You are so right! Last spring, as I packed up 18 years worth of teaching material, I realized how little of it I really needed to keep. Most of the items current enough to use again I'd saved digitally. And I knew that, if I returned to the classroom, I'd probably start from scratch anyway! (I don't think I've ever used a single handout or test a second time without revising it in some way.) However, my teacher's toolbox is still full, because most of my tools are in my head and my heart. These are tools that I have acquired over 18 years of working with students, of learning from colleagues, and of attending and contributing to professional conferences. And like Polski, I have always enjoyed sharing my "tools" with others. In fact,I have always considered it a wonderful compliment when a colleague has offered to "share" a tool with me, only to discover it was something I shared with someone else years before!
Traci | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 8:38 pm | #

You are so right! And I try not to inwardly laugh when one of the young dudes with whom I teach comes and asks me for a few ideas, especially since they usually think I'm far to reactionary, as in,"She expects them to read the book!" and "She doesn't take late work! Gasp!"

But I'm a proud fossil.
Ms Cornelius | Homepage | 09.06.05 - 6:17 pm | #

So right! I've been teaching since the days we issued chisels and stone tablets for supplies, and like Traci, i have seldom (if ever) done things exactly the same way (Thank you, God, for computers!!!)
graycie | 09.06.05 - 7:20 pm | #

Hi Polski3,

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Thanks for your time and feel free to contact me about anything
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James
James Richards | Homepage | 09.07.05 - 6:58 am | #

Great post!!! Thanks.
Jenny | Homepage | 09.07.05 - 9:53 am | #

It's amazing how textbook publishers have also changed with the times. In years past, a new book came with tons of worksheets.

Now, you get PowerPoint lectures, test generators, pdf files with tons of stuff, world art cd's, etc.

We have come a long way, haven't we?
Fred | Homepage | 09.07.05 - 8:01 pm | #