MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES IN THE CLASSROOM: By Thomas Armstrong

As a supply teacher, in my second year of supply teaching, I sometimes worry about what it's going to be like when I get my own classroom? How are the kids going to behave? What and how am I going to teach them. You know the old saying, "If you don't use it, you'll lose it". That's what I worry about teaching sometimes. I feel like I've forgotten everything I learned in teachers college about teaching a real class/course.

I was supply teaching one day at a rural school on the outskirts of Ottawa, sitting the the staff room and eating lunch with another occasional teacher who was in the school that day as well. We were trading horror stories, and lunch turned into our prep. and we talked on. Then the Vice Principal came in with some books in his hands. He came up to us and said: "It's not how smart are you, but how are you smart?" Then handed us these books. Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong.

I guess it was just good timing. I was thinking about how I could further my career and how I could learn more about teaching without going to work shops because in the board I work for, occasional teachers usually are not invited to these work shops. So I started reading the book. And it was great!

Armstong briefly introduces the reader to the Multiple Intelligence (MI) theory, and lists the eight different intelligences used in this theory. Linguistic, Musical, Spatial, Logical-Mathematical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Naturalist.

In reading this book we learn about all eight different intelligences and different ways to teach to these intelligences. We learn about different classroom management strategies to use with these intelligences as well. There are sample lesson plans, he gives us ideas on different methods of assessment and evaluation, checklists to help you determine your 'intelligence' and that of students also. He also gives us ideas on how to track students' intelligences and find out how to teach to them with out the student even knowing how much you are doing for them.

It was a very comprehensive read, without too much industry jargon, and VERY informative. Also on top of that, I feel confident again that I can have a very MI friendly classroom. It rejuvenated my excitement and my desire to have a full time teaching gig. This book has empowered me with the tools to change lives!

ICEMAN: My Fighting Life by Chuck Liddell

So I've been reading Chuck Liddell's pseudo autobiography. It is not the story of his whole life, but as it indicates in the title it is about his fighting life.
It's a great book and I think there are some good lessons in it. Chuck Liddell is arguably one of the best UFC fighters in history and the book tells of his rise to championship.

He talks about his relationships with Tito Ortiz, and with Dana White, and what it was like being part of the UFC as it was just starting to take off. He talks about his workouts, and his training, right from when he was a small child. Fighting in the streets, in school, in dojos, joining gyms, starting gyms, running gyms, his professional fights. He talks about what it takes to be a true champion.

Although some may think that the UFC is barbaric and simply a blood sport, the training that these athletes undergo are excruciating. Chuck tells of battles he's had to go through and the discipline that is needed to become an expert and a champion in the UFC world. He tells of what it takes to not only get on top, but to stay on top.

There are lessons to be learned from his work ethic and from his attitude about being a champion, a contender and just a regular person. You gain a certain respect for the man after learning about what he's been through and about the hours and hours and years and years of training and fighting that he put himself through just to be the best.

Whether you like the UFC or Chuck Liddell or not, I think this is an important book for anyone who is trying to make it in any career. Chuck Liddell proves that hard work, patience and perseverance really do pay off and will make everything you do worth while in the long run!

Mr. Stoppels the teacher

So as I said in my previous blog, I'm a supply teacher. I love being in a classroom and teaching teenagers. I especially like working with behaviorally challenged youth. It's challenging and it's fun. I was doing my practice teaching placement at an Ottawa High School and one of the teachers had a very hard time dealing with difficult teachers and she wrote them off as "idiots" and "morons". That made me realize that there are a lot more students who just get written off and lost in the mix because some teachers don't know how to deal with those types of kids. I want to show those "bad kids" that someone does believe in them, and that there is hope for them. I understand that school isn't for everyone and I want to help those who are not destined for a post secondary education that there is still a lot for them to do to make a great living and contribute gainfully to our society.

I find a lot of these types of teens are often angry and think that they are "retarded" because they have been treated that way, and have been told that they are by their peers and perhaps even adults. They chalk their failings up to being slow, or dumb, because no one has been able to teach them about how they are smart.
A vice-principal once told me: "The questions is not 'how smart are you?' but 'how are you smart?'". Once you find out how a child is smart, you can find out how to relate the material, and this is where learning begins.
But as I said, a lot of these kids are angry. A lot of them have not been given the time, effort and energy from teachers that they deserve or need. They may be illiterate, which boggles my mind completely. (I'm not sure how a child makes it to grade nine without being taught to read or write...there must be a flaw somewhere!) A lot of them reserve to swearing a lot in class/school for numerous reasons. They work and hang out with people who swear a lot and perhaps they just lack a vocabulary that allows them to use different words and express their emotions more effectively.
I don't mind being sworn at. And it's not so much that they swear AT me, but they swear in front of me. I allow a certain amount of vulgarity in a class with those teens. It doesn't offend me, and really, once I have a full time job, I'm going to make it a goal of mine to teach those kids different words to use. Teach them to think and be more creative with the words that they use. Just one of the ways that I plan on using my classroom to teach beyond the curriculum.


I believe there is too much focus put on the curriculum. There is so much more to life that these kids also have to learn. I don't want to only share my knowledge about science (or whatever the subject might be) but also my knowledge about life and the challenges it brings. High School is a tough time for teenagers and teachers/schools need to help them through it with more of a focus on their daily and personal lives as well as focusing on the curriculum.

I think it is the high schools job to prepare its students for life after high school. That means for a post secondary education if they choose to pursue that route. But also prepare them for the world and life that happens while they are pursuing that post secondary education or entering the work force directly after high school.

First Blog

So this is my first try at an internet blog. Let's see how it goes.

I'm a supply teacher and a security guard. The two lines of work lend well to each other at times. There are a lot of transferable skills. Dealing with teenagers, is a lot like dealing with drunk adults...sometimes a lot easier, believe it or not!
I'm into rock and roll music. In fact, I'm into anything that rocks. I used to be in a ska band called the Rude Dudes and if you ask me we were the best ska band in Ottawa for about four years. We had to break up due to band politics. Then I started a rock band and that fell apart after two shows because of family reasons. Music is a hobby and a passion of mine. Although it is not a subject I am qualified to teach.

I am qualified to teach Phys Ed and Science (General) and Biology. I'm saving up to get my Special Education qualifications, but they charge 1000 bucks for that, and who has an extra 1000 bucks lying around...especially when you're getting married in a few months?!

Maybe one day I'll go into the politics of teaching and what I think about it. But maybe not.
Maybe one day I'll go into the politics of bouncing and what I think about it. But maybe not.

I'm a hockey fan. A Montreal Canadiens fan. It is my dream to go see a game at the Bell Centre. I know it's an attainable dream, but you gotta have those.