Last Night I Dreamt I Was Superman

This is a strange confession, but last night I had a dream, and in this dream I was Superman.  I had the same face and same out of shape body, which caused my super hero outfit to be very ill fitting.  This is not the worst part.

Let me explain.  I have only ever read one comic book issue in my entire life.  The issue came out when I was in junior high and everyone was reading it.  The issue was about the Death of Superman.  I did not know the first thing about the comic book story line, but I was interested enough to read through it.  I haven't thought about this since.

For some reason this crept into my dreams last night.  I was superman and I was battling the villain from the story line,  Doomsday.  The strange part, and this is where it is relevant, is that one of my favorite students was Doomsday, and he eventually killed me after a hard fought battle.  Doomsday did not look very scary like in the comics, but was simply one of my chemistry students as he looks every day.  I like this student, and this makes me curious about my mental instability.  

I Might Need a Break

This post is dedicated to all of the overworked teachers, 

but my Co-Adviser is the one I am thinking of the most.

I am extremely thankful to have a job.  I very happy that I have become a teacher.  I also love being a class adviser and I was honored when I was asked to cover an extra class this semester.  However, I might need a break.  

The start of this school year was a total whirlwind.  I found out a few days before that I would be teaching AP Chemistry for the first time as well as covering an extra class.  This all happened because the second chemistry teacher at my school is out on medical leave.  Originally my schedule consisted of teaching three chemistry classes, a prep period, a study hall, and a lunch.  Well, the extra class I am covering took the place of my prep.  So I am left with a lunch break, to eat, go to the bathroom, grade, and prepare for my classes.  Because of all this, I have been staying after school much later than usual to make up the lost time with grading.  

Besides classroom duties, I am also one of the advisers for the junior class.  For homecoming every year our classes compete by decorating certain hallways, and building a float for a parade.  I have been staying after school even later to put together decorations and construct the float.  Homecoming nearly killed me this year, but we won first place for the float and I am happy that it is over.  I couldn't have survived without the support of my loving wife and wonderful co-adviser.  

So I've been working without a prep and staying late just to play catch up.  None of this would've been bad if I had a lunch that meant anything.  Allow me to explain.  We have about 35 minutes or so allotted for lunch.  This is during the same time that some of the students have lunch in the cafeteria, or study hall.  Everyday since I became a teacher I have had students spend their lunch with me, mostly because they rather be in my class than the cafeteria or their study hall.  Whatever their reason is, is usually fine with me.  Nowadays, I have about six or seven students that come to my room when I am supposed to be eating or trying to get work done.  This has become overwhelming.

I like each of them, but their presence means that I am unable to leave the room no matter the reason.  I mentioned this today as they were all trying to ask me questions about their homework or simply have a conversation with me, all of which seemed like all at the same time.  One of them said "Well, imagine if we didn't like you."  

This made me laugh as I understand what she meant.  I replied with "Well if you liked me, you'd let me eat my lunch."  She smiled and offered her lunch to me.  Thankfully I had the lunch made for me by my mother-in-law, so I happily declined.  

I have one of two choices here.  Ask them all to leave so I have a few minutes for myself, or just realize that I don't have it so bad after all. Everything will get graded soon enough.

  

Wake Up Call: Part 3

The portfolio idea seems to be the way to go, at least at this point.  I plan to create a checklist describing the assignment with a type of rubric.  The checklist will be given during the first week of December and the ten students have until the end of the semester in February to complete everything for a test grade.  So here is how I envision everything.  I pass out this checklist and students will be able to choose from certain tasks with varying point values, but their points must add up to 100.  The first choice that students must make is whether or not they want to enter the Google Science Fair.  If the science fair is for them, then their research and entry will count as a 100 points at my discretion.  If they choose to forego this opportunity they are required to complete a series of other assignments as long as they add up to 100 points.  Here is what I have come up with so far.

1. Science Fair Entry                                                                                            100 points

 or

• Research Project (Write a Paper)                                             
• 50 Points
• Plan a few days of lessons (PowerPoint, Worksheets, and Quiz)
• 25 Points
• Make tutorial videos (based on a topic covered in class)
• 20 Points
• Interview a Scientist (Skype, email, in person)
• 20 Points
• Create an experiment/lab for class
• 15 Points
• Article Reviews (Primary Source, create a review)
• 10 Points
• Museum Visit and Reflection (Create a review)
• 10 Points
• Documentary Reflections (Create a review)
• 5 Points

Regardless of their choose to enter the fair or not, they must maintain this portfolio with everything they have done.  Once individuals are finished, I will begin assigning AP Chemistry work to prepare them for the following year.  If the students are not going to take AP, then their assignments will directly reflect the final exam.  I feel that once they have complete all of the standard course work, everything else is only benefiting them as science students.  

Now, I could use some feedback on what I have developed so far.  Do the point values seem fair?  Are there any other assignments that I could add?