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September 2009 - Posts

computer class

My goal, at a technological level, is not to teach skills. Rather, I want students to become technologically literate. This means, they will learn to analyze how technology is used, evaluate its effect on society and blend it in creative ways. I'd like Read More...
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2009 09 29

John Spencer

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mask

On my worst days, I'm a publicity artist. No, artist isn't the right word. Art redeems. I'm a mask maker. I spin stories with a cut and paste approach so that my blogs begin to resemble a highlight film. I mention reading classics with them or painting Read More...
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2009 09 28

John Spencer

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they are monsters, they are zombies, they are taking the standardized tests

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2009 09 28

John Spencer

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why Jesus wouldn't be able to find a sunday school class

I'm going to church today. I will fit in for the following reasons: 1. I'm white 2. I'm middle class 3. I'm married 4. I have children 5. I was raised in the church Jesus was neither of those five. I'm not sure if he'd have a place at most churches. Perhaps Read More...
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2009 09 27

John Spencer

2 Comments

were they trained by Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad?

Recently, I read an article about a small town school that cancelled home-coming after an incident of vandalism. It was a typical high school prank. A logical consequence might have been that the students should have cleaned up the mess. Or, find the Read More...
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2009 09 26

John Spencer

5 Comments

the Pandora Generation

A student sang, "Looks like we made it. Look how far we've come now baby." It was awkward, in one of those silent lulls in group work. Oddly enough, the class didn't laugh. I later asked him what type of music he enjoyed and he responded, "techno, classical, Read More...
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2009 09 25

John Spencer

3 Comments

Arne Duncan Hasn't Been in My Classroom

I am not the best person to assess what my students need. The reality is that children have a decent idea of their own learning style, personality and needs better than Read More...
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2009 09 25

John Spencer

0 Comments

Amos 1:3-15

I saw a kid at the stop walk today. He had crutches. You know, the type that have the brace at the arm. Cars passed by and ignored him. Not a huge injustice by any means, but I kept watching the indifference. Everyone had deadlines and work details and Read More...
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2009 09 25

John Spencer

1 Comments

quasi-minimalist

I have a hunch that people who watch television less often actually enjoy it more. Tonight is Thursday, which means I'll watch The Office and laugh. I won't text. I won't be on Facebook. For a half hour, I'll immerse myself in the fictional world created Read More...
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2009 09 24

John Spencer

4 Comments

The Father

In my other blog, I posted something about fatherhood and memories of my own dad. My dad responded in a way that made me cry. He said that he loves me and he's proud of me and that he thinks we're better parents than he was. Someone once told me that Read More...
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2009 09 24

John Spencer

1 Comments

my dad's response

I thought my dad wouldn't read this blog. It turns out he's more tech-saavy than I had assumed. He sent me this response on Facebook. I cried. This is Dad writing this response, not Mom. I may even get one of these fancy blog sites myself and communicate Read More...
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2009 09 23

John Spencer

4 Comments

acting like my dad . . . in a good way

I make it a habit to define myself by defining what I'm not. I'm a teacher, but I'm not a packet master and I'm not a hang-in-there-kitty-poster guy and I'm not a standardized robot. I'm a Christian, but I don't run around handing out yellow booklet advertisments Read More...
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2009 09 22

John Spencer

4 Comments

Growth

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2009 09 21

John Spencer

0 Comments

wrong metaphor

We meet in a massive conference room where the guru begins his talk. He begins with a story of going to the dentist and accidentally using the word novacaine. The dentist replies, "We haven't used that in years. I'd probably be out of a job if I still Read More...
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2009 09 21

John Spencer

0 Comments

My Book Is Finally on Amazon.com!

My book is finally on Amazon.com! Click Here to check it out. There is a quick preview that you can look at as well. Read More...
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2009 09 19

John Spencer

4 Comments

why our standards-based grading sucks

Our school is shifting from traditional grades to standards-based grading. With this comes a major paradigm shift. We no longer assess a student's work ethic (it's impossible to lose points by not turning work in) but only pure academic achievement. At Read More...
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2009 09 18

John Spencer

4 Comments

not happy with Google

Somehow this blog got labeled as a potential Spam blog. I'm irritated by this, because I can't see why the Spambot figured it was that type of a blog. Read More...

2009 09 17

John Spencer

2 Comments

Creative Commons

We had a great dialogue the other day about Creative Commons, intellectual property and what exactly does "belong to the public." One of the hardest issues is the concept of mixing and borrowing, especially when information now feels essentially free Read More...
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2009 09 15

John Spencer

1 Comments

a new blog

If you're interested at all, I'm writing a new blog connecting to my faith called Jesus in Left Field . I wrote one about a staff lounge conversation today. Read More...
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2009 09 15

John Spencer

2 Comments

multiple choice writing test?

Apparently, due to a state budget crisis, we will not have an eighth grade AIMS writing test. If I'm reading the e-mail correctly, our state will assess writing once every two years and in place of the writing exam will be a multiple-choice writing test. Read More...
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2009 09 15

John Spencer

4 Comments

hopelessly devoted

I never get to watch the 49ers play. So, at some point last season I said, "I'll throw my lot in with the home town." Then, I watched the game yesterday, and three plays into it I'm rooting for the red and gold. I was like a teary husband coming home Read More...
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2009 09 14

John Spencer

0 Comments

Monday Metaphor: Growth

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2009 09 14

John Spencer

0 Comments

volume

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2009 09 13

John Spencer

0 Comments

the church's ridiculous war on romance novels

Evangelical churches hate romance novels. Perhaps more than they hate gay marriage and Democrats. Part of what I've enjoyed is that my church doesn't tend too focus too much time on those issues. Except, this morning, the pastor went off on a rant about Read More...

2009 09 13

John Spencer

11 Comments

why am I more transparent online than in the staff lounge?

Whenever someone asks how it's going, I offer a canned response. It's a politician answer often accompanied by a politician grin. I say, "I'm doing fine. The kids are great. I really love it at our school." I then offer some anecdote to prove the point. Read More...
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2009 09 11

John Spencer

6 Comments

prayer in schools

Okay, so this is a really lame excuse, but I haven't blogged the last few days, because I wanted people to recognize that I have a new book out. I know, a pretty lame reason not to blog. (Also pretty ineffective. I've sold only two books so far) I've Read More...
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2009 09 9

John Spencer

0 Comments

so lame

but this almost made me cry not sure why, but it did, really Read More...
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2009 09 8

John Spencer

3 Comments

reflections on Obama's speech

Many of my fellow teachers seemed to gush over Obama's speech, but I was a little dissapointed. Don't get me wrong. It was better than "Is our children learning?" Regardless of one's political leanings, it's fun to have an articulate president. Honestly, Read More...
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2009 09 8

John Spencer

0 Comments

I'm on Facebook

Awhile back, I quit Facebook. Then, we had some family members and friends of our family go through traumatic events. Facebook was the only connecting point. It made me realize that going Neo-Luddite sounds great in principal, but the relational cost Read More...
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2009 09 7

John Spencer

1 Comments

in case you didn't know

This is the only time I'm going to plug it. I'm really not much for self-promotion. But here it is - my book is already available on CreateSpace but not yet on Amazon.com (should be available shortly). Here's the link: https://www.createspace.com/Customer/EStore.do?id=339469 Read More...

2009 09 5

John Spencer

2 Comments

Obama's Speech to Children

I find it interesting that Americans seem more concerned with Obama's speech to students than they are about the educational policies of the current and previous administration. People have sent me e-mails about the "indoctrination" and "brainwashing" Read More...
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2009 09 5

John Spencer

10 Comments

my book is available

So, I've been telling people awhile that it will be available soon. It's not on Amazon yet, but it's already available on Create Space. Print Version 9.50 Available At: CreateSpace - Buy It Amazon - Coming Soon! Read More...
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2009 09 4

John Spencer

3 Comments

why I'm not anonymous

Some of my favorite bloggers remain anonymous. I enjoy Brazen Teacher and It's Not All Flowers and Sausages. I understand the value of privacy and anonymity. It's why I don't have pictures of my sons and why I don't write about sex and why I'm careful Read More...
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2009 09 4

John Spencer

3 Comments

why I like Hayden and what that has to do with teaching

I popped in the Hayden Desser's In Field and Town cd for the first time in a month. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I placed Hayden on a deliberate sabbatical. It's just that I've been listening to the Sufjan Steven's Illinoise album and I've been on Read More...
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2009 09 2

John Spencer

0 Comments

don't assume that I get the summers off

I recently read this in an e-mail. It's from someone in the corporate sector who has no idea what it's like to be a teacher: It's Back to School time! I don't have any kiddos, but it's hard to miss the Back to School season...watching folks walk the isles Read More...
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2009 09 1

John Spencer

6 Comments