Trying new things can be scary, especially when you're only three. When I teach my Life101 class, I tell them that one of the ways they know they're an "adult" is their willingness - AND FOLLOW-THROUGH - to make their own doctor and dentist appointments. This is one aspect of adulthood that shocks them; often it causes them more consternation than actually moving away. I was married almost three years before I finally went back to the dentist once I had left the fold of my parental dental ... Read More about First Visit to the Dentist
Spartacus’ Reading List: May/June 2018
While Spartacus still pulls his favorite books from his April reading list, a few oldies-but-goodies found their way off the shelf this month. If you have an almost-four-year-old in your life, my son would like to recommend... Shhh! by Sally Grindley and Peter Utton This was one of Hubster's favorite books as a kid; it's about sneaking through a giant's castle, and has little doors you can open to see if everyone is still sleeping (spoiler: the giant wakes up). What's hysterical is ... Read More about Spartacus’ Reading List: May/June 2018
Vocabulary I learned from “Aladdin”
I love sharing fun vocabulary words with my students. I don't have the strongest academic background to teach English, but I love me some awesome vocab words. At our last family pizza movie night, we chose to expose Spartacus and Little Miss to the wonders of Disney's Aladdin. It has been nearly a decade since I've enjoyed this classic from my childhood. Like many other movies, I now see it completely differently as an adult watching with my own kids. I continue to find delight in ... Read More about Vocabulary I learned from “Aladdin”
Sibling Fun
Tonight, I was rocking and nursing Little Miss to sleep when nearly 4-year-old Spartacus marched in. He told me it was Daddy's birthday (it's not), we're having a party, and then he handed me an invisible balloon with these admonishments:"But don't bite it. It will pop. And don't let it land on the grass. It will pop. Remember that one time when I had a balloon and it landed on the grass and it popped? And don't squeeze it. It will pop."He summarily marched out again, then I hear him tell Daddy ... Read More about Sibling Fun
#DarnYouAutocorrect: Grading Gaffs 2018
Every so often I get some really quality student typos in essays. Enjoy some gaffs from this past quarter! Unfortunately since I didn't have any freshman classes this year and my AP kids tend to be better proof readers, the mistakes aren't quite as crazy this year as they were last year...it's generally a case of writing too fast and not going back to reread before they hit "print" and turn in, but I appreciate them as ways to make sure I'm not reading too fast either! On a rhetorical ... Read More about #DarnYouAutocorrect: Grading Gaffs 2018
Summer Readings 2018: Story of Success
Looking for some interesting summer reading? Join my incoming juniors on this summer's AP English work! Here's the assignment I sent to my upcoming students. FIRST: Send me an introductory email - some of you I know, some I don't, so introduce yourself and help me get to know. What do you enjoy doing? What is something you loathe doing? Why are you interested in AP English? No word count. Help me with some facts and dreams to put with the name before August. Tell me which book you are ... Read More about Summer Readings 2018: Story of Success
Excavating Freshman Hallway 2018
Privacy and personal space are so important to teenagers, and they hide some pretty interesting stuff in their lockers. Earlier this year I found a stuffed dinosaur on top of a trash can; I can only assume someone got dumped, and it wasn't pretty. At the end of every year, I find lots of treasures, either thrown away or literally just left in the lockers at the end of the last day as they sprint to get out as fast as they can. I will try to make this an annual post. Several of us teachers ... Read More about Excavating Freshman Hallway 2018
Guest Blogger: Pregnancy Abroad
Today's guest blogger is a dear friend of mine from MIDDLE SCHOOL. Also a sociology major, she did several years teaching in the Peace Corps in Indonesia (you can read about her travels at Relentless Pursuit of Tikkun Olam) before marrying and becoming permanently fixed in Indonesia - and she's having a baby! She kindly shares her experiences with pregnancy in a non-Western culture. ---------------------- Hello readers, I am Sarah, one of Lizzy's friends from middle school. It baffles ... Read More about Guest Blogger: Pregnancy Abroad
End-of-Year Survey: Some Brief Reflections
It is really scary asking students what they think of a class. I put together a Google form survey for my AP students to get feedback on different parts of the year. I have a good idea of what I think I had done well and what I had not, and much of their feedback supported that, but some things surprised me. I made it anonymous online so they felt able to say what they needed without fear of repercussions. While it would certainly be nice to get 5-star ratings across the board, that would ... Read More about End-of-Year Survey: Some Brief Reflections
AP Final: College Portfolios
For my AP English class each year, I assign a College Portfolio binder project. Since they take the AP exam I don't want to give them another test, and this project helps prepare them for college applications in the fall. They construct a binder that they hopefully can use long after the class ends. I show them my own job binder that has my teaching license, copies of job applications and reference letters, my transcripts, and other certificates I've received throughout my ... Read More about AP Final: College Portfolios
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