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Posted by: Jack
« on: July 05, 2018, 12:25:34 pm »

Quote from: Adric on July 05, 2018, 09:08:46 am
Quote from: Jack on June 24, 2018, 04:31:01 am
So far, I haven't had a single parent not think that a teacher being interested in these details or wanting to get to know the kids outside of class/before school starts was a bad idea.

I'd be really surprised if any parent was less than pleased with that level of interest.

So far, they do all seem to be.  It might be a concern in a different setting, but I think they all understand that we're all trying to do what's best for the kid, and they all seem happy to be getting extra attention.
Posted by: Adric
« on: July 05, 2018, 09:08:46 am »

Quote from: Jack on June 24, 2018, 04:31:01 am
So far, I haven't had a single parent not think that a teacher being interested in these details or wanting to get to know the kids outside of class/before school starts was a bad idea.

I'd be really surprised if any parent was less than pleased with that level of interest.
Posted by: David M. Katz
« on: June 24, 2018, 05:32:11 am »

I would think most parents would be happy that a teacher was willing to take a personal interest in their child.
Posted by: Jack
« on: June 24, 2018, 04:31:01 am »

Quote from: Jack on June 19, 2018, 04:09:40 pm
I have sent an e-mail out to the parents of all my students.  I see my job not as just helping the kids want to read, and helping with their grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills.  I also see helping them learn to direct and cope with their ADHD as part of my job.  To that end, I've told the parents that I would like to meet with them before school starts so I can have a more exact idea of how ADHD fits their kids, what their current goals are for each child, any coping skills that would help us in a class environment or that the kid needs to work on, and how they see their kid in regards to discipline.  I made it very clear this wasn't required, and that there will be no penalty for them not making it or not answering some or all of my questions, but my goal is to know the kids a bit before school starts.

Also, because many ADHD kids have trouble with socialization, I'd like the kids to get to know each other to help support each other, so I've suggested a cook out before school starts might be appropriate in this case for the parents and kids to meet.  Mr. P okayed it and said we can do it at the school, though that will mean having to move the grills.

At my last count, I currently have 53 students in my four classes.  They are looking at making 15 my maximum class size, and none of them have reached that point yet.  That will allow me to work one on one more easily, and give me a better chance to really know all my students and work towards each of their needs.

I am happy to say that I have already heard from a parent of most of those 53 kids, in regards to the e-mail I sent out.  I actually already met with a couple of them in the past couple of days.  So far, I haven't had a single parent not think that a teacher being interested in these details or wanting to get to know the kids outside of class/before school starts was a bad idea.  It's still a work in progress, but it looks like we might have a group meeting or two before school starts.

Simply because of the amount of time it will take, I probably won't try to introduce you to each individual student ahead of time.  On the other hand, there are interesting things about both the two whom I've already meant, so I'll probably try to get around to discussing them soon.
Posted by: Zyngaru
« on: June 20, 2018, 07:34:48 am »

Jack.  I just found an old book on my shelves.  "The Little Master" by J. T. Trowbridge.  It was written in the late 1800's. (approx. 1887)  My copy has the copyright as *886.

The main character is an eighteen year old orphan boy who loves to read.  He has to read by candle light late at night which is destroying his eyesight, but that is the only time he has for escaping into his fantasy world of books, since he has to work all day to make his living.

I actually haven't read the book yet.  I glean this much just from the first few pages. 

Have you read the book?  If you are looking for books that fit the bill for classic American Literature, this might be one that will work.  I checked Wikipedia and John Townsend Trowbridge wrote a large number of juvenile books.  I also noticed that this book has been re-released in paperback January 2018.  It is also online.  Illustrated also.

Code: [Select]
https://archive.org/details/littlemaster00trowuoft
Posted by: Jack
« on: June 20, 2018, 04:07:09 am »

Quote from: Zyngaru on June 19, 2018, 10:15:17 pm
Quote from: Jack on June 19, 2018, 04:09:40 pm

  Once I get the new format set up, I'll share those lists.  Or maybe it would be more fun if I made you wait and only posted each book as we start it in class?

That is devious.  But good.  To find out each book as it is introduced in class.

I actually love the idea, but I probably won't do it.  The problem there lies with the fact that I do run into periods where I have trouble keeping up.  On the other hand, if enough people think it would keep things more interesting and allow more room for discussion, I'm willing to try it.
Posted by: Zyngaru
« on: June 19, 2018, 10:15:17 pm »

Quote from: Jack on June 19, 2018, 04:09:40 pm

  Once I get the new format set up, I'll share those lists.  Or maybe it would be more fun if I made you wait and only posted each book as we start it in class?

That is devious.  But good.  To find out each book as it is introduced in class.
Posted by: kalico
« on: June 19, 2018, 09:41:42 pm »

That’s great news about all the new teachers and you sound okay with your new position so I hope it all goes well and I love the idea of the cook out get together.....




Hugs kal
Posted by: Jack
« on: June 19, 2018, 04:09:40 pm »

There are a number of things going on right now, in regards to my classes next semester, and school in general.

First of all, most of the new teachers BCA is hiring are going to be working with ADHD students to one degree or another.  At this point, they're aiming at having a boys ADHD homeroom for 4th through 8th grade.  There's still some discussion of how that will work out, since they don't want to completely segregate these boys. 

In the meantime, they've hired 6 of the 7 teaching positions they were planning to hire (including Andy and Bobby Witte) and they're looking at if the budget will stretch for one more who can help with upper elementary (keeping class sizes small is a major goal for BCA). 

It's looking like I won't have a homeroom next semester.  Instead, they're hoping I can travel to the different home rooms and discuss books and games with the kids.  It will also leave me with about 30 minutes with no students that I can use for discipline or when I need lesson plan time a couple of times a week.

I am considering a new format to make it easier to keep track of what's going on next year in my classes, since they may be on different books at different times, and I'm going to have more students next year (not many more, but I will be teaching four classes instead of three). 

I have sent an e-mail out to the parents of all my students.  I see my job not as just helping the kids want to read, and helping with their grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills.  I also see helping them learn to direct and cope with their ADHD as part of my job.  To that end, I've told the parents that I would like to meet with them before school starts so I can have a more exact idea of how ADHD fits their kids, what their current goals are for each child, any coping skills that would help us in a class environment or that the kid needs to work on, and how they see their kid in regards to discipline.  I made it very clear this wasn't required, and that there will be no penalty for them not making it or not answering some or all of my questions, but my goal is to know the kids a bit before school starts.

Also, because many ADHD kids have trouble with socialization, I'd like the kids to get to know each other to help support each other, so I've suggested a cook out before school starts might be appropriate in this case for the parents and kids to meet.  Mr. P okayed it and said we can do it at the school, though that will mean having to move the grills.

I'm almost 2/3rds of the way through my reading list, though I also need to come up with a few alternate books for boys who've already read something we're using in class.  It also does have to be approved, along with my basic lesson plans.  Once I get the new format set up, I'll share those lists.  Or maybe it would be more fun if I made you wait and only posted each book as we start it in class?
Posted by: Jack
« on: June 08, 2018, 03:41:40 pm »

Quote from: Zyngaru on June 08, 2018, 11:16:12 am
I am happy that you have these two men to talk with and plan things out.  It has to be better than having to make all of the decisions on your own.

Making the decisions doesn't bother me.  My problem is that I can think pretty good most of the time, and I think better when I can write things down and look back, but I think best when I can discuss things.  Even talking things over with someone who has no idea what's going on helps, but when I can have a good conversation with people who can critique my ideas and offer good suggestions of their own --- that's when things work best for me.

And it did today.  While there were a number of other things happening today, we did get a lot done - they both love the idea.
Posted by: Zyngaru
« on: June 08, 2018, 11:16:12 am »

I am happy that you have these two men to talk with and plan things out.  It has to be better than having to make all of the decisions on your own.

P.S.  I said men although at my age they are boys.  At the most young men.  ;D
Posted by: Jack
« on: June 08, 2018, 04:36:32 am »

Bobby and David (Mr. Witte and Mr. Warren) are coming over for lunch today. 

We've had an e-mail exchange going on, and we're talking about the possibility of devoting an entire 6 weeks to studying Rick Riordan's novels. 

If you forgot, or don't remember, Percy Jackson - Rick's first and arguably biggest character, is ADHD and dyslexic, so we fill like it would be great for the kids.

While my class is mainly literature, I am still empowered to go to other areas to 'enrich my curriculum'.  We've been talking about different areas we can where we can spread to keep the boys interested, and how we can use these to increase their research and writing skills.

The three of us are going to try to sit down this afternoon and get an actual lesson plan for the entire 6-weeks worked out.
Posted by: Jack
« on: June 01, 2018, 04:04:11 am »

Quote from: jackson on May 31, 2018, 12:22:40 pm
Sorry if you've already covered this Jack but what does "enhanced discipline" mean in the context of your class?

Enhanced discipline is the best term I could come up with.  It simply refers to the fact that I have a bit more freedom than the average teacher, and I'm allowed to punish like Mr. P does (i.e. - having them lower their trousers, if I think it's required). 

The funny thing is, I don't believe I used that in the classroom (as opposed to when I was helping out in the office), except with Taylor, who specifically requested it.  I do know that they suggested giving me that power, because I'm the only teacher who had classes made up only of boys who were considered discipline problems.  I actually don't like that term, because they're combining a few boys who actually had some type of discipline issue, with boys who were simply ADHD and had trouble controlling themselves, which is why I'm not referring to having two 'undisciplined' classes next year and two advanced.
Posted by: jackson
« on: May 31, 2018, 12:22:40 pm »

Sorry if you've already covered this Jack but what does "enhanced discipline" mean in the context of your class?
Posted by: Jack
« on: May 31, 2018, 11:58:19 am »

Zyngaru - it's not just reputation and word of mouth.  The administration sent out a letter detailing all my accomplishments and making it sound like keeping me on as a teacher next year was a major coup.  That was the same letter which explained I am also doing some office work, and that I'd have the option of 'enhanced discipline' in my classroom, because of the nature of my students.  A few of the parents who are new to me have requested meetings before the agree to their sons being in my class, but most of them were accepting, and a few of them seemed actually happy about it.

Adric, I think it's more than just them forgiving his forays into Narnia.  Remember that, in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Aslan died to protect Edmund Pevensie, then he rose from the grave.   Many people see Narnia as a Christian metaphor.  Also remember that the witch in Narnia was evil.  The witches at Hogwarts were good characters, which clearly violates what the Bible teaches (in the Old Testament, which Christians don't follow, but please - don't explain facts).

And thanks for the heads up, Kier.  I have already contacted the Dallas Summer Musicals, requesting them to obtain the Lightning Thief, and I know they do a lot of outreach to schools each year.  I am definitely keeping an eye out for it.