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December 2008 - Posts

my resolutions

1. Avoid committing genocide 2. Write at least one blog post per day (between two blogs, it's been easy so far) 3. Run a marathon 4. Avoid splitting my infinitives and ending sentences with prepositions 5. Run for governor I figure #1 should be good, Read More...

2008 12 31

John Spencer

3 Comments

raking leaves

It's a bit too romantic to admit, but I love the leaves. I love the smell of them when I rake each pile. I love the crinkling sound, as if I have the privaledge of stomping to death a stack of all-too-tidy Pringles potato chips. I love the vibrant reds Read More...

2008 12 31

John Spencer

11 Comments

What-if Wednesday: What if it is personal?

What about that wad of paper on the ground? Yep, it's personal. When I first began teaching, I had a difficult time with classroom management. Well-intentioned teachers would explain to me, "It's not personal." Often, this advice was accompanied by "you Read More...
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2008 12 31

John Spencer

9 Comments

Techno-Tuesday: The Need for Creativity

In The World is Flat, Thomas Friedman argues that within the New Economy, creativity is considered the greatest asset an employee can offer. In the past, employers wanted dutiful workers, "yes men" who would follow a prescribed procedure in the process Read More...
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2008 12 30

John Spencer

4 Comments

first draft is done

I am finished with my book . . . for now. I am realizing a few things that need to change: A little less cynical in parts Use humor a little more often, but not in a way that is over-the-top Be more vulnerable. It's easier to offer a criticism of the Read More...
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2008 12 29

John Spencer

1 Comments

Monday Metaphor: Marathon

Originally, the term "curriculum" had a different connotation. It meant a course of study, but the word fit within the context of a journey. In examining the etymology, curriculum originally meant "to run, to move quickly" and was used to describe the Read More...
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2008 12 29

John Spencer

0 Comments

Survey Saturday: Should teachers' unions endorse candidates?

I am a Democrat. In some of my social circles, I almost have to whisper that. I emphasize that I am a "moderate" so that they don't secretly hold prayer meetings for a socialist son. At school, it's almost a given that teachers are Democrats. It's a low-SES Read More...
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2008 12 27

John Spencer

12 Comments

re-reading Tolstoy

Dustin Trammel got me into the GoodReads site, a social networking site about reading. I've decided that each time I finish a book, I'll embed my review into a blog. So, here it is: The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy My review rating: 5 of 5 stars Read More...
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2008 12 26

John Spencer

0 Comments

Philosophical Friday: The Ever-Changing Online Identity

I'm standing in front of the mirror with a glob of gel in my hand. As I begin to spike my hair, I don't ask, "How will I look at this party?" Instead, I wonder, "Is it time for a new profile picture? I look pretty good today. I like this color of blue. Read More...
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2008 12 26

John Spencer

0 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: Does teaching make you happy?

Last night, we did the whole Santa Claus ordeal. Christy and I wrapped a few final presents, stuffed the stockings and set everything out around the tree. I went to bed feeling tired, but happy. The night had not been particularly fun. Christy's dad's Read More...
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2008 12 25

John Spencer

7 Comments

What-if Wednesday: What if we changed professional development?

One of the many hilariously cynical posters at despair.com Twice in the last year, I have had the opportunity to conduct professional development at my school. I suppose "conduct" is the wrong word, given the fact that I was not exactly a director leading Read More...
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2008 12 24

John Spencer

0 Comments

my very readable blog

Isn't it great to know that I'm so accessible? Check this out: TV Reviews Read More...

2008 12 23

John Spencer

3 Comments

Techno-Tuesday: Web Browsers

With the recent news of how easy it is to hack into Internet Explorer, it is surprising to me that over seventy percent of web users still use IE. It got me thinking of how I would rate each web browser. I'm not going to score it (a bit cliche) and I'm Read More...
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2008 12 23

John Spencer

4 Comments

Monday Metaphor: Fireworks and Fire Works

I'm lousy at trying to start a fire. Blame it on my suburban upbringing or my lack of tactile / kinesthetic learning or the fact that I never joined Boy Scouts. I begin too big, with large logs and lots of smoke. Sometimes I cheat by trying to douse the Read More...
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2008 12 22

John Spencer

1 Comments

outsourcing life

Christy and I watched the movie Nanny Diaries. I realize it was supposed to be a sort of escapist chick flick. To a large degree, that is how I treated it. This morning, however, it has me thinking about the concept of outsourcing life. I realize that Read More...
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2008 12 21

John Spencer

3 Comments

Survey Saturday: Teacher Books

When I walk down the aisles of a local bookstore (okay, a multinational chain - there is nothing local on the west side of Phoenix) I notice a trend. Nearly every teaching book is practical, aimed for busy, pragmatic teachers who need a few ideas. To Read More...
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2008 12 20

John Spencer

3 Comments

a difficult reminder

Today I was lamenting the lack of tamles this year as the students gathered outside my classroom. "Yeah, we're not having tamales this year. Our electricity was turned off last week." "Mine, too. My dad works construction and there's no work right now. Read More...
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2008 12 19

John Spencer

4 Comments

Philosophical Friday: A Metaphor of Teaching

Students are detectives in search of the truth. A good detective will see things from multiple viewpoints, ask hard questions, listen and engage in dialogue. There is both a logical and intuitive aspect. It's more than that. The goal is not a simple acquisition Read More...
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2008 12 19

John Spencer

2 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: A Testing Marathon

I am not one of the teachers who runs movies throughout the last week before winter break. I expect students to learn every day all year. I mention that, because my next rant and rave might seem as though I am advocating for low standards. I'm not. Instead, Read More...
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2008 12 18

John Spencer

0 Comments

why blog?

I talked to a guy one time who had just finished seminary. I asked him why he chose that path. I expected a cliche answer about "God leading" but instead he explained, "I think on some level, I wanted an acquaintance with power. I wanted to feel that Read More...
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2008 12 17

John Spencer

19 Comments

What-if Wednesday: What if there are no formulas?

I'm abandoning "Wiki Wednesday," for a few reasons. First, it wasn't all that popular and, as you know, popularity is the goal of life. Okay, I've been teaching middle school way too long. Second, I'm realizing that my personality doesn't work well with Read More...
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2008 12 17

John Spencer

16 Comments

Techno-Tuesday: No More Keyboards?

According to an article I read this morning in Yahoo (yes, there are still those of us who use Yahoo on occasion), keyboards will be a thing of the future. Instead, small handheld devices will replace the need for traditional keyboarding skills. In addition, Read More...
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2008 12 16

John Spencer

0 Comments

Monday Metaphor: Driving a Car

On three separate occasions, my mom attempted to teach me how to drive. At first it seemed to work. However, she would quickly micromanage, offer too much feedback, give some seemingly phony praise and I would grow nervous. I would over-correct to one Read More...
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2008 12 15

John Spencer

2 Comments

Survey Saturday: What is the most important factor to a child's education?

A few years back, a friend of mine began telling a story of her difficult week teaching Head Start. Most of the stories involved bodily functions or physical violence from the students. Seriously, this woman is a near-saint will probably have a picture Read More...
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2008 12 13

John Spencer

4 Comments

I'm sitting here listening to the Sufjan Stevens Christmas album. It meanders through being an over-the-top, almost self-mocking (almost humorous) pop Christmas album into being a subdued, reverent album and into songs that are vulnerable and honest. Read More...

2008 12 12

John Spencer

3 Comments

Philosophical Friday: A Better Living or a Better Life?

Socrates takes a bite of the apple, spewing juice on the staff lounge poster that advertizes the latest professional development opportunity. "Why do you teach here?" he asks the group, sitting huddled over their instant soup (the kind that you can microwave Read More...
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2008 12 12

John Spencer

3 Comments

The Hundred Dollar Computer Lab

In switching schools next year, I want to continue to go the tech-integrated route. At first, glance, however, the idea of creating a computer lab seems insane. However, the reality is that I will probably have a full class set of computers wherever I Read More...
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2008 12 12

John Spencer

17 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: A Libertarian's Guide to Classroom Management

I don't post the rules on my walls. In fact, I have no rules in my classroom; or at least no explicit rules. I never create a seating chart. I can't think of the last time I timed out a student. It just doesn't make sense to send a kid off in exile for Read More...
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2008 12 11

John Spencer

2 Comments

Wiki Wednesday: Communication Tools

Yesterday, I talked with my friend Brad the Philosopher via Skype. To a large degree, it felt like he was at the table with us, drinking Starbucks and hanging out. The delay was minimal and the picture quality was crystal clear. Yet, it was all an illusion; Read More...
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2008 12 10

John Spencer

0 Comments

who told you?

I'm thinking right now about the scene in the Garden of Eden where God asks, "Where are you?" and I wonder what the tone of his voice was. See, the other night, we lost Joel for a brief moment. He wandered around chasing after the Zoo Lights and minutes Read More...

2008 12 10

John Spencer

0 Comments

that was easy

I remember being a kid and watching Larry Bird play basketball. Unlike the phenomenal feats of Air Jordan, Bird (ironic given his name) would jump three feet in the air and seamlessly hit a three point shot. It wasn't that Bird was bad, but that he made Read More...
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2008 12 9

John Spencer

5 Comments

decisions

I found out that I won't be able to teach self-contained, because I am not elementary certified. So, I've actually decided to go the opposite route and consider teaching high school. I'm thinking about the Phoenix Union District or the Peoria Unified Read More...

2008 12 9

John Spencer

2 Comments

Techno-Tuesday: Google Sites

Currently my students are using Google Sites in creating Cold War websites. Google Sites is essentially the old JotSpot site that Google bought out and reformatted into a blended wiki/website program. At first glance, Google Sites is a weak program. The Read More...
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2008 12 9

John Spencer

3 Comments

suffocating in rules

Our principal sent an e-mail with a list of ten things we need to change. It was one of the shaming lists sent out to get everyone on the same page. It's not that the list is all bad (don't leave kids unattended in class, clean up the trash on the floor), Read More...
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2008 12 8

John Spencer

9 Comments

Metaphor Monday: Aspirin

When I first began teaching, nearly every teacher book admonished me to avoid the staff lounge. "Watch out for the lounge lizards," they warned. "Beware of those who sit around in the staff lounge and gripe." Thus, I attempted to head this advice. I planned Read More...
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2008 12 8

John Spencer

1 Comments

redefining social studies

About a year ago, I watched the t.v. show, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? for the first time. The first thing I noticed was the sheer triviality of each question. I suppose triviality is to be expected when it is a trivia show. Yet, after watching Read More...
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2008 12 7

John Spencer

6 Comments

Survey Saturday: Should we give homework?

About a year ago, one of my top students handed me a letter. It described why she would no longer be doing her homework. "I have to take care of my younger brothers and sisters. There's four of them and they range from one to eight. None of them will Read More...
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2008 12 6

John Spencer

3 Comments

Philosophical Friday: Human Identity

"Watch out for him. Time him out as often as possible. He's like a cancer on the classroom and his misbehavior will spread. Give him a desk in the corner and he might behave," a teacher warned me at the beginning of the year. While her words were a bit Read More...
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2008 12 5

John Spencer

2 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: Is school too easy?

by John Spencer Yesterday a few teachres accused me of watering down the standards based upon my method for teaching capitalism, communism and socialism. I created a monopoly game based upon each economic system. The students then analyzed each system Read More...
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2008 12 4

John Spencer

4 Comments

Wiki Wednesday: What are some key practical skills?

One of the IMPACT values is practical skills. What are some key practical skills that students need in order to thrive? I'm going to take the blog comments from this post and add it to the Practical Skills wiki. Or, if you would like to add to the wiki, Read More...
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2008 12 3

John Spencer

0 Comments

slowly shifting

I've created a new blog that is based entirely on my thoughts about education. It's less personal, more practical, more philosophical and more structured. If you're interested, it's located at Learning with IMPACT . I think it might end up as a blog that Read More...
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2008 12 2

John Spencer

0 Comments

Techno-Tuesday: What is technology literacy?

by John Spencer I would never suggest that a student is literate based upon his or her ability to decode text. A literate person can read multiple formats, analyze text, question the author's purpose and synthesize multiple works. Okay, so that description Read More...
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2008 12 2

John Spencer

0 Comments

Monday Metaphor: Ice Cream

by John Spencer In the late nineteenth century, companies demanded compliant, dutiful workers. In an assembly line method of manufacturing, the goal was absolute uniformity. Similarly, society began to shift toward militarism, with the emphasis on dutiful Read More...
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2008 12 1

John Spencer

0 Comments