I'm More Than A Little Worried

I recently surveyed my English III students with questions that would help me get to know them better.
I simple call it a student profile form. I distribute it out as a Google form, and students give me their
feedback. Information I'm particularly interest in determining is finding out how many "readers" are in
the group, and the students' interest in various post-secondary paths (school-to-work, military,
specialty school, college/university, other, etc...

Here were two important components of the survey that have me more than a little worried.

So the chart above shows the results of how many books the students read over the summer.
It saddens me that 63.5% didn't even read one book. The chart below shows the level of possible
interest in different post-secondary paths.

This information indicates that 34.1% of the students (students may have checked more than one
path) indicated an interest in community college.  17.6% of the students indicated a possible interest
in 4-year liberal arts college. 57.6% of the students indicated a possible interest in a 4-year university
path.  (All percentages won’t add up to 100%.)

MY WORRY

Neither chart is good or bad by itself, but together the charts scare me.  If a majority of our students are considering a post-secondary path of at least some type of college/university, we really need more students that are “readers”. And for my inexperienced, limited researching abilities, I would like to believe that "readers" would at least read a few books over a 3-month summer span - no matter how busy they think they may be.

College bound students really need to perform well on the SAT, and the SAT has 10 reading passages that span the sections of reading, language arts, and writing an essay. In addition, college bound students are going to need effective and efficient reading skills in college/university when they get there!

MY PLAN

Each year I celebrate FREE READ WEDNESDAYS. Students (and their teacher) are given the opportunity to read in class for about 20 minutes. The students do not receive a grade; they are not required to read a certain amount of pages; they are not required to take a quiz or test; they are not required to generate some type of written or oral book report or book talk. I just want them to read.

(It's important here that I tell you that I allow students to go to our library during free read sessions if they need to get a new book. Our librarian, Ms. Peterson, is AWESOME.)

If they really don't want to read a book, they may read a newspaper that I purchase myself (three copies of The Argus-Dispatch and one copy of the Aledo Times Record at the RocketStop here in Edgington before school. It's six dollars, but I read the paper before school during breakfast duty, so it's not just for the students.

AND I READ WITH THE STUDENTS. I find a desk in class that is open - either unused or if someone is absent, and I read with them. If the book is laugh out loud funny, I laugh out loud. If it's sad, I look sad. If it's really good, I may suggest it the following week. This isn't a "modeling thing". I love to read; I love to experience stories; I think reading is "cool"; and I want them to see me enjoying books that they can read from their own school library.

NEW THIS YEAR

• I've always told students that if they don't like the book they are trying, to put it back. I expressly tell them I don't want them to feel forced to read a book they really don't enjoy, because that situation will only reinforce reluctance of reading. This year, I'm going to offer them the chance to leave their book with me, and I will return it to the library for them - no judgement, no questions asked.
• Compliments of Laura Mehl from Mercer County High School, students are going to complete and exit ticket.  A short little hand-written form that I will use for future advertising purposes.  If a see a trend of a particular book that students seem to like, I will keep it in mind.  I also will give a few points of credit to their course grades just for their honest viewpoints.
• I'm going to have students take a picture of the cover of their book and post it to their ENVISIONME Google Site to have them keep a running total of the books they are experiencing - even if they don't finish them.  These visual will also again help me to see if a lot of students are reading a particular book to use with future advertising efforts.

Below is a look at the "exit ticket"

student’s first and last name: ________________________

class period: __________________________

date: _________

title:_____________________________________________________________

author: ____________________________________

total pages in this book: _________ today I read from page _____ to page _____

I’m at the part where ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

right now I would give this book ________ stars.  

(one star not very good through five stars I don’t want to stop reading)

So let's see if we can produce "year round" readers!

(And if not, I'll continue to try something else next year!)

Amazed And Worried

Last Friday Amber and I attended the Rockridge home football game versus Monmouth-Roseville.  That shouldn't be all that newsworthy that I attended my school's Friday night football game, but it's the first home opener I've seen in four years.  In the recent past, I have attended my youngest son's games with his school at Sherrard.

Different yet was our view of the football game at RHS.  We were in the bleachers - again you are probably wondering why that was significant.  The reason for that is that previously attended football games (when Cole's team wasn't playing) had us sitting up close to support the cheerleaders, as Amber's daughters were all cheerleaders under the Friday night lights.

So my view from the bleachers allowed me a close look not only at the football team's efforts, but the view also allowed me to see the cheer squad, the marching band, the color guard, and the dance team.  Here's where the amazed part comes in from the title. 

Because I haven't yet had a full two weeks with my students, I really don't know what they are involved in - either in school or out of school.  The view Friday, though, helped me to see a bit more of their lives.  I'm amazed at how many of our students are in something and even more amazed at how many are in multiple activities during the same fall, winter, or spring season.  There were dance team girls playing an instrument or throwing a flag around.  There were sophomore football players in the marching band.  There were cheerleaders in the marching band.  And then there were students I have in class that I recognized were participating in something that I didn't know.  It's wonderful that so many students are participating in something...

...and worrisome.

I know preparing these students academically for their chosen post-secondary paths is challenging.  I know preparing these students for the SAT is challenging.  I wonder and worry how challenging the task is with these students stretched in so many different directions.  Our scores in the first year's report were very good.  I anticipate our score's in year two aren't going to be quite as good but still pretty solid.  Sometimes I think our scores should include an asterisk suggesting that these scores are achieved while students are also participating in many activities throughout the school year.

And then again maybe it's participating in all of those things that helps students.  Our students are competitive in their activities; they want to be better than other schools and often they are.  Perhaps their competitive attitudes compel them to compete in all areas of their school lives - outside the classroom and inside.

Still I worry.

Sometimes Jumping In With Both Feet Is Awkward, But Nothing Beats Experience!

Having had several years of officiating basketball and umpiring softball has helped me to have a certain comfort level with those activities.  I've been doing it long enough that it's still fun.  I look forward to traveling to schools I've never been, meeting new people, and taking on challenging games.  In addition, working lower level games is perfectly fine.  I've entertained the notion every once in awhile in trying to work some college games, but I really don't want to travel, and my work schedule is a conflict.

Now that Cole isn't playing football anymore, and I still have some debt I'd like to pay off, I decided to embark on a journey of officiating volleyball.  I had been encouraged to consider football, but my knees are in rough enough shape as it is, and trying to keep up with those young kids on a 100-yard football field didn't seem like therapy for the knees.

And being the somewhat experienced official that I am, I knew what was coming.  Despite getting registered, receiving a rule book and casebook, taking the test, attending the clinic, purchasing my officiating shirt and materials - despite all that, I knew that inevitably experience would be the most important.

Talk about jumping into the frying pan!

On Monday, my first even feature four 9th grade teams on two courts at the same time in the same gym.  (Something it seems I will need to get use too.)  I didn't realize this was the case when my partner and I were assigned the event.  Did I mention my partner was brand new as well?  So picture two brand new volleyball officials in a gym with two courts playing simultaneously...yikes!

I literally threw up the white flag and professed my situation to all the coaches and the captains, and bless them for welcoming me and being patient as I fumbled my way through the experience.  I asked them a lot of questions, and they were always willing to help me out.  I'm sure I missed a lot, but the night ended eventually - day 1 of experience.  Admittedly, my experience in other sports helped.  I knew to be strong with my calls, take my time, and do my best to see the play of the game.

Then yesterday was my second day of game experience in volleyball, and it was a tournament.  There were six teams and I worked six matches during the day.  I worked with experienced officials that were great to be around.  Like on Monday, I explained that I was brand new and would take any and all help, direction, and advice they were willing to offer. 

The entire day was awkward, as I currently have to think about everything I do - mechanics, rules, procedures, etc...  And there were mistakes, and of course I'm sure I missed a lot once again.  I again explained to coaches that I would be learning a lot, so if I look confused or took extra time to complete something for them to understand.  They were very understanding again.

It can be very hard to feel awkward and inadequate and confused, but I know that the more experience I can the more I will have to think less and become more comfortable in managing the game.  And comfort doesn't come without experience.  So the trick is to try to be as comfortable as possible in uncomfortable situations and be open to all learning that occurs.  Usually the players and coaches and other officials will be very understanding - especially at the lower levels.  Heck, many times, those coaches and players are very inexperienced as well. 

In fact, in one of the matches I told the coach that this was my third match ever and to be patient with me.  She looked at me like a caring mother and said, "Oh, this is my third match ever too!" And then she gave me a high five!

So I get to take a break today and tomorrow, and I'm back at it on Tuesday.  I'm nowhere near ready for varsity games, so I'll just take my time and keep learning!

Open House Night And....????

So tonight is our open house, which is a bit of a circus.  Parents secure their students schedules and then they are ushered through their student's schedule for the day - seeing each of their child's teachers for an eight-minute class period.  And what exactly can be accomplished in eight minutes?

Not much.

The evening is light hearted and a good way for parents to match names with faces and say hello, and perhaps meet any/all teachers that are new to the building.  They often appear just as confused and their kids as they wander the halls and read the classroom numbers to attempt to get to the right classroom at the right time.  Perhaps it's good that no tardies are issued at this event.

For my part, because junior year is so "test heavy", I usually discuss that.  And then I direct the parents to my website for other information like course guidelines and course syllabus.  So I try to utilize my eight minutes to its potential.

I do appreciate the format, even though, it's tough to cram a lot into and eight minute presentation.  An alternative would be to have teachers there for a couple of hours and allow parents to wander around and hope they will be able to see respective teachers.  Plus, it's not very courteous to ask parents to leave because a line is forming outside the door with parents waiting patiently to have a few minutes to chat.  Timing isn't great, as a 7:00 p.m. start means I have to walk back to the school, but a late start is needed so teachers can be available after practices.

And to be honest, I enjoy a brief opportunity to meet parents and express my appreciation for their efforts and let them know that the school year is off to a good start.  For me, too, I sometimes run into a child of someone I went to school with or worse yet perhaps coached or taught in previous year - further indication that I'm no young buck anymore.

AND????

A couple of tidbits...after a conversation from a colleague that had read my blog...

1) If you see a mistake...spelling, grammar, etc....please send me a message at jbizarri@rr300.org.  I don't pour over these blog posts for errors, so I won't be offended at all.  In fact I will appreciate your assistance.

2) Yes, the mystery of the dropping water level in our pool was solved.  There was a hole behind the light that was allowing water to drain out instead of staying in the light capsule.  We had a diver come out to the house and discover the hole, and I learned even more about pool maintenance.  The diver said the next time we get a liner we should just fill in the light because it can cause too many potential problems.

3) Finally, if there was something else left as a mystery that wasn't updated...shout at me and tell me to either update the post or provide the final answer in a future post.  I don't want to leave any cliffhangers unsolved!

Great Things About This School Year That May Not Seem Great to Other People

#1 - I'm teaching Public Speaking first semester instead of supervising a study hall.  I'd much rather work with students to help them improve a skill at something instead of provide young adult daycare.  That sounds cruel, but to small a percentage of students actually use study hall to its full potential.

#2 - I have lunch 5A.  Eating 5C is pretty late in the day, so eating "A" and having lunch right around noon is very nice.  I don't usually go to the teacher's lounge to eat, but that's not because I have something against the room or other teachers there.  I just find myself usually having a "working lunch" and trying to get things done while I eat.

#3 - I'm not evaluated this year.  I really don't stress evaluations, but I stress the time it takes to prepare for an evaluation.  We have a list of questions we have to answer before the pre-conference, and then we have to meet with our administrator for the pre-conference.  Also, the observation really should include something "good" for a lesson plan, and there is a fine line between doing something innovative that works and demonstrates good teaching and trying something that flops.  After the observation, then, there or more questions to answer.  Finally, the whole process then features a post-conference.  I don't mind being held accountable; it's just a headache.

#4 - I'm not coaching anything this year.  I'm still doing a lot of officiating, but there is a stress level to coaching - even volunteer coaching - that is a bit of a weight on a day.  I miss coaching, but I don't miss that weight.

#5 - I'm a Khan Academy Ambassador this school year.  As of right now, that means virtually nothing, but perhaps I'll be able to help more and more people as the year progresses.

#6 - No Basic English III section!  I felt so sorry for those kids being tracked together all day long, and they were a handful on their bad days.  It's still early in the year, but so far I like the lack of tracking.

#7 - Great class sizes.  My first period is over 20, but the rest are under 20.  Those numbers are great!

#8 - First impressions seem promising.  I like this group of juniors so far.  It's still early...we are getting to know each other.  Good first impressions, though, are better than bad first impressions, and some years have been like that.

And Back To Work We Go!

It's a dreary, humid, foggy, overcast morning...sounds like the opening to spooky movie, but no, it's just the end of summer break!

So I'm up a tad earlier, have had my first cup of coffee, and will soon be heading downstairs to do a little light yoga.  There will be no dog walk this morning due to the rain in this morning's forecast, so Sophie, Lily, and I might have to accomplish that later today.

And to be honest, I'm ready for the school year to begin.  I had a few weeks "off" recently, so the recharge button worked.  It will be fun getting to know a whole new group of kids and getting to teach a public speaking course.  Google and Khan Academy have some new updates I get to experience, and the school district is implementing MAPS this school year, which will be a test of my patience level.

And MOST IMPORTANTLY, it's pay day today!  I think it should be a school rule that the new school year starts on pay day.  I was able to work enough and save enough to make it through the summer, even though it was really close.  I had to use my credit card and Amber had to help me out earlier in the week.  (I have to remember to pay her back.)

Okay...let's get after 2018-19.  We can't get to summer break 2019 without starting Day 1!

Final Week of Summer Vacation!

The final week brings about reflections - reflections of accomplishments and reflections of things left undone. 

#1 - That dang deck...I'll be working on it today.  I got the floor painted yesterday, and since Cole is with me today, maybe we can pick up another gallon of paint at the local hardware store and knock out the rest of it today.  This was something that I was suppose to get done early in the summer, so it looked nice for the summer guests and pool parties, but it just kept getting pushed back.  So maybe before I return to the classroom in two days, I can get it done.  So I guess this one still has possibility of getting done before the end of the summer.

#2 - I was suppose to lose 30 lbs.  I was suppose to lose this weight last summer too.  Dang it.  I'm very heavy right now...too heavy.  So I legitimately and sincerely need drop some weight, which is not easy for me nor our family members.  I have genetics working against me, but I can do it.  I just have to alter my diet and reduce carbs and portion sizes.  That's also hard for me because I enjoy the feeling of being filled up when I eat.

#3 - Other "around-the-house" projects.  I need to get the siding underneath the deck put back and the paving stones around the pool need to be balanced up.  Those are not easy projects, but they aren't horrible awful projects either.   They may end up being fall projects.

You know...looking back on that list, I think it could have been much worse.  I may actually be able to call this summer successful - yay me!

My First Khan Academy Training Experience Is A Success!

Today I met with a teacher from a neighboring school district to talk Khan Academy, so I consider this my first official event as an ambassador.  And honestly, I probably gained as much from our "get-together" as she did.  I picked her brain for ideas on teaching public speaking, and grabbed a couple of other little things she does in her class that I think could be very beneficial to my students.

I then sent out emails to principal of two other neighboring school districts to let them know I would be willing and available to meet with other teachers in similar fashion - just sit down in front of a computer and dig into thoughts and questions and conversations about ways Khan Academy may be useful to students in their classrooms.

This wasn't a long event today.  I think with drive time back and forth and our little meeting, I was only gone for a couple of hours.  And to be honest, that's the kind of professional development I tend to like...learn something new, make it quick and applicable to something I may be doing in my classroom, and then let me try it out.

I'm really not sure how many "marketing opportunities" Khan Academy is expecting from me, and I'm honestly not interested in setting up some type of elaborate presentation for a large group of people.  Maybe a better fitting title would be Khan Academy Personal Trainer!  (or maybe small group trainer)