ALL IN....

Time is short.  In Texas, we have a small amount of time to digest the workings of our biennial legislature.  Then, we turn around and hold our breath, and sometimes our noses, and hope they get things right THIS time.

If you are from out of state, then please realize, by law, we require a balanced state budget every 2 years.  At times, it appears miraculously right at the end of the 140 day legislative session.  No matter your thoughts on the limited government we have created for ourselves in this great state, our elected representatives accomplish a lot in that short time. They work hard for both us common folk, and for the many incredible parts of Texas.

But, here is where I must disagree with the work of these fine people.

For too long, the children of Texas have been held hostage, political pawns if you will.  Hard working parents have no time for this nonsense.  Most families have 2 working parents holding down full time jobs.  That is the reality of their situation.  And, they expect our Constitutionally mandated education system to be there for them.

Yet, session after session, the Texas Legislature comes up short when it comes to providing the funding necessary to effectively educate our children.  This is not just a problem for families with children.  This is a problem for EVERYONE.  Period.

The inequalities of the state funding mechanism for education need to be rectified.  These affect all families, no matter which district in which they reside.  So called 'rich' districts constantly have funds taken by the state to go to the 'poor' districts.  It is a sham of the highest order which unfortunately has been judged constitutional by our Texas Supreme Court.

Right now, our immediate concern should be to elect representatives with the best interests of our children at heart.  We can do better for our children, for all students, and for all families in order to keep Texas the best.

http://craigrothmeier.blogspot.com/2017/10/so-why-dont-we-engage-and-vote.html

Read the above article.  

It's about the vote.  Get out and vote.  That is your voice.  I teach this everyday in History classes.  We cannot go silent.  We must be heard every 2 years in the Capitol building.

I'll be making this blog public soon.  Expect to hear more about this.

Peace

"I am not a teacher, but an awakener."

-Robert Frost

#THUNDERDOME Part II

Or, Letting sport invade your classroom.

A certain radio personality invaded local sports talk 10 years ago.  Life has never been the same.  What started out as an afternoon gig, then moved into a remote show from Wisconsin and Victoria, is now an early morning staple for those seeking escape from the mundane.

Said radio guy introduced a certain lexicon onto the airwaves, and my classroom was transformed.

You see, the defenders of the Alamo weren't just murdered.  They got 'dead'.  I don't teach just Texas;  I teach 'any and all things Texas'.  And, it's not just the History of Texas;  it's the 'History of the Greatest State in the History of the Greatest Country in the History of the World'.

I don't know if this is the proper way to bring real world stuff into the classroom, but it definitely livens up the proceedings.

Peace

"The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on the fighting the old, but building the new."
-Socrates

#THUNDERDOME Part I

Or, The History of a sports fan.

Sports fanatics definitely earn that moniker each and every day.  I still remember my son's first football game.  He was in 4th grade and was playing up with 5th graders.  We were in Lockhart, TX, just a small town known for its BBQ.  Anyway, the parents at these games are allowed to pretty much roam the sidelines.  I was on the 20 yard line, taking pictures and video.  In comes my son for kickoff coverage.  The kick was decent. The player caught it at the 20, and ran to the 30.  There he was met by my son and a host of 4 foot nothing players in pads.

I'll never forget the sound his pads made as he hit the player.  It was that distinct 'crack', and it meant one thing:  my son had mad skills.  Darn straight.  His coach looked over at me and said:  That was (him).  I could feel my chest blow up bigger than a puffer fish.  Yeah!  We got us a player.

I looked up at my wife in the stands.  She waved me up. 

 "Sit down, and be quiet." she said.

On the way home, we agreed we won't be one of those parents.  We will celebrate the team, but this sport is not about our son.  What will come, will.

And it did.  Eleven years later, we just finished taking part in our last season as football parents, this time at the collegiate level.  What a ride.

I take great pride in encouraging my 7th grade students to take part in athletics.  Even if they don't like it, at least they tried.  Representing our school can be tough.  It's just the nature of the beast here on the West Side.  It's always good to see our students get out there and compete.  You can witness the nerves, even in the classroom during gamedays.  

I've witnessed the hard work it takes to take part and excel in sports.  And that is what makes me a fan.

Peace

"Start Unknown.  Finish Unforgettable."

-Nike

Let's have some fun with History.

Today, we begin what I plan on being a lot of History Mysteries.  I placed this in Google Classroom as an assignment, and on Twitter.

I bought the box at Hobby Lobby, painted it in chalkboard paint, and placed it behind my desk.

The artifact contained within is something we haven't learned yet, and I will give clues over the next 5 days or so in my direct teach.

Once every student has had a chance to complete the Google Classroom assignment, I'll reveal the mystery.

Then, it's onto the next.

Peace

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious."
- Albert Einstein

How much is too much?

Google "October 1 Las Vegas".

Read the stories.   Read as many, or as few, as you like.

History to me has been always been about questions.  Apply the rules of journalism:

• Why did this happen?
• When did it happen?
• Who did it?
• Where did it happen?
• What happened?
• How did it happen?

But don't stop there.  History is not cut and dried like so many believe.

Keep asking:

• What if it happened in another place,or time?
• What if someone else did this?
• What are the other possible outcomes?
• What could have stopped it?
• What if it happened today?

The permutations are endless.  I find them fascinating.

After yesterday, the questions keep multiplying in my mind.

• How do we respond?
• What is the common sense approach?
• Which leaders will step up, above the soundbites, and actually lead?
• How do we, the typical citizens of America, affect change?
• Why did life return to normal so quickly?

As you read the stories about the bravery of people yesterday, determined to save somebody, anybody, in that madness, you should question History.

As you read stories about loved ones dying in the arms of those they loved above all else, you should question History.

As you read about what drove one man to open the door into Hell, you should question History.

As you read these stories without feeling affected in some way, you should question History.

We cannot ignore History.  If we do, we are losing our Future.

Peace

"Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing.  Sometimes the water is calm, and other times it is overwhelming.  All we can do is learn to swim."

- Vicki Harrison