An archived stack of papers: 'short-writing'
Facebook Questions
In a stack of papers called Connections.
- Jul
- 24
- 2010
Facebook is getting a Questions app together. What interests me here is the focus on eloquent writing and reference to other sources. It’s nice to have a company like Facebook on record as valuing those elements of writing.
I like that Facebook is asking for someone to be able... read more
Something New(ish)
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Aug
- 14
- 2009
My school doesn’t start for another ten days; students arrive in eleven. Some teachers were just told earlier this week what they will be teaching next year. I’m willing to bet that other teachers still don’t know. There is a possibility that teaching schedules could change between now and the 25th. It’s slight, but still a possibility. This all worries me, but I’m sure... read more
Three Flavors
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Aug
- 07
- 2009
A small thing I did last year that I think could have had a big impact if I’d played my cards right:
Do Firsts came in three flavors: Quotation, Question, Writing Challenge; Enrichment Reading blogs also came in three flavors: Quotation, Question, Writing Challenge.
This may seem a small thing, but it reflects a fair amount of thought on my part for how I can... read more
An Unsolved Problem
In a stack of papers called Connections.
- May
- 24
- 2009
Out for a run yesterday, I listened to Act One of a deeply disturbing episode of This American Life. In New York, there’s apparently a place called the Rubber Room. Essentially, teachers report there when the board decides that they shouldn’t be in the classroom.... read more
Tuesday’s Inauguration
In a stack of papers called Connections.
- Jan
- 16
- 2009
It’s an important event. I want to watch it. I can’t think of a reason to show it to my students, though. Barack Obama’s inauguration happens on Tuesday (interesting that a Google of “obama” returns an image of Bush as the first result today).
As it ends up, I don’t have a class during that time, so I couldn’t show it to my students even if I had a good... read more
The Fate Of Pirates
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Nov
- 29
- 2008
This one hit me really quick and I’m not even sure I’ve got this all correct, but I had to get this possibility out.
Dan’s been going on about this Rule of Least Power, something I’m not entirely sure I agree with (often, a Rule of Most Power seems more fitting). The idea is essentially to... read more
Preparing For The Role
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Aug
- 22
- 2008
I filled the last few days with trips to the dumpster and at least eight hours per in my classroom. From cleaning out a colleague’s room (nice guy and pack rat par excellence) to sifting through my own cupboards (a fine hoarder in my own right), our trash compactor is working overtime.
I’m getting over my concern about throwing away books. Your dusty class set of anthologies from two... read more
Swift And Scoble
In a stack of papers called Connections.
- Jan
- 02
- 2008
“A Modest Proposal” is the classic irony, where Jonathan Swift’s ridiculous answer to a problem pushes readers toward actual solutions. Robert Scoble’s “The RIAA is right” has the same idea, though with more complaints than answers to the... read more
Affirmative Brazil
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Sep
- 04
- 2007
Great show on KQED tonight. “Brazil in Black and White” gives an interesting take on affirmative action. The reasons for its existence in Brazil differ from those presented in America. At one point, photographs of the students decide who will be accepted under the quota system: do you look black enough? Phrased in those... read more
Top Priority
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- Jun
- 30
- 2007
Washing my face in the bathroom of my room at Okayama City Hotel, a new and fairly fancy hotel in Okayama, Japan, I noticed a package labeled Razor on the counter. Hairbrush and Toothbrush were stacked behind Razor. This is a common thing in Japanese hotels. You’ll find a few of these packages in my bathroom at home, too. They come in quite handy, whether on a trip or when I simply run out of... read more