State of the Union 2011 Wordle

The President's Speech

The Republican Response

Back to school speech

President Obama gave his back to school speech yesterday afternoon.  Here is a Wordle I created using the text:

Handbook focus for the year

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. " -- Albert Einstein

After early discussions with staff before we got underway this school year, we decided to focus on three handbook policies this school year:  dress code, electronic devices, and attendance.  Staff will be working diligently to enforce these rules.

The dress code rule from the handbook states that clothing that is too revealing or suggestive (i.e. halter tops, bare midriffs, underwear exposed, spaghetti straps, tube tops) not be worn at school.  Also clothing that promotes products that are illegal for children to use (i.e. tobacco or alcohol) will also not be allowed.

The electronic devices policy states that electronic devices are to remain off during the school day and should be in lockers or in the office.  Electronic devices that are visible, or in use, will be confiscated and will need to be picked up by a parent after school.  We realize that electronic devices are not going away and that part of our job as educators includes teaching students responsible use of these devices.  We will only be taking electronic devices when they disrupt the learning environment.  Cell phones should not be used during class, but in the hallway during passing times would be acceptable.  If a student is late because of their cell phone, they will receive a tardy.  Cell phones are also not allowed in study hall because the students be texted from study hall may be in a classroom.  Teachers have control over how they will handle cell phones in the classroom.  Some may require that all phones be placed on the edge of desks, some may collect them in a basket at the front of the room, some may only ask that students turn them off when they come into the classroom.  If a cell phone disrupts the learning environment, it will be confiscated and the parents will have to come pick it up.  It is up to the teacher's discretion regarding other electronic devices.  Mp3 players may be used with teacher permission at various points throughout the day.  Cell phones that also function as Mp3 players will not be allowed.

Students are expected to come to school on time and the only open period available is for seniors with eighth hour study hall.  Students who are tardy to class will receive a 40 minute detention on their fourth tardy.  Any tardy thereafter will be assigned an additional 40 minute detention and continued tardies may result in a student being dropped from class with no credit.

These three hadbook policies were areas of concern noted by the staff and we appreciate your help in supporting these rules.

Welcome

“The best teacher is the one who never forgets what it is like to be a student.  The best administrator is the one who never forgets what it is like to be a teacher.” -- Neila A. Connors

I am really excited to have the opportunity to lead Calamus-Wheatland through this era of change in education.  My name is Chris Basinger and for the past nine years I was an English and journalism teacher in the Chariton Community School District. In my eight years at the high school, I taught many classes:  Creative Writing, Yearbook, Broadcast Journalism, Media Literacy, Humanities, Composition II, Modern Novels, Dramatic Literature, British Literature, and Advanced Composition.  In addition to advising the yearbook for six years, I also assisted with academic team, served on the student assistance team, calendar committee, school improvement committee, Iowa Core development team, Microsoft settlement committee, and coached the baseball team.  I also spent my final year in Chariton teaching seventh grade language arts.

I have a Master of Education in English and Journalism Education from the University of Missouri and a Master of Arts in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies from the University of Iowa.

My wife is a former English teacher as well.  We will miss not teaching side by side any more, but she is very excited to be able to stay at home with our children.  Keaton, our oldest, is in second grade and has taken the move to a new school with enthusiasm.  Aidan is four and will be starting preschool this fall.  Reece is 1.5 and loves getting into things we don't want him in.  And we are expecting a girl in the middle of September.

I am looking forward to use this site as a communication bridge for parents and staff to become informed on topics in education that impact the people invested in Calamus-Wheatland High School.

Temple Grandin's TED Talk

Take twenty minutes to watch this.  It will be well worth your time.

A Little Late

I know it's Thursday, but I thought this would be a good thing to check out even next week or the week after, or maybe even in July.  I have a problem with schools like mine that automatically assume that the negative aspects of social networking outweigh the positive.  I don't believe in blindly thowing technology at students, but I don't believe in blindly disallowing it either.  Just like with all other decisions in education, the decision to use or not use social media in classrooms is a decision that involves real thought about curriculum and the students we teach...something an Internet filter is incapable of doing.

http://www.edutopia.org/groups/education-headline-news/social-media-week

Using Google Earth across the curriculum

I found this useful resource on one of the blogs I subscribe to:  http://www.freetech4teachers.com/



Google Earth Across the Curriculum -