Seriously. SERIOUSLY. Why is it such a drama for teenagers to sit next to someone who is not their friend? You would think I was sentencing them to 100 years in the gulag when I ask them to sit in a specific place. I tried letting them choose where they sat each day at first. … Continue reading January 19th: Seating Arrangement Saga
Author: Robyn Madson
January 18th: Parent Teacher Conferences
Today was my first conference at Roseville, and my first cafeteria conference since my first or second year of teaching. At Forest Lake, our conferences were held in our classrooms. After tonight, I am pondering which type of conference is more effective: cafeteria-style or in classroom conferences. The biggest perk of staying in our classrooms … Continue reading January 18th: Parent Teacher Conferences
January 17: Too Many Tabs
When I read a story I want to come back to or I want to somehow use in the future, I just open a new tab on my phone and keep it there. As a result, I have a ton of open tabs sitting in Safari, probably slowing things down, who knows. I'm kind of … Continue reading January 17: Too Many Tabs
January 16: A Politic of Imperfection and Responsibility
This interesting story came across my feed: "Why I've Started to Fear My Fellow Social Justice Activists." I'm not afraid of anyone, but I have definitely backed off some of the posting about political issues because sometimes I don't use the most artful language, and sometimes I write things that I'm kind of just trying … Continue reading January 16: A Politic of Imperfection and Responsibility
January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
I'm exhausted from the emotional weekend at the state tournament and slept in entirely too late for a couple days in a row. My son decided he wanted to dye a purple stripe into his hair. I helped him do that tonight while my Dak and Annika took down the ornaments down off the tree. … Continue reading January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 14: Football Curses
I'm generally agnostic about most supernatural explanations for coincidences. I tease my husband for watching Bigfoot documentaries and I don't really have any lucky socks or earrings. Tonight was pretty coincidental, though. My good friend Lora came over to eat with us and we had the Vikings game on in the background. I haven't watched … Continue reading January 14: Football Curses
January 13: State Debate 2: The Return
Today I was honored to be named MDTA Debate Coach of the Year. I was surprised and couldn't say much, but it was truly an amazing honor to have the support of so many people who I see as brilliant. My debaters performed beautifully and made me so proud to be their coach. It should … Continue reading January 13: State Debate 2: The Return
January 12: State Tournament Day 1
Today has been a little bit of a rollercoaster of emotions - first, going back to Forest Lake during the school day for the first time since leaving felt weird. I was definitely an outsider. It's only been a couple months. I have a bit to process there still. This is my last State Debate … Continue reading January 12: State Tournament Day 1
January 11: Cell Phone Scourge
National Public Radio published this interesting story about how a school is using locking pouches to keep kids from sitting on their phones during class. As someone who used to use socks as a makeshift pouch for students who couldn't handle the responsibility of using a phone appropriately during class, I was amused. Cell phone … Continue reading January 11: Cell Phone Scourge
January 10: Student Agency and Teacher Responsibility
A major trend in education, especially in reform movements, is to claim that if a student is not learning, it rests solely on the teacher. I understand the line of thinking: a teacher is a very powerful force in the classroom and is responsible for engaging activities and lessons. A teacher should absolutely work to … Continue reading January 10: Student Agency and Teacher Responsibility
Adventures in Distraction 