An archived stack of papers: 'pbs'

Affirmative Brazil

In a stack of papers called Instruction.

  • Sep
  • 04
  • 2007

Great show on KQED tonight. “Brazil in Black and White” gives an interesting take on affirmative action. The reasons for its existence in Brazil differ from those presented in America. At one point, photographs of the students decide who will be accepted under the quota system: do you look black enough? Phrased in those... read more

How It Should Be Done

In a stack of papers called Instruction.

  • Dec
  • 31
  • 2006

While reading Andy Carvin’s summary of the good news about DOPA, a click on “TV for Teachers,” a link I found at the bottom of the page, lead me to a lesson plan. Usually,... read more

Don’t Do Drugs

In a stack of papers called Unorganized.

  • Jun
  • 04
  • 2006

During the year that I took off from teaching, the 2000-2001 school year, this guy named John introduced me to an organizational concept, one best summed up in the following analogy:

Think of a bucket, something the size of, say, a paint can. You’ve got 3 big rocks, several smaller stones, and a bag of sand. How can you fit all of those things into the bucket?

Size... read more

Imitate Your Job

In a stack of papers called Instruction.

  • Mar
  • 30
  • 2006

To work on bedside manner and how to handle the stresses of the job, medical schools apparently hire actors to play parents. Students then need to break bad news and help the parent cope with the tragedy. I watched a woman who I thought honestly suffered the loss of her son to cancer blubber her way through a fake consultation with doctors as they told her that there was really nothing left to do for... read more

Wal-Mart: Persuasion And Argumentation

In a stack of papers called Connections.

  • Feb
  • 13
  • 2006

I just watched an episode of Frontline this weekend and plan to use it to encourage persuasive and argumentative writing, along with a classroom debate.

Oh yeah. And I plan to make an illegal copy of the DVD for use in the classroom because I don’t want to pay the $20 for a legal copy. But the end justifies the means,... read more

PBS Rocks

In a stack of papers called Connections.

  • Jan
  • 17
  • 2006

As I mentioned before, I watch PBS whenever I can and I’m always seeing shows that could be perfect for classroom use: discussion, debate, writing, expansion, etc. Videos are not a common occurrence in my classroom, but I think videos can be effective in a way that written text cannot with today’s generation (maybe this has always... read more

Improvements To The System

In a stack of papers called Reform.

  • Jan
  • 16
  • 2006

I didn’t take a single course that really focused on adolescent psychology during the time I was in the credential program. In fact, no such course was required then, nor is it required now if even offered.

There’s been a lot of writing lately about George Will’s ideas in regard to abolishing all ed schools. While I... read more