The title of my blog "Close enough for Jazz" comes from a commonly used phrase amongst musicians. It is used to describe an effort that meets the bare minimum to be acceptable. (Similar to "Close enough for government work", although while the jazz version implies a laid back attitude, government work implies a blatant lack of dedication.)
Usage:
"Hey man, did you tune?"
"yeah, close enough for jazz."
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Mixed Bag
Finals week.... meh.
Gave a final that I worked hard on, only to realize in the few seconds before I haded it out that it was crap. It was a formatting nightmare. And in the end, I think it annoyed the class more than it tested their knowledge. Actually, I don't feel too bad about it: It was something new and different, and at least I can rule out that particular format as being something that I can use.
***
Dr. Psych, with whom I had a nice chat today: I'm glad I got a chance to just hang with you... and again, I do apologize for mistaking you for a Sith apprentice at one time. Also, now that I know you're a comic book person... well, we'll just have to talk some more.
***
I emerged from my classroom just as the elementary after-school program was letting out. It was 5 p.m. (sunset) and one of my students was wondering around looking for her boyfriend who was in basketball practice. I waved and she walked over to me to say "hi." I turned around when I saw her staring at something over my shoulder, and there on the edge of the roof was perched what we think was a peregrine falcon. We watched as it flew back and forth from the roof to a nearby tree. Occasionally it would land and briefly take on what looked like an anime martial arts stance in front of us, only to quickly flap away again. Of course, when I ran to get my camera, it decided to fly away. Still, it was awesome.
Gave a final that I worked hard on, only to realize in the few seconds before I haded it out that it was crap. It was a formatting nightmare. And in the end, I think it annoyed the class more than it tested their knowledge. Actually, I don't feel too bad about it: It was something new and different, and at least I can rule out that particular format as being something that I can use.
***
Dr. Psych, with whom I had a nice chat today: I'm glad I got a chance to just hang with you... and again, I do apologize for mistaking you for a Sith apprentice at one time. Also, now that I know you're a comic book person... well, we'll just have to talk some more.
- "Everyone in the Rebellion is here for a reason. Everyone was affected by the Empire in one way or another. Everyone has a story to tell. Most of them are tragic."
- ―Wedge Antilles
***
I emerged from my classroom just as the elementary after-school program was letting out. It was 5 p.m. (sunset) and one of my students was wondering around looking for her boyfriend who was in basketball practice. I waved and she walked over to me to say "hi." I turned around when I saw her staring at something over my shoulder, and there on the edge of the roof was perched what we think was a peregrine falcon. We watched as it flew back and forth from the roof to a nearby tree. Occasionally it would land and briefly take on what looked like an anime martial arts stance in front of us, only to quickly flap away again. Of course, when I ran to get my camera, it decided to fly away. Still, it was awesome.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Here goes the e-mail to parents....
Dear Ms. 9th Grade Saxophonist.
You may have noticed the ease in which you "duped" me into letting you out of today's rehearsal by claiming that you left your instrument at home. Indeed, it was easy because I wanted to check your locker later and see if the instrument was indeed in there. It was. This means you got what was seemingly a free pass to finish whatever homework you failed to complete the night before. But see, in order for me to buy that old trick, you first have to be the kind of student that would take your instrument home to practice in the first place.
I'm sure you'll be surprised on Monday when you open your instrument locker to find your tenor saxophone missing. You'll be forced to come to me and explain how an instrument that wasn't supposed to be there was suddenly AWOL for real. When you tell me that you brought it in that morning, I'll ask you how that was possible when I removed said instrument from your music locker Friday afternoon.
I'll be sure to forward the information your poor decision to try to use my class as a study hall to your RSP teacher, your counselor and your guardians. You forget that we are already showing you a gracious amount of trust, not having thrown you out of the class last year for the whole iPod theft incident. You may want to ask yourself: When the IEP meetings come up, how many of your teachers are likely to contribute positive remarks about your participation in class? I might have been one of them, given the promising progress you made earlier this year... but now if asked, I'm going to have to say that you no longer qualify for the benefit-of-the-doubt, and that any claims you make that may be a deception on your part will have to be verified in full before I give them any consideration.
You may have noticed the ease in which you "duped" me into letting you out of today's rehearsal by claiming that you left your instrument at home. Indeed, it was easy because I wanted to check your locker later and see if the instrument was indeed in there. It was. This means you got what was seemingly a free pass to finish whatever homework you failed to complete the night before. But see, in order for me to buy that old trick, you first have to be the kind of student that would take your instrument home to practice in the first place.
I'm sure you'll be surprised on Monday when you open your instrument locker to find your tenor saxophone missing. You'll be forced to come to me and explain how an instrument that wasn't supposed to be there was suddenly AWOL for real. When you tell me that you brought it in that morning, I'll ask you how that was possible when I removed said instrument from your music locker Friday afternoon.
I'll be sure to forward the information your poor decision to try to use my class as a study hall to your RSP teacher, your counselor and your guardians. You forget that we are already showing you a gracious amount of trust, not having thrown you out of the class last year for the whole iPod theft incident. You may want to ask yourself: When the IEP meetings come up, how many of your teachers are likely to contribute positive remarks about your participation in class? I might have been one of them, given the promising progress you made earlier this year... but now if asked, I'm going to have to say that you no longer qualify for the benefit-of-the-doubt, and that any claims you make that may be a deception on your part will have to be verified in full before I give them any consideration.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Here comes the parent e-mail....
Dear Mr. 8th grade violinist:
If you argue with a conductor in private, it will be a private matter. If you choose to argue with a conductor during the rehearsal, it will be very public... which will not work in your favor if the conductor reduces you to a smoldering pile of ashes.
If, as a result of your continuous prodding of the 7th grade girl sitting next to you, you get moved one chair in the opposite direction to remove the temptation to cause a disruption, you should be grateful that it was not accompanied by a call home, an administrative referral, detention, or a lowered grade. Do not decide to stand up for your right to sit in that particular chair.
(You should also note that the fact that your sister, who usually jumps to defend you, chose to keep her silence in this matter.)
I know that your parents, being the protective guardians that they are, will no doubt contact me in short order about the gruff nature in which I reacted to you today. I will be very happy to inform them that my first approach was to very quietly and discretely tell you to switch chairs with your stand partner, and that it was only after you loudly protested that it became known to the entire class. I will also inform them that had you refrained from poking the above mentioned 7th grade girl with your bow (especially after she asked you to cease and desist repeatedly) it wouldn't have been a problem in the first place.
But don't take it too hard. In just a few years, you'll have the guts to ask the girl for her phone number and be done with it.
If you argue with a conductor in private, it will be a private matter. If you choose to argue with a conductor during the rehearsal, it will be very public... which will not work in your favor if the conductor reduces you to a smoldering pile of ashes.
If, as a result of your continuous prodding of the 7th grade girl sitting next to you, you get moved one chair in the opposite direction to remove the temptation to cause a disruption, you should be grateful that it was not accompanied by a call home, an administrative referral, detention, or a lowered grade. Do not decide to stand up for your right to sit in that particular chair.
(You should also note that the fact that your sister, who usually jumps to defend you, chose to keep her silence in this matter.)
I know that your parents, being the protective guardians that they are, will no doubt contact me in short order about the gruff nature in which I reacted to you today. I will be very happy to inform them that my first approach was to very quietly and discretely tell you to switch chairs with your stand partner, and that it was only after you loudly protested that it became known to the entire class. I will also inform them that had you refrained from poking the above mentioned 7th grade girl with your bow (especially after she asked you to cease and desist repeatedly) it wouldn't have been a problem in the first place.
But don't take it too hard. In just a few years, you'll have the guts to ask the girl for her phone number and be done with it.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Due to the writer's strike....
...the previously posted Palpatine rant has been cancelled. Actually, the more I worked on it, the more I realized how tired I am of complaining about Palpatine. Besides, she hasn't actively done anything to make my life miserable since before the holdidays (although the general threat is still there.) Should that change, we will return to the regularly scheduled rants.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Oh Heath, we hardly knew ye....
So I come back to my office just before school lets out to find a crowd of kids around my computer.
"Uh.... what's up?" I said.
One of the kids points at the monitor. I look over and see a page on Yahoo news about Heath Ledger being found dead in an apartment in New York.
"No way..." I said. I sit down and start poking around the web. Fake. Gotta be. I figure if anyone had the news it would be IMDb (Internet Movie Database... one of my weaknesses). BUt IMDb had nothing. I spin my chair around.
"See... gotta be fake. Can't find anything anywhere else." I said.
"Well, Yahoo just posted the story like four minutes ago." Said one of the students.
I got back to IMDb and hit "refresh" Sure enough, a new story pops up in the news section: Heath Ledger found dead in New York apartment.
Now... what makes me blog about this is the fact that almost every kid who came in after that moment reacted the same way:
"Hey man... Heath Ledger just died."
"Aww dude... did they finish the new Batman movie?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Oh... okay.... whew."
Oh, poor Heath.....
"Uh.... what's up?" I said.
One of the kids points at the monitor. I look over and see a page on Yahoo news about Heath Ledger being found dead in an apartment in New York.
"No way..." I said. I sit down and start poking around the web. Fake. Gotta be. I figure if anyone had the news it would be IMDb (Internet Movie Database... one of my weaknesses). BUt IMDb had nothing. I spin my chair around.
"See... gotta be fake. Can't find anything anywhere else." I said.
"Well, Yahoo just posted the story like four minutes ago." Said one of the students.
I got back to IMDb and hit "refresh" Sure enough, a new story pops up in the news section: Heath Ledger found dead in New York apartment.
Now... what makes me blog about this is the fact that almost every kid who came in after that moment reacted the same way:
"Hey man... Heath Ledger just died."
"Aww dude... did they finish the new Batman movie?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Oh... okay.... whew."
Oh, poor Heath.....
Saturday, January 19, 2008
REAL Professional Development
Usually the word implies plastic doorstops... er, I mean binders, lanyards and hours of sitting in squeaky little folding chairs listening to someone drone on and on, ultimately building up to a conclusion that anyone with half a brain could deduce without first exploring the finer points of the Madeline Hunter lesson plan, or Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition.
Let me tell you about the most effective professional development I've experienced in the last two years: Every Saturday I wake up bright and early for an independent youth orchestra that rehearses in my own classroom. On the way, I stop at the local IHOP for breakfast... a little weekly treat I give myself. I like to sit at the counter, which provides the added adventure of never knowing who you'll end up sitting next to.
For the last two months, I've been sitting down next to a slim, elderly chap. He's friendly, talkative... the kind of retired person who manages to keep busy doing pretty much the same thing that he used to do for full pay and benefits. His name is Alan.
My first time meeting Alan, it was apparent that he was an IHOP regular, like myself, although he must have had a different breakfast time seeing as how I had never met him before November. Everyone at the restaurant calls him "Alex"... which I imagined was a simple misunderstanding that Alan never bothered to correct.
But what makes Alan interesting to me is the fact that he's a former film composer who worked in Hollywood for decades. He also briefly taught classes about the music business at a local community college. Every time I talk to him, he relates fascinating stories stories about being in the studio, dealing with entertainment politics and putting up with impossible deadlines. At the same time he's also done quite a bit of "legitimate" performing and conducting. We discussed everything from ensemble set-up to score marking to hiring and firing performers. He's so engaging that often I show up late to the orchestra rehearsal.
So, for the price of steak and eggs, I get a hundred times the benefit of any workshop hosted by my school... and never is there mention of the terms "assessment" or "benchmark."
Today's conversation ended with him inviting me to bring my "axe" (instrument) and play with him at the *FANCY SCHMANCY* restaurant down by the coast, where he's scheduled to play with some friends. Unfortunately, I've got plans tonight with the wife, but it was a cool invitation nonetheless.
Let me tell you about the most effective professional development I've experienced in the last two years: Every Saturday I wake up bright and early for an independent youth orchestra that rehearses in my own classroom. On the way, I stop at the local IHOP for breakfast... a little weekly treat I give myself. I like to sit at the counter, which provides the added adventure of never knowing who you'll end up sitting next to.
For the last two months, I've been sitting down next to a slim, elderly chap. He's friendly, talkative... the kind of retired person who manages to keep busy doing pretty much the same thing that he used to do for full pay and benefits. His name is Alan.
My first time meeting Alan, it was apparent that he was an IHOP regular, like myself, although he must have had a different breakfast time seeing as how I had never met him before November. Everyone at the restaurant calls him "Alex"... which I imagined was a simple misunderstanding that Alan never bothered to correct.
But what makes Alan interesting to me is the fact that he's a former film composer who worked in Hollywood for decades. He also briefly taught classes about the music business at a local community college. Every time I talk to him, he relates fascinating stories stories about being in the studio, dealing with entertainment politics and putting up with impossible deadlines. At the same time he's also done quite a bit of "legitimate" performing and conducting. We discussed everything from ensemble set-up to score marking to hiring and firing performers. He's so engaging that often I show up late to the orchestra rehearsal.
So, for the price of steak and eggs, I get a hundred times the benefit of any workshop hosted by my school... and never is there mention of the terms "assessment" or "benchmark."
Today's conversation ended with him inviting me to bring my "axe" (instrument) and play with him at the *FANCY SCHMANCY* restaurant down by the coast, where he's scheduled to play with some friends. Unfortunately, I've got plans tonight with the wife, but it was a cool invitation nonetheless.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
It is DONE!
CLAD is in the mail. No more. Finito.
All hail the coming three day non-CLAD encumbered weekend!
All hail the coming three day non-CLAD encumbered weekend!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Mad about CLAD
I know, I know... those of you who have been reading my blog form the beginning are tired of hearing me bitch about CLAD. It's like having a friend who's "stuck" in an abusive relationship but doesn't have the guts to do what they need to to get out. After a while, you don't want to talk to them anymore. But fear not, friends. This is not one of those posts
I've allowed myself way too much leisure time on this already.
I promised myself it would be done by September... didn't happen.
I promised myself I'd be done by December.... didn't happen.
I promised myself I'd be done before winter break... didn't happen.
I promised myself I'd work on it over winter break... hell, you can scroll down if you don't remember how that went.
So I said... "okay.. so none of that happened. I guess I'll just have to take care of it this weekend." To which my ID replied "Who the hell are you kidding? You have three new video games and twelve new DVDs from Christmas. Lets not forget that beautiful big LCD TV you just bought, with the upgraded surround-sound... and oh, it's your wife's birthday on Saturday, so subtract the time you need for a nice dinner. Yeah... CLAD... sure..."
Well friends, somehow the ID got tied up and left in the closet, because I managed to get about 90% of the last class done. It's now 4 a.m. and I've just pulled another all-nighter. I didn't particularly have to, but goddammit I'm fucking tired of having this spectre hanging over my head. The coursework deadline isn't until the 31st of January, but I promised myself I wouldn't let myself get to the last week and scramble to get it in. (I still feel like I'm barely making it.) Apparently this is the first "promise to myself" that I've actually kept.
All the class logs are done, as is the peer conference project, the task sheets and the presenter evaluation forms. I just have three short assignments to do.... Tuesday, maybe Wednesday it will be in the mail.
I've allowed myself way too much leisure time on this already.
I promised myself it would be done by September... didn't happen.
I promised myself I'd be done by December.... didn't happen.
I promised myself I'd be done before winter break... didn't happen.
I promised myself I'd work on it over winter break... hell, you can scroll down if you don't remember how that went.
So I said... "okay.. so none of that happened. I guess I'll just have to take care of it this weekend." To which my ID replied "Who the hell are you kidding? You have three new video games and twelve new DVDs from Christmas. Lets not forget that beautiful big LCD TV you just bought, with the upgraded surround-sound... and oh, it's your wife's birthday on Saturday, so subtract the time you need for a nice dinner. Yeah... CLAD... sure..."
Well friends, somehow the ID got tied up and left in the closet, because I managed to get about 90% of the last class done. It's now 4 a.m. and I've just pulled another all-nighter. I didn't particularly have to, but goddammit I'm fucking tired of having this spectre hanging over my head. The coursework deadline isn't until the 31st of January, but I promised myself I wouldn't let myself get to the last week and scramble to get it in. (I still feel like I'm barely making it.) Apparently this is the first "promise to myself" that I've actually kept.
All the class logs are done, as is the peer conference project, the task sheets and the presenter evaluation forms. I just have three short assignments to do.... Tuesday, maybe Wednesday it will be in the mail.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Stealth Chicken Strike.
Step 1: Wait until unsuspecting administrator is alone in his office with the door open.
Step 2: Remove "Wacky Chicken" from stealth bag.
Step 3: Flip switch to "On," place chicken on ground in doorway.
Step 4: Run to mail room until feathers clear.
Step 2: Remove "Wacky Chicken" from stealth bag.
Step 3: Flip switch to "On," place chicken on ground in doorway.
Step 4: Run to mail room until feathers clear.
"Dead Man Walking!"
.... I think there should have been someone standing outside my front door, shouting that as I made my way to my car to go to work on Monday morning. First week back from break.... hmmpphh...
Of course I did very little of what I said I'd do over the holidays. I managed to get some CLAD work done, but not as much as I promised. No planning.... no phone calls.... and here I am. I have that sinking feeling that very little is going well, and it's mostly my fault.
Too many things in my classes aren't working - Band is stretched in too many directions, and is making very slow progress. The beginning strings are a bunch of mostly ne're-do-wells that won't stay on task and don't give a spit about playing their instruments (which is what happens when the powers-that-be stuff kids in music classes without their consent). The advanced groups are slightly demoralized... and AP Theory is starting to feel blase'
Oh and it doesn't help that about %15 of the kids are sick and showing up to school anyway. (I've been guzzling "Airborne"-laced water like it was going out of style.
Yeah, this week hurt.
Maybe, it's just "a funk." That's what one of my blogging friends called it (And trust me, Mr. AP it's not just the two of us.) It's bad enough that I'm starting to wonder if I'm burning out. My benchmark is my memory of how I felt at *MY LAST SCHOOL* If I ever get that miserable again, it's really time to start beating the bushes for a new job.
Okay, let's take a step back and look at the bright side:
* We had two successful concerts just before winter break... that's a very good thing.
* CLAD class #3 is in the mail. Just one more to go.
* Club council is working well... best student leader team ever.
* It's amazing what cleaning a room does for your mood.
* Every break and lunch I get reminded of how much I like my colleagues.
* I'm getting a new saxophone. Tenor. High performance pro model. Silver plated. Beautiful.
* There was also this little gem I got via e-mail from a former student:
Of course I did very little of what I said I'd do over the holidays. I managed to get some CLAD work done, but not as much as I promised. No planning.... no phone calls.... and here I am. I have that sinking feeling that very little is going well, and it's mostly my fault.
Too many things in my classes aren't working - Band is stretched in too many directions, and is making very slow progress. The beginning strings are a bunch of mostly ne're-do-wells that won't stay on task and don't give a spit about playing their instruments (which is what happens when the powers-that-be stuff kids in music classes without their consent). The advanced groups are slightly demoralized... and AP Theory is starting to feel blase'
Oh and it doesn't help that about %15 of the kids are sick and showing up to school anyway. (I've been guzzling "Airborne"-laced water like it was going out of style.
Yeah, this week hurt.
Maybe, it's just "a funk." That's what one of my blogging friends called it (And trust me, Mr. AP it's not just the two of us.) It's bad enough that I'm starting to wonder if I'm burning out. My benchmark is my memory of how I felt at *MY LAST SCHOOL* If I ever get that miserable again, it's really time to start beating the bushes for a new job.
Okay, let's take a step back and look at the bright side:
* We had two successful concerts just before winter break... that's a very good thing.
* CLAD class #3 is in the mail. Just one more to go.
* Club council is working well... best student leader team ever.
* It's amazing what cleaning a room does for your mood.
* Every break and lunch I get reminded of how much I like my colleagues.
* I'm getting a new saxophone. Tenor. High performance pro model. Silver plated. Beautiful.
* There was also this little gem I got via e-mail from a former student:
Dear Mr. Maestro
I was going through some things on a shelf tonight and found the DVD that you made for our senior class when I graduated, the slideshow. I watched it for the first time since June 2006 tonight, and I want to thank you so much, partly for making the DVD, but mostly for all the wonderful years that you were my teacher at *OUR SCHOOL*. In a school where a lot was changing and new challenges came up every day, Choir every morning was heaven. For much of my time at *OUR SCHOOL* I felt like I didn't really belong. However, watching this slideshow made me really realize how lucky I was, and how much I really did have a place, and lots of wonderful friends even if I didn't completely realize it at the time. Music at *OUR SCHOOL* was my sanctuary, my stability, and my support, and I appreciate so much that you are able to almost effortlessly provide this wonderful environment for me and so many other students. Thank you for crying at every concert. Even though we poked fun at you for it, it has taught me to cry at concerts, particularly this last holiday concert, when my sister had a small solo, then looked over at me. There's something amazing and wonderful and sad about the passing of time, for as much as I'd have loved to be back on that stage that night, it was so wonderful to see my sister singing that I wouldn't have chosen to. Music is so important to me and my family, and I thank you for providing her with the same sanctuary that you gave to me. [The music classes] and every lunch period I spent in the choir room were the best time I spent at *OUR SCHOOL*.
I know that every year brings new challenges and changes, like some groups do better than others, or there are changes in administration that bring especially big challenges. I just want you to know that no matter what happens, you'll be making a difference to students because you are wonderful and amazing and have the biggest heart of any teacher I've ever had, and *Our School* is lucky to have you. Thank you again for everything.
Sincerely,
A__ H____
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Writing on the Wall
I'm always "Captain Last-Minute" when it comes to sending out reccomendations for colleges. This year was no exception. I think I can remember one time where I sent everything out before December (even the January deadlines). Phhhh
I was filling out a form for MIT when I found a small little package of joy and vindication:
Now there's several things that tickle me about this question. First of all, they assume that the applicant has good grades. Of course they do... they're MIT for crying out loud. Practically has a "Slackers need not apply" sign splashed on the application. But secondly is the obvious awareness that there are many varieties of high-achieving students running in the wild:
I have been told for some years now that the universities are not so easily duped by an "impressive college resume" as some (the "independent" college counselors) would think. In fact, I think there is a growing trend for schools to recalculate grades (throwing out AP point boosts) and disregarding (somewhat) test scores and remues with four pages of extracurricular activities. It's a bit comforting that at the higher levels, there is a recognition that the world needs good community members more than it needs self-promoters. I wish more people in my environment were listening.
I was filling out a form for MIT when I found a small little package of joy and vindication:
How did this student achieve good grades in your class?
1) Consistent hard work
2) Grade conciousness
3) Good memory
4) Brilliance of mind
5) Other _______________
Now there's several things that tickle me about this question. First of all, they assume that the applicant has good grades. Of course they do... they're MIT for crying out loud. Practically has a "Slackers need not apply" sign splashed on the application. But secondly is the obvious awareness that there are many varieties of high-achieving students running in the wild:
1) Private Trueheart reporting for duty...SIR!
2) Whatever you got on your test... my score was higher! NYAH!
3) Memorize, regurgitate, lather, rinse, repeat!
4) This class will be an amusing trifle while I'm waiting for the results of my cancer research .
5) There is no grade that Daddy's money can't buy.
5) [optional] *** CYBERNETIC UNIT ONLINE***
5) [optional] Hail, Earthling!
I have been told for some years now that the universities are not so easily duped by an "impressive college resume" as some (the "independent" college counselors) would think. In fact, I think there is a growing trend for schools to recalculate grades (throwing out AP point boosts) and disregarding (somewhat) test scores and remues with four pages of extracurricular activities. It's a bit comforting that at the higher levels, there is a recognition that the world needs good community members more than it needs self-promoters. I wish more people in my environment were listening.
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