Silver Creek HS

Thursday, October 05, 2006

What Do We Do Here?

As I decide to stay at work, just a little bit longer, Jackson Browne belts out his famous lines about making sure "you got it all set to go before you come for my piano." Though I'm no where near as energetic about staying the long hours past the last bell of the day, the scenario of the road crew cleaning up the stage at the end of another performance resonates more than just a little bit.

At the end of all our days, we think back on how things went, while also realizing that tomorrow "you'll get up and do it again" (must be Jackson Browne allusion day or something). After talking with Jonathan and Laurie earlier today, I'm trying to imagine what this blog is and is not for. This is by no means an exclusive or exhaustive list. Feel free to add to it.

It's For...

This blog can help us create a virtual space to come together for ideas. I talk with Vanessa, Laurie, Jane, Ted, and Matt all the time about what I'm doing in the classroom. I show them handouts several revisions before my students ever see them. I throw ideas at them and gauge my classroom delivery by their reactions. If this area could be another place to post ideas, documents, reflections about what we're doing in our rooms or what we see happening in each other's rooms, we'd have a powerful record on our hands by the end of the year.

Maybe this can even help with lesson planning in the future. If there was a way to "tag" these entries using keywords or even categorize things by lesson, skill, standard, or some other system, our thoughts could be put to use next year as we tackle the same or similar issues.

The reflections we all have on how we can do our jobs even better flash through our heads so quickly. Often, the ideas we get seem so unrealistic that they fade rather quickly in the face of everything sitting in piles on our desks. Sure, maybe the initial idea really is too much work and wouldn't make much sense with the other things you're doing. But that idea may lead to another that's going to make your life much easier and your instruction more effective. Then again, maybe after more reflection, the idea would work if you adjust your expectations a bit. Yeah, that will work just fine! Why didn't I think of that sooner!? That idea may be the "greatest lost track of all time"; you just needed to sit down and work out the details.

It's Not For...

Complaining about specific people, airing recurring gripes, attacking students, none of those things help us do what we need to do. It's great to have someone who can listen to your complaints and those things that occur to you in the heat of the moment. We all need to vent our frustration or anger sometimes. This isn't the place for that. That's something you should probably be doing face-to-face. Maybe even with a therapist. Or perhaps a punching bag. Definitely not in a china shop.

Is That All?

What else can we use this place for? What else should we discourage and frown very sternly upon? Those stern frowns are killers.

posted by todd @ 3:59 PM