I found a great topic for tonight's class. I used a list of 25 banned books to discuss the First Amendment to my class. It was so much fun watching their eyes pop out at some of the books on the list.
It did allow for some interesting conversations - such as why Harry Potter was on the list, but not the Narnia series. We also discussed if the labeling of music as having explicit lyrics is censorship (they didn't think so) or the decisions Walmart makes about selling only certain items (they didn't like it).
Here is the list I used.
"Harry Potter" (Series) (J.K. Rowling)
"To Kill a Mockingbird" (Harper Lee)
"The Color Purple" (Alice Walker)
"The Outsiders" (S.E. Hinton)
"Lord of the Flies" (William Golding)
"Of Mice and Men" (John Steinbeck)
"Goosebumps" (Series) (R.L. Stine)
"How to Eat Fried Worms" (Thomas Rockwell)
"The Catcher in the Rye" (J.D. Salinger)
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (Mark Twain)
"The Giver" (Lois Lowry)
"Brave New World" (Aldous Huxley)
"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (Mark Twain)
"Captain Underpants" (Dav Pilkey)
"The Anarchist Cookbook" (William Powell)
"Carrie" (Stephen King)
"Flowers for Algernon" (Daniel Keyes)
"The Dead Zone" (Stephen King)
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (Maya Angelou)
"Go Ask Alice" (anonymous)
"American Psycho" (Bret Easton Ellis)
"The Chocolate War" (Robert Cormier)
"James and the Giant Peach" (Roald Dahl)
"The Pigman" (Paul Zindel)
"A Wrinkle in Time" (Madeleine L'Engle)
Friday, September 29, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Quick updates
* Many thanks to poultrygeist99 who sent me a FABULOUS birthday card and brownies yesterday. I agree, when we get old and stop writing fan fic, we should start taking art lessons drawing young men! I could have done without the over the hill candles though - someday you'll be old too!!
* We finally got all the dishes done - except tonight's dinner dishes. The laundry is finally folded and mostly put away too!
* My Dr. has given me permission to ease back into work a few hours at a time.
* She also said my lungs are finally starting to sound better.
* A girl in my class asked if she could miss class tomorrow night so she could go participate in a homecoming activity. I explained that I've missed soccer games, school open house, and taught on my birthday. I think she can miss a social event to come to class. Not to mention that I've only missed ONE class in spite of having pneumonia and I sent a substitute that night. ARG.
* Thanks to Meritt and Poultrygeist for their thoughtful comments on the cervical cancer vaccine. I went with the knee jerk reaction which was related to the idea that, yet again, the discussion revolved around the idea that withholding this would prevent people from having sex before marriage. I really hate this mentality. But, I agree it needs to be the parents decision - I just would like to see the conversation be based on safety, etc rather than encouraging abstinence. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'd also like to ensure that insurance companies will cover the vaccine for those who chose to have it.
I need to read outlines and bibliographies. TTFN
* We finally got all the dishes done - except tonight's dinner dishes. The laundry is finally folded and mostly put away too!
* My Dr. has given me permission to ease back into work a few hours at a time.
* She also said my lungs are finally starting to sound better.
* A girl in my class asked if she could miss class tomorrow night so she could go participate in a homecoming activity. I explained that I've missed soccer games, school open house, and taught on my birthday. I think she can miss a social event to come to class. Not to mention that I've only missed ONE class in spite of having pneumonia and I sent a substitute that night. ARG.
* Thanks to Meritt and Poultrygeist for their thoughtful comments on the cervical cancer vaccine. I went with the knee jerk reaction which was related to the idea that, yet again, the discussion revolved around the idea that withholding this would prevent people from having sex before marriage. I really hate this mentality. But, I agree it needs to be the parents decision - I just would like to see the conversation be based on safety, etc rather than encouraging abstinence. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'd also like to ensure that insurance companies will cover the vaccine for those who chose to have it.
I need to read outlines and bibliographies. TTFN
Monday, September 25, 2006
OPPS - Never arrive unprepared
So, I had to run by the DMV to renew my license and car registration.
Since I could have renewed over the mail, I assumed that they had my picture saved. So, the pneumonia me who has not showered all day found out that nope, I needed to take a picture for this license. Thankfully, my hair was OK and I had enough makeup in my purse to make myself presentable.
So, if you ever go get your license renewed - always be picture ready.
Since I could have renewed over the mail, I assumed that they had my picture saved. So, the pneumonia me who has not showered all day found out that nope, I needed to take a picture for this license. Thankfully, my hair was OK and I had enough makeup in my purse to make myself presentable.
So, if you ever go get your license renewed - always be picture ready.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
When your friends hijack your life.
Over labor day weekend, I got really sick. The dr. suspected pneumonia but my chest x-ray was clear. Some of you may remember this. I ended up seeing the Dr. I don't trust, so I wasn't completely comfortable.
I spent a week home, then went back to work. But, my breathing hasn't improved. MY dr. threw everything she knew, but my breathing still hasn't improved. DH got sick over the weekend. Tuesday, I had a followup appointment which took me 4 days to get. I almost canceled it and sent DH in my stead, but decided I needed to be seen. So, I went in with Sydney (3).
Sydney brought in her puppy and blankie in case I got scared and held my hand while I got a shot. My dr. still heard strange breathing sounds and ordered a CT scan. Still waiting results. DH went to the dr. yesterday. He now has pneumonia.
Unfortunately sleep is a bit elusive right now and we had a big meeting/banquet yesterday. I busted butt and really was sick yesterday. I'm skipping today's meeting except to set up coffee and get the kids to school.
The nurse called a little bit ago and my CT scan confirms that I do have pneumonia.
I spent a week home, then went back to work. But, my breathing hasn't improved. MY dr. threw everything she knew, but my breathing still hasn't improved. DH got sick over the weekend. Tuesday, I had a followup appointment which took me 4 days to get. I almost canceled it and sent DH in my stead, but decided I needed to be seen. So, I went in with Sydney (3).
Sydney brought in her puppy and blankie in case I got scared and held my hand while I got a shot. My dr. still heard strange breathing sounds and ordered a CT scan. Still waiting results. DH went to the dr. yesterday. He now has pneumonia.
Unfortunately sleep is a bit elusive right now and we had a big meeting/banquet yesterday. I busted butt and really was sick yesterday. I'm skipping today's meeting except to set up coffee and get the kids to school.
The nurse called a little bit ago and my CT scan confirms that I do have pneumonia.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Freshman!!
Last night, the kids had their "how to use the library" session. It takes about 50 minutes. That left us with about 25 minutes left of class.
Rather than hold a lecture or discussion - I decided to use the time to let the students gather sources for their first papers. Nice of me huh? After all, I'd be in the library and they have extra help as they work towards this first paper.
As you can probably guess - not one stayed.
But, I suspect that I will now be extra tough grading their bibliographies when they are turned in!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Earlier this week, it was announced that Michigan was the first state to introduce a bill to require all 6th grade girls to receive a vaccine that will prevent most cervical cancers.
unfortunately, there are many people who are concerned that if we vaccinate girls in 6th grade, they will become sexually active because they will not have any deterrent.
I realize that 6th grade was chosen as the recommended age as it is rare for a girl to become sexually active before middle school. I do know that in the early 80s, a few of my sister's friends were becoming sexually active in middle school. I also know that when I was in college, my mother constantly lectured my sister and I about the increased risk of cervical cancer with more partners. I pretty well ignored her. I doubt that girls will suddenly become abstinent for fear of cervical cancer.
So, should we avoid protecting our children from a deadly disease because we don't want to admit they might become sexually active before we want them to? Should we risk not being able to vaccinate them at all because we didn't vaccinate early.
Would it be nice if our children waited to become sexually active - sure. But, should we think that they will avoid sex for fear of cancer?
Rather than hold a lecture or discussion - I decided to use the time to let the students gather sources for their first papers. Nice of me huh? After all, I'd be in the library and they have extra help as they work towards this first paper.
As you can probably guess - not one stayed.
But, I suspect that I will now be extra tough grading their bibliographies when they are turned in!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Earlier this week, it was announced that Michigan was the first state to introduce a bill to require all 6th grade girls to receive a vaccine that will prevent most cervical cancers.
unfortunately, there are many people who are concerned that if we vaccinate girls in 6th grade, they will become sexually active because they will not have any deterrent.
I realize that 6th grade was chosen as the recommended age as it is rare for a girl to become sexually active before middle school. I do know that in the early 80s, a few of my sister's friends were becoming sexually active in middle school. I also know that when I was in college, my mother constantly lectured my sister and I about the increased risk of cervical cancer with more partners. I pretty well ignored her. I doubt that girls will suddenly become abstinent for fear of cervical cancer.
So, should we avoid protecting our children from a deadly disease because we don't want to admit they might become sexually active before we want them to? Should we risk not being able to vaccinate them at all because we didn't vaccinate early.
Would it be nice if our children waited to become sexually active - sure. But, should we think that they will avoid sex for fear of cancer?
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Random Notes
I've had lots of things rambling through my mind. So, I'll do bulletpoints.
* Sarah got home from school on Tuesday and announced that she had her own box of markers, pencils, etc. That she is keeping her desk organized so she can find everything. Now, the fact that she was so amazed about her school supplies wasn't surprising to me, but I must admit a little part of me missed being able to help her pick out her school supplies with a list. But, in a way it's nice that the school system supplies everything so we don't have to. And my daughter was like a kid on Christmas when she opened her desk and found so much stuff that belonged to her.
* I've been feeling domestic this weekend. It's becoming fall. So, I made home made pizza dough. The girls liked it. I also made a fresh loaf of bread. I hope it tastes good. Unfortanately, I don't have a kitchen aid. I say unfortunately because it's hard to find a recipe that doesn't use a kitchen aid to put extra air into the dough. I can't wait to see if it came out ok.
* I really want to exercise. I can't breath yet. I guess I can't exercise yet.
* Tomorrow we remember those who were killed by terrorists. Earlier we recognized those who lost their lives to mis-cues in New Orleans. I've always had a strange feeling about 9/11. I remember driving to work that day 5 years ago. I had just turned on ESPN Radio. I had a hard time understanding why I was listening to ABC News from the television. I had a small kid, we watched Bear in the Big Blue House. When I left for work, I didn't know anything was out of the ordinary.
As I drove, I listened to Peter Jennings? describe - or try to as he stared in disbelief - the twin towers begin to fall. As I continued to drive, I heard the 2nd tower fall. I don't remember when I finally saw the film. My husband was so tried of seeing it that we didn't watch it at home. I was at work that day and didn't see it.
I was only marginally affected by it. I was blissfully prg with our second child. I think the hormones from that pregnancy kept me from being as affected. That didn't last too long. A couple of weeks later I started to miscarry. But, that little babe, who I never got to meet, kept me grounded that day.
So, if you are brave, you are welcome to come try my bread. It's not perfect yet, but getting better.
* Sarah got home from school on Tuesday and announced that she had her own box of markers, pencils, etc. That she is keeping her desk organized so she can find everything. Now, the fact that she was so amazed about her school supplies wasn't surprising to me, but I must admit a little part of me missed being able to help her pick out her school supplies with a list. But, in a way it's nice that the school system supplies everything so we don't have to. And my daughter was like a kid on Christmas when she opened her desk and found so much stuff that belonged to her.
* I've been feeling domestic this weekend. It's becoming fall. So, I made home made pizza dough. The girls liked it. I also made a fresh loaf of bread. I hope it tastes good. Unfortanately, I don't have a kitchen aid. I say unfortunately because it's hard to find a recipe that doesn't use a kitchen aid to put extra air into the dough. I can't wait to see if it came out ok.
* I really want to exercise. I can't breath yet. I guess I can't exercise yet.
* Tomorrow we remember those who were killed by terrorists. Earlier we recognized those who lost their lives to mis-cues in New Orleans. I've always had a strange feeling about 9/11. I remember driving to work that day 5 years ago. I had just turned on ESPN Radio. I had a hard time understanding why I was listening to ABC News from the television. I had a small kid, we watched Bear in the Big Blue House. When I left for work, I didn't know anything was out of the ordinary.
As I drove, I listened to Peter Jennings? describe - or try to as he stared in disbelief - the twin towers begin to fall. As I continued to drive, I heard the 2nd tower fall. I don't remember when I finally saw the film. My husband was so tried of seeing it that we didn't watch it at home. I was at work that day and didn't see it.
I was only marginally affected by it. I was blissfully prg with our second child. I think the hormones from that pregnancy kept me from being as affected. That didn't last too long. A couple of weeks later I started to miscarry. But, that little babe, who I never got to meet, kept me grounded that day.
So, if you are brave, you are welcome to come try my bread. It's not perfect yet, but getting better.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
First Days
This week was the first day of school for our family.
Sarah started first grade. She loves her teacher and announced that she never wants to leave First Grade. I'm excited because it appears as if I will be able to volunteer in her class on Friday mornings. I just have to work it out with her teacher.
Here are pictures from Sarah's first day.
Sydney and Sarah before we dropped Sarah off and Sarah at her desk.
Two days later, Sydney started her first day of preschool. She would not stand still, so this was the best picture I could get of her. This was Sarah's old preschool, so Sydney was a bit at home.
Tuesday was also my first day of class. Unfortunately, I came down with some horrible thing over the weekend so I arrived at my first class very sick. But, unless you are in the hospital, Freshman won't know that you are not canceling class for a sniffle so I had to make an appearance. Did better on Thursday. At least they know that they just can't blow off class. I'm almost doing better, but I've had to go on some asthma meds to try to clear up my breathing.
I had an interesting comment with one of my students who turned down help at the writing center for her English major sister because her engineer father told her that she wouldn't need to write as an engineer. In a way, I suppose he is right. After all, it's generally managers who tend to write more.
Unfortunately, my 7 years experience in an engineering firm was not going to over ride her father's experience.
I can't wait till next weeks class when we start getting into the meat of the class.
Sarah started first grade. She loves her teacher and announced that she never wants to leave First Grade. I'm excited because it appears as if I will be able to volunteer in her class on Friday mornings. I just have to work it out with her teacher.
Here are pictures from Sarah's first day.
Sydney and Sarah before we dropped Sarah off and Sarah at her desk.
Two days later, Sydney started her first day of preschool. She would not stand still, so this was the best picture I could get of her. This was Sarah's old preschool, so Sydney was a bit at home.
Tuesday was also my first day of class. Unfortunately, I came down with some horrible thing over the weekend so I arrived at my first class very sick. But, unless you are in the hospital, Freshman won't know that you are not canceling class for a sniffle so I had to make an appearance. Did better on Thursday. At least they know that they just can't blow off class. I'm almost doing better, but I've had to go on some asthma meds to try to clear up my breathing.
I had an interesting comment with one of my students who turned down help at the writing center for her English major sister because her engineer father told her that she wouldn't need to write as an engineer. In a way, I suppose he is right. After all, it's generally managers who tend to write more.
Unfortunately, my 7 years experience in an engineering firm was not going to over ride her father's experience.
I can't wait till next weeks class when we start getting into the meat of the class.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Two versions of the same story
Sarah (6.5) and Sydney (3.5) have an imaginary friend named Shali. It started when one or the other of them would pretend to be Shali, but eventually she became the third person in the game. I finally decided that I was curious about what Shali looked like to each of them. Here are their answers:
Sydney's version:
DSIJHS and Elainie name is the same as Shali name - DSIJHS
Me: But what does Shali look like?
She's a baby and she's 1.5 years old. And Elanie is 5 y.o.
Me: Are they tall or short?
Both of them are a baby and both of them are shorter than me.
Me: What color eyes do they have?
They both have the same eyes and both of their eyes are green.
Me: What color hair do they have?
They both have the same color hair. It's green too - green hair.
Then Sydney gets her ruffy. (toy husky puppy) Now I'm going to talk about this baby Shali. His eyes are blue, his hair is green and he's a boy and he's one year old. And that all.
Sarah's version
Sydney can tell you that, but I have the idea.
Wait, maybe I can.
Shali looks like, she has brown hair. Her parents named her Shali because she loved shells and the shore. And she has light skin.
Me: What color eyes does she have?
Blue
Me: Is she taller or shorter than you?
We're the same.
Me: How old is Shali?
She's almost 7.
Update on me. Breathing is hard still, so my Dr. is calling in a script for a nebulizer.
Sydney's version:
DSIJHS and Elainie name is the same as Shali name - DSIJHS
Me: But what does Shali look like?
She's a baby and she's 1.5 years old. And Elanie is 5 y.o.
Me: Are they tall or short?
Both of them are a baby and both of them are shorter than me.
Me: What color eyes do they have?
They both have the same eyes and both of their eyes are green.
Me: What color hair do they have?
They both have the same color hair. It's green too - green hair.
Then Sydney gets her ruffy. (toy husky puppy) Now I'm going to talk about this baby Shali. His eyes are blue, his hair is green and he's a boy and he's one year old. And that all.
Sarah's version
Sydney can tell you that, but I have the idea.
Wait, maybe I can.
Shali looks like, she has brown hair. Her parents named her Shali because she loved shells and the shore. And she has light skin.
Me: What color eyes does she have?
Blue
Me: Is she taller or shorter than you?
We're the same.
Me: How old is Shali?
She's almost 7.
Update on me. Breathing is hard still, so my Dr. is calling in a script for a nebulizer.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
lost post
I had a nice post that blogger lost as soon as I hit post. Then I couldn't get back in.
I have pneumonia or some similar variant (Dr. could hear a rattle in my breathing, but couldn't see anything on the chest x-ray) so I'm too wiped out from a day of laying on the couch watching Season one of West Wing to repost it. Maybe in the AM when I have more energy.
I have pneumonia or some similar variant (Dr. could hear a rattle in my breathing, but couldn't see anything on the chest x-ray) so I'm too wiped out from a day of laying on the couch watching Season one of West Wing to repost it. Maybe in the AM when I have more energy.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Sunday Six Labors
"Sunday Six!" is a game where Kelly asks us to have six questions answered. Remember, the idea is to post answers to the following six question, but the trick is to get your kids to answer them! If you don't have kids, use your imagination... Your pet, your neighbor, your elderly family member, your roommate, etc. Did you play? Let me and Kelly know so we can visit you. Today I was able to ask Sarah (SB - age 6) the questions. Sydney answered later.1. Why do we celebrate Labor Day?
SK: Because we have to.
SB: What's Labor Day?
2. What does Labor mean?
SK: Labor means you are in hot lava - is that what it means?
SB: I don't know.
3. How do we celebrate Labor Day?
SK: I don't know mommy.
SB: I don't know.
4. Do you do any labor?
SK: No.
SB: What's that?
5. How long do we celebrate Labor Day?
SK: I don't know.
SB: One day?
6. Who labors - Mommy or Daddy? (LOL - Let's see how many associate that with pregnancy! LOL)
SK: Mommy does!! (good answer.)
SB: What's Labor?
Saturday, September 02, 2006
The Best Day Ever
Yesterday I forced myself to play with the girls. I left the housework, school work, grocery shopping and we went to the lake and played and flew kites and had McDonalds (until I forgot and left some for the sea gulls).
School starts next week and we have so few nice days left.
We had lots of fun.
Here are some pictures:
It was still a little chilli when we arrived:
Sarah sitting on the beach:
Here is Sydney falling off driftwood:
The girls flying a kite:
School starts next week and we have so few nice days left.
We had lots of fun.
Here are some pictures:
It was still a little chilli when we arrived:
Sarah sitting on the beach:
Here is Sydney falling off driftwood:
The girls flying a kite:
Friday, September 01, 2006
Sometimes you find you are like the others
Yesterday, we had a workshop for all the people who teach sections of the class I teach. I was a little intimidated to attend as I was afraid that I would discover that I was doing it wrong.
You see, last year was not only my first year teaching anything, but it was my first time teaching this class. The faculty member who was in charge of the program had just started a new job, so she didn't have her orientation workshop. This left me floundering a bit, trying to talk to other people, and using my best instincts.
During the course of the workshop, I discovered that I really was doing this OK. My instincts seem to be right.
It was nice to find out.
Today, in other accomplishments, I managed to install the third row of seats in my Ford Expedition all by myself. I'm not the strongest or tallest person, so some things are hard to maneuver. Also, I have a bad back, so I sometimes don't have the ability to lift things.
I've now added something else to my list of things I have manage to stumble through with no directions.
Since I'm home today with Sarah and Sydney and Sarah's friend L - we are going to the lake today for a picnic lunch. But no ordinary picnic lunch - we are going to Burger King since we never go now that it's 10 miles away!
You see, last year was not only my first year teaching anything, but it was my first time teaching this class. The faculty member who was in charge of the program had just started a new job, so she didn't have her orientation workshop. This left me floundering a bit, trying to talk to other people, and using my best instincts.
During the course of the workshop, I discovered that I really was doing this OK. My instincts seem to be right.
It was nice to find out.
Today, in other accomplishments, I managed to install the third row of seats in my Ford Expedition all by myself. I'm not the strongest or tallest person, so some things are hard to maneuver. Also, I have a bad back, so I sometimes don't have the ability to lift things.
I've now added something else to my list of things I have manage to stumble through with no directions.
Since I'm home today with Sarah and Sydney and Sarah's friend L - we are going to the lake today for a picnic lunch. But no ordinary picnic lunch - we are going to Burger King since we never go now that it's 10 miles away!
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