Happy Fourth of July

Below are some videos to share on America's 236th Birthday. 

First, here is a lesson plan that an 8th grade Social Studies teacher from Missouri recorded a few years back.  In it, he says he found a break-up letter on the floor, and decides he is going to read it to the class.  This turns out not to be an actual break-up letter, but a letter he made up to lead the class into a lesson on the Declaration of Independence.  It is a brilliant hook, and one I decided to use whenever I taught the American Revolution to my Social Studies class.

Next, is Danny Glover's recitation of the Frederick Douglas speech, "What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?"  It is far from a patriotic look at America, and it's independence.  But as an American who believes in looking at the truth, it is important we study the dark sides of American history (as well as the more positive sides).  The full text of the speech can be found here with an introduction by The Nation's Dave Zirin.  Also, check out this link to the Zinn Education Project about rethinkig the Fourth of July.


Finally, we have a couple of patriotic anthems.  This first one is definitely NSFW.  Happy Birthday America!  You aren't perfect, but you are my home, and I love you!

Back Again With Some Good News

Greetings, I have decided to come back AGAIN after another one of those unannounced hiatuses of mine (Jesus, I am such a bad blogger).

Since September, I have been working as a paraprofessional at for teenagers with behavior disorders for a school in Kansas.  In addition, I have had an evening job working as a tutor for reading and math skills.  I have worked these jobs with near-complete enjoyment, but always with the main goal of obtaining another full-time teaching position.

The reason for this most recent hiatus, quite honestly, was the stress of looking for a new teaching job was getting to me (again).  I slipped into that unhealthy, depressed state that I had last year while looking for a job.  Self-doubt became my closest frienemy.  I started smoking again, I was not sleeping very well and all I could obsess on nearly every minute of every day was whether or not I would ever teach again.

Before I go any further on that issue, I would first like to give an update on a student I spent a lot of time with, and blogged about during my paraprofessional work experience.  I continued to work with this particular student throughout the school year, but with a month or two left, the student was getting in trouble so often that his parents were afraid at some point, he may end up getting himself in trouble with the law at school.  He exited our program, and entered another program with less emphasis on academics, and more on behavior treatment.  As unfortunate as it was that he reached this point, I know it was the right thing for this young man.  I can look back on my work with him, and know I did the best I could.  I do question whether he got anything academically out of this program, but I know for a fact that both he and his parents were satisfied with job that I and the other staff members did in working with him. 

The other, much more positive news I wanted to share is that I WILL BE TEACHING AGAIN!



A small school district on the Missouri side of the Kansas City border has hired me to work with middle school students who have behavior disorders.  In addition to an impressive interview, I can also give credit to this most recent employment news to the experience I obtained this past year as a paraprofessional.  Even after I accepted the offer, I continued to receive phone calls for other job interviews.  All of these were with fine school districts, but I knew the opportunities afforded to me with this position were too numerous to turn down.  The administrators of the school informed me that I would be given a lot of freedom and responsibility for what happens with my students at school.  In addition, I am in charge of only a half-dozen students, I have very little paperwork, and I can set my schedule as I please for most of the day.  Translation: I get to spend more time actually helping students.

This, as well as some other things going on in my life, has me feeling more optimistic about my future than I probably have ever felt in my entire life.  What better time than now to start up my blog again? 

For readers of this blog (what few of you currently exist), let me reiterate (as I have in the past) that this may not be the last hiatus my blog ever encounters.  Ongoing events in my life - both personal and professional - will dictate the volume of activity this blog will see.  In the meantime, I hope you will read and enjoy.

Thanksgiving, 2011

Tomorrow, I will be going to Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving with some of my wife's family.  It is a tradition that we have done every year since we were engaged, and one I have grown to love dearly.  It is a wonderful time to see members of her family I don't get to see very often.  It is also a time to relax and unwind. I get a few days off to stuff my face with food, shop, and otherwise, take it easy (I usually catch up on a lot of reading on this trip).  

 Photo from holidaywallpapers.org

So I am definitely thankful for that.  But there are plenty of other things I am thankful for this year:

• I am thankful for the fact that my wife and I are both now working.  While I would certainly prefer to have an actual teaching job, I am just glad to still be working at all (especially given what a tough year we have had).  I feel very confident that my current position will lead to something better, and we are so fortunate to have the jobs we do given the our economic situation.   Speaking of which . . .
• I am thankful that we are in a decent spot financially.  No, not great; not even that good; but decent.  As I said, we are both working, and we are able to make ends meet.  We are making enough that we are somewhat financially secure from month-to-month.  Hopefully, we can get to a point where we can afford a house, as well as afford to have a child.  Mentally and emotionally, we are ready for both.  But we have to be patent for now.  We are, however, a lot more financially secure than we were when we first got married.  We were basically broke, but we have been able to save since then.  And as with out job situation, we could be a lot worse off given how so many other people are doing in our country.  While we are discussing economics . . .
• I am thankful for the Occupy Wall Street movement.  I won't say I agree with everything they are doing, and I sometimes wish they had more specific ideas (like these).  But it is long overdue that a movement such as this exists.  By that, I mean people actually marching in the streets and bringing attention to all of the damage done by the excesses and deregulation of our economic system.  I don't know what reforms will ultimately come of this movement, but I know that there are a lot of dedicated people who will keep it going. 

Photo from http://weheartit.com/

• I am thankful for Weight Watchers.  That's right, Weight Watchers  I've been on the diet 2 months, and have almost lost 10 pounds.  I am sure I would have lost a lot more if I exercised more than 3 times a week.  I have tried for years off and on to lose weight, but this is the only thing that has really worked so far.  I won't say it's for everyone.
• I am thankful that an old fraternity brother and one of my best friends became a father yesterday.  I mean this especially because I know he has had some of his own personal struggles in recent years, but now seems more focused and at peace than he ever has.  I can't wait to visit him and see the baby.
• I am thankful that after months of going back and forth between a physical rehabilitation program and the hospital, my grandmother has finally settled into a proper nursing home.  And she seems happy about being in the nursing home, which is a pleasant surprise.
• I am thankful for books (especially my new Kindle), video games, and movies.  OK, that is the lazy, materialistic American side of me.
• I am thankful that I decided not to give up on this blog. 
• I am thankful for Missouri Tigers football.  So this hasn't been our best year for football.   But we've got one more game: our final border showdown with Kansas  before we go to the SEC.  M-I-Z . . .

Photo from The Boston 'Zou

• I am thankful that in a month from now, I will get to spend Christmas with my parents and my childhood friends in Central Missouri.
• I am thankful for my dog, and for all of the progress we have made in improving his behavior this year.  It wasn't that long ago he was barking at every little noise he heard, and trying to bite my hand when I reached over his head.  But my in-laws were gracious enough to pay for us to take him to a behavior specialist (you heard me right).  I love you, you crazy little mutt!
• I am thankful for this . . .

 . . . and this . . .

• I am thankful for my wife!  I love you more than anything in the world!

Life Goes On

I have been MIA from blogging, internet, and education chat for the past few days.  I was having a pretty good week until a couple of days ago.  I can't really talk about what happened, but I promise I will eventually.  I just started my spring break, and will be off of school for the next week.  Right now, I am back in Central Missouri enjoying the company of my family and childhood friends for the next few days. I don't know if I will blog anymore this weekend (other than the Video for Sunday),  but I promise to do a fair amount next week.

As I said, I am not going to talk about what happened to me right now.  While I have been feeling kind of gloomy, I will say that at this current time, I am feeling optimistic about what the future has in store for me.   The way I look at it, I can continue to sit around and feel sorry for myself, or I can stay positive, and do what I need to do.  I choose the latter. 

Highlight of the Day: 3/8/2011

 

Photo from Answers.com

Today, I went on a field trip with some of my students to the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, MO.  It was a very pleasant trip, and there were no major problems as there easily could have been.  I enjoyed walking through the library and explaining different events that happened during the Truman Presidency to my students.  However, I am not sure they understood everything that was discussed, and I am skeptical of how much they will remember whenever we get a chance to talk about the trip in class (it is at least partially a function of their disability).  My US Social Studies classes just finished discussing the Civil War, so we haven't discussed World War II yet (although I think I will get to this very shortly).  I did tell the students from my classes that were on the trip to expect questions in class, so they should try to absorb as much information as possible.  We will see how that goes in a couple of days.

As far as what I think of President Truman, I am generally a fan.  I won't say I necessarily agree with all of his actions (e.g. dropping of atomic bombs, forcing end to railroad strike, etc.)  But overall, I believe our country was better off because of his Presidency.  And as unpopular as he was when he left office, it is interesting to see how history now views his presidency in a more positive light.  I am sure that part of the reason I am such a fan is my bias as a native Missourian.  He isn't my favorite President, but he is definitely in my Top 5.  

Movies 2010

Picture from iStockphoto

Tonight is the Oscars, and being a complete film buff (some would say movie snob), I have decided to look back at the films of 2010 with this post.  You may be wondering a few things.  First, most people do their film review of 2010 at the end of 2010, and it is almost March 2011.  Very true, but I don't get to see some of the previous year until the early into the next year.  Often times, it takes award shows that come after the new year for a film that is worth watching to get known.  Also, it is often the case that when a film comes out, it is in limited release and doesn't open at the local theater until January or February.  I allow myself some time to catch up on what I can and then give my favorites. 

By the way, I haven't seen every film of 2010.  Not even close.  I am a teacher, so I don't have the time to go out and see every film.  Therefore, what I discuss here is based on the 30-40 or so films I saw last year. 

Finally, I realize this is generally an education and current events blog.  But there is more to my interests in life than that, and I have never set out to put limitations in what I would discuss on this blog.  Films are a real passion of mine, and I don't mind using this blog to discuss them (it's my blog, and I'll do what I wanna).  I have even thought about doing my own film reviews on this blog, and I still haven't ruled that out yet.

In any case, directly below are my Top 10 films of 2010.  As I said, there are many films I did not see in 2010, so that may be why certain movies did not make the less.  Nonetheless, here is the list of the best movies I did see:

 

Picture from Screen Rant

1) The Social Network
2) Black Swan
3) The King’s Speech
4) Inception
5) Shutter Island
6) The Town
7) Winter's Bone
8) Restrepo
9) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
10) Dinner For Schmucks

Picture fromDigital Daily

Next, here is the list of who I think SHOULD win Oscars tonight, not my prediction who will win.  As far as best picture goes, I have no idea who it will go to (it will, of course, be between The Social Network and The King's Speech).  In any case, here are my personal picks:


Best Picture: The Social Network
Best Actor: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Best Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, The Fighter
Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best Director: Darren Aronoksfy, Black Swan (Won't Win Though)
Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Original Screenplay: David Seidler, The King's Speech
Best Documentary: Restrepo
Most Deserving Production Category Nominee: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network (Music-Original Score)

Finally, here is a list of miscellaneous awards of my own.
 
Worst Movie: Alice in Wonderland
Funniest Movie: (Tie) Dinner For Schmucks/Hot Tub Time Machine
Best Action Movie: Inception
Best Drama: The Social Network
Saddest Movie: Restrepo
Best Action Sequence: Fight scene in the dream hotel, Inception
Best Suspense Film: Inception
WTF Movie of the Year: Black Swan
Best Love Scene: Natalie Porman and Mila Kunis, Black Swan
Funniest Scene: Hotel room, drug-induced fight scene, Get Him To The Greek
Best Romantic Comedy: Scott Pilgrim vs The World (hey, technically, it is a romantic comedy)
Best 3D Movie: Jackass 3D (OK, this was the only 3D movie I watched this year)
Biggest Oscar Snub: Emma Stone, Easy A (Best Actress Category)
Honorary Mention:  Winter's Bone.  I mention it because I come from rural Missouri, where this film is shot and takes place.  Now, I do come from central Missouri, and the film takes place in southern Missouri in the Ozarks.  Still, I am familiar enough with the life and culture of the area, and am quite impressed how authentic it looks.  In addition, one of the major roles in the film was given to a local wire-cutter in one of the towns near-by.  Kudos to Hollywood on this one!