Testing at School

We start ITBS testing tomorrow. Standardized testing is such a drag! Yes, I know that it is supposed to be a good way to measure what a child knows. Does it? And does standardized testing determine what a child will become? Absolutely not! What do you think? Could the roughly 5 days we spend doing standardized testing be used for better purposes?

Good Day Overall

Ag day was a success today. The students were very well behaved and the weather was excellent! I guess the only downside to today was that it was turn in day for magazine sales. This is the first class that I have sponsored and my first go-around with magazine sales. It is crazy! Anyway, I have pretty much made it through and the kids were really good about it. My high school buddy arrives tomorrow. Can't wait to see the old dog.

Looking Forward to the Week

I am really looking forward to this week. Tuesday is Ag day at school, which is always fun. On Wednesday my son has a football game and my best friend from high school is coming in from Chicago. He is going to spend Thursday and Friday speaking to our STEM class. On Friday he might stay and go to Homecoming at Culver Stockton College with me. It is my 20th year class reunion. I can't believe it! This week is going to be extremely busy but should be full of fun also.

Teaching?

I am starting to wonder when there is time for teaching? When I started teaching 20 years ago there was one thing that mattered when it came to teaching…how well were you teaching? Class was rarely missed by teachers or students. Today there rarely is a day that isn't affected by teachers, including myself, missing class due to a meeting or an in-service. It is also just as common place for students to miss class due to meetings, early dismissal for games, or a barrage of other things. With the state putting more and more requirements on teachers, students, and schools in general it is amazing to me how the state also wants more out of all of the above with less time in the classroom. To me this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! Let's get back in the classroom and do what we came here to do!

Doin' it from the iPhone

Hoping this works. It is so easy!

Kitchen Update

We are redoing our kitchen. I am kind of interested in really getting into it. We are at the start of the process. We are painting the cupboards and the walls and getting a new floor. We are doing most of it on our own. Wish us luck and pray for us that it doesn't turn into a "money pit".

Sent from my iPhone

Time To Reflect

I am sitting here watching "Motherhood" which I thought was a comedy.
I guess it is but it sure is making me think. My kids are getting so
big. I don't know where the time has gone. My son just turned 12 and
my daughter is 8. My wife and I have been discussing where to send
our kids to high school which is really making me feel old; which is
fine because I still feel young. My son is acting more and more like
a teenager which is great because that is the age of kid I am used to
dealing with everyday. I am very thankful that he still loves to spend
time with me. My wife and I have to really work at finding a spare
minute together. We are constantly busy, like most people our age.
We were lucky enough to have two dates last week. It was nice to get
reaquainted with each other. As far as how fast our lives are going,
every year seems to faster and faster. I don't see my parents as
often as I should due to our busy lives and I do have concerns about
losing them without being connected. Doesn't everybody? We have just
brought a kitten into the busy Carey household and he has sure brought
a calmness and common interest to the family. I never thought that
my wife would ever want to have a pet let alone become so attached to
him. She sure loves that little guy. Quin, our kitten, is full of
energy and loves attention. Life is good! Enjoy it all!

Inspired

I am currently watching Julie and Julia and it really made me think about bogging again and think about what would get me motivated in that way. I think basketball or teaching (or maybe even Comfort Food cooking) could do it for me. Who knows? Maybe I will start my own blogging goal adventure in the near future.

Normalcy

Just got back from a family vacation in Florida. It was fun but hot! Getting back to my routine has been harder than I thought. Maybe it's the heat or maybe I'm still dragging from vacation. Today should help. Practice and games should get me moving in the right direction. It is nice to be home!
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My Mind is Racing

Things to do at the end of the school year, possible summer trainings, summer jobs at home. All of these things are racing through my mind. School is done I a week and my thoughts turn to entertaining my kids, vacation and relaxation.
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Routine

I am finding myself in that routine rut. I need a trip on a weekend or something fun to do on a week night to bust me out of this rut. I think part of it has been the weather but most of it is just having the same routine for the past month or so. Maybe I am antsy due to the school year almost being over. Whatever it is I am sure it will soon pass. I usually come up with something!
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Winding Down

School is almost over for the 2008-2009 year and I have to say it has been one of the best years in the 17 I have been teaching. I have developed, and solidified, some excellent relationships with colleagues and close friends. Some, of course, are both. The kids this year have worked harder as a group than any previous group I have had. The junior high kids have wanted to be challenged and have met every challenge with a smile. I don't want to hear anyone say that kids now days don't know how to work. I work with them 7 hours a day and I know they work! Our junior high kids are respectful, polite, and a pleasure to be around. I would like to thank our new principal, fellow colleagues, my wife and kids, and the students for a wonderful school year! I am already looking forward to next year.

Mr. C
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Last Night of Dance

Tonight is my daughter's last night of dance for the year. It will be nice to have her home on Wednesday nights. The end of dance always signifies the coming of summer...bring it on! I can't wait to see her recital. I think she will do great.
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Swine Flu

I am really tired of reading about...and hearing about the Swine Flu. Yes it is important but there are other things going on around the world also!

I had a great day at school today and the 7th graders finished their second podcast today. They have done a great job so far! Not many days left of school. I can't believe how fast the year has went!

Have a good one!
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Weather

It sure is a dreary day today but the rest of the week looks like it is going to be killer. Tomorrow I have a podcast workshop in Edwards, IL (near East Peoria). It should be fun. I can't believe how close it is to the end of school!
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I'm Back

Holy cow! It has been a few months since I posted last! I sure have lost track of time with all I have going on. Trying to keep up with Smartboard notes for all my books has me really busy. We have had a ton of meetings also. Anyway, it is nice to be back writing. The weather is getting nice and school is winding down. I definitely have Spring fever! I am looking forward to our summer trip to Disneyland and wrapping up all the meetings and such concerning the St. Francis Picnic.

The New and the Old (In a few days!)

In the last couple of weeks I have had a rare opportunity to relive some past memories and be inspired by what our future could be. Last week I went to an ACDC concert with my family (old) and had a blast listening to, and remembering, some good old classic rock. It was a good time that brought back a lot of memories but at the same time made new memories for my 10-year old son (new). This past weekend I got the chance to go to St. Louis to celebrate a fraternity brother's birthday (40!)(old) and visit with several of my frat brothers that I haven't seen forever. They haven't changed a lot but enough to let you know that they are now dads (new for some). We did tell quite a few stories about fatherhood (new) and saw a lot of us in our children. Yesterday I had the privilege of watching the inauguration of President Barack Obama (new). Whether you like the man or not I think you have to say that you felt the power of the change-over. I think our country is ready for a change. I am sure it won't all run smoothly or quickly but I feel that at least he will be trying some different things. His speech, to me, was one of those that made the hair stand up on my arms and will be remembered for many years to come. Remember, it is good to remember the past but it is also good to move forward.

A Fun Few Days

I was at school Monday and the day flew because I had so much stuff to get ready for the next two days. Tuesday and Wednesday I took Personal days to go see an ACDC concert in St. Louis. The concert was amazing! One of the best I have seen. I couldn't believe how great they sounded and the energy they had. I mean, Brain Johnson is 61! Anyway, I was expecting to get back to school today but that was not to be. We were out due to the cold. The wind chill was in the -20s! It sounds like that is what it is supposed to be tomorrow morning so I guess we will see what happens as far as school tomorrow. I was busy most of the day today but I didn't even stick a toe outside. I have recently got back into Facebook and many of my friends have done the same. Stay warm!

Wikispace

I started a wikispace before Christmas. It is a wonderful tool that gets everyone involved. My wikispace is for school and contains project information, announcements, and pictures. The eighth graders seem to be the most interested in it. It sure makes life simpler as far as getting reminders out and information published for kids and parents to see. I do have a school website but I have found that the wikispace is easier to work with. Most of the things that I have put on the wikispace are as easy as copying and pasting. Another advantage is that kids can add information to the wikispace and I am immediately notified of what it is by email. I have stressed that the information be school appropriate. Please visit my wikispace and get your own wikispace!

Just ate at Talayna's. Some of best Italian food I have ever had.

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