Just a Tiny Bit of Thinkin’

O’Mama mentioned to me the other day that one of her current students, who happens to be one of my former students, asked her if she would reveal to him the address for this humble little blog.
She declined, of course; Mama knows I’m not in the business of advertising that I have this blog and, [...]

Grammar Wednesday

Mrs. Chili is stumped, class, and I’m looking for some clarification.
The other night, I was watching football on television, as I am prone to do this time of year. I’m constantly amazed by John Madden (and not in a good way, either). Here’s a man who makes his living talking – describing people [...]

Procrastination

I just didn’t have it in me today to confront Henry about his work.  He didn’t really give me much of an opportunity – he showed up late to class as it was and bolted as soon as it was over – but I’m not sure I would have taken him aside even if he [...]

Outraged

There’s a bumper sticker that I love that says “if you’re not outraged, you’re just not paying attention.” Well, I’m paying attention, and am I ever outraged.

I went to visit Joe yesterday. I’m going to be having a conversation with Henry about the quality of his work in my class – or, rather, [...]

‘Bugs Has Been Writing Poetry

… and some really beautiful poetry at that.  Go on over and check out one man’s way with words…

I’m No E.D. Hirsch

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the idea of “cultural literacy.”
I think it has to do with the fact that I’m noticing that many of the references and allusions I make to my students as a means of making connections are missing their marks. Really, I’m most often leaving con trails over the poor [...]

The Hits Just Keep On Comin’…

As part of their mid-term exam, my communication students were given a copy of Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech and were asked to answer five essay questions about it.  I emailed them after the class in which they received this assignment, reminding them of the questions, directing them to a video link [...]

Civics on Saturday

I’m thinking of starting a new weekly feature on this blog.
A few weeks ago, I asked Gerry – formerly a serviceman and attorney; currently an observant intellect whose experience and insight I greatly respect – if he would be interested in teaching me about the Constitution.
You see, every time I teach a public speaking / [...]

I SWEAR to You…

… I DON’T make this shit up.
Check out the response I got from a student for an assignment concerning Joss Whedon’s Equality Now speech (which, by the way, is amazing – go watch it first… I’ll wait….). Remember please that, as always, I have done no editing whatsoever; what you see here is [...]

One I Probably Can’t Reach

Alternately titled “Mohammad Expects the Mountain to Come to Him”
I had a very long, very interesting confrontation with a student the other day. It’s been rattling around in the back of my busy mind for a while now, and I think I may have enough distance from it to be able to express it [...]