Oh, Kat, did you see dismissal of Walter Dean Myers? About halfway down was when my head exploded.
Because, you know, the kid reading at a five-year-old's level can obviously dive right into Homer with no problem at all.
I am not a WDM fan. I actually agree with some of what this stooge is saying. I just think his writing is meh. But you know what, if kids read it, bring it on! Because it's more important that they read, in their 20 minutes of SSR, something they can access and enjoy.
So don't teach WDM (I certainly haven't and wouldn't) but definitely preach it and sell it to students.
Also, I have to say, Homer with kids, even kids as young as 6th grade, is AWESOME. They love it. A 5th grade reading level can get through some translations.... but I'm more apt to teach Virgil in high school because it has more resonance.
(My friend opened a charter here, [link] Her school runs 6-12 and is unapologetically classics-based. I don't know that I could teach there, but I'd love for my kids to go. Also, every student at her school plays an instrument. It's not a requirement to get into the school, but they are all required to learn.)
My issue is the author of the piece is condescending and comes across like a tool.
I then tried them on over my flimsy skating pants which are a lot like these
I cannot wear pants to skate anymore. It doesn't feel right.
Uhg, I have bionic nose, despite still being a little congested. I swear, I could hire myself out as a drug or mine detector 3 days out of the month.
Aaaand I just discovered my neighbor called asking to take me out for dinner after I picked him up from the train station. Last night. I feel like an ass. I really should check my answering machine regularly.
Because it's more important that they read, in their 20 minutes of SSR, something they can access and enjoy.
Yes! Because if a kid isn't a reader at all, I'd rather see him or her read anything and like it, and open up the desire to read more, and get better at reading.
My issue is the author of the piece is condescending and comes across like a tool.
Also, very much this. I have no real opinions about WDM, having never read him, but I did have an issue with the author completely failing to see that those kids might have been connected with lives that were familiar to theirs in WDM's books.
Plus, anytime you say, "The whole purpose of literature is to elevate," I want to smack you.
Plus, anytime you say, "The whole purpose of literature is to elevate," I want to smack you
If you say this about ANYTHING except a hot air balloon, a smack is totally called for.
Oh, man, I keep forgetting to mention that we ate at Consuela's brother's restaurant in Chicago when we were there the week before xmas and it was freaking awesome!!! And he came over to say hi to us and was just lovely. Our food snob friends we were with were VERY impressed.
Hey, what's a word for someone who gets easily distracted and flits from thing to thing? It's like a bird or an insect or something? It's possible I'm making it up. I know it's not magpie, and it doesn't seem to be mayfly. I want it to be an m word, apparently. Any ideas?
ETA: OK, never mind. I went with scatterbrain. Well, I mean, feel free to come up with the word; just saying that the crisis is averted. I'm sure you're all relieved.
Plus, anytime you say, "The whole purpose of literature is to elevate," I want to smack you.
Ding ding ding! That sort of phrase makes me very angry.
Hey, what's a word for someone who gets easily distracted and flits from thing to thing? It's like a bird or an insect or something? It's possible I'm making it up. I know it's not magpie, and it doesn't seem to be mayfly. I want it to be an m word, apparently. Any ideas?
Hummingbird? (waits for x-post)
