Quiddity

A Teacher's Lament: The Next Big Thing

A Teacher's Lament: The Next Big Thing 

“We have this Thing. You must do this Thing. This is the only Thing that works. We will observe you and pay very close attention to whether or not you do it, because you can’t possibly teach unless you do it every single day without exception. But don’t worry, because it’s the best. After we tell you about it, you’ll break into groups, try it, and report back to us.”

Experienced teachers often disappoint presenters by failing to get sufficiently excited. They ask disrespectful questions, like what happened to last year’s Thing? They are invariably told it’s out. It’s not the Thing anymore.

If you're a teacher, you can relate.

Pictures of classrooms around the world

Great photo gallery showing what different classrooms are like around the world.  In the Taiwan classroom pictured above, students are allowed to take a 30 minute nap followed by 10 minutes of recess.  I wish we still had nap time here.

Link via mefi.

Still here

 Sorry for the lack of updates.  (What else is new, right?)  I changed apartments recently and was without internet connection for two weeks.  Then school started, so all of my time has been cosumed by professional development days and setting up my classroom.  Now that I'm all settled in at school and home, hopefully I'll have more time for blogging.  :)

Circus clothes pegs that will make doing the laundry more fun

Sadly, I don't think I'm willing to spend $13 for only five clothes pins (even though they're really cute.)  Via b for bel.

I also want this.

Quiddity turned 12...and I totally forgot

Yeah, so Quiddity turned 12.  I just wish I had more time and energy to update more often.    

Snifty Scented Pens

They're so cute!  

How to climb utility poles

Here's a picture of a training yard where technicians learn how to climb utility poles.  I couldn't do it.  Check out more of Alissa's colorful neighborhood photography at gelatobaby.com.

Link via BLDGBLOG.

Blogging ain't easy

I just bought a shiny, new red laptop. I'm hoping it'll encourage me to blog more. Blogging on the iPad sucks...hence the lack of updates. Quiddity ain't dead yet (neatorama linked me a couple of weeks ago, yay!). It's just on sick leave. Hurry, shiny, new laptop!

How to Talk to Little Girls

As a kinder teacher, I really liked this article called How to Talk to Little Girls by Lisa Bloom.  Little girls today are OBSESSED with looks.  I've had to confiscate lip gloss, nail polish, and jewelry!  Parents actually let their their five-year-olds wear full on makeup to school.  I'm talking lipstick, nail polish, and even eye shadow.  They're also sure to mention if they like someone's outfit (including mine!) or if they disapprove.

Teaching girls that their appearance is the first thing you notice tells them that looks are more important than anything. It sets them up for dieting at age 5 and foundation at age 11 and boob jobs at 17 and Botox at 23. As our cultural imperative for girls to be hot 24/7 has become the new normal, American women have become increasingly unhappy. What's missing? A life of meaning, a life of ideas and reading books and being valued for our thoughts and accomplishments.

What's also shocking is how obsessed they are with weight!  They even point out each other's fat rolls!  And god help you if you're a fat parent, because they compare your weight to their friends' parents weight, as well.  I hear it all the time.  

Link via web-goddess.

 

 

If kids wrote the news...

Last week was “Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work” day at the Washington Post.  I like their version of the news a lot better.

Link via PCJM.

Life Calendar: How was your day?

I think this calendar would just end up depressing me.

Link via likecool.