Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Sibling Abuse
This is a very interesting read from the NYTs. It's certainly a phenomenon that makes you think about your own relationship with your sisters and brothers.
Beyond Rivalry, a Hidden World of Sibling Violence by Katy Butler
Beyond Rivalry, a Hidden World of Sibling Violence by Katy Butler
Monday, February 27, 2006
But I Don't Want To Be A Doctor!
It seems so unfair to burden young people with the good old, "career speech." Every day I run across young teenagers, stressed out because "they don't know what they want to BE when they grow up." My answer is "do and be everything and just BE for now." You can't lose in the career game if you have an eclectic background. Life experience and a diverse career history sometimes speaks volumes to future employers.
Sign of the Times
"One student skipped class and then sent the professor an e-mail message asking for copies of her teaching notes. Another did not like her grade, and wrote a petulant message to the professor. Another explained that she was late for a Monday class because she was recovering from drinking too much at a wild weekend party. " (via NYT Jonathan Glater)
Email is certainly the mode of communication with our students. Veteran teachers have to accept and understand that their world (the students that is) is a click away from the answer they're looking for. We as educators have to be that guide...key if you will.
Email is certainly the mode of communication with our students. Veteran teachers have to accept and understand that their world (the students that is) is a click away from the answer they're looking for. We as educators have to be that guide...key if you will.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Diversity Workshop
I don't know why but everytime I'm slated to give a workshop, I get VERY nervous. It never fails. Any tips, I'll take.
On April 7th I have a diversity conference called...There's Something for Everyone: An Online Toolkit for Diversity Learners
More to come!
On April 7th I have a diversity conference called...There's Something for Everyone: An Online Toolkit for Diversity Learners
More to come!
Friday, February 24, 2006
Separate And Not Equal
I'm not the mother of twins, but I do have mixed views on today's NYT's article "Born Together, Raised Together, So Why Not in Classroom, Too?" By GINIA BELLAFANTE "Parents of twins and triplets often argue that the bond between such children is intense and thus privileged. Some believe that separation during the early years for siblings who may insist on sharing a bedroom or dressing alike poses unnecessary anxiety. Some simply maintain that their twins and triplets are happier and more confident when they are with one another rather than apart and are, consequently, abler learners and better friends to those around them."
It seems as though twins in a class setting would have a "one up's manship" 0n the social network that singletons have to acquire. However, anxiety is not something any educator would want a twin to endure. On the flip side, what about being an independent person? When does this get established with twins? Are parents the ones with the anxiety? It's certainly an article to be split over (no pun I promise).
It seems as though twins in a class setting would have a "one up's manship" 0n the social network that singletons have to acquire. However, anxiety is not something any educator would want a twin to endure. On the flip side, what about being an independent person? When does this get established with twins? Are parents the ones with the anxiety? It's certainly an article to be split over (no pun I promise).
Thursday, February 23, 2006
More Student Bloggers
Here's a comment I received on the SLJ Blog...ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA! How cool is that?
"I have got to know of lots of student blogs over the past few months.
This is by some Year 8 English students in Australia. They go to a Catholic girls' school in Melbourne.
I am so proud of these students because of their great moral sense after one of their number wrote a bad comment to the students in Canada."
"I have got to know of lots of student blogs over the past few months.
This is by some Year 8 English students in Australia. They go to a Catholic girls' school in Melbourne.
I am so proud of these students because of their great moral sense after one of their number wrote a bad comment to the students in Canada."
If You Gotta Teen...
Monday, February 20, 2006
3 Cheers for Dove
Boosting a young girl's self-esteem is paramount. Dove gets my vote and I'm ordering my tee-shirt as we speak.
Madea's Coming
Have You Seen This Van?
My brother just returned from a screening in Atlanta. He's promoting the new movie Madea's Family Reunion. He also drove 35 hours there and 35 hours back to L.A. to promote the movie. The least I could do is give him a plug on the blog. But really, if you haven't seen Diary of a Mad Black Woman, check it out, Tyler Perry is hilarious.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
What The SUV??????
This post is probably WELL OVERDUE. But if you've ever TRIED opening toy packaging you'll appreciate it.
I just spent 20 minutes trying to open the Fisher Price Loving Family SUV for my daughter and wound up breaking the darn thing. WHY, WHY, WHY, does a toy like this need so much packaging??????? It's not like the news wires has someone STEALING these toys, they're not made out of gold, and by the end of trying to uncoil these things...who needs it? The packaging is more than the toy I'm sure. Do you have a vendetta against parents?
Come on Fisher Price...come up with a better way. Or, please let parents know of an easier way to save their bleeding nails.
whew....this has been on my mind since xmas.
I just spent 20 minutes trying to open the Fisher Price Loving Family SUV for my daughter and wound up breaking the darn thing. WHY, WHY, WHY, does a toy like this need so much packaging??????? It's not like the news wires has someone STEALING these toys, they're not made out of gold, and by the end of trying to uncoil these things...who needs it? The packaging is more than the toy I'm sure. Do you have a vendetta against parents?
Come on Fisher Price...come up with a better way. Or, please let parents know of an easier way to save their bleeding nails.
whew....this has been on my mind since xmas.
Spanish Blogs To Read
Spanish teacher, Marcia Trasancos, has revived her blog and has been providing her students with some wonderful links and activities for the upcoming trimester. She even gives me a "shout out" here. I'm looking forward to working with her on some journalism ideas we've been tossing around.
Monday, February 13, 2006
A Picture is Worth 1000 Words
When will students realize that pictures and text will follow them through life. Maybe this is a good thing!
School punishes students based on blogs (By Tim Maurer Dawgnet Staff Writer)
"The story that attracted me is about 20 high school students being suspended for drinking solely based on pictures found on their blogs."
School punishes students based on blogs (By Tim Maurer Dawgnet Staff Writer)
"The story that attracted me is about 20 high school students being suspended for drinking solely based on pictures found on their blogs."
The Snow Cometh
Finally, the snow has come! Don't get me wrong, I hate the snow, love the color, hate the yellow snow, love the hot tea, hate the slush, love the snow plows, HATE DIGGING out, love living in an apartment.
Friday, February 10, 2006
And The Emmy Goes To...
Kids Say The Darndest Things Part II-
Just when I sit down to start blogging, I hear from my son, "Mom I'm cleaning your Grammy!" What??????? You can imagine my reaction. First of all, my EMMY is high up, close to the ceiling and you need a ladder to reach it. So being
blog-indulged I say to him "it's an Emmy not a Grammy." Then, I RUN at HIGH SPEED(very quickly) only to see his hands cupped around the Emmy with some crazy spray. Ugghhh again. He says, "what's wrong Mom?" I'm just cleaning.
Just when I sit down to start blogging, I hear from my son, "Mom I'm cleaning your Grammy!" What??????? You can imagine my reaction. First of all, my EMMY is high up, close to the ceiling and you need a ladder to reach it. So being
blog-indulged I say to him "it's an Emmy not a Grammy." Then, I RUN at HIGH SPEED(very quickly) only to see his hands cupped around the Emmy with some crazy spray. Ugghhh again. He says, "what's wrong Mom?" I'm just cleaning.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
My Daughter My Friend
Who said Kids Say the Darndest Things? And while my daughter disappears on Barbie.com I try to imagine what life would be like without her having access to the computer or access to these words of wisdom from her. But sometimes the simple things are enough for her. Here are some of my 6 year old girls QUOTES From the mouth of my baby.
1) How do I get on Broadway? Here's my ticket.
2) I'm not going to school unless I have my earrings in.
3) You have to send the school my regischation form.
4) Have your students write 100x their name on the board.
5) Can I sleep in your bed pleaaaaasssssese
6) Ohhhhhhh she said a bad word.
7) Where is Stepanie? (She loves Survivor)
8) Ouch, Ouch! You're hurting me! Every morning I'm combing her hair.
9) When are you going to give me a baby?
10) What do you think is in the present we bought from CVS for Valentines' Day?
***11) When I'm blesshuing the kids say ILLLLLLLL.
1) How do I get on Broadway? Here's my ticket.
2) I'm not going to school unless I have my earrings in.
3) You have to send the school my regischation form.
4) Have your students write 100x their name on the board.
5) Can I sleep in your bed pleaaaaasssssese
6) Ohhhhhhh she said a bad word.
7) Where is Stepanie? (She loves Survivor)
8) Ouch, Ouch! You're hurting me! Every morning I'm combing her hair.
9) When are you going to give me a baby?
10) What do you think is in the present we bought from CVS for Valentines' Day?
***11) When I'm blesshuing the kids say ILLLLLLLL.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Test for Blogger
None of my posts are making the blog. Come on Blogger...what's going on?
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Good Peanut News
If you haven't already noticed, I've changed the title of my blog a few times. It's an introspective time for me; but this one is a keeper, and pretty much says it all.
On another note, Joanne Jacobs writes today about peanut scares and allergies. This affects so many educators and parents. I had a woman share how her daughter can't even board a plane if there are peanuts in the air. And who can forget the tragic story of the teenage girl who died from kissing someone after he ate peanuts. Scary.
On another note, Joanne Jacobs writes today about peanut scares and allergies. This affects so many educators and parents. I had a woman share how her daughter can't even board a plane if there are peanuts in the air. And who can forget the tragic story of the teenage girl who died from kissing someone after he ate peanuts. Scary.
