Mr. Teacher
Yes, I Am a Veritable Giant
by John Pearson
October 7, 2008
Working with young children, there are several things that I hear quite frequently. I'm not even talking about things like, "I'm telling!" or, "I have to use the bathroom, it's an emergency!" or even, "Six plus one is nine!"-- though I certainly hear those things more often than I'd like.
I'm talking about when my kids tell me things that I already know, and they say these things in a tone that implies that I do not in fact already know.
An ...
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John Pearson is a third-grade math and science teacher in Dallas, Texas. He has degrees in mechanical engineering from Duke University and Texas A&M, so most consider his math abilities adequate enough to teach nine-year olds. He is also the author of Learn Me Good (Lulu, 2006), a funny, fictionalized account of his first year in education. Read more at learnmegood2.blogspot.com
Column Archive
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A Day Made Better
by John Pearson
September 30, 2008, 12:00 amContrary to what some believe, teachers do not have a magic endless supply room to visit when paper or pencils start running low. The burden usually then falls on the classroom teacher to provide more supplies out of pocket. Read More
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This Weaks Columm
by John Pearson
September 23, 2008, 12:00 amA coffee shop billboard suggests a cup of regualar coffee. Another sign advertises cheep gas. Spelling and grammatical errors are so bad nationwide that there are actually coordinated groups dedicated to correcting them. Read More
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Voice of the People
by John Pearson
September 16, 2008, 12:00 amLadies and gentlemen, call the Olympics people back because we have a new world record. In a time of LESS THAN three weeks into the school year, I have already gotten sick!! Not just your common cold, either. Nope, I came down with sinusitis last week, which seems to be merely a cold at first â congestion, sore throat, itchy eyes â until it brings out its big guns and takes away your voice. Read More
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Give Me a Break!
by John Pearson
September 9, 2008, 12:00 amDuring the first week of this new school year, my kids went outside for recess only once. Monday, the very first day, the children had that half hour break that most people remember fondly from their elementary school days. On Tuesday, early morning announcements stated that there would be no recess Read More
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Where is Everybody?
by John Pearson
September 2, 2008, 12:00 amOn the first day of school last week, I had 18 kids. Normally, that would be a fantastic class size, except it wasn't one class. I had 18 kids TOTAL that day -- 10 in my homeroom, and eight in my partner's homeroom. By the end of the week, my overall roster had exploded up to 22 students. Where are all the kids?? Read More
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Practice Q&A
by John Pearson
August 26, 2008, 12:00 amHere in Texas, the brand new school year just started yesterday. Class has been in session for a while in a few other places, and some kids don't begin until next week, after Labor Day. Since we're all at or around the first week of school, though, I thought I'd do a small service for all the parents out there and provide a few questions that their kids might be asked, along with examples of good answers and bad answers. This way, you can prep your kids on what to expect and how to get in the teacher's good graces. Read More
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Teacher in a Strange Land
by John Pearson
August 17, 2008, 12:00 amOne other big difference between this classroom and last year’s is that my new classroom has concrete walls. I won't be able to staple things onto the walls like last year. On the other hand, if I have another year like last year, banging my head against the wall will be so much more effective. Read More
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Mini Olympics!
by John Pearson
August 12, 2008, 12:00 amLast Friday kicked off the XXIX Olympic Ceremonies, this time held in Beijing, China. Since I can't go to Beijing myself, I thought it might be a good idea to present some medals of my own. Sit back and enjoy the feeling of being at an awards presentation, and you don't even need your own breathing mask! Read More
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A Little To Do List
by John Pearson
August 5, 2008, 12:00 amDown here in Texas, teachers are beginning to sweat a little bit. No, it's not because of the 108° temperature, it's due to the realization that there are only three weeks left until school starts again! Read More
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I'm Telling!
by John Pearson
July 29, 2008, 12:00 amSome kids tattle to get other kids in trouble, some kids tattle just to get some attention, and some kids tattle because they truly feel a misappropriation of justice is happening. Regardless of the reason though, most teachers find tattling incredibly annoying. Read More
