Comments for A New Ecology

Comment on Boxed In by Dawn Hogue

Dawn Hogue — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:05:28 +0000

Glad you’re back to blogging. I missed you for awhile. I’m glad you’re out and about exploring teaching, also.

I have to state for the record that the AP Scoring Model is not mine, but is a generic rubric from my AP experiences. This is to say, I am not sure if I got it online (College Board) or from a workshop. I realize this means I got a bit lazy about citing my source for that one. I do like using it, though. However, when AP readers use rubrics for scoring each of the essays on the exam, they have customized rubrics for each prompt. So, can there be one generic rubric? No.

The real question about rubrics is the one Maja asked, which was do they even work. As teachers, we’ve bought into the idea that they do. But every time I use a rubric, I feel constrained by it. I know good writing when I see it. When I assess student writing, I wish I could just go by my expertise, for I do have expertise in this area. That’s my job. We seem not to trust teachers anymore. Everything has to be quantifiable.

The standards and benchmarks movement seems to be a method of standardizing teaching instead of learning, a method of making sure all teachers are teaching the same things. But I suggest that there can never really be standardization since all students are not the same. All teachers are not the same. No document will make it so.

Comment on “A New Ecology” anew by Dawn Hogue

Dawn Hogue — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:02:24 +0000

You did promise this, so I should not be surprised. I am so glad you’re back.

Comment on “A New Ecology” anew by Tammy Gillmore

Tammy Gillmore — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:00:22 +0000

Glad you are back!

Look forward to reading about your “new” start.

Good luck!

Comment on First Impressions by Dawn Hogue

Dawn Hogue — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:16:24 +0000

“What are you going to leave behind,” is a profound question in more than one way, as I am sure you know. But the impulse to even ask this question shows what an innate teacher you are. It was the perfect question at the perfect time. And you put their answers day by day in front of them to remind them of their hopes or the inadequacies of their dreams. You will want them to do more than parade to school, filled with entitlement. After a year with you, I hope they will want that too.

Comment on “Miss. Johnson, me encanta la clase de Ingles” by Kimberly

Kimberly — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:40:36 +0000

Thank you, Tammy!

Sadly, I am missing the “light bulb moments” because they are happening in Spanish.

Look for a post on lessons soon.

Comment on “Miss. Johnson, me encanta la clase de Ingles” by Tammy Gillmore

Tammy Gillmore — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:23:57 +0000

“Light bulb moments”…that’s what we used to call these teachable moments. Aren’t they great? All of sudden you and this student are connected and real learning is occurring.

I’m curious…what type of lessons are you planning for the beginning of school

Good luck, Miss!

Comment on The last day before the first day by Kimberly

Kimberly — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:17:51 +0000

Students are people.

I will admit that it was difficult for me to distinguish between feelings of excitement, intimidation and insecurity on the first day. Even though I tried to block out all of the generalizations and warnings, I still felt like I was on my toes all day.

Now that I have had conversations with students, read their writing and realized some of their supposed maladies, I look forward to our exchanges.

They have already taught me a lot. I look forward to helping them on their way.

Comment on My classroom smells like fishgarbage… by Kimberly

Kimberly — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:08:07 +0000

It is nice to have you, Dawn and Aurora, in the same place : )

The smell is gone.
Technology is really more of a myth than a hope, but we are creative.

Comment on The last day before the first day by treasures

treasures — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:47:47 +0000

Just read about you on Ms. Dawn’s blog..and already I think you are great!

I teach English 11 and Pre-AP English 10 (and other classes as well!) in Arkansas and would be glad to share, to read, and digitally pat you on the back anytime! (Going to add you to my reader.)

Good luck as you begin making memories that will last a lifetime!

Comment on My classroom smells like fishgarbage… by Aurora

Aurora — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:45:19 +0000

You have a SmartBoard?? I’m so excited for you. If your students’ first impression of you is anything like mine, they’re going to ask, “Who is this girl?” And then, they’re going to listen really close to everything you say. I can’t wait to hear about your students. You’re going to make each other new.