![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
January dreariness
Jan. 14th, 2010 05:33 pmI do wish the weather would improve: it seems ages since we've had a truly clear night, though we've had some chances at stars in the parts of the sky currently lacking clouds.
In other words, yes, there are still star charts spread all over my office.
YPL
We are looking forward to our next meeting on January 23rd, when we will welcome guests from several Quidditch teams to talk about their training, experiences, broom care, and other aspects of the sport.
And finally, recent events have reminded me that teachers have such different approaches to their space, so allow me to clarify my own expectations:
My classroom: I invite students to make use of my classroom for revision or quiet work together whenever it is not in use for classes. Students are also welcome to use the star charts and reference materials in my classroom as long as they return them to their proper place when done and promptly report any damage, no matter how slight or accidental. (Like all teachers, I have my own methods for figuring out the true culprit in such cases.)
Particularly delicate or rare charts are kept in my office: these may be signed out by students working on NEWTs, as we've discussed in class.
The observatory tower: Fourth year students and older are welcome to use the telescopes outside of class. I am glad to extend this option to individual second and third years who demonstrate their ability to set up, adjust, and close up the telescopes properly. Students with permission may invite friends, so long as only those with permission touch any part of the telescope other than the eyepiece. Those interested should see me to schedule a time - since we will not actively be stargazing, this can be done on a cloudy night as easily as a clear one.
Students working on their own should defer telescope use to those studying for NEWTs, then to those studying for OWLS - but again, on weekend nights and in the earlier evening before classes meet, there is often space for additional viewing. Nights around the new moon tend to be especially in demand, as there are some celestial objects not easily seen at other times.
My office: This is the only space (outside of my rooms, of course), I reserve for private conversations. Students should always knock and wait to be invited in before entering. If my door is open (and it often is), please do feel free to stop and chat, either about astronomy or about YPL matters.
In other words, yes, there are still star charts spread all over my office.
YPL
We are looking forward to our next meeting on January 23rd, when we will welcome guests from several Quidditch teams to talk about their training, experiences, broom care, and other aspects of the sport.
And finally, recent events have reminded me that teachers have such different approaches to their space, so allow me to clarify my own expectations:
My classroom: I invite students to make use of my classroom for revision or quiet work together whenever it is not in use for classes. Students are also welcome to use the star charts and reference materials in my classroom as long as they return them to their proper place when done and promptly report any damage, no matter how slight or accidental. (Like all teachers, I have my own methods for figuring out the true culprit in such cases.)
Particularly delicate or rare charts are kept in my office: these may be signed out by students working on NEWTs, as we've discussed in class.
The observatory tower: Fourth year students and older are welcome to use the telescopes outside of class. I am glad to extend this option to individual second and third years who demonstrate their ability to set up, adjust, and close up the telescopes properly. Students with permission may invite friends, so long as only those with permission touch any part of the telescope other than the eyepiece. Those interested should see me to schedule a time - since we will not actively be stargazing, this can be done on a cloudy night as easily as a clear one.
Students working on their own should defer telescope use to those studying for NEWTs, then to those studying for OWLS - but again, on weekend nights and in the earlier evening before classes meet, there is often space for additional viewing. Nights around the new moon tend to be especially in demand, as there are some celestial objects not easily seen at other times.
My office: This is the only space (outside of my rooms, of course), I reserve for private conversations. Students should always knock and wait to be invited in before entering. If my door is open (and it often is), please do feel free to stop and chat, either about astronomy or about YPL matters.
