Math of Greater Norton Blog Grassomath twitter

Music that I listen to and get inspired

2010-12-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

I just recently discovered, on grooveshark, soundtracks. I like any Randy Newman soundtrack. I like "The Social Network" soundtrack. No words. Music makes me want to write, read, or create something. I have ideas that fill my head so journals work.

The news today ranged. It consisted of Aliens, Politicians, Birthdays, Hockey, and Lebron. It was a day that makes no sense but all the sense in the world. It would make Bill Cosby sad, mad, and happy. Bill Cosby quote. I don't know the secret to success, but the secret to failure is to try and please everyone. I will listen to the Star Wars soundtrack next and try to make the movie in my head, I call life, the way I planned it.

Carolla once said, "Smart is accomplishing goals you set." Tomorrow = discovery

Math Teacher and stories

2010-11-26T04:33:00.000-08:00

I recently read Blankinships's associated press article.

The main reason I feel passionately about the article is that I have a story. I know what it was like to think that I could teach but I learned how to in these past 8 years, like a contractor learning to fix houses. Effective teaching increases, not by getting a masters, but with collaboration. A major issue is that parents don't take a test depicting who can have a child. Imagine if "A" parents were the only ones allowed to have children. We, the people of the US, all have to care for the children regardless of the parents effort. The tax system makes all of us pay, hence care. The parents (by the way I have great ones in the town I work in) are the purple elephant in the room and Bill Gates knows this but Blankinship took an angle (math term) and ran with it. Not your fault, money gets people passionate so well done. Real issue behind education, "Finding Superman" and "200 minutes" which do a decent job of explaining the plight, is best described in epilogue of this blog

Masters are all about collaboration with teachers. Masters degrees force teachers to talk and reflect on what works like doctors do. Sorry Blankinship but you missed something. You missed the point of education. Bring ideas, effort, visions, but most importantly people on this planet together for some project that is bigger than anyone. My story begins and end with people forcing me to think big. I thank my first Principal and vice principal, Mike D'Angelo and Tom Darby, for giving me a chance. See there is a story behind everyone you didn't see coming. I thank Laura Hoey, Ray Dewar, Mike Ward, and Mary Taylor my first bosses in Norton. I thank Stephen McNeil my boss from my Bentley College days. All of them collaborated with me on projects. The project was me. I use analogies from those experiences to know that time may be hard but we will make it work in education. I recognize the impact of these people, and if I ever write a book they will all get a paragraph.

Masters = not a major concern

Here is a poem that demonstrates the problem

How do I study material I don't want to own?
Everyday it’s harder to care without a safe and steady _________

Don't punish the yesterday while being advert
Reward people that have character, time, and effort

Projects

2010-11-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

I am not for doing a project for projects sake. In the end you realize something about your self and whether you can work with people. Either at work or whereever you finally get a job lean into the discomfort and work well with others. I believe finding your groove or niche is the main thing I should focus on. I am not sure but when I hear things like, "every 5 to 10 years we should revisit the way we do things" I get chills. I can't remain stagnant. I like the idea that we are not working with perfection. The most creative idea I had for 2008 was that Romeo and Juliet was good but not the greatest that will ever be. There have been great stories since and they will get better, especially with movies that have new movie tricks like time travel. Movies are even getting more randomly creative. I think Jackass 3d is dumb but it is the new way of thinking. Throw out the old and start the new. I have to embrace the change even though I yearn for Unstoppable, New Tron, and I look forward to the new Little Fockers movie.

The Social Network Movie

2010-10-05T18:44:00.001-07:00

As a "late to the next big thing on the internet" guy I found the movie Social Network taking me through memories in my life I don't often think about, college. My main focus was learning back then. Unfortunately I made mistakes in those years while Mark Zuckerberg made millions. Sorry eventually billions. The truth is that by the end of the movie everyone thinks about what they would change. The only thing that matters is that you learn lessons. Mark lost his mind for one night and hurt some people. It is hard to say I would change anything about my life without acknowledging what Mark did in an interview with Diane Sawyer ( not in the movie) I know I would have made new different mistake and learned from them. You don't need a Harvard degree to know what works and doesn't work for you.

I hate that I missed hockey today. I hate that I didn't get to go out to football today. One thing I know is I won't let it make the next day a waste.

Coaching

2010-09-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

So after 6 years I returned to coaching high school soccer. I am proud of the JV girls and how they fought to the end. Running hard and under control with your head up is not always easy but when you put in effort it will come. These girls put in the effort and I hope they will bring a win home next game.

This makes me realize how much I extend myself. I feel better when I put myself into everything i do. I realize I am at the school a lot. I have the energy along with the feeling that everyone should succeed. I cringe when a student gets hurt on the field or embarrassed by strange unfortunates that life throws at everyone. I hope all kids feel a part.

Kids should feel a part of something at high school. Today a parent told me that because of what I told her oldest son, her youngest son is already being inundated with a message. The older brother tells the younger brother to be a part of some sport or club while in school. Public school needs that kind of involvement. The new movie "Waiting for Superman" is a documentary that will show the current state of public schools and how schools effect towns. That's all I will report until I see it. "Time" mag. makes it seem like it is well thought out.

Summer Movies Explode

2010-08-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend will mark the climax to a surprisingly fantastic summer of films. I thought would be mediocre with no Potter, X-Men, Star Wars or action movie franchise. Instead the movies where nice, sentimental and fun. Number one Despciable Me, Number 2 Inception, Number three Toy Story. Honorable mention for Salt and The Other Guys. Oh and Don't forget the big weekend this week end. The Expendibles, Eat Pray Love, and Scott Pilgrim. Something for everyone.

Teaching MCAS Project Period C and E

2010-04-01T07:36:00.001-07:00

Theme Song at beginning

B - Waffles
Toy Car
Bicycles
Theme- soundtrack
Slogan
CD of music
Chain link fence
Hang a piece of paper
Hit Whiffle balls
Waffle house chocolate chips/strawberry

Lessons:
Coordinate Plane - Waffle morning
Area/ Perimeter – Waffle area – Perimeter Tape measure
Fractions – Recipe
Median – Hoedown

Someone told me

2009-12-09T18:02:00.000-08:00

If you work yourself to the limit and giv eyour all, then you will see what you are capable of accomplishing. Never be satisfied with less than your best. You know when you feel something is your best because you will be proud of it.

I know people like this and they make me want to be better.

Great National Honors Society

My Teaching Philosphy is growing

2009-12-07T21:13:00.000-08:00

I see the positives in people rather than differences.

The positives I speak of are easy to find. It makes for good classes and good times.

In my courses I always stress effort, but I also speak to finding positives.

Proportionally I want the right mix of questions and group work. Ideally lessons are learned everyday and every way. Effort is the actually not how you get through the journey, it is the journey. I want to be smarter and better than I was yesterday.

Proportion Problem.

2009-12-04T05:35:00.001-08:00

Erasers

2009-12-03T06:45:00.000-08:00

An eraser is the most vital tool a student can carry. In education you either have it or you don't. Sometimes you need to get things right without making mistakes but not in education.

Even on a movie set, I watched a documentary that showed a director acting numerous camera and microphone men how to improve a shot. JJ Abrams

Erase your fears and look at a world where we all learn from our mistakes. As a professional teacher and student myself, I feel free to make mistakes I can learn from and I see how mistakes are sometimes thrust upon those who least expect it. Like a student who thinks they aced a test only to get a D because they used the wrong formula.

Lean into the discomfort. And then start over again each daynew. Now clean off your out look.

Rachel's Challenge

2009-12-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

What makes it for me, in education, is when students take an unspoken cue and realize they just learned something. I see more value in people after today.

Craig Scott was lived on April 20, 1999. He then took up the challenge to build something more for not just public schools but the overall educational well being. The character of our country matters to him. I am proud to have met him, Rachel and their family.

Character is what you do when no one is looking, and no one will even find out.

Well Rachel and Craig, we found out.

Link

Intervention

2009-10-31T19:38:00.001-07:00

Is learning important to you?

I would say yes the most important. I am a teacher.

Is being being right the first time important?

No not really. As long as you get it eventually.

This is scary becasue when I was a high school kid, it was the other way around. I made a lot of mistake until I got it.

Twitter and other Media is not all bad

2009-10-31T19:23:00.000-07:00

I use to think twitter was not a good thing. People get addicted to Internet networking sites and end up with an unhealthy lifestyle.

I believed everyone got addicted. In fact it is useful to connect. The multiple Media outlets make TV shows( like intervention), use the Internet(takes it further), and tweet through twitter as a forum to reflect, connect and brainstorm. My parents never had that. I watched the Intervention at Comcast on demand and I realized I was behind in my thinking. We need to share our stories from throughout the country because cultures spread when they feel free to share. Twitter helps not hurt.

Ticket Problem Systems of Equations

2009-10-22T05:49:00.001-07:00

What is your best ticket problem?

New Skills

2009-10-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

I want to develop new skills all day everyday. At 28, I am still trying to develop new skills. As I watched the chorus and band concert tonight, inside Paulus auditorium, I thought about taking up a new instrument. Piano perhaps. One new skill I have mastered lately came at the Patriot Place fundraiser. I started up Ice Cream scooping. Even the workers there, mostly high school students and one college graduate boss, claimed I was a natural. That is not a direct quote but you get the idea.

In the spirit of the night, by the way great concert, I want to make an instrument a new skill. Then I want to learn to fly a helicopter. I just want to keep learning.

One skill I recently revisited, but not a newly learned skill, was my balling skills. I am getting my moves back and I will be taking down all basketballers in town soon.

Point is I am never done learning. Never stop learning not once ( 5 words)

p.s. Great work chorus and band at the concert. My heart has a special place for all of the band members. Percussionist 4 life.

Blog Period CE

2009-10-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Ticket Problem/ Systems of Equations

Population Control

2009-10-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Question is Respond to the following statement. The world is slowly becoming over populated. Is that true? Is it possible to over populate the planet, if so what can be done for population control. Some countries have a limits on the number. Be careful and tasteful and nonviolent.

Systems/ Ticket Problems

2009-10-13T05:50:00.000-07:00

Create your own... and it can't be about lean pockets

Zero slope and no slope

2009-10-06T07:50:00.001-07:00

Real world Zero slope and no slope

Period CE Geomtery Living by Numbers

2009-09-28T05:19:00.001-07:00

What connections to your life can you make when reading the Wired article

http://wired-vig.wired.com/wired/issue/17-07

Period D homework geometry

2009-09-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

Name you rbest reading strategy so far. Make sure you include the quote

FINd the percents of the following

2009-09-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

Before you start your assignment go online and find out if your ius accurate you may need to change you data/ scatter plot to reflec the proper data. For instance if you thought that the price of gas grow over time but you searched the web you would find it goes up and down.

Answer and show all work on a separate sheet of paper, that will be collected Tuesday

What is the percent of increase from $5.00 to 10.00?

What is the percent of increase from $7.00 to 9.00?

What is the percent of decrease if a $12.00 shirt goes on sale to 6.00

What is the percent of decrease if a $11.00 shirt goes on sale to 7.00

What is the percent of decrease if a $15.00 shirt goes on sale to 4.00

What is the percent of decrease if a $15.00 shirt goes on sale to 14.00

Sonic Project

2009-09-14T06:17:00.000-07:00

3 statistics

Should you , if you were wealthy enough, Open a sonic franchise?

Google Reader

2009-09-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for something to come along for the internet. Then google reader took that idea of headlines and updates to a new level.

You will not have to waste time looking through your favorite websites to see if there is a new update. Google reader takes your website of choice and makes puts them on a webpage. Then it updates you with new posts as soon as your favorite site updates. Then you just go to this one site for all your favorite sites new happenings.

I thought this was a good idea. What will happen next.

Believe

2009-07-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

You are not done getting a lesson perfect...

ALways learn the new methods(technology)

Create a better lesson when a lesson is struggling.

Distance Problems

2009-06-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

Draw a picture

#1) 2 trains depart from Pittsburgh . One train is traveling east at 40mph and one west at 30mph.
Write an equation to determine when the trains will be 245 miles apart. When will they be 245 miles apart?

Don't forget your heading.

#2) Two cylists begin traveling in the same direction on the same bike path. One travels at 20milesper hour, and the other travelign 14mph. When will the cyclists be 15 miles apart?

Studying is practice, just like sports

2009-06-02T05:53:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day for seniors. If you study for your final you need to practice. Effort is the key to success. Practice is a big part to having efficacy.

I want questions. What does simplify mean? What does solve mean? What does verify mean? I just taught a Pre-calculus lesson to geometry students during an impromptu observation by my boss. I wanted to challenge my honors class. I sometimes feel like a magician, I don't want to give too much away. But I ultimately give away my general learning secrets before math. Here are some.

A teacher will not always go to be there is one. You should take very good notes. Students should tolerate others and appreciate diversity. Reading is fun. Studying is not looking it is practicing. Listening is a key to being well liked. Knowing your surroundings well is what makes you well-rounded.

I said, when guest lecturing at a college class, I don't know if I should tell you what to expect from teaching. I was being honest, these were future teachers but I didn't think it was fair that they get to know all the hardships. I really think you learn on your own better. Teach yourself. If you were terrible at teaching or running or at baseball at hockey, then do it better next time. I think going though something on your own and learning while you go threw it is much better than anything I could say. If you appreciate me I will share. Even if they don't appreciate I will still share some. I am a teacher after all, and it is my job.

Dread, no dread here

2009-06-02T05:41:00.000-07:00

I don't dread school. My high school experience was actually fun. I think it shows. If teachers create a "learning is never over" environment rather than "stress the test" environment then they can pull knowledge (and great lessons) out of kids.

I have fun teaching. Work shouldn't be a place you have to go, you should choose to go. I live by that code. Math ( and all subjects) shouldn't be something you have to do but you should want to tackle. If you get the fun (or Positive energy) you get the want. If you get the want, you don't have to worry if the students will ask you a pivotal question taht will make the lesson so much better than if you just give away the knowledge. They just will.

They will want to.

Summer Blockbusters

2009-05-26T05:27:00.000-07:00

I have seen 4 great movies this summer. And the season for big movies is still young.

In order of greatness
4) Angles and Demons
3) Wolverine
2) Terminator Salvation
1) Star Trek (unexpectedly great)

Books I have read this year- In no particular order
Born Standing up (Steve Martin)
Outliers
Brass Verdict
The Music Lesson

Senders

2009-05-09T06:12:00.000-07:00

If you have charisma, then you can send a message. Teaching is not an exact science, but it is a message. I know algebra and I memorized the order of topics to teach graphing linear equations. As you go up levels, students can handle more quantity of steps per day, but the system stays the same. I have the routine in my brain, both from teaching it over two dozen times and reading/talking about it in graduate classes. When you have nothing, as I did 4 years ago, you can't help but sense that it was all done for a reason. Steve Martin once said "It is possible to will confidence". It is necessary to will charisma. Be happy and smile. When you sense a class is missing the point and they may be thinking your not knowledgeable, be confident.

Be confident your lesson is yours and good days are a great feeling andwill return. Remember those days are a flash in the pan. I remember how hard it was to be good for a class period and how I had to will charisma. Whether it is teaching a group of unmotivated seniors a week before exams, taking over a vacating teachers classes 2 months into the school year, or asking to take the toughest students for your class be charismatic. A wise man once said feelings work outside in. Studies prove that to be true. If you are with a charismatic person and they are happy, you will be happy. If you are with a charismatic person and they are down, you are more likely to be down. In my career I try to get find feelings that are locked inside and make those feelings along with good ideas come out. That is why I smile so much.

This one is for the Teachers

2009-05-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

When you are in front of a group of people you get, like actors, afraid of forgetting your lines. Teachers have more than just lines to remember. They need to remember the lesson order, activities, talking points, and questions. The first thing I was told about college hockey was don't trip over the blue line when your name is announced. Big strong men afraid. Everyone has fears but I challenge myself each and every time I see something that brings fear. I challenge myself to not be afraid. It is innate and all great teachers are great at looking at an incident as a chance to face what otherwise is frightening. This innate characteristic brings out the "I don't even see fear" side of me. I take fear as a different feeling completely. I take it as a passionate moment that only happens when your alive. I love to take on more responsibility in the presence of fear. Give me the opportunity to topple the obstacle. George Washington felt that way and he lost more battles than he won. People saw him as a failure but he didn't crack under certain peril.
It is a uniquely unexplainable feeling but I will tell you what happens. Teach a lesson on quadratic equations and create non-problems. Build up the lesson by scaffolding around the mistakes that kids make. If you are factoring don't tell them to write Not Factorable. Tell them to keep going and reply to the question about factoring with, "not factorable is not an answer it is a concept". It very well is factorable but not with whole numbers is the correct answer. Now look at the new Star Trek movie and tell me Captain Kirk isn't the epitome of a fearless man. In the latest installment Kirk beats the unbeatable college test. No one passes the drill because it is meant to show that men are meant to face fear in life. This is like factoring. No one can factor x^2+2x+5=y... I want students to, not fail, but realize there is something more. Hear this strange concept. At Kirk's college, you are meant to fail in the face of fear. Feel the fear and realize you will not make it. Teaching professionally has helped me to see something I have inside. I am near sighted and far sighted when faced with insurmountable obstacles. That is why I am able to have the character I have. Character, to me, makes looking at fear as a part of life possible. Character is doing the right thing when no one is looking and no one will ever find out you did the right thing. Kirk and Washington believed this.
I do my homework and get ready for each day planning what will happen. I think everyone should plan their day: teachers and students and accountants and insurance agents and athletes and administrators and CEO's.

I leave my cell phone in the car and the world behind me at times. When I go into a movie theatre it is to be taken away and sometimes it takes me right back here.

Eric Grasso

Create a volume word problem

2009-05-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

Answers go on the ning. Also on the ning is your project proposals.

Somethings do change

2009-04-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

What happens in high school happen all the time. I noticed when a student is really good at a subject or sport they get razzed. It doesn't change when you get older, adults get that too when they work. It is usually in good fun. But when you are young it stems from the others not know how you think.

The big question on the minds of the people who poke fun is simple. Why don't I get it yet?

I read an interview with Howard Gardner ( Multiple Intelligence). And his explanation makes all the responses of that have a tone of "why don't I get it" simple. We are all different. There isn't one IQ test that shows we are smart people. There are multiple ways to be intelligent. Everyone has their own level of intelligence. There are 8 and I recommend we understand that we can be great at one and need work in another. But we all, not just teachers, need to distinguish different intellectual strengths and styles on the fly.

Good news is you should be able to learn multiple ways. Both from a human and digitally( media)

www.edutopia.org/howard-gardner-video

How to be Good precisely

2009-04-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

I am constantly searching for how to be a good teacher. My talent was low at the start and after the first two years I knew I had to leave the profession. I left math and went out into the country. I took the warning of my father who said, you need to come back you won't find a job anywhere but Florida.
Although I never thought of being successful, I was average at Marketing and teaching, I had to begin on my own. I had to travel on my own. No friends was a way of being on your own. I only knew how to watch TV, play video games, and sit on the stoop when it got to late. That is where I found my niche. I found teaching English , history and science were hard but I didn't know so I tried to do it anyways. I was terrible at teaching math but I was great at one thing, taking the best from all teachers. I think there will be a time when we, teachers, can all find time and teach a subject outside of our discipline. Plan and link the unlink able. I realized I am not fearless but if I wasn't I was gong to be memorable. Soon I started to take what works from the other teachers. I believed no matter if it was science teachers or history teachers it was key to have more than just the opening act material. Be the headliner. We can learn and be taught.

How to be consistently good ?

Waiting and Seeing what comes from the future

2009-04-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

History has been changing a lot lately. The world seems to not be able to handle a financial crisis one second, followed by a feeling that hope can be restored the next. Schools should teach more than just one history month at a time. Every disaster seems like the most trying time in history. I read that this recent recession was called the worst since the Great Depression. It is my experience that we overexaggerate. Lets teach how Americans get to live their dreams by looking at a big picture. We have troubles and we fix them over time. Positives from the last four months. We are all able to be the president and change the world. The more the line between what we can and can't achieve are blurred the more we can see time and understanding can heal any crisis.

I see a world where the history classes are relevant. I think of the ways we disagree and how it needs to grow. I watch conservative talk shows I see they are all short sighted. There is a chance we are going to come out of this. There is a chance this will all happen again in 10 years. But we will bounce back.

My Goals as a teacher

2009-04-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

1) Have each person I teach have an Ah-ha moment. If you haven't seen that look on someones face, it looks as if that person can fly. Great for life confidence.

2) I want to help people even those I can't see or meet I think I do that each time I help a student. Under my instruction a kid uncovers math but more importantly how they learn. Now when they become the adult, or the teacher, they will be able to teach with patience, passion, and job joy.

3) Have integrity. Do the right thing when no one knows and no one will ever find out.

These may seem like sappy goals, but I am not going to leave ( that was another tree reference) without stating my goals in life. These are the goals that ground me. Having a job makes me happy. My brother, cousin, and cousin's husband have all lost their jobs in the past monthes. I know now what I have been missing while I watch their journeys unveil themselves. The joy I felt when I was lucky enough to received a job from Norton.

Each Friday we teach 3rd graders in Norton LG Math

2009-03-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

Board Gamers

2009-03-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Name your top five board games..

6 Word Summaries

2009-03-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

"Don't stop learning until last breathe"

"My Life Would Suck Without You" Thanks to Kelly Clarkson

Tops from today

"Please do not stop the music"

"Sally was a camel not horse"

"May the Force Be with you"

What is yours?

The technology we use

2009-03-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

If we use technology in education more than lecturing then we have a chance to reach more students ( not just from the classroom). Some teachers are fishing in barrel by lecturing for an hour and a half but we still can't catch anything. But use technolgy as bait and it's like fishing in a barrel using dynamite. You will get them. How do you learn best? Even kids in elementary school use computers for touching up pictures. ( that was from a PC commercial on TV) Everyone can be reached using technology.
The "technology is math" idea is something I heard from a student and it caused me to ask a different question. Isn't technology used for everything? If you want to cure cancer use technology. Cars , electricity, and computers were all impossible but now they all exist. Isn't everything technology?Even my idea of holograms being on every students desk is now possible. It even seems like TI has the calculator for everything I just mentioned. We now need the new free thinkers, our students, to find new ways to use technology to teach. And in the process the next great idea will come. That is what I want to do my entire life; seek a great idea to share and let back into the ocean. That would make me the happiest. Until I catch it again.

There is no perfect

2009-03-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Is there a perfect lesson? My first two years of teaching I asked myself that every day and I had a lot of crazy ideas come from this question. I once thought teachers were limited so my theory was to make the best math lesson. The theory running through my mind combined technology, media videos, and lecture into one perfect lesson . I saw the future math classrooms in the country running a computer program like Max Headrum. Or like the diner scene from Back to the Future part 2 starring Michael J. Fox. The person in the classroom would turn on the TV ( by the way the lesson would be designed and starring me, but I will be in another location teaching everyone via satillite) and then the monitor would just sit there like typical bathroom monitor. There would be one way to teach (my way because I want to be the best math teacher); standard form, graphing equations and other math lessons. It is evident this was wrong. I couldn't see that I was naive, but I was. I was unprepared. The only way to give, guide, or recieve the right kind of message was to realize there is no perfect lesson. The only certainty is there are forever new kinds of lessons for new different people. Foster original and new ideas everyday and that should be the same constistant lesson. Hopefully more poeple will become curious and filled with questions just that one. Crazy idea huh?

We borrow too much

2009-03-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

Standard of living has gone up with the internet allowing us to see the LA and richy people lifes. We know immmediately and the ADD levels go up. We can't continue this. Change the children.

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=375

The banks will not be all ok in 8 monthes.

The govenment will hire enough people and take over the banks one weekend, like they did in the 80's with the Coninential Illinios Bank. The govenment will take over the banks . Someone has to buy up the Toxic assets.

Obama has to clean up Bush's mess... No He had th eperfect mentality that is all . A metality of I have money so everyone does.

The Obama campaign may be known as the one who saved the world not just saved the American Dream. That is strange considering right now he is a failure at making a himself understood. He is abused everywhere. We are abused by the standard of living.

I will see if 5 million buys some mortgages. I would like to buy low and sell higher. And that is why I will succeed. But that is why everyone has failed. They didn't see it coming.

What a great game

2009-02-12T14:48:00.001-08:00

I know many of you are Algebra 2 pro's, but I am teaching elimination and need ideas for how it could be made fun. If you have any ideas let me know. Thanks

Alan November Technology Meeting

2009-02-02T17:11:00.000-08:00

Alan November is a bright, witty, funny, curious, enthusiastic, educated, global, extremely intelligent, and genuine man.

Doing what I do passionately has created unique relationships with all my classes. School works when everyone works toward a culture. Technology is a big part of culture. We should all be better at using it.

Technology helps forge relationships with Skype, demonstrate lessons with videos, and teach with podcasts. I am proud of how our students presented their many classroom uses for technology. Technology, i.e. the Internet, was not intended to be used inappropriately. Alan inquired as to how students feel technology is used. They all communicated their feelings well. Students make better connections when technology is utilized within a course. They use it all day to talk, text, and email. As a professional my need is to understand in order for connections to be made for students. In the meeting room, at the Library, Alan connected through understanding. Alan showed, through his understanding, what is happening globally. Technology is here to stay and we are smart enough to be great users of it. Today everyone in the room, especially the kids, made a connection.

Current and future understanding in school and life depends greatly on taking advantage of technology. Desire establishes connections that create relationships. That is something we all want from life. One thing is certain, we all understand technology is now.

Grant Writers to the Zoo with you

2009-01-10T22:09:00.000-08:00

In one of my classes a student said we should take a field trip. I told him something that applies to all classes. If you can make a trip relate to the cirriculum, the grant writers will find the money to make it happen. Algebra I is moving on and next we will tackle tickets problems with systems of equations and inequalities. Geometry will be working on 45-45-90 triangles and 30-60-90 triangles. If you find a trip that works I will run it by the bosses and then run with it. Reply with ideas and we shall discuss later or bring them to my attention before school or after school.

If you feel a change coming

2008-12-23T06:35:00.000-08:00

Reply to this post if you change your visual/presentation Preference.

Quotes of the Day before Christmas

2008-12-23T05:05:00.000-08:00

I can’t put myself in his shoes he wore sandals
Put yourself in his sandals

No High hat was working in the world of drums and we went to the drum room for 80 minutes a day … did you know that tag is the greatest game ever,,,no the band party was way better… No I liked hopscotch … I am kind of stealing you broken candy cane … We read the book Labamba ,,, the movie was way better, Lou Diamond Phillips was amazing in that movie.

Mistakes

2008-12-21T16:36:00.000-08:00

Mistakes happen all the time. Everybody remembers the Miley Cyrus song from Snow Ball, "Everybody Mistakes". In fact I may be mistaken and have the wrong song title. But I have been reading a lot lately and not running as much. So my brain is not working the same, it is on a different clock. It is a good trade off because I have some good books. The "One school one book" book is interesting.
The story has mini stories wrapped around plane passengers experiences while in Canada. They are their because their play was diverted after the US declared no one was allowed to fly over their airspace. It is funny because as I think of good math problems that relate to the book, I think of distance problems, and I can't help but think about the events in the story. It almost fiction it is that unbelievable.
I have one thing to say about page111. I think their is a typo on this page. It wouldn't be the first time I found a mistake, I may be wrong. Then again Mr. Grasso making a mistake is almost as unbelievable as the events in this book, but it still might happen.

What I am good at

2008-12-11T18:24:00.003-08:00

"Things I am a good at" is a bog about all the little things I think about when I consider my strengths. I am a little bit of a reader, I am little bit of a writer, I am a little bit of a film maker, I am a little bit of a jing master, I am a little bit into baseball, I am a little bit into football, I am a little bit into Johnny Rockets, I am a little bit into the OFFICE.

I think of these things as a part of the whole. But the big parts are different. When am I at my happiest. I am into hockey( which I played today in gym, one goal one assist in 2 minutes of play), I am into Kelly Clarkson and John Mayer, I am into technology in teaching ( holograms please) I am into teaching ( never teach it the same way twice) I am into brain science ( not rocket surgery) , I am into Star wars ( I want fly), I am into space ( I want to fly), I am into anything that can involve random fun. Like when I went running past Mr. Greene's house ( on a jog) and knocked on the door. Next thing I knew we were all playing football in front of his house.

Things I am good at make me an instant 10. When I am 10 I am the happiest... I always want to be a 10 out of 10. Music, teaching, hockey, space. What are yours?

First Man of Steel

2008-11-26T08:39:00.000-08:00

"I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement." Charles Schwab

but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. " Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865.

John Mayer and the Bruins

2008-11-23T20:15:00.000-08:00

When I read Mr. Dewar's blogs, listening to "Say" by John Mayer, I thought that Mr. Dewar has a great eye for pictures and a nice camera to snap pics. Be careful he will get you when you least expect it. (Sorry Mr. Barth) Also I can see that food is a popular topic that attracts, and rightfully so, a massive amount of attention. I am always on the look out for new restaurants and I have a long standing reputation for eating a dorito or two. But I look forward to Thanksgiving and overeating every year more than most holidays. But I am going to change this year. I promise myself not to have that overeating pain in my stomach this year when I am done my third dessert Thursday. And mean forever not just Thanksgiving Thursday.
Well if I am not eating, what should I fill my time with. I will be filling my time as I always do. Getting my swell on at the gym and playing/ coaching hockey are my past times.
I think that is change we should all get behind. Less overeating and OOOOh we a great hockey team in Boston now. I know it is a shocker, but remember I called it. I knew it was going to be a good season for the Bruins, I just thought it would take until January for them to gel as a team. I also have an eye for football talent. I thought there was something about Matt Cassel. He is alright to the tune of back to back 400 yard weeks. I guess you can say what you need say my optics are as good as Mr. Dewar finding a resting Barth.

60 Minutes: How business should Run

2008-11-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

How to give back and people in Norton better off.

As a school we should give back to the community. I know of numerous programs we have at the high school that give back. Even businesses give back with grants and donations like Raytheon, Best Buy, Roche Brothers, Dunkin Donuts and Toshiba. You ever hear of the phrase we live in a small world. Well, we live in a small town. This is the story of a Recycling company of all companies that lie, cheat, and lose track a greater and more rewarding responsibility of people.

The Internet changed everything. In fact the 2008 one can argue the Presidential election came down to the Internet. Obama used it to gain more support than McCain.

Americans don't see how very small the world's become. One such company is "Executive Recycling" out of Colorado. Company's should have a social component and give back, because good American companies make more money when they put a greater good of all first. They do this by recycling and giving back with grants and donations.

High Schools give back to their communities as well. In fact I head up a group of grant writers and they need to be involved in the community because they are looking for money to improve it.
Executive Recycling sent old computer monitors to Hong Kong to be illegally disposed and by doing so harmed the health of children and works with harmful chemicals. The president of the company "Didn't know" they were sending the poisonous Cathode Ray Tubes across the Pacific. An irresponsible environmentalist sounds like an oxymoron, that is what we have. Business's foolishly and irresponsible think of themselves. The world is not one big market just to be taken advantage. And good for 60 Minutes for thinking the entire world should be valued and may soon we will see a "good for all" at the top of schools and companies mission statements. At least my students will see that they have more than a civic duty but a global duty to make all better off.

Neil Degrasse Tyson... Nova

2008-11-03T20:00:00.000-08:00

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/_files/pdf/PBS_Math_resources.pdf

Music and Math

2008-11-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

I am a member on the committee searching STEM. We are trying to write grants for buses. That's right we need grant money from grants, with lump sum money rather than matriculating, and we need bus money. In order to go on field trips we need money but no one, teachers included with students, even know where we can go. Well some teachers know where we can go, like math and physics day at six flags for calculus students, but still that is 20 to get in with a 25 bus fee. More for the bus than to get inside the park. We need grants and we need the right kind. In the future containing instability, education should always be one forever improving process,thats fun.

I am listening Depeche Mode Enjoy the Silence. and Ray Lamontagne You are the Greatest thing, and Albert King Cold Feet.

What I do in my spare time

2008-10-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

I am currently making an extremely large folder of my work. As I said before I want to be the best teacher, best hockey player, Best coach. I want to be the best all the time even Saturday morning when evryone is watching cartoons or sleeping still.

Check out Class of 2011 Blog

2008-10-15T17:35:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Blog is linked from here. We were looking sweatpants and t-shirts. Both good ideas and we should have them by Christmas. That is our goal. Send in ideas if you have any.

Geometry Sophomores Project due October 22nd

2008-10-03T09:44:00.000-07:00

List the project you desire... Make sure you don't pick one that is already chosen.

Lesson Project

2008-10-03T06:14:00.000-07:00

Post your topic you would like to teach

Caleb = Pythagorean Theorem

Julia = Distance and Midpoint

Kim = Polygons

Parke = Angles and Polyons

Meg = Classifying Triangle

Liz = Volume Cylinder

Ian = 6-4 parallel line with proportional parts

Jackie = 9-3 rotations

Stephen = Arc and chords

Allison = Angles and polygons

Jared Marvel = Similar Triangle

Brian = 11.4 Area of irregular figures

Tyler = 10-1 circles and circumference

Curve Stitching

2008-10-03T05:35:00.000-07:00

Curve Stitching has begun. What designs are you creating? If you can scan in your design or take a picture you can send it or post it. Remember at least 10 angles.

VP Debate

2008-10-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

If you thought Biden should not attack at the debate because Palin is a female you may be confused with all his attacking statements. That is he attacked McCain, George w McCain.

Wow. did Palin have one plan to anything. Any let me paraphrase her. "I will not anwer the questions." Wow. She answered the ones she wanted (with cliches she remembered) or ignored the question all together. Wow. Biden knows how to support his arguments with facts. I think we should all learn to do that in school. Education was a topic passed over, but Biden said "No Child left behind" was left behind with no funding. WOW thank you for at least saying something but we need more time allocated to education than just 3 sentences.

Class of 2011

2008-10-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

We went to Gillette on our "quest for a prom venue in 2010", we need a better name for the quest. We are working hard Chck outthe 2010 blog for more picks and updates. Thanks to all that went... Rob, CJ, Tory, Emily, Kerryn.

Test Geometry

2008-10-02T05:02:00.000-07:00

You should know conditional statements, converse, postulates that are my favorite to recite. Be able find the space between.

Back to the ice

2008-09-27T22:42:00.000-07:00

"Back to the ice" is a saying that comes from being at hockey practice everyday from November to March. After March you are told, by the powers that be, that you have to leave your teamates and go home after school instead of the rink. But there was one big difference my senior year and no one has ever mentioned it until now, we couldn't give it up. All I kept thinking was that I don't want to leave this emotion. After we won our last game, there is no words to describe the feeling, no one left the locker room. The parents waited in the waiting room. No one left the empty rink, then someone jumped on the ice and everyone followed. This is a story very few ever heard. We played tag on the ice like we were a bunch of 2ND graders. We didn't leave we just ran and slid around. Hockey was so much to us that we couldn't leave. So when life gets too stressful and responsibilities seem too much to handle ( make sure that make you go outside your comfort zone) remember if you never try something you will never know. You can have the emotion of being young while you grow happily old. If you don't have a place any great moment will suffice. And I will always go back to the ice.

It feels good to just take a risk. When we won, I floated above my body and whatched 22 out of 26

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyhRomSbtRE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5JraT3m0M8&feature=related

David Blaine

2008-09-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

Math is like magic.... It is out there to make you say Wow when you master it. My father even calls his high school students in Florida mathmagicians instead of mathematicians. I thought of that while David Blaine was on TV last night. It changed my life when I first learned magic wasn't real. Now all I have is the thrill of David Blaine hanging upside down trying to show me that magic is sometimes, in your mind, possible. Then he was preempted by the President for 15 minutes. How can the president be a terrible story teller yet still think he can convince the American people, that don't trust him , to give him 700 billion no stings attached dollars. I make fun of Mr. Taylor and other passionate 1984 book lovers. Don't stop teaching that book . All I know is future of the economy is unstoppable horrible without THE BUSH plan. The future like magic and math will always be out there no matter how much you try to stop it.

I found the end

2008-09-21T07:53:00.001-07:00

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-science/20080919/SCIENCE-PLANETS-COLLISION-DC/

This story means that planet's orbitz may become unstable over time and planets may collide. Or, optio "b", someone may possess the power to cause planets to collide into each other. That is the ultimate weapon in the universe., not the death star like star wars fans may believe. If some alien has this power or planets orbits do become unstable with age either way it would make an interesting science fiction novel.

Intelligente

2008-09-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

It is Spanish... I put my thoughts in ways most people understand. I think one sign of intelligence is being able to take two sides of the same story and understand that they may both be valid. Sometimes we worry and overthink until we get upset over one side's validity. My message is don't worry so much. Intelligence comes with reflecting and being able to share what everyone is thinking yet no seems willing to share, and that is not spanish.

What is school?

2008-09-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

School is a vehicle to help find out who you are. Writing will show all your best qualities. History reveals our room to grow. And Math shows us our capacity to believe in truth. The well rounded student finds a way to grow every class every day.

I always said wellness, which including handball, basketball( I game at which I rule just ask keef and taylor) flag football, and floor hockey, is where a well rounded curriculum starts. I always said I was a coach first, I actually started coaching deck hockey when I was 18, because everything in sports is based on interacting with others. Sport allows us to be more than just some Norton guy or gal, we can be a teammate (I like the sound of that word, notice I didn't say captain). But your best quality shouldn't be a physical attribute. Your body can give out but your brain is less likely to pull a hammy. It would be great for you to be able to throw a ball 98 miles per hour, run the dash in sub 10 seconds, or fire a 100 mile per hour slap shot but if you can't interact by listening and communicating effectively with others no one will ever want to work with you. Your gift, your physical identity will never reach it's full potential, but your intellectual identity is limitless and writing anything will help it grow. I started writing my senior year in high school and it started with a play. I put it on with a little help from my friends and it was a great success. It was called "Bongo Baby". I even recieved offered from fellow classmates that wanted me to be in their play. I showed everyone that their offer was important and I did ever play I was asked to. I continue today to write and with every paper, essay, or memo I write I learn what my best attributes are. Do you know what your best qualities are? Try and write down 3.

Blog

2008-09-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

The blog I posted looks at the textbook as tool. The educational tool of a textbook should supplement the class information and supply the student with a resource. Just using worksheets, we all love those, is not enough. Check the blog and let me know what you think of the activities.

Another great song Instant Karma by John Lennon. Remember shout it don't sing it.

Classes on online

2008-08-20T07:09:00.001-07:00

A prelimary schdule of what your classes is up on edline. Take a look but remember like in life it is subject to change.

Customizing Life

2008-08-20T06:46:00.001-07:00

I don't need to watch mtv or vh1 anymore. I don't need someone telling me what to listen or what to watch. I have youtube to watch any music video, and some case movie, I desire. I have made my own channel and it is called Hockeybookavision. I watch the office on dvd or any other show I like off DVR. In fact I don't really need to TV anymore. I watch music videos, friends videos, or education videos(like the history channel but funnier history) on the Internet. I even shop, eat, stretch while listening to music from my i-tunes. If I want ideas for new song I read a magazine.
I started watching a Bobby Orr video and now it is in my rotation. Also the song "Valerie" my Matt Ronson and Amy Winehouse, is a favorite of mine. We can design our media input schedule and not just TV schedule, I mean our own schedule for life. We can design to live life while incorporating everything we like.

I have even more time to be with friends, read and exercise(hockey). That is what I love to pass the time with. Also designing hockey practices for my team is fun to me. We finished 9th out of 16 this summer but we had 6 defenseman and they are all coming back. They are all 7th or 6th graders and we are the only team without any 8th graders playing defense. I don't need tv anymore I have a lot of action in my life already.

Maybe that is why Chambo bought the i-phone and it goes with him on the train to and from Boston everyday. So when he is around he never needs to watch TV or surf the internet.

The Future Now

2008-08-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

This is what just happened to science and it is a huge leap forward.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-science/20080810/SCIENCE-CLOAKING-DC/

With great power comes great responsiblity

Movies and School

2008-08-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

I finished my classes and have had time for my love, movies. Wall-E was inspirational but cute. Stepbrothers was dumb but fun, Dark Knight was the best movie in the past 10 years.

I don't get too happy or too down anymore when it comes to movies or sports. That is why the Dark Knight was amazing. It made me remember why I like movies.

My sports world got flipped upside down when Manny got traded. If you think this doesn't effect me emotionally you are wrong. I thought I was done being emotional about sports, but I was proven wrong. It was just like with movies something came out of nowhere. Manny and I have history. Manny was there when I was in college. I have been watching his career through everything. I thought he was better than the best. He was unique. I miss people who are unique. That is why I like certain people and I gravitate toward them in a room.

I will miss Manny because he is a symbol of my youth and he is gone. But getting over Manny will not be the toughest thing I will ever do in my life. It was tough to graduate high school, play hockey, leave hockey, get a job, go to college. I realize now everything will pass, thank you Dr. Ansay, and learning who you are is the most important part of my youth and then life. Being young is inspirational, cute, dumb, fun, and the best. And there will always be something you didn't expect, the next big thing.

CVS

2008-07-28T04:20:00.000-07:00

Working is a natural part of life like birth, sleeping, and bathing. Work will always be needed. I needed to get a summer job and CVS was the best one I could find. Maybe I didn't look hard enough but as everyone knows I am also coach hockey. In fact it may not be the best job I could find, but instead the best one for a hockey coach who has a sporadic schedule. I love part time jobs. The people and the customers make for great stories. Especially when a customer asks for a box from the back room yet no box satisfies. Until you find out she is burying her dead cat and needs the perfect box, from CVS, to make her cats final resting place perfect. A natural part of life indeed.

The Dark Knight

2008-07-22T22:40:00.001-07:00

I responded to a boston globe article with the following. Movies do make you feel better and at times unite the masses. In the Dark Knight you see the world turned upside down with future danger inevitable. In the end of all great movies something ends and dies. Nolan doesn't want allegories galore, because he wants you to enjoy the art. If you want allegories then go see "There Will be Blood".
If you don't think this movie questions the major theories of a democratic society or the importance of a presidential election then you are mistaken. When electing a person into a government office you should look to the right person with a proven track record who you have a good feeling about. When a hero is faced with adversity you have a want him to throw the detonator out the window or sacrifice everything when even a gun is pointed in his face. This movie unveils everything good and bad about the human race. If that doesn't juice your roger, you can just take it for the fun art it is. Maybe then you're world will no longer be upside down, but instead it will be a brighter place with The Dark Knight.

Hawaii

2008-06-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering, Hawaii is BEUTIFUL. It is not too hot or too cold. The mountains are beutiful and the ocean is crystal clear. We have pictures of a beutiful wedding. I will be returning to Attleboro to start my summer of hockey and math tutoring.

Life is too short to never travel. I wonder if there is a paradise like hawaii anywhere else in this universe. I say nope, but I will spend the rest of my life looking for an equal.

Ballin After School

2008-06-18T16:19:00.001-07:00

Aud Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhchhchchchbueer tried to teach Mr. Taylor how to shoot a basket ball properly. It was hilarious. That was after Mr. V , Mr. T, Mr. Kefor, and I had already beaten the ladies.

Last week we beat K. Shicehekehehehkerker, and B. Av. This week another trouncing. It was a 4 on 4 versus K.B., Shanny, A.S., and Waz.

Victory
Good luck getting better over the summer.

One final note. When the girls played best they really took it to us when they were playing aggresive. Someone once told me being aggressive helps you play better. I don't buy it.

Bring Folders and Notes

2008-06-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

The organization skills you gain from keeping a neat folder and binder is all about regulating. If you want to be an artist and put your files in stacks, that's ok. That may be you.

What answer to why do we have to do this? Those who don't see value in the skill should do it now and get the rewards in the form of a grade. In some way grades will motivate you for all your academic career. Feel no guilt over that. It is funny to think of all the things grades ,and later money, will make you do.

Just remember, after my class, you did stay organized once.

Are you born with it?

2008-06-06T05:47:00.000-07:00

Are baseball players natural stars or are they trained ?

Nature vs. nurture

Are some people born to be teachers or can they be trained?

I wonder what the answer truly is

Mr. Dewar's Blog and 7 blog tips

2008-06-06T05:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/commentary/alttext/2008/06/alttext_0604

Wired.com has great resources as well for blogs

Mr Dewar's blog is about blogging, check it out.

9th Grade at the Middle School

2008-06-03T11:04:00.001-07:00

Today was a great example of experience being a hard teacher. She give the test first and the lesson later.

This is what our town has almost understood

2008-05-24T05:43:00.001-07:00

I think our town has the concept down, we don't need new stuff. The only thing Norton needs now is to learn how to work together to trust in each other in our town and it's schools. I think we can get there together. All the yes and no voters need to learn that no one wins with a "No" vote and no one wins with a "yes" vote. We all need to work towards being better so we don't contribute to a 1% of the country that consumes goods every 6 months when there is nothing wrong with it. So people of the town, both sides, I hear you. And I think you have something here if we work together.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7496487490135901757&ei=&hl=en

this is hard to hear but it is the truth... Don't you want to be happy

Let's stop trashing this place

Stuff = A linear system

2008-05-24T05:42:00.001-07:00

We have too much stuff

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9153550196656656736

This makes sense

Video of me detroying a tree

2008-05-14T17:23:00.001-07:00

I took the Brookie challenge and dominated

Constuction Day Pictures

2008-05-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

To the left is

Championship team... Sorry Brendan... you know who you are.

Construction Day

2008-05-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

We had a great time.
Where - Hopkington

Who- 21 Norton students and about 200 students from various locations in Mass.

What we got - Hard Hat, Backpack, made tool boxes, We received points for taking part in different engineering activities such as making a balloon tower, computer design bridge, Lego challenge, Parachute creating.

The best part - using caterpillars, bull dozers, John Deere tractors, the jackhammer, and all the other equipment.

Rational Zero Theorem

2008-05-06T06:22:00.000-07:00

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/systprob2.htm
Solve decompostition problem

Next

Find the equation of the parabola that passes through the points (–1, 9), (1, 5), and (2, 12).

Algebra 2 Honors

2008-05-05T05:35:00.000-07:00

CR I can hear you talking while I am blogging. I wish I couldn't hear you.

CJM no everyone can't read like you

The book I am reading now is "
The name of the Rose" It is actually a murder mystery.

Shout out to Algebra 2 HHonors, Read this an respond to how does the Rational Zero Theorem make Calculus easier, when y"{}all get there.

AS you're welcome

Iron Man

2008-05-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

I love a movie that takes a character, billionaire without a care in the world Tony Stark, and then runs him into the ground testing him in everyway. And just when you think he can't survive and his life is over, he finds a way to persevere. The next step of getting on with his life begins only to have his greatest challenge to date come along. Iron Man never stops with the action. It grabs you until your reluctantly forced to say, what time is it because that was not a two hour movie. WOW, thank you Jon Favreau for directing a great movie.

The next big summer movie = Indy Jones. I hope it is half as good as Iron Man.

Iron man is a rich, genius, who realizes his life means more than just girls and weapons. Think you can pull one over on Tony Stark, Iron Man says no way.

I always wanted to teach

2008-04-02T17:52:00.000-07:00

If you have not learned yet I like being the facilitate of knowledge, creative, inventive and Doritos filled. The best part about The test was when I am done grading I know where you guys stand. I can tell one thing from this class. You all like to work hard at something if there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Okay my article presentation is Thursday night. I appreciate all the work you all put into it. Use that technique and you don't have to even write it down. Just use it to make predictions. I plan on doing more of that sort of activity again. Maybe even with a movie. If anyone has a good one, I will have to get it approved, but I think I can get it to work if it is good.

Any idea on Lesson Plans. I will be getting a list of topics. But what should be graded? Participation? Presenting the Lesson in Class? Working cooperatively? Creating examples?
Ideas are welcome.

Quote of the week comes from Return of the Jedi, "Hey, point that thing some place else."

Week of March 17th

2008-03-21T05:08:00.000-07:00

I apparently = syntax error.

"Why do we celebrate his resurrection on Easter, why not Halloween?"

Similar Triangle Parts

2008-03-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

Another day at Norton High brings another great learning experience. One such moment occurede in my period C geo, one student stopped my class to say the lamest joke. I gave an orange marker to a student and said "you need the orange marker". The student replied, "YOU need the orange marker!?!"

As he said this unrully statement to me, everyone realized something. That he is the lamest and the joke was not nearly as funny as it sounded in his head. Creative? No WAY.

It is obvious learning from each other is more fun than lecturing. We learned about inner voices and orange markers that day. I learned don't try to be funny. It never works out. Also the iner monologues actually work. We should all use them more.

Which is better

2008-03-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

The door decorating contest will end with in victory for Mr. Grasso's Door. We have a superior door design. The jealousy coming from the other competitors is ludicrous.

P.S.
Wendy's or Burger King?

Reporters Lack Any Reporting

2008-01-30T19:17:00.001-08:00

I just read "Senate panel passes $157 billion stimulus plan" and I have to say it lacking slightly. Like for instance where is the debate of recession being good vs. bad. There is no such thing as a good recession, unless you have read history books on economics and see that our economy is cyclical. Are we to believe you didn't ask any hard questions to any politician? I think no one makes a case for common sense notions such as economic recessions and economic booms can occur in patterns. Are reporters doing any investigating at their job?

The pre-war fumble by reporters has made this Global American Citizen skeptical whenever a bill sounds to good to be true.

Why I Never Follow

2008-01-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

"Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your mind... ALL MISTAKES I make arise from forsaking my own station and trying to see the object from another person's point of view" Ralph Waldo Emerson

These words by the great nonconformist, he said "By all means , see things from the other person's point of view- but always act upon your own point of view. "

My conviction is never to follow. I am proud to say I experience no terror for being different.

College Algebra can Change

2008-01-06T07:15:00.000-08:00

In light of the massive numbers of collge students taking college algebra as their final math class of their lives in college. I realized I love my job but I hate certain things about it. It takes you to dislike something to change it I have found... This is what I would change about the math cirriculum.

Freshman year: begining mans on...(cooperative learning rules are set)

Sphomore year: service learning hands on...(cooperative learning)

Junior year: project driven (cooperative learning)

Senior year: College algebra prep to reduce number of "can't do calculus students". apon conclusion use a real world example across cirriculum. A student should be able to read the newspaper and create a chart(visual) in order to test exponential and algebraic skills. Interpreting what you read and verbalizing, sharing, and learning from oneself.

College Algebra
http://www.contemporarycollegealgebra.org/national_movement/an_urgent_call.html

Bruins vs. New Jersey

2008-01-05T18:32:00.001-08:00

That was one of the best ending to a game I have ever seen. Thank you Glen Metropolit.

Radicals

2008-01-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

I think radicals are the door that opens to the world of quadratics. If one can relate radicals to monomial expressions next linear equations can be compared to quadratics. Then anything you see in Calculus is possible.
If a student is defeated before they start an equation then I let them know that speed doesn't matter and mistakes are not a sign of weakness. I often think of my past mistakes, and reflect on how I corrected them. I wasn't sure how to correct everything but "sometimes you have to jump and build the wings on the way down. " Kobi Yamada
Then fly to a resolution you desire to live with.

Intelligente

2007-12-21T14:10:00.000-08:00

I asked two classes if intelligence is predeterminated. And no they were the super advanced students or AP Psyc kids. I wanted to see what people thought. The Yes people were supported their ideas and the no people supported their ideas. After the in class activity some different ideas shined through.

"(People) read (books,magazines, or etc.) to see who is right." The I think is the reader and at different times the writer. Also the right may be just looking for the news.

also
"(Intelligence is) not (just) what you know. It is want"

"As soon as you want something, you have an idea, the rest is up to you" See you all when your back visiting from freshman year of college just like the "07's" are.

Design

2007-12-20T19:20:00.000-08:00

I am not sure why but I never thought about how a room should look. As I walk inside a room I don't think why this person put a couch next to the window or it's color is dreadful. But colors do matter and I am looking for the best way to design a room at my house. If I know what colors do for me I can better decide what color things should be. If you think about your room, you will say it's your own universe at times. In this world of personalization we do personalize everything and at times it is too much. Is life about getting what you want or understand why you think the way you do?
I see myself trying to figure out why I do what I do. If the color green makes me at peace then should my diner room or the living room be green, or my car. So should I change if it makes me happy. What about the money? If I like to make the best out of what I have and understand why I drive a red dragon and not a Cadillac it comes done to satisfying want or need. If you want "ug" boots or a personalized ring tone on your new i-phone, you are missing why you even wanted them in the first place. You want it because you want and have the money. I hope if I ever have money I will still see the difference between want and need. This is why i haven't purchased all new furniture. I am living of what I need. Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah.