Sara's MAT Weblog

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skkunz — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:19:01 +0000

I just sent in my research proposal to Dennis. If you can call it that. I really feel like I can’t make any real definitive descriptions of my methods at this point in time. I think I’ve decided to change my treatment. The one my lead teacher found is meant for middle school and I’m experimenting on high school students. I think my study will have more credibility if I use a better treatment. I am really excited about my instrument(s) though. Does it make me a bad researcher if I decide my treatment based on my instrument? Doesn’t it usually go the other way?

My proposal turned out much better than I expected it to, actually. I was really dreading sitting down and writing it. Once I did, I had a lot of inspiration and I don’t feel like it will be too hard to add some more really great stuff once I get into the middle of my research. Now if only I can get my proposal approved…

The Emperor’s New Clothes

skkunz — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:02:29 +0000

I hate beer. It is disgusting. My theory (I like to call it the “Emperor’s New Clothes Theory”) is that the only reason anyone drinks it is because they think they are supposed to like it. If anyone admits they are really just choking it down they are ridiculed into thinking that they are less cultured in some way than everyone else who “likes” beer.

Don’t get me wrong, I want to like beer. I’ve tried many. But I can’t get a whole one down. I can tolerate the first sip, but by the end I cringe after every swallow. I’m stuck with Mike’s Hard Lemonade and the other “girly” drinks. I can’t imagine how anyone would truly like beer. Is there something wrong with me? (Actually, all these arguments started in my head when I first had wine, which is the same as beer in my mind.)

Possible Instruments

skkunz — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:00:31 +0000

You can read about the test at ETS’s website.

Here is the PDF of the actual test items.

My Weekend Project

skkunz — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:21:09 +0000

For a graduation present, my dad promised to help my husband and me put in a sprinkler system, plant a lawn, and landscape our yard. It did not get done in the two weeks I had off between undergrad and grad school, so I was pretty much thinking I’d be off the hook for having to help out. But when Ammon goes to work for 24 hours and my dad says, “Sara, you want to work on Friday?” how can I say no? I’m not going to sit in my basement writing my thesis while my dad is outside working on my house. So these past two weekends, I’ve spent many hours outside in the dust and sun. However, it is an extremely good stress reliever and I love seeing things on my house improving. Today we put brick pavers around our front sidewalk and tomorrow we will be planting the grass!

Navigating Nampa

skkunz — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:08:42 +0000

Cute Kitties Video

skkunz — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:29:02 +0000

Here’s a video my husband made of our cats when they were kittens.

My Schedule

skkunz — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:42:17 +0000

Mostly for my own records, I need to document exactly how these 6 weeks went down for me. That way I can look back when I am a teacher and think, “Man, I’m soooo lucky!”

Electric Cars (that my husband would drive!)

skkunz — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:37:53 +0000

In response to Don’s Car Video, I thought I’d share some of the research my husband has done.

Impressive, but way out of a teacher’s price range, the Tesla Roadster is a sports car to end all sports cars.

The Zap X Crossover is more reasonable, but most of all it gives me hope.

A Video I Made

skkunz — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:27:49 +0000

I made this video to go at the end of our (Anna Glockler, Jon Moreno-Ramirez and me) presentation on Treasure Valley Math and Science Center. I like making videos.

Lessons from a Yankey

skkunz — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:37:57 +0000

Some words of wisdom from Byron Yankey…

When your boss tells you you’re fired, just say “You can’t do that” and you’ll work there for 13 more years.
Laminate your lesson plans so your principal can’t correct them.
Have students cheer when the intercom comes on.
When visiting students’ homes, chew gum so you will breathe through your mouth and avoid noxious smells.