I began thinking about this because of water restrictions that prohibits us from watering lawns and washing our cars. I like to keep my truck clean. Leo told me that the washing ban didn’t affect him because he never washes his car and his son refuses to do it. The son is the one that is a potential problem for us that want to wash our car. That gets me to Chris Elmore.
Chris when he was a freshman at Delta College wanted to be the sheriff of Midland County, at first, I was willing to help make that happen until I found out that he harbored a need to settle a vendetta against teachers. Chris had been the class clown when he was in high school; consequently, he was disciplined frequently and that created a need for revenge. Becoming a cop or the sheriff would give him the power to settle the score.
He disclosed to me that he planned to watch for teacher leaving school at the end of the day and arrest them for traffic infractions. After finding that out, I stopped assisting Chris. I didn’t want to be his friend and I didn’t want to help him succeed. I doubt if he graduated from Delta College and hopefully he did not become involved in law enforcement.
We like to think that our students love us or at least respect us. Perhaps 1-5 percent of them have negative memories about their school experience. The percentage could be higher. When they become adults and the table is turned, don’t expect anything positive from them.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Report: 43 kids got zapped others were tear gassed
Hi Maria,
If someone had told me that this could happen, I would not have believed them. But it did happen during Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day. There they were stun gun zapped and tear gassed. They apparently wanted them to know what their parent do as a part of their work. This would never happen in my country.
This event was reported in the May 16th, 2009, St. Petersburg Times. This is the link to the news story. http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/article1001354.ece
Stephen
If someone had told me that this could happen, I would not have believed them. But it did happen during Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day. There they were stun gun zapped and tear gassed. They apparently wanted them to know what their parent do as a part of their work. This would never happen in my country.
This event was reported in the May 16th, 2009, St. Petersburg Times. This is the link to the news story. http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/article1001354.ece
Stephen
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Lessonplans.com changes
Dear Blog Readers:
I hope you noticed the changes I made to Lessonplans.com. It seems that I made a million of them. I clicked so many times that my right hand became numb. Many of them were very small and out of sight: a pixel here, a pixel there and many code changes. Then I had to change the changes until I got it just right.
The navigation bars have been changed. That is the change that should be most visible. It took three long days. I hope it is noticed.
Stephen@lessonplans.com
I hope you noticed the changes I made to Lessonplans.com. It seems that I made a million of them. I clicked so many times that my right hand became numb. Many of them were very small and out of sight: a pixel here, a pixel there and many code changes. Then I had to change the changes until I got it just right.
The navigation bars have been changed. That is the change that should be most visible. It took three long days. I hope it is noticed.
Stephen@lessonplans.com
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Schools tweeting
Pinellas is the second Florida school district to join the online trend of send 140-characters updates out into the wold. Broward schools got there first, and Lee schools have since followed.
Zahn said she aims to tweet at least one item daily, whether it's a reminder of a board meeting, celebration of a school event or perhaps an alert of an issue needing immediate attention. "It's something we do in addition to everything else we do for communication," she said.
Zahn said she aims to tweet at least one item daily, whether it's a reminder of a board meeting, celebration of a school event or perhaps an alert of an issue needing immediate attention. "It's something we do in addition to everything else we do for communication," she said.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Aggressive Kids
Hi Maria,
Yesterday I was riding my bicycle down the street. When I heard loud music coming from an open garage. I looked toward the noise and saw a teen jerking his head to the beat. Seeing me, he bolted from a wheel chair and ran in my direction like a crazed attack dog. My bicycle is fast, so I just sped away from the problem.
That boy does have at least one parent and teachers. You may have boys like that in your school and perhaps even in your classroom. They are a major problem that needs to be solved.
I wish I could offer you a solution. I dealt with it by speeding away. Avoidance is not something you can do. I suppose that transference would pass the problem on to someone else. That would move your problem out of your classroom, but it would still be in your school.
Stephen
Yesterday I was riding my bicycle down the street. When I heard loud music coming from an open garage. I looked toward the noise and saw a teen jerking his head to the beat. Seeing me, he bolted from a wheel chair and ran in my direction like a crazed attack dog. My bicycle is fast, so I just sped away from the problem.
That boy does have at least one parent and teachers. You may have boys like that in your school and perhaps even in your classroom. They are a major problem that needs to be solved.
I wish I could offer you a solution. I dealt with it by speeding away. Avoidance is not something you can do. I suppose that transference would pass the problem on to someone else. That would move your problem out of your classroom, but it would still be in your school.
Stephen
Sunday, April 19, 2009
I listened to kids tell why they like Harry Potter stories.
Hi Mike,
They like Harry Potter stories because they see their unfolding life in those scary and frightening stories.
So there is a generation of frightened adults about to enter center stage. They have good reason to be frightened.
I was the only customer at the Boat Club last night for about an hour. Durk and I talked about predation, law enforcement, what it was like back in the 70's and how we slowly got to were we are today. 1984 arrived late, but it got here none the less.
Stephen
They like Harry Potter stories because they see their unfolding life in those scary and frightening stories.
So there is a generation of frightened adults about to enter center stage. They have good reason to be frightened.
I was the only customer at the Boat Club last night for about an hour. Durk and I talked about predation, law enforcement, what it was like back in the 70's and how we slowly got to were we are today. 1984 arrived late, but it got here none the less.
Stephen
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Florida's tuition costs.
So you want to go to college in Florida but live out of state. I found out this morning the financial consequences of that. Out-of-state students are charged $623.75 per credit hour. The typical number of hours taken per semester is 16-18 hours. $9,980 - 11,227.50. There are two semesters in a school year and it takes 8 semesters to graduate. The tuition cost alone would be over $79,840.
That is ridiculous.
That is ridiculous.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Suncoast News is not only thinner.
This morning I noticed that Suncoast New is not only thinner, it is now shorter. They have eliminated about an inch from the length. They are obviously attempting to stay alive.
The Suncoast News is a free local news paper that depends on advertising revenue. It should be obvious what what happens when advertisers cut-back. They can cut-back only so far and then they close. When that happens, we will all suffer the consequences. Since they service my area, it will not effect you.
Is this happening in your area?
My uncle George was known for saying, "I don't care." He was a retired UAW worker that didn't read the news or books. He did watch the TV and liked his morning coffee and donut with his cigarettes.
Stephen
The Suncoast News is a free local news paper that depends on advertising revenue. It should be obvious what what happens when advertisers cut-back. They can cut-back only so far and then they close. When that happens, we will all suffer the consequences. Since they service my area, it will not effect you.
Is this happening in your area?
My uncle George was known for saying, "I don't care." He was a retired UAW worker that didn't read the news or books. He did watch the TV and liked his morning coffee and donut with his cigarettes.
Stephen
Friday, April 10, 2009
Google Employees
Hi Lorenzo,
Would the people like those working at Google read a newspaper? NO!
Would they have a newspaper subscription? NO!
Would they read a James Mitchener size novel? NO!
There must be exceptions, but not enough of them to be of any consequence. So to them, the loss of the Freedom of the press is not of any concern.
This short message is about the extent of their attention span.
Stephen
Would the people like those working at Google read a newspaper? NO!
Would they have a newspaper subscription? NO!
Would they read a James Mitchener size novel? NO!
There must be exceptions, but not enough of them to be of any consequence. So to them, the loss of the Freedom of the press is not of any concern.
This short message is about the extent of their attention span.
Stephen
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
We are losing the press.
RE: First amendment of the U.S. Constitution:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Hi Andrew,
The Suncoast News shrinking is one more sign indicating the decline of the Newspaper industry. Some major news papers are publishing only 2 days a week, others transferred publishing to the Internet. That lowers publication cost. However, in some cases their advertising is being substituted and the revenue transferred elsewhere. That is a major problem for publishers and Google.
A free press keeps us informed. We are then able to each make decisions based upon that information. It is so important that it was written into our constitution. We do not have a free press without newspapers, writers and publishers. They are all being lost by having their financial life support gradually cut.
Stephen
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Hi Andrew,
The Suncoast News shrinking is one more sign indicating the decline of the Newspaper industry. Some major news papers are publishing only 2 days a week, others transferred publishing to the Internet. That lowers publication cost. However, in some cases their advertising is being substituted and the revenue transferred elsewhere. That is a major problem for publishers and Google.
A free press keeps us informed. We are then able to each make decisions based upon that information. It is so important that it was written into our constitution. We do not have a free press without newspapers, writers and publishers. They are all being lost by having their financial life support gradually cut.
Stephen
Saturday, April 04, 2009
The stat link has been replaced.
Hi Maria,
I removed the link to Lessonplans.com's statistics. Somewhere between 1 to 5% of the visitors have a less than creditable reason for seeing our statistics. Since, I have not a way of identifying them, I have decided to restrict availability. They will now be only available to a few insiders.
Stephen
I removed the link to Lessonplans.com's statistics. Somewhere between 1 to 5% of the visitors have a less than creditable reason for seeing our statistics. Since, I have not a way of identifying them, I have decided to restrict availability. They will now be only available to a few insiders.
Stephen
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Get our free weekly newsletter.
Welcome to Lessonplans.com.
Our pop-up offers you a free weekly newsletter. Enter you email address and click submit and it is yours.
You will see this on the Lessonplans.com pop-up.
Dear Colleague in Education, for many years LessonPlans.com has been dedicated to providing teachers with valuable resources. In addition to the site you are about to visit, and in co-ordination with The Educators Network, we send out a weekly newsletter that contains timely Lesson Planning Ideas and Resources, along with a variety of other Theme Units and Teaching Tools.
Here is a link to a sample newsletter.
http://www.teacherplanet.com/newsletter/267.htm
I thought you should know what is lost when our pop-up is blocked.
Our pop-up offers you a free weekly newsletter. Enter you email address and click submit and it is yours.
You will see this on the Lessonplans.com pop-up.
Dear Colleague in Education, for many years LessonPlans.com has been dedicated to providing teachers with valuable resources. In addition to the site you are about to visit, and in co-ordination with The Educators Network, we send out a weekly newsletter that contains timely Lesson Planning Ideas and Resources, along with a variety of other Theme Units and Teaching Tools.
Here is a link to a sample newsletter.
http://www.teacherplanet.com/newsletter/267.htm
I thought you should know what is lost when our pop-up is blocked.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Mania and the Decline of the Newspaper Industry
Hi Maria,
I will keep it short because of the short attention span of most readers.
This morning Good Morning America made it public that the newspaper industry is in rapid decline. A major cause of the decline is the result of attempting to pander to manic side of the bipolar personality; something that can not be sustained in the long run. The computer has made it possible to keep them interested in the short run, but racing a head of them is something we can do; but in the end, they always crash into their depression stage. Some return to their manic phase, others enter the realm schizophrenia from which there is no way out.
There is already enough at Lessonplans.com to satisfy a mentally healthy mind. That does not seem to be enough. I want to know what percentage of Americans that are now mentally sick. I am sure the percentage is over 5%. It could be as high as 50%.
Stephen
I will keep it short because of the short attention span of most readers.
This morning Good Morning America made it public that the newspaper industry is in rapid decline. A major cause of the decline is the result of attempting to pander to manic side of the bipolar personality; something that can not be sustained in the long run. The computer has made it possible to keep them interested in the short run, but racing a head of them is something we can do; but in the end, they always crash into their depression stage. Some return to their manic phase, others enter the realm schizophrenia from which there is no way out.
There is already enough at Lessonplans.com to satisfy a mentally healthy mind. That does not seem to be enough. I want to know what percentage of Americans that are now mentally sick. I am sure the percentage is over 5%. It could be as high as 50%.
Stephen
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The difficulty identifying what is missing.
Hi Maria,
Identifying what is missing from Lessonplans.com is almost impossible to know when one does not know what should be there. One why of knowing is compare what you see from your home computer with what you see at the library. They should be the same. The difference is the effect of censoring.
Stephen
Identifying what is missing from Lessonplans.com is almost impossible to know when one does not know what should be there. One why of knowing is compare what you see from your home computer with what you see at the library. They should be the same. The difference is the effect of censoring.
Stephen
Saturday, March 21, 2009
A Revolting Experience
Hi Maria,
I went to the Tarpon Springs Library yesterday to have a first time visit to USteam.TV. That was interesting and disappointing. I also visited Lessonplans.com. I was shocked to see that they had blocked all of the advertiser's ads. You should be aware that I pay my taxes with advertising revenue and all the other expenses. The money you receive is also from that source.
The Tarpon Springs Library takes all of my intellectual property, gives it away, pays me nothing and blocks any hope of someone else paying. Those people are like thieves.
I am very unhappy with those people and anyone else that does the same thing.
Stephen
I went to the Tarpon Springs Library yesterday to have a first time visit to USteam.TV. That was interesting and disappointing. I also visited Lessonplans.com. I was shocked to see that they had blocked all of the advertiser's ads. You should be aware that I pay my taxes with advertising revenue and all the other expenses. The money you receive is also from that source.
The Tarpon Springs Library takes all of my intellectual property, gives it away, pays me nothing and blocks any hope of someone else paying. Those people are like thieves.
I am very unhappy with those people and anyone else that does the same thing.
Stephen
Thursday, March 19, 2009
http://www.lessonplans.com/stats/
Hi Maria,
Remember the lessonplans.com header? It refreshes every 60 seconds. A counter is incremented every time that happens. It is in fact a clock. You can get the refresh count from this URL. http://www.lessonplans.com/stats/
You can also get the visitor count from the same address. Knowing this data, you can calculate the average number of seconds a visitor stays at Lessonplans.com.
This is how I know the average length of a visitor's attention span.
Stephen
Remember the lessonplans.com header? It refreshes every 60 seconds. A counter is incremented every time that happens. It is in fact a clock. You can get the refresh count from this URL. http://www.lessonplans.com/stats/
You can also get the visitor count from the same address. Knowing this data, you can calculate the average number of seconds a visitor stays at Lessonplans.com.
This is how I know the average length of a visitor's attention span.
Stephen
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
St. Petersburg Time's Fast Facts
Hi Maria,
This morning I asked a Wachovia teller if she read the St. Petersburg Times. She said that she did not have time. I told her about Fast Facts. She said that she would only have enough spare time to read Fast Facts. That would be about 30 seconds. The elapse time that we have at a red light. That is also enough time to read a short message on your Iphone.
Our shrinking attention span has negative consequences. One of these is the demise of the newspaper. There are others.
Stephen
This morning I asked a Wachovia teller if she read the St. Petersburg Times. She said that she did not have time. I told her about Fast Facts. She said that she would only have enough spare time to read Fast Facts. That would be about 30 seconds. The elapse time that we have at a red light. That is also enough time to read a short message on your Iphone.
Our shrinking attention span has negative consequences. One of these is the demise of the newspaper. There are others.
Stephen
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Fast Facts
Hi Maria,
The St. Petersburg Times has added Fast Facts. It is a summary of what is in the article stated as bullet points. It is for readers that want to get the main points without taking the time to read the article before darting off to something else. I would add that this began happening in the Scientific American and Scientific Mind a few months ago, but I may have already stressed the attention span of my readers. So, I will stop here.
What value is writing without readers?
Stephen
The St. Petersburg Times has added Fast Facts. It is a summary of what is in the article stated as bullet points. It is for readers that want to get the main points without taking the time to read the article before darting off to something else. I would add that this began happening in the Scientific American and Scientific Mind a few months ago, but I may have already stressed the attention span of my readers. So, I will stop here.
What value is writing without readers?
Stephen
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Make it relevant.
Hi Maria,
Make it relevant! Relevant to who or what? This can be a dangerous logic trap, especially when attempting to satisfy bored students.
They would be interested if only I could make it relevant to them. It will never happen, so do not even try.
Make what you do relevant to what the student will need to know at the next level. That is enough.
It is their responsibility to learn what is being taught. Telling their friends that you are a boring teacher is their non-violent way of discrediting you; remember that.
Stephen
Make it relevant! Relevant to who or what? This can be a dangerous logic trap, especially when attempting to satisfy bored students.
They would be interested if only I could make it relevant to them. It will never happen, so do not even try.
Make what you do relevant to what the student will need to know at the next level. That is enough.
It is their responsibility to learn what is being taught. Telling their friends that you are a boring teacher is their non-violent way of discrediting you; remember that.
Stephen