Interversity.Org

This collection of photos provided by Talkie Jeri Pollock for the viewing pleasure of the whole gang. --Eric

Texas district will let teachers carry guns

Key quote:

When the federal government started making schools gun-free zones, that's when all of these shootings started. Why would you put it out there that a group of people can't defend themselves? That's like saying 'sic 'em' to a dog"
—David Thweatt, superintendent of the Harrold Independent School District

Tragedy is a shortcut that sells, and the particular tragedy of being an Indian has an amazing ability to make readers lose their capacities to discern good writing from bad, interesting ideas from vapid ones.

Hi, I am new to this but thought you all could help me out. I teach a mutlimedia unit on the Holocaust in Language Arts grade 8. I am looking to make this more dynamic by inviting others to join our class. I use a room through nicnet.org ( free and terrific for those interesting in linking computers for writing). I wanted to try a reading circle group using Holocaust literature and students from other schools. Each book is pretty short 100-180 pages and are set up for lots of discussions. I have alist of titles and would share with any interested.

The headline on CNN's website the past couple of days:

Bush: NCLB not meant to punish schools, but to help them

Er, I wonder. If punishment was not the intent, why is the law more punitive than supportive?

"It is important for all of us to make it clear that accountability is not a way to punish anybody," Bush told supporters of the law in a meeting at the White House. "It's an essential component to making sure that our system, our education system, frankly is not discriminatory."

UFO* i L L U S i O N* i D E N T i F i E D !*
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written 7-10-05 by Tracy J. Crockett
I had my first UFO sighting, in Provo, Utah, at 9:50pm on July 3rd, 3004. It began when
A strange cloud appeared over my head, which was in the shape of an upward- pointing finger. Looking above it, I saw for one full hour- 60 UFOs which moved in a variety of strange ways. All of the UFOs looked in every way to be ordinary stars!

In the following year, through a series of "UFO visitations" carried out- I believe- by a race of benevolent Aliens, I was given the clues which pointed to an astonishing illusion which has been created above us by: An exceedingly MALEVOLENT Alien race!

Since my initial studies in this topic... I have really sharpened my focus on this matter! THE MINDS OF BOYS has thusfar been the most incredible read... to the point where I have been buying copies for parents of my students!

Our school had an afterschool round table discussion for this book... and 1/3 of our staff attended! The increased attention is fabulous and my students will only benefit from this effort!

Been reading tons... creating mini-powerpoint reviews as I go along (still have some that I want to create, but currently reading books on the use of DATA)

NYC schools' cell phone ban earns parents' ire

NEW YORK (AP) -- Parents who oppose the cell phone ban in New York's public schools are ranting in e-mails to the city's government that the policy is unreasonable, irresponsible, and hints at "thoughtless fascism."

Here's a tricky issue, one that will have various strong but opposing arguments and no clearly satisfactory solution, I humbly predict. For cell phones ain't going away. They may change, but if anything they will only become smaller and more thoroughly integrated in the usual human accessories — there's been talk for years about "wearable" computers, for instance, so it's easy to imagine cell phone technology woven into fabrics, built into eyeglasses, attached to caps, maybe someday surgically imbricated into the human body.

I have NO idea what is going on with me... I am not usually this "tired" before March... next week only marks the end of 1st quarter!

Been taking care of myself...working out, watching what I eat, taking vitamins, etc... It still is not keeping my work from taxing my resources though. Two cups of coffee has absolutely no effect on my fatigue...

Is there anyone else fighting this so early on in the year? How do you combat it? Any advice would be welcome...

Anyway...
On the homefront, we are constantly striving to "hit" the mark and make it so all kids "get it"; I am currently working on conflict after working on foreshadowing... plot was easy enough, but 7th graders have difficulty locating foreshadowing clues... we reworked the lesson... and it was so much fun! Students had to act out the foreshadowing scenes from The Landlady; talk about enjoying a lesson! I have had so much fun with these kids... they are filled with energy and creative genius! Now to be able to reflect that back to them so they can all relish the learning experience...

Each year since getting NBs, I have been working to foster stronger parent-teacher relationships. The fall-out effect has been fabulous on what it does for my kids...each year, each set of parents proves that I am getting better at this.

I think the trick might be... put yourself into their shoes. Look at the school from their viewpoint, look at your student as they look at their child, work to meet their needs.

Thankfully, this year we had an Open House. This made my job that much easier. We went three years without a contract and did not have an Open House... creating the scenario where any communication had to be intiated by either party... and then, it was usually for a reason.