helps, but when I can have a good
conversation with people who can critique my ideas and offer
good suggestions of their own --- that's when things work best
for me.
And it did today. While there were a number of other things
happening today, we did get a lot done - they both love the
idea.
#Post#: 6508--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: Jack Date: June 19, 2018, 4:09 pm
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There are a number of things going on right now, in regards to
my classes next semester, and school in general.
First of all, most of the new teachers BCA is hiring are going
to be working with ADHD students to one degree or another. At
this point, they're aiming at having a boys ADHD homeroom for
4th through 8th grade. There's still some discussion of how
that will work out, since they don't want to completely
segregate these boys.
In the meantime, they've hired 6 of the 7 teaching positions
they were planning to hire (including Andy and Bobby Witte) and
they're looking at if the budget will stretch for one more who
can help with upper elementary (keeping class sizes small is a
major goal for BCA).
It's looking like I won't have a homeroom next semester.
Instead, they're hoping I can travel to the different home rooms
and discuss books and games with the kids. It will also leave
me with about 30 minutes with no students that I can use for
discipline or when I need lesson plan time a couple of times a
week.
I am considering a new format to make it easier to keep track of
what's going on next year in my classes, since they may be on
different books at different times, and I'm going to have more
students next year (not many more, but I will be teaching four
classes instead of three).
I have sent an e-mail out to the parents of all my students. I
see my job not as just helping the kids want to read, and
helping with their grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. I
also see helping them learn to direct and cope with their ADHD
as part of my job. To that end, I've told the parents that I
would like to meet with them before school starts so I can have
a more exact idea of how ADHD fits their kids, what their
current goals are for each child, any coping skills that would
help us in a class environment or that the kid needs to work on,
and how they see their kid in regards to discipline. I made it
very clear this wasn't required, and that there will be no
penalty for them not making it or not answering some or all of
my questions, but my goal is to know the kids a bit before
school starts.
Also, because many ADHD kids have trouble with socialization,
I'd like the kids to get to know each other to help support each
other, so I've suggested a cook out before school starts might
be appropriate in this case for the parents and kids to meet.
Mr. P okayed it and said we can do it at the school, though that
will mean having to move the grills.
I'm almost 2/3rds of the way through my reading list, though I
also need to come up with a few alternate books for boys who've
already read something we're using in class. It also does have
to be approved, along with my basic lesson plans. Once I get
the new format set up, I'll share those lists. Or maybe it
would be more fun if I made you wait and only posted each book
as we start it in class?
#Post#: 6513--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: kalico Date: June 19, 2018, 9:41 pm
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That’s great news about all the new teachers and you sound okay
with your new position so I hope it all goes well and I love the
idea of the cook out get together.....
Hugs kal
#Post#: 6514--------------------------------------------------
Re: Teaching 2018/19
By: Zyngaru Date: June 19, 2018, 10:15 pm
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[quote author=Jack link=topic=566.msg6508#msg6508
date=1529442580]
Once I get the new format set up, I'll share those lists. Or
maybe it would be more fun if I made you wait and only posted
each book as we start it in class?
[/quote]
That is devious. But good. To find out each book as it is
introduced in class.
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