I’ve spent a lot of time recently thinking about the classes I have this fall. The lineup is incredibly exciting. My only gripe is that I’ve been assigned first period planning. Several seasoned teachers have given me the upshots to the early planning period, so I’m going in with an open mind.

Here are my class descriptions:

  • Technology and Civilization: A project-based course that follows the theories put forth in Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond. We’ll examine the role farming, animal domestication, germs, and so on had in setting up civilization as we know it today.
  • Publishing Technology: We have just one job in this class — publish the school yearbook. And what a job that is! Along the way, students study printing procedures, page design, typography, writing, and photography.
  • Algebra 1: For mostly middle school students. We’re using a blog and a wiki to enhance the curriculum.
  • Systems Administration: These students are studying for Microsoft certification in Windows XP Professional.
  • Middle School Technology: A survey class for students in grades 4-8. In the past, we’ve learned touch typing, how to use email effectively, and studied engineering.

The really fun part of this planning? I wrote every syllabus in Google Docs; made all of my lesson plans in Google calendar; started one blog; outlined a wiki; and all of it has been tied together with RSS feeds.