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Drunk Tetris

I'm sitting at a team meeting during my first year of teaching. In order to prove that we are "data-driven," (as opposed to say, "student-driven," which would be my preference) we sift through pages of graphs and charts, each with its own set of acronyms Read More...
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2010 02 8

John Spencer

6 Comments

meandering around the road blocks

"Mr. Spencer, I don't get it," a girl says pointing to her screen. I briefly review the research chart and she says, "So, why is that we have to find our answers online?" After reminding her of the need for research, she adds, "Why can't we just watch Read More...
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2010 02 1

John Spencer

8 Comments

broken mug

My thoughts on a coffee mug, my district and my own identity. You can also visit it at Internet Archive Read More...
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2010 01 25

John Spencer

9 Comments

a few crude metaphors

Our school is state-of-the art. Okay, it's more state-of-the-science in its layout and design. In order to run effeciently, the architects included a series of automated eco-friendly devices. While I am sure each device has helped reduce carbon emmisions, Read More...
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2010 01 18

John Spencer

10 Comments

why gardening taught me structure

When I began gardening, I assumed that I would become acquainted with the messy, organic reality of life. On some level, that's exactly what happened. I saw the mystery, the paradox and the confusion of growing life in an arid land. It humbled me. Yet, Read More...
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2010 01 4

John Spencer

5 Comments

my day in black and white

When I was in high school, I tried to argue my way out of an F on a test. It was a real lame attempt, based mostly on the fact that a failing test would mean I'd miss a cross-country meet (to most kids, running was a punishment). Me: Does math have to Read More...
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2009 12 13

John Spencer

4 Comments

story

you can't teach me if you don't know me I have my students for nine weeks at a time. It takes two weeks to learn the names. I speed-read each story and throw myself in for a moment. I'm a minor character, playing the role of the firm but fair often casual, Read More...
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2009 12 7

John Spencer

6 Comments

the hammer

Sometimes I get into these passionate places where I want people to grab a hammer. This morning, I felt this way when I drove past five spaces in the mural across from Trevor Brown High School, where they decided to censor it with a dull brown. I felt Read More...
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2009 11 30

John Spencer

3 Comments

staff as a family

We gather around the firewood in the midst of an urban enclave, pretending subconciously that we are cave dwellers or mountain people or anything other than inhabitants of cookie-cutter housing. It's an awkward assembly of couples. We range in age, from Read More...
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2009 11 16

John Spencer

4 Comments

postmodern McDonald's

About six months ago, they razed an older McDonald's near our neighborhood. In Phoenix, the term "old" can be applied to any building over twenty years. My guess is they had built the plastic wonderland in the early eighties. A few weeks later, they posted Read More...
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2009 11 9

John Spencer

0 Comments

postmodern McDonalds

About six months ago, they razed an older McDonalds near our neighborhood. In Phoenix, the term "old" can be applied to any building over twenty years. My guess is they had built the plastic wonderland in the early eighties. A few weeks later, they posted Read More...
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2009 11 9

John Spencer

0 Comments

subversive elevator music

All Things Alliterated is back. Here's a Metaphor Monday Arne Duncan sets up an elevator for me. We cram as many students into our mechanical box in a systematic Race to the Top. I'm relegated to a button pusher. At one time an elevator man had a place. Read More...
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2009 11 2

John Spencer

0 Comments

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

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

Monday Metaphor: Growth

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2009 09 14

John Spencer

0 Comments

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