Yes, I have reached the milestone of my 200th post. As such, I am going to use it for something important... like putting down some links to things I find interesting. Today's "news":
- from the NYT, an opinion alleging that it's time to end the use of Latin on diplomas; opinions, dear brother? Is mine the only diploma of our siblings that is in Latin? Gotta love "Collegi Montis Holyokensis."
- also from the NYT, another opinion, this one citing the need to improve the Census Bureau
- an article from Slate, explaining why Republicans are sore losers
I would also just like to say that I am already sick of the handwringing over who might be the next nominee to the Supreme Court. Yes, it's exciting, yes, I hope a woman is nominated, but no, I don't really care for all the speculation.
Countdown to the end of school: 17 days with kids (including finals, so actually more like 13), 19 days for me.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Job
Job searching continues. 5 new applications today. Oy.
The current job is, paradoxically, going well. I feel like I'm doing some of my best teaching now that the pressure's off. The AP kids took their tests last Friday and seem to think that they went well, which is nice nice nice. The other section of 11th grade is going well too, finally getting to teach some of my favorite stuff, mid-to-late 20th century. And the 9th grade is winding down in the proper way, with a nice simulation project.
On the other hand, it might be a good thing I'm already leaving, since otherwise I'd be second-guessing my choice to teach about human rights. Connected to that, the kids are completely obsessed with illegal immigrants, as in whether or not a person who is an illegal immigrant is entitled to the same human rights as the rest of us. They seem to be very paranoid about the number of illegal immigrants who might be in the U.S., what services they might be consuming, what jobs they might be doing, how this might impact "their" taxes.
They are also highly suspicious of those receiving welfare, "terrorists," and basically anyone who is not a lot like them. It makes me want to teach only about that, or to take the kids on a little field trip up to the poorer sections of our nation's capital for some community service &/or observations. It's right up the street.
Seriously, do they think that people want to just be on welfare? In the climate where those who need to be on welfare are "lazy" or "drug users"?
The current job is, paradoxically, going well. I feel like I'm doing some of my best teaching now that the pressure's off. The AP kids took their tests last Friday and seem to think that they went well, which is nice nice nice. The other section of 11th grade is going well too, finally getting to teach some of my favorite stuff, mid-to-late 20th century. And the 9th grade is winding down in the proper way, with a nice simulation project.
On the other hand, it might be a good thing I'm already leaving, since otherwise I'd be second-guessing my choice to teach about human rights. Connected to that, the kids are completely obsessed with illegal immigrants, as in whether or not a person who is an illegal immigrant is entitled to the same human rights as the rest of us. They seem to be very paranoid about the number of illegal immigrants who might be in the U.S., what services they might be consuming, what jobs they might be doing, how this might impact "their" taxes.
They are also highly suspicious of those receiving welfare, "terrorists," and basically anyone who is not a lot like them. It makes me want to teach only about that, or to take the kids on a little field trip up to the poorer sections of our nation's capital for some community service &/or observations. It's right up the street.
Seriously, do they think that people want to just be on welfare? In the climate where those who need to be on welfare are "lazy" or "drug users"?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
New Thoughts
From the NYT, an article on a man who teaches at a high school and opposes military recruitment at high schools because of his experiences in Vietnam. Something to think about.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Split Infinitive Alert!
All of this talk of the new Star Trek movie has me remembering one of Jane Crosthwaite's grammar directives -- re: the dangers of the split infinitive and the sexist language in the introduction to the original Star Trek series.
"To boldly go where no man has gone before..."
No! Bad grammar, bad!
"To boldly go where no man has gone before..."
No! Bad grammar, bad!
Ya Know...
I used to describe my Volvo (RIP) as the box on wheels, but this is a whole 'nother level: Nissan Cube.
Sheesh.
Sheesh.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Another Reason
to like Maine: marriage equality. Add it to the list with Iowa, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Yippee and yahoo!
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Unpredictability of Parents
My mom continues to be unpredictable. I told her that I applied for a job in Houston, Texas. Her response: "Houston?!? They have tornadoes and hurricanes!"
Then, a week or so later, I told her that I have applied for a job in Marrakech, Morocco. Her response: "Morocco is interesting."
Then, a week or so later, I told her that I have applied for a job in Marrakech, Morocco. Her response: "Morocco is interesting."
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Still Here, Still Waiting
A friend posted on her blog last year that she kept waiting to have something interesting to write about on her blog but that nothing seemed to be coming. This is how I feel these days.
Currently reading:
* The Nine (which I started before the announcement of David Souter's resignation from the Supreme Court)
* In Arabian Nights by Tahir Shah (Morocco, anyone?)
Good stuff. I should be working on schoolwork, but I wish to be idle instead.
Currently reading:
* The Nine (which I started before the announcement of David Souter's resignation from the Supreme Court)
* In Arabian Nights by Tahir Shah (Morocco, anyone?)
Good stuff. I should be working on schoolwork, but I wish to be idle instead.
Friday, May 1, 2009
This and That
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