My computer is gross...and other teaching adventures.

I don't have time to clean it, but that's OK. Much more to do otherwise.

We are getting a class website! One of my students has eagerly volunteered to be in charge of this process (thanks, Liz!), and I'm hoping to utilize this as a way to get kids more interested in the content by using a mode they can relate to. Plus I think this will save us paper. I just ran off two days worth of assignments and papers for one of Brent's and one of my lessons. For mine, I'm just handing out the standard note sheet and an assignment. For his, I had to run off a story, an assignment, and a guide. That ends up being 910 pages just for those two days. That didn't even count the four paper jams and major screw-up on the copier's part.

I can't wait to have a website that I can use during class. I want to be able to upload my power points, have an assignments section, have a discussion point, maybe have a way students can submit assignments to me. We just have so much paper going around, and it's a pain to pass back, and the kids get sick of getting handouts. Of course, I will have to consider those who do not enjoy using the internet for everything, so I'll make it optional for them to turn things in on paper, and I can make assignments available on paper as well. Since 100% of my kids have internet access, I really don't see having to make too many accommodations. They also have access to the library during 7th hour, or during whatever hour they do not have class. They also have access before and after school.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my excitement about the prospect of a new class website.

Other stuff that's going on:

My kids rock. Even the ones who want to be really cool and act like they don't care find themselves eager to participate in amazing assignments, like the one from last Thursday. Brent split the group into 7 countries--Austria-Hungary, Soviets, Germany, Great Britain, France, U.S., and Serbia. On the first day, they had to get together and discuss their needs, and then they were supposed to make treaties with other countries, but keep secret who else they were in alliances/treaties with. Then on the second day, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated. Austria-Hungary wants to go to war, so the first move is put in the hands of Germany. They have to go based on their treaties. It was a really great activity, because each hour came up with something different. One hour came up with the "Fab Five," consisting of Serbia, US, France, GB, and the Soviets. Then Austria and Germany backed down. Class was over in 20 minutes. Another class carried on their treaty decisions for so long that we almost needed an extra day. We made webs for each class to show who was aligned and who was at war. In some cases, all countries were both aligned and fighting, due to the nature of their treaties. In other classes, everyone was attacking Germany.

Anyway, it was an activity that they'll remember for a long time, and I think it got them really fired up for the rest of the unit. (Note: this was before we had read or done anything pertaining to WWI.)