Thursday, March 28, 2024

Doing the Work

Mr. J has three periods of sophomore math and three periods of computer science. I'm qualified to teach the math classes. The computer science classes, however...

When I started the classes, Mr. J sent me an email with a suggestion. 

Computer science is a CTE class, short for career and technical education. The CTE department is going to have a job fair in May where local employers will come to campus to interview students. The idea is to give the CTE students an opportunity to practice being interviewed for a job.

Mr. J suggested that I could do a unit on interviewing and resumes so the students could prepare. That I can teach. (Although I am terrible at it, I know the basics of what I should do.) 

I started the unit with what to wear. Then we delved into resumes. They are going to have to turn in a completed resume as they will need one for the job fair. 

Friday. I went over the basics. Gave them some tools to use. Suggested that the internet had all sorts of advice. Explained that resume templates existed. (I did give them a template to use if they so chose.) 

Then I gave them time to work.

I heard some playing video games. Some of them clearly weren't on task. (That's kind of how things have been going. But, some had completed a resume in other classes, and I wasn't requiring them to write a new one, just to turn in the one they already have done.) 

But then, I heard a group of boys in the back of the room. Discussing how to describe their skills...

They were doing the assignment? 

They were doing the assignment.

The computer science classes were kind of off task as they weren't getting direct instruction in anything, but now that I'm following up, things are getting done.

Deep breath.

This is what it's supposed to be like. It's good when things work out.

21 comments:

  1. Sucked in a BIG mass of air for you on that one, doing the project! Wow....I am a total big believer that phones should not be allowed in the school. No text, no games, no PHONE!

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    1. That would be ideal. Alas, that ship has already sailed.

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  2. But, you don't understand! They plan on being video game players for a living! So, they need the experience playing under less than ideal circumstances! (I can't believe people make money streaming their game playing, from people just watching them play.)

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    1. I mean, it is a computer science class, so presumably they want to learn to code. And I'm sure many want to create video games. (They're pretty good, actually. It's the middle schoolers who are in basic English that play the "I'm going to get rich playing video games" card.)

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  3. Yeah, the computer science class is daunting but you’ll manage

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    1. I just wish I knew what I was doing. That's something that I'll have to pick up on my own, though.

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  4. I mentioned your blog in my last post. I am looking forward to seeing what you have to share for this year's A to Z challenge.

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    1. Thank you. I'll see you around next month, I'm sure.

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  5. Lisa's comment above is a classic. Very happy that I normally don't drink anything when I am on my laptop.

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    1. And sadly, true. I have heard that exact statement before.

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  6. Sounds like you have a great teaching class! You're doing amazing!

    xoxo, Midori

    https://www.midorilinea.com/blogs/midori-linea/my-daughters-turns-one-photoshoot

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  7. Doing the assignment? What craziness is this???

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  8. So nice to see students engaged. A good resume is so critical!!

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  9. Yay! They were doing the assignment!

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  10. Phones in general, and videos in particular, are a huge distraction, is it not?

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  11. How wonderful to have engaged students! I hope the job fair is a big win for all.

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