Feb 14
tengrrlReadWriteThink
I managed to hide in the office from the influx of flowers and candy and such today. It’s depressing really. Even without going out there, I ended up sitting at the desk crying a little. I am so stupid and lame.
Created an interactive for the 1984 Macintosh Commercial lesson plan. It steps students through some key phrases and the related images in the commercial. I wish it could be more polished, but we’re limited by the way the tool works. I’m close to finishing the lesson plan, but I’m not going to make it live till tomorrow. I’ve rearranged things 3 times this evening, so I want to read it again just to make sure I didn’t mix things up.
Feb 14
tengrrlNCTE Inbox
Inspired by an Arizona Republic article, which outlines the state’s struggle to find programs that will improve instruction for the English language learners in the public school system, the Ideas section of this week’s Inbox focuses on Improving Instruction for ELL/ESL Students.
Feb 14
tengrrlUncategorized
Elmore Leonard: 10 ways to “remain invisible” in your writing | 43 Folders—How depressing. We spend so much time working on voice with students, and here is a list of ways to squelch it. Valuable in ways, I’m sure. Actually, the target article explains, “These are rules I’ve picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I’m writing a book, to help me show rather than tell what’s taking place in the story.”
Leonard’s goal is fine: to focus on showing rather than telling. What I find troubling is the language Leonard uses to describe this move—”remain invisible.” I don’t want writers to think that they disappear. I want them to own that voice of theirs. To be proud of it. To know what makes it strong and their own. Regardless of the tips, the name of the tactic is disappointing.
Feb 14
tengrrlUncategorized
NPR : Commission Mulls Standardized Testing in Colleges—this was a nice story, but I was bothered by the arguments that the various people who were interviewed gave. The problem with standardized testing is that standardized testing doesn’t work. It’s not the range of kinds of programs and schools or the fact that there are not national standards. It’s that testing is NOT the most effective way to improve student learning. I wish that instead of the folks they talked to they had found someone in an education school who could speak to the real problems with this idea.
