Welcome back to the weekly installment of Teaching Tips Tuesday (T3)! This is a weekly post in which readers get the chance to share their wealth of information about what works for them in the classroom, or at home in teaching their kids. Instructions on how to post something are here.
So here's my tip of the week. I look forward to seeing what you all have to share too!
What to Post on the Walls of Your Classroom
I went to UC Berkeley for graduate school. One would assume that most UC Berkeley students have a working knowledge of social rules. But I was always amused that in the bathrooms in the Education building, they had clear signs posted that read:
Please Flush the Toilet When You Are Finished
Really? You have to post that? Does that mean that at sometime in the past, there was a problem in which groups of people in the decision-making chain decided that yes, they had to go make up little signs to tell students who already passed a rigorous admissions process that they weren't smart enough to follow basic social rules? It appears so.
So with that in mind, I suppose that classroom teachers need to post the rules that we all assume kids know already. When I enter classrooms, I usually scan the walls, just out of curiosity. In some classrooms, there are clearly posted rules that are referred to when violations happen. In some classrooms, it looks like Barney and his gang threw up a rainbow everywhere and I get dizzy looking around. And in some classrooms, there are barren walls. I'm of the opinion that a classroom needs basic rules posted. Hey, if we Berkeley grads can't even figure out how to use a toilet, how can we except middle school kids to know the school rules?
I recommend posting no more than 3 positively stated rules. I think it's easier to tell kids what what we expect them to do, rather than the long list of what we don't like (No Gum! No Interrupting! No Getting Out of Your Seat Without Permission! No! No! No!). Imagine you went to the teacher's lounge and it said, "No complaining! No venting! No smelly dishes that could offend other's olfactory senses!" Wouldn't really make you want to hang out there.
If you post these three basic rules, I think you will be able to put all the little behaviors you don't want under them.
1) Be Safe
2) Be Respectful
3) Be Responsible
I usually have the kids think of examples. It is hard to think of the positive behavior you want instead of what you want, but you can ask the kids what is the opposite. So if they say, "Don't cuss at people" you can direct them to "Use respectful language" or "Disagree without being disagreeable." Sometimes I even use their own language they generate, because it sticks better, as in, "Don't be a hater!" Then, when a kid curses out another kid, you can simple point to the rule as a warning. If they continue, then you can proceed with your regular sequence of discipline events (which is worth another 47 posts, so chime in your tip for effective discipline!)
Lastly, since teachers are starting anew this January, it's a good time to review the rules, consequences, and rewards. You might also consider picking the rule that was broken the most last semester and set up a positive group contingency, which is basically rewarding small groups for following the rule. It can be as simple as having each table with a jar and you plop in a paperclip or marble or something every time you observe them being responsible (I see table 3 is working on their first paragraph, which is very responsible). Some teachers give table points on the board when they see cooperation. Whatever system you like is fine, just be explicit at first about what you are rewarding. Also, remember that public teacher attention isn't always rewarding for older students, so having it in a group with a decent reward that the class really likes is essential (free time always works).
Go forth and post! And remember to flush!
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Sensory-Integration Disorders
When I first started my clinical practice at a Children's Hospital, I got referrals left and right to assess children for "Sensory Integration" disorders. The classic referral was from parents who were concerned that their 2 year old was clumsy (aren't they all kind of clumsy?) or didn't like tags touching them (who does?). I thought maybe I missed that day in graduate school, because at the time, I had never heard of such a disorder. Sure, I had heard of children with Autism and ADHD who had sensory issues, but not a "Sensory Integration Disorder," per se. All I knew was that when I brought it up to other professionals, it was met with an eye roll 9 chances out of 10. Over the years, I have heard the term less and less, but for those wondering what the heck it is, and if it's even a real disorder, check out this posting on Quack Watch. I'd love to hear what others think on this issue.
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Teaching Tips Tuesday: Take One
Right, so this is an experiment to see if I am SO 21st century and am able to pull off this "Mr. Linky" automated link situation. The basic idea of Teacher Tip Tuesday is to have you all post tips that work in the classroom or at home when teaching kids. The full guidelines and how to work this newfangled linky thing are here.
So what is my first tip? Well, since it's Holiday Break, I thought I'd be lazy and post a few of my old favorites from 2008. What? It's vacation! Plus, who doesn't love a "Best of 2008" list? Further, recycling is so hot right now.
1. How to make studying (more) fun using fly swatters or dingers
2.Using hip hop to teach multiplication
3.Why punishment doesn't always work in the classroom
4.How to be optimistic even when your car is stolen
5.My arranged marriage to Barney (aka What is play therapy?)
6.Checklist for new teachers
7.Dealing with teasing
8.Obama's impact on urban education
9.How to run an anger management group and not accidently form a gang
10. Forget about deadlines! There's still time for teachers to write a story for "The Teachable Moment" book and get some extra cash
So what is my first tip? Well, since it's Holiday Break, I thought I'd be lazy and post a few of my old favorites from 2008. What? It's vacation! Plus, who doesn't love a "Best of 2008" list? Further, recycling is so hot right now.
1. How to make studying (more) fun using fly swatters or dingers
2.Using hip hop to teach multiplication
3.Why punishment doesn't always work in the classroom
4.How to be optimistic even when your car is stolen
5.My arranged marriage to Barney (aka What is play therapy?)
6.Checklist for new teachers
7.Dealing with teasing
8.Obama's impact on urban education
9.How to run an anger management group and not accidently form a gang
10. Forget about deadlines! There's still time for teachers to write a story for "The Teachable Moment" book and get some extra cash
Teaching Tips Tuesdays!
I'm trying out a new idea of having you, my talented readers, share tips with other educators, psychologists, and parents about ways you've had success in teaching kids. It can be as little as a new way to teach multiplication facts, what to do in the last 10 minutes of class, how you motivate your kid to study, or as complex as teaching social skills to kids with disabilities. The idea is for you to provide a tidbit of information to try out with kids to enhance learning or make our jobs as educators just a bit easier.
Mmm. I'm intrigued. Tell me more about Teaching Tips Tuesday (T3)
1. T3 is a "blog carnival" in which you all post, on Tuesdays, a little tip you've learned in working with children that has made your life easier. You post a link back here to my T3 post, and enter your link in the "Mr. Linky" form at the bottom of my post (Mr. Linky is an automated link service. No html fanciness required).
2. You do not have to ask me first before you participate in T3. Just jump right in. Remember, this is a family show. Inappropriate links will be deleted.
3. Please only leave a link if you have written a T3 post on your blog. Please mention T3 in your post, and link back to the master list on my blog for the Tuesday you are posting. I'll just delete "empty" links, or trickery links to something non-educator related.
4. Link to your T3 post, NOT to the front page of your blog. This makes browsing so much easier for everyone, especially when people browse around in the archives.
5. Please DO NOT host your own T3 "Mr. Linky" at your site. I'd like to keep Notes from the School Psychologist as the homepage for Teaching-Tips-Tuesday, for simplicity's sake.
6. I will try to answer your e-mail questions, but be aware that I am new to this too, and may not be clever enough to answer properly! First try the "Help" section in your blogging software ("How do I upload images?" or "How do I link back to you from my page?").
7. When you enter your link on Mr. Linky, it may say "delete link" next to your name. If you click on that, it will let you delete what you just posted. No one else can see it though, so don't worry about it unless you want to delete it.
8. Enter a 3-4 word description of your post, in parentheses, after you put your name. Be descriptive, be specific, and BE BRIEF.
For example, where the Mr. Linky box says "Your Name", you might put:
Rebecca (Making Studying Fun)
-OR-
Sam (Helping Shy Kids Participate)
-OR-
Malik (Teaching Phonics with Rhyming Games)
This will make it easy for others to browse through the tips. PLEASE KEEP YOUR PARENTHETICAL TITLE TO A MAXIMUM OF 4-5 WORDS. Mr. Linky freaks out sometimes when the "Your Name" portion gets too long, and it can mess up the alignment of the whole deal, making it harder to read.
9. I'll put my T3 post up no later than noon (pacific time) each Tuesday.
10. I reserve the right to delete any links that are inappropriate. This is a family show, people!
Okay, wish me luck. I'm going to try to post my first Teaching Tip Tuesday shortly...
Mmm. I'm intrigued. Tell me more about Teaching Tips Tuesday (T3)
1. T3 is a "blog carnival" in which you all post, on Tuesdays, a little tip you've learned in working with children that has made your life easier. You post a link back here to my T3 post, and enter your link in the "Mr. Linky" form at the bottom of my post (Mr. Linky is an automated link service. No html fanciness required).
2. You do not have to ask me first before you participate in T3. Just jump right in. Remember, this is a family show. Inappropriate links will be deleted.
3. Please only leave a link if you have written a T3 post on your blog. Please mention T3 in your post, and link back to the master list on my blog for the Tuesday you are posting. I'll just delete "empty" links, or trickery links to something non-educator related.
4. Link to your T3 post, NOT to the front page of your blog. This makes browsing so much easier for everyone, especially when people browse around in the archives.
5. Please DO NOT host your own T3 "Mr. Linky" at your site. I'd like to keep Notes from the School Psychologist as the homepage for Teaching-Tips-Tuesday, for simplicity's sake.
6. I will try to answer your e-mail questions, but be aware that I am new to this too, and may not be clever enough to answer properly! First try the "Help" section in your blogging software ("How do I upload images?" or "How do I link back to you from my page?").
7. When you enter your link on Mr. Linky, it may say "delete link" next to your name. If you click on that, it will let you delete what you just posted. No one else can see it though, so don't worry about it unless you want to delete it.
8. Enter a 3-4 word description of your post, in parentheses, after you put your name. Be descriptive, be specific, and BE BRIEF.
For example, where the Mr. Linky box says "Your Name", you might put:
Rebecca (Making Studying Fun)
-OR-
Sam (Helping Shy Kids Participate)
-OR-
Malik (Teaching Phonics with Rhyming Games)
This will make it easy for others to browse through the tips. PLEASE KEEP YOUR PARENTHETICAL TITLE TO A MAXIMUM OF 4-5 WORDS. Mr. Linky freaks out sometimes when the "Your Name" portion gets too long, and it can mess up the alignment of the whole deal, making it harder to read.
9. I'll put my T3 post up no later than noon (pacific time) each Tuesday.
10. I reserve the right to delete any links that are inappropriate. This is a family show, people!
Okay, wish me luck. I'm going to try to post my first Teaching Tip Tuesday shortly...
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Why I Am Going to the Inauguration
It's no secret that I embrace our new president for the role he can play in providing hope to urban youth. I recently wrote about why I am going to DC for the inauguration for a piece on NPR's California Report. Skip ahead to 18:00 (or about halfway on the toolbar) on the streaming audio to hear why I am flying across the country to stand in a giant crowd, in what should be a balmy 20 degrees in January, to see a speck from afar that will be our new president.
Click here to hear The California Report's series on why people (and yours truly) are going to the inauguration.
Be sure to skip PAST the yiddish singers (unfortunately, not a skill in my repertoire yet) to 18:00.
Click here to hear The California Report's series on why people (and yours truly) are going to the inauguration.
Be sure to skip PAST the yiddish singers (unfortunately, not a skill in my repertoire yet) to 18:00.
Friday, 19 December 2008
Role Models
I love bad movies. I find them to be so relaxing because I know exactly what will happen in the end. Once you get the “boy-meets girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-gets-girl back” formula, you can just relax and watch the predictable nonsense ensue. I always turn to my movie-goer friend during romantic comedies and sarcastically ask, “I wonder if they will end up together in the end?!” Or in any teen movie, “I wonder if the moral of the story will be to ‘be yourself!’”
Well this past week, I dragged my fiancé to “Role Models” starring Paul Rudd. It’s a classic tale of buffoonery in which two loser guys are court-ordered to volunteer in a mentoring program. I convinced him that I needed to go for work purposes. You know, I need to know about role models and such. I have to say, as a purveyor of fine bad movies, this one gets my Best Of 2008 vote. I actually laughed out loud on multiple occasions; I’m ashamed to say. In one such scene, the two loser “adults” begin smacking each other in the car and then two seconds later, their two kids they’re supposed to be role models for start smacking each other around for no reason.
Now it’s common knowledge that kids learn by observing and model the behaviors of those around them. But how important are “role models” anyway? Does it really make that big of a difference? I am thinking specifically of my young African American students who now have an African American President-elect. How big of a difference can Obama really make?
The research on social learning (learning by observing others) would say that the higher status the role model, the more kids will try to emulate them. That is the reason that advertisers use Michael Jordan to sell absolutely everything, including underwear, and not Michael Jenkins, your neighbor.* So will Obama’s high status job get kids interested in politics or someday running for office? Maybe, maybe not, but it will certainly give more options in role models to emulate, and that is a good thing.
*Plus, “Be like Jenkins!” is just not catchy.
Well this past week, I dragged my fiancé to “Role Models” starring Paul Rudd. It’s a classic tale of buffoonery in which two loser guys are court-ordered to volunteer in a mentoring program. I convinced him that I needed to go for work purposes. You know, I need to know about role models and such. I have to say, as a purveyor of fine bad movies, this one gets my Best Of 2008 vote. I actually laughed out loud on multiple occasions; I’m ashamed to say. In one such scene, the two loser “adults” begin smacking each other in the car and then two seconds later, their two kids they’re supposed to be role models for start smacking each other around for no reason.
Now it’s common knowledge that kids learn by observing and model the behaviors of those around them. But how important are “role models” anyway? Does it really make that big of a difference? I am thinking specifically of my young African American students who now have an African American President-elect. How big of a difference can Obama really make?
The research on social learning (learning by observing others) would say that the higher status the role model, the more kids will try to emulate them. That is the reason that advertisers use Michael Jordan to sell absolutely everything, including underwear, and not Michael Jenkins, your neighbor.* So will Obama’s high status job get kids interested in politics or someday running for office? Maybe, maybe not, but it will certainly give more options in role models to emulate, and that is a good thing.
*Plus, “Be like Jenkins!” is just not catchy.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
You know what is lacking in urban schools sometimes? Happy people. Now I recently discovered that happiness is contagious and I would really like some people at work to get infected with a serious case.
I entered one of my schools to find that someone had gotten all festive on me and put up holiday lights, a Christmas tree (I know, I know, separation of church and state), and even a whole family of moving-light-up-reindeer. The reindeer were all awkwardly grazing on fluffy white "snow" made of quilting batting that had some extra sparkle in it for good measure. There was a sweet little tree with fake packages under it and everything. Despite the clear Christmas bias over other holidays, I thought that it was nice for someone to try to spruce (get it?) up the foyer for the holidays, and I commented on it to a co-worker.
Me: Wow! This place is all festive!
CW: Festive. At this school? Ha. (Snorts)
Me: Um, I was referring not to the school in general, but to all the lights and the cute animatronic rein…
CW: (Walks away before I can finish)
Me: (to self, quietly) Reindeer.
Sheesh! There’s only a week left until break! ‘Tis the season? No? Okay fine, I’ll go hang out with happy people then. Please excuse me while I look for the reindeer lover and thank him or her for making me happy today.
I entered one of my schools to find that someone had gotten all festive on me and put up holiday lights, a Christmas tree (I know, I know, separation of church and state), and even a whole family of moving-light-up-reindeer. The reindeer were all awkwardly grazing on fluffy white "snow" made of quilting batting that had some extra sparkle in it for good measure. There was a sweet little tree with fake packages under it and everything. Despite the clear Christmas bias over other holidays, I thought that it was nice for someone to try to spruce (get it?) up the foyer for the holidays, and I commented on it to a co-worker.
Me: Wow! This place is all festive!
CW: Festive. At this school? Ha. (Snorts)
Me: Um, I was referring not to the school in general, but to all the lights and the cute animatronic rein…
CW: (Walks away before I can finish)
Me: (to self, quietly) Reindeer.
Sheesh! There’s only a week left until break! ‘Tis the season? No? Okay fine, I’ll go hang out with happy people then. Please excuse me while I look for the reindeer lover and thank him or her for making me happy today.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Works for Me Wednesday: Making Studying Fun
Hi Moms from "Rocks in My Dryer!" I have just discovered your "Works for Me" links and I hope you'll enjoy a few tips from a school psychologist on how to make studying for a test with your child more fun. These two links are geared for teachers, but are easily adapted to homework sessions at home.
SWATTERS!
DINGERS!
For everyone else, go on and enjoy them a second time. New Study Skill Tip on the way for Friday's post. Stay tuned!
SWATTERS!
DINGERS!
For everyone else, go on and enjoy them a second time. New Study Skill Tip on the way for Friday's post. Stay tuned!
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Obama on Climate Control
My fiancé and I have a tradition of watching Meet The Press every Sunday to catch up on the state of our nation.* It is mandatory that I have at least one cup of coffee in hand prior to activating the TiVo. The TiVo is necessary for when we want to pause to jump in on the commentary, because we take our MTP very seriously and do not want to miss anything. We do fast forward through haters and Negative Neds/Nancys, through lately I like to hear what they have to say, so I can throw pillow and whatnot at the tele. It really jump-starts my Sunday.
Today, Obama was on, and I told fiancé that he better at least say one thing about Education to give me some hope.** After 55 minutes of his plans to save the world economy, fix our global climate crisis, and end all wars, (all perfectly reasonable goals), I nearly spilled my coffee when he also said he would make it a priority to rebuild our schools. Now this wasn’t metaphorical rebuilding, but actual rebuilding the schools to be more energy efficient, etc. On the heels of a discussion on Ms. Mimi’s blog about the ludicrous “The heat is either on or off” policy of most urban schools, I was delighted.
Presently, my school has opted for the “The heat is off” policy, which in December is not the best choice, even in California. Northern California is not the California of the sunny post card, by the way. Then again, some of my colleagues in snowy areas are in short sleeve shirts, sweltering in December, so I’m not sure which is worse. I will tell you that I feel like I’m lying to kids when I say that my office is a space where they can come to relax when it feels not unlike the arctic tundra. “Yes, it a degree back here, but doesn’t it make you feel warm inside to talk to me? No? Okay.”
Now, I am a problem-solver. I got a space heater the other day and was so excited that I was going to be able to feel my fingers as I typed, but alas, I was foiled again by 1940s building plans, because there is no electrical outlet in my office. The nearest outlet is at least an extension cord or two away. The good news is, no one will be able to sneak up on me in my office, what with my new trip-wire in place.
Fourty-four days and counting…c’mon Obama, don’t let us down.
*Oh how we miss Tim Russert. In case anyone was wondering, we approve of David Gregory as a replacement. I realize no one was wondering. I just wanted to put it out there.
**Hope. So hot right now.
Today, Obama was on, and I told fiancé that he better at least say one thing about Education to give me some hope.** After 55 minutes of his plans to save the world economy, fix our global climate crisis, and end all wars, (all perfectly reasonable goals), I nearly spilled my coffee when he also said he would make it a priority to rebuild our schools. Now this wasn’t metaphorical rebuilding, but actual rebuilding the schools to be more energy efficient, etc. On the heels of a discussion on Ms. Mimi’s blog about the ludicrous “The heat is either on or off” policy of most urban schools, I was delighted.
Presently, my school has opted for the “The heat is off” policy, which in December is not the best choice, even in California. Northern California is not the California of the sunny post card, by the way. Then again, some of my colleagues in snowy areas are in short sleeve shirts, sweltering in December, so I’m not sure which is worse. I will tell you that I feel like I’m lying to kids when I say that my office is a space where they can come to relax when it feels not unlike the arctic tundra. “Yes, it a degree back here, but doesn’t it make you feel warm inside to talk to me? No? Okay.”
Now, I am a problem-solver. I got a space heater the other day and was so excited that I was going to be able to feel my fingers as I typed, but alas, I was foiled again by 1940s building plans, because there is no electrical outlet in my office. The nearest outlet is at least an extension cord or two away. The good news is, no one will be able to sneak up on me in my office, what with my new trip-wire in place.
Fourty-four days and counting…c’mon Obama, don’t let us down.
*Oh how we miss Tim Russert. In case anyone was wondering, we approve of David Gregory as a replacement. I realize no one was wondering. I just wanted to put it out there.
**Hope. So hot right now.
Saturday, 6 December 2008
OJ is Going to Jail
You are thinking: “How is OJ Simpson’s latest pending incarceration possibly related to educational psychology?”
WELL. This is a full-service blog, people!
As I picked up my morning paper today, I saw that OJ was going to jail for 9 years and I smiled, not because I particularly enjoy when ex-athletes get incarcerated, but because I have a fond memory of an autistic child I worked with who could not stop talking about OJ Simpson. It was one of his “things.” As many readers know, one of the characteristics that can be present in children with Autism is both restricted interests* and echolalia (repetition of words or phrases). This particular boy was into OJ. Now this was 2 full years after OJ’s acquittal, and he always repeated, in the same voice tone, “OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail!” As in:
Me: Hi, how are you today?
Him: OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail!
Me: Honey, OJ isn’t going to jail. They let him go.
Him: OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail!
Me: OJ is not going to jail.
Him: I want juice.
*ten seconds elapse*
Him (screaming and running up and down the stairs ): OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail! OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail! OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail!
I can’t help but wonder this morning if that kid feels totally vindicated today.
*Be careful before you self-diagnose your 8-year-old child or nephew as “Autistic” because he is really into trains, Bakugan Battle Toys, biking or PS2. Those are normal restricted interests. We’re talking about RESTRICTED interests that are waaaay beyond the scope and intensity of normal fads and hobbies.
WELL. This is a full-service blog, people!
As I picked up my morning paper today, I saw that OJ was going to jail for 9 years and I smiled, not because I particularly enjoy when ex-athletes get incarcerated, but because I have a fond memory of an autistic child I worked with who could not stop talking about OJ Simpson. It was one of his “things.” As many readers know, one of the characteristics that can be present in children with Autism is both restricted interests* and echolalia (repetition of words or phrases). This particular boy was into OJ. Now this was 2 full years after OJ’s acquittal, and he always repeated, in the same voice tone, “OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail!” As in:
Me: Hi, how are you today?
Him: OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail!
Me: Honey, OJ isn’t going to jail. They let him go.
Him: OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail!
Me: OJ is not going to jail.
Him: I want juice.
*ten seconds elapse*
Him (screaming and running up and down the stairs ): OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail! OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail! OJ’s going to jaaaaaaaaaaaaail!
I can’t help but wonder this morning if that kid feels totally vindicated today.
*Be careful before you self-diagnose your 8-year-old child or nephew as “Autistic” because he is really into trains, Bakugan Battle Toys, biking or PS2. Those are normal restricted interests. We’re talking about RESTRICTED interests that are waaaay beyond the scope and intensity of normal fads and hobbies.
Friday, 5 December 2008
Study Skill O’ The Week: Dingers!
Back in the 20th century, when I was in high school, I had this social studies teacher who would give away all the test answers the day before the test in a game called “Dingers.” We would line up in two groups and when it was your turn, you sat face to face with a classmate, game-show style, and in between you was one of those Dinger things that you ring for service. He would read out the question and whoever got their hand practically punctured by the other person’s hand slapping on top of yours slapping on top of the Dinger got to answer the question and earn points for the team. There was no delicate plucking of the bell, as pictured. Years later, I realized he wasn’t giving away the answers, he was teaching us how to study for the test. Curses! Tricked into learning again! So with full props to my 10th grade social studies teacher, here is the game, modified for the 21st Century.
1) Obtain a Staples “That Was Easy!” button. In today’s litigious world, one wants to avoid the “How did my son puncture his hand again?” conversation. The button is nice and soft, and has the added bonus of saying, “That Was Easy!” every time you push it.*
2) Line people up, Family Feud style, with half the class in a line and half the class in another. The two people in the front of the line sit down at a table, place their thumbs under the table and 4 fingers on the table to have an equal start.
3) Teacher reads out a question and whoever hits the “That Was Easy!” button gets to guess. If the person gets it right, they get 2 points: one point for getting it right, and one point for being correct that it was indeed “Easy.” If the person gets it wrong, the other team automatically gets 1 point because the other team misjudged the difficulty of the question.**
4) At this point, the other team can accept the 1 point and walk away, or choose to “steal” for an additional point by hitting the “Easy” button and getting it correct. If they get it wrong, they walk away with zero points.
5) Please expect a classroom full of students screaming, “It’s easy! It’s easy! Do it! Dude!” when there is a stealing opportunity. So if you are opposed to that, set up a ground rule in the beginning that teams lose points if someone yells out. I think the yelling out is kind of fun for them, but everyone has their own tolerance for noise.
6) Also, if you have a particularly aggressive student who you feel cannot handle the controlled slapping of button, put him/her in charge of keeping points on the whiteboard or reading the questions with you.
7) If your test questions are better in written form (say, like doing a math problem) then you can have two baby whiteboards and dry erase markers at the Dingers station and they can work out the problem on their individual boards, then hit the Easy button.
8) Try it out, and let me know if “That was Easy!”
*So annoying after a while. Kids of all ages love it though. Also, I do not endorse any particular office supply store. But if Staples wants to throw me a kick-back, feel free!
** This is in place so that our more impulsive friends (read: ADHD, those with Executive Functioning deficits) can evaluate the difficulty of task first, which is an important study skill. We’ve all seen the kid who rushes through something, thinking it’s easy, and does it all wrong. This is a good inhibition (“stop and think”) practice for test taking.
Thursday, 4 December 2008
My Kingdom for a Printer
I’ve been following the saga of Mrs. Mimi, and her battle for basic needs in her school, such as a parking spot, in My Kingdom for a Parking Space. While hers takes the cake for wackness in education, I have to report that it’s pathetic that I can’t get a working printer in the public school on the cusp of 2009, especially when my job entails writing lengthy reports on whether or not kids have learning disabilities, Autism, ADHD, Emotional Disabilities, etc. etc. Not to toot my own horn, but I think it’s important for parents and schools to have a written copy of such things.
I wont go into boring detail, but on Tuesday, I almost lost it, in manner of the movie Office Space in which the guy freaks out because the printer keeps saying “PC Letter Load” and he ends up smashing the thing with a bat in a field after work. Since I have a nonviolent temperament, I will use an “I message” instead. *
Printer, I feel frustrated when things that should take 5 minutes, like printing a report, takes days because I have a laptop with no Internet or printer connector so I can’t print at school.** I feel sad that I have to drive 10 miles away to use the one printer that we have for the 40 psychologists. I feel angry when the printer wasn’t working, then it was, but then there was no white paper. I need A WORKING PRINTER.
The funny part of this story is that I used Twitter to voice my frustration, writing, “All I want for Christmas is a working printer in my school” and this morning, I received a notice that Riso Printers, Inc. was now following me on Twitter. Stay tuned, Riso.
*For those of you who don't hang around the yoots, educators are big fans of the "I Message" in which you tell someone how you are feeling and what you need. Some of my little ones don't quite get the concept yet, and say, "I hate you." We're working on it.
**Don't say flashdrive. I forgot it that day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
