It was dark in the auditorium when I got there. There were lots of people, but it was quickly obvious that this was because the Intermediate School band was performing in addition to the two High School bands. In spite of the traffic, I had made it in time. Surrounded by darkness and in hopes […]
Yearly Archives: 2019
Daily Notes
Sun, 1 Dec 2019, 09:49 AM (-06:00)
It’s common for students to walk into class before the bell and as they make their way to their assigned seats to ask, “Are we taking notes, Mister?” I usually chuckle. They know what that means, because we have notes almost every day. Part of what I’m teaching them is how to communicate well, and […]
The Need for Practice
Sun, 1 Dec 2019, 09:34 AM (-06:00)
After the test, a student came up to my desk. He was holding a homework assignment that was due that day. “Do you have the answers, Mister?” I generally provide answers to the problems so that they can check their own work. It’s reassuring when I see them checking, since it suggests that they are […]
Thankful For A Slice of Pie
Thu, 28 Nov 2019, 07:45 PM (-06:00)
It was the last day before the Thanksgiving holidays. Each period was going to take a test (easy to plan for). It was sixth period. The day was almost done. The students started filing into the classroom. The sixth period kids all tend to arrive in one great mass. So the room was filled with […]
That’s Weird
Wed, 27 Nov 2019, 02:16 PM (-06:00)
It was a warm weekend evening. Acorns were falling from the Oak trees, banging onto car tops, crunching underfoot. Izzy was pulling at the leash. I dialed my cousin. “Hi, David!” she said. We spoke about school. We spoke about the kids. She asked about my progress in year two. I asked about her recent […]
The Acorns Wouldn’t Wait
Sun, 17 Nov 2019, 05:58 PM (-06:00)
I gathered them up from the gravel along the sidewalk: acorns fallen from the four young Lacy Oaks struggling in the strip of ground between the restaurant and the parking lot. On two separate occasions, I gathered full pockets of them. This has been a bumper acorn year. Although I am told trees just 30 […]
Putting the Pieces Together Again
Fri, 15 Nov 2019, 07:00 PM (-06:00)
Yes, yes. I know. You might guess, so don’t ask. But now I’m here, and all sorts of technical glitches are making this enterprise somehow … difficult. My brother is out buying truck tires at the tire store next to his office. And here I am, trying to get the blog and the laptop and […]
Teacher Cartoon Dude
Thu, 5 Sep 2019, 07:57 PM (-06:00)
There is a cartoon stick figure who makes an appearance in my algebra classes from time to time. He wears a top hat for no other reason than he is the teacher cartoon dude, and I need to distinguish him from the cartoon students who are usually seated. His role is to make sidebar comments […]
Friday Night Game
Sat, 31 Aug 2019, 01:32 PM (-06:00)
For the most part, students like seeing teachers outside of school, although they don’t always know quite what to do. Some are enthusiastic (“Mr. Hasan!”). Some are nervous (“How are you?” “Ok… I guess. I mean…”). And some just pretend you’re not there. In no particular order… 1. Fast Food The guy behind the cash […]
The Red Rocket and The Dangling Else
Thu, 29 Aug 2019, 08:28 PM (-06:00)
There was a cartoon on the screen at the front of the room. It was a hand-drawn thing, the sort I use a lot in class. The ground was green. The sea was blue. The rocket was red. … Yes. There was a rocket. What else would you use for a visual aid if you’re trying […]