Mr. Teacher

1. I'll Have a Side of Spam with That

   by John Pearson
   May 13, 2008, 12:00 am

   When the great Monty Python troupe revealed their famous "Spam, Spam, Spam" skit, their joke was all about a food item, spiced ham. While canned Spam is still available in stores, the term spam has taken on another, arguably just as disgusting, aspect. In this technological age, spam now refers to unwanted e-mails. Read More

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2. It's Clobberin' Time!!

   by John Pearson
   May 6, 2008, 12:00 am

   This past weekend, I saw the new movie Ironman (it ROCKED by the way), and it got me thinking that this would be a good time to write a column about the value of superheroes. Read More

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3. Kids' Takes on TAKS

   by John Pearson
   April 29, 2008, 12:00 am

   Today, April 29, my kids take the math section of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, or TAKS. Despite being told that I'm not supposed to "teach to the test," I've also been told that my very worth as a teacher, and possibly as a human being, depends on how my students perform on this test. Needless to say, I'm a bit anxious. The kids have a few feelings about all of this standardized test business as well. A few weeks ago, I asked them to write down their thoughts about the TAKS. I asked them what they liked, what they disliked, what's good, and what's bad. Here are the ... Read More

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4. Does this make sense to you?

   by John Pearson
   April 22, 2008, 12:00 am

   One of my biggest frustrations as a teacher is the fact that it is so difficult to teach logic and sense. It's always an epic struggle to get my kids to look at their answers and ask themselves if they make sense. Read More

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5. Que paso, amigos?

   by John Pearson
   April 15, 2008, 12:00 am

   Yo hablo espanol! Well, a little bit, anyway. Since a large percentage of my students (and the whole district, for that matter) are of Hispanic ethnicity, it makes sense that I would need to know a little Spanish. Read More

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6. I Have No Capacity for This!

   by John Pearson
   April 8, 2008, 12:00 am

   Last week, my kids and I explored the mathematical concept of capacity. This was a new experience for all of us, as the kids were unfamiliar with the topic, and I had never taught it before. When I gave a homework assignment to find some containers and their capacities around the kids' homes, I got back some very interesting submissions... Read More

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7. Let Me Give You a Piece of Advice

   by John Pearson
   April 1, 2008, 12:00 am

   Last year, during the last week of school, I asked my kids to practice their writing skills by answering a writing prompt each day. One of these prompts was, "What advice would you give to next year's 3rd graders?" I asked the kids to think of some tips and hints that might help the then 2nd graders adapt and thrive. The responses that I received were thoughtful, amusing, and insightful. Read More

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8. Stop! It's a hexagon!

   by John Pearson
   March 25, 2008, 12:00 am

   Quick - can you identify the shape of a speed limit sign? How about a yield sign? What about a stop sign? You're correct if you said rectangle, triangle, and not a hexagon. Read More

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9. Someone Foreign This Way Comes

   by John Pearson
   March 11, 2008, 12:00 am

   Who knew that the Dallas public school system would be such a melting pot? At my elementary school alone, there are over 60 countries represented by enrolled students. Many of these kids come to us speaking no English at all, and some of them have never been in a school setting before. Read More

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10. Panic a-TAKS

    by John Pearson
    March 4, 2008, 12:00 am

    The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills is the state standardized test, taken by students in grades 3 through 12. For some levels, passing the TAKS is a mandatory requirement for progressing to the next grade. Here are a few things that go on before and during the test. Read More

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