Happy Halloween

New Tech guys in Halloween style.

The term Halloween is shortened from All Hallows' Even as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day," which is now also known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European traditions. Although All Saints' Day is now considered to occur one day after Halloween, the two holidays were, at that time, celebrated on the same day.
The carved pumpkin lit by a candle inside is one of Halloween's most prominent symbols in America and is commonly called a jack-o'-lantern. Originating in Europe, these lanterns were first carved from a turnip or rutabaga. Believing that the head was the most powerful part of the body, containing the spirit and the knowledge, the Celts used the "head" of the vegetable to frighten off any superstitions.Halloween (or Hallowe’en) is an international holiday celebrated on the evening of October 31; today it is often celebrated in the morning and afternoon as well. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, ghost tours, bonfires, costume parties, visiting haunted attractions, carving jack-o'-lanterns, reading scary stories, and watching horror movies. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century.

Melody

For the world out side the America there are many things not known about America, and for the people inside America it may not a big deal. There is a lot of America than the America what we know or presume about it.
Listen to this melody played on a peculiar musical instrument. See the different musical instruments in the back ground of the picture. I am impressed with the art and music forms of the America.
By the by today I had the best of all A - days as I could get all the children really focused on the work for almost all the 90 minutes. I am loving it.

turning the odds in

Here comes the pictures of the class room action. I was leading a discussion with a group of students at the end of a class, extending their under standing of the concept. Though I planned to take such pictures many a times, during the course of the class I forget to do so or by the end of the class I am not left with the time for it.

By the simultaneous projection of the operations of TI -84 calculator on a projector screen and explaining the content by O.H projectors, by making PowerPoint presentations and suitable work sheets for class and for practice, I am trying my best to do take their attention.

For an Indian Math teacher, as the planning is all done for you in the form of a text book, the American class rooms are so different. It is not just like- have the content in the mind, have the ability to work out any problem related to it independently and instantly, work them on the board and the students will learn and practice. You need an activity to engage them through out. If you are a little low on your planning on a particular day, that's it. The class is out of your hands and becomes a nightmare. The heroes would take the lead and disrupt your class.( it happens some times though you are well prepared).

As a teacher you should be with a bunch of ideas to engage them and to hold their attention. You should be able to cater different types of needs of different students at the same time. One may ask you pencil, the other wants to sharpen his pencil as the lead broke suddenly, one has a issue with tissue and his nose, some one else raised his hand as he/she did not understand the very first step of the problem, one wants to go to rest room as it was rush in the break time, somebody else wants you not to pay attention so that to attend the text msg just received, one could not see the problem as she/he forgot to bring the spectacles and one other has a problem with his/her contact lenses. Unfortunately all of this may happen at a time as you are still teaching concerned about the completion of the lesson with in the time.

If many a times it is just trying you but some times it is genuine too. How to deal with this? Then in American terms stick to the rules establish the procedures. Procedures will turn into Class room behaviour. As simple as that(!).

In new teacher orientation the popular slogan is 'Don't to smile till December'.

In the span of two and half months I had a chance to observe 5 different schools and one thing that amazes me is the significant difference in the student's attitude from school to school. May be some first year teachers accept me saying the students even may change their behaviour from teacher to teacher, and more interestingly with the same teacher they may behave differently on different days.

If Freshmen bring the behavioural issues to my class with their relatively new entry into the High Schools, the sophomores compare the technology I use ( ?) with what was used last year. For most of them I am denying their right to work on individual laptops on their projects with my direct instruction. And to the matter of fact they are very true, laving the issue of my country, culture and school system apart. Why should we strain much to understand a topic that is dealt in different approach? Why can't that teacher just speak in the way we could? I understand these qustions running in their minds. I want to answer them with my patience and by doing the best I can. Learn as much as you can and implement it in the class room. Some times the results are very good.

I know, between a high begining and the happy ending there will be some ups and downs.

A Day With A Difference

It was a Teacher Work Day' yesterday and we were preparing the 'Report Cards' for the first 9 weeks. Though the 'Progress Reports' are issued every 3 weeks, Report Cards are more formal and the data would be submitted to the School District.
I will write about grading system in detail in one other post.
It is festive season back home.
Thank you friends, relatives, colleagues, students and everyone for loading my Inbox with e-mails, e-cards/for dropping a scrap in Orkut, or ringing my phone/ Skype with your Diwali wishes and Birthday wishes.
I appreciate of New Tech staff for their time and care to wish me on this occasion.
I take the wishes of those who thought about me but could not send the wishes. I understand your position.

It was a very different day from a regular Diwali day by many different ways. I take it.

Yester Year Village

The N.C State fair allowed me to develop an understanding about American Villages and their handicrafts and art. North Carolina has a significant and unique heritage. The ''Yester Year Village'' of the fair, brought all the traditional crafts rural America under one roof.
Though it is taking more more commercial shades over the years, people thank the State fair for promoting Agriculture art and Village craft.
The exhibitors here are very friendly. They are working before your eyes to give you the idea of their talents and skills.
When I requested them to pose for a picture each one of them was cooperative and in fact happy for the exposure for their profession and promotion of their art. I saw a sense of affection towards their profession in them . They all love their respective professions. Quilting, rug braiding, wood carving, skiff building, basketry, soap making, pottery, making decorative items and toys from agricultural wastes are some traditional rural professions.

Decorative items from corn

God is blessing me.

It was a great coincidence that when I chose to visit a Church today it is its 142nd anniversary.
The White Rock Baptist Church is celebrating its 142 strong and relevant congregational years here in the city of Durham. I spent 3 spiritual hours hours in the serene Church, witnessing the baptizing, the preachings and the prayers. The Church is really beautiful and the huge organ just above the dias is a great attraction. It is only a second time that I visited a Church in my life and very first time that I spent a significantly long time in a Church.
The visit made me curious to know and learn about Christianity and Baptism.

What I could understand is-
In Christianity, baptism (Greek "immersing", "performing ablutions”) is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted as a full member of the Church. Baptism has traditionally been seen as necessary for 'salvation'. Baptism is one of the Seven sacraments of the Christian Church; frequently called the "first sacrament", the "door of the sacraments", and the "door of the Church".
All sacraments were instituted for the spiritual good of the recipients; but five, viz. Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, the Eucharist, and Extreme Unction, primarily benefit the individual in his private character, whilst the other two, Orders and Matrimony, primarily affect man as a social being, and sanctify him in the fulfillment of his duties towards the Church and society.

I thank Fulbright Commission for giving me this wonderful opportunity of participating in teacher exchange program that allowed me to explore places, meet people witness the various events and learn about Culture. When I look back into my blog I feel proud to see the activity I could do during these two months. It will certainly make me more mature and learnt.

'Fair'y post

Today I had fun visiting North Carolina State fair-
The Fair is a 'melting pot' for North Carolina's great heritage, agriculture, arts, crafts and music.

The fair provides the platform for the exhibitors to exhibit their farm products, cattle and pets.
Cows, goats, pigs, rabbits, turkeys ...

Games, Rides, Competitions, Exhibits ....

Entertainment unlimited.

Apple candy, Cotton candy, Pan Cakes, Hush Puppys, Elephant ears and Hot dogs are the popular food items.

I tried this 'freak out' ride. Woof. scary...

O.K find, Where am I?

I checked out one more activity from my 'to-do list'.

Lots of video and pics in the coming posts...

Meeting the Members of Board of D.P.S

The board members

Last evening I was invited to meet the Members of the Board of Durham Public Schools. I was introduced to the Board by the Supeintendent and Dr. Logan. They welcomed me and wished me for the success of the program. It was an honour and a moment of pride to me.
I had a chance to express my views and share my experience as a Fulbright Excahnge teacher.

I thank the Board members for their time and I appreciate their kind guesture.
I was presented a T-shirt, a kind of -making me as a member of the Durham Public Schools. There were print and electronic media covering the event.

In the lap of America

Almost two months of teaching and two and half months of stay in America- I feel like this. There is a lot that I can relate my stay here in America with this picture.

Yep, I found places where I can be comfortable and took pain to reach there, climbed up and placed myself in the comfort zone. It took time. I still have to be careful, hold the base firmly so that you may not fall, bear the inconvenience whatever you feel but present a smiling face.

My stay looks more meaningful for me than what I expected before coming here.

I made my self engaged in work and activity to forget home sickness. It is the only way that I can get along with the situation. That is what made me look 'groovy' to my friends.

But honestly I miss my colleagues, friends, my students, my school.

I miss you all.

I miss India.

500 N Duke Street, 54-102

My apartment buliding

The front view.

Welcome home.

Please be seated. Coffee or tea? Which one do you like to be served?

This is the place I have been staying for the last two months. My world, after 5 pm every day and most of the part of Saturdays and Sundays. The Laptop and the T.V are my family members. Kitchen and bed room (on the loft) are my visiting places.

My apartment is in Down town just opposite to Durham School of Arts and pretty close to the Bus terminal and Amtrack train station (There are only two trains that run through Durham).

The coincidence is back home Ongole ( my native place) is famous for Oxen, and Durham, the Durham Bull. In Ongole district the popular crop is tobacco. and Down town Durham is the place of tobacco wear houses. All these wear house are being converted to luxury apartments. My apartment building (Bullington Wear house) is also a wear house one time,which is also placed in the 'National Register of Historic Places".

Durham is 'City of Medicine'. It is famous for its Research triangle park and Duke university.

Want to know more about Durham? Alright click here. Don't forget to browse to take 360 degree tour of some important places.

Astrologer

See this interesting idol in Indian outfits and different get up, a toy astrologer in America.

I caught him behind glasses inviting me to check my future (Hot springs, Arkansas.)

Mrs. Elliot

After finishing my classes at New Tech, at around around 11.30 today I left to visit Durham School of Arts. ( The U.S magnet school of excellence 2006-07).
The visit gave some more scope to look into the American school system. I appreciate (in fact I envy) the infrastructure and facilities at American Schools. The technology and the material (stationery) at the disposal of an American teacher are what make the schools very different from the schools in India.

I had opportunities to observe three classes. All the three are different from each other and unique in their own kind. The Integrated and Algebra and Geometry class was formal, the geometry class was tech oriented and the Physics Class was student centered. All the three engaged the students met the objectives in their own ways.

I like Smart boards that are being used in America. You can feel like you have the whole world of knowledge is under the command of your finger tips. They are not just display boards but touch screen and write on it - multi purpose. You even can display a count down timer to remind your students about their time to complete the assigned work.

With these technology things you need to plan each minute of your class and execute your plan properly during the class.

I found this achieved close to perfection in Mrs Elliot's geometry class.

The switching between O.H.P and Smart board, the question - answer strategy, the kind of focus she could get from American Middle school students (!) are highly appreciable.

having been observed 5 schools in different set up-

I truly regard the respect to the students of various kinds of learning abilities in American schools. They respect visual learners and kinesthetic learners. We, in India are some times in tolerant to such students and grade them as slow learners or they are unfit for studies.

(Am I boring you appreciating America too much? Wait, the demerits in one other post.)

Leaving the debate whether American school is system is so good and so successful, there are some great things to learn and imbibe in our teaching practice.

This visit to D.S.A changed some of my perspectives about American Education system. It made me more decisive in making generalisations.

(I invite my colleagues and fellow fulbrighters to respond, share their ideas and experiences which can enhance my/our understanding. That can really serve the purpose of the visit)

Walking Through the Wild Wood (Orienteering)

Hi Vamsi,
You said you were ready for the Sunday trip. I need to let you know what to expect on this Sunday trip. It's probably unlike anything you've every done or even imagined.

The sport of orienteering is from Norway and Sweden and it is very popular in Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech and Slovakia etc.) It involves using a very detailed topographic map to find places way out in the forest far away from any trails or people. This is a small local event (maybe 100-125 people) and there will be 6 different courses from short beginner courses to long hard advanced courses. I'll teach you what to do and take you on an appropriate level course. However, I do want you to know that we will be wondering through the forest, it will be cool (cold by your standards), wet, muddy with cob webs, logs and thick brush and if we are lucky some deer. There will times you will feel lost and bewildered and wondering why are we doing this but you will be perfectly safe with me and I think you will have a fun adventure but it be a very different experience for you.
Vamsi - If this sounds too strange and unusual, you do not have to do it! You will need to have clothes & shoes that can get dirty and wet. I will pick you up about 10:45 in the morning. We might meet some of my students at DSA at 11:00. We'll be back around 3:00. We will be going to Um stead State Park (about half way to Raleigh). It is a typical American state park -forested with trails for hiking, biking and jogging. We will be at a camp with small cottages that are used by groups during the summer - very rustic place and typical of American state parks.
Well, Let me know if this is what you want to do for a Sunday trip.
What you need:
1. An e-stick
2. Old clothes you can wear in the forest - long pant & long sleeves will reduce scratches
3. Warm, DRY clothes and extra shoes if it is wet -HA! HA!.
4. INSECT REPELLENT - despite the cool weather, ticks and chiggers are likely to be a major problems - be prepared!!!!
4. A lunch / snacks and drinks - no place to buy anything.
5. A sense of adventure, a desire to have fun and a smile. I will have compasses and some of those e -sticks.
Micheal

A magnet, a map and the wood. Letz navigate.

Still no idea what I did on this Sunday?

Farmers' Market

To visit farmers market on became part of my Saturday's routine . It is just down my street. The fun thing is a vendor, the lady in the above picture speaks Tamil. If not to buy the vegetables for the whole week, I go to farmer's market to talk to her. I am happy to see Eggplant (Brinjal), Lokra (Ladies fingers), hot peppers ( green/red Chilly) Tomatoes, Yogurt ( curd) are being sold here. Most of the other stuff is typically local.

The market is one of the very few places where I see more people. Unlike the colourful, crowded, busy Indian roads the Durham roads have more cars running than people walking on.

http://www.durhamfarmersmarket.com/

Joe - The Plumber

Last Wednesday bought the 3rd and final presidential debate and the star is not Obama or McCain but Joe the plumber from Ohio. He has become a media celebrity after finding himself the focus of the debate between the two White House rivals.
He is a tradesman who has worked 12-hour shifts for years and now plans to buy his own small plumbing business. The trouble for Joe the plumber is that this would take his earnings to more than $250,000 - making him a target of Obama’s plan to tax the wealthy.
Joe pointed this out to Senator Obama as the Democratic candidate campaigned in Toledo last weekend.
At the time he had no idea that the brief conversation between plumber and Presidential candidate would go around the world, after it became the centre piece of John McCain's attacks on his rival's economic policies.
First Mr McCain reminded Barack Obama that Joe the plumber did not want to vote for him because his taxes would rise under the Democrat. Then both candidates repeatedly spoke directly to Joe, as they faced off in their third and final debate.

Want to see Joe - obama conversation? Click here.

See the debate between Obama and McCain on this issue -

Gr8 moment

''Good Afternoon Esteemed Colleagues,
After much anticipation, we received an unofficial announcement today that Hillside New Tech High has been selected as one of four Learning Laboratories in the state of NC! I want to thank each of you for all that you do to make our school a great one. Your jobs are not easy and sometimes praise and appreciation are scarce, but know that your work is VALUED! We now have even more to do to ensure that we meet the expectations of our PARENTS, STUDENTS, DPS, NC New Schools Project, and the New Technology Foundation. As a team, I am overly confident that we will do more than what they have ever anticipated as we will be a model school for the nation. Remember, we have to “stretch” to reach for stars.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, & THANK YOU for making me the happiest, newest, and proudest, principal in our COUNTRY! ''
Sincerely,
William T. Logan, Ph.D.
PrincipalHigHillside New Tech H School

" 'Few moments in the life are memories for ever'.

Last afternoon gave one such great moment in the lives of the extraordinary academicians who are all set to make a mark in the academic arena of the future America. I saw not just joy but the pride of achievement in the eyes, not just happiness but sense of determination in the faces of all the teachers and of the inspiring leader. It is really a matter of pride to be able to model the future educators and I am sure that each one of you has that strength and rigor to meet the expectations of the New Tech Foundation. "

Best wishes to you all.
I am happy to be amidst you.
Vamsi Krishna

Wacky Tacky Day

The New Tech School is celebrating homecoming in conjunction with Hillside High School.
Each day, students will be given an opportunity to get into the homecoming spirit.

The celebrations are:
Monday-Twin Day
Tuesday-Celebrity Day/Rock the Vote Day
Wednesday-Wacky Tacky Day
Thursday-80’s Day
Friday-School Spirit Day (Orange, Blue, & White)
Today is Wacky tacky day. Basically it's a day to wear anything you want and get away with it. Try to be creative with the ideas
Some techniques followed by the students:-
Dress the hair in funny manner, Tie bunch of ballooons to the ends of their hair, Gaint T-shirts, with decorations/funny quotes on them, Painting wacky stuf on T shirts or cut them to make them look weird, Wear something with lots of coloerful polka dots, Ware a long loose skirt and cut very long zig-zags on the bottom.

When I asked some students how do they feel, they said,
"It's an excuse to be weird and 'out there,' "
I like dressing ridiculously, and this is fun,"
It is gr8. It is funny. It is weired.

Let me see the fun ahead on 80's day tomorrow. I am enjoying it.

Trusted Counselor

Today there was an observer from New tech foundation Linda Ullah who observed the school and gave suggestions. She found time to meet me and welcome me to U.S. She is curious to know about the differences in the education systems of U.S - India. Her husband is from Bangladesh and she visited many places in India.

Today we had a meeting with our school mentor too.

I would like to tell you about the mentor system here in America.

To my understanding for every 20 new teachers (the first three years of one's teaching career is considered new) there is a mentor. The mentor may work in two or three different schools depending upon the school size.

The job of the mentor is to serve as a trusted counselor with their vast experience in the teaching field. Unlike principals, the mentors do not inspect your classes but they help in management and organizing the class. So you can approach the mentor for all the issues in the classroom and in the teaching profession freely and without hesitation. The interesting thing is this a permanent post that means every school has a official mentor round the year. They work directly under Human Resources authority of the County.

In New Tech we have a vibrant and dynamic lady Mrs. Eleanor Johnson (The lady with blue top)as mentor with 30 successful years of service in the teaching field. She works for Jordan High school too. She has specific schedule to meet with all the six new teachers at least once in a week. The meetings are informal and to the point and very useful. Her wise suggestions and comments made my transition very easy. The greatest advice I ever had during the exchange programme is 'not to compare 'Mr. Krishna' with 'Vamsi sir' back home' is of Mrs Johnson. This advice has released a lot of pressure and helped me in enjoying the exchange.

By the by did u see the stuff on the table? She brings a lot of food stuff ( snacks and drinks) to each meeting. ( Next Friday she promised us lunch during the meeting , hha, staff meeting ho to aisi!)

Harrisburg

One interesting thing I observed was the fall colours. North changes its colours a way ahead south and I saw the spectacular scenic beauty driving though Pennsylvanian hills. I am exited to see how Durham looks when it changes its colour.

Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, is an interesting city.
Some of its important features are
Lot of Indian population, Nuclear power plant, (see Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station. a big accident has happened here). Hershey, a famous chocolate company, (that makes such well-known chocolate and candy brands as Kit Kat, Reese's peanut butter cups, Swizzles licorice, Mounds, York Peppermint Patty, and Hershey's Kisses.)

It is interesting to know how much passion people have for Casinos. I visited an American Casino here. I am amazed to see the atmosphere, number of slot machines and the amount of money being gambled. Irrespective of the ages ( above 18) people spend their weekend evinings here.

You gain my money, or I gain yours, but most of the times we both may lose to somebody else through slot machines.