tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post3760924602381511869..comments2023-10-03T07:01:41.144-05:00Comments on Always On Watch: Semper Vigilans: Break From PoliticsAlways On Watchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-23183747971424414552015-09-14T05:23:19.427-05:002015-09-14T05:23:19.427-05:00Z,
It's such a shame that the building was dem...Z,<br />It's such a shame that the building was demolished. What a loss!<br /><br />The rest of the country and newbies to this area think of Northern Virginia as "East Coast." But we who are natives of this region think of is as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piedmont_region_of_Virginia" rel="nofollow">the Piedmont region</a>.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-73712243603071326972015-09-13T18:57:51.802-05:002015-09-13T18:57:51.802-05:00what an absolutely beautiful building, AOW.....I l...what an absolutely beautiful building, AOW.....I love anything East Coast!Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-64706641882235269772015-09-13T18:27:13.781-05:002015-09-13T18:27:13.781-05:00Please pardon the iPad typos.Please pardon the iPad typos.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-75190577548611216762015-09-13T18:26:40.656-05:002015-09-13T18:26:40.656-05:00Weren't there fewer left handlers then as comp...Weren't there fewer left handlers then as compared to now?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-82543552769556727172015-09-13T18:25:43.049-05:002015-09-13T18:25:43.049-05:00And, yes, the wiggly students had plenty of opport...And, yes, the wiggly students had plenty of opportunity to run off their energy.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-44392359191939589802015-09-13T18:24:27.847-05:002015-09-13T18:24:27.847-05:00Bayside the,
WhenI was teaching elementary school ...Bayside the,<br />WhenI was teaching elementary school at the private school I mentioned above, the kids had a morning break of 20 minutes for free play and a lunch break of 45 minutes. Most students finished eating their lunches within 20 minutes, and the rest of the lunch break was free-play time. After lunch, it was the teachers discretion about having a break, but I usually granted an afternoon break of 15 minutes -- again, free play. We had quite a bit of playground equipment, including a basketball court, and open fields as well.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-40502702916828211902015-09-13T14:42:34.412-05:002015-09-13T14:42:34.412-05:00My classes were in the mid-40's range, and we ...My classes were in the mid-40's range, and we learned. Not much discipline problems, so this wasn't the kind of burden on teachers that adds today. And they kids really play at recess, so those wiggly boys had a chance to run off all that energy. I<br /><br />'m not sure we accomplish much by keeping very young kids sitting for 5 hours a day. I'd be interested in hearing your view of how long and at what ages this is appropriate. Baysiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562129788572031587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-59065599343643783762015-09-13T14:38:31.201-05:002015-09-13T14:38:31.201-05:00Mr. B had desks just like viburnum's link - oa...Mr. B had desks just like viburnum's link - oak and cast iron. I had desks just like your post until 5th grade and in junior high it was all wood, similar style. For 2 years we got 'fancier' models with a lid that lifted up to store your stuff underneath. Wow! Then in high school it was those miserable early versions of these contraptions (tablet arm chairs: http://yuarmcha.com/tablet-arm-desk-chair/) that only a right hander could possibly use. In my music theory class of 13 almost HALF of us were left handers, so we sat next to each other and used the right arm on the desk to our left for support. :) No matter how you cut it, one's back always ached.Baysiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562129788572031587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-17330815267665658482015-09-13T11:20:17.470-05:002015-09-13T11:20:17.470-05:00"fountain pens that used them"
Yeah, wh..."fountain pens that used them"<br /><br />Yeah, what a mess!JonBerghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01718776762194333398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-63001077820525617872015-09-13T11:15:02.467-05:002015-09-13T11:15:02.467-05:00Z,
Maybe having desks like that, where you felt he...Z,<br /><i>Maybe having desks like that, where you felt hemmed in a little, might help with the discipline problems they have in most schools today! It wasn't easy to GET OUT!</i><br /><br />Could be.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-72236248046566954432015-09-13T11:14:23.936-05:002015-09-13T11:14:23.936-05:00Dave,
I remember those desks with the flip open to...Dave,<br />I remember those desks with the <i>flip open top</i> for the books. One private school where I worked had those, but the kids were forever forgetting that something was on the top, and the result was stuff all over the floor. Quite quickly, those desks were replaced with a different style.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-90601197262211795552015-09-13T11:12:54.585-05:002015-09-13T11:12:54.585-05:00Jon,
None of the desks I used in school were bolte...Jon,<br />None of the desks I used in school were bolted to the floor. I wonder why not.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-41297515732272837012015-09-13T11:12:26.406-05:002015-09-13T11:12:26.406-05:00We had cartridge fountain pens.
My grandmother, h...We had cartridge fountain pens.<br /><br />My grandmother, however, had the old-fashioned kind of fountain pen, one with a gold nib. I wonder where it is now? I can't imagine that I threw it away!Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-19016808416630585982015-09-13T11:11:25.842-05:002015-09-13T11:11:25.842-05:00Ed,
An open shelf under the chair?
I hated desks ...Ed,<br />An open shelf under the chair?<br /><br />I hated desks like that! All my messy habits showed.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-7944842133536734892015-09-13T11:09:20.279-05:002015-09-13T11:09:20.279-05:00I posted about that building a while back.
No won...I <a href="http://alwaysonwatch3.blogspot.com/2015/03/tales-from-classroom.html" rel="nofollow">posted</a> about that building a while back.<br /><br />No wonder that I love history so much, huh?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-75274769645040423662015-09-13T11:07:59.628-05:002015-09-13T11:07:59.628-05:00Photo of the building where I went to school for s...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mE7Mj61Y7rs/VPh0GBjhspI/AAAAAAAAJXI/pueQoCH-N5E/s1600/Richardson%2BHouse%2BWinter%2BScene%2B1.jpg" rel="nofollow">Photo of the building where I went to school for several years</a>.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-38066850547655131822015-09-13T11:04:37.743-05:002015-09-13T11:04:37.743-05:00The first building that my school used (4th-9th) w...The first building that my school used (4th-9th) was a historical building, a brick and plaster structure with very high ceilings. No need for air conditioning! <br /><br />The building had been used by Mosby's Raiders during the Civil War. So when I say that the building was old, I mean it! The building had been standing there long before the Civil War. The structure had a staircase like the one in <i>Gone with the Wind</i> and a narrow, winding staircase elsewhere for the slaves.<br /><br />And the boxwoods! They were everywhere -- very tall and fragrant.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-59943336462006547962015-09-13T10:56:09.215-05:002015-09-13T10:56:09.215-05:00Same here, as I moved up in the same class room, I...Same here, as I moved up in the same class room, I took the time to read. Reading, one of the best habits and pleasures that I learned to love so much.Bunkervillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427978686579892380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-27712029024956275282015-09-13T10:48:03.056-05:002015-09-13T10:48:03.056-05:00And fountain pens that used them. ;-)And fountain pens that used them. ;-)viburnumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381796879179539552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-44731642029866474532015-09-13T10:45:18.198-05:002015-09-13T10:45:18.198-05:00Air conditioning? ROFL. Open windows if you were l...Air conditioning? ROFL. Open windows if you were lucky, and in the winter steam heat with pipes and radiators that would give you second degree burns if you touched them.viburnumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381796879179539552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-21158010121544872502015-09-13T09:53:36.724-05:002015-09-13T09:53:36.724-05:00Maybe having desks like that, where you felt hemme...Maybe having desks like that, where you felt hemmed in a little, might help with the discipline problems they have in most schools today! It wasn't easy to GET OUT!<br />viburnum says "sixty to a class"...and they learned back then, imagine? And probably weren't air conditioned. <br />It shows you don't need the best equipment to teach if the parents care, kids know what discipline is and teachers are good.Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989573357446569262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-65556157876819289512015-09-13T09:35:16.016-05:002015-09-13T09:35:16.016-05:00I can remember wood/wrought iron desks, bolted to ...I can remember wood/wrought iron desks, bolted to the floor, with inkwells.JonBerghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01718776762194333398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-16567897326244271492015-09-13T08:34:49.959-05:002015-09-13T08:34:49.959-05:00In elementary school I had two types. A double des...In elementary school I had two types. A double desk with a friend on one side and an open area underneath fit my books and later, a single unit with a flip open top for my books. And of course brutally heavy wood and steel chairs.Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04272431500457083818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-25617417942430144692015-09-13T08:33:21.897-05:002015-09-13T08:33:21.897-05:00We had those seats through Catholic High School.
S...We had those seats through Catholic High School.<br />Shelf under the chair for our books.Ed Bonderenkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03724552853113809036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320479736034351430.post-74706297921366351102015-09-13T07:20:41.389-05:002015-09-13T07:20:41.389-05:00" Basic, traditional education works!"
I..." Basic, traditional education works!"<br />It does. Did we resent all the regimentation? Of course we did. You don't learn to appreciate the methods until you get out in the real world and discover that your peers are substantially lacking in knowledge that you take for granted.<br /> My pet peeve when my children were in public school was that they were allowed to use a calculator to do math. Seriously? viburnumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381796879179539552noreply@blogger.com