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Importance of Writing Skills
Interesting article on the importance of writing skills. Yes, those comp classes really do have a real world purpose! 
http://preview.tinyurl.com/yjo8mrb
http://preview.tinyurl.com/yjo8mrb
Box 'o Books
It's always fun to see that box of author copies on the front porch! Today I received A Reader's Guide to Richard Wright's Black Boy. Here's the excerpt from the back cover:
"Richard Wright was one of the most influential writers in American literary history. Credited with developing the protest novel, he became the first best-selling African-American writer of the twentieth century. Regarded by many as a masterpiece, Black Boy took the literary tradition of the narrative to new heights by providing a first-hand account of living in the South as an African American male during the Jim Crow era. The result was a gripping tale combining oppression and self-determination."
The book provides an introduction to the book for high school students, which includes "relevant biographical background on the author, explanations of various literary devices and techniques, and literary criticism for the novice reader" (from the summary).
This book was a delightful challenge, and I hope readers (and teachers!) find it helpful!
"Richard Wright was one of the most influential writers in American literary history. Credited with developing the protest novel, he became the first best-selling African-American writer of the twentieth century. Regarded by many as a masterpiece, Black Boy took the literary tradition of the narrative to new heights by providing a first-hand account of living in the South as an African American male during the Jim Crow era. The result was a gripping tale combining oppression and self-determination."
The book provides an introduction to the book for high school students, which includes "relevant biographical background on the author, explanations of various literary devices and techniques, and literary criticism for the novice reader" (from the summary).
This book was a delightful challenge, and I hope readers (and teachers!) find it helpful!
Education Junkie
I'm an education junkie. In all forms. I love to learn, love to teach, and love to share information, particularly with young readers.
I'm also a computer junkie. How exiting is it that computers now allow us to get information on practically any topic without having to leave home, or for free from a public library or for the cost of a cup of coffee? Granted, there's a lot of junk on the web—I frequently work with my students to discern the good stuff from the bad stuff—but being able to sit in front of a box in Montana and learn about the wildlife in Africa without having to dig through a pile of encyclopedias is pretty amazing. Not that I have anything against libraries; I don't. But I do love being able to browse the collection in my pajamas to make a list of books to check out. A quick trip in, out, and I'm done.
Connecting with students all over the globe is something I wouldn't be able to do to the extent that I currently am without teaching online and through other distance education methods. The convenience of being able to interact with people I wouldn't meet in person allows me opportunities to not only teach, but also to learn and better understand.
Isn't that what education is all about?
I'm also a computer junkie. How exiting is it that computers now allow us to get information on practically any topic without having to leave home, or for free from a public library or for the cost of a cup of coffee? Granted, there's a lot of junk on the web—I frequently work with my students to discern the good stuff from the bad stuff—but being able to sit in front of a box in Montana and learn about the wildlife in Africa without having to dig through a pile of encyclopedias is pretty amazing. Not that I have anything against libraries; I don't. But I do love being able to browse the collection in my pajamas to make a list of books to check out. A quick trip in, out, and I'm done.
Connecting with students all over the globe is something I wouldn't be able to do to the extent that I currently am without teaching online and through other distance education methods. The convenience of being able to interact with people I wouldn't meet in person allows me opportunities to not only teach, but also to learn and better understand.
Isn't that what education is all about?
Welcome
Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.
