Another Chance To Get It Right

To reiterate what I posted just a couple days ago, I thought this was just brilliant. This is well worth the fifteen minutes it will take to watch it. (In fact, that is one of the things that we need to do, if you read into what this guy is saying...slow down.)

The Dangers Of Social Media

Last year on New Years Eve, a woman by the name of Holly Jones posted a pretty scathing review of her night at a place in Bloomington called Kilroy's. Here's just a part of what she said:

“Every year we have come to Kilroys to enjoy New Years Eve and tonight we were screamed at and had the manager walk away from us while were trying to figure out our bill being messed up (sic),” Jones, a hairdresser who works at Serenity Salon in Indianapolis, wrote on Facebook. 

“The manager also told us someone dying was more important then (sic) us being there making us feel like our business didn’t matter, but I guess allowing a junkie in the building to overdose on your property is more important than paying customers who are spending a lot of money.”

What she didn't know was that the "junkie" wasn't a junkie, but a woman suffering from a heart attack. The restaurant's owner posted back, telling her that he was sorry that she had a rough time at dinner with her friends, but that it was actually caused by a patron suffering a heart attack, and that is why they had a difficult time dealing with her bill instead of caring for the woman whose health was failing.

She suffered a huge backlash. It was a case of "web-shaming" at its worse, if not most deserved. She had worked for a short time at a hairstylist salon, but she was fired after all their clients planned a boycott and posted Facebook ratings of one star until they got rid of her.

She went into hiding and deleted her Facebook account--and you'd feel a little bit worse for her if she hadn't first posted that someone had hacked into her account, and that she wasn't responsible for the post.

If there is one good thing that came out of this, the backlash did at least motivate people to give to a GoFundMe account for the victim's family for her hospital bills, which was funded through the internet (including patrons of Kilroy's as well as Holly Jones's former hair salon). This caused people from all over the world to respond to her fit by donating to the family in a way that more than covered her hospital bills, at least as far as I could tell by this posting.

I post this because of a couple of incidents that happened within 5-1 last year, and the reason I don't let my students text during school, even during indoor recess. Social media can really haunt you if you post something...well, stupid.

You see, Holly Jones was old enough to know better than to post something like that without having all the facts. In fact, I'm going to guess that she expected to be patted on the back for it instead of receiving the rakes and torches of the townspeople of the planet Earth. Your kids are not old enough to know better, and if the past year was any indication, they just aren't old enough to take into consideration the ramifications of their online posts on things like Instagram, Snapchat, Musical.ly, or Twitter (or Lord knows what other infernal conduit kids will have to bully one another).

This is a modern cautionary tale. Kids, don't be like this grown woman and say something that you will regret, that is caught on screen captures no matter how hard you delete your accounts. Think. This will save you from everybody in class talking about something that happened outside of class, and of having you have to explain it to Mr. Carter.

It will also save Mr. Carter from having to deal with something like this while he should be doing normal, expected teacher things. So don't be a Holly Jones. Yeah, that would be great. Thanks.

Force Be With Her

Doggone it, Carrie Fisher. Rest in peace. Princess to the whole galaxy.

The Casting Call

As your kids must know, as my family knows, as my good friends know, and as my coworkers know, I am addicted to podcasts. I listen to podcasts while I commute to and from work, running around while tutoring, and pretty much any time I spend in my car.

This is a grown-up post, not only because I have no idea which of my podcasts are safe for kids, but more-so, because most of the material on these podcasts would go over most kids' heads. But I wanted to post them, just in case anyone out there is a podcast listener. If you're not, but like me, you spend much time in your car, I would suggest you go out and buy yourself a little iPod used only for podcasts. They are wonderful.

Here is the best of the bunch, according to yours truly:

Freakonomics: Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt bring us the "hidden side of everything:". Everything from the underside of education to the origin of AIDS is explored in this incredible weekly podcast. It makes you think in ways that you had never even thought of.
Highly recommended episodes:

• The No-Tipping Point: Where the producers explore a restaurant in New York that has done away with tipping in favor of higher prices for the food served. A very interesting look at the service industry. 
• Failure Is Your Friend: The reasons you should welcome failure. Anyone who attended my Meet-the-Teacher Night should understand why I recommend this one. 

Radiolab: Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich host this one, which is one of the best podcasts/NPR/WNYC programs of the past decade. They take a strictly scientific look at many issues and non-issues of the day. They really dig into things like fear, success, and placebos.
Highly recommended episodes:

• Emergence: This one really made me think. It's all about how communities form all the way from the human level down to the cellular level. It makes me wonder about the cosmic level. It's a really interesting episode. 
• 23 Weeks, Six Days: At first, I didn't listen to this one all the way through. A friend of mine, who is a fellow listener, told me to go ahead and finish it. I am incredibly glad I did. This is the story of a couple who had a baby, the baby died, and they decided to make a video game to deal with the whole process. You can understand why I didn't want to finish it. You won't believe how sincere I am in how much I am glad I finally did until you listen to it all the way through. It will break your heart, and it will be absolutely worth it.
• Seneca, Nebraska: This is an incredible episode that will also tear you in two. It's about a small town that is torn between remaining a community or unincorporating and becoming 'not-a-community'. You won't believe how much this episode will mess you up until you hear both sides duke it out with you left in the middle.

The Sporkful: Dan Pashman proves every week that this podcast is "not for foodies; it's for eaters." The reason I include this podcast in my list is not only because it's incredibly listenable and always fun, but because in the past year, it has done more to improve race relations than so many podcasts on that very theme. There is an entire series of episodes called "Who Is This Restaurant For?" that addresses this idea better than almost anything I have ever seen or heard. After you listen to that one, listen to the series called "Other People's Food". After you're done listening to that series, listen to any of the other episodes. Seriously, you won't be sorry.

The Vinyl Cafe: I have listened to this one for many years, but every week, Stuart McLean proves himself to be the Garrison Keillor of Canada. Honestly, when I first heard about Dave and Morley (and their kids, Sam and Stephanie) and their business running a record store, I thought someone had robbed my brain of the Jed and Mona Ferguson (and their kids, Ben and Betsy) and their business in running a driving range in my GCLs. I like listening to a like-minded guy talking about a family living in a small town and how "stories about nothing" can be some of the best.

A Way With Words: This is a podcast about words and how we use them. Martha Barnett and Grant Barrett join us every week with a very entertaining podcast about word origins, grammar, and word usage that is way more interesting than it sounds. This one comes highly recommended from this teacher, and I have to say that it often comes with a lesson that I will tell my class about during the week that I hear it. I love hearing word origins, and this one is really good about sharing the Germanic, Latin, and Greek roots (and much more!) that make our language what it is. I love that this duo is so open-minded with language instead of being prudish about the proper use of words.

Stuff You Should Know: This one is hosted by Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark, and each episode, they take a purely scientific look into things you probably didn't realize you had ever wondered about. Recently, we have heard about things like port-a-potties, computer addiction, horoscopes (you can guess where they landed on that one), flea circuses, advertising to children, and Kitty Genovese. This one is incredibly informative, and the archives are so packed with information that this teacher learns a great amount every time I get a new one in my queue.

I actually have many more. But those will have to wait for another post, probably at the start of summer. I realize I'm reaching a precious few, but just in case you are a listener, I wanted to put this out there for you.

Happy break!

Those Were the Nights

Happy Hanukkah! Or Chanukah. Or is it Chanukkah?

For me, this is the day I disassemble all of the decorations outside and in. Yes, it's only the day after, but I like putting my lights up so early (the day after Thanksgiving) that I just go ahead and undo it the day after Christmas. That's enough for me, and it's one thing scratched off the list. And my list is rather extensive this week already. 

Santa's Little Helper

Merry Christmas!

Twas the Night Before

This is a commercial for Apple, yes. But it's also a pretty sweet little Frankenstein Christmas story, if you can believe that.

Here's a picture from last week's DIY speeches. They were lots of fun to watch. We learned all kinds of things, including how to make about eight or nine variants of slime. I'll have all of them graded and handed back when the kids get back in 2017.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Ode To Joy

I think I've only seen this Christmas movie once, but I thought it was really good. If you're looking for a good one on Christmas day on Netflix, try to see if The Preacher's Wife is on there.

My house is a wreck, and I have tons of boxes that have been delivered, bought, and put into a big stack, but not yet opened so that I can wrap them. Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow?

Whatever you are doing these days, I hope you are with family (going to my family's right after I type this), friends, and cheer, and not being bogged down by the season's baggage. I was so happy the day after Thanksgiving when I decorated the heck out of Casa Carter, and it's so hard to believe that we're only two days away from it. Take the time to soak it all in.

What's Cooler Than Being Cool?

Wow, here's one more old-schooler.

It's not exactly frosty outside right now, but I'm sure it will swing back before we know it--or are ready.

Having a Blast

This isn't a Christmas commercial, but I had to share this because it is amazing. I have shared OK Go's videos in class before, and this one is just awesome. 

The Long Short

I think this may be another WGN special. At least it looks like one.

I'm chiming in today to let you all know that tomorrow at 5:44am is the Winter Solstice. As we learned in class, that is the time at which Earth is exactly between the two equinoxes. This is also the start of the next thirteen weeks that are winter.

Enjoy! I say it would be a great day to sleep in, because it's going to be dark most of the day anyway!

For the Rest Of Us

Well, I hope everybody is having a good break so far. I have accomplished quite a hit, but still not enough. Anyway, I wanted to chime in to bring you a video for the Dojo Advent Calendar, but that's about all I have time for.

Talk soon. Hope all is well!

*I had to change the video on this one because it turns out the Happy Days episode I had posted was copyrighted. Luckily now you can relive the origin story of Festivus from Seinfeld. The ways that show affected our culture are really uncanny.

Staying Warm

I just got finished making a list of all the gifts I've already received. I am one lucky man!

Only six shopping days left. Guess I'd better get going...

We'll Have To Muddle Through Somehow

In the last few weeks, I have listened to a podcast that shed some new light on this song.

It seems that the "Merry Little Christmas" is a reference to the fact that this was written during the second World War. The line that says "Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow" was changed by Mr. Frank Sinatra to "Hang a shining star upon the highest bough" to brighten it up a little bit by the time the 1950's rolled around.

I love little stuff like this. Adding a historical context to that which is well-known and accepted does this teacher's heart some good.

I hope you are all having yourselves a happy little break so far, one day in.

Little Monsters

Today we watched Monsters University, took a spelling test, and did a scavenger hunt around the school.

All in all, it was a great day! Everyone have a fantastic break and I'll see you all in 2017.

Hold On Just One More Day...

If you grew up within reach of WGN, as I did, then you may remember this one. I have always thought Joe was the coolest.

One more day. Tomorrow we have a spelling test and bookmarks are due. Hopefully we will have a surprise or two in there somewhere too.

Talk soon!

Blue Christmas

This one is fantastic.

Well, we are narrowing toward the end of the semester, and trying to get a whole lot of stuff in to the time period we have left.

The speeches are moving right along, and we are continuing with our subject matter as much as possible with a few little diversions.

Don't forget to study for the spelling test on Friday, and that bookmarks are due that day as well! (We've had quite a few missing the last couple weeks...)

Speechless

For the full effect, you need to find the full episode. You won't regret it. 

I have really enjoyed watching the kids give their speeches over the last couple of days. They are doing a great job, and I am learning lots of new things--how to take apart an electronic device, how to make a yarn ball (not the kind a cat plays with!), and how to do yo-yo tricks to name a few. It's really cool. 

We didn't have Math today because the fourth graders were gone on a field trip, so our day has already been a little caddywampus, but we have quite a few things to finish today, so it will be a busy one no matter what.

More soon.

The Big Bell Choir

Sorry, I almost forgot to post a holiday video. Here's a good one!

Into Darkness

Today at Woodbrook we had a blackout for about an hour. It was pretty fun, though. Really, we really just had lunch in the dark, and then went outside for recess. About the time we came back inside, we powered back up.

It was fun to watch the kids' speeches today, and I'm looking forward to more of them tomorrow. I thought they all went really well--I saw some really creative things.

Hope you all have had a great day, and that you're looking forward to a productive day tomorrow.

Drew

Happy Birthday to Drew!

Sorry it took me so long, buddy, but hopefully you will at least get to see this tomorrow before you come in to school. It was a long day--tutoring is maxed out during finals week, you know.

Drew is one of my most trusted people, because--yes--even though he can drive me crazy from time to time, he always has that smile on his face shown above. Better than that, he is one student who will never ever lie to me. I have some students who lie to me just about every day, but Drew is always absolutely honest, even when the truth isn't great. This makes him someone that I trust more than almost anybody. If I wanted to know what happened, he will let me know.

Plus, he never turns in his homework late. That may not seem like a big deal, but trust me, it is. That may be one of the reasons I trust him so much--he never has a reason to make up an excuse in the first place. 

From the number of girls who giggle at anything and everything Drew says, I think he has a good future ahead of him socially. He definitely has that going for him.

Drew is one of my favorite people. He makes me laugh every day--even if it's only to myself for fear of letting people know I think he's being funny.

Happy Birthday, Drew! Thanks for being one of the good ones, buddy.

Objects In Motion

First off, I want to thank Mrs. Goodburn for a great idea in the fall of asking for a couple of beanbag chairs for the kids during silent reading. For a few weeks now, we have had both a basketball beanbag and a football beanbag. Thank you to everyone who crowd-funded this during the Mane Event!

Secondly, on Thursday, the kids tried their hands at engineering as they tried to create lunar landers, a la the Lunar Lander engineered by NASA for the moon landing. I am happy to say that most of these kids were able to make something given their materials that managed to stay upright. We will have more of these throughout the week this week. It's all a part of the NASA Design Squad program, and it's all a part of the fifth grad standards, which means two birds with one stone! Love that.

Can't Get Indiana Off My Mind

200 years ago today, Indiana became the nineteenth state in the union.

I could go on and on about the things I love about Indiana. I am very proud of this state. First and foremost to me, this is where public education began. It's true.

A few years ago, I was visiting Conner Prairie, and the interpreter (the name given to the actors who portray the people living back in the 1800's) was a teacher. This was obviously a retired teacher. I asked her about the education system, telling her that I was a teacher myself. She was very excited to tell me that, in the 1800's, Indiana is a very progressive state in terms of the education system. Then she added, "...and I pray that it always will be." Then she gave me a wink.

If there is one thing I have learned from the history of Indiana, it's that we are a state that is known for a Midwest sense of hospitality and friendliness. I have seen that we are largely a state that is accepting of all people.

I have learned from my family that we have deep roots here in this state, and that those roots have created a visceral sense of identity that is 100% Hoosier. I have learned from my own neighbors, coworkers, and the families of my students that we are a group of people who look out for each other.

When I think of Indiana history, I think of the old commercials at the beginning of Purdue games where the guy would find his old Sousaphone in his attic and see if he could still play the fight song, and yes, the one for IU where the custodian would mop the floor while singing the IU fight song to herself. I think about Cowboy Bob and Sammy Terry and Janie, and Bob Gregory and Barbara Boyd. I think about the 500 and the Monon Bell and the Old Oaken Bucket.

I think about the interesting little things in Indiana; the biggest egg in Mintone, the giant chair outside the furniture store between Franklin and Edinburgh, and the beauty of Turkey Run ("you don't feel like you're in Indiana"--everyone who has ever been there). I think of The Cookie Jar in Waveland and going to "coffee" with my grandpa in Frankfort when I was a kid.

I think of the Purdue Marching Band, fish fries, the New Ross grain elevator, and the once-annual Christmas program at the Presbyterian church in Delphi, Indiana.

That's what Indiana is to me. The story of normal people just looking out for each other. Forget the government parts, because those just distract from the real stories, and the real heart of what makes the Hoosier state such a great place.

Whether you've been here for a long time or a short time, you are a part of something wonderful. You are a part of the persevering state of hope and warmth despite any odds.

Happy Birthday, Indiana, you big, awesome Hoosier State, you!

Alpha Male Fairy Tale

On Friday, my good friend from high school, Mr. Adam Biddle, came in to read to the class. Adam is a Battalion Chief for the Noblesville Fire Department.

This was really fun for me personally for a number of reasons. The biggest was watching him interact with my class. He did such a great job of answering the kids' questions, and believe me, they were plentiful. Without it seeming at all like a PSA, he gave the kids some pretty sound advice for fire safety. Like the best of my guest readers, it was obvious that he was having a great time.

He came in and, before doing anything else, told a story about back when we were in college and were camping at Turkey Run. It was then that I realized that I didn't need to put any effort whatsoever into this...he had everything under control. If the rest of the day had been free, I would have just had him stay and run my class until 2:35.

I couldn't find the book I had picked out for him, but then I noticed a book that was perfect for Adam. He is a life-long baseball fan, having played in high school, and has been a Cubs fan since he was a little kid. I found a David Shannon book in my cabinet called How Georgie Radbourne Saved Baseball. It was appropriate, not only because of the baseball connection, but it also took place during the winter.

Before he left, he told me to go ahead and sign him up for next year. I definitely will, and I will also block out a much bigger span of time for him. Well done, old friend.

Stille Nacht

Man, this one gets me every time...

Anyway, this week, the biggest thing is probably the procedural speeches. I have sent the rubrics home about half a dozen times (okay, maybe a quarter dozen...), so everyone should have one.

We will have a spelling test on Friday, and we will have a math quest (quiz-test...they can use their Mathcabulary books) on Thursday, because Friday we have the choir program in the morning when we would normally have math.

Have a great week!

Touchdown Brings Me 'Round Again To Find

How ironic that just a couple weeks ago we learned about John Glenn, the first American man to orbit the earth, circling it three times before coming back down to terra firma.

Glenn, who went on to become a senator for Ohio after he retired from the space program, died just a few days ago, on December 8. He had gone back into space during his time as senator in 1998.

Rest in peace, John Glenn. Thanks for showing America what it meant to have The Right Stuff.

Painted On Your Face

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I'll be on tomorrow with my regularly scheduled Sunday blog blitz.

High Five

This was a fantastic day. I was so happy with the kids. They did a great job with their first grade buddies; we had a guest reader that turned out to be amazing (more later on that), and by the end of the day today, I was just so filled with positive energy that I am still smiling out loud.

We even got a nice start on The Genius Files V: License to Thrill at the end of the day.

I'll let you in on more as the weekend progresses, but just know that we had a really great week here in 5-1 that was topped off in the best way possible.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

How To Make Doo-Dads

Here is the schedule for the kids' how-to, procedural, or DIY speeches (whatever you want to call them) next week:

Monday: Ruby, Talulah, Ella, Louie, Charlotte, and Anna

Tuesday: Henry, Corinna, Charlie M., Marissa, Drew, and Abdul

Wednesday: Will S., Rohan, Kori, Charlie H., Brooke, and Nathan

Thursday: Sammy, Will K., Noah Sm., Grant, Noah Sw., and Kyle

I have extra copies of the rubrics, and I'm looking forward to watching the kids next week. I told them it would be a very good idea to practice in front of their families.

Aliens, Lennon, and Oversea Voyages

In memory of the late great John Lennon, who died on this date 36 (!) years ago today, I think this has to be my holiday video for today.

So far today, we've been very busy. First, we finished reading The Genius Files book 4, From Texas With Love. Then we hopped right into Social Studies, where the kids have been mapping out the routes of European explorers in the New World.

I Was Just Getting Them the Way I Like Them

Sadly, it's this time of year again. It's the time when I start having a tug-of-war for the attention of my students with Clay Middle School. Don't get me wrong; Clay is a fabulous school. I just wish they didn't have to start this whole thing so darn early in the year...

Please join us on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Clay Middle School for exciting Trojan basketball contest.

All Woodbrook fifth graders are invited to Clay after school on January 12^th to talk with Clay students, take a tour of the building, eat pizza, and cheer on the Trojans!!  Parents will drop off fifth graders at Clay at 3:50 PM. Students will first meet in the cafeteria. Use the main entrance on the south side of the building (door 1).

Woodbrook fifth graders will be admitted free to the game. Admission to the game is $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for students, and free for fans not yet in school. Students will have an opportunity at halftime of the game to purchase hot dogs, popcorn, snacks, and/or drinks.

While we never know when a game will end, a good approximate end time for the first game is 6:00 PM. Parents should pick up their Woodbrook students at the main entrance (door 1) at 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 12, 2017.  To ensure everyone’s safety, please come in door 1 to pick up your child.

We look forward to welcoming you as a Trojan!

Go Clay!

Schedule for Thursday, January 12, 2017

3:50 PM                Drop off at door 1 

4:00 PM                Pizza & drink in cafeteria

4:15 PM                Tour of 6^th grade hallway and common areas

4:30 PM                Q & A with Clay students and staff

4:50 PM                In gyms for start of game

5:00 PM                Tip off

6:00 PM                Parents pick up 5^th graders at door 1 (To ensure everyone’s safety, please come in doors 1
                              to pick up your child).

It Still Lives In Infamy

Luckily this isn't Evil Elvis (from The Genius Files), this is just plain Elvis. Throw in some Martina McBride, too.

Right now, the kiddos are in the computer lab. They had art today, but then Mrs. H wanted them to be able to get into the lab (so did I) because they had to type up their Wild West papers, but tomorrow during computer lab time, they have to participate in the stress test to see if the network can handle the stress of all the computers being used at once so that we're ready for ISTEP time--you know what? There's no reason for you to need to know that, so I don't know why I'm sharing it, actually.

Today I received a very timely Scholastic News in the mail, just when I was thinking about what to do in honor of the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. We will read a story in the new issue about that later on this morning, and then this afternoon we will likely watch the remainder of the Nova documentary on the NASA moon missions.

Hard Hat

Yesterday IPL notified us through BizTown to ask if they could use this picture, taken last Friday, for their advertising. Who knew that one day our very own Nathan would be a model? He sure does look official, doesn't he?

Even More Fun

This is a video that was sent to us from BizTown. They did a pretty neat job, I think!

Speaking of pictures, here are a few that were sent to me by one of our volunteer parents from that day, Mrs. Swallow. Thanks again for volunteering that day, Mrs. Swallow.

What To Do Before Your Brain Melts

This morning, another teacher, the parent of a high schooler, brought me a problem she was having with biology. She asked me if I could read it and make any sense of it. Unfortunately, I couldn't. I got a little bit lost with the GTCA genetic coding and the mRNA and the DNA (although I do still remember that DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid!)

Luckily, I knew where to look to make some sense of it. First, I told her to look here at Ask Rose, a.k.a. Homework Hotline. This is a free service in Indiana that has a toll-free number as well as email and online assistance for anyone in school in Indiana. The last I checked, they have resources for sixth grade through high school. That said, if your child is struggling with the Math for tomorrow's exam, I bet they would be able to help your kids out. Everyday Math tends to do things a little earlier than some other curriculum sources, so we are doing what is essentially sixth grade stuff.

The other place I told her was this: this is Khan Academy. This is one of the best things I have ever seen. Type in your confusion, and there are many many videos and resources at your disposal. I use it all the time when I am stuck with someone that I tutor.

So the next time your child is about to explode (or maybe you are), see what these resources can do for you.

Explorers of Earth and Space

Today we did all of the following: decided when their procedural speeches are going to be next week, made the math study guide and reviewed this long and tumultuous chapter, watched a video about the moon missions, read about Coke and Pep McDonald fighting a robot clone of Dr. Warsaw, and researched explorers like Juan Ponce de Leon and Giovanni Caboto.

Study guides went home tonight for the test on Wednesday for Math, and the spelling lists went home at the end of the day as well. If your child doesn't have theirs, just look to the left, because it's right here on the Dojo. If not, then scroll to the bottom and press "view web version".

Have a great Monday.

The Weeks Ahead

Tomorrow, we are going to discuss what the kids' ideas are for their procedural speeches. Those will be scheduled for next week. And don't worry, I will also assign the kids a day of next week so that they will have plenty of time to prepare.

We will have a math test on Wednesday (study guide going home tomorrow) and a spelling test on Friday.

Those are the big broad strokes. Hope everyone has a great week.

Another Day Another Dollar

 

 

We had a great day on Friday. The kids learned quite a bit and had a fantastic time. I want to send a big thank you out to Mr. Arce, Mrs. Brink, Mrs. Delaby, Mrs. Faust, Mrs. Mock, Mr. Ohrvall, Mrs. Rodgers, Mrs. Sell, Mr. and Mrs. Smiler, Mrs. Strines, and Mrs. Swallow. 5-1 was very well represented!

More to come. Thanks again, everyone.