TXESS Revolution

The old saying "You can't teach old dogs new tricks" is a statement that I felt many times during my week of ESBD. I felt lost a lot of the time due to the quickness with which some of the material was presented especially when a presenter of websites was up and I had a difficult time hearing. Taking into account that we as teachers are expected to understand the different levels of skills with our students, I would have thought that presenters to teachers would have the same understanding with their charges. Being lost is not a good feeling. I would like to have been able to keep up a little better. Because of this, I don't feel I gleened as much from the ESBD seminar as I could have. That being said, the one thing I did take away from the seminar is the Backward Design concept. I have been doing this but not as informatively to my students as I should have.

Throughly enjoyed the Saturday field trip. I always love looking a geology.
Was in Brady, TX on Sunday for an interview. Came back through Llano, Kingsland, Marble Falls and Dripping Springs. Stopped along the way to take a second look at some of the things we looked at on our trip to Enchanted rock last Wed. Llano Marble really has some exotic marbles. Roamed through their year looking at a lot of the things we talked about in class last week. Would be nice to have large examples of these on my classroom wall so the students and see examples of the things we talk about.

My trip up Hwy 71 was interesting. I really enjoy seeing the knolls of igneous rock along the way. Stopped in Llano and walked among the outcrops in and along the river there. What must have been the circumstances that took place during the formation of these rocks. Interesting!

I love TXESS.

I've truly enjoyed the program this weekend. Although a lot of the information has been review, I have been reinspired to pursue my major Science interest which is Earth Science. I did learn some new information on the coral reefs. I found that to be the most interesting of the materials presented so far.

My expectations for the TXESS Revolution is to reignite my interest in Earth and Space Science. As a holder of the now outdated "Life/Earth Science" teaching certificate, I want to get back into teaching my first interest in Science, Earth Science. In my years of abscence from teaching, 8th grade Science has lost it's emphisis on Earth Science. Although TEA has now decided to put emphisis back on Earth Science in 8th grade, I want to have diversity in my ability to obtain a position. By completing this course I trust that a district would be more interested in my certification with an endorsement of ESS.

I believe that my purpose in teaching is to train children to become contributing citizens of society. Just like ever ant knows their purpose and works towards that end to help the mound, we as citizens should play our part in making society work. Unlike the ants, education is a way to train the brain for support of society in general. Each child should obtain enough educational information to help them help each other.

I don't believe that we as a society were meant to "live" off of the rest of society but to pull our own weight. This can only be done through gaining knowledge from education. Hopefully the diversity of educational materials will give each student the information they need to choose a path most interesting to them. I believe it is my duty as a teacher to try and create profound interest in Science so that my students will choose a life of discovery and problem solving.

Having a good time in Austin Revolution at TXESS. Was able to spend a little time with my son who is working on his masters in Aquatic Biology at Texas State. He presently is envolved in a research program mapping all the vegetation located in the Comal River and the San Marcos River. Treated him to a nice steak at the Gristmill in Gruene. Wonderful visit.