Stardate 010609

The students keep a journal, excuse me log in which they write their responses to the readings. Since I read at a much greater speed then the students, I found myself with some extra time during their hour of reading, and have written a few posts during that time.

Jan 6, 2009

Despite the fact that class was supposed to begin at 8, the teachers didn't arrive until 8:03 and 8:10 respectively. Understandably class should begin a bit late, allowing student to find the way but 8:23 seems a lot late.There are also quite a few fewer students there. It is yet to see if they are absent or late, or have dropped the class.

One of the teachers, Scott, is definitely the old hippie type - very Counrty Fair, long shaggy hair, round John Lennon glasses, tye dye shirt, glass om pendant. Even his speech patterns. I like him, he's a little scattered and seems to dominate the teaching, although that could be because he is the Humanities (Language Arts/Social Studies) teacher, and Danny is the Inquiries teacher (Science/Math)

We read 'Who Goes There', or began it anyways, a novella that the movie 'The Thing' is based on. They will watch the film one of these afternoons. Danny and Scott make a bit emphasis about the high expectations that they have for this class, 'We are at a college, we need to act like we are in college'.

The students are given about an hour to read the 15 page assignement and respond to the questions, then there i a discussion, which is really mostly summary, and pulling out the important bits to make sure everyone notices, and a discussion of the science that is used.

-I noticed that there are a ton of late students, very late
-Scott often used a character voice or anecdotes, especially non-examples or counter examples, to explain ideas, or how characters are thinking, it's a little hokey, but I think it really helps the students.
-Danny frequently makes depreciating comments to himself, and/or his geekery.

January 7, 2009

Considering that the original impression that I received implied that A3 was all about cooperative learning, so far this class has been very teacher centered. There has been silent reading, teacher led/facilitated discussion, and video watching. It's a great class, don't get me wrong, but it is more 'typical' then I expected.

-Students are allowed to wear headphones/iPods while they do their silent reading, there was no question or discussion about it, just something the students did. However it isn't disruptive, and they don't wear them during the discussions.

-IRE model is rampant, teachers are definitely searching for specific answers and trying to get the students to say them. Polite disregard of answers that are unexpected or don't match.

-In general, most students seem to be on task, and engaged in each activity.

January 9, 2009

Operation Carrot: The plan is to show a film right at 8 o'clock to encourage kids to show up on time. This morning it is the pilot of 'Firefly'.

I was able to make a connection with a kid over D&D. He was looking for some non-combat skills to add to a character creation sheet he was inventing and I suggested a few, and then a few more. He responded "Wow, you're good." Interestingly, this is one of the students that I find the most trying, he is frequently off topic and shouts out commentary during films, but apparently compared to the fall, the fact that he is engaged is huge.

January 14, 2009

There is a a girl, who always sits in the back, on the floor, even when there are seats in chairs available. During the movies she reads her novel (not the novel assigned for class), using a book light. ON the one hand, it seems that the teachers here allow students to make their own choices about learning, as long as it doesn't disrupt others, but no one as has asked her not to do it. I would have said something by now, in a private conversation after class. In general I've noticed that the teachers don't say 'no' much. They make a suggestion for an alternative, and give a reminder about what you are supposed to be doing, but not once have I heard "Please stop doing ______".