The Classroom

I’m always playing around and tweaking the blog, and now I’ve just linked it up with MyBlogLog.com to host avatars for the comment section.  Just sign up for your free account, upload a picture, and post your comment!  You avatar will magically appear beside your words of wisdom!

I also want to take this opportunity to once again extend the invitation for anyone to write a post for The Classroom.  Simply write about what your passionate about, and e-mail it to me.  If it’s appropriate I’ll post it on your behalf and people can start commenting on it!  I don’t mind starting the conversation (just ask my class… or my wife), but if other people have a great idea, I don’t mind stepping off my soapbox for a while.

Well with that said, I’m off to shape the minds of the future (that’s a scary thought…).  Have a great day, and have fun!

-Mr. G

I think this is got to be one of the toughest questions a teacher can try to answer, but one of the most important. Everyone has a different way of reaching their students, of bringing the best out of them.

Some are stern task masters, driving their students to be the best they can be. I’ve had teachers like that – and I learned a lot in their class. Sometimes is was because they pushed me along, other times it was so I could show them I was better than they thought – either way it was effective motivation.

Then there are the nurturers. The “parent” figures. The ones who cared for you, and would help you feel good about yourself no matter what you did. The ones you would move heaven and earth for because that look of disappointment when something went wrong was a fate worse than death. Read the rest of this entry »

Ok – I’ve been trying to avoid the technology stuff on this site as much as possible, because that’s not what I’m all about. It’s what I’m best known for – but it’s only the tip of the iceberg of what I use in my classroom. A very large tip perhaps, but just the tip.

Like most teachers I teach my students, not the curriculum. I teach people, not technology. I mean technology is just a tool. A pencil is a piece of technology. One we use all the time, but you don’t hear a kindergarten teacher say I teach the pencil, and when they’re ready I’m going to teach the eraser! It’s just a tool to help students master the world around them. To interact with those near and far and to make their mark on the world.

I tell my students I teach because I want to live to be 300. I figure that’s a great age. To reach my goal I need people who will make huge advancements in medical science, who will make sure the food I eat is safe, those who can build a home that won’t fall on my head, and make sure the economy runs smoothly so I can afford to buy a new car every once and a while, and people to make sure the world is a peaceful place for my family and I. That’s not much to ask is it? Read the rest of this entry »