Comments for Erin O'Rourke

Comment on Being a teacher: Grading fairly by Erin O'Rourke

Erin O'Rourke — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:05:00 +0000

Hey Risa – thanks for the comment. That’s fascinating, I didn’t even think about the fact that most grading occurs in a highly controlled environment. Luckily it’s pretty easy for me to identify struggling students given my classes average about 7 people each. I probably should have clarified that the maximum points are all the same – if a struggling student differentiated correctly between “do” and “does” but didn’t conjugate the verb correctly I might take off a point out of 2 instead of all. If my best student did that I might take off the whole 2! Don’t know if that makes sense.

I’m still not sure if this practice is all right, but I’m happy to hear your evaluation – thanks!! Admittedly I didn’t even think about the idea that it’s a disservice to other students. I feel that because some of my struggling students work just as hard as some of my best but it comes less easy to them, they deserve the recognition when they’re on the right track. Some of my students got in the 70s on the last test – a grade range that I balked at before I started teaching. But I was really excited for them, because I could see the basic concepts were beginning to sink in. The number didn’t really matter so much as they were getting there! For me, their tests were great!

Comment on Being a teacher: Grading fairly by Risa Goren

Risa Goren — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:48:00 +0000

It’s difficult for me to answer this because I feel that your teaching world is vastly different than mine. With the struggling kids, you are encouraged to differentiate instruction, but I am not sure exactly what your case is here. I think that without a system of identifying the students who need the most help or who might be facing a LD of some sort, you are doing what is most likely best for your students. Yet, in the case of my classrooms, I would never do that because there is a system in place to identify and classify struggling students. I differentiate instruction and assess in as many ways as possible, but when it comes to the straight up tests, those are high stakes and cannot be altered. All students are held to the same testing standard, so I would be doing a disservice to my students if I graded on any sort of sliding scale. It’s a reality of teaching in the USA right now. But, it seems like you are thinking and being reflective and doing the best you can for your students for what you’ve been given, so I would suggest you continue to go with your gut feeling.

Comment on Being a teacher: Grading fairly by Erin

Erin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:04:00 +0000

Thanks Aunt Kathy – I appreciate the comment and the support! I really miss home, but I´m not sure when I’ll be back. I sent this along to Jenn. Take care, I miss you!

Comment on Being a teacher: Grading fairly by Aunt Kathy

Aunt Kathy — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:51:00 +0000

very intersting Erin – this sounds just like your thinking – send this to Jenn if you haven’t already (jennw46@hotmail.com) I’m curious to see what she has to say. You are truly amazing for doing this Erin, I hope you come home to us soon with a firm,solid plan of action that you have always been very capable of achieving! Love Aunt Kathy

Comment on Letter to the Editor: Re: Obama contraception rule goes too far by Erin O'Rourke

Erin O'Rourke — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:32:00 +0000

Not sure what point you’re trying to make.

Comment on Letter to the Editor: Re: Obama contraception rule goes too far by gloria

gloria — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:42:00 +0000

MAN PROPOSES AND GOD DISPOSES………

Comment on Grande Araña, EEK!! by sharon

sharon — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:02:00 +0000

lmao! this is hysterical i can so totally relate lol i would so do the same thing you are so far braver then me!! i would of been long gone away from that country weeks ago lol …

Comment on ER: Farm Animal Edition by Erin O'Rourke

Erin O'Rourke — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:57:00 +0000

Yeah, I’ve been doing that more and more when I carry a bag but lately I’ve been in the habit of just grabbing my keys and my change purse – this was one of those nights!

Comment on ER: Farm Animal Edition by Mike

Mike — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:46:00 +0000

Y’know, just because your phone is turned off doesn’t mean you can’t carry it as a handy point and shoot.

When you get back, don’t forget to ask about the chicken!

Comment on Grande Araña, EEK!! by Erin O'Rourke

Erin O'Rourke — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:42:00 +0000

Banana spiders!!! My goodness, I didn’t know such things existed in the US. And I seem to be getting my spider types confused because I thought that was in fact a poisonous one synonymous with the Brazilian Wandering Spider. They have those down here in the jungle, which is the major reason I fear going – I intend to anyway, but it’s the only spider that actually hunts its prey rather than uses a web to catch it. Due to this they are dangerous to people given they are more likely to cross paths with them or take refuge in places where people might come across them. One was accidentally transported to England where it bit a CHEF!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/4489033.stm

Comment on Grande Araña, EEK!! by Erin O'Rourke

Erin O'Rourke — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:38:00 +0000

Wow. That sounds like a really difficult fear to deal with given they are so fast. I have never managed to get near a gecko despite having tried the few times I’ve seen them in Florida. My family is generally incompetent when it comes to killing spiders for me, but it’s relatively easy to do as long as one is careful…. or not arachnaphobic.

Comment on Grande Araña, EEK!! by KNITTINGinHI

KNITTINGinHI — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:46:00 +0000

OMG this sounds so hilarious! But I totally relate because I have a crazy fear of house geckos and we have lots in our house. From across the room, I scream like a girl and a male in the house trys to catch it, while I’m yelling “KILL it, kill it!” I actually had one jump on my head as I was walking through a garden gate, so I KNOW they attack.