The Teacher's Funeral

At first, I was a little skeptical about the book.  Before reading it, I had the plot all wrong.  It started off very slow for me.  I understand having to discuss the death of Ms. Myrt, but it seemed to linger on it for too long during the book.  It started picking up about midway through the second part.  I began to enjoy the book and didn't want to put it down.  It is a good read for first time teachers.  It seems to be close to same even 100 years later aside from the lack of technology.  Thanks for the assignment.  I probably would have never read it if it wasn't an assignment.

Fantasy Voting???????

I ran across this on the web.  Take a look at it.  Tell me what you think.  It probably is for high school students, but nonetheless, very interesting. 




http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/11/23/scotus.journal/index.html

The Lost Symbol

Has anyone read this book?  It will turn you knuckles white while trying to hold on to this fast-paced thriller.  Dan Brown is a great author.  He takes you to the edge and then twists you around.  Unlike Brown's other books, this book take place in our nation's capital, Washington D.C.  Robert Langdon is once again on a quest to reveal mysteries of the past through codes and symbols while trying to stay alive against Brown's most evil villain yet.  The Lost Symbol is a sequel to The Da Vinci Code and rivals the heart pounding twists and turns of it.  I would not recommend this book for middle school kids, but it is a great book for adults to read for fun.

Thanksgiving!!!

Well, it is the week of Thanksgiving.  This may be an ignorant question, but do all school districts let the students out for the whole week?  I know the district in which I live lets the students out and the teachers have professional development on Monday and Tuesday.  Professional development?  For those of you who have it, what is it like?  Give me some feedback to let me know. 


Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!!!!

Go Razorbacks!!!!

Well, the Razorbacks have an opportunity to possibly go to a BCS bowl game.  They definitely have to win this coming weekend versus LSU and hope that the Sugar Bowl chooses them over LSU.  There are rumors that they might choose LSU regardless due to the proximity of LSU to New Orleans.  The Sugar Bowl is played in New Orleans and they possibly feel that they would attract more LSU fans than Razorback fans.  I guess the first thing we have to focus on is turning in a better performance next Saturday than last night.  Some timely costly turnovers cost us last night, but we overcame them and defeated Mississippi State in double overtime.  This weekend should prove to be a good weekend in the SEC with Arkansas vs. LSU and Auburn vs. Alabama.  Can't wait!!!   GO RAZORBACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Block Scheduling: Do You Prefer or Not Prefer?

Without a job, it is hard to get a feel for what everyone of you are going through.  I did however get to observe in some classes and will blog about that.  I was able to observe a 5th grade literacy teacher.  Her class was very interesting.  The literacy classes at this school is on a semi-block schedule.  When I say that, I mean that the literacy classes are block, but math/science is on a 50 minute schedule.  After talking to her, the block schedule is tough on her, especially with this age.  She says that sometimes it fell like she has to do a "dance and perform" for them to keep them interested.  I can definitely see that with 5th graders.  I like the idea of block scheduling for older kids, but I am unsure about younger kids.  It can be done, but you have to be very talented and very organized.  In this particular class, the kids were free to roam around the room when their work was done.  This made it seem kind of chaotic, but with just being in there for a couple of hours, maybe this day was different.  I prefer to work with a little older age group, such as 7th graders.  Even with this grade, I am a little uneasy on block scheduling.  What do you think? 

Moose Flanagan?????

I just finished reading Al Capone Shine My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko.  Evidentally, this is a sequel book.  I am very excited to get to read the first book, Al Capone Does My Shirts.  I have always been interested in history and Alcatraz.  I got to visit Alcatraz in 2007.  It is quite a tour.  Go, if you ever get a chance.  This book is great.  It has comedy, suspense, and is good for grades 6th and up.  It does have a few "potty" words in it.  The main character is Moose Flanagan, a twelve-year-old boy who lives on Alcatraz because his father is guard.  He always tries to make everyone happy and tell them what they want.  His sister is 16 years old and has an autistic disorder.  Moose asks Al Capone for his help in getting her into a special school.  Moose finds a note in his laundry stating DONE! in Al Capone's handwriting.  After this, Capone looks to square things up and needs Moose's help.  It is a very entertaining book and would encourage you to read it.     

War Games

I just finished my book talk on War Games by Audrey & Akila Couloumbis.  It is a good book.  It would be a good book for insight into World War II in other countries.  It is a fiction book but it is based on a true story.  It recounts what Akila Couloumbis' family went through during World War II.  He was born in the U.S. but his family is Greek.  His family moved back from the U.S. to Greece during the Great Depression and was caught there when Germany declared war on Europe.  In the book, the family is faced with the fact that the German army is invading Greece and this particular family has U.S. ties.  They have to hide their identity from the Germans.  A German colonel moves into their house to live there while the army occupies their town.  The main character of the book is a twelve-year-old boy who is faced with decisions that could affect his family and possibly his country.  The book has some intense moments and would be a good read for 6th to 8th graders.  Once I got into the book, it was hard to put down. 

Jobless: Blessing or Curse?

After going to class on Saturday, I have mixed emotions on my current position.  I currently do not have a job as a teacher.  It definitely sucks to know that I will have to wait another full year to graduate.  But, after talking to my fellow MAT's on Saturday, teaching and going to school has been tough on them.  It is good to sit back and try to learn from others, but at the same time, I want to be on the front lines learning for myself.  I learn by doing.  So, having to sit back and wait has been very difficult for me.  I will be substituting in the near future, but how much can that prepare me as a teacher?  Sure, I am in the classroom, but I am following someone else's planning, procedures, etc.  It could possibly help me a lot.  I guess I won't know until I get in there.  Can't wait!!!

All About Me

Hi, my name is Zach Dean.  I am an Arkansan, born and bred.  I have lived here all except nine months of my life.  Those nine months were spent in Charlotte, NC.  It is a beautiful place.  I would recommend it to anyone.  I am married to my beautiful wife of nine years (we just celebrated our anniversary) and have two handsome boys (7 and 10 months) and one beautiful girl (5).  These four people are my life!!! 

I graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (Go Hogs!!!) with my Bachelors of Science in Education.  My emphasis was in recreation.  UofA Monticello is my fourth college to attend.  I started at the UofA Fort Smith, attended the University of the Ozarks and finally ended up at the UofA Fayetteville, graduating from there.  I was the executive director of our local Boys & Girls Club for three years before deciding to get my Masters and teach.  I love seeing kids use their giftings and helping them reach their full potential.  I would one day like to coach at the high school level.   

I have a passion for sports.  Most sports will do for me as long as I am playing them.  I am at home if I am on a field, court or course.  My favorites are golf and baseball.  I enjoy watching baseball, golf and football.  I am an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.  I am not so happy right now with them being four games back to the Reds with just over a month to play.  However, Albert Pujols just hit his 400th career homerun last night.  A truly amazing feat.  I cannot imagine hitting that many homeruns.  I am definitely excited about the upcoming college football season.  The Hogs are ranked 17th in some polls and that is their highest preseason ranking in a long time.  There are high hopes for this year, I just hope there won't be a huge disappointment!