Actually, it's been raining for the past three days. Welcome to winter on PNW coast - except that today is the first day of spring. I know I'm supposed to get used to it, but I'm really longing for east side of the state.
Last night was a formal dance at school, which I helped to chaperon. It was raining so hard that I actually had to replan my wardrobe. Satin skirt and strong wind with sideways rain didn't sound like a good idea. I really felt sorry for the girls in attendance - hypothermia was a definate worry. It didn't help that the school isn't heated on the weekends, so the building was a goosebump raising 45 degrees. I can't help wondering if the all the dancing was due to the need for heat or if they found really good DJ's. Most dances are about standing around and screaching loudly at the slightest sign of humor. Anyways, good deed done for the weekend.
This afternoon, I spent relaxing at a coffee shop - an hour's drive away, but beggars can't be choosers. While I was grading last week's tests, a couple of high school students came up to me to ask me if I would be willing to be in their "commercial." A faux political ad for a senior project. Do I have a teacher face? Or was I just sitting alone in a really photogenic spot?
I started asking them about this senior project. Washington state requires some sort of culminating project for graduation. It's part of their whole improving education scheme. What this project entails is left up to the individual districts. Thus, the word 'project' should used in it's loosest term. Some require 'projects' that resemble 10th grade research papers, others are four years of working on some of endeavor. Some of the best ones I heard tell of in Spokane were the student who created a Meth-house reporting hot-line to help aggregate tips for police, restoration of classic car and sculpture art show at a gallery downtown. I'm quite positive there were many more that were hideously bad - but the possibility for excellence was there.
In talking with these students, I learn that their 'project' is basically a 12 minute presentation of a 4 year long portfolio, along with a post-high school plan for a career. The filmmakers are interested in politics, hence the faux political ad, presenting a future candidate for President. (Isn't it nice that some kids still dream they can be President? The whole idea of "anyone can grow up to be President" has such an optimist quality) Additionally, the presentation is supposed to point out how the school helped them along their way towards this goal. Now, these students kinda looked at the whole thing as another hurdle to jump before graduation - but I did ask if they go anything out of it, which they admitted they did. I also asked if a student could present something on how the school didn't help them - but neither really answered that... it would be interesting, though. Talk about an authentic learning experience.
Last night was a formal dance at school, which I helped to chaperon. It was raining so hard that I actually had to replan my wardrobe. Satin skirt and strong wind with sideways rain didn't sound like a good idea. I really felt sorry for the girls in attendance - hypothermia was a definate worry. It didn't help that the school isn't heated on the weekends, so the building was a goosebump raising 45 degrees. I can't help wondering if the all the dancing was due to the need for heat or if they found really good DJ's. Most dances are about standing around and screaching loudly at the slightest sign of humor. Anyways, good deed done for the weekend.
This afternoon, I spent relaxing at a coffee shop - an hour's drive away, but beggars can't be choosers. While I was grading last week's tests, a couple of high school students came up to me to ask me if I would be willing to be in their "commercial." A faux political ad for a senior project. Do I have a teacher face? Or was I just sitting alone in a really photogenic spot?
I started asking them about this senior project. Washington state requires some sort of culminating project for graduation. It's part of their whole improving education scheme. What this project entails is left up to the individual districts. Thus, the word 'project' should used in it's loosest term. Some require 'projects' that resemble 10th grade research papers, others are four years of working on some of endeavor. Some of the best ones I heard tell of in Spokane were the student who created a Meth-house reporting hot-line to help aggregate tips for police, restoration of classic car and sculpture art show at a gallery downtown. I'm quite positive there were many more that were hideously bad - but the possibility for excellence was there.
In talking with these students, I learn that their 'project' is basically a 12 minute presentation of a 4 year long portfolio, along with a post-high school plan for a career. The filmmakers are interested in politics, hence the faux political ad, presenting a future candidate for President. (Isn't it nice that some kids still dream they can be President? The whole idea of "anyone can grow up to be President" has such an optimist quality) Additionally, the presentation is supposed to point out how the school helped them along their way towards this goal. Now, these students kinda looked at the whole thing as another hurdle to jump before graduation - but I did ask if they go anything out of it, which they admitted they did. I also asked if a student could present something on how the school didn't help them - but neither really answered that... it would be interesting, though. Talk about an authentic learning experience.
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