Evil Urges

I've heard My Morning Jacket is Kentucky's answer to Wilco...well never being a fan of Wilco, and believe me I've tried to become a fan and actually have 2 Wilco albums (Summerteeth and Being There) I wasn't all that excited but I thought I'd give them a chance since NPR reviewed their newest album so well. So I finally went out on a limb (a year after this album arrived) and bought the entire album and man, I love this band. My favorite tracks are Highly Suspicious, Sec Walkin, Librarian, and Look at You. Check them out. Also, check out this review from Rollingstone.

Teacher Stuff

So the new school year is coming up and I've been thinking this summer...yes I do work some in the summer...and I think I've come up with a genius idea...well maybe not genius but I think it will help me stay on task and keep my kids happier.

1) Upon entering the classroom students will drop off their assignment from the previous night (yes I still give homework nearly every night).

2) Students will start the beginning of class activity immediately and have until 5 minutes after the bell to complete the activity. Activities are as follows:
a) Problem of the Day - some sort of puzzler or word problem - sometimes work in pairs and other times work all on their own - on the screen
b) Journaling - yes writing about math is a good thing but it's new for me so I have to use this sparcely right now (1 or 2 times every 2 weeks) - on the screen or board
c) Facts Practice/Drilling - something from my textbook series especially for my sixth graders - have to make copies made - paper
d) free time/chill out - not sure I will use this much

3) While students are completing one of these activities I will check their homework - for completion only and give it back for them to keep - works for regular assignments as well as worksheets or test review sheets

4) This will keep me and my student aides from spending an exhorbitant amount of time keeping track of homework - I'm usually just checking e-mail or playing around anyways with those first few minutes

5) The time can be less than 5 minutes or more depending on me and the beginning of class activity

Still formulating this so I'll be revising this as I go and see how this works the first 3-4 weeks of school.

Your Love is Strong

How true...thanks Jon Foreman (which coincidentally is also my cousin's name) for this song and cheap video.

Magnificent

New video, although not what I was hoping for it's still a new classic song from U2.

Magnificent