Blowout Teachers' Lounge

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by JeremyNick

This is also a “Chud”

That doesn't look anything like the guys from the movie.

[fidrych]

Originally Posted by Nicnac

I miss college. If I was rich I would stay in Uni and study EVERYTHING.

I remember vividly my dad telling me he would of went to college forever if he had the money. Best time of his life. Eventually became a teacher, guidance counselor, HS principal/AD.

[IndyKMB]

We just finished up Ancient China and are headed into our Japan unit that culminates in putting Truman on Trial.

Side note, it's crazy how much middle school kids love stupidity.

We (three SS teachers in 7th grade) have recorded several parody songs for units ("Africa" for West Africa Empires, "High Hopes" for Ancient Egypt to name a few) and even done two episodes of a Sesame Street knock-off for Mesopotamia and Ancient India and they absolutely LOVED them. Most of the time could not care less about time and effort we put into lessons, but do something incredible dumb and they love it. Who knew?

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by IndyKMB

We just finished up Ancient China and are headed into our Japan unit that culminates in putting Truman on Trial.

Side note, it's crazy how much middle school kids love stupidity.

We (three SS teachers in 7th grade) have recorded several parody songs for units ("Africa" for West Africa Empires, "High Hopes" for Ancient Egypt to name a few) and even done two episodes of a Sesame Street knock-off for Mesopotamia and Ancient India and they absolutely LOVED them. Most of the time could not care less about time and effort we put into lessons, but do something incredible dumb and they love it. Who knew?

I am going to insist that you share the links.

[mike1498]

Originally Posted by IndyKMB

We just finished up Ancient China and are headed into our Japan unit that culminates in putting Truman on Trial.

Side note, it's crazy how much middle school kids love stupidity.

We (three SS teachers in 7th grade) have recorded several parody songs for units ("Africa" for West Africa Empires, "High Hopes" for Ancient Egypt to name a few) and even done two episodes of a Sesame Street knock-off for Mesopotamia and Ancient India and they absolutely LOVED them. Most of the time could not care less about time and effort we put into lessons, but do something incredible dumb and they love it. Who knew?

You ever heard of Epic Rap Battles of History? Look it up on Youtube. They're pretty good.

[TheFrenzy]

[IndyKMB]

We have never nor will ever put anything "out there" that we do.
Mainly for the cringe factor, but also I'm pretty sure we violate just about every trademark law known to mankind by doing these.

We just keep them in our google drive and show them on our screen when it's time.

So much good stuff out there that is more polished than what we do. Although I do love our History Hall episodes (the SS parody)!

[corndog]

I remember the teachers lounge being called the smokers lounge.

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by corndog

I remember the teachers lounge being called the smokers lounge.

You probably also remember when cigarette were advertised as "healthy".

[fulltritty]

My Son had his annual doctor's checkup yesterday. Now, kids get to fill out some questions on the tablet at check-in. He filled out that he was depressed; a shocker to me. When the doctor asked him about it, he said he feels depressed at middle school because of all of the fights, cursing, loud yelling, threats, etc.

The doctor said that unfortunately has been the #1 complaint from a lot of the kids that go to there.

[discodanman45]

I have no idea how to handle AI at this point. Information from now on will be treated like an addition problem with a calculator. It is scary what has happened the last 6 months. Education needs to be re-evaluated right now.

[DontToewsMeBro]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

I have no idea how to handle AI at this point. Information from now on will be treated like an addition problem with a calculator. It is scary what has happened the last 6 months. Education needs to be re-evaluated right now.

My daughter's grade 11 English teacher is doing something, I thought, very smart. She is allowing students to use ChatGPT to write an essay then the students have to write their own paper and see which one they think is better. Most of the students are taking this as a challenge. My daughter says that no AI is ever going to write better than she can! Very smart of that teacher IMHO.

[discodanman45]

Originally Posted by DontToewsMeBro

My daughter's grade 11 English teacher is doing something, I thought, very smart. She is allowing students to use ChatGPT to write an essay then the students have to write their own paper and see which one they think is better. Most of the students are taking this as a challenge. My daughter says that no AI is ever going to write better than she can! Very smart of that teacher IMHO.

This works well in a high school format versus a college class where the majority of work is done outside of the classroom.

Maybe some students can compete with Chat GPT 3.5, but the GPT 4 can write better than 99.9% of English grad students right now. There is a big difference between the free 2021 version and what is available for monthly subscriptions.

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by discodanman45

This works well in a high school format versus a college class where the majority of work is done outside of the classroom.

Maybe some students can compete with Chat GPT 3.5, but the GPT 4 can write better than 99.9% of English grad students right now. There is a big difference between the free 2021 version and what is available for monthly subscriptions.

Sounds like I wasted my time actually writing my dissertation…

[marl1220]

It's a great week for Spring Break in the North East!!!!

[marl1220]

And truer words have never been spoken.

[Coach Ditka]

Only 30 days of school left (including finals) until summer break but who's counting?

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by Coach Ditka

Only 30 days of school left (including finals) until summer break but who's counting?

Only four more 70-minute lectures for me!

[BGT Masters]

Originally Posted by marl1220

It's a great week for Spring Break in the North East!!!!

No kidding. I was outside working in it all day and was wondering why I was sweating so much got in the truck (which was in the shade) and was shocked when it said 93. Couldn't believe it. Another full day tomorrow. I prefer 70's but I'll take it this time of year.

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by Coach Ditka

Only 30 days of school left (including finals) until summer break but who's counting?

My Son's school is now ending June 8th instead of the 14th because of not having to use any snow days.

Less days left for him to be called cracker.

[TheFrenzy]

A student who has been to class exactly one time this semester just emailed to tel me they are struggling with the class.

(I’ve got my roll sheet right here.)

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

A student who has been to class exactly one time this semester just emailed to tel me they are struggling with the class.

(I’ve got my roll sheet right here.)

Oh man these are so much fun! Please tell me more about how you're struggling!

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

Oh man these are so much fun! Please tell me more about how you're struggling!

It was a dud.

They were just asking for an extension on an assignment. No mention of their attendance or the fact they've been making only low B's on their papers.

I do wish we could have students, at the start of classes, declare whether they are shooting for an A or they "just need to pass." It would make it so much simpler in providing feedback and addressing their concerns.

[hairysasquatch]

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

It was a dud.

They were just asking for an extension on an assignment. No mention of their attendance or the fact they've been making only low B's on their papers.

I do wish we could have students, at the start of classes, declare whether they are shooting for an A or they "just need to pass." It would make it so much simpler in providing feedback and addressing their concerns.

So is that person going to pass with that attendance?

[rocketfan86]

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

A student who has been to class exactly one time this semester just emailed to tel me they are struggling with the class.

(I’ve got my roll sheet right here.)

Similar thing happened a couple weeks ago but to withdraw from courses. There usually is a withdrawal date without special permission up to the 10th week of classes.

Usually after this withdraw date, students need to have some extenuating circumstance to be considered such as health issues, military service, work/childcare issues.

The explanation given was their GPA was going to suffer and nothing else.