Wrapping up the Semester

I realize that I was somewhat lucky to be presenting on the last night. I was able to work hours on end making my CAP better. I hope it's better! After reading Prof. Domine's remarks I feel that I could've really put more information and statistics into the CAP. I'm comfortable with what I have because this paper isn't one where we hand it in and forget about it. This is really the first class that the final project will have us thinking and working for time to come. I really will follow up with my CAP and continue to monitor the progress I've already made. I hope others feel the same about theirs. I'm nervous about the grading too! I see that blogging is 30% which is just as much as this whole CAP. Man, I hope I've blogged enough.

Putting our CAP into action

I enjoyed learning a lot about change and how to institute it this semester but I have reservations about how everyone would actually insitute their CAP. Doesn't it seem that all too often administrators, the BOE and the public just talk a good game but nothing gets done? It's a rare sight these days to see someone step up, take full responsibility, look by any naysayers and get the job done. Does anyone honestly feel that they could pull their weight around, present their CAP to somone in power and get the ball rolilng on it?? Too often plans just have their wheels spun instead of put into motion. For example, if a student in class felt that too much attention was being placed on state testing and not the curr, their supervisor might say sure but how do we fix that. You can fix it by showing ideas proved in your CAP. Still, I have a hard time seeing anyone take a risk to change curr and attitudes about state testing.

Please respond to my CAP

I am blogging today as I attempt to finish up this project to present on the last time slot of the last day...UGH! If anyone reading this could respond and offer your opinion on my project and my progress it would be appreciated.

I am doing my CAP on a lack of outdoor facilities for student recess and physical education classes. Actually it's not that the facilities are lacking, it's that they don't EXIST. We work in a brand new building (5 years young now) and they outside of the school was never finished! It was left in litigation never to be touched again. I really tackle the issue of class sizes, safety of students playing certain gym games indoors and the absence of a place for the students to get some fresh air outdoors when the weather cooperates.

Professor Domine in her critique of my draft leads me to believe I'm too vague in explaining a lot of things. What was your experience as students in physical education class. Did you enjoy going outside for class. Can you imagine being stuck indoors for your 4 years at the school!?

Thanks in advance for your comments!

Are you all using FULLAN

How much is everyone using Fullan in their CAP. I feel as if I'm throwing him in there just to throw him in there. I am definately reading things I can learn and tie together but I dont know if quoting him or referring to him too often is just trying to prove to the professor that I'm actually reading. I'm also getting nervous that my CAP isn't about curriculum soley but about things I'd like to see changed in our school. After talking to some classmates I'm on track but I have nightmares about screwing this up.

Teacher support with discipline

Can someone reply as to how their discipline is handled in their school. For some reason, sending a student to the office is entirely frowned upon in our school. The attitude is "what, you can't handle that yourself?" or "well, why don't you call the parent it'll be good PR" It gets frustrating when they older kids in the school have figured out the system and aren't affraid of anything. Maybe that's why there's already been food fights...isn't that saved for the last week of school?? Teachers should never feel that the kids are getting out of control, especially at the end of FIRST MARKING PERIOD!

Part II Engage and Critique

Today, I find myself "lingering" in the complexity of my statement of need. That's what the syllabus has told me to do but I'm struggling to find 5 pages to write as I linger. I'm going to go ahead and delve into some ideas of how to go about acheiving my goal. I've been able to look at my problem from many viewpoints. I hope I'm writing this correctly. I was able to give clear details, almost a step by step of a day in the life of my statement of need...now i just need to expand it to make a bridge into party III, vision and planning.

Halloween

I actually wish we were in class tonight because I dont like kids ringing the bell all night. The dog goes nuts and I have to give candy I've paid for to kids who've never learned manners and how to say thank you. How bout a holiday where kids come around, ring my bell and hand ME something. Oh that's right, it's called mischief night and they hand me my busted up pumpkin that used to sit on my steps. HAHA this blogging is fun, the keyboard is such a whiner!