THE FIRST WEEK “BACK TO SCHOOL” Report Grade: B-
This grade is a reflection on me, not the students.
PROFESSIONALISM
Truth be told, I’m a tougher grader on myself than on others. However, I think a professional needs to meet that level if they look to improve themselves. There’s never enough time in the day and there’s plenty of excuses available for not doing your best.
After the “soft opening” of the previous week I felt that this week was really strong. My first set of lessons were completely new as I mentioned before. I had recognized a deficiency in my teaching. Due to this, I had been expecting the students to be on the same level of understanding the role of Government, this has always been wrong. I am pleased with the adjustment and the outcomes I have experienced with the change. These first couple of weeks was meant to address that deficiency.
BACK TO SCHOOL
As would be expected of our first week BACK TO SCHOOL we had our FIRST DBQ (Discussion Based Question). The DBQ was a focus on “What is the Purpose of Government?”
The draw (or hook) here is to get the students to try to understand what kind of role government has to their daily life. We had started out the week talking about the US Government. The three branches, a general overview of how they are organized and how they were designed to be in conflict with each other in order to keep their own power and not let one branch dominate another.
Memorable QUOTE from Class:
“FROM THE MOMENT YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING TILL THE MOMENT YOU WAKE UP THE FOLLOWING MORNING GOVERNMENT IS INVOLVED IN YOUR LIFE… Someday, it will be your responsibility to run it. That’s what we’re learning about today.”
-JAMES BALDINI
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS
This first week back to school we briefly discussed what other types of government there are. I have planned that we will circle back around to the subject of types of government this upcoming week or early next week. The current collection of DBQ (Document Based Questions) that we are going through this week in class revolve around understanding portions of The Federalist Papers.
The Federalist Papers are perhaps the finest example of explanation of our own system but the general role of government. Of course, if I used the original documents then all the students would be confused. Fortunately, there is a modern translation from Mary E. Webster, which I used to discuss with students.
As mentioned above during this first week BACK TO SCHOOL the outcomes were satisfactory, even outstanding in some points. This upcoming week we will begin to flesh out the answer to the question “What is the Purpose of Government?” as well as bounce around the ideas from the Preamble. As would be expected this will be moving us closer to “What is the ROLE of Government?” This will help give everyone in the class a solid foundation of understanding when we periodically check BACK to these topics through the year.
Check back next week to see how well we progress…
CHESS CLUB!
Coming BACK TO SCHOOL is NOT all about the classroom. I had the chance to properly introduce the CHESS CLUB! There seemed to be a strong response, whether that was because of the way I introduced it (loud and proud – especially loud – and fun) or because there is a real interest. Only time will tell.
I believe that Chess is one of those “brain strengtheners” because it requires you to prepare a response to every action of your opponent. If we look at the entertainment that is widely available to students today (television, online video, non-interactive games), student brains are allowed to languish in observation. For Chess every action, response and reaction requires the brain to not only react but plan ahead. I have HIGH HOPES. After our first meeting I will report back on HOW I have enhanced the training for CHESS!
Till next time….
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Baldini is an educator with over two decades of experience in the field of children. Mr. Baldini has worked as a adolescent counselor in a youth shelter, a disciplinarian within a High School, a Vice Principal, a Technology Coordinator, a Social Studies Teacher as well as a Humanities Teacher. Mr. Baldini holds a Standard Certificate in the following areas: School Leadership (Principal), Social Studies (K-12), and Elementary Education.
Mr. Baldini also blogs for his daughter. Derya Demirtas came down with Autoimmune Encephalitis at the last few months of 2014. Since then he and his valiant wife have been caring for Derya. Feel free to follow their story at www.FreeDerya.info – and learn more about Autoimmune Encephalitis and how to help others.
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