Link to New Blog

I have my new blog up and running. Check it out!
http://mrgibsonsnewblog.blogspot.com/

Upcoming Switch

Somehow, I have multiple Google accounts, and I need to simplify things. In the next few days, I'm going to create a replacement blog under the account that I intend to keep. I'll post a link to it on here when it's ready.

Thank you and Goodbye

Thank you to Mrs. Bridges and the rest of the PBIS team for a successful celebration yesterday.

Goodbye to the 2014 Senior Class!  You made it!

PBIS and Retirement

Looking forward to playing outside today at the PBIS celebration. Also looking forward to the proper send-off for Mrs. Cohorst at her retirement assembly this morning.

Athletic Banquet

Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches on their successful seasons!

Spring Concert

Job well done! Congratulations to Mr. Schulze, Mr. Mellot, and all members of the band and chorus.

Awards Night

1. Congratulations to all recipients!
2. I like the new, shorter format.
3. I miss the dessert buffet.

Writing Project

Students in English IA are starting my favorite part of the course. Over the next week or so, they will be writing their own short stories, and I will be doing one as well.  Similar in style to "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, these stories will focus on a social issue of the student's choosing. They'll imagine the worst-case scenario, exaggerate it to the point of ridiculous, and tell the story of characters living in that world.

Questionable Decisions

English II students are reading a short story titled "Through The Tunnel" by Doris Lessing. The main character, Jerry, is an eleven-year-old boy who attempts a dangerous stunt in order to be accepted by peers.  The need to "fit in" is strong, and it affects adults as well as kids. Sometimes, we make questionable decisions in order to be accepted by a particular group.

Technology Dependence

This topic has been up for discussion multiple times in my classes recently. On a scale of 1-10, how dependent are you on technology?  I'm probably a 7 or 8. If I had more money to buy tech gadgets and more free time to use them, I would be ranked even higher.

Thank You!

Big thanks to Tom S. for once again persuading my lawnmower to start. Not only did he do that, he also brought it back to my house and mowed my lawn while he was there. All of that, and I couldn't get him to accept any payment.

Some people in this world are truly generous and helpful. I appreciate all the kindness that Tom and his family have shown me and my family over the years. The world needs more people like that.

Yard Work

I can't say that I'm a fan. Some people spend a lot of time on grooming their lawns, but I am not in that group. I'm sure my neighbors love me for that view.

Midterm

I have 11 students with midterms this quarter. I'll be contacting parents via email, phone, or letter in the next couple of days.

Academic Integrity

I place a high value on academic integrity, but some students apparently do not value it as much as I do. I can understand how unintentional plagiarism can occur, and I see those instances as learning opportunities for students. Blatant "copy and paste" plagiarism, however, is another story entirely.

Attendance

If you're supposed to be at a certain place at a certain time, BE THERE!

Conformity

This week's story in English IA has to do with the concept of conformity. In my high school, conformity was king, and I hated it. I can understand now why people chose to conform; there's safety in numbers and power in a group. However, I've never chosen that path. Sometimes, my choices for individualism have made life more difficult for me, but I don't think I could live any other way.

Homeruns

I watched the Cardinals beat the Brewers last night. In the top of the 9th inning, Matt Holliday absolutely crushed the ball out of the park  . . . dead-center field. Two batters latter, Jhonny Peralta hit another devastating shot off of a metal sign WAY beyond the left field wall. Those were two of the most impressive homeruns I've seen in a while.

Lunch

I like it.

Prom 2014

I believe it went well. Thanks to Mrs. Johnson for all of her work to pull it all together. Keller Convention Center did a nice job with the decorations and the meal. Larry Poss also did a good job as our DJ. Last but not least, the kids did a pretty good job at keeping things classy.

Think About This

Who determines the genre identification of a piece of fiction?  Is it the author?  Is it the audience? Both? Neither? Other?