Monday, Sept. 8

Last week's weather was weird, to say the least. Labor Day started the week and then, Gustav made his visit leaving trees down across the road and power outages for more hours than I like. That in itself should have made for time for deep contemplation of how we as humans are at the mercy of the elements in more ways than we want to acknowledge. Students in school are always restless when weather conditions are unsettled. I wonder how many new teachers are aware of this concept? Probably very few.

I am trying to present my online classes in a different format this semester. Less assignments, more time for completion. It's good for me in that I don't have to post a new module every week--lots of work, but it seems to be less confusing for the students. I do miss that interpersonal connections of hearing from them more and reading their responses on the discussion board. Maybe it's just because it's the first of the semester and everything is crazy for them now. Maybe after things "settle down" I will have more contact with them. Maybe I just want more control over their learning instead of trusting them to learn in their own way what they need to know. What they need to know right now is SURVIVAL. Content Literacy may not be high on the list. Well, perhaps we will get around to that soon.

The Saturday classes are a pain right now. We had to change some of the dates because of activities on campus. Not sure why that wasn't discovered sooner but, oh well, be flexible and "go with the flow". Because we waited so late to reserve the rooms, no rooms are available. Maybe this issue will be resolved soon. I just have to work on the assignments and plans for the Saturday meetings--which will be soon.

Our friendly UPS dude, Henry, delievered yet another wonderful book to my door on Friday, this one is about Teachers and Action Research. I promised myself I would not work on "school stuff" this weekend (I think there was a promise to read a book for fun in there somewhere...Ok, Ok, reading about action research is fun, for me!). There's some really good, thought-provoking stuff in there. I will have to place it in the "composte pile" and think about it for a little while.

I actually did began reading a book, Eldest (the sequel to Eragon). I have had the third book, Brisinger, pre-ordered for sometime (due out next week) and want to have this book read before my friend Henry brings the new book to my door.

The student blogs are coming along well. Some students are really into it and, for others, it's a challenge. Hopefully, each of them will come to realize the importance of them being writers and this will transfer to their students.

Well, it's another new week and an oportunity to "change the world--one student at a time." Taht's a big challenge but, hopefully, all of us will make a difference.