| The
Colonies I have the memory of an elephant. I retain the
most ridiculous knowledge in the most ridiculous quantities. I can
still remember television line-ups from my childhood, including
theme-songs and plot lines. Anywho, my eighth grade history teacher
had a great device for helping us remember the thirteen original
American colonies from south to north. Ready?
Georgia and Stan Cody Never Considered
Virginia to be a Medical Doctor in a Deli
because Nothing Jived in Pa's Connection
of Riding in a New York Mass of New
Homes.
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland,
Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island,
New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire.
Clever, huh? And I will remember that for the rest of my life, I
imagine. Way to go, Mr. Stan Cody. Best teacher I have ever had. He
used to dress up as characters from history as we were learning
about them in class. Johnny Appleseed, Abraham Lincoln, a Union
soldier, a southern belle ... he was just so committed to making the
info interesting. The cynical students in the class who would laugh
at his efforts just didn't phase him. He demanded a lot out of us,
and got it, because he didn't set his class standards low. He had us
memorize a list of 75 important dates and events in American
history, and we had to list them, in order, without the prompting of
a year or reminder of the event, and we had to do that EVERY WEEK. I
learned more about American history from that man than I imagine I
will ever learn. He was one of those truly dedicated, truly original
teachers that one remembers for the rest of their life. Wherever you
are, Mr. Stan Cody, La Paz Intermediate ... Thank you!!! -
Megan Marshall
|
| On my way to Mr.
Cody's classroom, by former
student, Nicole. I often wonder what interesting historical
lesson he has planned for the day. I look forward to see which of his
imaginative costumes he will be wearing. We always are learning
something new about the history of America and the way life was before
modern times. How many students know how people preserved eggs and
meat without refrigeration? Mr. Cody gives his students a clear and
interesting view of history by giving us a first hand chance to
experience the way life was without modern conveniences. History is
one of my best subjects, but it also tends to be boring. I never
enjoyed History. It was the class I dreaded most. I feel as though I
could just fall asleep in class or while reading a history book. This
year, however, Mr. Cody has made History
interesting to me and my fellow classmates.
Learning has been a wonderful experience with Mr. Cody. He can take
everything in our textbook and condense it enough to point out the
highlights that make History so amazing. The timeline concept is
brilliant because it easily describes, in order, the main historical
events that led to our great country today. Mr. Cody assigns the class
to write a paragraph or two about each subject on the timeline so his
students not only know important events but the inside story behind
them.
I believe in education! People have criticized California for lack
of good education programs, but Mr. Cody's dedication and ability to
teach proves that teachers make the
difference. The students do not read out of books most
of the time. We either watch historical education movies or listen to
Mr. Cody's lectures, which are both appealing.
Mr. Cody is an intelligent man with clever ideas that could be used
to teach the honors students. However, I admire Mr. Cody most because
he wants to teach students who are both
above and below average. He spends his time after
school with people who fail their timeline test for forty minutes to
allow them to make up their timeline and have a chance to better
understand History and get a better grade.
He does not believe that students' grades are the only important
part of his job. He just wants the assurance that they have learned
enough to make it in life and do better as they go through school. His
lessons are not only about history, but
about growing up as well. He tells his students about
events that have happened to him as he grew up and tells them how to
avoid mistakes that he made.
I am proud of Mr. Cody's accomplishments and I'm also proud to be
one of his students. Mr. Stan Cody is one of the most distinguished
teachers I have ever had. Mr. Cody loves to teach and never gets tired
of teaching History. History is not only a
class that I have come to enjoy this year, but a magnificent learning
experience as well! - Nicole |
Cody's Business,
by former student, Steven.
It's midnight. What are you doing? I'm doing Mr. Cody's timeline! I
remember Mr. Cody as the greatest history teacher ever. He should be
put in every history book. Why? Mr. Cody knows how students feel.
He's been there. He is not a teacher who used to be a Straight A
student himself and has done everything perfectly. He knows how the
student who does not like school or homework feels. Therefore, he
doesn't give us a lot of worksheets … he tells students the
information, lets them see educational films (not cheesy school
films), … lets us experiment (we made butter, sausage, apple cider,
etc.). One time, he even set up a duel with toy guns.
You just don't ever want to fall asleep or
even wink in his class. It's probably one of the
funniest classes I will ever have. Mr. Cody asks only that students
pay attention. He really wants them to learn. …
Mr. Cody is a very honest person. Money is not the most important
thing to him; he is a teacher. I believe he teaches because he cares
about the next generation and wants good for the world. He
wants his students to be leaders in
society, and good citizens.
Mr. Cody tickles our imaginations and
tries to capture our interest in history.. One day we'd
talk about the Battle of the Alamo, another about toilets and buffalo
dung (and how early settlers lived). When he means business, he means
history. He teaches great history along with the mammoth historical
timeline. Listen, he talks about the Oregon Trail and the creation of
toilets, too. Who is he? Mr. Cody!!! - Steven
Send your
student days memory to Mr. Cody. |
