January 2012
9 posts
2 tags
“Ms. T, if you were a mythical creature, you would be a SASS-quatch.”
– On the importance of sarcasm and “sassiness” (and clever wordplay) in the high school English classroom
3 tags
Deceptive.
Student [high school senior...]- I just learned that Hawaii and Alaska aren't next to each other.
Me- Are you serious?
Student- Those maps are deceptive, Ms. T.
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American Studies
…I’d like to teach it. Right now, I’m prepping for a lesson on McCarthyism as my kiddos get ready to start reading The Crucible. And I feel…around 87% confident. I mean, I teach English, not history. I haven’t taken history since freshman year of college. I know it’s essential for my students, especially with a text like this, so I’m doing my background...
3 tags
Educator Appreciation Week
It’s Educator Appreciation Week at Barnes & Noble! 25% off EVERYTHING. And a ton of other deals on music, NOOKs, anti-bullying books, educational DVDs, etc… Oh, B&N, how you entice me with your deals.
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In Support of Student-Generated Writing Topics...
This year, instead of the traditional research paper, I had my seniors do inquiry-based feature articles. I faced a lot of resistance from my department chair, but I decided very early on that, if I needed to be a rebel in order to do something that I knew was more meaningful and worthwhile for my students, then I would just take on that role. The students generated their own topics, developed...
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A Photo A Day →
One of my favorite sites for writing inspiration. Every day there’s a new photo, and many of them are incredibly powerful. There’s an archive of every photo from the past several years too. Screen the photos first if you’re using them in the classroom, of course (some of them can be a little graphic, but nothing too bad.) I did my NWP presentation on using images to inspire...
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Messier, Part 2
Student #1- Oh, didn't you hear? I'm preparing a dossier of future husbands for Ms. T.
Student#2- Pshhh. There are only two things that need to go in this 'man dossier,' and those are 'Bolivian' and 'charming smile.' [smiles charmingly]
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Tenure
When I got “tenure” at the end of last year, it didn’t feel like any kind of accomplishment. Yes, I’d received positive evaluations from my AP and my department chair, but it seemed like all I had to do was breathe and avoid major scandal for three years. This year, having tenure frustrates me, which I suppose is the opposite of what someone outside of education might...
3 tags
A Dossier of Men...A Messier. HA.
Student- Ms. T, I'd like you to prepare a dossier of all the guys you know, so that we can select a husband for you.
Me- ... [5% seriously considering this plan, 45% amused, 50% impressed that he knows how to use the word 'dossier']
