Archive for May 2016
My first comic books. Too bad I can’t show my kids. Or my students. Or anyone squeamish.
Last year, I had the opportunity to work with Double Take comics on their new comic book series based upon the original Night of the Living Dead film. Double Take asked a handful of Moth storytellers to consider writing stories for their zombie-filled universe, and I decided to give it a shot. The result was two…
Read MoreOne of the most remarkable pieces of writing in New York Times history – for reasons that will surprise you
A New York Times piece from July 2009 entitled Cronkite’s Signature: Approachable Authority is truly remarkable. It’s not remarkable because of the content. The information and insight into Walter Cronkite is interesting but hardly groundbreaking or revelatory. And it’s not remarkable because of the writing style or particular assemblage of words. It’s well written and effective…
Read MoreBill Gates: 5 Books to Read This Summer
Bill Gates offers five books to read this summer. It’s a good list and a well produced video. I think I’ll be reading at least three of them.
Read MoreThree shows that every married couple should be watching – and why this is dumb advice
David WIllis – a pastor interested in “encouraging married couples and families” and who founded StrongerMarriages.org and the Marriage app as a way to encourage couples to build stronger marriage – writes in TIME of three types of television shows that every married couple should watch in order to improve their marriage: A show to help you…
Read More#Biblebuffet
Protip: If you’re using The Bible to justify your opposition to gay marriage, please don’t forget to declare your disobedient, stubborn, and/or rebellious son a “drunkard and a glutton” and have him stoned to death for his behavior. Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Read MoreI hate meetings this much.
Want to know how much I hate meetings? In August of 1999, I began my teaching career. Each school year starts off with a series of meetings a couple days before the kids arrive that may be absolutely necessary but are still excruciating because I hate meetings. As I prepared to attend this first of…
Read MoreBoy vs. Girl: Episode 28 – Going gray, the reading habits of men, and infertility
In this week’s episode, Rachel and I discuss going gray, the reading habits of men, and infertility. You can listen here or – better yet – subscribe to our podcast in the iTunes store or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you like the show, please consider leaving a review on iTunes. It helps readers…
Read MoreIn need of a little quiet
Look who I found on the stairs, hiding from her brother so she could read in peace.
Read MoreTeachers: Stop assigning word problems. It’s a problem.
My daughter was working on her math homework last night. Side note: First graders should not have homework. The research is exceedingly clear and unequivocal in this regard. Homework is meaningless and possibly detrimental to students until at least middle school. Many elementary schools have already abandoned homework for this very reason. As a teacher, I…
Read MoreIn favor of simplicty
On Saturday, during my daughter’s dance recital, I was charged with keeping my son entertained during the hour-plus chasm between her first and second performances. I took the hungry boy to CVS and told him that he could buy anything he wanted as a snack. He chose raisins despite my attempts to push him into Animal…
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