Blogging about bloggers - 9th posting

I found a bunch of math teachers blogging on-line.  But I didn’t like what they were talking about (truancy, sexual descrimination, and other social/political issues that are once removed from a teacher’s daily work.

Then I found a blogger named “Miss Calcul8” who teaches high school algebra.  She (at least I assume it is a she) talks about a range of different interesting topics for a math teacher like I plan to be. 

She talks about the question whether to use or not to use the textbook for teaching, but she comes down on the “wrong” side of the issue because she hasn’t found much use for math textbooks.  Actually she makes limited use of the textbook but comes up with ideas on how to teach the text content by searching the internet, tweets, and blogs.  That’s pretty creative, actually, and catches my attention.  (I like textbooks because they lay out the course material in a step-by-step logical fashion, where each lesson builds on the last.)   But I guess one could look elsewhere for creative and innovative ways to present the same material.  I.e. use the textbook as a guide and pacesetter, but come up with exciting ways to actually teach the material.

I like Miss Calcul8; she shares teaching methods (how to teach the multiplication of two binomials) and is will to talk about going through times when she loses motivation for doing lesson plans, which I can relate to.  

I might make blogging a part of my program of mental hygiene as a teacher!

About Catron’s questions:

• MissCalcul8’s philosophy of education seems to revolve around a core value: she loves her students and she is dedicated to their success.  She also seems to be a pragmatist.  She’ll do whatever works and whatever it takes.
• She is critically reflective.  Her blog is a lot like a Journal of reflection on how things are going, how she’s feeling, what’s working, what’s not, and what to do about it.
• The idea of blogging with fellow teachers is great!  Following the blogs of other teachers will give me ideas to try out in my own classroom.  Plus I’ll be able to learn and empathize and be encouraged by reading what other teachers are going through and thinking about.  It’ll help with my mental hygiene as a teacher!