Oh, how the meaning changes

She told him that she loved him.

English game: Place the word "only" anywhere in the sentence.

Only she told him that she loved him.
She only told him that she loved him.
She told only him that she loved him.
She told him only that she loved him.
She told him that only she loved him.
She told him that she only loved him.
She told him that she loved only him.
She told him that she loved him only.

Six Word Saturday

Offensive in eye of the beholder?


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What really is racism?

If you mention that too large a percentage of boys - particularly minority boys - end up in lower level math classes, you are being racist. If you try to even the playing field, you must be condescending. If you object to hearing the N word (that we don't even spell out because everyone knows what you mean and it is offensive to me whether you spell it ending in er or a) you must be racist.

But if you shell out $200+ for a pair of sneakers with gorillas or chains on them - you're hip?

Gimme a break.

Where does the money go?

The school I attended for high school in had roughly the same number of students as the one I currently teach in. I can remember a principal and an assistant principal (notice, singular) but then I was never in trouble (goody two shoes). I wasn't sure, so I went to look.

The high school I attended:
5 business
11 ela
8 fine arts
7 foreign language (4 languages)
10 math
6 pe
6 practical arts
9 science
8 social studies
70 teachers (and this accounts for all of them)

The school where I teach:
6 business
10 ela
4 fine arts
5 foreign language (2 languages)
10 math
6 pe
5 practical arts
11 science
9 social studies
16 special ed
82 teachers (and I have NOT counted the social workers, graduation coaches, parapros, interventionists, SROs) serving the same number of kids.

I find it interesting. Math - you only had to have 2 years compared to the current 4. I took science every year, but I think you only needed 2 years.

The biggest increase in staff is in special education and teacher support.

Are we better off? (P.S. There were 2 assistant principals. The current school has 6.)

Six Word Saturday

Juggling frantically and plates are dropping.


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It's that time of year.

Seniors are finally recognizing that they walk (or not) in 2 months and they have a lot to do or make up.

Final walk throughs have to happen.

Teachers who do not want to come back have got to make SOME kind of plan.

' Registration has to be done for those not graduating.

Oh, and we still need to teach every day and do lesson plans, conferences, etc. etc.

And the house. I live in a house with my family who somehow expect I will a) be sociable b) tidy c) keep up with the bills etc.....

And all I really want to do is have another warm day, a hammock and a couple of books.

Not today. Sigh.

Six Word Saturday

Happier because I've lowered my expectations?


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Six Word Saturday

50 years: have not progressed enough.


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A local tv station interviewed John Lewis about Bloody Sunday in a 30 minute special that you can view at the link shown.

We have come a long way in the South in the past 50 years - to the point that it is hard to understand why the politicians didn't stop the police because the world was watching - but we are not yet color blind.

And what is race exactly? If you google "twins black white race" you will find numerous articles like this one about twins born to mixed race parents where one twin appears to be one race and one the other race.

Balance that against this article about bullying against a Sikh student and it feels like we have gone nowhere.

Keep on keeping on and let's fight the good fight.