Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Woo hoo! and Input Needed

We just found out that we have our first Stanford acceptance!  That's all I know, but given how tough it is to get into schools these days, I'm so impressed by this student.

Next, check out this awesome picture of the Yosemite church.  The colors make me wish I could take pictures.

And...take the poll on the right or comment or email me.  I'm trying to figure out if I'll be able to raise $3900 between May 14 and August 14.  Now, I haven't even done one marathon, but I'm thinking about raising money for Leukemia by doing Team in Training for Chicago this fall.  $3900 is a lot of money, but I kind of know a few people and I've done my part to contribute to a few campaigns like this in the past.  But, I'll let the five of you who read this tell me what to do.  I'd like to meet more people around here and given that I go to bed early and run all the time, maybe I should use running to meet others and help others.  Let me know what you think!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Earth Hour Pics

Boston.com compiled these amazing shots.  Click on them to see the lights go out!

Priorities

You know it's bad when you're checking out the bike and not to see if there is a cute guy on it.

And, here's the March mix.  I just had to include "Apologize" because I hear it every day...it's one of the few songs the kids know how to play on the piano.  I love that we have a piano at our school because it's helping train me to be a parent of a nascent musician.  Every morning and after school, we get to hear kids practicing songs on the piano.  And once I put on that song, it opened the flood gates to other oldies but goodies.  Timbaland...I hope you don't beat your girlfriend so I can continue loving you, unlike that other dude who I used to love.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

20 Second Stories

Really, all I have time for these days are the 20 second story.  This is a technique that English teachers use..."tell the 20 second story of Chapter 1 to your partner."  I actually end up asking my kids for it too...they are so crazy curious!  If I let them, they will ask questions and tell me how they thought about solving the problem for 20 minutes of class.  And I don't think they are trying to waste time.  I'm going to give my version of the 20 second story on the last week.

#1 Rave at my school.  Totally organized by the kids (mostly my students), chaperoned by me and others.  It was AMAZING and fairly wholesome for a rave!  The words "Rave or Die" are currently spraypainted in the garage of my school...as is some amazing artwork done by students (picture link below).  On Saturday, I didn't do my long run because I danced for about 3 hours straight and my abs hurt.  It seems like the only places I dance these days are at high school functions, which is definitely weird, but I'm pretty sure most people my age start dancing well past the time that I'm ready to be done.  I hate that.  Anyway, if any of you are worried about the future of our country, I'm pretty confident that these kids are going to make good adults.  And I think they will take on some future issue with the same intensity...I just hope it's something like education or saving the planet and not a rave for adults.
#2 Kids rule.  See above.  And, every student who won Student of the Month on Friday is just about the greatest kid ever.  I do have a ridiculously amazing job...I get to see kids struggle with making good choices all day long, but when they do...there is nothing better in this world than helping kids realize their greatness.  I think I'm going to tell my students that if it doesn't seem like I'm enjoying my job, they need to remind me that it's a great gig.  I also teach the kind of kids who have drawing throw-downs with each other. 


#3 T-Minus 5.  Weeks that is.  Until the marathon.  Today, I cranked out a fast 20 miles.  It was on a mostly flat course, so it was easy to just motor, but it's crazy that my body lets me do this.  In fact, as much as I tried to run my 8:45 pace, I was always under in pace.  I was shocked, but here's what was going for me.  One, I took a day to recover from the rave...I tried to run 20 on Saturday, but after one mile, I knew it was too hot and I was too tired.  Two, I got more sleep with a nap the day before.  Three, I ran early...when it's cool.  This place where I live is weird.  It's about 40 degrees from 4am - 8am and then by 11am, it's about 70.  Running early is key.  Those three steps were really the key to success this morning.

#4 March Playlist coming soon.  It's a mix of new stuff and some stuff that keeps ending up on my playlists time after time.  

#5 Plastic is the worst.  Check out these cool people.  They have already sailed on plastic to raise awareness.  Now they are going to hit the road on two wheels.  I think they'll be in my neck of the woods, so I'll let you know

#6 Halfway to saving for a new bike!  Thank goodness I took February off.  I need more time to figure out what kind of bike I'm going to get.  It will be a single speed/fixed gear flip flop hub, but I'll have to consult the experts to decide the make.

#7 My Sunday job is making it easier to obtain clothes that are both work and bike appropriate.  I've taken it down a few notches since my first year teaching, when I was in heels and skirts all the time, but Cali is a little more laid back.  Thank goodness.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

9+11 = Best Day Ever

I know my posts are too long.  Here's the outline for today...paragraphs 1-3 are my rant on state testing and then the rest is about the Best Day Ever.

California kids are tested to death.  Have I ever mentioned this?  Starting in 2nd grade, the little ones have to take yearly state tests.  For grades 2-11, they have to take English Language Arts and Mathematics tests every single spring.  Starting in 5th grade, they may also take History and Science tests, but not every year...until high school, when students must take 4 tests a year for 9th, 10th, and 11th.  Our school's livelihood depends on these tests, because they are how we are compared to the other schools in the district.  If we don't outperform, our charter could be revoked.  It's scary stuff.  Oh, and they are all multiple choice tests.  No short answer, no essays.  Just bubbling.  Ultra scary.

On top of all that, my students do not get to take a Pre-Calculus test.  No, that would make too much sense.  Instead, for any students who are taking something beyond Algebra 2 in their juinor year, one must take a Summative Math Test on Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.  While these courses support Pre-Calculus, I am not currently teaching any of them.  I understand that there are many options after Algebra 2 besides Pre-Calc...it could be Probability, Discrete Math, or Statistics that a student takes, but why are we punishing them by making them re-learn three years of math?  And honestly, that's what it is...relearning of so much content, just for a test.  I would be fine if our kids took a test that was nearly identical to the SAT...that would be great!  But, on the SAT, did you ever have to spit out the Associative Property?  Did you ever have to do polynomial long division?  Did you have to calculate a standard deviation by hand?  I'm guessing...no.  My students might have to, depending on what they put on the test this year.

I have a philosophy about teaching math.  I do not make my students memorize too much that they could not look up in a book if they absolutely needed it and when I'm trying to determine if a student passes my class, it certainly would not come down to polynomial long division.  There's a bunch of content on this Summative Test that I don't believe qualifies as "enduring understandings" of mathematics.  Sure, I want you to understand what associative property lets us change (5+3)+2 to 5+(3+2) if we want, but I really could care less if you know the official name.  You can always look this stuff up when you're writing your doctoral thesis.  

Alright, enough of the rant.  Why was today so awesome?  Well, usually I give homework quizzes on Wednesdays (a check in to see if kids are really understanding their homework).  In light of the fact that my students now have to recall most of Geometry, I had a brainstorm.  What if the 9th graders (who must take an entire test on Geometry) and the 11th graders get together to study for this test?  The 9th graders are in the midst of Geometry and we've done a bit with triangle trigonometry, so this could be great for all of us, while building some cross-grade community.  

As the post title states, 9 + 11 = Best Day Ever!  It really was beyond amazing.  On Monday, I polled all my students to find out where they thought they stood with respect to remember Geometry.  The 9th grade teachers did the same and we matched the kids together.  Today, I sent half of my class to the 9th grade room, while half of the 9th grade class came to me.  The students spent 40 minutes on a "Pairs Check"...it's basically a glorified math worksheet, but you only get one sheet per pair, only one person writes at once, you switch off on the problems, and you help each other the whole time.  This is great for helping students talk, talk, talk about math and help them catch mistakes while they are doing a problem, rather than not at all.  The 9th graders were nervous about working with the 11th graders, but my students seemed excited about "Geometry Day" as we called it and were so welcoming and nice.  And I'm not sure when I have felt more giddy after teaching four classes in a row.  They were working so well together...so respectful and compassionate (two of our core characteristics), and they really helped each other.  And, it's always fun for me to get to interact with other students in the school.

Today was that kind of day that reminds me how much I love the job I get to do every day and how lucky I am to teach at a school that allows this kind of collaboration among students...and a school that has developed students into some really wonderful people, who really want to be good at math.

We're going to make this a regular Wednesday thing and I just can't wait for next week! 

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Must See Movieeee

Sometimes I think it's crazy how much my parents influenced me.  I mean, I realize that I spent a lot of time with them over the years, but it's just funny to me.  I mean, I'm totally a math, gas mileage, budget-tracking fiend like my dad.  And many of my likes and dislikes in the art world match with my mom's.  For instance, I recall her imparting her love of the book "Where The Wild Things Are" on my younger sis and me.  I was definitely a bit frightened (as I was and am by most things that are even the slightest bit unsettling), but it is one of my favorites.  Now, it is being made into a movie by Spike Jonze (as in Being John Malkovich and Adaptation...two great movies, in my opinion).  Here's the trailer featuring the awesome song "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire...the title and sound of this tune are so fitting.  I can't wait to see this movie, but it doesn't come out until October 16!  Doesn't it seem a bit early for a trailer?




Also, Jason Segal was on "Fresh Air" the other day.  I absolutely loved him in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and the interview he gives is fabulous.  And he's Jewish!  Too bad he's in SoCal...and richly famous at this point.  I'm going to run out to see "I Love You, Man" and rent "Freaks and Geeks."  As soon as I have time...which will probably be when school is out for the summer.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Crazytown

Life has been crazy here on the west coast.  Here's the bullet point version:

- I tripped over my work computer cord, it flew in the air, landed flat open, screen-side down.  It is now dead.  There goes all the work I've done this year.  Please don't lecture me about how I should back everything up.  I know I should, but that process should be easier to do.

- The "Quantum Cello" podcast of RadioLab, which I finally listened to, has some beautiful cello music.

- I rearranged my room.  I rarely do this, despite the fact that I was raised in a house that was routinely different when I got home from school versus when I left.  On my part, I lived in Somerville for 3 years with the exact same room orientation the whole time.  I never moved a thing...just added more furniture.  Yesterday on my run, I felt the urge to mix it up.  So, I rotated my bed and thus rotated my desk as well so it would all fit.  I'm so excited about this change.

- I ran a PR today in the 5K distance.  I was sort of planning this.  This week, I backed off a bunch on mileage and shortened my long run to 12 miles (I've been at 16 or more miles every Saturday since January).  I knew that I was going to see what I had in the race and was totally prepared to just take it easy (as it was part of nine total miles today).  I was technically only one second away from breaking 7 minute pace, but I'm pretty stoked about the 7 min per mile average, especially since I had run 5 miles already, on very sore legs from the week.  I'm also pretty hungry for more success like I've had recently.  2009 is working out pretty well on the running front.  But, this time I mean it...I'm going to take it easy.  I have six weeks to get really ready for Eugene and as long as I finish that race, I'll get a PR there too (sneaky as it is).  Between now and then, all I care about it hitting my paces for workouts and staying healthy.  I promise.  Oh, and I've had no injury pain at all for a few weeks...that's for my aunt.

- My students are having a rave this Friday as the spring dance.  It's not a rave like club-drugs-rave (I mean, it can't be, right...it's on school property), but more like an excuse to play techno for three hours straight, which they love endlessly.  I will be chaperoning...on the condition that I get earplugs and maybe a little Michael Jackson.  I put the veto on the paper mache mushrooms that they wanted to hang from the ceiling, citing the fact that there might be too many hints at drugs already.  While I do think that a fair number of my kids drink and/or smoke pot, I don't think they are doing too many really bad things.  The kids at my school are mostly wholesome.  They whined at me for kaiboshing the mushrooms (they also thought that meant the Alice In Wonderland prom might not happen next year...maybe they are on drugs...), asking what else grows in damp, dark places (the rave is in our school's garage).  I told them I thought plain old mold would work fine.  They were not amused.  Neither was I.  It's a good thing I adore these kids, they are awesome in my class, and think they are mostly doing the right thing most the time, otherwise I might be pretty freaked out about the state of adolescents.

-My new math tutoring gig is great.  I love the chance to get to work one-on-one with a kid who wants to learn math.  Luckily, I get to do that every so often in my real job too.

-I am up way too late.  I need to get more sleep! There's just too much to do in this world and not enough time.  My Sunday job takes up a lot of time, but I love it!  My co-workers are great.  In fact, they might get me to stay up past my bedtime next weekend to see a surfing movie.  How very California...

-Speaking of California, this place could not be any more gorgeous.  The hills are lush and green, there are poppies and other wildflowers everywhere you look, and the sun is mostly shining (I am very thankful for the rain recently).  Yesterday and today, I got to run on Stanford campus.  Every few minutes, I got to a place that I just wanted to take a picture of.  If you ever want to visit this great state, and don't mind it being in the 50's or 60's, come in March.  It doesn't get much more pretty than this.

-Use of graywater is outstanding.  I'm mostly using it to flush the toilet (since some people are not happy with my "mellow yellow" rule), but I couldn't be happier than to have this new focus.  I got a big bucket (but found I should get another) and collected most of my laundry water and most of my ice bath water this weekend.  Let the saving begin!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Lights Off!

Earth Hour...Saturday March 28, 8:30-9:30pm, local time.  Make it your excuse to go to be early.


Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Hippydippy


This photo sums up my week.  Oh wait, is it only Wednesday?  Weird.  I've been more productive this week than in the recent past, which I am so happy about.  The indicator I use for my productivity is the number of total emails in my combined inboxes.  I keep email in my inbox until I've dealt with them.  I won't tell you how old some of the email is, but it's always my goal to have no more than 30 email between my personal and work accounts.  Last week was a bad week on that front, but now I've got things under control.  I usually just have to stay late at work one night a week to just get it all done, but it's worth it.  Now if only I could get the podcasts I need to listen to under 80.

And...I'm back on the bike!  February (and I guess half of March now) was a four-wheel month.  I'm not proud of it at all.  Why was I such a baby about the rain?  I don't know.  Well, now I'm back, and other than a sore rear, my bike makes me a happier person...and teacher (which is really important when you teach kids).  Although, I am sweatier.  My students either do not mind or are too nice to say anything.

In other hippie news, I am now collecting graywater.  Graywater (or greywater...depending on how you like to spell it) is defined as wastewater generated from things like laundry, bathing, and dish washing.  Each morning, I put a bucket in the shower and collect some water.  Then I use it to flush the toilet and soak dishes.  I decided to do this after a) reading this blog post by Senor Dirtbag, Fitz Cahall and b) reading a letter to the editor in the SF Chronicle about someone doing the same thing.  I'll post more updates as I keep trying this experiment, but here are some highlights so far: 1) I used minimal new toilet water in the past few days 2) I realized that I can soak my Almond Butter jars with graywater 3) I am going to figure out how to collect my washing machine water (very easy for me, as it all goes into a sink in the laundry room before going down the drain) that I hope to use for watering the lawn and 4) I can't wait to see next month's water bill!  I do need to read a lot more about this...first to figure out if I'm actually allowed to do this, as it's prohibited in some parts of this country.  But then again, I do live in Hippydippy California.  And I just found a whole website run by my county encouraging graywater use.  I love it!

Oh, and don't confuse hippie dippie (which means uncool) with hippydippy (which refers to pseudo-hippie b.s. practices) according to urbandictionary.com.  Their full definition of the latter is priceless.  My friends and I think hippydippy just means that you're doing hippie-like stuff and you're probably a bit off your rocker or turbo about these things.  Nothing negative about it, in my opinion.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Someone Had To Say It

You all know I love Jon Stewart.  If you've watched The Daily Show in the past week, you know that he did a whole montage showing how wrong CNBC has been (the network that's supposed to be giving financial advice to America).  The montage was a brilliant editing job by The Daily Show staff.  Then, Jim Cramer of "Mad Money" went on some shows and talked trash about Jon Stewart.  And then the talk shows were really talking.  Last night (Thursday), Jim Cramer went on the daily show, for the entire episode, and Stewart took him to task.  I will never cease to be amazed by the brilliance of the people working on The Daily Show.  Jon Stewart has really become a very good interviewer and always has his homework done (are you paying attention, students!?!?).  It's a great show (March 12), as was the show with Jeff Bezos...highly entertaining.  You can find them at www.thedailyshow.com.

On another note, I got this email: 
Note: The California Franchise Tax Board has instituted a refund delay due to the state's budget situation, but will begin processing refunds as soon as funds allow.

I have two thoughts...1) Would I be able to say the same thing to California if I didn't have the money? 2) I guess I'll get my money when other people start paying their taxes, but do people have the money to pay their taxes?

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

And Now, It Begins

A lot has gone on since I last posted...Junior trip to Sacramento (excellent), trip to Atlanta (too short, but so great), attempt at a 20 mile run (the curse of Atlanta lives on), and Square Root Day (I think more people wished me Happy Square Root day than Happy Birthday last year).  But, today, all I want to do is shout from the rooftops that our new charter school, Everest, which was denied by the district 4-1, denied by the county 5-2...was approved by the state 7-0!!!  

This is awesome news for Summit, as having another school will help us all professionally and hopefully help our case as a model school.  But now, there is lots of work to do...not for me, but for the Institute that will oversee the schools.  We/They will have to hire the teachers (we all do this together) as well as the executive director (that will be done within a week), figure out the school's language offering (Spanish or Mandarin), and determine if the school really will be housed in just four portables in East Palo Alto.  

The unanimous Everest vote is a huge win for our school.  As you can tell, the local support is not quite there yet, despite having over 400 applications so far for the 108 9th grade spots at Summit and over 250 applications for the 108 9th grade spots at Everest.  Getting support from the state is a great boost for us and I'm sure we'll be celebrating tomorrow.  The lottery is on Saturday (Pi Day!), when 216 kids will get their spot at one of our schools.  For the students who don't get a spot, we'll be on hand to help families understand what courses their student should take to be on the college prep track.  It's amazing how many kids are not eligible for a 4-year school when they graduate from high school.