Activboard

Sarasota County has made the decision to install Promethean Activboards throughout classrooms county wide. The Activboard is essentially an interactive whiteboard that has the ability to display images, maps and video. The 78" board is connected to a computer and all images, drawings and notes are saved as individual flip charts. This allows teachers to print off anything that was demonstrated on the board for students with IEP's or those with low English proficiency. It also allows teachers to print off information for students who had been absent.

The controversy that surrounds this decision has primarily focused on the cost of each board versus the impact it will have on education. It goes without saying that simply introducing new educational technology into a classroom will not result in improved assessment results. What has been proven to improve test scores are classrooms full of students engaged in meaningful standards-based lessons. The ability of a teacher to engage his or her classroom can be strengthened through use of educational technology. Therefore, in the hands of properly trained teachers, the Activboard will become another tool to empower Sarasota County teachers to engage their classrooms.

Engaging students is one of the most difficult parts of education. While there are many self- motivated students, there are some who, for a myriad of reasons, do not place school at the top of their list of priorities. Working with these "reluctant learners" can be extremely challenging for teachers. These disengaged students can become disruptive and upset the learning environment that teachers strive to achieve. While the Activboard may not hook every student in the classroom, the interactive lessons that teachers can create with it are certainly more engaging than traditional teacher-centered classrooms.

Overall, the addition of the Activboard to my classroom has been an incredibly positive experience. Students who had been reluctant to participate in class were now practically jumping out of their seat at the chance to demonstrate problems on the Activboard. Although the summer has only just begun, I am already looking forward to the upcoming school year and the chance to work with a new classroom full of engaged students.

Ithaca is Gorges

This weekend I returned to the town where I spent 4 of the best years of my life. My younger brother completed his undergraduate education from the same college that I attended. This meant i had the opportunity to see some old friends and professors and also to revisit a few of my old stomping grounds.

For those of you who have never been to upstate New York, you really are missing out. Ithaca is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. It is located on the southern tip of Cayuga lake amidst rolling hills and breath-taking gorges.

I have enjoyed my time in Florida, however I know that some day I will return to a more northern location. While at times the cold weather can be brutal, I will gladly take a few months of snow over the chance of my house being flooded or blown over during the next big hurricane.

The pictures from this post come from Treman State Park. For more images, visit Joe Braun Photography.

Here it comes...

Well ladies and gentlemen, the school year is just about over. Our students are going through their Ellis Island simulation tomorrow. We have lots of cool activities planned for the last few days of school. Overall, my students have not been acting like there are only 4 days left. As I look around campus however, it is obvious that most of the students have summer fever. Our "tucked in shirt" policy is rarely enforced besides in our team area, public displays of affection are rampant and I even saw one student streak through the cafeteria. (Just kidding about that last one.)

As we come to the last few days, I hope our team can work together to ensure that our students continue to behave like civilized 7th and 8th graders. We have worked hard to have the fewest behavior incidents in our school. As long as we keep working together, we can keep the $#it from hitting the fan.

Does history matter?

This weekend I spent about 10 hours going through over 500 potential social studies test questions. The Florida Competency Assessment Test, or FCAT only tests reading, math and science. Current legislation will require that social studies also to be tests. As a social studies teacher, I am conflicted over this.

On one hand, our students are already being over tested. They are bombarded with high stakes exams that determine their placement in high school and also whether or not they will graduate. Students who do not achieve a competent score on the test are required to take enrichment classes in areas where they are deficient. These classes replace P.E., art and music classes.

On the other hand, I do not like hearing my students say that "history class doesn't matter because we don't take an FCAT for it." I believe the lessons I teach my student are some of the most important that they will learn. I start my class off each year by telling my students that "history is cyclical and that those who choose to forget it are doomed to repeat it." We then look through past events and compare them to how similar situations are occurring today.

Not having an exam certainly does give me some elasticity with the curriculum. If I do not hit every topic, I know that my students will not be penalized for it. The only request I have from the State is that when they do give us a State exam that they consult with classroom teachers first. My work this weekend was a good step in that direction and I hope they continue to work hand in hand with educators when determining how our students should be assessed.

Florida is on Fire!

Our track meet today was rescheduled today due to inclement weather. Where I grew up (Rochester, NY) this would mean a snow or ice storm. Here in Florida I already have had school days cancelled due to hurricanes. Now I have something new to worry about. Brush fires in northern Florida are burning so intensely that prevailing winds have carried soot, ash and black smoke over 400 miles away to . There are health advisories warning young people and the elderly to stay indoors today.

Now, i know that some of the native Florida plants are supposed to burn periodically and that these fires are not all that bad for the environment. However, the fact that i cannot go outside today because the sky has turned black with smoke is ridiculous! Rochester, NY is certainly not renown for its great weather. That being said, Rochesterians do not worry about their houses being blown away in a hurricane or burned down by brush fires. Sunshine is great and all, but it seems that day after day of clear skies not only leaves the land parched and prone to burn, but also fries the brains of some of the long-term residents.

Gluttony on a boat

My brother is graduating from college this may. For a graduation present I will be accompanying him on a Caribbean cruise. I'm pretty excited. If you like to eat food, go on a cruise. I went on one during my spring break in college and put on around seven pounds. Your whole day pretty much revolves around what you are going to eat. The islands are fun and the excursions are cool, but the food is the best part of the vacation. I have been preparing myself mentally and physically for the amount of punishment that i'm going to put my body through. I have already begun to stock up on pepto and lacitaid (I am a lactard) so that i can enjoy all the delicous dairy food. Overall, my worst fear while on the ship will not be hearing "iceburg dead ahead" but rather "iceburg lettuce is all we have left to eat."