Fiction's truth

An excerpt from Alice Munro's short story "Meneseteung":

The house is plainer than the Roth house and has no fruit trees or flowers planted around it. It is understood that this is a natural result of Jarvis Poulter's being a widower and living alone. A man may keep his house decent, but he will never--if he is a proper man--do much to decorate it. Marriage forces him to live with more ornament as well as sentiment, and it protects him, also, from the extremities of his own nature--from a frigid parsimony or a luxuriant sloth, from squalor, and from excessive sleeping, drinking, smoking, or free-thinking.

Ahhh, so that's why Scott cringes when I tell him I want to shop for furniture!

Oh I wish I were a computer nerd (sung to the Oscar Meyer Wiener tune)

I am by no means a computer techie. Yes, I use the computer regularly, but that's for piddly tasks (email, Internet surfing, blogging). I can't keep all the computer programs and security straight for the life of me; thankfully, my dad is quite knowledgeable when it comes to those areas, so he helps out... a lot.

Still, I wish I had a better understanding of how this machine works; I mean, if I have a problem, I'm clueless! Ctrl+Alt+Del is the first (and usually only) solution that comes to mind when something acts up. Course, that won't help with any sort of connectivity issues that I might have.

Not to say that I haven't tried to understand this piece of technology, it's just that my brain doesn't function that way. I'm definitely more of a literary/ creative minded thinker (give me a book to analyze and I'm golden!) than I am a computer geek. Teach me how to run a program, and I'm fine; ask me to trouble-shoot or to explain the difference between spyware and antivirus software and well, I'm at a loss.

I guess you could say I'm even a bit of a technophobe. I'm not opposed to using technology, I just prefer not to. Again, though, I think it's due to my lack of understanding it. (Course, I don't understand investing, but that doesn't mean that I don't.) Don't get me wrong; I think technology is great. I just wish I better understood how it works.

So why the lament? Could it be due to the fact that I can't access certain websites that only a month or so ago I could? And the fact that this inaccessibility occurred out of the blue? That I now have to pester my dad regularly for help? That I'm ready to chuck the computer off the deck in the hopes that the fall might jar it into working again?

*sigh* Why does everything have to be so complicated?

A little something I like to call RESPONSIBILITY

Lessons in responsibility as evidenced by students.

1. Why walk to the bus stop when you can drive? Besides, the bus stop IS just under .10 of a mile from the house, so, it's best if a parent drives you there. Seriously?! Seems a bit outrageous, but that's what I witnessed this year as I left my house for work. Sure enough, I'd see mom/dad and son/ daughter waiting for the bus. On a couple of occasions I actually followed the car up the street only to discover that they live not far from the bus stop. If they were going to drive their kids less than a tenth of a mile to the bus stop, why didn't they just drive them to school?

The lesson: Students, especially those in high school, should not have to over exert themselves by walking to the bus stop. Taking the bus is traumatic enough; why make it more traumatic by requiring them to exercise?

2. If you submit your work eventually, then you should be rewarded. At least, that's what one young lady in junior English thought. After failing most of this quarter, she asked if she had a chance at passing for the year. "Probably not; it depends on the numbers, " I replied. "Well, I'm going to turn in all my missing work," she assured me. I, silly me, thought that she was going to submit the missing work that day or the next; no, she submitted it about a week later. I guess she wanted to see how many deductions she could accrue. Needless to say, I think she scored a 7, a 2, and maybe a 4 on the missing journals.

The lesson: Deadlines and tardiness are relative; if a student completes an assignment, he deserves full credit. After all, he took time out of his busy schedule to partially and poorly complete an assignment that was due over a month ago.

3. School is about effort, not learning. As part of the final exam, I asked my sophomores to reflect on their experiences this year. One question asks for ways in which I could improve the course. Some suggestions are actually feasible, and others, well, others simply contradict my philosophy of education. One young lady recommended that I change how I award credit for an assignment. Students should be graded based on effort, not on mastery of a particular skill or objective. Hmmm, I could understand that when it comes to creativity/ art, but for English as a whole?

The lesson: Effort is more important than knowledge and growth. Who cares if students don't actually learn anything so long as they tried. Everyone deserves a gold star simply for showing up to class.

4. Finally, some real growth. Back in February, students completed the scheduling process for next year. I told my sophomores that I would only recommend them to AP English 11 if they had an A or B, or, in some cases, a high C. One young man signed up for regular English 11 due to his steady C, even though I knew he could handle AP. Yesterday, his mom e-mailed me to ask if I would recommend her son to AP. He managed to earn a B this last quarter, and that made him realize that he could handle AP next year. I was floored by the email; it's the kind of request most teachers would like to receive. (And yes, I affirmed the request.)

The lesson: Challenging students does produce growth, even though it might take them all year. Witnessing this maturity is a rare treat, but when it occurs, my teaching, my work, is validated. Even better? I know this young man has accepted full responsibility for his successes (and failures), enabling him to make even better choices in the future.

There's gotta be a Wegman's in heaven...

Jim Gaffigan and the Food Network says it all.

Wegman's. Mmmmmmmmm.

Today was not just an ordinary trip to the grocery store; no, today was an adventure in food. A veritable visual smorgasbord. It was hypnotic even.

Now, I've been to a Wegman's once or twice before when we were visiting Scott's family in NY, but since it's just Wegman's there (versus it's Wegman's! here), well, I didn't fully appreciate the experience. But today, today was different because I wasn't alone. Ann and Ali were with me, and they were just as mesmerized as I (though Ali wasn't as in awe since she braved the crowds on Sunday).

So we walk in, and there to greet us is this amazing produce section. Yum! I mean, I like fruits and veggies, but they looked downright beautiful! Or, as Ann remarked, "It makes me want to eat fruit."

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Before fully partaking in the exotic, domestic, organic, and oh-so-sinful produce (can produce be sinful?), we ventured through the "marketplace." Not exactly a good idea on an empty stomach. Everything was so tempting! (Just thinking about it makes me salivate!) Alison knew exactly where to direct us-- the pastries and breads. Delicious! The fruit pastries looked too perfect; I mean, I (almost) contemplated buying a foot-long fruit tart (why? Why not? Shouldn't everyone shell out $25 for one?) (Later I did satiate my sweet tooth with a mini fruit tart; so much easier on the budget.)

And have I mentioned dinner? I managed to find everything (well, almost) on my grocery list, but then I had to decide on dinner. Since Scott wasn't going to be joining me, I had the luxury of choosing whatever I wanted. Oh boy. (Have I mentioned that I went on an empty stomach? Did I mention the free samples? What about the tart? Did I mention that?) Thanks to the samples, I knew exactly what I wanted for dinner: cheese, bread, and fruit. So yum.

Now the big question is whether or not Wegman's is worth it; if it works out to be cheaper than Shoppers, then I just might switch. Of course, if I'll be tempted to spend beyond my budget (or simply forgo the shopping list), then I might have to limit my visits. Or I'll simply need to go on a full stomach. And without my friends (who are so good about encouraging me).

Oh happy day

Congrats to the class of 2008! Walking the senior-lined hallways this morning, I was rewarded for all my efforts as a teacher. Granted, I know teaching isn't about the rewards, but sometimes we need to be reminded that we are making a difference (doesn't everyone need that affirmation?).

There's no greater thanks than a student seeking you out to thank you or to hug you good-bye. It's as if it's finally acceptable for them to express their appreciation and gratitude. For some, achieving this step was easy; school was challenging at times, but not graduating was never an issue. For others, graduation is truly an achievement; for whatever reason, school hasn't come easily for them. For all, though, this day is special. And I'm grateful that I've been a part of their school experience.

Saying good-bye is a special moment. Yes, I feel validated as an educator, but I also think the students realize just how much we teachers care. I and my co-workers tried to connect with as many seniors as possible, passing along our congrats and the occasional hug, listening to their future plans and wishing them well. This is what high school is about-- caring, connecting, and preparing students for the next stage in life.

I hope they know that I do care and wish them all the best. I connected with some more than others, but I do wish them all success. And for those like D., who failed my class (last year) and who comes from a troubled family situation (he didn't even know if anyone from his family would actually be at graduation today), I hope he realizes that when I said, "I'm proud of you," that I really mean it. For him and others like him, I hope that the next chapter of his life is filled with warm moments and successes, growth, and love. And that he might recognize that someone does believe in him even if those who should don't.

So to the class of '08, may your lives be full and satisfying. May you seize the day, taking advantage of the many opportunities in your paths, making the most of your gifts and talents. Thank you for being my students, trusting me to prepare you for the future. Keep your heads up; you never know what the future will bring.

Feel free to pass

Have you heard of hyper-miling? At least, I think that's what it's called. Basically, you try to squeeze every possible mile out of a gallon of gas. Some of the best can manage 100+ miles per gallon (at least, I think that's what I read in Reader's Digest). Unbelievable! Of course, there are drawbacks.

For instance, luxury. Forget about rolling down the windows or cranking up the AC on a steamy day. No. Doing either would reduce gas mileage either by increasing the drag on the vehicle or upping the fuel consumption. Instead, don a cold pack and sweat it out. After all, you ARE saving money by conserving fuel (well, stretching it anyway).

And don't even think about arriving at your destination on time, unless of course you tack on an extra 30 minutes to your estimated travel time. See, for hyper-miling to really work, you have to be able to coast, which means that you probably won't maintain the 50 mph you usually drive.

As crazy as all of this sounds, I thought I'd give it a shot, especially considering gas prices nowadays. Granted, I don't drive too far, and don't have to fill up my car very often, but I still want to stretch a tank's worth of gas, so why not give it a shot? If anything, it's almost been like a personal challenge to see exactly how far I can go before stepping on the gas. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll achieve 100+, but that's a lofty goal for this area.

See, just as I let off the gas, I glance in the rearview mirror for traffic, praying that no one is behind me. Good so far. Ahhh. Coming up to a stop sign. Can I make it without having to tap the gas? Yes. Okay, depress the gas pedal and continue to the crest of the hill, then release. Excellent. A quick view in the mirror and... drat. I'm being followed. Okay, well, this other car is about five houses back, so I don't have to step on the gas just yet. If I could only make the next stop sign. Another peek. It's closer. C'mon, the stop sign's just around this corner. The speedometer's dropping to 20-18-16. The stop sign's just 200 meters away. 150. 100. The car... is right behind me. Darn. And the driver seems to be in a hurry. *sigh* I step on the gas, traveling 25 meters at 25 mph only to slam on the breaks at the last second. Looks like I won't be setting any records today.

Poem sketching

Because of the testing schedule, I purposefully scheduled a "play" day for my sophomores, and I'm glad I did. By the time I had them in class today, I'm sure their brains were fried. They simply needed a chance to play with poetry (our current unit) rather than analyze it.

Since I don't know much about various forms of poetry or ways of "playing" with it, I asked a colleague (a creative writing teacher) for some ideas. Though I had heard of poem sketching (a technique devised by Sandy Lyne), I had never actually employed it in any of my classes. I was truly impressed by the poems that my students wrote. Truly.

Poem sketching involves taking a set of four words and combining them into sentences that look and "feel" like poetry. There are a few guidelines (re-combine word groups if desired; change the forms of the words; write three or more sentences; don't rhyme) but they really work to free up the poet rather than constrain him.

Students wrote poems about high school romances, a soldier's sacrifice, and childhood memories. If only I had collected them, I would have included some here.

Since they were having so much fun, I thought I'd join them. Looking at the list, I chose the word group of "sleeve, hut, bowl, tears". And here is my poem sketch:

She sits cross-legged in her hut,
a bowl in her lap.
Cornmeal clings to her fingers,
caking them,
but she's indifferent to the mess.
The tears quietly slip down her cheeks,
dripping into the shima,
until she wipes them away with her sleeve.

A poem sketch doesn't have to be perfect or polished; it's a sketch, a work in progress. The idea is to create an image using language rather than ink to capture the moment. The beauty is that the poet isn't limited to one image based on a particular group of words; each sketch is different, a personal reflection of the poet.