Torturous

I often find it difficult to get my students to have discussion.  Believe me, I've tried to lead them in that direction, but it comes down to whether or not they're genuinely interested in the book/story/subject, whatever.  BUT last week to prep for reading "The Pit and the Pendulum" we discussed torture.  We discussed torture throughout different time periods and whether or not we are actually the civilized nation we say we are these day.  We drew on the examples of places like Guantanamo.  It was excellent.  We spent a good half an hour just discussing torture and what the phrase "cruel and unusual punishment" means.  I had meant to begin reading that day, but the discussion kept going and since that was such a rare occurrence that I didn't want to make it end.  It was great.

Tomorrow begins ECONOMICS

I am trying to make econ fun.  It's hard, at least for me, but I'm gonna try my best!  

semester one: DOWN

End of semester midterms just started today. Unless something changes between today and tomorrow, I've got two seniors who aren't going to graduate. Other than that evryone has passed first semester so far. Tomorrow I give two tests. We'll see how it goes! I can't believe the semester is already over. Out with government in with economics. Oh joy!


I am starting to try to figure out my research paper for my sophomores. I have only taught one once and it was someone else's assignment.
I am starting to feel bad for some of my students since I know that they are essentially my guinea pigs since they are my first real live class all to myself. Hopefully they do not know that it has all been trial and error so far.

OH NO!

Back to school tomorrow.

I am ill-prepared.  

Happy New Year.

It is going to take me quite a while to get back into my normal school schedule.  I have been up late a lot over these two weeks.  And not late in the midnight sense, but late in the actually late sense, like past two o'clock am.  That is insane to me.  I normally go to bed at 10 - 10:30 so I can be okay with getting up at 5:45.  I have a couple of days to try to get back to normal.  We'll see.


I haven't had much of a break this break.  We had the very sick kitty cat and then so many friends in town that I've hardly been home at all.  I suppose that is okay.  


I am hongry, after all, it's new year's day.  

Holiday!

I was ready for this two week break.  It was needed.  Classes on the whole are going well.  Not much to report for the moment.  We'll see what happens when we get back!


Now I just have to get through midterms!

Vocabulary Is My Life?

I presented vocab to my students differently this time and it seems to have helped.  Almost everyone got A's out of all 25 students.  One student got an 88, many students received 100.  My kids have to write in the entire definition; this isn't multiple choice.  It's good.  I think they are finally trying a little bit more too.   We'll see what it's like next time.