Wednesday, November 17, 2010

First Annual Berry Bake Off

Yesterday night was "Science Night" it was nice to be able to take a back seat and just run a station at this event instead of having to coordinate. I ran a computer station where families were able to come, answer a few questions, and figure out what their "Carbon Footprint" was in comparison to the American average. I thought that it would go really easy, but quickly realized that the website was not in Spanish, I don't speak much Spanish, and almost all of the students parents and guardians do not speak English...

As I saw some of my students translating many of the questions to their parents I realized what an important role these young children play in the lives of their families. Many of my students are one of few people in their household who speak English and they are relied on for important translation in order to help their families function in America. Granted, a lot of information is available in many languages, but still, this is just another outside stress that many, more fortunate students, will never have to face.

Today, Wednesday, was the day of the "First Annual Berry Bake Off." This event was held after school as part of our school's Thanksgiving celebration for staff. We have events every once in awhile to help build community within the teachers and staff at our school, discuss larger school-wide issues as a staff, celebrate special events, among other things.

Anyway, last night when I got home from "Science Night" I used my "phone-a-friend" and called my mom in order to get the recipe for my secret weapon, Better Than S-E-X cake. It was late, but I felt I should participate in the contest in order to support the "events committee" at our school and to be a good sport. This cake was my favorite growing up so I thought I would give it a try. After two trips to the grocery store (I forgot caramel the first time), I finished the cake and went to bed.

Here are the directions to the cake I made. You can use these directions, or give my mom a call... she had them memorized and was able to retell them to me without missing a step at whatever she was doing at home. I think more than one of her sons must have requested it for a birthday cake over the years.

The cake was a big hit. I ended up getting 2nd place from the "judges" (make up of selected staff and teachers from our school) and also won the "People's Choice Award" for best desert. My late night slaving away in the kitchen was worth it...

Next up... I said I would bring a pumpkin pie to a Thanksgiving potluck on Sunday. We shall see how that goes.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Article Up!

The article that the Carlson School of Management did about another Carlson Alumni and me is now posted on their website. You have to wait until the flash player changes to "community" or click on the light blue "community" tab on the right-hand side of the screen to see the photo of me and get to the article. Here is the link to the website.

Busy week

On Saturday morning, during Saturday school, I found out that I was in charge of "Math Night" at my school. Fortunately, I work well under pressure. The event was to be school-wide and would be kind of like a carnival of sorts for parents and students to attend. The purpose of the event was not only to allow the students to play games, have fun, and win prizes while doing various math activities, but also to expose the parents to some of the math related topics students are held accountable for when they are in school. Many of the "stations" (as we called them) involved the parents and students working together to solve problems, play games, or create something math related. This exposed the parents and ideally, will allow them to be better equipped to help their students at home.

The event actually turned out very well. I was able to get prizes on Tuesday evening after going to the gym with my friend David (who teaches the same subjects as me - only bilingual). He helped me pick out some of the prizes and be prepared for the next day. The prizes were nothing spectacular, in total we spent about $50, but the students seemed to enjoy them. We picked up a soccer ball and football for top prizes and then puzzles and board games for other prizes. We figured that the puzzles and board games at least encourages problem solving and develops critical thinking skills.

Today, Friday, was picture day at Berry Elementary as well. Picture day is always a little crazy as this is one of the few days that students are allowed to be out of their uniforms (green "Berry" polo-style shirt and khaki's). I spent about 15 minutes explaining what was appropriate to wear and taking questions regarding wardrobe at the end of the day on Thursday. The students were simply supposed to "dress nice." I explained this as "wear something that you'd wear to church" (no worries, most of my students are Catholic, those that are not are Baptist or something that is more strict - they all go to church - it is not taboo to talk about in school). When some of them still looked confused I reiterated, "wear something that you would wear to a Quince" (as in Quinceanera). After that I felt most of them understood me, but this morning I still had two students show up in jeans and a tee shirt. Being the mean teacher that I am, I made them call home. 15 minutes later, all of my students were "dressed up."

Picture day ran 2.5 hours behind schedule. We ended up taking our pictures after recess and after lunch. I was a little nervous about this, as we could have dirtied our clothes playing or spilt on our tops, but all of my students made it to pictures without any major catastrophes.

Picture day takes about 30-60 minutes out of instructional time... I am glad that it is over and we can get back to learn, which by the way, I think my students are doing very well at this year. I think it is the combination that I am a better teacher and maybe, my students are a little better (mainly in the behavior aspect), but this too could be because I am a better teacher now that I am in my second year.

- Joe

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Busy... Procrastinating

With daylight savings comes an extra hour of time to "get stuff done" today, but all I have found myself doing is procrastinating (probably why I am typing in my blog).

I have plenty to do... but I have just not been able to sit down and accomplish much today. I have finished three loads of laundry, done the dishes, cleaned my apartment, but none of the things I need to get finished for school.

On Wednesday we have "Math Night" at Berry. Since I am the math lead teacher at my school I am in charge of planning this entire event. It should not be too difficult, but I was surprised to find this out at Saturday school when talking to my principal. It was another one of those, "oh, I thought you knew" moments. Communication, or lack there of, is a very large area of weakness in education, at least in the school/school district I work in. There are a lot of assumptions made. Fortunately, I have learned not to assume from my farther, who said that when you assume; you make an "ass" out of "u" and "me." He has many other "clever" sayings and words of wit and wisdom, but that is one that stuck. haha

I also need to update grades. Grading is probably one of the things I like least about teaching (other than the bureaucracy, ect). It takes a lot of time to provide meaningful grades with feedback that will actually help students to grow. Many times, I will put a lot of time into grading and writing on students' assignments, just to have them no read or thrown away before they even make it out the classroom door. I know that students need to have feedback, but I sometimes struggle with the inefficiencies of grading.

I have a meeting tomorrow morning at the Alternative school for one of my students who brought a knife to school on the Friday that I was absent (Oct. 22nd). He has been at our school in in-school suspension since then, but will finally be starting at the alternative school on Monday, I think. Again, communication is lacking here, as I have no idea as to what is going on with this situation. It is just assumed that I know the process and what is happening. When I ask a question I am usually talked down to by administration and by the end of the conversation, leave with out an answer to my question. Hopefully this child will be able to excel at the alternative school where he will be in a setting with more direct contact with his instructors. He is many years behind grade level and can barely (and I mean barely) read and write. I think that some of his behavior issues stem from his inability to be successful at school in his current environment. He is a very interested case study... but that will be for another time. I think I am actually going to get to work on some of my school stuff.

Oh, by the way... If you can, please click on one of the links on the bottom of my site when you read it. You can just click on it and then close out. I get paid a very small amount every time an ad that is posted on my site gets clicked on. You don't have to buy anything or even read the information on the pop-up. Just click them. Thanks! :)

Monday, November 1, 2010

Meester Swartz

I was recently contacted by my alma mater, The University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management to be featured in an article. The requested picture, so I decided I would share them with you as well. They are below:


This is my classroom (trailer). Yes, those are folding tables, but they are working alright. Once I finished decorating it, it really isn't that bad. Also, the air conditioning breaks at my school quite frequently so it is nice to have control over my own a/c unit.



Teaching math...




More teaching math... I think the students were participating a little more this day because the camera was in the classroom. :)


Working with one of my small groups during "station time."

Camp Pictures (Late... but worth the wait?)

Where in the world did the month of October go? Last thing I remember (and last thing I posted) was that I was getting my students, and myself, ready for camp. Camp was an awesome experience for the students. They were able to do so many things that were new to them, meet new friends (as there were two other schools there as well), and venture a little bit outside their comfort zones.

I really feel my students had a lot of takeaways from camp. A lot of them came back with slightly better behavior in the classroom and a unity as a class, having all gone through the shared experience of camp together. I have posted some pictures from camp below:

There was a "Farm" at camp where students were able to interact with animals (goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, and even ride horses).
Students went fishing. In this picture, one of my students caught his first fish!
Two Berry students enjoying a ride on the pontoon to do some bird watching. One of the trips actually spotted an alligator.
More Berry students on the pontoon
First time in a canoe.
Another canoe "first timer."

Last night at camp at the evening ceremony.
Here is the website of the Outdoor Education Center. This is where my students went to camp Tuesday - Friday. It was such a great opportunity for my students. They reference camp weekly and I still catch them telling stories to friends and camping about "One time at camp..." or "Remember at camp when..." I am really glad I got to be there to share this experience with them.