The Return of the Posts

This blog has been rather quiet for some time. I am hoping to actually start posting things here again. I've finally found a platform I may enjoy using. Sitting down to write has not been a habit I have been able to maintain as I would like.

Hopefully, I'll see some of you around here.

Till then, enjoy this cat in a bucket.

 

Interesting Take on our Connectedness Addiction

Sometimes, I am jealous of people like the writer of this post. I do remember the time before cell phones and constantly connected life. But, it is too late for me. I am hopelessly hooked to being plugged in. Ah well, back to the bits.

http://www.theawl.com/2011/03/my-life-without-a-cell-phone-an-amazing-tale-of...

 

TAKS!!

TAKS ELA tomorrow! So it begins again. God help us

Educator Pay

Are you sick of highly paid teachers? Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit! We can get that for less than minimum wage. That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours). Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day. However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations. LET'S SEE.... That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries). What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year. Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here! There sure is! The average teacher's salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!! Make a teacher smile; repost this to show appreciation for all educators.

New York Times Opinion Page on Texas Ed. Issues

This opinion piece is pretty interesting. It cuts to the heart of the education issue in Texas and the mess we have gotten ourselves into.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/opinion/17gailcollins.html

 

Back in Lubbock

Back after a busy and informative trip to TCEA. A lot of great technology tools and ideas for teachers.

Back in Lubbock

Back after a busy and informative trip to TCEA. A lot of great technology tools and ideas for teachers.

iPad-Is this the future Tool of Education?

I'm Typing this post on the iPad, as the signature suggests. I've been using an iPhone since the first generation came out. The interface of the iPhone has been addictive and natural to me.

The screen always seemed a little small.

Now, I have my hands on the iPad. When it was first announced, I thought I was looking at a big iPod Touch. Then, the reviews started pouring in on release day. I decided I had to get my hands on it.

I have been using it for a little under a week now and have been enjoying every minute of it. Many people wonder what space this device fits into in the world of computing. I feel it fits into the lives of people who desire the best experience in the consumption of media on the planet.

Yes, it isn't a full-fledged computer. It doesn't multitask with third party apps, (Yet!). However, the simplicity of the device and the speed and grace of the interface make it the device I reach for to hop online, read e-mail, and enjoy my multimedia collection.

I have taken it to school the past two days. I've taken attendance on it. I've taken notes on student assignments on it. However, the big deal is, I've shown it to the kids. They are amazed and thrilled when they see this device. They also, and more importantly, instantly know how to use it. I see the education potential of this device to be limitless.

Imagine, all the content necessary in the classroom such as textbooks, videos, calculators, drawing tools, word processors, presentation tools, and other educational applications on one 1.5 lb. device that has an all day battery life. Think of the simplicity of managing one school tool instead of many different and often incompatible systems. Think of a walled application source where any applications used in the school environment are vetted and tested by one of the largest and most successful technology companies in the world before they are ever available for use.

I believe the iPad and other similar future devices are the mobile, technology rich classroom of the future. Schools and school districts only need to have the courage to reach out, take a chance, and embrace it.

Have a great Friday.

CKH


-- Post From My iPad

Location:Lubbock, TX

Mama making cookies

Mama's making cookies! Being all domestic.


-- Post From My iPhone

Fried Chicken

My in-laws are in from Pennsylvania. I made fried chicken last night. Lots & lots of fried chicken. Grandaddy Son's recipe


-- Post From My iPhone

Moving to a New Place

We are still in the maddening process of moving into a new rent house. There is stuff everywhere. I am cutting flooring and putting it down. It will look nice and neat. Someday. Not today.





These pics were taken last week. A tiger lily in our front yard and a little lady flirting with Aslan. How hospitable of her. I've never been to home improvement stores this much. Ever. Back to work. Have a great week.

-- come to Lubbock. We have wind!

Yay. The best 2 months begin!

School's out for summer! We graduated the class of 2009 last night. Now I have all this free time!

To tell the truth, I don't really like summer break. You begin to feel disconnected. I have the same feelings about it as holidays. I'd rather be working. In the summer, I'm home and often trying to find things to do.

Also, graduation is depressing. I have to say goodbye to students I have enjoyed watching and working with for years, and now I will only see them occasionally, if at all. It's like going to a funeral. Oh well, that's the only constant in life. Change. Congratulations class of '09. Now you are not seniors anymore. You're freshmen. Ain't life grand?




-- come to Lubbock. We have wind!

Never Argue with a Woman

My wife sent me this message. I think it's her in a boat. It was too funny, and I had to post it. Enjoy.

Never Argue with a Woman



One morning, the husband returns the boat to their lakeside

cottage after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap.



Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. =20


She motors out a short distance, anchors, puts her feet up,

and begins to read her book.

The peace and solitude are magnificent.

Along comes a Fish and Game Warden in his boat.


He pulls up alongside the woman and says, 'Good
morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?'



'Reading a book,' she replies, (thinking, 'Isn't that obvious?')


'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her.

'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading.'


'Yes, but I see you have all the equipment.
For all I know you could start at any moment.
I'll have to take you in and write you up.'



'If you do that, I'll have to charge you with

sexual assault,' says the woman.



'But I haven't even touched you,' says the Game Warden.



'That's true, but you have all the equipment.
For all I know you could start at any moment.'





'Have a nice day ma'am,' and he left.


MORAL:
Never argue with a woman who reads.


It's likely she can also think.

Matt's Interview

Matt's interview with Evan Onstot went well. I think he had fun, and it appeared that Evan had fun as well.

It will air on KLBK news in the next few weeks. I look forward to seeing how it comes out.

Wow. It's hot today.


-- come to Lubbock. We have wind!

C. C. in her Command Center

C. C. has obviously adjusted to living with the rest of us.

Here she is working on hiding in her tent which she hopes will camouflage her from the rest of us.

Why am I posting this in the middle of a tornado warning?

Matthew Dohm's Deviant Art Collection

One of the students at the high school where I teach has been given the honor of receiving an award at Carnegie Hall in NYC in June for his artwork. I have worked with him the last two years and his art teacher and I are very excited for him. A few examples of his work can be seen by clicking the link below.

Needless to say, I am extremely proud of him. Especially due to the fact that he is a sophomore in high school.

Click the link below to see his Deviant Art collection.

http://matthewmaggot.deviantart.com/gallery/

The Dancers

My kids performed their One Act play contest production for the community yesterday. There were
a few missteps but I'm pretty pleased with where we are. We will go to district contest on Friday April the 3rd at Midland Lee High School. We go on stage at 6 pm. Regardless of the judges decision, I am very proud of my kids' production of Horton Foote's "The Dancers". These are a few pictures from yesterday's pre-performance rehearsal.








-- Post From My iPhone

Well, I'm making corned beef and cabbage with experimental red boiled potatoes for dinner tonight.

Gotta celebrate St. Patrick's Day now don't we.

I went to a little shop in Lubbock today that has refreshments yearly on St. Paddy's Day. I won a cross for Becky's wall just because I was there.

Ah, the luck of the Irish. I feel the McMillon in me coming out. So, it's off to dinner and a nip of Irish whiskey. Erin Go Bragh!

Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day. And pinch the non-participants! They deserve it!

Look at Chairman

Ain't he precious.


-- Dust...Dust...

Me and the New Kid

Daddy & C.C.


-- Dust...Dust...