The Times, They Are A Changin'

This past week Apple announced the new face of education:  iBooks textbooks for the iPad. 

Wow.

That's really all I can say: wow.

Textbooks have always been somewhat of a dilemma.  Publishers conduct complete overhauls of current textbooks or come out with new and innovative ones every five years when school systems go through their adoption periods.  This is fine...except with history books.  History is almost completely null and void within days if not minutes. 

Students today have access to technology at every turn: TVs, game consoles, computers, cell phones, laptops, iPads, tablets, etc. 

Photo courtesy of Apple.

Even in schools, the tides are turning in education.  There are computers, SMART boards, laptops, and a myriad of other technological advances.  In our school we have had digital access to the stories and lessons digitally that we could allow the students to access from home.  So it was only a matter of time when textbooks would be completely digital. 

And leave it to Apple to have textbooks available on iTunes.

Apple has worked with leading curriculum publishing companies like McGraw-Hill, Houghton Mifflin, and Pearson to offer classroom textbooks for the iPad. 

As a former independent consultant for a major publishing company, this huge announcement is monumental!  When new revisions are made, they can be done instantly, and to low costs for schools.

Wow.

Bravo, Apple.  You never cease to amaze me.

I'm Failing!!!

After 13 years in education, I’m failing.  
I’m failing as a teacher, I’m failing as a motivator, and I’m failing as a confidant.
There are a handful of kids in my class this year that are really putting me through the ringer.  They are mentally wiping me out.  And because of this, I’m failing.
I’ve mentioned “Tommy” before.  “Tommy” is failing…literally.  He has difficulty reading, writing, with math, speaking in sentences, and his behavior is out of control.  He hits, whines, and just makes teaching a simple lesson the hardest thing in the world to do.  I have talked with the parents, he has a tutor, he is on medication, I’ve recommended neurological testing, the administration is informed.  It’s to the point where I just want to give up.  I’m tired and it’s only November.
Then there is “Jim.”  “Jim” is honestly one of the cutest kids I have ever seen.  He struggles academically, but I am in close contact with his parents and his tutor, and with a bit of TLC, he will reach grade level expectations.  But recently, he acts like the class clown.  He dismisses all that I try to say, any form of punishment that I have given.  I have even tried positive reinforcement by rewarding him for one simple day of great behavior…nothing.
“Brad” is another one.  He has a hearing issue.  This hampers his ability to speak in complete sentences.  He has a wonderful memory, but applying his understanding is difficult.  This one I can work with.  He at least tries.
But still, I am failing.  I am failing these 3 gems that have been placed at the top of my barrel because I just can’t seem to reach them.  I am failing the rest of the class who could also use some individual time.  
I am failing the whole class because I am not happy in the classroom at all.  I feel like all I do is reprimand kids all day.  My poor little quiet rule followers are being pushed aside because 99% of my time is on the ones who are struggling and are behavior problems.
I really just want to give up.  
 
Alexis