A Teacher’s Favorite Whine: Standards, Scope and Sequence, AND Pacing Schedules

Enjoy the flavor!

Show Notes:
I. Introduction
a. Host: Leah Alldredge
II. Standards
a. Who designed these again?
b. Why does California insist on being 1 year ahead of the rest of the country or at least

pretend to be?
III. Scope & Sequence
a. District to District
IV. Pacing Schedules
a. I have how much time?
b. Are you insane
V. Closing
a. Final Rant Statement
b. Much Thanks


Relate Sites

California State Content Standards Page
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/

Timeline of California Standards Based Education System
http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/re/ht/yr05timeline0815.asp

Blog Podcast Review

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5250144

OK, this is actually an NPR story about how blogs are changing the lives of the “ME” generation in China. It interviews various people who write blogs or are tech people who monitor the amount of blogs that are going on. Blogging has aloud people to express opinions and get information that was previously banned. I actually found the idea that blogs could change the political climate of a country was interesting.

A Teacher’s Favorite Whine: Critical Theory

Enjoy the Flavor

Show Notes:

I. Introduction
II. Critical Theory
III. Me and Critical Theory
IV. Conclusion


I hope you enjoy this Podcast, critical theory is something I’m just starting to research but it seems right up my alley. Let me know what you think.

Educational Podcast Review: Discovery Radio – Diffusion

http://epnweb.org/player.php?podshow=http://www.archive.org/download/diffusion12-07-2006/diffusion12-07-2006.mp3&podcast=Diffusion&program=Diffusion%2012th%20July%202006

This is one show produced by Discovery radio. The series is a once a week show that discusses current science topics. It has different segments starting with the news and moving onto the more in depth study. It includes interview from recognized scholars in the topics and isn’t afraid to critique the current trends. The topics are interesting and because they are current they would be great for the classroom bringing your students out of the book and into the world.
The professionally produced show includes music interludes between segments and a number of hosts that trade off doing segments. It’s actually interesting that the interviews do not seem as professional. It is obvious that the interviewer and interviewee are in separate studios using vastly different microphones (sound quality). The editing is done well and the segments are just long enough that you don’t lose interest. Also, just a tip you could isolate one segment and use it in the classroom rather than making students listen to the entire show at once. The approximately 30 minute show is produced weekly in Australia.

A Teacher’s Favorite Whine: The Good, The Bad and the Weird of Substitute Teaching

Interview Podcast

Enjoy the Flavor

Show Notes:

This podcast is an interview with a local substitute teacher (my husband) discussing common experiences of substitutes in the schools at various levels. The interview has various segments included in the outline below:

I. Introduction
II. Tips for Substitute Teachers
III. Checking In and Checking Out
IV. Lesson Plans: The Good, the Bad , the Not There
V. Strange Sub Story
VI. Tips for Teachers

I hope that the stories and advice are not just interesting but also useful.

Interview PodCast Reviews

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5524025

NPR is of course a great source of information. This interview discusses the controversy over sites like myspace.com and the security of children, specifically related to child pornography. The interview talks about the reaction of major sites such as google and yahoo but also mentions the need for education.
The quality of audio is of course professional. The format includes a brief introduction and conclusion with the bulk of the PodCast in the interview. The questions are open ended allowing the interviewee time to respond in any manner they wish. I enjoy the format because the interviewer is almost more like a facilitator for the interviewee to continue talking. This is more of a formal interview rather than a more dialogue or conversation format you might find elsewhere.

http://catieskitchen.podomatic.com/

Red, White, and Blueberries!! This child created PodCast is excellent. Not only does it explain how to make these cookies but the cookies are excellent. What’s even better is that they actually include health tips like using margarine rather than butter. It reminds you of trying to create great desserts when you were a child. Although could can tell that it is just read out of a book it is charming and a definite must for those with small children at home.
The interview portion was a review of the recipe given by the host’s sister. It is a mix between recipe directions and brief amounts of interview. The host is professional and makes it sound like fun. I think it shows that children are not meant to be underestimated. The sound quality is decent, a little noisy but that is to expected in amateur shows. Have fun and definitely try the recipes!

A Teacher's Favorite Whine: Student Success

Enjoy the Flavor

Show Notes:

This PodCast is in the classic NPR style of social commentary. The question discussed is, "Why are some students more successful in school than others?"

Outline:
-Introduction
-Parenting
-Culture
-Socio-Economic Status
-Teachers and "The System"
-Motivation and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
-Conclusion

While I by ne mean fell as if I have the answer to this question (I don't even know if there is an answer), I hope you enjoy the discussion.

I would love to hear what you think and if you have any topics that might be fun to discuss.

Test PodCast

Listen to my test podcast

Show Notes:
Since this was just a test I kept it simple. You will hear about a 10 second clip of the classic testing words. Hope it works!

Check These Out!!

http://www.americantheatrewing.org/downstagecenter/

All right, if you love theater, especially Broadway, you’re going to love this Podcast. This series includes interviews with the cream of the crop of modern theater. The most recent episodes include Liev Schreiber, Kate Burton, Angela Lansbury, and Alan Cumming. They not only talk about their careers and current projects but also talk about the experiences they have had in both theater and film. The Podcast is professionally recorded and is an interview format. The sound quality is wonderful and the content is intriguing. Definitely a subscription add to any theater enthusiast. Each episode is around 30min to 1hr.

http://www.hollywoodsaloon.com/podcast.html

If a critical analysis ofHollywood and film is you thing, this is your Podcast. With the combination of commentary by both of the hosts and audio clips from the movies and starts they’re talking about this fills your need for film talk. The audio is professionally recorded with continuous background music keeps your interest. Their current cast provides a look at the comics, from Konan the Barbarian to Blade, both in film, TV. and print it provides many perspectives to the topic. Among other topics discussed on the show are the media’s effect onHollywood blockbusters, why J.J. Abrams is obsessed with the spy genre and Spike Lee, need I say more. This is not the typical Hollywood gossip column but actual discussion on the effect thatHollywood has had in its history. Each show is anywhere from around 1hr30min to 2hr.

http://www.hollywood.com

Hollywood gossip, find it here! OK, this site provides short interviews with stars, directors, and more. It provides a great insight into who these people are and perhaps whyAmerica is so obsessed with what goes on their lives. Yet there is still slightly more depth than typical gossip columns. I found it not only entertaining but a series which challenged some of my assumptions of why different films have been made and promoted. Although the Podcast was recorded in a studio you can tell from the unbalanced sound that they probably only had 1 microphone. You can hear the echo of each participant bouncing off as the other speaks. Interviews include Vin Diesel, Cuba Gooding Jr., Robin Williams, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Breckin Meyer. Most episodes last anywhere from 3 to 7 minutes; short enough for a short commute.