that perfect hand... » Inquiries

boys

Kate — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 04:35:35 +0000

The disclaimer for this post is that if you are a male, are married to a male, have male children, are friends with males or have taught males…you are, by obligation, expected to post a comment. Or 4.

‘Cause I need help.

I have a very full and anticipatory heart when I think of my job starting in September. My full heart, however, is an anxious one as I am contemplating teaching my boys. I have 21 girls and 6 boys in my class. Overwhelming ratio? Absolutely. I have ideas about teaching and nurturing and remembering them as I go, but I could use more insights.

What kind of books do your boys like to read?
How do they learn best?
What are some of their passions?
Any world issues they gravitate towards?
What subjects in school do they have the strongest aversions to?
What do they dream about?
How do they spend their spare time?
What has their favourite part about past teachers been?
What discipline tactics do they respond to the best?
Introverted or extroverted?
At 12 or 13, how much responsibility did they have for themselves? What did you expect of them?

The list goes on and on and on…

I think my biggest concerns are engaging the boys in a meaningful way…and the discipline. I want the boys in my class to be valued for being boys and I don’t want them mentally and emotionally outnumbered and suffocated by the absolute physical outnumbering of the ladies in the room.

YES this is a generalization and NO do I not expect any of what you tell or share to be 100% applicable to my boys, I am just curious about this — I’ve been reading a lot of literature on the nature of learning styles and engagement for young men but having never been one myself, your experience…even if your boys are just little guys, and observations are important to me. I crave some input as I get more and more focused on creating an awe-some learning environment for September (which is coming very fast)!

Cheers!! (And thanks…in advance…for your thoughts, please share them)

team input

Kate — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:04:21 +0000

DO you think my blog looks ridiculous right now? I have very limited options with wordpress so if it looks stupid, tell me. I love criticisms if it means people can exercise a deep seeded passion for complaining. We all have that passion, so consider this your outlet. I am selfless and sacrificial like that. Rant away.

for leanne

Kate — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:21:30 +0000

My dear, sweet friend-of-a-friend-turned-good-friend Leanne “I like to have smart conversations, judge Chai tea drinkers, and eat Marble Slab ice cream” B*yak (in effort to hide her identity since the whole reason she doesn’t have a blog anymore is the potentially harmful internet world) posed a question to me last night via e-mail. Since, as previously mentioned, she doesnt have a blog anymore, I am doing her a favour (unbeknownst to her) and posing this question to you. Think about it, post some comments on what you believe the answer, coupled with some awesomely endearing compliments on myself and/or Leanne (who has fabulous style, hair, and plants). We do well with flattery :

Is “knowing the answer” and “having the answer” the same or different.

I will let you know what I think once I hear from you.

(if you don’t know who Leanne is, she was Megan’s bridesmaid, Avey’s coworker, and one of my CBFFs (Calgary) that I would’ve lived with had I stayed)

does it really matter?

Kate — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:21:20 +0000

What would say the greatest thing that we, humans, can invest in?

My top four:

A. Investment in God.

B. Investment in relationships.

C. Investment in myself.

D. Investment in service [of others; stewardship].

Are there more?

Nadina, I want to hear from you too on this.

heinous

Kate — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:13:40 +0000

I just wrote a Shakespeare (LAST ONE EVER!!!) final for three hours straight. That means, three of my final exams are done and I have one more. It is tomorrow night (Tues) at 7 pm. I haven’t even LOOKED at the material yet. I’ve organized it, but not LOOKED at it yet (having three other finals will do that to a person). What I want to know is, do you think if I wake up at a decent hour tomorrow, I can study enough? My brain is fried and the couch is looking awfully comfy for a Kate-night-in-front-of-the-television-to-rest-her-overloaded-brain. Or do you think I need to study tonight too? Thoughts, opinions?

Please use discretion when responding to this post, I do not take kindly to being labeled a procrastinator. Especially when I just busted out three, three hour finals in the last four days.

The course tomorrow is Race and Ethnicity in Canada and it’s partially open book.

I will be checking this post continuously, so the more feedback the better.

Thank you.

question #2

Kate — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:33:43 +0000

Do you think it is possible that our brains actually ‘shut off’, during exam time, due to the following circumstances:

A. Information overload.
B. Pending move back home excitement.
C. Warm weather and beautiful scenery.
D. Running out of money.
E. Rather be doing something else.

Just curious.

a little voice

Kate — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:45:03 +0000

How do we quiet the voice in our heads? Mine keeps telling me things that I find hard to believe.

If you have the answer, let me know. Seriously.

question #1

Kate — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:49:45 +0000

(This is an interactive blog, I would like you to comment answers for me because I am genuinely curious and I plan to do this often now, providing this goes well…)

Q1: Do you believe that acting upon conviction (doing what you know you should)… especially one that you keep fighting to ignore but can’t… is worth it even if the outcome is completely heartwrenching and appearingly awful?

skill testing question

Kate — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:08:00 +0000

I had to write a “found poem” for my Teaching Reading and Writing Comprehension for Grades 6-12 class. What I did was created a poem about loss through different lines from some of my favourite songs. I want you to guess where the lines are from (Song/Artists) and try to get as many right.. here’s a hint: it’s a 14 line sonnet but there are more than 14 songs listed. Good luck, your prize will be unreal!

Goodbye

Memory will rust and erode into lists of all that you gave

I had asked myself, do you know what you’re getting yourself into?

It’s happened once again, I’ll turn to a friend, with nothing to lose, nothing to do

My best friend, you stand by me, and you believe in me, like nobody ever may

I’m begging you to forgive me, while I feel the waves come crash into me

Help me believe in anything, ‘cause I want to be someone who believes

Made us think we were wise and never compromise, I b’lieve

Maybe one day wake up and this will all just be a dream?

Can’t help thinking, remember it’s times like these we learn to live again

So many relationships in this life, but only one or two will last

Sad I never said thank you for that, thought I might get one more chance

But every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end

It’s a great day to be alive, sun still shining when I close my eyes

Those were the best days of my life, back in the summer of ’69.

expenses

Kate — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:01:00 +0000

Hey guys, I will write as soon as life settles down immensely. A detailed little letter anyways… but I just wanted to ask for your prayers. Our house isn’t done and in a new development, I need to buy a new computer. So not only is this a huge inconvenience, but it’s an expense I didn’t count on. The unfortunate thing is being an english major (and universitys becoming increasingly more digital) a computer is necessary. So I am scared about how much it will cost and how much the expense will set me back. As I said, I covet your prayers in this unexpected issue but also in my search for a new job.

Thank you… and I will get back to you soon!

Cheers!!!