What I'm doing when I'm not working . . .

https://sites.google.com/site/flinthillssoccerclubsite/

When I'm not teaching, learning to teach, or working to pay for the first two, you'll find me at a soccer practice with 23 of my favorite U13 and U14 soccer players. We practice out at Susan B Anthony middle school and play games in Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City. These players helped me realize that teaching is what I want to do for a living. I can't imagine a better job than trying to help our students become the best they can be in all areas of life. Below is a picture of our U13s after winning second in a local tournament. The above link will take you to our soccer club website that I administer.

Day 2

My partner and I wrapped up our orientation week in our Block B class today. We didn't get to do much, however, we wrapped up our contextual factors and have several good ideas for the social studies unit we will be teaching in April. I will try to post the lesson plans from the unit along with student response to the lessons. In the mean time, we will be back in the classroom plugging away on the rest of our course work until spring break.  

My second grade class

I've gotten assigned to a second class at Woodrow Wilson Elementary here in Manhattan, Kansas. Today is the first day we get to meet our cooperating teacher and students. I'm excited and a little nervous. Today will mostly be an orientation session, but we will finish the day in the classroom where we will spend the last half of the semester. I will try to post a recap at the end of the day.

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I've returned from day one helping in Mrs. Major's classroom. Our Block B unit will be teaching important landmarks and symbols from American history. 

It's amazing how quickly you bond with a classroom of students. They have great routines and a caring atmosphere that will make our jobs as practicum teachers much easier. As anxious as I was this morning, I can't wait to be back with the 2nd grade class tomorrow. 

Amazing Elementary Choir

http://www.schooltube.com/video/21273/PS22-Chorus-Everybodys-Changing-by-KEANE

Attached is a video from SchoolTube of NYC's PS22 Chorus covering a song by Keane. It's amazing what students can accomplish when we expect the best and challenge them to achieve it.

Newbury Award and Honor Books

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm

The latest book awards for children and young adult readers have been out for a couple of weeks now, but here's the link that will list all of the award winners and honor books for this year and past years. I read that Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book was inspired by Kipling's Jungle Book. I'm looking forward to reading it but I haven't yet. Feel free to post a review of the book and any other honor books on the list.

Crayon Physics

http://www.crayonphysics.com/

This links to a site selling a cool game called Crayon Physics. The object is to get a little ball from game stage to game stage by making it hit a little star. The trick is that you have to draw the objects that cause the ball to move. All of your drawn objects obey the basic rules of physics. Once an object is drawn, gravity takes over. 

There's a free demo that can be downloaded and installed. I spent literally hours playing the demo. All of my kids (6th grade, 8th grade, HS Junior) spent the same amount of time and loved it. It is addictive.

What I especially like about the game is that you can create multiple ways to solve each level. A player can be as creative or as direct as they want to be.

Download and enjoy!

African Fractals

Today's link is a speech given by mathematician Ron Eglash on fractals in African society and architecture. It's fascinating and a great way to link African culture to math, especially when he briefly explains that the origins of binary code can be traced to Africa.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ron_eglash_on_african_fractals.html

I've also given a link to Science News for Kids. It's an extensive site that has a ton of ideas for math and science that can help students make meaningful connections.

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/

NASA's Picture of the Day

Mr. Reever's Teacher Blog.

This is where the fun stuff will be. Links to cool educational sites for students or any other lifelong learners. I will also be chronicling my practicum adventures in Ms. Major's 2nd grade class this semester. Enjoy!

We will start with NASA's picture of the day. http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/