Miscellaneous Missives

Soooo, I ordered cycling shoes, the clip in kind, from REI outlet.  When they came yesterday, I was disappointed that I couldn't wear them to spin class today because they didn't have the cleats, and they were an ugly grey.  I went to REI for cleats and some advice.  Martha (I think) helped me out.  As we walked to the cycling shoes, I admitted that I bought them because they were cheap and wasn't necessarily happy.  We talked a bit about shoes, and she explained that many shoes were on clearance.  She also talked to me about my shoes and cycling.  While I was explaining my biking habits, I couldn't tell if she was appalled or impressed that I rode nearly 1,700 miles on my bike with running shoes.  Anyway, we started looking for shoes, on clearance, in my size.  Since I have a narrow foot, buying athletic shoes is always a challenge, and I expected one as she brought out shoes.  Eight pairs of shoes, one additional salesperson, and 1....

This year I've finished to books about reading.   Notice and Note (Beers and Probst) and Book Love (Kittle).  First, I would like to say that I wish I had read Notice and Note earlier in the year, like over the summer before the school year started.  It would have changed how I introduced a couple of novels at the beginning of the year.  Even though I didn't read it early enough to help with the reading of the novels in my class, I introduced "contrasts and contradictions" to my students recently as we were reading short stories, and I think it helped all readers.  It helped struggling readers tie the story elements together, and it gave all readers a chance to pause and think about the reading.  Yesterday I met with a group that discussed Book Love an wished some of them were reading Notice and Note .  Book Love is a wonderful book for teachers who are teaching reading or language arts. While Book Love reminds us of the importance of individua...

I absolutely love that our students are 1:1 with Chrome Books.  Today as students were brainstorming about their "Moment in Time," I walked around and noticed a student with the Valley Fair map open on his desktop.  When I told them I needed a specific place for their personal narrative, he was taking me seriously.  During second hour, otters was mentioned for some reason, and I asked every student to stop mapping their moment and find me an image of an otter.  It was not helpful to the completion of their task, but I was humored.  Later when one of my afternoon classes was describing one of the plants in my room, I used the word variegate as a descriptive word, I quickly used a different word until I noticed at least three students were looking it up, "Are you looking up variegate?  What does it mean?"  Perhaps some learned a new word today.  Later in the day a student asked me how to spell ostrich.  "You have the Google machine in front...

Last year I did two days of RAGBRAI and was disappointed I hadn't signed up for the entire ride.  I was worried this year would go through the southern part of the state, and I wouldn't know anyone to find a place for a shower and perhaps a bed.  My buddy Al was at the announcement part and quick to post the overnight towns.  I've already contacted people with ties to three of the overnight towns.  It's a more hilly ride this year with a great climb, but I registered last night and hope to ride the entire week.  I was soooo excited and nervous that I didn't get much sleep.  Hey, I even ordered a jersey.  I guess it's time to push it a little more in my spin class, and it's time to quit skipping the gym and pump classes.

This morning I asked for help.  By the end of the day,  had an interesting list.  Feel free to continue to comment or message ideas. Charlie Hebdo (two sides?) Israel-Palestine Cuba Immigration Reform Keystone Fracking Corporate Personhood Free Two Year College Ferguson "I can't breathe..." Stand Your Ground Death with Dignity (move from CA to OR) Mandatory Safety Locks (guns) Body Cameras for Police Minimum Wage Torture Gitmo Meat Industry 20 Week Abortion Limit (two sides?) GMO labeling Vaccinations Health Insurance (ACA, Obama Care) Religious Dress and State-Issued IDs) Medical Marijuana Liability for Oil Spills (BP, Ecuador vs. Chevron) Accommodations for "pumping" or breast feeding mothers White Flight Voter Suppression/Gerrymandering Taxing the 1% Outsourcing NAFTA (trade) Foreign Sweatshops (Nike, Apple, Abercrombie, Forever 21) What are your thoughts and/or additions?

www.toberight.com I'm moving into research next.  While my regular students will be doing children's rights, I want to push my honors students.  In my head, I'm still thinking about the State of the Union and rebuttal (or lack of).  While I was taking a shower, I had an idea, but I need lots of HELP and IDEAS.  My plan is for students to choose a current event that has two sides (Democratic and Republican).  For their research they will need to look at both sides (say MSNBC type news sources and Fox type news sources).  My problem is I really would like a list of TWENTY such topics that have two distinct sides.  Some ideas have already came and gone, but this is my list:  Charlie Hebdo (two sides?), Israel-Palestine, Cuba, immigration, Keystone, Fracking, corporate personhood, free two year college, Sony spy (who's responsible) or even pull vs. not pull movie, Ferguson, "I can't breathe,.... I'm trying to stay away from topics like abortion...

The custodian and I have been playing a game of hide and seek with Darth .  He has been in several different locations in my room.  Sometimes it's really difficult to find him since he blends in.  Then this small pink star appeared on my white board.  I saw the custodian and thanked him for the star since it was bright and shiny as opposed to the evil Darth.  Then I returned the next day to find out not only had Darth moved again, but my star was gone.  Feeling sad, I left a note on the board. The next day a poem appeared next to my note. It took a colleague to help me find the star (and Darth). Today, Darth has moved again, but he has the star taped to his forehead.  At some point, there will be no other places to hide Darth.