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Philosophical Friday: the D word

Right now my students are writing sections of a class book called United by Borders. We discussed the concept of implied and stated theme and determined a stated theme, "We all share the common human experience of facing borders. They aren't minor barriers Read More...
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2009 03 13

John Spencer

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Thursday Thoughts: Mr. Jones and Me

For PLC training, we cram together in an empty classroom (an empty shell remaining from the days before the sherrif's immigration raids and the collapsing housing market) to watch Fred Jones teach us to manage behaviors. I roll my eyes at most of his Read More...
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2009 03 12

John Spencer

3 Comments

Free eBook

I'm taking some of the ideas (indeed some of the actual postings), cleaning up the style and creating a free eBook. My target date is June 1, 2009. The title is The Impact Paradox and what the main point is that, when trying to make a difference in learning, Read More...
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2009 03 11

John Spencer

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What-if Wednesday: What if creativity can't be taught?

Often creativity occurs where I least expect it The dullest people I've known have been those who try too hard at being creative. Sure, they don a trendy hat, wear some eye liner and attempt to be "different." They might read an obscure poet, find a regional Read More...
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2009 03 11

John Spencer

1 Comments

Techno-Tuesday: My Tech Journey

I realize that nearly every post begins to resemble a "Metaphor Monday." I experience the world through an affective, figurative lens, so it's difficult for me to state anything "as it is." When I consider my shift toward tech-integration, the metaphor Read More...
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2009 03 10

John Spencer

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Monday Metaphor: Megaphone Man

I'm riding my bike near nineteenth avenue. It's a crowded street that strattles the line between urban and suburban; a sort-of purgatory on pavement where people grow edgy in the invisible permissiveness that invites people to jaywalk, yell or chase down Read More...
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2009 03 9

John Spencer

15 Comments

Survey Saturday: Criticism

Today I brought Micah with me to take items from our home to my classroom. He's at the age where he believes I'm Superman and anything we do together is the ultimate experience. We stop by a teacher's classroom and I notice three of my students. One remarks, Read More...
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2009 03 7

John Spencer

4 Comments

Philisophical Friday: Saber and Conocer

Yesterday I attempted to create a class motto that would carry on as a legacy from this year to the next. It's not a vision or mission and I hope it doesn't become a slogan. However, I want something that begins with the students. I suggested my favorite Read More...
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2009 03 6

John Spencer

1 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: My Approach

I caught a girl tagging on one of my chairs. Let me restate that. I noticed tagging on my chairs, matched it to the tagging this student has done in the classroom and then determined that it had to be her. It felt like a punch in the gut. After going Read More...
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2009 03 5

John Spencer

6 Comments

What-if Wednesday: Playing Nice

Nice guys don't get crucified. They don't get shot on the balcony of hotels. They aren't forced to drink hemlock when they ask too many questions. Nor do they get sent to jail for refusing to sit in the back of the bus or stand up to fire hoses and snarling Read More...
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2009 03 3

John Spencer

2 Comments

Techno-Tuesday: Concept Maps

It is rare that a technology tool, a social paradigm and an educational philosophy intersect. Often, I attempt to deconstruct a technology tool, re-frame it into a more postmodern paradigm and then use my classicist and constructivist pedagogy together. Read More...
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2009 03 3

John Spencer

2 Comments

Monday Metaphor: Spiders and Butterflies and Mystics

While Micah finishes taking his nap, I take Joel outside to play baseball. This time, though, he notices a lizard running up the cinder block wall. It's warm outside, about eighty degrees, so the reptiles seem to enjoy the change in weather. Joel notices Read More...
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2009 03 2

John Spencer

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Philosophical Friday: Two Approaches

A student in my euphemistically titled, "Life Skills Math Exploratory Experience," (remedial math class) chose, for his statistics project to determine the ratio, percentage and decimal of the number of hours spent learning versus testing. After the teacher Read More...
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2009 02 27

John Spencer

2 Comments

Thursday Thoughts: Cutting

A girl walks in wearing wrist bands for the first time. She's a top student, quiet, unable to qualify for the honors class, but she finishes all her work and leads her small group with energy and passion. Like many of the eighth-grade girls, she realizes Read More...
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2009 02 26

John Spencer

5 Comments

What-if Wednesday: Changing People

The most profound change occurs over a cup of coffee when I can be authentic and you don't try and change me I am reticent about writing this blog, because it will probably reek of pop psychology. Still, it is a simple truth I've learned that applies Read More...
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2009 02 25

John Spencer

2 Comments

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