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December 2009 Blog Posts (35)
Happy New Year's Muggles!!
New Year's has never really meant that much to me... because, I suspect, New Year's for me always hits in September.This January stuff is nice for a few days off and a change of weather (btw, in Los Angeles, the temp dropped to a frigid 62 this week inspiring all of us in Southern California to declare WTF?), but my life is synced to an academic calendar more than it is to anything else. I guess that's why when the ball drops in Times Square, I am not one of those people… Continue
Added by Alan Sitomer on December 30, 2009 at 5:30am — No Comments
Barry inspires new revision strategies in Northern Nevada!
We hosted a teacher workshop in Northern Nevada during the first two weeks of December. All our participants received a copy of the amazing Reviser's Toolbox for participating. As usual, they were inspired!
What's exciting to me as a person who hosts these classes is that we now have the time/ability to post almost every lesson, strategy, and resource used by the teachers in the course. We do this so that teachers from anywhere can join us as we explore important… Continue
What's exciting to me as a person who hosts these classes is that we now have the time/ability to post almost every lesson, strategy, and resource used by the teachers in the course. We do this so that teachers from anywhere can join us as we explore important… Continue
Added by Corbett Harrison on December 29, 2009 at 5:06pm — 2 Comments
The Tanner Test
Over the last few years, the staff in our office has created a display of photos of our young family members: children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A title asks, “Did you pass the Tanner test today?”
The question comes from a former colleague, who has a young son named Tanner. As an assistant special education director in a public school district, Nancy would check herself when parents came in with questions and concerns. No matter how irate or rude the parents were, Nancy… Continue
The question comes from a former colleague, who has a young son named Tanner. As an assistant special education director in a public school district, Nancy would check herself when parents came in with questions and concerns. No matter how irate or rude the parents were, Nancy… Continue
Added by Lisa Houk on December 29, 2009 at 3:30pm — 1 Comment
What A Pity.
What a pity that it is,
to know that your so far.
What a pity that it is,
to know I'll never see you again.
What a pity that it is,
to know exactly what I've lost.
What a pity that it is,
to know that your alone.
What a pity that it is,
to know these arms will freeze.
What a pity that it is,
to know there's no one like you.
What a pity that it is,
to know all our promises were pointless.
to know that your so far.
What a pity that it is,
to know I'll never see you again.
What a pity that it is,
to know exactly what I've lost.
What a pity that it is,
to know that your alone.
What a pity that it is,
to know these arms will freeze.
What a pity that it is,
to know there's no one like you.
What a pity that it is,
to know all our promises were pointless.
Added by Erickkkk on December 29, 2009 at 5:24am — 2 Comments
Journey To Her Heart.
Lips dry,
Head up,
I can make it.
Arms empty,
eyes glaring down,
I can make it.
Empty space by my side,
tears fall like weights,
I can make it.
Heart tears in two,
Mind loses sanity,
I can make it.
Souless body,
loneliness continues,
I failed.
Head up,
I can make it.
Arms empty,
eyes glaring down,
I can make it.
Empty space by my side,
tears fall like weights,
I can make it.
Heart tears in two,
Mind loses sanity,
I can make it.
Souless body,
loneliness continues,
I failed.
Added by Erickkkk on December 29, 2009 at 5:16am — 5 Comments
An Invisible Being.
Your an invisible being,
are you there for me or not?
I call out to you,
why is there no response?
Silence parts my mind in two,
am I going insane?
Blood beats the cold tile,
why was I that stupid?
I'm simply clueless,
are you really mine?
Your so close, yet so far,
why can't my weak shriveled arms reach you?
are you there for me or not?
I call out to you,
why is there no response?
Silence parts my mind in two,
am I going insane?
Blood beats the cold tile,
why was I that stupid?
I'm simply clueless,
are you really mine?
Your so close, yet so far,
why can't my weak shriveled arms reach you?
Added by Erickkkk on December 29, 2009 at 5:00am — 1 Comment
Malcolm Gladwell, Cezanne and Squashin Late Bloomers in our Schools
I'm reading Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw right now and on page 305 he brings up a fascinating issue in regards to late bloomers.Essentially, Gladwell speaks to the idea (I am paraphrasing) that recognizing the brilliance in painters like Picasso is a no brainer. They show their aptitude early and it is so… Continue
Added by Alan Sitomer on December 28, 2009 at 11:46am — 2 Comments
A-HA!! I finally figured out when the madness of NCLB will end.
A-HA!! I finally figured out when the madness of NCLB will end. Now I am not sure I know how to to do the math properly, but I think it works out to something like this:There are 26 letters in the alphabet. If you multiply 26 x 26 that means there are 676 possible two-letter combinations of acronyms to which they can ascribe names of punch-drunk policy.
This means that once NCLB hit the 677th clownish matter of educational legislation that requires an acronym,… Continue
Added by Alan Sitomer on December 23, 2009 at 5:30am — 1 Comment
Off to my "other" job -- Writer
With school on break for a couple of weeks I get a chance to wear but one hat and be a writer for a wee bit. I love it!And with three books coming out for me in the next 18 months (2 of them already written, one due by the end of next summer to be released a year later) this is really the time to "get ahead while the gettin's good".
However, part of being an author is understanding that so much of the work you do will not see the light of day til well over a… Continue
Added by Alan Sitomer on December 21, 2009 at 5:30am — No Comments
Sharpening the Saw
I took a weeklong cruise once -- LOVED IT -- and clearly remember talking to one of the "boat hosts" about how people change over the course of the trip.On Day 1 of the cruise, people are itchy to check their emails, their blackberries, their "messages"... and the "news" from the world back home as well. They think about their jobs, their problems, and all sorts of day-in and day-out stuff like that.
By Day 3 they are doing the… Continue
Added by Alan Sitomer on December 19, 2009 at 5:30am — 2 Comments
It's really hard to give a damn about a kid's grades when a kid doesn't give a damn themself.
Let's be honest... it's really hard to give a damn about a kid's grades when a kid doesn't give a damn themself.I know I am supposed to be mature, compassionate, professional and perpetually hopeful and encouraging but wow, sometimes it is just so hard when you are being asked to care about the performance of a student at a level that exceeds their own concern. I mean after having just done grades and participating in a school-wide dialogue about "low performing students",… Continue
Added by Alan Sitomer on December 18, 2009 at 5:00am — 2 Comments
Students that take a deep drink
Our latest problem is that kids are coming to school with Gatorade bottles... filled with vodka drinks. Does every next generation of teen have to take the level of prior "defiance" of school rules and cultures to a new level? I mean once upon a time it was unheard of to chew gum in class. Now kids are swigging berry martinis in the middle of math class making a mockery of, oh... just about everything.Of course pot has been an issue forever. The other day I joked to a… Continue
Added by Alan Sitomer on December 17, 2009 at 5:30am — 2 Comments
What kind of teacher does one have to be?
What kind of teacher does one have to be to show up at a professional development meeting on a Saturday morning.When it's raining and cold.
And it's one week before school lets out for the Winter Holidays?
And there is no "mandate" to attend nor is there extra pay. Just simple, free high quality PD. (Well, I certainly work my tail off to make it so.)
See, that's the question I asked myself last Saturday. After working at Lynwood High all… Continue
Added by Alan Sitomer on December 16, 2009 at 5:30am — 3 Comments
Dare To Say...
It is a struggle for me every year to get into the holiday spirit. I love Christmas. As a Christian, I love the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But each year, I seem to find more reasons to dislike this time of year than to celebrate it.
Let me begin with the simplest. I love snow, but every year there seems to be less and less of it. I live in West Virginia, and I was born and raised here. I remember a time when it used to snow (not a lot, but regularly) throughout most… Continue
Let me begin with the simplest. I love snow, but every year there seems to be less and less of it. I live in West Virginia, and I was born and raised here. I remember a time when it used to snow (not a lot, but regularly) throughout most… Continue
Added by Jason Lilly on December 15, 2009 at 1:59pm — 4 Comments
"Romeo and Juliet"
Oh, here
Will I set up my everlasting rest,
And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last.
Arms, take your last embrace .And, Lips,
O you the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargin to engrossing death.
Will I set up my everlasting rest,
And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last.
Arms, take your last embrace .And, Lips,
O you the doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargin to engrossing death.
Added by Michael Ethan Perez on December 15, 2009 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment
(Grandpa) Rough Draft #2
Grandpa, I know you love to do many things that require your legs. Mowing the yard,waxing his cars.and working outside.It puts a smile on my face knowing you enjoy it, but the ONLY thing I wish you would do is to just sit and rest.Nothing more,Nothing less. Your feet constantly swelling,your hands too. You always gets pains,arthritis,they call it.I want you to live 20-30 billion more years,but i don't want you suffering any longer.The pains,you tell me, are simply unbearable.How can you get… Continue
Added by Teresa Rakay on December 15, 2009 at 12:39pm — 4 Comments
New moon poem
My Sun, this I can't believe
Now you’re gone, how can I live?
You said, “You are my life now.”
But you have broken your vow
My love, life, meaning, they’re finished
I wish I could be diminished
The pain is excruciating
There’s just no reason for living
I have shattered into pieces
I’ve been longing for your kisses
I want your arms wrapped around me
Sadly, these things can never be
Who can mend my broken… Continue
Now you’re gone, how can I live?
You said, “You are my life now.”
But you have broken your vow
My love, life, meaning, they’re finished
I wish I could be diminished
The pain is excruciating
There’s just no reason for living
I have shattered into pieces
I’ve been longing for your kisses
I want your arms wrapped around me
Sadly, these things can never be
Who can mend my broken… Continue
Added by Amee Salazar on December 14, 2009 at 4:34pm — 1 Comment
twilight Poem
Hear out my tortured soul
For I have nowhere else to go
You captured my dead, frozen heart
Now yours and mine’ll never be apart
You took my breath away
And in my heart you’ll always stay
You are my life now
Believe me, for this I vow
My brave and trusting love
From the heavens above
I’ll do everything for you
And I’ll always be true
When you called out my name
My life had never been the same
You kept my feet… Continue
For I have nowhere else to go
You captured my dead, frozen heart
Now yours and mine’ll never be apart
You took my breath away
And in my heart you’ll always stay
You are my life now
Believe me, for this I vow
My brave and trusting love
From the heavens above
I’ll do everything for you
And I’ll always be true
When you called out my name
My life had never been the same
You kept my feet… Continue
Added by Amee Salazar on December 14, 2009 at 4:00pm — 2 Comments
What percentage of F's in a class is it reasonable to give?
What percentage of F's in a class is it reasonable for a teacher to give? I mean what's the dividing point between a teacher firmly drawing the line at demanding minimum competency and rigor, and a teacher who is simply not reaching their kids and flunking so many students that we clearly see that the educator is actually ineffective at their job?If 80% of the kids in a class are failing a class, is the teacher not a part of the problem for the immense amount of failure in… Continue
Added by Alan Sitomer on December 14, 2009 at 5:00am — No Comments
Brown Fedora Authors Score Top Awards
Here is a partial list of awards won by the authors of Brown Fedora Books (brownfedorabooks.com):
Book of the Month Club Selections (3)
Academy of American Poets Poetry Prizes (2)
Ralph Nading Hill Award
Hammett Prize Nominee for Best Crime Fiction
Associated Press Award
Public Radio News Directors Awards (2)
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
Washington Post “Up and Coming Writer” Selection
Bordighera Poetry Prize
American Library… Continue
Book of the Month Club Selections (3)
Academy of American Poets Poetry Prizes (2)
Ralph Nading Hill Award
Hammett Prize Nominee for Best Crime Fiction
Associated Press Award
Public Radio News Directors Awards (2)
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
Washington Post “Up and Coming Writer” Selection
Bordighera Poetry Prize
American Library… Continue
Added by Jim DeFilippi on December 12, 2009 at 9:24am — 1 Comment
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