Today, Annika shared a picture of her chicken alter-ego. It's a blue chicken with an iron beak that can eat anything and his name is Hozay. It's pronounced Jose, but it's spelled Hozay. When she plays farm at recess with her friends, she becomes Hozay, a legendary chicken. This delights me. It was good to … Continue reading March 9: Feeling Lost. And Chickens.
teaching
March 8: MN Legislature Forwards Terrible Legislation
Ok, Minnesota State Legislators: What is going on with SF 2487? It requires schools to adopt a "written academic balance policy" that must "prohibit school employees, in their official capacity, from requiring students or other school employees to express specified social or political viewpoints for the purposes of academic credit, extracurricular participation, or as a … Continue reading March 8: MN Legislature Forwards Terrible Legislation
March 4: Snow Days for Spring Break
One of my favorite memories of being a kid was waking up on a really snowy day and wondering if we'd have a snow day. My sister and I would huddle in my mom's room, listening to WCCO AM radio as they listed off the school closings between weather updates and commercials. When there were … Continue reading March 4: Snow Days for Spring Break
March 1: The Problem With Writing At Night
Today, I have written every single day for two months. I am 1/6 of the way through the year (I know February has fewer days, but let me have this one). It might be the most committed I've ever been to a project that requires sustained daily effort. I mean, aside from taking care of … Continue reading March 1: The Problem With Writing At Night
February 28: It’s Over!
So February is (almost) over. I took Annika to see the Roseville women's basketball game tonight. They played against Irondale in the first round of the section and we left with, like, seven minutes left because Roseville was up by about 30 points and Annika wanted to see my classroom before we left. Tomorrow is … Continue reading February 28: It’s Over!
February 27: Why is February the Worst?
A long time ago in a school district far away, a teacher friend pointed out "February is the worst month." It always has been a rough month - I suppose because of where it falls in the school year combined with the ongoing dreariness of the winter weather. Then there are the looming budget cuts. … Continue reading February 27: Why is February the Worst?
February 25: Ready to Go, I Guess
Two solid days of sleep and a day of general relaxing today seems to have done the trick I had hoped it would: I think I'm ready to go back to school. It was a good choice to take Friday off. I didn't even feel guilty. That's how crappy I felt. I tried to get … Continue reading February 25: Ready to Go, I Guess
February 24: #MeToo and Art
Today I learned that one of my favorite writers - Sherman Alexie - is accused by numerous women of abuse and harassment. This is the first time where I felt genuinely surprised. Maybe that means I have a dim view of mankind (word used purposefully in lieu of humankind), but it didn't surprise me with … Continue reading February 24: #MeToo and Art
February 21: NOOOooooooo!!!!
I stayed home because my son is sick with the flu. I ended the day with a prescription for Tamiflu because now I'm getting sick and the symptoms are close enough to flu that the online doctor visit prescribed it for me. And I didn't get my grading done because I was tired all day … Continue reading February 21: NOOOooooooo!!!!
February 20: Flu and Panic Attacks
The flu has arrived in my household. I feel terrible for Anders and terrified for myself, which is really selfish, but also really appropriate, considering the end of the trimester is next Thursday and I have so many things I have to do before then. I also feel worried for anyone else who we come … Continue reading February 20: Flu and Panic Attacks
Adventures in Distraction 