I have taught 33 years, 18 of them at White Oak. After Saturday night’s Senior Celebration I am humbled and blessed by the seniors’ remarks about not only me, but my colleagues and White Oak in general.  If college students in education programs could sit in on a ceremony such as this, they would catch on fire for the profession. I am a firm believer that ultimately it is not the curriculum, the building environment, the technology available that results in a quality education. It is the relationship between students and teachers that are well-educated in their field, passionate about their subjects and most importantly, passionate about their students. There is a painting over my classroom door that reads: Arise, Go forth and Conquer!  I would love to see young, bright, dedicated teachers doing the same.

Lesson Plans:

Sociology:

Students will be able to:

~identify elements of poverty in America and how it impacts the family, the economy, education, crime and culture

~analyze the impact that each of the above has on perpetuating poverty in America

~explain examples of intervention that are successful and analyze why they work

Monday-Friday:  Documentary & Discussion on PBS series Country Boys

 

Introduction to Journalism:

Students will be able to:

~explain the role of journalists in combat journalism

~analyze the role of constitutional protections in ensuring that journalism is the Watchdog of Democracy

~demonstrate understanding of the events that resulted in the Cambodian Genocide under the Pol Pot regime

Monday-Wednesday:  Killing Fields

Thursday:  Essay Test

Friday: News-Feature:  reading aloud to students (Pulitzer Prize winning stories)

Last week was a whir of stressed and exhausted freshmen and sophomore STAAR test takers and their teachers. As usual both entities did what they do best, apply what they have learned. I am sure that students and faculty look forward to the day that each student’s performance is based on the fulfillment of their potential as lifelong learners.  It will happen, because we desire what is best for each student.

Psychology:

Students will be able to:

~identify the role of the institution of families in the health and stability of society.

~explain the different forms of marriage found in global cultures

~explain the role of family in society

~identify the characteristics of a healthy family

~demonstrate understanding of the impact of poverty on family, education, and culture in general

Monday-Tuesday:

Lecture & discussion over Family chapter in text.

Open book test over family.

Wednesday-Friday:  PBS Documentary series:  Country Boys

 

Introduction to Journalism:

Students will be able to:

~demonstrate the ability verbally and in writing to analyze descriptive writing and isolate the elements which make it active voiced, impacting, and conveys importatnt ideas

~explain the importance of storytelling in writing while maintaining journalistic integrity

~explain the impact of journalists on informing the public of political forces, backgrounding, and historical context

~explain the impact of investigative reporting

Monday:

~complete analysis od Ernie Pyle’s “Death of Captian Waskow”

Tuesday-Friday: The Killing Fields