Last week of data collection

I wasn't sure I would ever get to this point, but here I am, just needing to collect data for five more days: one journal activity, one think like a teacher activity, one concept map, one (or two) journal entry of my own, one peer observation, one critical friend feedback, and one set of surveys and interviews. I'll be busy this week, but I think this will really happen.

writing in biology class

We are nearing the second week of the new semester, and my students and I are beginning to get back into the routines we established first semester. This really means that there is a give and take, a sense of community, and that the volume in the classroom goes up as soon as there is desk work to do.
Today we did the first long journal activity as a quiz. It was not very successful. Open-ended questions are hard for students who prefer well defined tasks, preferably those which don't require them to do more than repeat activities they have already done. I found myself quite frustrated by their lack of understanding. I'm not very proud of that. I'm supposed to be trying to help them learn, and instead I want to say "Think!, haven't you learned yet that I want you to think?!"
Tomorrow will be a better day.

Motivation to finish the semester well

My daughter, Caitlin, sent this link to me - she watched it in one of her "Nursing in the community" classes. I hope I can remember the wisdom as I teach some of my differently gifted students.

2010

Tomorrow I'm going to ask my grade 11 and 12 students to fill out a New Year's book - an activity which some of them will enjoy, but about which many of them will complain. In the interest of fair play, I thought I should answer the questions also.
The picture which reminds me of New Year's is this one of the quilt I started January 1, and which now hangs in my bedroom (I love little projects!)
I stayed up until 9:30 on New Year's Eve.
On new Year's Day I stayed home until I went to supper at my in-law's house, and then I went to the airport to pick up a friend.
Altogether I celebrated New year's Eve with 8 other people.
The first person to fall asleep at my house this year was me!
My favorite New Year's tradition is having a fire in our fireplace.
My new tradition includes making a small quilting project over the holidays. This is the second year I have done so.
My most memorable moment in 2009 was
Five places I really enjoyed going in 2009 were: Rosario Beach/ Friday Harbor with Ryan, Jody and the class of 2010; helping Randy move Ryan to Rossland - and then into his own apartment; Camp Hope with Caitlin and Shannon; the teacher's convention trip with Shannon; cross-country skiing at the Nordic club with Shaun and Sarah.
One event that will occur in 2010 that I'm looking forward to is: finishing my MSSE.
I'm going to read at least one book a week for myself. First on my list is Stones to Schools.
I think I should hire a maid to help my family keep the house clean!
I spend way too much time fretting about things I can't change. This year I am going to try to do less of that.

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas!

Today was a wonderful day. The children are all home, the tree is beautiful, we had a relaxed morning with no particular schedule, a wonderful mid-afternoon Christmas dinner with more trimmings than we needed, a fire in the fireplace, a cat to snuggle with, and pleasant conversation.

EBC - Everything but Capstone

I can remember several of my colleagues rejoicing when they reached a stage in their doctoral program where they were self-declared EBD - everything but dissertation. Well, my accomplishment is a little less lofty, but still important to me. I have finished all the coursework for my MSSE - master of science in science education. All the coursework, that is, except for the capstone project. Never mind that I am four weeks (out of 13 total) into the investigation portion of my project. Ignore the fact that I will doubtless have numerous revisions of the introduction, theoretical framework, and methodology portions of my final paper (I have already done four submitted revisions plus many other self-edited revisions). Discount the Data and Analysis section which I can't complete until I finish the study itself. Then there is the Value section (was there any point to this whole process?).
I have reached a significant milestone. I am done (Done! DONE! DONE LIKE DINNER!!) 27 out of 30 credits for this degree.
Now I just have to finish the 3 credit capstone project. . .

Thanksgiving

Well, I'm up early on this Thanksgiving morning thinking about those people for whom I am thankful. I'm also thankful for the life I live. It might not be turning out the way I expected it to, but I am happy, warm, dry and well fed. I get the exercise I need, don't usually have to listen to city traffic, and have regular access to good health care. I attend a church where I feel at home, and love my job teaching high school students.

I'm thankful for Randy, who gets his kidney stone blasted today. I'm also grateful that we could afford to take the time off work to get to Vancouver for the procedure.

I'm thankful for Caitlin, who is working hard and successfully as a third year nursing student. I also appreciate the picture taking, tread milling, bread baking, soup simmering, talents she has.

I'm thankful for Shaun. Someday his hard work and dedication to his dream, as well as loyalty to his employer, will pay off and he will be a professional fire fighter.

I'm thankful for Ryan and his persistence as he tries to become a fully qualified Primary care paramedic. I'm sure the search and rescue team is grateful for his talents and hard work. Rossland is lucky to have him.

I'm thankful for Shannon. I learn so much from her skill and dedication as a primary teacher. I also laugh more because of her entertaining story telling.

I'm thankful for my students - especially the class of 2011. What they did for a classmate yesterday was amazing. I pray that they will always be as supportive of each other as they were at lunch yesterday.

I'm thankful for my extended family, my other students, and my fellow students.