Key & Peele - TeachingCenter

Using gaming software in the classroom

Today I was looking at this video about using gaming software in the classroom.  I found it very interesting and felt the need to share it with you.  Take the time to check it out and give me some feedback.

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Mr. Thomas

Why not be "Happy"?

I was driving home yesterday and turned on the radio.  I recognized a song I had heard before.  It was from the movie Despicable Me 2.  The song is "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.  It is infectious.  The message is so simple.  Anyone feeling down should listen to this song.  Or even if you are feeling great, it will make you feel better.  The video is fantastic using people and celebrities just being themselves and enjoying the moment.

 Thank you Pharrell Williams for reminding us all to enjoy life and be who we are comfortable being, that it should not matter what is going on around you.  Make sure you check out the 24 hour video for "Happy" at http://24hoursofhappy.com/.  It is worth checking out several times of the day to just enjoy how the video is always changing.  I can say it makes me smile everytime I see it.

Sacrificing Time to Help Students

Yesterday I was teaching a math class.  A majority of the class was lost, but I took the time and made the effort to have as many students as possible at least leave with a general understanding of the material.
There was a shining moment amongst the chaos.  A student who I have know since last year.  The student stopped and asked me if I could stay and help them further afterschool.  I had no problem doing this.
We worked for almost an hour, but the student left feeling confident they understood the material for the first time.  Helping the student arrive to the point that they could do the work on their own and coming up with a method to remember how to accomplish the goal of finishing the work and preparing for an upcoming exan was a great feeling.  This is what teaching is all about. Even if it means helping one student at a time.

The great experience of going to the movie "Catching Fire"

Last night I went to see the movie "Catching Fire" with my son and his friend.  It was a nice break from being at home or shopping.  Once I was in the theater lobby, some students from my school were exiting from another movie.  I initially did not see them, but I heard them calling my name.  These seventh graders were excited to see me.  I stopped and talked to them about what they did for Thanksgiving, and they all seemed happy it was over and more than willing to share what items they had purchased earlier in the day.  Of course, they wanted to know what I was there to see.  All of them said I would love the movie, even though some things were different from the book.  I jokingly mentioned it was great they paid attention in class because it did not always seem like they were.  The students laughed, gave me a high five, and I said we could talk more at school on Monday.

That moment made my day.  I was once again reminded of my importance as a role model and what I attempt to help students with is relevant.  Sometimes we forget that no matter how large or small our role is within a school, we still impact these young minds.

If you have any interesting moments or stories to share, please leave them in the comments area for others to see.  Thank you and have a great weekend!

Black Friday!!!

Thanksgiving Day is officially done!  Now we all get to take out our wallets and purses to hit the pavement with all the others who never went to sleep last night.  I, myself, have decided to go another route.  I came home after a great day with family and turned on my laptop.  I cruised all the websites of the places I had looked through the ads for just a few hours before to find I could order almost everything I would have been outside in the cold along with everyone else.
Instead, as I clicked on the items I wanted, receiving the same discounts and FREE shipping, I am up this morning sipping a cup of coffee and watching "Shrek".  The lesson I learned today was to enjoy the day sleeping in and still being able to "shop" on Black Friday just like everyone else out there.
Have a great day!  I am going to enjoy the day and sometime this week enjoy all the hard work shopping I put in today.

Just giving recognition to a school that does not get much air time hitting a game winning shot

Miracle Shot to Win Game
I saw this on the news and YouTube and thought it was worth sharing.
Happy Thanksgiving!