%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 So playing the trombone wasn't getting me in enough trouble? |
| I need someplace to write down the often confusing thoughts that enter my mind, while my stories give voice to the characters that wander through periodically, this is the place for my voice. Join me if you wish, comment if you wish, all are welcomed and appreciated. |
 A few entries ago I posted about an escaped bull whom I dubbed Ferdinand, alas the local media named him Barney. I guess I don't have much pull with the local media!?! Barney eluded capture for several weeks until he was finally enticed into a trap of sorts baited with Bull Treats (I Have No Idea). After his capture and a visit with a Vet, he was taken to his forever home, a sanctuary where he'll live happily ever after. Although his first reaction was to jump the fence of the holding pen he was in, Barney does now seem to be settling in nicely. YAY! In Other News, I gave myself a little bit of a scare.  I noticed a new phenomenon in my right eye, a slivery flash of light in my peripheral vision. That of course sent me scurrying to Google. Of course, the medical team on Google couldn't decide if I had a detached retina or hemorrhoids. Accompanying the flash, was what I perceived as swelling/pressure on my right eye. Naturally, I panicked and feared the worst, fearing my diabetes had reared its ugly head and was attacking my eyes. A visit to my trusted Eye Doctor however solved the problem. A full exam, including dilation, showed my eyes to by in good health with no changes since my last exam. The slivery flash? Floaters! We all have them, and our brains filter them out. But. when they move, which apparently they do, the brain loses track of them and we notice them. The little buggers are reflective, hence the neon explosion I witnessed at night. The pressure? My sinuses, driven by allergies, are swollen. Translating to a feeling of pressure on my eyes. Regular Doctor changed my allergy regimen and that seems to be working. The last of the eye saga? — Both Doctors seem to be united in the fact that I have been spending too much time on screen. So I am now practicing a time on/time off schedule, with Alexa nagging me to get off the screen periodically. YAY! And the last of my news?  I've signed up for the "October Novel Prep Challenge"  , not sure how I'll do or if I'll be able to keep up, but I am going to try! I like the format because the tasks/challenges are laid out in advance, and I can work ahead a bit, and hopefully won't fall behind or succumb to self-induced pressure.So if you're looking for me, I might be hiding here, ""Bilton" - October NaNoWriMo Prep Log"" — That is when Alexa lets me, feel free to stop by, as always comments and critiques are welcome. A Nervous/Scaredy Cat YAY! |
| I come here to WdC every day with the intention of writing. But, it seems each day I sign on I find a little bit of disheartening news. Sometimes in the form of a blog post (I know just stop reading that blog). The latest is a bit harder to ignore. I have been informed by a Moderator that a word I used in a title is non-E, yes I could change the title, that would be easy and no problem. But here's the rub, the word is also used in a Merit Badge, and the critter is kind of the mascot for much of what I do here on WdC. So, if it's wrong in the title, is the Merit Badge also non-E? Do I banish the critter? I'll try writing again tomorrow, but it's getting tiresome. |
| Exactly what is a Teachable Moment? "The concept was popularized by Robert Havighurst in his 1952 book, "Human Development and Education". In the context of education theory, Havighurst explained, "A developmental task is a task which is learned at a specific point and which makes achievement of succeeding tasks possible. When the timing is right, the ability to learn a particular task will be possible. This is referred to as a 'teachable moment.' It is important to keep in mind that unless the time is right, learning will not occur. Hence, it is important to repeat important points whenever possible so that when a student's teachable moment occurs, s/he can benefit from the knowledge."[1] The concept pre-dates Havighurst's book, as does use of the phrase,[2] but he is credited with popularizing it.[3] The phrase sometimes denotes not a developmental stage, but rather "that moment when a unique, high interest situation arises that lends itself to discussion of a particular topic."[4] It implies "personal engagement" with issues and problems.[5] These moments can (and often do) come when least expected. Teachers and parents alike can benefit from use of teachable moments." Wikipedia Educators tend to expand that definition to things that can be taught along with and in addition to the material presented. Take for example a Music History lesson involving Minstral Shows ; A horribly racist precursor of vaudeville and the musical comedy form.Its portrayal of blacks, mostly done by white performers featured in black face, would by today's standards be deemed extremely offensive — rightfully so. But, as noted above, it is an important (yet flawed) piece of music history. As racist and offensive as it is by today's standards it reflected the status quo of its era. It has direct ties to the vaudevillian concept of entertainment and if one seeks out the musical comedy form, one can see direct correlations. What's a teacher to do? The choices are; Ignore the form, it is racist, it is offensive, and should be erased from music history. Teach the form, and seize the teachable moment. Teaching not only the importance of the form and its place in music history but the inherent racism of the form and its time period. The latter is what good teachers do, covering all the material, not just the shiny parts, include the gritty darkness. And, that's why I vehemently oppose removing songs or forms from the repertoire. It is also why I oppose removing books from publication. It's our job to use every tool available to educate and enlighten our students, sometimes those tools are mean, racist, and offensive. Let us do our jobs — Uncensored! Removing Geisel's early works from publication served no purpose other than to appease and placate some sensibilities — we missed a teachable moment. Which books are next? Clemens for its racist portrayals? Perhaps Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"? Which by the way have or were banned by some schools and libraries. Where is the line drawn? Should Wagner's operas be banned? Based on the fact that they instilled a sense of Nationalism? If so what about the Country Western tune "I'm Proud To Be An American"? Again, where is the boundary? Or do we just use the tools to educate? |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
Credit is delaying the pain unless one pays it off every month. I don't buy what I can't afford. I don't go into debt. I live well by living well within my means. 
