The first rule of Carnival is to publicize the Carnival. The second rule is to remember that next week the Carnival comes home to The Education Wonks. The deadline for submissions is: 9:00 PM (Eastern) 6:00 PM (Pacific) Tuesday, February 13. Submissions may be sent to: owlshome [at] earthlink [dot] net . Contributers may also use Blog Carnival’s handy submission form: http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_5.html
Now, on to this week’s Carnival, #105: The Over-Scheduled Carnival Kid. We’ve all heard a lot about over-worked, over-scheduled kids, and we’re here to tell you: it’s all true. The Carnival Kid has more classes, meetings, and extracurriculars than most folks can imagine. Let’s take a look.Things don’t start out too well for you -- you know you’re to have to turn in some late work to Paul (AKA “Stausser”). Doh!
At least the walk to school is short. (You’ve somehow escaped this debate over how old, how far, what neighborhood a child should walk to school fromGet on the Bus.)
Besides being colder than cold, February is Black History Month and here is Miss Profe’s experience. Another MLK Day experience is noted by Darren on the West Coast.
History Class
Ahh, history. Ms. Polack hands out permission slips to visit the Melbourne Museum next week.
Your buddy David is surfing the internet on his laptop and shows you a site about how to be global.
Guidance Office
Time to start thinking about the future. Mr. Paulson talks about how to pay for college and a counselor you do not recognize slips you a brochure detailing the cost breakdown for graduate school studies. Yikes.
Your visit continues with a conversation about how to pick the best type of university teaching style.
While in the guidance office the secretary Patricia tells you of 7 ways you may unknowingly mess up your life. Just seven?
On the contrary, your friend Nathan gives you encouragement to get ahead while in college - an how it is addictive. Getting ahead, that is.
Darlene tells you she just found out about great studying abroad opportunities - from one week to one year!
English Class
Mr. Terrel is teaching poetry this week and you are learning about Robert Frost and John Ciardi.
“Writing is one of the most important parts of any student’s school work.” is posted on the wall in your English class room with these tips to improve your writing.
For homework, you are assigned to read Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson but instead you go to the school library and check out the latest copy of Romeo and Juliet.
Teacher’s Lounge
Walking by the lounge, you overhear Mr. Terrell talking about modified school calendars and a radio show host who thinks teachers have “cushy” jobs.
Ms. Carol is worried about losing students to the “unschooling” theory she’s heard through the grapevine and continues her thoughts after observing her students.
Ms. Kane told a humorous joke about a driver’s ed student and her driving ability.
Allen or Alan? The new teacher from NYC tells an interesting story about being a woman.
Do teachers make more than Manhattan professionals? Ms. Jacobs asks.
Do you know what happens when teachers are treated like professionals? Ms. Davidson knows.
When the “Telephone Game” is played between too many school nurses...the rest isn’t PG enough even for the teacher’s lounge!
Gym Class
Ms. Katie teaches students the best self-defense moves in the nation called: IMPACT Defense Against Multiple Assailants.
Principal’s Office
You are sent to the the principal’s office for disrepecting a teacher and become subject to a long discussion of how to prevent bullying.
Math Class
Ms. Denise asks if there is a prime number larger than 11 and if you can prove it.
In today’s class you will watch CBS TV show NUMB3RS - How can you use math everyday?
Board Meeting
Today is the monthly board meeting, and you have a book report due on Closing the Achievement Gap: A Vision for Changing Beliefs and Practices, 2nd ed. Did you remember your homework?
For homework, analyze this debate by Dianne Piché, Mike Petrilli, and the NEA’s Joel Packer on NCLB.
Teacher Staff Meeting
Sneaking into the back of the room without being noticed, you hear the school principal proposes fining parents $500 and charing them with a misdemeanor for failing to attend a parent-teacher conference.
Mr. Chanman discusses the pros and cons of a recent in-service training day for teachers.
Ms. Cornelius offers an inspiration story about dealing with parents and their silly mistakes.
Before the teachers leave, the principal reminds them about the teacher framed by her computer.
Agenda for next week’s meeting:
Workshop on dealing with parents and students concerning plagiarism.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of standards-based grading?
The discussion of running the school like a business.
What To Do With Teachers Who Don’t Pass HOUSSE?
“Education Support Professionals”
Walking Home
Walking home from school, a parent pulls you over and starts telling you about restorative justice.
Not sure what that’s all about, you keep walking. Some parents ahead of you from the AFT are talking about whether to enroll their kids in a diverse school with mixed scores.