Slightly Off KIlter

Normal is overrated

  • Students Are Not Adults

    I’ve been substitute teaching for a little over two years now. I’ve been thinking, lately, about why 4th and 5th graders seem so much more mature in class than 7th graders. (6th graders are in-between.) Shouldn’t students become more mature as they get older? My theory: In elementary school, the teachers and the administration don’t… Continue reading

  • A Tale of Two Types, One Temperament, and Different Value Systems

    This is a tale of two psychological Types; they share a temperament group, but different Interaction styles. They also have similar but opposite cognitive function stacks. Pat, a lecturer and non-fiction author, has preferences for INTP. Jan, a programmer and student in one of the areas Pat writes about, has preferences for INTJ. Jan has… Continue reading

  • Substitute Teaching Vignettes #6

    Subbing… While I was on recess duty, a 1st or 2nd grade girl came dancing (jeté) across the blacktop, stopped in front of me, and said, "Good morning, ma'am, how is your day going so far?" I blinked and replied, "Quite well, thank you. How is yours?" She said hers was also going well. I… Continue reading

  • A Tale of Two Students

    In reverse order: Student B, along with two others at her table is doing “test corrections” by copying the work from the answer key / explanation. I walked by and looked at one problem … I said “Look at that one again. Look at the first line. Look at the signs.” Continue reading

  • Diary of a Substitute Teacher #3

    Feedback from the middle school teacher I subbed for last week:   Were any disciplinary issues reported? None, I wish they were. I've had subs tell me exactly on the seating chart which students were off task, which were talking, and which we working very nicely. Those notes would have been very helpful as I… Continue reading

  • Diary of a Substitute Teacher #2

    Yesterday's class was doing "IXL Math" exercises on Chromebooks: "Ratios and Rates". Sample question: "What is the ratio of orange bottles to total bottles?" Continue reading

  • All Cartoons Are Not Cartoon Characters™

    My Credit Union offers the option to "design your own" image for credit cards. On Nov 14, I went to the site and plugged in my business card (sans text). Submitted. A day later, I received a "disapproved" notice: The design/image contains or depicts copyrighted, trademarked or branded products and/or services. This may include registered… Continue reading

  • Substitute Teaching Vignettes #5

    6th grade math – part 1 Problem: 0.375 + 5/8 Guys. There's a trick. What's an eighth? (silence) What's a quarter? (Clown: 25 cents!) Me, writes .25 on the board. What's half of 25? kid: 15? Me: close. What's half of 25? What if I have a pie (draws circle) and I cut it into… Continue reading

  • Diary of a Substitute Teacher

    December 15, 2016 Subbing in middle school (7th grade) "Tech" classes. The students are creating simple web sites. Hey, I know this stuff! (As opposed to the Aztecs & Mayans or 4th grade "math with discs".) I told today's classes that I've been building web sites & coding HTML by hand since 1994/95. Eyebrows go… Continue reading

  • Substitute Teaching Vignettes #4

    Fourth First grade This was…. a surprise. I was expecting 4th grade. Me (at the school office): I'm your 4th grade sub. Woman: I didn't know either of them was out today. Mr Jones or Mr. Smith? Me: Ms. Black? Woman: She teaches 1st grade. Me: (hoookay then) Continue reading