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.

Get ready, get set, more paperwork

Well, I didn't officially start my non-intervention units yet - November 16 is now the official start date. However, my students did participate in one survey, and I used the results from two class assignments to do the mock up of my data analysis and conclusions.
I can say that my students have a fairly accurate concept of how well they can perform algorithms in math and chemistry classes. This is a very good thing.
After a bit of a panic last night, I have received official permission from my adviser to start my project. Now I need to get permission from the school, the students, and their parents to report what I find out. I can do the research without permission, but I need permission to use what I learn for the MSSE. I also need to submit a draft to a MSSE peer for input, submit the improved draft to three colleagues for more input, submit a proposal to my MSU reader, and make constructive comments about a peer's draft. All this by next Sunday.
More paperwork.

Get Ready, get set,

I'm working on the time line for my action research project. I am investigating the effects of a writing-rich format in my math 11 class. To do this I will need to compare student's attitudes and abilities before the "intervention" with their attitudes and abilities afterward. I want to see if writing and thinking about what they are doing helps in math class, and whether there is any carryover to their science classes. Therefore it stands to reason that I will need to do a 'non-intervention' unit - not much journaling about their though processes as they problem solve; and not many activities which work to make students think about what they are doing, and why they would follow a particular algorithm. So, Tuesday is the big day - I'll start journaling myself as I observe the students working in both math and chemistry.
I think this 'non-intervention' phase will last 4 weeks - until term 1 ends.
I'm nervous about how much writing I'll be doing, but excited to finally be underway.

Tuesdays with Morrie

This weekend I've read two Mitch Albom books. The first "Five People You Meet in Heaven" left me thinking about the connections between people. "Tuesdays with Morrie" has left me wondering about the quality of my relationships with family, friends, and students. "Tuesdays" is a very personal series of essays about his relationship with a former teacher who dies from ALS. What Morrie is able to help Mitch learn is what really matters - Live Life Abundantly, Forgive Others and Yourself, Love Your Family.
The book ends:
"Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine? If you are lucky enough to find your way to such teachers, you will always find your way back. Sometimes it is only in your head. . . . . The last class of my old professor's life took place once a week. . . The subject was the meaning of life. It was taught from experience. The teaching goes on."
I don't think I have ever had a teacher like that, but wouldn't it be wonderful to BE a teacher like that?
The capstone project I completed in 2003 dealt with qualities which are found in outstanding secondary teachers. The capstone project I'm working on right now deals with ways to help my students see the connections between what they learn in math class and how to problem solve in science classes. Both projects are little stepping stones in my path to becoming a teacher who truly makes a difference in the lives of her pupils.
I have found another role model.

Blogs and Action Research

I ended this summer with big plans for the fall. I would make time to introduce my students to blogs, would have a functional wiki I managed, and would breeze through EDCI 509. My classes would flow smoothly since I have taught them all before and know what I'm doing. My professional relationships would be mutually satisfying, my children would be happy and productive, my husband would feel fulfilled, and the income taxes would all be paid. Then school started.
Well, at least my children seem happy (I think Ryan's car is finally fixed.)
This week I will start on my fall list - or maybe it will be next week. . .