Just for fun, here is an interpretation of Act Two of Much Ado About Nothing by a group of my linear English 9 class. They did a good job with it, and I have to say, I love Don John! ;-P
help wanted March 12, 2012
Here’s a parent perspective on the issues in the school from Ginger Hartman. It would be wonderful if hers was the only story like this, but I expect an alarming percentage of our students’ parents can say the same.
I am trying to remember if it was at the school where I am now, of one of the previous ones, where over 25% of our student body had some government coded special need. You can be assured that there were almost the same number un-coded, but noted as needing help, and possibly even more demanding than the identified students.
I know I’m not meeting the needs of all my identified kids. I try to adapt and modify lessons for them, but I can’t stretch enough to monitor them every minute of the class, when there are 25-29 others in the room who also need attention. So many of these kids really need one on one support all day. Each would function best with a Special Education Assistant at their side in every class to keep them on task, guide their understanding, and articulate issues that the student can not articulate. I have one SEA in one of my four classes, but she’s attached to one wheelchair bound student, not the deaf student, or the learning disabled students, or the behavior challenged students, or the socially challenged students. I need to deal with them, and try to ensure that they’re all on target, learning, and meeting the prescribed learning outcomes.
I am just one body, and while I have a lot of strategies to encourage success in my students, I am only one body!
Teaching cost me over $500 last year in personally purchased books and supplies used/destroyed/stolen in my class room. Teachers are not allowed to list these expenses on our tax returns. That drives me crazy. Other professions are allowed to deduct for tools and supplies used on their job. I have never been able to figure out why we’re not. The only thing I can think of is that the federal government has already given the provincial government funding for these things, and so they believe we don’t need to purchase them. Well, we’re taking a stand. What’s our job? What’s not our job? Our job is teaching, and we’ll do it between the bells, until this government recognises that it is eroding one of the best educational systems in the world. We’re falling fast.
star dust March 11, 2012
“The secret has been within you since the day you were born. We are all children of the stars–everything is.”
Martin and Carranza in The Gaudi Key
Where did I read that this is literally true? Our nature as “carbon based life forms” shows that genetically we are full of star dust. Crazy, isn’t it? What secret is within us when we emerge bloody from the womb, open to the infinite possibility that is life itself? What secret waits to tell us our purpose or destiny? What is yours?
perseverance beyond prevention March 10, 2012
It is what we think we know already
that often prevents us from learning.
Claude Bernard
Isn’t this a profound sentiment? I recently heard that studies have shown that the key to success in mathematics is not being ‘math brained,’ but rather, it’s about simple perseverance. I know so many people who had to have math for a career training who just fought through, because they ‘had to have the course’ who said, “It’s much easier than it was when I was in high school.” I don’t think it’s about easier at all. I think it’s about knowing there is no other option than getting it done. That change of attitude is the key to success. We ‘think’ we suck at math, so we don’t try. When we come up against a concept that is difficult to grasp, instead of working through it, we give up. If you must have it the math credit to do what you want to do, you stick with it, and lo and behold, you figure it out!
I have a friend who was told in high school that “Girls can’t do math.” and “Blonde girls are so stupid, they can’t do math at all.” A bet was made. My platinum blonde friend went to university to get a math degree, and then for good measure, she got a masters in applied math. (Last I heard, she was working for the Canadian Nuclear Energy Board). Trust me, Karen had a lot of stubborn perseverance!
So the next time you think you can’t do something, remember that it’s what you think you know that’s the problem. Quite often, your premise is wrong. Open your mind, and explore all the options.
net zero? March 9, 2012
All public sector unions are expected to take net zero on their contracts, and yet, the government itself has no issues giving itself double digit raises- forty percent or more. I don’t think health care workers or teachers work less than these folks, and many of them are better educated than these overpaid bureaucrats. Check out Norman Farrell’s insight in this issue. He’s got facts and figures. It blows my mind.
and portraying the Order of the Phoenix… March 7, 2012
British Columbia’s Bill 22 shares a number of disturbing similarities with some of the Educational Decrees made by Dolores Umbridge, Hogwart’s Inquisitor. The proclamations in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix were so absurd that they added a grim humour to the book. Massive disregard for the skills of the staff and the intelligence of students led to militant rebellion. This is natural: free people must oppose tyranny. The Ministry of Magic thought they were being reasonable and improving education. The students and staff knew otherwise. They knew the government was completely out of touch when they claimed to know what was best for the students. When we see how fact is following fiction here in BC, we see what lies ahead of us. Voldemort will be defeated.
A link to the BC Legislature’s Bill 22 “The Education Improvement Act” (Yes, really, that’s what they call it!)
A link to the Educational Decrees in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I really wish I was making this up.
Why are teachers so upset? March 6, 2012
Teachers are upset because we were under the impression that Canada was a democracy, and we are very confused about why more people aren’t very, very concerned about a legislature that doesn’t understand that it is not above the law. Laws are made to protect citizens. International law exists to protect people in countries with poor legal systems. Time and time again the BC government’s actions have been ruled illegal, both here, and in international courts, and they continue to violate the rights of citizens to fair labour practice.
Here is an article by Joe Bakon, a university law professor, explaining why every citizen needs to be very concerned about what’s happening in BC.
Bunny magic! March 3, 2012
Oh my word! Have you seen these brilliant bunny animations? They present very amusing 30 second summaries of movies (or series!) with bunnies ‘acting’ the roles. Check out their interpretation of Harry Potter. They also have a Harry Potter part two. What an excellent demonstration of how you can summarize succinctly! Mind you, if you don’t know the movies, it will be particularly confusing!
True Crime March 2, 2012
“I greatly preferred dangerous criminals to be incompetent.”
Diana Gabaldon in The Fiery Cross.
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Me, too!
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It may make you feel a little better about the incompetent crooks in government to read about some truly incompetent criminals who are now behind bars at the Stupid Criminals Hall of Shame. With criminals, incompetence is good for the public.
Shawn L. Bird 
Irish celebration! March 17, 2012
Tags: Day, Irish Rovers, Patrick's, Saint, St, the Orange and the Green
Here it is St. Patrick’s Day, and it seems as if a little music is in order! I love Celtic music, and would happily play my folk harp in a Celtic band. If I was practising my harp, that is.
I saw the Irish Rovers in concert as a kid in Calgary. This particular tune always has been a favorite, as it playfully explores the religious conflict in Ireland.
Erin Go Bragh!
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