This sounds like a push to have more time, but I can guarantee it will just be an extra hour of the same thing (stress and trying to get everything done and dealing with behavior and trying to get every last second of teaching time).  Or, 20 extra days of sort of the same thing.  Let’s face it, the last 20 or so days of school, teacher brains and student brains just aren’t in it like they were the rest of the year.

If you think about it, there’s a big problem with retention.  Sometimes they forget stuff you taught last week (or at least need a refresher).  It’s tough when they’re coming back after nearly 3 months.  The traditional year is what we’re all used to, but why stick with something just for the sake of not changing?

Here’s how San Diego schools worked 20 years ago when I was a student.  I can tell you that the teachers were happy, the kids were happy, and though we weren’t 100% issue free I’m sure, we kids were learning and rarely got tired of school.  We never had time for our brains to get worn out.  Why?

For one thing, year-round school.  Here’s how it worked:

1. Q1 (9 weeks)
2. Break (3 weeks)
3. Q2 (9 weeks)
4. Break (4 weeks)
5. Q3 (9 weeks)
6. Break (3 weeks)
7. Q4 (9 weeks)
8. Break (4 weeks)

There were of course extra days off for national holidays and Thanksgiving, and probably a teacher-parent conference day or two.

But that’s not all.  Part of the problem we have as teachers is that there just isn’t enough time in the day.  We have SO much paperwork–data to analyze for weekly reports, small groups to plan, progress monitoring, lesson plans, grading papers, calling parents.  Let’s not forget the copious amount of meetings, meetings, meetings.  Oh yes, and we have to teach somewhere in there, too.  I always remember my teachers in elementary school being so laid back and organized and just…not too stressed out.  Maybe they were good actors.  Or, maybe it was because every Thursday was a half day.  That’s right.  Once a week, teachers got paid to stay after school during their regular working hours and get stuff done. If we had extended days, that means most of us hard workers would end up being here until 7:00 at night trying to get stuff done.

So, here is my suggestion for giving teachers and students what they need.  Time!

Let Memphis City Schools have days extended by an hour.  Except, choose one day a week to shorten the school day considerably–by 2-3 hours.  Elementary school probably needs more as they have way more initiatives they are accountable for and perhaps not a whole lot of planning time in the first place.  In any case, you’re adding on 2-3 hours a week, but also giving teachers 2-3 hours a week to have TIME.  No time is lost, in fact, an hour or two is added to the week even with an abbreviated day.

What would make the deal sweeter?  Year-round school.  Just when everyone is ready to take a break, you get one.  Take some time off, then come back and get back to work.  Repeat.

Everyone feels like they have more time, lower the stress, help parents avoid nearly three straight months of all-day daycare costs, and voila.

Ah, new book smell. I just unwrapped my gift from ISTE, which I got for winning “Best Character Voices” in the Six Sounds Podcast contest. I’m very excited to crack this book open. It’s no easy task trying to be innovative when you’ve got 8-10 year old technology. We’re hoping to present ideas on how to work with clunker computers at our workshop at December’s Midsouth Technology Conference, so I’m looking forward to picking up some ideas from this book. I’ll have a review up soon!

Here is a link to his blog entry, where you can view a Youtube video in which he demonstrates his interactive whiteboard made with a Wii remote and an infrared pen.

Wiimote Whiteboard

We’ve got an edupunk-centered presentation coming up at the Midsouth Technology Conference, where Aaron will demonstrate the Wii remote whiteboard.  Be sure to come and see it!

North East Region of Sunderholm Detailed Map from RPGMapshare

Trying to get your students more involved in creative writing?  Understanding map concepts in social studies?  How about just looking for something creative that involves collaboration and critical thinking?

As a classroom teacher, I did an activity that involved map creation at least a couple times a year.  Whether it was a scenario for creating geographical and social structures for an imaginary community or giving students a nudge to start coming up with fictional story ideas–even making grid map reading challenges for classmates.  Most students seem to enjoy working with maps when you’re not asking them to color explorer routes of the 1500’s or find the latitude and longitude of Buenos Aires.

First, some map making/fantasy map gallery digital resources.  Although it seems like a lot of these are used for role-playing games (never did really get into those), they could have good application for the classroom.

Gozzy’s Cartographic Emporium

RPGMapMaker

Tavern Maker

Dungeons Unlimited: Maps and Mini-Grids

RPG Mapshare Gallery

University of Texas Historical Maps Library

Theban Mapping Project

Dungeonforge

Map Maker

Some possible activities:

1.  Starting with a map, create your own country.  Divide political boundaries, assign and name cities, rivers, mountain ranges, and lakes.  Note how the climate is different in some regions, and how that affects the people living there.  Write a historical timeline for the country.  Create and draw the currency used.  Describe current leaders and popular customs.  Design the most important national holiday and some traditions associated with it.  The list goes on for possibilities with this activity.

2.  (Great group activity) You and the people in your group have been stranded on an island.  You’ve explored and now know enough to design a map of the island.  Decide where the best area to build your shelter would be.  Specialize your group and decide which tasks of survival will be assigned to which group members.  Decide how you will protect your shelter from storms and wild animals.  Note on the map where resources like food, fresh water, and trees are located.  Create rules for the members of your group.  Using the map and creativity, work out a plan to keep some sort of signal visible in hopes of being seen by a passing boat or airplane, and get rescued.

3.  Design a map of an area.  It could be a forest, a space station, a city or town, a house, or even a cave.  As you begin to add details and name places or objects on your map, think about how a story could be placed in this setting.  Create a story that takes place in the setting you have created.

These are just a few ideas, but maps can be a starting point for some really meaningful and fun projects in class.  Of course, consider using digital mapping tools!

Thursday afternoon, I had computer club.  Though the kids had begged to play Secret Builders and put off our iMovie project until the next meeting, I was reluctant to nod and concede.  I had Family Tech night to plan for anyway, so it worked out.  But I finished the few last minute preparations and took some time to just listen and observe to all the hubbub in the lab.

“You ate all my food!” one of the girls shouts.

“You’re the one who unlocked your house…” Someone replies.

“That’s it.  I’m coming in and kicking y’all out!”  Laughter ensues.

It’s amazing to watch the kids absorbed in the digital world of Secret Builders.  Another student is hanging out in Mello Drama, where you might find Shakespeare walking around, ready for a quick, emoticon-filled chat.  Two boys are discussing the finer points of one of the strategy games.

“Who just turned me into a frog?” is a question I hear a lot.

I notice one girl sitting particularly quiet.  So, I naturally go and take a peek at what she is doing.  Humanities centered, it’s no surprise that Secret Builders has a romantic era, fancy story book that members can fill up with their own tales.  She is quietly typing away, about 300 words into a story she has titled, “The Fairy.”  Another of the quiet ones is absorbed in a game of chess.

I’m glad that I paused and watched them immersed in a digital world, but most interacting with each other at the same time.