Tales from the Fourth Grade: Make a Joyful Noise

While my students were writing out their first book report for the quarter in cursive (my kids will have non-forgeable signatures, thanks very much), I decided to play some music to keep them motivated. Eva was enjoying my classical music and asked if we could listen to songs from Phantom of the Opera. I first …

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All I Need

Jealousy rips through me as I see others with what I want. Emptiness invades me as I think of what I don't have. Self-pity envelops me like a heavy pall, Until I remember where I find my true worth and Strength: not in me, not in relationships, but in you. Contrite heart and broken spirit, …

Bobby the Sheep

I surveyed my students' glazed expressions as I went over the religion lesson for the day. I had been wracking my brain for weeks trying to find a way to engage my students during the first class of the day. But the early morning hour coupled with difficult material had made what was usually one …

Pedants and Platitudes: Christmas Edition

"It wouldn't be Christmas without snow." You heard it here first, Australia and any other place south of the Equator. You can't celebrate Christmas. You are snow-less and Christmas-less. Buh bye. "Christmas is a time to be with family and loved ones." I regret to inform all those children living in orphanages that you can't …