Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

By writing this blog I just might be ruining our chances of a snow day tomorrow. The predictions are out. I, as many teachers do, enjoy a snow day or two-especially when they occur right before the winter break. I will be so bold to say that teachers look forward to snow days even more than students! There, I wrote it.

I know of one teacher, actually a close friend of mine, who does not appreciate the occasional snow day. One less day to mold the minds of youth I guess. Isn't education all about quality and not quantity? He is a very serious person.

Where An Adult Can Act Like A Kid

Sometimes, Fists Fly at Chuck E. Cheese's

Many times I find myself fighting a battle with students regarding the use or show of violence to solve problems. I often propose humanity and morality themes within the texts I teach. Why shouldn't I? High school literature lends itself to this type of dialogue. Often, students find nothing wrong with swinging a fist rather than rationalizing the consequence. Scary, right?

Then, articles like this appear. The irony is obvious I hope. I can only hope my students see the absurdity.

How I Spent My Saturday

Did you ever wonder what an Ohio Education Association meeting looked like? Probably not. This picture shows my thrilling Saturday of rhetoric and politics.

I am learning a lot; however, I am not sure I understand everything that is going on. I have made some rookie mistakes according to my buddy, teacher Mr. Dan Greenberg, but he is showing me the ropes (interpret that any way you must if you know Mr. Greenberg). I will be better prepared next year.

The guy who is talking right now has a mustache (see my previous blog).

This is my first mobile blog.

I think I'm going to 'YAK

I went kayaking last summer, and I think it has become my new obsession. For those people who know me, I tend to get involve in things as hobbies until I either get bored with them, master them or make money off of them. In my lifetime I have taken up playing the guitar, golf, indoor soccer, magic (as in pulling a rabbit out a hat), fishing, camping, collecting movie costume replicas, blogging (which has stuck), and probably others I'm forgetting at the moment.

I also like the excuse to buy gear. I have a problem. The problem is that once I have identified the hobby/obsession I have to keep upgrading and adding to the collection with accessories.

This summer's main attraction for me will be kayaking...I guarantee it. I have been researching kayaks to buy, and visiting numerous kayaking websites to actually learn more about why I might even want to take it up.

Sitting at lunch yesterday, I was surprised to find out I was the only person in the room to have paddle only once in a kayak. How did I go 32 years without 'yaking? That's how some people in the sport refer to it-'yaking. I saw the term on a few websites anyway.

The nature aspect intrigues me. A kayak allows one to see nature along rivers and lakes up close. Nature that may not normally be seen. At this point I do not think the extreme, white-water kayaking is what I want. I am looking for day trips and camping excursions for now.

Top Fives

What are your top fives? Today I had an interesting conversation with some students who make top five lists for everything. They had a wide variety of lists. Everything from top five movie trilogies (Star Wars doesn't count anymore), to top five sit-coms, to top five SUV's, etc. I don't think top five lists have to be in any particular order.

Some of my top fives are:

Top five movies:

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
2. Fight Club
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
4. Star Wars
5. Apocalypse Now
(Dead Poets Society comes in a very close 6th)

Of course movies could be broken up into genres.

Top five musical groups:

1. U2
2. Chevelle
3. Pink Floyd
4. AC/DC
5. Outkast

Music could be broken into genres, too.

Remember, these are in no particular order. These are also open to change.

Listing away your life is probably not the best idea, but it passes the time.

What are some of your top fives? Movies? Rappers? Rockers? Plays? Books? Cars?

If Anyone Can Do It, Brad Pitt Can!

I found these headlines in the news today humorous:

Brad Pitt details holiday hair surprise

Brad Pitt: "My Goal" Is to Bring the Moustache Back in Style


I say, the 'stache may be a bit antiquated, and that is okay. Remember, I fancy myself a sweater vest connoisseur after all. Bring the mustache back. It hearkens back to a more sophisticated day. I think with Brad Pitt's help, it can be done.

How long will it take the trend to take hold around here? Probably not soon enough. I'm giving a few points of extra credit to anyone in my class who can grow and pull off the Kenneth Branagh mustache from Hamlet, since we happen to be reading the tragedy at this point in the year. It's not really taking off for some reason. Trends around these 'stacheless parts usually hit a year or two after they are created or discovered (see skinny ties, and clothes that actually fit), so we shall see.

Also, check out: The Year Of The Mustache (PHOTOS)

Grades! Grades! Grades!

It's that time of the quarter. Midterms have come out. Some students are in a panic. I have already answered many questions as to why students' grades are lower than they expected. Why is it always a surprise? Most questions on this can be answered if the student truly thinks back to their own preparation, attention, and effort. For those students who are struggling, keep working as hard as you can. You will be rewarded by your efforts.

I am here to help students get the best grades possible. However, learning something along the way is paramount. The grade is a number. What have you learned since the beginning of the school year? Can you make a list? Can you see how each item on that list applies to life? Try to transfer it to your current life, or your future. For those who may not be in school...what have YOU learned in the last five months? Here is another question: Veteran teachers-What have you learned in the last five months?

Students, I'm still in school. I know how and why grades are important. Don't panic...yet.

Mobile Blogging

I just became a mobile blogger. We shall see where this blog goes. Pun intended?

What Thanksgiving Dish Are YOU?

I look at this blog SIDEWALK SHOES and wonder: If I were a Thanksgiving dish, what would I be? What would I see? How would I feel?

How about that for a creative writing blog!?

Feel free to comment on what Thanksgiving dish you would be.

Me? I would be the greenbean casserole of course...a timeless classic.

Black Friday Is Crazy!

Black Friday Shooting

Man Trampled on Black Friday

Take a look at the above stories on some of the horrible happenings of Black Friday. A perfect example of "stuff" being the most important thing. What are the holidays about again? I agree with Clytie Bunyan that, "too many people lose their humanity on Black Friday."

Baaaaaaa! Run sheep, run! You are not your flat screen TV!

The herd mentality of the bargain hunters. Unpleasant to say the least.

Blogging Takes Off.

Interestingly, I find my creative writing students blogging on their own. I don't have to assign anything. I have seen blogs about music, about sports, about the new movie Twilight, and even about the simple yet elegant drink-the Arnold Palmer.

I am still dealing with some of the same problems/issues that could be avoided by simply taking the time to proofread. Although it might just be a novelty at the moment, at least they are writing. At some point or another, if they keep on blogging, someone from outside our classroom will comment on their writing. I hope they see the significance of it all.

Here is a blog from an ex-student of mine: http://www.fearlesssifting.com/

Sweater Vest are the Best..A Friday Rant

Yeah, I wear sweater vests. As a teacher, I have made it part of my uniform. SOME of my students are understanding and accepting...others not so much.

The sweater vest is an article of clothing that keeps the core of the person warm, while offering mobility of the arms. It has transcended the ages. What more can one ask? It “goes” with anything. It can be worn with a tie. It can be worn with jeans. It can be emblazoned with a team logo. It makes a statement of confidence.

Respect the sweater vest. Why? Simply stated, it is the perfect combination of sweater…and vest.

I, who represent sweater vest connoisseurs, would like to acknowledge the many famous and well-respected men who have proudly worn the sweater vest, including Coach Jim Tressel. We who are in the know will continue to sport this utilitarian, yet stylish, piece of clothing.

In fact, many well known manufacturers of men’s fine clothing continue to create modern versions of the sweater vest including: Ralph Lauren, Express for Men, L.L. Bean, Banana Republic, Guess, and J. Crew. As stated above, many famous and well respected men of real-life and fiction have worn the sweater vest making it a cultural icon. These confident gentlemen include: Mr. Brad Pitt, Mr. Tiger Woods, Mr. Sean Connery, Mr. Kanye West, and Mr. Harry Potter (to whom a club here at Northview dedicates itself, nay, worships). Accordingly, one must not forget the many distinguished gentlemen teachers who walk the hallowed halls of my high school, including the principal, and many other schools across the country. These wearers of the vest of sweater are the role models for future generations. There are those students who respect this sacred clothing, yet do not don this metaphorical armor because they fear the ridicule by those who are ignorant of the power—and yes, these students, the believers, ARE out there. Have no more fear!

So, for the well-being of the community, and even the world, I say we gather together to celebrate THE sweater vest. I propose that Thursdays should be Sweater Vest Thursdays. A day SHOULD be dedicated to the sweater vest. I propose that students, parents, teachers, administrators, and everyone who understands band together to join the ranks of the confident, the free (free-armed at least). Join those who choose to remain stylish based on the past, continue to be stylish in the present, and will remain stylish in the future.

For all who read this: please—respect the sweater vest.

Looking for writing prompts? Check out the blog: The One Minute Writer.

Great concept, and so true. Why not take one minute to write every day?

Simple Battles

As a teacher, I often wonder why, after the many years of training I know my students have, I fight the same battles regarding their writing. These battles specifically are the capitalization of "I", the difference between "its" and "it's", and the "there", "their", and "they're" debacle. I know these students have been given the training on these simple examples, so who can tell me why? I wrote my Master thesis on motivationg students to write through blogging, I have set rules, so what gives?

Should I just blame texting? Or, Myspace? I think not. I'm trying to give my students an understanding that writing should be a representation of their best abilities. I think many of my students understand that they should jump through the hoops for their teachers, but beyond the classroom walls is often a different story. It must not be cool to write carefully.

I should say that many students do put forth their best efforts regularly. The smaller percentage I'm writing about know better, but just don't put in the time.

Here is an excerpt from Permission to Forget by Lee Jenkins.

I work on.

What is this all about?

Although blogging has been around now for a while. I was surprised to find out that many of my students are new to online journalling and blogging. Why? Probably because a great extent of their time is taken up by Myspace and Facebook. They have never thought to use these social networking sites for anything but commenting on pictures placed up by other users/peers.

So, here is the idea. I'm a teacher of English/Language arts and I'm starting an academic blog. I want my students to write every day. I want them to realize the worldwide audience. I want them to understand that their writing is a powerful thing. Most importantly, I want my students to understand that writing for a real world audience means their writing should be a perfect expression of who they are-a perfectly written reflection of who they are.

Take a look at the student links provided. They will take the reader into the poetry, musings, and day-to-day thoughts of some really great students.