All Ages- Student Behaviors

Does anyone read the CTA's California Educator? I flipped through the latest issue while eating dinner and stumbled upon an article about classroom management and one section of it, "Controlling student behavior at the college level," is pretty funny. College professors' complaints are students who: fall asleep, monopolize discussions, arrive late and leave early, and other "annoying behavior." Some excerpts that make me giggle and/or roll my eyes:

"The electronic age has really been a problem..."

"Reina... no longer allows students to take notes on laptops. Too often, she has seen students cracking up inappropriately during a serious lecture, and she finally figured out they weren't laughing at her."

"The electronic age has created a monster..."

"If a student falls asleep in class, I may call on that person... Most of the time when I call on someone with their eyes closed, they wake up. Sometimes, I 'll have fun with it. Since the subject is psychology, I'll ask them where they went in the dream and whether it was a good journey for them."

When I'm in class, and it's a boring lecture, I disengage too, and I've been a student for a long time. I expect a professor to guide me in creating MY OWN knowledge, not just to sit and listen to hers. If the professors don't give me time to talk or process the information, thank god I can g-chat about the lecture with my friends in class or even in San Diego.

Find 20 minutes to watch this!

Stevenson Kicks Off the New Year

I know we've had a rough start, and I know there are still several things pending, but all in all we should feel blessed.  We all have jobs and our students all have wonderful teachers that are dedicated to educating them.  I know the year will be great.  I believe in all of you.  I know you will all be successful and have a great year because you have our students in mind.  They come first and are the reason we are here.  We will "capture their hearts so that we can then have their minds."

Writing Contest, Participate!

Did you notice?

In the post announcing SMS's new principal, Leo Gonzalez left a comment for all of you!  

Stevenson Does Dallas II

DALLAS! DALLAS! DALLAS!

The AVID conference was an experience that I wish all at Stevenson could have been a part of. The experience and people that we were able to share our time with were worth every moment there.  As many of you know, I have a family, and while in Dallas I tried to justify my being there away from my family as something worth the separation from them.  I found it.  The interaction with my colleagues, friends, was all worth while.  I can truly say that we grew together.  That we bonded and were able to learn from each other, not only as professionals, but on a personal level.  We were able to share an experience that brought us closer together as a Stevenson family because that's what we are, a family.  And as a family, we will do what is best for our kids.  I know this new school year will have its challenges.  But in the end, I know it will be a great year.  Together, we can do what is best for our kids.

Lyrics to, "AVID back" song

This song was freestyled to my AVID students. Apparently, it garnered enough laughter to have it be performed to the entire AVID Summer Institute in San Diego. So for all my teacher fans at Summer Institute, here are the lyrics. Feel free to add to the song.

sung to the tune of, "Sexy Back" by Justin Timberlake

I'm bringing AVID back (yeah)
All my teachers know where its at (yeah)
We keeping kids on the college track (yeah)
So AVID listen and don't talk back (yeah)

*Take 'em to the bridge!

AVIIIIIIIIID, you drive me crazy almost everyday
I'll teach you WICR if you just behave
I promise no one makes me feel this way

*Take 'em to the chorus

Go 'head and learn it (Get yo' AVID on)
Go 'head and learn it (Get yo' WICR on)
Go 'head and learn it (Get yo' AVID ooooooon, get yo' AVID on)

New Principal Announced

Congratulations to Leo Gonzalez, new principal of Stevenson Middle School. Leo was offered the position, his first principalship, after completing a thorough hiring process. Soon, he will be given the hiring committee's assistant principal recommendations to build the rest of the admin team. Transition Team meetings have been postponed until Leo officially enters post. 

A friendly reminder

These are the 6 Standards for the Teaching Profession. Whenever I need a little pick me up, I like to reread these to remind myself what I'm supposed to be about as a teacher. This is our job...

Videoconference with Jack O'Connell

Proud Auntie

So, I am promoting my nephews band... check them out... Playing all over this month including Vegas... http://www.myspace.com/diversionrocks  

I am very proud of his music (he is the bass player). 

Check out the LA Times article about the changes during summer school at Locke High School since Green Dot took over this summer and an article regarding a new program the Partnership has brought to Santee High.
http://www.latimes.com/news/education/la-me-lopez23-2008jul23,0,4720938.column

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-santee23-2008jul23,0,6958243.story

For the Techies

Check this out!  It's so cool.  If anyone is interested in doing a project like this, I'd love to be involved!

click on this: The Center for Digital Storytelling

Capturing Kids' Hearts Calendar

Upcoming Training dates are:

September 23-25

October 7-9

October 21-23

October 28-30

November 4-6

November 18-20

All days are from 8-4 pm.  Location TBD.  It is open to certificated and classified staff.

Capturing Kid's Heart Training

I attended the Capturing Kid's Hearts training on July 15-17, 2008, and I have to say that I was both inspired and motivated to come back to Stevenson to put the process into action. It was a cool experience! Other participants included: F. Rodriguez, A. Segoviano, R. Stough, D. Meza, J. Ramirez, C. Baker, C. Heiland, R. D'Amato, M. Nakis, C. Vera, and Officer Carbajal.

What I got out of this training is that leadership--true leadership--equals service. In order for us to make a difference in our students' lives, we must put aside our personal agendas and embrace the notion of service to others. This involves building relationships with our students. It is the only way in which we can get our students to be involved with us in the learning process. Beyond the test-taking skills we teach students, we need to also prepare them for the larger world at hand by giving them the skills they'll need to navigate that world--that is, how their learning will assist them in their future efforts and in finding meaning in their lives.

Another key involves being active listeners--showing empathy and interest in who our students are as individuals and what they bring to the classroom. If we build an atmosphere of trust in which students feel safe enough to try and even fail while going through the learning process, then we empower our students to become life-long learners willing to take risks and assume responsibility for their learning.

It is my hope that all of Stevenson will go through this training. Collectively we can begin to make a difference in our students' lives. I believe that taking the time to build positive relationships with our students will lead to the holy grail: increased student achievement and a true community of scholars!

One central component of the process taught through Capturing Kid's Hearts is taking an active interest in our own personal growth. If we are to build healthy relationships with our students, it must begin by taking inventory of ourselves and our lives and our own personal relationships. I learned that the biggest obstacle to our growth is a blindness to our own behaviors, thoughts and attitudes and how these can stand in the way of our growth and service to others. It takes courage to reach inside of us and discover what it is that stands in our way of becoming true leaders and true role models. Particularly in education, it takes courage and honest self-reflection to become truly of service to our students.

For myself, I am thinking of September and what service I will bring to my students and how I can best empower them to succeed. I think the following quote best sums it up:

"I've discovered that the only person I can really change is me! I can control only my behavior and my attitudes. My hope is that by accepting responsibility for myself...others may choose to do the same."--Lee D. Bason

I'll teach you history if you just behave......

Buena sera and good evening from Roma, Italia.

'Tis my last night in this beautiful continent and I can only tell you that I am now a walking history book on Roman and Renaissance history.

I nearly overdosed on Renaissance art in Florence with the various Michelangelo's and Ghiberrti's lying around that magical city. Aside from seeing Galileo's grave and the famous Buonaroti (aka Michelangelo) lying place, the "David" is a majestic piece of sculpture if I do say so myself. I even managed to sneak a photo of the 17ft tall man.

After a literal 10 minute visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa (and no, I did not take the typical tourist photo of attempting to correct the position of the Tower), Evan and I enjoyed a comfy 3 hour train ride to the "Eternal City" of Rome.

Talk about the cradle of Western European civilization! Ruins are scattered around the city. We have had various loitering sessions atop marble columns only to realize that our gluttius maximus was touching history.

We toured the Colosseo and heard about how Romans were quite entertained with watching men slaughter each other. Experts estimate that 700,000 to 1 million people were killed for entertainment purposes in the arena. We also received very informative tour of the Palentine Hill, which contains the oldest ruins of the Roman Empire. Romulous is believed to have begun Rome from this very site. Talk about getting your fancy on! These emperors built dining halls larger than the main building at Stevenson, only to have it demolished to build a larger one with the reign of a new emperor.

My history senses were tingling at the sheer fact that I have walked across the same mosaic floor as Titian, Comedius, and Nero. Needless to say I was touching every ruin I could.

No trip to Rome would be complete with a tour of the Vatican, the second smallest independent country in the world (right behind another Italian state, San Marino). Now this may have been my second time seeing the Sistine Chapel, but it was breathtaking nonetheless. I sat and observed for 40 minutes in a 86 degree room with no AC, just taking in all the lifelike images from the Bible. My neck was sore afterward.

After losing my cousin in St. Peter's Square, we devoured our pasta and made plans the following day for the beach. Nothing beats swimming and tanning in the Mediterranean Sea to escape temperatures of 90+ with no AC. Did I mention that nighttime temperatures were essentially the same, but with no breeze? Yeah, it was that hot, people.

Well, tomorrow morning, my European backpacking tour ends with a flight to New York, followed the next day to LA. Thank you all for reading these adventures and be on the lookout for pictures (once I find a Costco not busy enough to unpack over 600 pictures).

love,
KM

P.S. My students are gonna have an amazing time studying world history with pictures from the actual sites. Holler!

Boun giorno from Italia

Bringing the history back indeed, yall!

My cousin and I are now in my favorite Italian city, Firenze, or Florence. Yesterday morning, we took two trains from Brig to Milan to Venice to Florence. Yes, we spent about 6 hours on trains.

We originally wanted to leave Switzerland on Sunday, but thanks to a train strike (which happens monthly or so), there was no way to get to Italy. Needless to say, we were bored out of our minds in Brig, which only has a train station and a couple grocery stores. Insterestingly enough, we zoned out on German MTV in our hotel room. Its crazy to see the far-reaching influence America has on other cultures. All the shows are dubbed in German, even South Park and Family Guy.

Arriving in the train station in Milano reminded me of the 405 Freeway at rush hour. It was jam packed with tourists and locals alike. But being Italian, the train could only do one thing, that was being 1 hour behind schedule. After squeezing our bodies and backpacks into the train, we sat in the most hot, stuffy, annoying train ride ever! The aire condizzionata only funtioned when the car was moving, so we sat there for 40 minutes with no air and and dozens of sweaty tired backpackers.

Upon arriving in Venice, the previous adventure was forgotten with the site of the Grand Canal and the gondalas. Though Venice was once a trading superpower in the 16th century, it has become a tourist destination. Only 300 people live in Venice year-round, most of the locals live on the other side of the island and take water taxis to work.

St. Marks Square, with its gaudy Catholic decoration also bears some resemblence to Muslim architecture with its arches and geometric patterns. Of course, the pigeons dont seem to mind. They are fearless! I wouldnt be surprised to have one pickpocket me.

The train ride to Florence was comfortable because we took the Eurostar high speed line. Arriving in the majestic city was romantic for this history teacher. To think, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bruneschelli, and the Medici family all walked these streets. Our hotel is near the Duomo and we woke up to the sound of the bells and of course, Vespas and Peugots whizzing by.

Before we went to bed, we walked the streets of the city with pizza and soda and listened to a street performer give a show at the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest landmark in Florenece. The bridge was originally built in the 1560s and was home to various leathermakers. It sits straddling the famous Tiber River that flows through Romes city centre. To think, the ancient Romans utilized the power of the Tiber to bring fresh water and public baths to its citizens.

Tomorrow, we leave to Rome but not before stopping by the Accademia to see a famous 17ft tall statue by the name of, "David." Michelangelo scuplted this masterpiece to the amazement of his peers. This museum is so crowded that reservations are needed to attend. So K. Merino and her cousin Evan will be having breakfast with this fascinating man tomorrow.

Until then, ciao bella y arriverdeci mis amores!
KM

Capturing Kids' Hearts

Hey everyone there have been a couple of developments with the Capturing Kids' Hearts training.  The first is that those of us doing the recruiting weren't aware that the August cohort is intended for administrators only.  August 12, 13, 14 is for administrators ONLY.  Also, we have had a really dismal confirmation for the 100 spaces we reserved for July 29, 30, 31 and have decided we better cancel.  If you have signed up for either the July 29 Cohort or the Aug 12 cohort, you need to decide if you'd like to schedule for the July 15 Cohort or wait until the fall.  The July 15 Cohort is already half full so you should hurry and sign up if that's what you want to do.  Please respond to my work email if you'd like me to register you:

raquel.nunez@lacity.org

See you soon!

Fourth of July in a river

Guten morneng from Grindelwald!

Not to much history going on here in the Swiss Alps, but nevertheless, my cousin and I have managed to fnid more adventure.

We left Bern to Interlaken, which is only 45 minutes on the train. Interlaken, a medium sized farming community is also the extreme sport paradise for the Swiss and tourist alike. After talking him out of skydiving, which was available for a hefty price, we opted to go white water rafting.

What a rush! The cold water racing, the commands from the guide to, "Get down! Hold on!" and then, that wave of icy cold Alpine water in your face as you struggle to paddle. I cannot describe enough what an adventure it was.

Needless to saw, my cousin and I were exhausted. But that did not erase the fact that we still had to check into our hostel in Grindelwald, which is high up the Alps next to the Jungfrau (where the wolds highest rail car station is located). After walking uphill for a quarter of mile complete with 50lb backpack, we arrived to heaven in the Alps. Next door is a farm complete with goats with a bell chasnig each other and pigs! Our balcony even opens up to a 360 view of the Alps. Talk about gettin our fancy on.

We leave to Zermatt today and I will finally do something Ive only recently dreamed of: seeing the Matterhorn up close and personal.

Ill post the pictures upon my return to the States. But Happy Fourth of July to all!

Oh yeah, one last thing, I did get to celebrate Independence Day with a group of servicemembers based in Ramenstein Airbase. They were medics tending to the casualities from the Afghani and Iraqi wars on vacation. So thank you to them for all their brave work.

The American History Geek

Welcome to another blog posting by K. Merino and her travel adventures through Western Europe.

Like I stated before, being my second go-around through France, I mostly let my cousin see the monuments while I observed the French. One thing that is different is that no one says "Bless you" after sneezing. Well, maybe they did but my French is so poor I didnt even notice. All I have to say is, "Thank you French, Italian, and German phrase book."

Switzerland is a very multiethnic country. Over 45% of Geneva alone is multiethnic. Everywhere we walked (or biked for free), was an electric mix of Arab, North African, and Pan-Asian communities. Geneva is only the 3rd largest city, home to the United Nations, fondue, and of course, THE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE REFORMATION!!!! Needless to say, my students next year will be seeing many a photograph of Reformation artifacts, from martin Luthers Bible, to a replica of Güternbergs printing press. Of course, no trip to Geneva would be complete without a dip in the refreshing waters of Lake Geneva.

In Bern so far, my cousin and I have jumped off a brdige into the Aare river below and floated down until our hearts content. The best part about Switzerland is that because of its close proximity to the Alps, all the city fountains pump out potable water for our canteen. We have been stopping by every fountain and indulging. Today we also visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the city complete with 16th century clock towers, and the univeristy. Albert Einstein also developed his famous, E=mc2 formula in an apartment not to far from our hostel. It was definately worth the 6.50 CH to hear more about an ordinary life turned famous.

Of course, thinking of my AVID students, I visited Bern University. This was where Einstein gave his first physics lecture to a whoping crowd of three people.

Tomorrow, we are off to Grnidelwald to hike a glacier. By next week, will shall (hopefully) have visited Zermatt, and the top of the Matterhorn. Italy is next week, so be prepared for some Renaissance history and hot tempertaures.

Guten tag to all!

Attention AVID Crew

Mr. Martin told me today that many of you heard about Capturing Kids' Hearts in Dallas.  I forgot to mention in my email that it is true, AVID and Capturing Kids' Hearts are partners.  If you'd like to keep your high from being in Dallas, you should definitely sign up for a cohort:

July 15-17 or July 28-30 or August 12-14

Please let me know ASAP.

raquel.nunez@lacity.org

Bringing history back

Check out Trinity College

Hello everyone!

This is K. Merino coming live to you all the way from Switzerland, more specifically, Bern, the capital of this beautiful country.

My cousin and I have been traveling around Europe now for about a week and have two more to go. So far we have visited Dublin, Ireland and visited the prestigious Trinity University. In Paris, we did the tourist thing and went into the worlds largest museum, the Lourve. After saying whats up to La Joconde, or the Mona Lisa, we also visited the Musee dOrsay and enjoyed the cheese.

Stay tuned, more adventures to come!

Stevenson Does Dallas... AVID

I am so proud of all of the teachers that have joined us at the AVID conference in Dallas. Talk about embracing the concepts! This is the beginning to the change that we all want to see... RIGOR... YEAH! We have four department chairs with us (Tan, Martin, Rodriguez, F. & Ramirez, R.). They are taking the bull by the horns (I think Dallas has inspired that phrase :)  ) Our goal this week is three fold... AVID Site team continues working on their plan, History, 6th grade & ESL are looking at working with their team members to embrace best practices and finally a plan to go SCHOOL WIDE - how awesome is that... I am really excited to see so much love for teaching, for the kids, and for making Stevenson a school of excellence... 

Rocket Launchers

They worked!

Hiring Committee

I got there at 6:30 and the committee was still going strong, interviewing promising candidates. Here they are, hard at work.

Important Upcoming Meetings!

All sessions will be held at Transition Meetings, Wednesdays @ 3:15ish in the Library

May 14: Communicate role of iDivision/Partnership

May 28: Facilties Clean-up Plan

June 4: iDivision Accountability Scorecard

June 19: Budget

June 26: Dashboard

Poem of the Week

HARDSHIPS AND DISTRACTIONS

I'm going to have my dinner
At my grandma's house today.
My mom is stayin' late for work
To make some extra pay.
I've got a lot’ a homework
But I'm worried 'bout my mom.
So that makes it hard to concentrate.
My mind feels like a bomb!
I've also got to make sure
That I wash some clothes to wear
And I've got to get the stuff I need
To tame my crazy hair.
And while I’m doin’ that,
I’ll use the phone to make some calls
To tell my friends the time and place
For Friday at the mall.
And sometime between now and then
I've got to get some dough($).
'Cause I ain't going to the mall
All destitute and po'.
I know that I should focus
On that test I've got in math,
But my English paper's due soon too.
I need some help real bad!
Some teachers think I just don't care
And some think I'm not tryin'.
I think I'm caught in a trap –
Sometimes I just start cryin'.
But no one ever sees my tears.
‘Cause I just show the tough side.
I like to seem real in control –
If not book-smart, then street-wise.
I wish my teachers understood
What it's like to be me.
To see my life the way I do –
The whole complexity.
They'd see how hard it is to keep
So many things in focus.
They'd see how blurry things can get –
How stuff can seem so hopeless.
My teacher said I best be ready
When I take that test in math.
But I ain’t got no help at home.
I never knew my dad.
I want to go to college.
But for that I need good grades,
Based on what my grades are now,
There may not be a way.
I don’t know what I’m gonna do.
I need someone who’s wise
To help me figure out which way to turn –
To empathize.
But let me stop daydreamin’,
‘Cause I got a lot to do.
If I don’t start my homework soon,
I never will get through.
If I try and still can’t do it
Then I just won’t hand it in.
But if I don’t try, I’ll never know.
So here goes, I’ll begin.
Everyday I pray
To find someone to guide me and to care.
Is there any chance that you could be
An answer to my prayer?

© Ronald F. Ferguson, April 2004.

would you like to be an author?

Any Pirates interested in being authors on this blog? For now, it is being managed by your Transition Team facilitator. (We need some people who can write in Spanish.)

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