tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116370882024-02-28T10:34:59.582-08:00The Oh No SecondThe amount of time it takes for Wile E.Coyote to realize he has just run off a cliff and must now plummet to earth.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-43569070624535293922011-06-22T10:46:00.000-07:002011-06-22T13:09:17.116-07:00LAUSD Cancels Aeronautics Electives<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHv6wCZbmNxX0BNmxRhTcXUYV_vmc3hbSnf-N9ZsYGDnn9c2yGdJCBEi3lNCxGQpck6JZpyJ0iJ4SKluy68l7FALDAXN2wcx2_TBsF8QIteLLDGvnide5xQVjrrnuzUFPiRbd8/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHv6wCZbmNxX0BNmxRhTcXUYV_vmc3hbSnf-N9ZsYGDnn9c2yGdJCBEi3lNCxGQpck6JZpyJ0iJ4SKluy68l7FALDAXN2wcx2_TBsF8QIteLLDGvnide5xQVjrrnuzUFPiRbd8/s320/IMG_3071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621125467730068050" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">The LAUSD district choose to cancel the aeronautics elective school wide on a day that USA Today ran a cover story about the urgent need for up to 500,000 pilots globally in the next twenty years. There are at least two aeronautics programs citywide that have shown great success.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">John Burroughs Middle School teacher, Charlie Unkeless, was taking his students into the wild blue yonder before his class was cancelled leaving over 200 enthusiastic students grounded in their overcrowded classrooms. </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Unkeless taught aeronautics and computer technology to 7th and 8th graders at John Burroughs Middle School. He used Microsoft Flight Simulators hooked up with a Joystick and a classroom PC. A creative teacher who delivers content in unique ways, Unkeless has seen his Aviation class become one of the most popular elective courses offered at Burroughs.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">The past and present Principal at his school both supported his methodology. New rules put in place recently by the district will not allow the principal to authorize him to continue teaching technology.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">In Unkeless’ own words:</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-left: 27pt; margin-right: 27pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“Students learn to fly a Cessna and read all the gauges. They keep portfolios and organize all their missions, journals, and worksheets. We take field trips to airports and study aviation history. It is a busy semester and the kids who sign up know my class is challenging but they are motivated and responsible students. Last year I arranged for my top students to fly a plane with a pilot instructor who donated her services.”</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Regarding the cancellation of his elective, the teacher adds:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; margin-left: 27pt; margin-right: 27pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">“Kurt Vonnegut couldn’t have dreamed up a more absurd situation. We need to create bridges to 21st century careers. The district is shortsighted and uninformed about what good things are actually happening in their classrooms.”</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Charlie Unkeless’ story is one of the faces that can be put on the current crisis at the L.A.U.S.D. It’s a powerful, moving story that adds a human dimension to one of today’s most vital issues.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><a href="http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/story/2011/06/Demand-for-airline-pilots-set-to-soar/48661596/1?csp=hf" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">USA Today - Demand for Airline Pilots Set To Soar</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-33748331126378140132011-04-03T15:32:00.000-07:002011-04-07T19:22:57.178-07:00There are a thousand stories in the naked city. . . . . and mine is just one.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3QlviMLxspgqTplytJA2fBOqqBSgTQfK_WGuzDLM_UD_y-SDmCLpg5-nBfFbrYnuArX-C0Vbzs6pRY-1dWATYofbiDic0VOuBUwTcsdODaSH62ehZ1-XC1444R4yH3n3u4kR/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3QlviMLxspgqTplytJA2fBOqqBSgTQfK_WGuzDLM_UD_y-SDmCLpg5-nBfFbrYnuArX-C0Vbzs6pRY-1dWATYofbiDic0VOuBUwTcsdODaSH62ehZ1-XC1444R4yH3n3u4kR/s320/IMG_0558.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591492643545372402" /></a><br />Charlie Unkeless<br />John Burroughs Middle School<br />Technology Lab and Aeronautics Instructor<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1gJAvX3N_LYZpHiQ9hnI-9kEWUHgqFfdPD3b1iklPRl4">Press Release</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Two weeks ago I received a Pink Slip along with 4500 other teachers in the LAUSD. I'm told that even if my RIF is rescinded, I won't be allowed back into the computer lab because the Principal will no longer be able to authorize my ability to teach technology. My credential is multi subject k-8, and I am deemed unqualified to teach a technology class.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Little History</b></div><br />In 2003 I was recruited to teaching by the LAUSD District Intern Program. This program offered me a chance to become fully credentialed after a three year internship. LAUSD was recruiting professionals who wanted to bring their life experiences into the classroom.<div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqMaqg2pYZ5CPU7sCo75YeidGWWdt7BJGpwgr6pHpBhWMPNJ9PiKi-Ym32wVyk3vnVoR1e3JBJa9SkvQ6pJkyNz1n_RzJQipbEiurDOI1Xj4oElnDOUbomlngwp97rua3qQOo/s1600/Boingo_SteveJennings-8bit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqMaqg2pYZ5CPU7sCo75YeidGWWdt7BJGpwgr6pHpBhWMPNJ9PiKi-Ym32wVyk3vnVoR1e3JBJa9SkvQ6pJkyNz1n_RzJQipbEiurDOI1Xj4oElnDOUbomlngwp97rua3qQOo/s400/Boingo_SteveJennings-8bit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591493068458475042" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br />I had been a lighting designer for Oingo Boingo, led by Danny Elfman, for 20 years before he disbanded the group. I also worked as a lighting designer and operator for other artists including Barry Manilow, INXS, Debbie Gibson, and radio station KROQ. These accounts required me to design elaborate lighting rigs using CAD software and operate them using complex computer controllers.</div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlYPl574pWMnMHR3KNH8NA_eBY-fCSLgQucspdEOSxxfIAk3lIZIL4s1A9Sfp_j80m6SB4Yf4Xn7DkWSdcm5NZ8j0Xi3HnQiwsITaVPPSnSSe4csTl_wK5io06AIMdqiKodUx/s1600/KROQ_previs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlYPl574pWMnMHR3KNH8NA_eBY-fCSLgQucspdEOSxxfIAk3lIZIL4s1A9Sfp_j80m6SB4Yf4Xn7DkWSdcm5NZ8j0Xi3HnQiwsITaVPPSnSSe4csTl_wK5io06AIMdqiKodUx/s400/KROQ_previs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593029463772774738" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>I became a PC nerd in 1985 with my first Commodore 64 , and went on to work on Mac’s, PC’s, and UNIX workstations as a computer graphics artist while continuing to design lighting systems. I was self taught and became and independent producer of animation for commercials and live events. By 1998, I was employed as a lighter, animator, and modeler for TV shows and movies and worked in that field for the next five years.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSZwPs6JLcplECDZTvXWzw5dN6qhfoMKFknOI2mtHkPuZunZsLzlFzZZvMFTgNla17DgebnxyUuBNPqnERvrhkH2_2AnlvtRxN46WGXlSZ3LJ0ybDZS8eAjpFwJye-f2hS8xU/s1600/RailCar.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSZwPs6JLcplECDZTvXWzw5dN6qhfoMKFknOI2mtHkPuZunZsLzlFzZZvMFTgNla17DgebnxyUuBNPqnERvrhkH2_2AnlvtRxN46WGXlSZ3LJ0ybDZS8eAjpFwJye-f2hS8xU/s400/RailCar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591493749259812914" /></a><br />At the age of 51, I decided that becoming a teacher was more attractive than being a freelance artist because I was always looking for the next production gig. A teachers salary isn’t great, but I also wanted health benefits and a path to a pension. It helped that I had a degree from UCSD and a good memory for math and science. I was deemed highly qualified.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>How hard could teaching be?</b></div><br />Well, it was plenty hard. Facing classes of 40 teenagers 5 times a day and delivering interesting and rigorous lessons is the most difficult and rewarding challenge I have ever faced, and I was good at it. I have been recognized by me peers and my administrators as a creative educator who delivers content in unique and creative ways.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy0-DT3KzEob9GBOBwpJIJ_AIcHSLW7rBVb-gENRPyE4pS0RxOhB5po8Wo_cWszBFZcDY-tSQzgDvxHp78MXL_F_p-YFRKPvN3nVrUJ0hWj5G0CqnZVagvjaKea_9xrFLEMHC/s1600/ScienceClass.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy0-DT3KzEob9GBOBwpJIJ_AIcHSLW7rBVb-gENRPyE4pS0RxOhB5po8Wo_cWszBFZcDY-tSQzgDvxHp78MXL_F_p-YFRKPvN3nVrUJ0hWj5G0CqnZVagvjaKea_9xrFLEMHC/s400/ScienceClass.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591493988264043970" /></a><br /><br />I was hired at John Burroughs Middle School to teach 6th grade math and science. I experimented with using flight simulators as an enrichment strategy to teach earth science. Since kids love video games, it offered me a chance to teach them a challenging kinesthetic skill, while embeding science, technology, engineering, math, and literacy standards all at the same time. For example, we studied the topographic maps and aerial photography of Mt. Shasta. Then my students would fly around the mountain sightseeing and making notes about the glaciers and landforms.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpjDPH1Iy3Xm-7dxYbVfH7Hg3JNr5J46ijbke1bklbJMVbxfa6q2Eh49ukDU99RfX8EHU_bItGaK9ZZGUIvBRRWNPuqwOn4WgXpzNneXd4o_jsYKe8B13aiMfza9GIuAh9_UW/s1600/Foss-Shasta.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpjDPH1Iy3Xm-7dxYbVfH7Hg3JNr5J46ijbke1bklbJMVbxfa6q2Eh49ukDU99RfX8EHU_bItGaK9ZZGUIvBRRWNPuqwOn4WgXpzNneXd4o_jsYKe8B13aiMfza9GIuAh9_UW/s400/Foss-Shasta.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591494261575407426" /></a><br /><br />I wrote a grant in 2007 and was funded by the California State Assembly to teach aeronautics as a career technical education course. My Principal signed an authorization to allow me to take over the computer lab at John Burroughs Middle School and teach aeronautics as an elective as well as an introductory computer course.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy3VDmMNUYK3V2UiMOafh5I1zAGQDSjcFlg_0u963EXakUppYqrgfxgOHf7pcZefMXkDw67wZQhHbI8wLL9zlhcD9w51RX7zTu_pJzRqUOCjAJYfDlGuWvj-lws2TGU4wqq_6/s1600/L1020301.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy3VDmMNUYK3V2UiMOafh5I1zAGQDSjcFlg_0u963EXakUppYqrgfxgOHf7pcZefMXkDw67wZQhHbI8wLL9zlhcD9w51RX7zTu_pJzRqUOCjAJYfDlGuWvj-lws2TGU4wqq_6/s400/L1020301.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591497138327343266" /></a><br /><br />However, the grant was underfunded and the lab contained 40 Windows 98 computers that were underpowered. In the last four years I have been the force that pushed for donations, grants, and a settlement from a Microsoft lawsuit to revitalize Room 230 into a great and productive lab. I put a lot of sweat and my own money into it as well.<br /><br />Now you may ask, “are you a pilot?” “No, I just play one in the classroom.” Actually, I have taken flying lessons and trained in flight simulators. My program was mentored by a pilot instructor who provided my initial syllabus. I use the Microsoft Flight Simulator hooked up to your average PC and away we go into the wild blue yonder. The kids love it and I am teaching 4 crowded classes this spring semester 2011. Students learn to fly a Cessna and read all the gauges. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPtSO_8PYQD6-5s309_y1411xdQpt2KLY5ujMo58hinRzQXAjNl1qBdpuJPIC79jSjgPbsFWW7QqHGdWwRKIKK1fmiVqgP37SwxN0htmjUw8DtLQtpJ6JveAJTSL1pcjyDlKg/s1600/IMG_0550.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPtSO_8PYQD6-5s309_y1411xdQpt2KLY5ujMo58hinRzQXAjNl1qBdpuJPIC79jSjgPbsFWW7QqHGdWwRKIKK1fmiVqgP37SwxN0htmjUw8DtLQtpJ6JveAJTSL1pcjyDlKg/s400/IMG_0550.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591496071235905330" /></a><br /><br />They keep portfolios and organize all their missions, journals, and worksheets.</div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eO7t654eULylGw8-0AhthUM5vZRiA5bu71ZGJxgHXUMhAcHAZiIQdK9UAo5ncSdnjPsQbG-6bdgOSoe82048lBEnMRfXw1KDb_Vp-MUyCA8TWILspOtu-9eRp6IvJoM3mGwb/s1600/IMG_4736.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eO7t654eULylGw8-0AhthUM5vZRiA5bu71ZGJxgHXUMhAcHAZiIQdK9UAo5ncSdnjPsQbG-6bdgOSoe82048lBEnMRfXw1KDb_Vp-MUyCA8TWILspOtu-9eRp6IvJoM3mGwb/s400/IMG_4736.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591494647045476946" /></a><br /><br />We take field trips to airports and study aviation history.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_uuaNWi3zV9dTRoNesZ5O1AOKplf9SnUoEwg3U3IosUP4F-2EtGJBnXi0wsvS287NUpJ1V1kIUJlsT1_H65yK7miXI5sdD9n1D4WX-O4MYvBBUyUKeo8eR0YIwJ8G06Hmq3j/s1600/John+Burroughs+Middle+School+Global+Hawk+Picture.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_uuaNWi3zV9dTRoNesZ5O1AOKplf9SnUoEwg3U3IosUP4F-2EtGJBnXi0wsvS287NUpJ1V1kIUJlsT1_H65yK7miXI5sdD9n1D4WX-O4MYvBBUyUKeo8eR0YIwJ8G06Hmq3j/s400/John+Burroughs+Middle+School+Global+Hawk+Picture.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591495576857947570" /></a><br /><br />They develop note-taking skills, write summaries, and reflections about their experiences. It is a busy semester and the kids who sign up know my class is challenging but they are motivated and responsible students. Last year I arranged for my top students to fly a plane with a pilot instructor who donated her services.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3n2GUzkDl6ZqGsqN35LkVJXP_jJ6e6bw2CtECixjLgCGHgChl9pn0JFcJKzRgux3YGpE4SCnWelZZve4jgzagXeMGHVUgwZeCKROV3M-ejNKgcAmlUbqwRedwsr0q4pKLGFi/s1600/IMG_3070.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3n2GUzkDl6ZqGsqN35LkVJXP_jJ6e6bw2CtECixjLgCGHgChl9pn0JFcJKzRgux3YGpE4SCnWelZZve4jgzagXeMGHVUgwZeCKROV3M-ejNKgcAmlUbqwRedwsr0q4pKLGFi/s400/IMG_3070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591494464637883602" /></a><br /><br />What kind of culture would throw away the value I have added to my school? I feel like a character caught between Catch 22 and 1984. These cutbacks will affect class size, curriculum and damage the future of our children. Does, “value added,” only apply to the metric created to judge student performance based upon standardized test scores? Do these tests encourage innovative thinking or are they just a scorecard in a multiple guessing game that we have been relying on since the IBM punch card era?<br /><br />Mine is one of the stories in the naked city and it's breaking my heart to be thrown out of a classroom which I worked so hard to revitalize. I’m sad for our children whose experiences will be diminished by overcrowding, over-testing, and a lack of opportunities to take enriching courses that support their core subjects.</div></div></div></div></div>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-14426986682253289682010-08-06T22:27:00.000-07:002010-08-06T22:31:23.734-07:00Samba meets Jazz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUA8X5MSJu9gfXvlyrGjlw-MVEqB0RnehO4o1FT122dQZIeHrgHi6fjgMHb0LJ7XrxQOzNv0EGaBi9nsKdnqe9HkT3jGWWNMsLARcArH6O-oJEWEHXLFWM4wEwkLZBF0Jf_6Ii/s1600/IMG_3335.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502536027591939250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUA8X5MSJu9gfXvlyrGjlw-MVEqB0RnehO4o1FT122dQZIeHrgHi6fjgMHb0LJ7XrxQOzNv0EGaBi9nsKdnqe9HkT3jGWWNMsLARcArH6O-oJEWEHXLFWM4wEwkLZBF0Jf_6Ii/s200/IMG_3335.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The fabulous Bill McHenry take a great solo at the concert Friday night, August 6.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-24373230675398485092010-07-28T07:31:00.000-07:002010-07-28T09:00:28.077-07:00Sigraph Show LA - July 28<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/Av6y" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BQC1dQrsPk4/TFA7iWGFfrE/AAAAAAAALu8/mesdk1JBf5A/s160-c/SigraphShowLAJuly28.jpg" /></a><div>Michael E. Goss, software engineer for Google, demonstrating Building Maker at the Sigraph show in Los Angeles July 27.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;"><div>Howdy,</div><div><br /></div>Charlie Reporting from the Sigraph show in Los Angeles this week.<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charlie.unk/SigraphShowLAJuly28?feat=directlink" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(119, 153, 187); ">Picasa Gallery from Sigraph</a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Sigraph is the yearly compendium of everything in visual computing including scientific, game, and special effects graphics. It was held in Los Angeles this year, only a couple of miles from my house. I could only wander the show for a day but Google had a booth. I met Michael Goss, software engineer for Google, who demonstrated,"Building Maker." What fun my 7th and 8th graders are going to have constructing buildings in Los Angeles. The area in which sets of oblique photos allow for the wrapping of geometry matches where most of my kids live. There are many other cities where the oblique views allow construction using the simple and intuitive tools Google has provided. Bravo!</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Check out Google's building maker: <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/buildingmaker" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(119, 153, 187); ">http://sketchup.google.com/<wbr>3dwarehouse/buildingmaker</a></div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/buildingmaker" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(119, 153, 187); "></a>I also talked with another engineer from Google who was showing a real time OpenGL web render which looked like melting chocolate. Kids can grab the source code, modify the parameters and create special effects while learning some code.</div><div><br /></div><div>I met Walt Disney's talent development supervisor, Deb Stone, about mentoring and providing guidance to my middle school students. Living in Los Angeles in proximity to animation studios, special effects boutiques, scientific institutions and such should give them exposure to 21st century career opportunities and goals. Rhythm and Hues, Blue Sky, Pixar, and Autodesk have booths as well. </div><div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charlie.unk/SigraphShowLAJuly28?feat=embedwebsite">Sigraph Show LA - July 28</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I stopped by the exhibit galleries and took some photos of inexpensive rapid prototyping machines build with Arduino microboards by the Makerbot community. To quote their site, "</span><span style="line-height: 21px; "><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A</span></span></span><span style="line-height: 21px; "><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">rduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It's intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments." </span></span><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This is fantastic stuff and they are doing it really inexpensively. The prototyping machine takes models created in cg programs and turns them into real objects. Jay Leno was profiled recently because he make plastic parts for his classic cars that are unavailable anywhere else. We need this stuff in our schools! Kids should be building machines that are run with microprocessor controls. It is not that expensive but I have encountered so much resistance by administrators so I better not hold my breath.</span></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 21px; "><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.arduino.cc/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(119, 153, 187); ">http://www.arduino.cc/</a><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>There are many vendors of books and dvds there and I bought a documentary on Syd Mead, a futurist visionary, who among other things created the concept sketches for Blade Runner. He was at the show and signed a poster for me and the insert to the dvd. I am starting a new computing class in the fall and plan to show the documentary to all my students. I also stocked up on books about <a href="http://www.blender.org/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(119, 153, 187); ">Blender</a>, my favorite Open Source 3D animation software. </div><div><br /></div><div>Freely distributable open source programs like SketchUp, Gimp, Blender, Open Office, and cloud programs like Google Docs, and Sumopaint are available and wonderfully robust. The tools are sharp and we really need to step up our game to give kids the introduction to the world of visual computing. </div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyxYQK6w2-1aApSnJ9qLSeV4NUGUMBeogF1eNOThLUo8ZFUUE4KAYco2tZ6mYLb7rP_JxnkSIihwaY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-87746808705542018512010-07-20T10:14:00.000-07:002010-07-20T11:18:56.667-07:00Storm over the North Rim<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/BhdV" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim36ctc5OFNPcg7kJS2iPUDU3RRTnV8M7i7cCM14f1ZBLir73JOQeEWJGviIrBoSsazWdpCLvN8v9-3hB5B7axKD2QE2tlggyO0ONrlsT_c0xWIm7l6Mh20_c7MQDKJ5dAxQ-d/s512/IMG_3123-Ver%202.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Rain curtains over the North Rim of the Grand Canyon shimmer and undulate with the afternoon light.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-31006065121766264142010-03-13T05:55:00.000-08:002010-03-13T05:58:29.460-08:00Best Practices Conference<iframe src="http://docs.google.com/present/embed?id=dcbbjd64_133fh3863dq&interval=30" frameborder="0" width="410" height="342"></iframe>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-6017921414479509722009-02-10T04:36:00.000-08:002009-02-10T04:38:40.057-08:00Kinesthetic Learning<iframe src='http://docs.google.com/EmbedSlideshow?docid=dcbbjd64_25c3fx9kf9' frameborder='0' width='410' height='342'></iframe>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-57322533524298240582009-01-21T09:21:00.000-08:002009-01-21T09:22:08.296-08:00President Obama's InagurationJohn Burroughs Middle School celebrated the Inaguration of our new American President, Barack Obama, in a festive mood during a 1st period assembly.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymBVamNIw5WRxyNaBb_iSmR4dZTYbTqTIcLzvWfKB4SduNRPIN68GHvk8DPRMCyD4Oa3HyWXOAf3p8i713YVfRJQ33SZ-ue3g7uXsfxbsVApUG2ILnYwo-54mLcRz86z-OweK/s1600-h/IMG_1013-Balcony.jpg"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymBVamNIw5WRxyNaBb_iSmR4dZTYbTqTIcLzvWfKB4SduNRPIN68GHvk8DPRMCyD4Oa3HyWXOAf3p8i713YVfRJQ33SZ-ue3g7uXsfxbsVApUG2ILnYwo-54mLcRz86z-OweK/s400/IMG_1013-Balcony.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style="clear:both; text-align:LEFT"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-66784178865101518452009-01-19T11:52:00.000-08:002009-01-19T12:16:58.786-08:00Eulogy for a Clown Fish<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5kPGOb8hK5CbhNvZzFdbWwle8JqUvUfb05U9kmKKTqfoYZIYSHYBw1k_NkUpAnrrTHiPK49JoJLDzoWMIQxC_ges-fGtUaXQmeKlEN5h7ViaoCV4S5ciWqZLlViNilaewQdM/s1600-h/Clown-Dec2008_lores.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5kPGOb8hK5CbhNvZzFdbWwle8JqUvUfb05U9kmKKTqfoYZIYSHYBw1k_NkUpAnrrTHiPK49JoJLDzoWMIQxC_ges-fGtUaXQmeKlEN5h7ViaoCV4S5ciWqZLlViNilaewQdM/s400/Clown-Dec2008_lores.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293099950415968178" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charlie.unk/Aquarium?feat=directlink">The aquarium album</a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><div><br /></div>Her life was lived in the dimension of 48 inches by 18 inches by 15 inches, the confines of a 60 gallon aquarium. I purchased her in 1989 to grace my new salt water tank along with a rose anemone. In the intervening 19 years, she grew, and along with her, my rose anemone cloned itself into 28 separate beings. I learned a few years ago that these so called Clown Fish, (<span class="misspell" suggestions="Prensa,Primness,Primeness,Pren's,Preens">Premnas</span> <span class="misspell" suggestions="backseats,nucleates,circulates,Cletus,bleats">biaculeatus</span>), could breed in captivity so I bought her a companion. She was too old by that time to reproduce but they were compatible.<br /><br /><br />Also known as the spine cheeked anemone fish, these fascinating animals are immune from the sting of the rose colored anemone and wiggle, writhe, and finally relax as they sleep inside their hosts. One day I saw the anemone seem to tear itself asunder and there were two complete animals. Astonished, I consulted every aquarium book I could muster and learned that they clone themselves into colonies that dominate rock shelves in the <span class="misspell" suggestions="In do,In-do,Undo,Ind,Info">Indo</span>-Pacific ocean. I have seen them on my scuba diving trips to Thailand and in the Red Sea. Their strategy may be to maximize the stinging power of the individuals on the outside of the colony and the reproducing power of the individuals in the center in order to expand their territory. Nevertheless, I started plucking excess anemones from the tank and selling them to the aquarium store.<br /><br /><br />She and the remaining anemones prospered and I imagined that she picked a different anemone from her harem each night to rest with. In the last year she had grown visibly older and several times seemed to be nearing the end. She died on Christmas Day, when I was on holiday in Thailand and my friend, Gail, who had offered to feed and care for the tank found her on the bottom. The cleaner shrimp who normally offers his service to remove parasites and clean the detritus, was feasting unselfconsciously on her remains. Gail removed her from the tank and saying a short eulogy gave her a proper send off.<br /><br /><br />Her character was very clown fish-<span class="misspell" suggestions="sh,is,Ash,ash,Gish">ish</span> like. They tend to be belligerent, territorial, and, as a result, you have to pick the other residents of the tank carefully in order to preserve the peace. I love the other denizens including the brittle star, hermit crabs, six line wrasse, sand sifter <span class="misspell" suggestions="go by,go-by,gob,Oby,Gaby">goby</span>, yellow <span class="misspell" suggestions="go by,go-by,gob,Oby,Gaby">goby</span>, cleaner shrimp, mussel, snails, the small clown fish, and of course the remaining eleven rose anemones. Life in the tank is not easy but she lived a far longer life than any clown fish I have ever heard about and I will miss her.<br /><br /><br /></span>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-87567972362181463882009-01-18T09:04:00.000-08:002009-01-19T10:22:54.789-08:00A Teachable Moment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2009/01/15/plane-wing-ny-cp-584-609496.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 2px 2px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 328px;" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2009/01/15/plane-wing-ny-cp-584-609496.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br />I suppose it was fortunate that I was teaching aeronautics to middle school kids when a teachable moment arrived with the quick thinking and heroic actions of a veteran pilot. New Yorkers have been in the midst of a funk about the collapse of the financial industry and the tales of scurrilous advisers who sank their portfolios, so it was good that they could rejoice in a momentary miracle. Captain Sullenberg's great skill and experience along with fate allowed him to ditch his airplane in the Hudson River. As it happened, two ferries, engines running and ready to go, plucked the 155 survivors off the wings of that sinking airplane, and the captain, checking the aisles one last time was the last to leave the ship.<br /><br />We all need teachable moments. My students, needing a way to understand how valuable their skills could be in a time of crisis, saw how good judgment and experience could avert a terrible disaster. Flying a plane is challenging and you may only have a short time to react when your engines ingest multiple geese and all power is lost. Reason must triumph over fear if lives are to be saved.<br /><br />Jonah Lehrer published an excellent article in the Los Angeles Times in which he talks about a pilot’s, "deliberate calm," a phrase he equates with metacognition. Teachers learn this concept in their training as showing students how to be self reflective. Mr. Lehrer suggests that, "the crucial variable is the ability to balance visceral emotions against a more rational and deliberate thought process."<br /><br /></span> <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2009/01/capt_sully_and_deliberate_calm.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Link to Jonah Lehrer Blog</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br />We have to engage our students and put them in the moment when they have to make quick decisions based upon training and skill and show them how to triumph over fear. The simulators in my classroom are one good teaching tool but every teacher can take this moment and find a way to motivate students to call upon the, "better angels of our nature."<br /><br />I'm planning a mission for my students where I put them at 3000 feet over Santa Monica Bay and turn off the engines in their Cessna 172 simulators. They will need to calculate their rate of vertical descent and come in for a glider landing at the nearest regional airport.<br /><br /></span> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charlie.unk/GlidersAndAeronautics?feat=directlink"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Aeronautics Class</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br />We may never be tested like Captain Sullenberger but that doesn't mean we can't emulate his, "deliberate calm," and act like real pilots.</span>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-12472015942444216662008-11-20T11:26:00.001-08:002009-01-18T16:04:38.711-08:00School Board Letter<span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">D</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ear School Board and concerned citizens,</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I want to address my concerns about the way the Microsoft settlement has been handled by our school district.</span></span></p><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A little over one y</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ear ago, I entered my new middle school classroom and beheld 40 Windows 98 desktops purchased </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">in 1999. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I had been teaching 6th grade math and science the previous four years using multiple strategies including technology to further students' understanding of Earth Science. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I wrote a proposal to teach an aeronautics unit as a full elective, and California's State Assembly awarded me a small grant to buy computers, flight yokes, software, and books.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I subsequently agreed to teach technology full time, not quite aware of how poorly my room was equipped.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I began teaching one class in Aeronautics and four crowded classes of Introduction to Computers to 7th and 8th grade students in the Fall of 2007. I managed to replace seventeen of the Windows 98 desktops by the end of December 2007, but struggled with the mix of operating systems, cranky networks, and no IT support. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I paid over a thousand dollars for technical support out of my own pocket to keep my room running.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">During the Spring of 2008 I attended the Computer Using Educators (CUE) Conference and became aware of the Microsoft Settlement which had awarded $250,000,000 dollars in vouchers to California's public schools for technology. Over $35,000,000 dollars of that amount was designated for the LAUSD. The lawsuit and settlement were finalized in during the Fall of 2006, a full year and a half earlier.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I lobbied to get our byzantine and chain bound bureaucracy to use these vouchers for their intended purpose.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I reached out with e-mails, meetings and calls to district officials and administrators. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I got nowhere.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I realized that I had little voice against the bureaucratic hierarchy which in subtle ways effectively silenced me.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then Evelyn Larrubia wrote her excellent article for the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/26/local/me-schooltech26"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Los Angeles Times</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> on October 26, 2008, and things started to shake loose.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is apparent that many school districts have not developed plans to use the vouchers. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Most of the parents, teachers, and administrators I have talked with were not even aware of the settlement. Only through media oversight followed by citizen action has this waste of resources come to light.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It has become even more difficult in this time of economic crisis to upgrade antiquated equipment, get support and service, teacher training for technology, and new software that the vouchers would reimburse. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All monies have been unilaterally frozen. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The facts are that these vouchers can fund the purchase of software, hardware, and ed tech training.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I came from the private sector to teaching only five years ago having worked in a highly visible and technology savvy industry. I love teaching and feel that I have a gift for being an educator. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This waste of resources is heartbreaking to me.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I urge the district to take action and work quickly to implement the settlement. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Regards, </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Charlie Unkeless</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Computer Lab Instructor</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">John</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Burroughs Middle School</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Los Angeles</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, California</span></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><p></p></span>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-74163158640406079292007-07-09T09:06:00.000-07:002007-07-09T09:19:31.164-07:00Work<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88bQV2XIyILxgJLehbssK5L0zoElf6X-nZTs9klXB70o1L12tRCfng2P30il2FMVVIvVqmxA-TWineDdA-OmTQF78mc69F28MKqNhuHzq0IbAJmmPgOkAyurLnz36IDjMofLK/s1600-h/merry_go_round_fair_400.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88bQV2XIyILxgJLehbssK5L0zoElf6X-nZTs9klXB70o1L12tRCfng2P30il2FMVVIvVqmxA-TWineDdA-OmTQF78mc69F28MKqNhuHzq0IbAJmmPgOkAyurLnz36IDjMofLK/s400/merry_go_round_fair_400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085232460697785666" /></a><br /><br /><br />Work is Great!<br />There is just too darn much of it.<br /><br />I reflect upon this thought while relaxing during my summer break. I am blissfully able to sleep late, indulge myself in idle pursuit, and follow my muse for a few weeks before I start the new semester.<br /><br />To be sure, I love teaching but it strikes me that there is never a good balance between the demands placed upon us and the time we need just to be ourselves. The last year seemed like a whirl of events, deadlines, grading, meetings, and filling out forms. <br /><br />Stop the merry-go-round, I wanna get off.<br /><br />Thankfully, we have summer break and I feel renewed or will after I spend some weeks camping in the wild of Colorado and resetting my internal safety valve.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-91818737384720052052007-07-04T03:16:00.000-07:002007-07-04T03:25:06.216-07:00Los Angeles by Moonlight<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="400" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fcharlie.unk%2Falbumid%2F5081539995709035041%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charlie.unk/DowntownLA_06_28_07">Link to Picasa Web Albums</a><br /><br />I went out last week during a nearly full moon to photograph the backside of Downtown Los Angeles. Accompanying me were two Italian friends, Dario and Federico. We used tripods to steady the cameras and long exposures to capture the light which is why some of the exposures look like, "Day for Night."Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-5363769986973612442007-06-20T16:50:00.000-07:002007-06-22T10:55:46.717-07:00The Class of Tomorrow<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNEd4fN-XMsF-r0eFceZF6M6diClE6ZymQtLM4HAw4NjfdYSbt5qN2668GdosKoKcUVnbv2Au6DzREKypJ3QGwfejM8SrPak7eA851-I4PsiJlBgFQUXP-LtD5Cq718LWvxHm/s1600-h/ClassoftheFuture.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNEd4fN-XMsF-r0eFceZF6M6diClE6ZymQtLM4HAw4NjfdYSbt5qN2668GdosKoKcUVnbv2Au6DzREKypJ3QGwfejM8SrPak7eA851-I4PsiJlBgFQUXP-LtD5Cq718LWvxHm/s400/ClassoftheFuture.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div> <p class="MsoNormal">My 6th grade class ended their school year today. We viewed Spy Kids 3-D with anaglyphic glasses during which we all consumed far too much sugar and salt. Next year I will supply more fruit and veggies. Letting the kids provide lunch was a bit of a mistake.<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After wreaking havoc, signing each other’s yearbooks, and playing games, we cleaned the classroom. <span style=""> </span>I sat them down and quieted them for the last five minutes of the school year.<br />I spoke quietly to them about what the year had meant.</p><p class="MsoNormal">“This is your last moment as sixth graders. <span style=""> </span>My doors are now a time portal through which you will pass into the future. Think about how you came here and what you have accomplished and reflect on its’ meaning to you. This room and your place in it will never be the same again.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>All this was delivered while the overture from Scheherazade played through I-Tunes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Their eyes got wide and we all looked at each other and I felt they had understood what I meant. I must admit that I was a little fahklempt as I gazed at their wonderful silent faces. <span style=""> </span>The bell rang and they jumped up and ran for the door wishing me a great summer with whoops and cheers.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Oh well. They were a great group of kids and I will really treasure all the experiences this year brought to us.</p> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-36777560557159740292007-06-15T16:04:00.000-07:002007-06-15T16:08:41.945-07:00Read Write Web - The Malachite Maze<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqPoOlAv4-kv-6z74IN6012nx-lV6VVrTfGqh8FFn6B6pW-gqi277QYNmCsO06Gn4a6xhKvxHfy2WQrw7MP5bqAlEExUDWpHd57A_aVBYX4R7G2mSiwa-tOVjC0dj-QshXhJm/s1600-h/L1010898.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqPoOlAv4-kv-6z74IN6012nx-lV6VVrTfGqh8FFn6B6pW-gqi277QYNmCsO06Gn4a6xhKvxHfy2WQrw7MP5bqAlEExUDWpHd57A_aVBYX4R7G2mSiwa-tOVjC0dj-QshXhJm/s400/L1010898.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />I have come to the end of my class on the Read/Write web. We've covered a lot of topics in the last six weeks and I feel that I have barely scrached the surface. Everywhere I turn there is another curve or whirl that draws me hither or yon. I don't mind though. It is like the surface of my desk at school. It looks a mess but I can usually find what I'm looking for.<br /><br />I am excited about the possibilities of merging my math, science, and elective curriculum with new media tools. They offer greater possibilites for content, exploration, and expression for both my students and myself.<br /><br />I have enjoyed publishing a <a href="http://charlie.unk.googlepages.com/alight">web page</a>, blog, and several <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/b36classroom">groups</a>. I subscribed to a <a href="http://del.icio.us">social network</a>, <a href="http://reader.google.com/">news aggregator</a>, and several other organizations that can assist me with content, grants, and other help.<br /><br />Will I continue to blog.<br /><br />You bet!!!<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-15528217578473966882007-06-13T15:41:00.000-07:002007-06-13T20:10:33.993-07:00Greek Technology<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVzNQDoU6UnawqhD9HuvIPKOqc__-s16tjzMVTD6w4r_64Jl9kT5-AH48UH1shAsZNwi9Ahc7VB-N9vruxjf1vv9BiqC_S85uz1cW-eD3ruvj3sA8GT1GSUuPnbrH24-oGqw_/s1600-h/L1010954.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVzNQDoU6UnawqhD9HuvIPKOqc__-s16tjzMVTD6w4r_64Jl9kT5-AH48UH1shAsZNwi9Ahc7VB-N9vruxjf1vv9BiqC_S85uz1cW-eD3ruvj3sA8GT1GSUuPnbrH24-oGqw_/s400/L1010954.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://www.getty.edu/art/index.html">Parsing the knowledge</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here we see proof of ancient technology at work as a young Greek girl shows her mother how to use a laptop. Of course the operating system was different but the tools were the same.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-3806527518552228162007-06-11T10:03:00.000-07:002007-06-11T10:59:59.780-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECVI9-X9DXmpOhpOx0NR_8tFKfRCVUWhz-vP6T-LNLGVYVzNMEHeWZ_uYQlHBgLeZdwu8vJ_TtdYt18VcfYcbCuu6K4JTtl9LUfcwFrpyZKtKj_IDA-r1i7Q5yeC7tQh5boQx/s1600-h/Lion.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECVI9-X9DXmpOhpOx0NR_8tFKfRCVUWhz-vP6T-LNLGVYVzNMEHeWZ_uYQlHBgLeZdwu8vJ_TtdYt18VcfYcbCuu6K4JTtl9LUfcwFrpyZKtKj_IDA-r1i7Q5yeC7tQh5boQx/s400/Lion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074867160432318210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style=""><br />Page Museum Field Trip and Study<br />June 4, 2007</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="">Final Questions<br /> Subject - Biodiversity, habitat destruction, resource use and global warming<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=""><span style="">1.<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style="">What kinds of changes were taking place in North America as the Ice Age was ending?</span><br /><br /><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style="">What were the causes of extinction in southern California during the last Ice Age? How were the Ice Age extinctions different from what happened to the dinosaurs 65 million years ago?<br /></span><span style=""></span></span><span style="font-size:14;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />3. How does our use of petroleum known as fossil fuel affect our environment?<br /><br />4. How would global warming affect the survival of species alive today? How would humans be affected? </span><br /></span>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-37512667683660589152007-06-08T12:08:00.000-07:002007-06-08T22:25:25.373-07:00Page Museum - Megafauna Mystery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmvPqZfRrSZkxePRGyssXEDmd1eK42oFfyTkHcZTTieBZatToUS4Uz7mT1QHWkucMOajh0A_zyStO2Psc8qABFxWyGM8nD8qh7U_myXsWiJpkSfS_angExg3yJd1E2Jfv_icj/s1600-h/SmilodonSkull-web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmvPqZfRrSZkxePRGyssXEDmd1eK42oFfyTkHcZTTieBZatToUS4Uz7mT1QHWkucMOajh0A_zyStO2Psc8qABFxWyGM8nD8qh7U_myXsWiJpkSfS_angExg3yJd1E2Jfv_icj/s400/SmilodonSkull-web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073780568066168130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our research from the field trip is almost done. The kids are editing a variety of documents and I expect to finish next week.<br /><br />I have uploaded the files from student's cameras and posted the photos at our <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charlie.unk/PageMuseum2007">Picasaweb</a> site.<br /><br />Some of their group writing work is on posted on <a href="http://unkelwiki.pbwiki.com/">unkelwiki</a><br /><br />Other students are using <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/b36classroom/files">power point</a> or word documents to edit and we will make them available at the <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/b36classroom">Classroom</a> group. I have not been able to get them all G-mail accounts yet.<br /><br />One enterprising group has recorded a <a href="http://b36classroom.googlegroups.com/web/Page-Podcast-leah.mp3">podcast</a><br /><br /><br />This is really fun for them and I wish you could see my class.<br /><br />They are on fire.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-27664371425294474142007-06-06T13:42:00.000-07:002007-06-06T20:59:06.234-07:00Professional Development<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Wow, that was a tough crowd.</span><br /><img style="font-family: arial;" src="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=11637088&postID=2766437142529447414" alt="" /><br /><div style="padding: 1em 0pt; text-align: left; font-family: arial;"><img src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dcbbjd64_4gckpp8f3" height="343" width="275" /></div><a style="font-family: arial;" title="Unhappy people" href="http://photomediamagazineonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/JG-monkeysuitff.jpg">I wanna be someplace else</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Chang Lee, one of my colleagues, and I presented a development meeting about using Google search, docs, and spreadsheets. We started with a video about a 16th century gentlemen who is having trouble operating a book and calls the help desk.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" title="Introducing the book" href="http://www.devilducky.com/media/57946/">Introducing the book</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Some teachers continued to grade papers and talk while others just sat stone faced during the film. I got more laughs from my 6th graders who viewed this video. There were some teachers of course who were engaged and joined the John Burroughs group.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The group, </span><a style="font-family: arial;" title="Burroughs-ms" href="http://groups.google.com/group/burroughs-ms">Burroughs-ms</a><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > </span><span style="font-family:arial;">, will help to assist teachers implement technology and establish a culture of collaboration. Chang talked about the use of Docs. We both emphasized the variety and flexibility of the tools, they are no cost to students or faculty, and posed some ideas on how to connect content and rigor to these programs.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I also started a classroom group for my students and they were very excited.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" title="My Classroom" href="http://groups.google.com/group/b36classroom?hl=en">My Classroom</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This is only the beginning. I'm thinking about next semester and how to start off using the read-write web. Gaining the trust and support of teachers to allow students to learn and collaborate in this new environment is truly a challenge.</span>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-7582351963667266512007-06-02T07:55:00.000-07:002007-06-02T16:58:07.798-07:00Professional DevelopmentMarcia Tate, according to my notes, once said that professional development meetings are like flocks of seagulls. Presenters fly in, drop a load, and leave.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVkjvBYyT9OTyLZI_QHREoBovk-P6qSGoGygRi9CK9-r0qqb0leoJhv1U8AoQ7vOMWlpUmzL5wIe8COnhJzM0VCiJgiS0vftpzV_DJfCGnkvPIPO6VK-SpXM2rbRSWi57DGRV/s1600-h/seagull-420.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVkjvBYyT9OTyLZI_QHREoBovk-P6qSGoGygRi9CK9-r0qqb0leoJhv1U8AoQ7vOMWlpUmzL5wIe8COnhJzM0VCiJgiS0vftpzV_DJfCGnkvPIPO6VK-SpXM2rbRSWi57DGRV/s320/seagull-420.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071620397618035586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.atpm.com/9.03/california/seagull.shtml">Look out!</a><br /></div><br />Ms. Tate is the famous teacher and development specialist who contrary to her metaphor, provided one of the most inspiring workshops in my recent teacher training.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.developingmindsinc.com/biography.htm">Developing Minds</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I am scheduled to deliver PD's in the coming weeks and I want to make a positive impact with the tools I am learning. My real challenge is to make the tools work for me and figure out how to teach others to take and adapt what works for them<br /><br />More to follow.<br /></div></div>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-7663422836338659882007-05-28T11:27:00.000-07:002007-05-28T16:41:00.076-07:00Who is the Decider-erI have decider-ed that I don't want to be only decision making-er in my classroom.<br /><br />Well actually, I don't mind making decisions but it seems to me that more effective learning situations are a combination of leadership and collaboration.<br /><br />I was engaged in a discussion yesterday with some friends about our political deciders and we all had a bleak viewpoint about the current state of affairs.<br /><br />I have come to hear more and more grumbling about the way this administration has trampled people who didn't agree with the Decider-er. Citizens from both parties are incensed and disgruntled with the supression of dissent and narrow mindedness of our leadership.<br /><br />What kind of example have we set for our citizens over the last 6 years? Is it time for a change?<br /><br />I'd love to hear some comments.Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-12288633757361591062007-05-25T10:57:00.000-07:002007-05-25T16:39:45.366-07:00Google for Educators<p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="4">I attended the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Google</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Teacher</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Academy</st1:placetype></st1:place> for the last two days and it was a truly enlightening and transforming experience for me. </font><font style="" size="4"> </font><font size="4">I heartily encourage any teacher to get involved and learn to use the tool set that Google has developed.<br /><o:p> </o:p></font></p> <p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="4"><a href="http://www.google.com/educators/index.html">Google for Educators</a><br /></font></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="4"><o:p> </o:p></font></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="4">The tools are great and they enable educators, scholars, and students to share ideas, collaborate, and build networks of content that can give us real power to change the way our educational bureaucracy functions. </font><font size="4"><o:p><br /></o:p></font></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="4">Many people pay lip service advocating teaching our students 21<sup>st</sup> century skills, but Google is putting the rubber to the road.</font></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="4"><o:p> </o:p><br />I am eager to put my leather on the pavement to help them.</font></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="4"><o:p> </o:p></font></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="4"><o:p> </o:p></font></p>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-33305676336104336582007-05-23T12:05:00.000-07:002007-05-25T16:40:18.562-07:00<p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Esther Wojcicki's lecture about journaism and publishing was really enlightening at Google's Educator seminar this morning</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Her journalism website is </span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://ldt.stanford.edu/%7Eewojcicki/">http://ldt.stanford.edu/~ewojcicki/</a></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This is true collaborative learning.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Her students publish online at</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;" align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://voice.paly.net/">http://voice.paly.net/</a></span></p>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-12624778455224181422007-05-19T21:55:00.000-07:002007-05-28T16:43:38.069-07:00Reflections on the Oh No Second<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoNgl8KhldzispCrgeddYyZ3v4en5KoRyB6LrKe21pQBG0C_4Q0QOZ0kkmXJvR6X6TaY8-0HhBg_0ophk7iEaGdWiboJcOykSMj9ESv8v_cFYKPMmu01SmmrS7j8c0JSbf_Zn/s1600-h/Winter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoNgl8KhldzispCrgeddYyZ3v4en5KoRyB6LrKe21pQBG0C_4Q0QOZ0kkmXJvR6X6TaY8-0HhBg_0ophk7iEaGdWiboJcOykSMj9ESv8v_cFYKPMmu01SmmrS7j8c0JSbf_Zn/s320/Winter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066791767750605618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/florence.unkeless?pli=1">Florence Unkeless Web Page</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p><br />You can't take it back. </o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Human relationships are delicate and easily bruised. As a developing teacher, I believe that one of the pitfalls of our profession is being too judgmental. <span style=""> </span>We are called upon every day to make judgments about our students based upon data we have collected and analyzed. We reward or fail our students based on the aggregate data but should we take a step back from the brink before we issue our judgments?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I have tried to encourage students to see themselves in full control of their grades. They show their mastery of content and receive marks based upon the skills they demonstrate. If they fail, I still try to encourage them. <span style=""> </span>I have seen many students who are interested in the content of my classes but have not developed habits of mind, motivation, or organizational skills to pass the battery of tests, homework, or projects I assign.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The 6<sup>th</sup> graders I teach are just emerging from elementary school and they have widely different levels of physiological and psychological development. They are sometimes unable to perform at the level we are requiring at this stage of their life. Very often, they come back as 8th graders to tell me how much they have improved with a little maturity.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I enjoy teaching art because it gives me a chance to let children be creative, expressive, and playful. Some of my most talented artists are not successful in my Math and Science core.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>My mother is a wonderful professional artist and I always remember her teaching me how to use materials but not how to make art.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Creating art is a personal expression and should not be judged in the same way we grade math.<span style=""> </span>Kids are wonderful about assessing themselves and trying to improve their work. I really enjoy looking at their portfolios and helping them improve.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charlie.unk/ArtClass">The Art Class</a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Our power to create negative feelings towards learning needs to be carefully considered before we cast our students in too harsh a light. Whether as teachers, or family members, or valued friends, the way we treat each other can build or destroy relationships and ultimately harm ourselves as well as those we cherish.</span></p>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11637088.post-1510190694594315842007-05-16T19:57:00.000-07:002007-05-16T20:10:44.999-07:00The Nikon Gallery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3L436EZCEUi47SNCH_w7yvf8Bsa7xX81QeDTzmyOrZuqsn942g5Y8LH8wScB5v4BRV6tpUnK_ThszqAU6IDrh2lvdDcLwCzrrAdqEqNmR7KiQlqEZGb2bQ0yUHFG_acgxyXJ/s1600-h/CA-Anacapa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3L436EZCEUi47SNCH_w7yvf8Bsa7xX81QeDTzmyOrZuqsn942g5Y8LH8wScB5v4BRV6tpUnK_ThszqAU6IDrh2lvdDcLwCzrrAdqEqNmR7KiQlqEZGb2bQ0yUHFG_acgxyXJ/s320/CA-Anacapa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065361749799467794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiJBJGQkJ2dtXZn1mt3LfC4Ih7wDezEsheO03kjkOkRQ_q7CV8Tl3I_muU3SWXweN6LHma2ee-U1zZCLpFHETtV8dhOblZnPwdPxo_v_l_YSRRnLiJ6qQfHullYQrYWuE2atj/s1600-h/NO-grill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiJBJGQkJ2dtXZn1mt3LfC4Ih7wDezEsheO03kjkOkRQ_q7CV8Tl3I_muU3SWXweN6LHma2ee-U1zZCLpFHETtV8dhOblZnPwdPxo_v_l_YSRRnLiJ6qQfHullYQrYWuE2atj/s320/NO-grill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065361758389402402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charlie.unk/NikonPhotoShow">Nikon Gallery</a></span></div><br />These pictures were displayed by Samy's Camera in Los Angeles for a period of time in their Nikon Booth on the first floor. They were all taken with Nikon film or digital cameras that I was using at the time.<br /><br />I use photography as an aid to teaching science and math. The web is well suited to sharing all kinds of media. I enjoy sharing these moments of light and time.<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charlie.unk/NikonPhotoShow"></a>Charliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15823257451985788551noreply@blogger.com3