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May 14, 2011

Ten Days

I cannot believe it has been ten days since I have posted! It just might be a record! I apologize; it is simply an indicator of how busy the past few weeks have been. My absence from the blogosphere, the pile of laundry, the unmade bed, the sticky kitchen floor, and the unpaid bills all point to the same, wicked truth. School has resumed!

I have been spending roughly 14 hours every day on campus. This has been my attempt to get caught up so that I can devote more time to research. You may ask how I could be so far behind during the first week of school. I didn't even have papers to grade until Thursday! After all I went to work a week early to get things ready. Alas, I had a student that consumed a particularly great deal of my time (over thirty hours in a week an a half). This student was not prepared to enter their internship and waited until the last minute to begin making corrections to the document that would enable them to participate in the internship. Said student had nearly three months to make corrections. And while the quote "Failure to plan on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine," continually played in my head over the course of dealing with said student, I was still the one who ended up being the most affected. Who pays for a students inability to follow directions, to plan, to organize, or to write coherently? Not the student. The teacher.


That aside, a great deal has happened in the last few days.

• School started for all three of us! Orion is navigating the often choppy waters of middle school. John is taking two courses (Anthropology & Ecology) in the mornings. And I am attempting Meteorology. I say attempting because I am conducting research with the professor of the course (Sally) and hanging out. I fear that I may not have the time to dedicate to studying.
• John has returned to the late night shift of 3:15 to 12:15.
• I am teaching another full load this semester, however I have taught all of these classes before so at least I have a vague idea of what I am doing this time around!
• An old friend died last week.
• Helen, the grey kitten, was adopted by three young ladies, students at UCM.
• I've been pretty sick and I have a mild case of pink eye! Allergy related? Perhaps.
  

And this is only a sampling of what has been happening! I have decided to use my blog as an incentive or reward! When I complete a certain amount of tasks, I will allow myself to post to the blog. Unfortunately, I doubt that there will be much to report. All work and no play makes Kat a very dull blogger!

Let's hope not!

Misconceptions of Astronomical Proportion

What have I done? I participated in a Writer's Workshop, that's what "I done." I decided to participate for two hours graduate credit so that I may easily renew my Missouri Teaching License. Part of the requirements for graduate credit included creating, revising, and submitting a manuscript for publication. Holy smokes!

And as of today, August 12, 2008 I have completed my first book proposal. After my professor evaluates my manuscript proposal I will submit it to NSTA Press (National Science Teachers' Association) for consideration.

My proposed book is called "Misconceptions of Astronomical Proportion: An Illustrated Guide" and I will rope my friend, Sally Zellers, into being co-author. The book will target school teachers. I have suggested ten chapters. Each chapter will cover a common misconception in astronomy, provide the current scientific understanding complete with illustrations (gotta find an illustrator!), and lastly offer teachers developmentally appropriate (bases on National Science Education Standards) activities and demonstrations that teachers may implement in their classrooms. What fun!

Sally and I had often talked about writing a series of these books over misconceptions in biology, earth science, and possibly chemistry. But both of us seriously doubt our content knowledge in at least two of those areas. However, through the process of creating my manuscript proposal, I realized that Sally and I could serve as editors for books over areas that may be beyond our 'cognitive scope.'

I've not give much thought to chemistry, but for biology I will be looking for misconceptions about evolution, plant life, reproduction, and more... If you're interested in writing a chapter for my common biology or chemistry misconceptions books drop me a line. I'm so excited! Some of you may be hearing from me via email in the very near future!

Wish me luck!

Space, the Final Frontier

Sunday, August 3, 2008

(Air and Space Museum foyer.)

Up at 8:00 and out the door by 9:30. We were determined to get to the Air and Space Museum by 10:00. We were there by 9:50 and waited with about fifty other people for the doors to open. It was worth the wait.

(Planetarium and IMAX tickets! W00T!)

By 10:03 I purchased tickets to the Planetarium Show and a 30 minute IMAX show about Black Holes. Of course, these tickets were spaced apart throughout the day and were nothing more than thinly veiled excuses to SIT for a few moments.

(American Astronaut Space Suit, National Air and Space Museum, D.C.)

We started on the first floor with monuments to astronauts who have given their lives in the name of exploration and science. The exhibits that really got me bawling were the ones dedicated to Apollo I, The Challenger, and The Columbia. I should have brought Kleenex. Who would have thought that pictures of old astronauts, galaxies, planets, and stars would cause such a visceral reaction?

(Don't take pictures of me when I'm bawling!)

We paused for an early lunch (Closer to noon than 3:00 pm.) at the food court. We had three value meals priced at about $7.50 each. They didn’t taste any different than the $3.80 value meals here in the ’Burg. It was a chance to sit and a chance to eat.

(Orion enjoys Chicken McNuggets in style!)

Energized we returned to the exhibits and just soaked it all in. There were probably just as many folks at the Air and Space museum as there had been at the Natural History Museum the day before, I believe that the openness of the Air and Space Museum made it feel less crowded at times. There was still a great deal of ‘look and run’ which made me wonder why people even bother coming to the museum. Are they afraid they might learn something?

(Lunar Landing Module, National Air and Space Museum, D.C.)

(Orion seems a wee bit lost.)

The gift shop was quite interesting. But I was disappointed to find that they didn’t have 3X tee shirts here either! Does the Smithsonian not want fat people to sport their goods? They had an impressive toy store where Orion found a plane and a mini-kite. We left at 5:00 via a cab as I had to make my way back to the hotel, freshen up, and make it to our official opening ceremonies for the conference by 5:30.

(I thought it would a nifty treat if the public restrooms had been equipped with these instead!)

ATE welcomed new comers and then we proceeded to dine on beef, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Desert was the best. Several choices of cake or pie and some very good coffee. Dinner left me hungry. I should have eaten two pieces of pumpkin cheese cake, but I refrained.

It was nearly 10:00 before I returned to the hotel room. Orion was dying to go swimming. He and J had marched up to Union Station to have dinner. I think at a place called Johnny Rocket’s. Orion loved it. I think we may have to check that joint out together.

John escorted O to the pool and I took a long shower and then a longer bath. It was time for bed. Tomorrow we'll visit the National Gallery of Art.

(The National Gallery from the steps of the Air and Space Museum)

Things I learned on Sunday, August 3, 2008

• I miss pumpkin cheese cake. It shouldn’t just be served in October and November.
• I still want to be an astronomer.
• Orion’s head is filled with all these weird ideas for contraptions and inventions. I wonder if he will be instrumental in our colonization of Mars or the moon.
• I still hate crowds.
• Astronauts have chutzpuh.
• Calculators and slide rules played an important part in our race to the moon. I wonder what would happen if Astronauts now had to rely on Wikipedia?
  

(To the moon, Alice!)

(Yes Tree, this pictures for you!)

Safe and Sound...

(Our Capitol from Constitution and Third Streets, Saturday, August 2, 2008)

We made it home safely! As many of you know, I had the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. last week for the Association of Teacher Educators Summer Conference (ATE). With the help of John's mom, who purchased our Travelocity tickets (Round trip with taxes and fees $179! Thanks Loree!), I was able to take John and Orion with me. After dreading the trip much of the spring it occurred to me that 1) John's always wanted to go, 2) Orion would really dig the museums, 3) The hotel room would be nearly $200 a night whether I slept alone or not, and best of all 4) The Smithsonian Museums do not charge admission. Things came together and the Leslies left at the butt crack of dawn on Friday, August 1. We returned close to 11:00 pm on Wednesday, August 6. It was a long week. And I kept a journal. So over the next couple of days I plan to share with you our adventures and pictures from our trip to D.C.

Awards Ceremony

(Katherine Leslie & Nicole Gadt, April 2008)

In April I shared that I received Teacher of the Year from Kappa Delta Pi and an Excellence in Teaching Award from the National Society for Leadership and Success. There were no cameras present during the KDP ceremony. But I did manage to have some pictures taken at the second ceremony. Above I am pictured with one of my former students and the gal who nominated me for the award, Nicole Gadt! Below I am accepting my award. My mom as been not-so-patiently waiting for me to post these. I think she wanted to make sure I dressed professionally! Enjoy!

(Seth Eggleston and Katherine Leslie, April 2008)

Happy Dance

As of 5:48 p.m. this evening I not only completed grading for the semester, but I finished posting my grades via the Banner System. Just in the nick of time! Summer school starts Monday! I think I am in over my head.

My favorite part of grading this week was evaluating my students' philosophy of education artifacts. I had roughly 33 sophomores in Foundations of Education and 9 seniors in Classroom Management submit their philosophy metaphors. I had poems, trips to the zoo, an under-wire bra, sculpture, paintings, essays, gardens, sports activities, cookies, and all sorts of goodies. It always impresses me to see what my students are thinking. This is also a very personal assignment and allows me a little glimpse into their souls, I think.

The Best Weekend Ever

While it might not be the best weekend ever, it surely has been the best weekend that I have had in an exceptionally long time. It began Friday morning, early, when the boys awoke and left for Conway. The first thing I did was clean their bathroom (Pee Eww!). From there I changed sheets, worked on the laundry, swept, and worked on the house as a whole. I made it to work by 10:00 a.m. Just in time to sign my summer school contract, check my mail and voice messages, and attend our last department meeting for the year. We had fried chicken and sweet tea at our department meeting. It was good. That afternoon I had a few meetings with students, graded papers, and worked on reference letters. I left work at 4:30 to get ready for my "date."

Jennifer was my date for the evening. The Biology and Earth Science Department was having their annual award banquet for students. Jennifer's husband was unable to attend so I filled in. What an evening. It was wonderful to watch the slides of our UCM students out in the field. And when the awards were announced the professors were ready to burst with pride. It was great. But my most favorite part of the evening was when three of my best friends were honored with awards: Outstanding Biology Professor went to Jennifer, my date! Outstanding Geology Professor went to Sally, my exercise partner! And the Spirit of Science Award went to Vicki. I couldn't help but do a little dance (in my chair) for each of them!

Saturday morning I awoke early and dressed in sturdy jeans and sturdier shoes. I layered my tops and dug out my camp hat. I met a group of Geology students and two professors (Drs. Z and L). We drove to Jefferson City and spent the morning and afternoon investigating outcrops along Highway 63. We ended the afternoon at Earthquake Hollow. I learned more in 12 hours than I did in an entire semester 20 years ago. And I have the rocks to prove it! I can't wait till the next trip.

That night we had a late dinner of homemade pizza at Sal's house. We discussed research, science, misconceptions, math games, and pizza toppings. It was fabulous.

I slept. And I slept hard.

This morning I awoke and finished working on the house. I had some dusting and serious vacuuming to do. I have yet to dust and vacuum my bedroom, but the rest of the house looks nearly presentable. I am still working on the funky smell in the dining room and the wicked carpet stains throughout.

I spent my afternoon with students, always a pleasure, and ate a marvelous hamburger and a tasty dog.

My little boy is home and in the shower. Soon we'll both head to bed so we'll be well rested for the coming week. This week will be my last week of classes for the Spring 2008 semester. Next week we'll have finals. Summer school begins on May 12! Holy smokes. I better start running now!

My regret, I didn't take my camera to any of these awesome events!

It's No Secret

The first of my two secrets became official this evening at 5:00 p.m. at Blind Boone Park in the 'Burg. During the Kappa Delta Pi induction program (KDP is an honor society for pre-service teachers with at least a 3.25 GPA) and picnic I was honored with the Kappa Delta Pi Teacher of the Year Award for the 2007-2008 school year. The students made me cry. The professors made me cry. I got them back and made them cry. The most surprising part of the evening (besides the obvious - receiving the award) was something that Dr. F read. It was a note from a fellow professor. She wrote about listening to me read to my class. She made me sound wonderful. The best part of the evening (besides the hamburgers and hot dogs cooked up by one of my students) was receiving two children's books and an awesome book on integrating literacy in the content areas (math, science, and social studies).

As mentioned in my post from Wednesday, my secret, described above, doubled. On Thursday, May 1 the University's Sigma Alpha Pi National Society of Student Leadership and Success will be honoring me with their Excellence in Teaching Award for the 2007 - 2008 school year.

I am stunned. Honored and stunned.

U is for University

It has occurred to me that I have spent 13 years of my life at one University or another – as a student, a lab instructor, a graduate assistant, an instructor, or assistant professor. I suppose some of us never really want to graduate.

My University Homes:
Hendrix College
University of Central Arkansas
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
University of Central Missouri

To teach, or not to teach...

Perhaps we need to reevaluate how geography and social studies are taught and assessed in the public schools. Or maybe we all just need to READ A BOOK!

Read a Book!

I would love to know your opinions of this video. Really. Until I hear from you, I think I'll go read a book.