DUDE! Grand Canyon Rocks-

As one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon shows an impressive display of erosion and mother earth's natural beauty. Stretching for 277 miles, the Grand Canyon ranges in elevation from 2,400 feet to over 7,000 feet above sea level. The truth is that no one knows for sure though there are some pretty good guesses. The chances are that a number of processes combined to create the views that you see in today’s Grand Canyon.

D- Deposition

U- Up Lift

D- Decay/ Decomposition

E - Erosion

In some oreder these processes (or many cycles) formed the Grand Canyons. The breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon is enjoyable for all who visit. 5 million people visit the park every year, and most consider it to be the trip of a lifetime.

DUDE! Grand Canyon Rocks

Santa Fe

I reached Albuquerque by 8 pm. on Friday. The house owner of Sohini, Tom received me from the airport. He is a very good personality, and a great fan of India. By a drive of roughly one hour we reached Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, a historic city and tourist center. It looks like a different country altogether. The colour architecture and structure of the houses here is very different from usual. I am trying to read into it. I will get you more details in the coming posts.
This afternoon I am driving to Flag Staff where we will meet Ms. Kim Holland who will host us for this night. Sunday morning we will visit Grand Canyons which is 1 hour ride from Flag Staff. That evening we will be back to Flag Staff. Next morning return to Santa Fe. I am hoping to explore Santa Fe on Tuesday, Wednesday back to Durham. More pictures and videos in the coming posts. I am afraid wether I can get time and Internet connection to write the posts regularly.

Substitute teachers

Tomorrow I will fly to Santa-Fe (New Mexico) from where we will drive to Grand Canyons(Arizona) on Saturday. I am really exited about the trip. I am utilising every opportunity ( leave/holiday) to visit and explore various places. Tuesday is 'Veterans Day'. Taking leave on Monday and Wednesday makes, wow! a 5 day trip.

Week long work and tidy journey, exploring places and again back to work... It is tiring.
But it in now or never situation no other go.

The substitute teacher system in American schools tells you about the accountability and professionalism of American teachers. Unlike in the Indian Schools, if you are on leave you are not imposing your work load on your co-workers. Plan the classes and frame the work/activity for the whole 90 minutes so that a substitute teacher (not necessarily from the same Discipline) can engage the class comfortably. He/She monitors the class, collects the work sheets make them ready for you to grade. The curriculum map once framed will not (need not) be disturbed (mostly) even in your absence. It makes you more accountable on your leave and absence. It manages the time, maintains the tempo.

Congratulations America !

I missed a day in my blog.
But
I witnessed each moment of the Historic Day.
It means so much not just to Americans but to the whole world.
It tells you why America is so different, more developed and highly advanced.
The difference is in mind set of the people, the responsibility/patriotism of each citizen towards their country.
The maturity and courage shown my American voter in choosing the change by leaving race, religion, caste and creed aside is highly commendable.
So many hardships, so many issues, lot many crises, so may priorities,
But-
as McCain said, 'Country First'.
It is the triumph for each American citizen.
It is so gracious the way McCain responded to the election results assuring the support to Obama.
It is so elegant hat Obama said the nation that ' I will listen to all your voices and I will act as President'.
Hats off to you America.
Best of Luck Obama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jll5baCAaQU&feature=channel

A Day In History, A Day Away-

This is election eve right here. Its so hot. Both the candidates campaigning strategically in the crucial and deciding states, Obama lost his grand mother, but still managing the campaign as scheduled, McCain is on his whirlwind campaign addressing the people in 7 states with in 24hours, large voter turn out ...
It is just 4 states, Ohio, Notrh Carolina, Verginia and Florida, that are going to decide the result.
Its all the drama, its climax.
Both the parties are making grand and confident arrangements for the celebration.
Some facts-
The United States presidential election of 2008, scheduled for Tuesday November 4, 2008, will be the 56th consecutive quadrennial United States presidential election and will select the President and the Vice President of the United States.
The 2008 election is particularly notable because it is the first time in U.S. history that two sitting senators will run against each other for president, and because it is the first time an African American is a presidential nominee for a major party, as well as the first time both major candidates were born outside the continental United States—Hawaii for Obama and the Panama Canal Zone for McCain. Since the Republican nominee for vice-president is a woman, Governor Sarah Heath Palin, the eventual winning ticket is very likely to be historic, as neither an African American nor a female has achieved either office. In addition, the Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, would be the oldest first-term president and the Democratic nominee for vice-president, Senator Joseph Biden, would be the first Roman Catholic vice president.
The election will coincide with the 2008 Senate elections in thirty-three states, House of Representatives elections in all states, and gubernatorial elections in eleven states, as well as various state referenda and local elections. The president-elect and vice president-elect are scheduled to be inaugurated on January 20, 2009.

Daylight Saving Time

As the time sense and punctuality of Americans wonders, the four time zones and the time shift twice a year confuses you easily. Yes the time is not all the same in America and in different parts it is different. The whole America is divided into 4 time zones running on a time span of 3 hrs.i.e if it is 9 pm in Durham N.C then it is 6 pm in California which is on the same latitude.

To save energy many countries follow DST. During the summer an hour is skipped from a day and some time during October/November the clocks are tuned to normal by repeating one hour. So this year Nov 2 has 25 hrs this year and march 9 had only 23.Today the Daylight Saving Time (DST) ended. The time between 1.00am t0 1.59.59 am was repeated to bring the time to normal.

Imazine India following such system, think about the effect on T.V programmes, working hours of the offices, common exams, bank hours, train timings... it will be an utter confusion.

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.