I wasn't able to keep up with the blog during student teaching, so now is the time where I will flood the blog with updates.
On December 5th I finished my full time student teaching at Mountlake Terrace High School. I taught four 10th grade classes for 10 weeks. It was a roller coaster, but I loved it. I had fun getting to know the students through a writing unit where they described their styles (clothes and music) and examined how their hair can be a symbol of their identity. After that we moved on to a literature unit with Things Fall Apart. I liked the book and the unit focused on the culture. I took a survey at the end of the unit and about 50% said they liked the book and thought it should be required and about 50% didn’t like it for a variety of reasons. I learned how to be a better teacher from their input.
I learned so much through my student teaching experience:
The importance of planning and being organized
Students use the bathroom pass to use their cell phones in the hall
Creative projects and group work make learning more fun
Group work means fewer papers to grade
Partial working definition for what the heck EMO is
Sleep is overrated
Hard work is rewarding
I still want to be a teacher :)
And much more
Right now I’m looking into paid and volunteer tutor positions until it’s time to apply for fall jobs. I’m also looking into the possibility of being a substitute teacher. I’m excited and nervous about getting my first class room. I’m still working part time at the hotel for now. I have classes winter quarter, but I won't actually be on campus every day. I'm taking and online Greek Mythology class. I will officially be finished in March.
Special Thanks
To Nathan for putting up with me when I was stressed and up late grading papers
To Jen for supporting me and listening when I needed to talk about student/school issues
Family and Friends for not giving up on me and being patient during the busiest time in my life
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
7 Habits of Highly Effective Ninjas – Special Election Edition
Of all aspects of modern society that ninjas have infiltrated, there is probably one that arena that has been unimpeachable… until now.
There is one question on the minds of political pundits when the issue of ninjas hits the table. What politics will they follow: Republican or Democratic. They are always surprised when they hear the answer:
Ninjas engage in the politics of FEAR!
The Ninjatic Party has proposed a very aggressive platform on which they will run their campaign.
Below I have detail the planks:
1) Economy: The official policy of ninjas is that the Federal Coffers will “fill themselves”; however, if we examine the historical record we will see that ninjas only know how to make money two ways. Steal it or hire out their services. It is quite possible that in a Ninja Administration this is how funds will be generated. It has been stated in several high level meetings that England’s Crown Jewels are “ripe for the picking”. Even the possibility of ransoming the prince has been proposed. Although these tactics are outdated and have been called “ridiculous” by most economists they have received a staggering amount of support from the public to the tune of 85%, believing that this will lower taxes.
2) Education: The ninjas have proposed a universal policy for education. It involves what has been dubbed “The School of Hard Knocks”, but despite its reference to Annie, this will be no lovable orphanage. Children will be taken from their parents (forcefully if necessary) at the age of 6 and taken to an undisclosed location to learn the ways of the ninja. When they turn 16 they will face a grueling test of physical and mental challenges. This test will determine what career they will pursue.
3) Health Care: The ninja health care plan is probably their most simple. If a wound or illness is not curable with suturing, cauterizing or Robitussin the patient is euthanized. This will take considerable pressure off the nation’s hospitals; however, it is seen in many circles as inhuman.
Although this election may already be decided, the strength of the Ninja Party had been growing in recent months and by the end of the decade may be considered a major player.
To send us off I thought it would be fun to discuss the more image related issues taken by ninjas.
1) Campaign Song: Queen’s unmatchable Princes of the Universe. Often at rallies you will hear chants of “Here we are, born to be kings” and “I am immortal, no man can be my equal”.
2) Campaign Slogan: Change that’s good for you… that you won’t even see coming.
3) The ticket: Neil Patrick Harris, President. Ralph Macchio, VP. Yes, they’re both ninjas.
There is one question on the minds of political pundits when the issue of ninjas hits the table. What politics will they follow: Republican or Democratic. They are always surprised when they hear the answer:
Ninjas engage in the politics of FEAR!
The Ninjatic Party has proposed a very aggressive platform on which they will run their campaign.
Below I have detail the planks:
1) Economy: The official policy of ninjas is that the Federal Coffers will “fill themselves”; however, if we examine the historical record we will see that ninjas only know how to make money two ways. Steal it or hire out their services. It is quite possible that in a Ninja Administration this is how funds will be generated. It has been stated in several high level meetings that England’s Crown Jewels are “ripe for the picking”. Even the possibility of ransoming the prince has been proposed. Although these tactics are outdated and have been called “ridiculous” by most economists they have received a staggering amount of support from the public to the tune of 85%, believing that this will lower taxes.
2) Education: The ninjas have proposed a universal policy for education. It involves what has been dubbed “The School of Hard Knocks”, but despite its reference to Annie, this will be no lovable orphanage. Children will be taken from their parents (forcefully if necessary) at the age of 6 and taken to an undisclosed location to learn the ways of the ninja. When they turn 16 they will face a grueling test of physical and mental challenges. This test will determine what career they will pursue.
3) Health Care: The ninja health care plan is probably their most simple. If a wound or illness is not curable with suturing, cauterizing or Robitussin the patient is euthanized. This will take considerable pressure off the nation’s hospitals; however, it is seen in many circles as inhuman.
Although this election may already be decided, the strength of the Ninja Party had been growing in recent months and by the end of the decade may be considered a major player.
To send us off I thought it would be fun to discuss the more image related issues taken by ninjas.
1) Campaign Song: Queen’s unmatchable Princes of the Universe. Often at rallies you will hear chants of “Here we are, born to be kings” and “I am immortal, no man can be my equal”.
2) Campaign Slogan: Change that’s good for you… that you won’t even see coming.
3) The ticket: Neil Patrick Harris, President. Ralph Macchio, VP. Yes, they’re both ninjas.
House of 1000 Root Beers
As you might remember, Nathan and I are on a quest to find the best root beer. We had round two and Nathan has provided the play-by-play.
This, like many stories, began with a dream. A dream that one day all root beers would be created equal. However, like so many dreams, this one was doomed from the start.
Eight of the finest tasters in the world were gathered at an undisclosed location to test eight premium root beers. The competition was stiff and the only way to solve the question of which soda was best is the only way to solve any problem: Cage Match.
A cage match is simple, all fighters go in and until one is victorious you don’t open the cage.
After several rounds of what can only be described as knockdown, drag out competition the Battle Royale was complete.
· Virgil’s – The first to be defeated, as it was gang jumped by all the other root beers and left in a gutter to wallow in its own misery.
· Boylan Brothers – This soda was also knocked out early with a 2x4 to the neck.
· IBC – Choaked out early in the third round this drink gave a good fight but not enough skill to keep up.
· XXX and Tima’s – Probably the most embarrassing loss, these two actually defeated each other at the same moment. This gave them a tie for fourth place, but more notably a loss in the “Ways to Go” category.
· Hire’s – It was the ladder that finished Hire’s. Strangely, there was no spilled root beer.
· Bull Dog – After a terrible bout with the previous competitors it was the folding chair of retribution that finished off Bull Dog.
· Dad’s – A surprise winner. No one expected that it would be this label to take the gold belt. But with an incredible show of strength it was able to defeat all opponents and be recognized as the survivor of this bout.
It was certainly an exciting match and we can only hope that another fight of this caliber will show itself in our lifetime.
Until then, good night and good luck.
This, like many stories, began with a dream. A dream that one day all root beers would be created equal. However, like so many dreams, this one was doomed from the start.
Eight of the finest tasters in the world were gathered at an undisclosed location to test eight premium root beers. The competition was stiff and the only way to solve the question of which soda was best is the only way to solve any problem: Cage Match.
A cage match is simple, all fighters go in and until one is victorious you don’t open the cage.
After several rounds of what can only be described as knockdown, drag out competition the Battle Royale was complete.
· Virgil’s – The first to be defeated, as it was gang jumped by all the other root beers and left in a gutter to wallow in its own misery.
· Boylan Brothers – This soda was also knocked out early with a 2x4 to the neck.
· IBC – Choaked out early in the third round this drink gave a good fight but not enough skill to keep up.
· XXX and Tima’s – Probably the most embarrassing loss, these two actually defeated each other at the same moment. This gave them a tie for fourth place, but more notably a loss in the “Ways to Go” category.
· Hire’s – It was the ladder that finished Hire’s. Strangely, there was no spilled root beer.
· Bull Dog – After a terrible bout with the previous competitors it was the folding chair of retribution that finished off Bull Dog.
· Dad’s – A surprise winner. No one expected that it would be this label to take the gold belt. But with an incredible show of strength it was able to defeat all opponents and be recognized as the survivor of this bout.
It was certainly an exciting match and we can only hope that another fight of this caliber will show itself in our lifetime.
Until then, good night and good luck.
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