Technology – Teaching The Outsiders (and more)

CPS, Materials

Shameless Hucksterism (CPS.mrcoward.com)

mrC

I was just reading an article speculating that the era of everything being free on the ‘net might be ending. Record companies can’t make a living because everyone is downloading for free. Television networks are trying to figure out how to make money from free tv on the ‘net. Why have cable for tv when […]

open house, Teaching, testing

Out of Bounds

mrC

I know it’s been a week since our last session. (Wait a minute! That sounds waaaaay too much like what we were taught to say in confession back at St. Mel’s: “Bless me Father for I have sinned; it has been _____ weeks, months, years since my last confession…” I’d always end up committing more […]

Moodle, Tom Sawyer, Wiki

Still Here Blogging… (Wiki Wiki)

mrC

It’s been a weird week. We had Monday off for MLK. I was on call for jury duty on Tuesday, so I had a sub (sorry, they’re called guest teachers @ Laguna). To make it easy, I had the guest teacher administer the “District Benchmark Exam Part II,” the results of which I’m not sure […]

Moodle, Tom Sawyer, Wiki

TomWikiSawyerPedia

mrC

A lot of the kids have been having trouble getting through the early chapters of Tom Sawyer. Mostly it’s the vocabulary, though for some it’s the fact that they don’t bother to read it. Once we go over the reading in class, or I explain as we read aloud, they get it, and they like […]

cartoons, CPS, RaffleKing, Teaching

Cartoon Fun II.

mrC

A “typical” period in Mr. Coward’s class in “pictures” Part II. After they have completed the warm up, we go over it. I use my wireless slate to circle the correct answers on the screen and write hints. I can also flip the pen over, and use the built-in laser pointer to emphasize (or annoy). […]

cartoons, CPS, Follow up, Teaching

Cartoon Fun! (Also: The Popple)

mrC

This cartooning for a living is hard work. I only have four (well really only three) panels done, and I’m already exhausted. Maybe it’s just Christmas. Anyway, here is Part One (minutes 1-6) of a typical day in Mr. Coward’s class, doodle stylie: As the kids come in, they know to take out their notebooks […]

CPS, Teaching, testing, Tips

Sage in the Chair (CPS still rules.)

mrC

A while back, someone (a non-teacher) asked me what my teaching style was. Hmmm. Instructive sarcasm? Peer pressure and public humiliation? Random reinforcement and punishment? Entertainment and containment? Sink or swim? I say jump, you say how high? Teachers know what sage on the stage and guide on the side mean, but those aren’t really […]

Moodle, Other activities, Outside links

Moodle Time.

mrC

I usually spend about 8-10 days each year in the computer lab. First, I like to do at least one on-line type project. Most years lately, it’s usually the Langston Hughes WebTrack (through TrackStar, a beauty service I should probably talk about later). And until last year, I usually also got in wikis or a […]

Seventh Grade Behavior, Stories of Seventh Grade

“I’m sorry…”

mrC

I wish I could use this girl’s real name, because it’s better than anything I could make up. Let’s call her “Wander.” She’s much smarter than the failing grade she’s getting, but she is very lackadaisical about doing her homework, and equally so in the classroom. I make them copy most of the warm ups […]

Stories of Seventh Grade

Timer

mrC

Holding an even more hallowed place in my classroom than the Raffle King, is The Timer. “How much time do you think you need for the warm up? Six questions, five you have to copy… six minutes?” “Seven.” “Five.” In my class, almost every activity, except the reading/discussion, is timed. In the upper corner of […]

Outside links, RaffleKing, Random Featured Post, Seventh Grade Behavior, Stories of Seventh Grade

Oh Raffle King, Oh Raffle King…

mrC

(Sung — way off key, and sort of warbley — to the tune of “Oh Christmas Tree.”) I guess we need to talk about the King. On Wednesdays, after we go over the vocabulary homework, and discuss the words, I give them a vocabulary pretest. If they ace it (100%), they are exempt from the […]

CPS, Tips

CPS RULES!

mrC

A few years ago I was the lead teacher for an EETT (Enhancing Education Through Technology) grant our site received. Over the course of two years, our site received a truckload of money (like a couple hundred grand) to spend on technology training (from me) and a whole lotta shtuff. Among other things, we bought […]