I am sorry to report that cheating is alive and growing. In the last two weeks I have "caught" students cheating 3 times, and I am sad to say that I have probably not caught even more.
The first time, two students came in during morning tutorials to get help with their homework. I was standing right beside them when I noticed one copying homework for another class. I asked what he/she was doing, and he/she replied that they had lost their homework, so had gone to the teacher to get another page. So I pursued it and asked if the other teacher knew he/she was copying someone else's homework. The other student jumped in and said, yes, they saw the teacher together and she said it was ok. So I said, "Then, when I email the other teacher to confirm that she gave you permission to copy homework, she will tell me that it is okay?" "Oh," the second student said. "Well, no, not exactly, but she knew we were together and that student #1 had done the homework but had lost it." So I took up both homework pages and emailed the teacher about the copying. A few days later one of the students gave me a note apologizing (that was nice) and explaining that since he/she had actually done the homework the night before, he/she felt it was okay to copy someone else's. I did not know that if you first do your homework, then it is acceptable to copy someone else's if you lose yours.
A few days later a teacher emailed me about two students in one of my classes. During her class she had taken up the homework that was being copied. So I talked to the two students, gave them zeroes, and told them I wanted a note from their parents explaining they knew why the students were receiving a zero on the assignment. One student brought the note with a request that the student not be given a zero since the homework was actually done, but perhaps could have a different punishment because said student is very naive and did not actually realize it was wrong. Second student (who I forgot to mention, talked during a quiz the same day and admitted that he/she had asked for an answer) said the note was in a binder which was, unfortunately, left at home. So , time for phone call. Parent knew nothing about either incident nor the note, but assured me it would be taken care of at home, and sure enough the note arrived the next day. Now the student hates me.
Finally, we were correcting homework, and I was giving out the answer. Towards the end, one student raised her hand and said, "What is the answer you gave to 4th period?" (This was 5th period.) I asked why. Student said, "I don't know, I was just wondering what you told the other class." Now isn't that interesting. Why would he/she even wonder if the answer was different in a previous class. Hmmm. And just before that, a student who is a regular goof off and frequently does not do homework at all, gave a completely correct, very detailed answer to one of the questions. At the time it struck me as very strange because that student does not usually do homework, much less give that kind of correct detail. At the time I wondered how that had happened. But what I can't figure out is, there is only 5 minutes between classes. How on earth did they get all the answers so fast?
Here's the irony--in all of those classes I am teaching about ethics. I was using the example in the news about the lady who gave birth to the octuplets, and how the medical world was saying it was unethical to deliberately place the mother's health and the babies' health in danger. Maybe next week we'll get a little more personal in our discussion of ethics: we'll talk about cheating.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Just Passing the Time
Well, I'm sitting here in the lobby of the theater in Cleburne waiting for David to finish his rehearsal. I've done some school work, still have to rip out a hem in some curtains I'm making for Caden's room, but I decided what the heck! I may as well blog a little. I always intend to on Sundays, but this past week we had an "emergency" missionary dinner at our house, plus, I didn't feel good, so it slipped past me again.
Anyway, I am here in Cleburne while David rehearses for his rather large part (150 +lines) in Kiss and Tell. I am here because MTD is in Irving rehearsing for his part in Romeo and Juliet. He's supposed to be here because he also has a role in Kiss and Tell. They are both missing rehearsal in Hurst for their roles in My Fair Lady. And if being in all those plays isn't enough, MTD is also costuming 2 of the 3 plays he is in. We now have a large hand-made wooden rack in our sunroom witht lots of military costumes, etc. hanging on it. But before that they were on the table, and before that they were stacked on the ping pong table. Lucky didn't have to say a word to convince MTD to build the costume rack--he just kept sleeping on top of the costumes, and before you know it, we had a rack.
And people ask me why I don't do theater. I do "do" theater--just in the car!
Well, rehearsal is over! Gotta drive home. :)
Anyway, I am here in Cleburne while David rehearses for his rather large part (150 +lines) in Kiss and Tell. I am here because MTD is in Irving rehearsing for his part in Romeo and Juliet. He's supposed to be here because he also has a role in Kiss and Tell. They are both missing rehearsal in Hurst for their roles in My Fair Lady. And if being in all those plays isn't enough, MTD is also costuming 2 of the 3 plays he is in. We now have a large hand-made wooden rack in our sunroom witht lots of military costumes, etc. hanging on it. But before that they were on the table, and before that they were stacked on the ping pong table. Lucky didn't have to say a word to convince MTD to build the costume rack--he just kept sleeping on top of the costumes, and before you know it, we had a rack.
And people ask me why I don't do theater. I do "do" theater--just in the car!
Well, rehearsal is over! Gotta drive home. :)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Plays, Books, and Movies: A Review
Over Christmas I read three books, so I thought I would post about them. And, also, I would love to hear your recommendations on books you enjoyed.
I finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would, and I want to see the movie. This is the story of two boys growing up in Afghanistan before the Russian invasion. The characterization is really good, the story is engrossing, and at first I started underlining all the literary devices and stylistic techniques (thinking I might be able to use them at school), but then I got too involved in the story to keep it up. I am looking forward to reading Hosseini's second book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, which I have been told is even better than the first one.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult was really good. I highly recommend it. I read one other Jodi Piccoult book, The Pact, which kind of bothered me, but My Sister's Keeper was really good. Here is a synopsis from Jodi Picoult's website:
"Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate - a life and a role that she has never questioned… until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister - and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable… a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves. My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life… even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? "
I really, really enjoyed this book --couldn't put it down. So, thanks, Tricia!
The last book was Diane's Story by Dean Hughes. It is part of the Children of the Promise and Hearts of the Children series. I really enjoyed all the books in the two series, but Diane's Story was very "predictable" as Cathy warned me.
Now for two plays which I had not seen before. Seussical The Musical was really cute. I enjoyed it, but I Love a Piano was fabulous! This was my first time to see this musical as well, and I want to see it again already! This revue of Irving Berlin's music was extraordinary. I urge everyone to see it when you get the chance--there is no plot, but the musical arrangements are in 6 part harmony and they are great!
I saw Boy in the Striped Pajamas a few weeks ago. It is a beautifully made movie, but of course, no movie about the Holocaust can have a happy ending. I did like the movie very much, though.
Please let me know what books, plays and even movies you are recommending!
I finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would, and I want to see the movie. This is the story of two boys growing up in Afghanistan before the Russian invasion. The characterization is really good, the story is engrossing, and at first I started underlining all the literary devices and stylistic techniques (thinking I might be able to use them at school), but then I got too involved in the story to keep it up. I am looking forward to reading Hosseini's second book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, which I have been told is even better than the first one.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult was really good. I highly recommend it. I read one other Jodi Piccoult book, The Pact, which kind of bothered me, but My Sister's Keeper was really good. Here is a synopsis from Jodi Picoult's website:
"Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate - a life and a role that she has never questioned… until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister - and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable… a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves. My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life… even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? "
I really, really enjoyed this book --couldn't put it down. So, thanks, Tricia!
The last book was Diane's Story by Dean Hughes. It is part of the Children of the Promise and Hearts of the Children series. I really enjoyed all the books in the two series, but Diane's Story was very "predictable" as Cathy warned me.
Now for two plays which I had not seen before. Seussical The Musical was really cute. I enjoyed it, but I Love a Piano was fabulous! This was my first time to see this musical as well, and I want to see it again already! This revue of Irving Berlin's music was extraordinary. I urge everyone to see it when you get the chance--there is no plot, but the musical arrangements are in 6 part harmony and they are great!
I saw Boy in the Striped Pajamas a few weeks ago. It is a beautifully made movie, but of course, no movie about the Holocaust can have a happy ending. I did like the movie very much, though.
Please let me know what books, plays and even movies you are recommending!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Christmas letter and New Years Good Fortune
Has it really been 3 months since I blogged? I can't believe it. October, November, and December were full of family and fun. During those months I went up north to see Christopher, to San Antonio (twice) to watch the band, to Indianapolis to watch the band, and to my hometown to be with Carrie and family for the baby's birth.
2009 is off to a great start for two reasons. First, I went shopping at Kohl's and found a great church/school dress for $4.40! I just love bargains like that!! Then, my friend Lou invited me to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert! She had free tickets, and we rode the train over to the concert and back. Can I just say, this is the most fantastic concert ever!!! If I can get tickets next year I would love to take the family. The music is incredible and the light show is unbelievable! We were not on the floor, but we were on the first row off of the floor, and it was fabulous.
Christmas was wonderful with all the family here. I loved every minute of it. As usual, Christopher had the hardest time getting here. He spent 3 hours in the first airplane before it took off for the short flight to Chicago. While he was in the air they cancelled his flight from O'Hare to here. But amazingly, he was able to get on another flight, where he sat on the tarmac for 5 hours before take-off. He finally got here at 2:00 am. Cathy and Carrie met up in Abilene and caravaned here. The baby was really good on his road trip, and everyone made it safely.
Finally, the bad news is that our Christmas letter has not yet been mailed, but the good news is that it is written and waiting on the new computer. The bad news is that the address file is on the old computer, so I can't mail it. Therefore, here is a slightly revised version to preserve a little privacy on the internet.
January 2009
Dear Friends and Family,
Our stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and sure enough, St. Nicholas came there. The wonderful Christmas season has come and gone, but we enjoyed every moment of it, including reading and reminiscing about many of you. Our family continues to grow and we’d like to share a few details with you.
Chris continues working at one of the troubled financial institutions in the land. People in his department were laid off in November, and the future is still uncertain, but for now he is still employed. He spends hundreds of hours serving in his church calling, ward clerk in the local Spanish ward, and in acting and building sets and props and sewing costumes for three different community theatres. A particular compliment to his skill was that he made a vintage-looking ladder for The Miracle Worker, and, in a space crunch, the theatre had to throw it out. He found it about a month later on sale for $110 in an antique store. Due to the space crunch at the theatre, our backyard is probably the only back yard in the entire county with a guillotine, a buckboard wagon, and a vintage lobster trap, all made by Chris from scratch. Chris appeared in 6 shows in 2008: The Foreigner, You Can’t Take It With You, The Sound of Music, Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and The Merry Wives of Windsor, and another Elizabethan comedy called Volpone. Chris visited San Juan, Puerto Rico and Monterrey, Mexico with his friends this year.
I continue teaching 8th grade at a local junior high. I enjoy my job very much and work with many nice friends. In church I play the organ monthly and have been teaching the 17-18 year old Sunday School class for a few months. It is difficult to get them to listen instead of talking or texting, but it is a challenge I enjoy, and I dream of the day they are more interested in the lesson than in each other. Watching Chris and David on stage was a pastime I continued to enjoy this past year, My travels found me in my hometown with Carrie and Cathy, at Lake Powell enjoying the water with lots of family, in Indianapolis and San Antonio cheering on the band, and up North enjoying a beautiful fall and seeing Christopher’s new apartment.
Liz and her family still live close by so we get to see three of our beautiful grandchildren frequently. Liz went back to school in January as a full time student and is pursuing a degree in medical imaging. Between her studying and running the kids around, she stays pretty busy. Laura is 9 and in the 4th grade. She still dances and is becoming a bookworm, much like her mother was when she was Laura's age. Eyan started 2nd grade this year just a couple days before turning 7. He has a natural talent for sports and loved his first soccer season. Little Donevan is now 2 and keeps all of us laughing and on our toes. He loves giving sugars, reading with Grandma, and has a crazy affection for shoes. Liz's husband Chris still stays busy working for L-3 but excitedly enjoyed his Christmas vacation. He and the older kids have teamed up to form a small army on his online computer game. He loves spending that time with the kids.
Cathy’s week is filled with working, playing volleyball, attending church activities and decorating her office and apartment. Her friends enjoy the creative costumes she wears to work, where she is popular with both co-workers and the foster families she supervises. She has now been with The Foundation a year and a half and continues to enjoy it. She regales us with her antics (she’s always up to something) through her blog. She enjoys having her sister Carrie in the same town with her where they like to get together to cook, craft, and decorate. We get to see Cathy just about monthly as she tries to make it back here to see her family members perform in their various activities. Lake Powell, Mamma Mia, Indianapolis, and her alma mater's football games were highlights of her year.
Christopher spent the first nine months out of the year in the same manor that he spent all of last year; traveling around the county developing and delivering financial planning education to companies of all shapes and sizes, including many in the Fortune 500. He loved being a professional speaker and consulting with so many different companies but grew weary of all the travel, so in September, Christopher decided to leave the investment company he was working for and accept an offer to head up the Financial Advice Division at a new company . He regretfully is still living in the land of cold and snow, but is keeping busy and having a blast with his new role and responsibilities. Outside of the office, Christopher is continuing to go a hundred miles an hour with his responsibilities, which include going back to school, sitting for his CFP exam, serving in the Young Men’s Presidency at church, Merit Badge Counseling for Boy Scouts of America, and spending time with his beautiful girlfriend Jamie and her very cute daughter.
Carrie and Devin were happy to welcome their first baby on November 21st. They are both adjusting to parenthood nicely and really enjoy every part of it. They are both officially seniors , with high hopes of graduating next December. Carrie is majoring in Early Childhood Education and Devin is majoring in Sociology and minoring in business. Fortunately for Carrie and Caden, she has been able to quit her job and stay at home with little Caden as much as her schoolwork will allow. Devin started a new job in May at a banking call center where he works in sales. Aside from the birth of their first child, the highlight of their year was spending a week at Lake Powell with lots of family.
As a senior in high school, Jacob is spending time on college applications and homework. He loved marching band, even all the hot practices during August, and was sorry to see the season come to an end. Jacob entered the workforce this past summer as a life guard at a water park. Christmas found him working at a local movie theater and trying to recover from oral surgery.
David is now a sophomore in high school. He is very active in community theater, having just finished performing in Cinderella. Other plays this year included Belles on Their Toes and The Music Man. His ever-expanding social circle keeps him very busy, and he enjoyed cliff-jumping, knee-boarding, and tubing at Lake Powell.
Well, that's this year's letter. Sorry it wasn't in the mail, but maybe this is second best. I've missed blogging and really hope to keep up more in the New Year. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a wonderfully Happy New Year!
2009 is off to a great start for two reasons. First, I went shopping at Kohl's and found a great church/school dress for $4.40! I just love bargains like that!! Then, my friend Lou invited me to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert! She had free tickets, and we rode the train over to the concert and back. Can I just say, this is the most fantastic concert ever!!! If I can get tickets next year I would love to take the family. The music is incredible and the light show is unbelievable! We were not on the floor, but we were on the first row off of the floor, and it was fabulous.
Christmas was wonderful with all the family here. I loved every minute of it. As usual, Christopher had the hardest time getting here. He spent 3 hours in the first airplane before it took off for the short flight to Chicago. While he was in the air they cancelled his flight from O'Hare to here. But amazingly, he was able to get on another flight, where he sat on the tarmac for 5 hours before take-off. He finally got here at 2:00 am. Cathy and Carrie met up in Abilene and caravaned here. The baby was really good on his road trip, and everyone made it safely.
Finally, the bad news is that our Christmas letter has not yet been mailed, but the good news is that it is written and waiting on the new computer. The bad news is that the address file is on the old computer, so I can't mail it. Therefore, here is a slightly revised version to preserve a little privacy on the internet.
January 2009
Dear Friends and Family,
Our stockings were hung by the chimney with care, and sure enough, St. Nicholas came there. The wonderful Christmas season has come and gone, but we enjoyed every moment of it, including reading and reminiscing about many of you. Our family continues to grow and we’d like to share a few details with you.
Chris continues working at one of the troubled financial institutions in the land. People in his department were laid off in November, and the future is still uncertain, but for now he is still employed. He spends hundreds of hours serving in his church calling, ward clerk in the local Spanish ward, and in acting and building sets and props and sewing costumes for three different community theatres. A particular compliment to his skill was that he made a vintage-looking ladder for The Miracle Worker, and, in a space crunch, the theatre had to throw it out. He found it about a month later on sale for $110 in an antique store. Due to the space crunch at the theatre, our backyard is probably the only back yard in the entire county with a guillotine, a buckboard wagon, and a vintage lobster trap, all made by Chris from scratch. Chris appeared in 6 shows in 2008: The Foreigner, You Can’t Take It With You, The Sound of Music, Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and The Merry Wives of Windsor, and another Elizabethan comedy called Volpone. Chris visited San Juan, Puerto Rico and Monterrey, Mexico with his friends this year.
I continue teaching 8th grade at a local junior high. I enjoy my job very much and work with many nice friends. In church I play the organ monthly and have been teaching the 17-18 year old Sunday School class for a few months. It is difficult to get them to listen instead of talking or texting, but it is a challenge I enjoy, and I dream of the day they are more interested in the lesson than in each other. Watching Chris and David on stage was a pastime I continued to enjoy this past year, My travels found me in my hometown with Carrie and Cathy, at Lake Powell enjoying the water with lots of family, in Indianapolis and San Antonio cheering on the band, and up North enjoying a beautiful fall and seeing Christopher’s new apartment.
Liz and her family still live close by so we get to see three of our beautiful grandchildren frequently. Liz went back to school in January as a full time student and is pursuing a degree in medical imaging. Between her studying and running the kids around, she stays pretty busy. Laura is 9 and in the 4th grade. She still dances and is becoming a bookworm, much like her mother was when she was Laura's age. Eyan started 2nd grade this year just a couple days before turning 7. He has a natural talent for sports and loved his first soccer season. Little Donevan is now 2 and keeps all of us laughing and on our toes. He loves giving sugars, reading with Grandma, and has a crazy affection for shoes. Liz's husband Chris still stays busy working for L-3 but excitedly enjoyed his Christmas vacation. He and the older kids have teamed up to form a small army on his online computer game. He loves spending that time with the kids.
Cathy’s week is filled with working, playing volleyball, attending church activities and decorating her office and apartment. Her friends enjoy the creative costumes she wears to work, where she is popular with both co-workers and the foster families she supervises. She has now been with The Foundation a year and a half and continues to enjoy it. She regales us with her antics (she’s always up to something) through her blog. She enjoys having her sister Carrie in the same town with her where they like to get together to cook, craft, and decorate. We get to see Cathy just about monthly as she tries to make it back here to see her family members perform in their various activities. Lake Powell, Mamma Mia, Indianapolis, and her alma mater's football games were highlights of her year.
Christopher spent the first nine months out of the year in the same manor that he spent all of last year; traveling around the county developing and delivering financial planning education to companies of all shapes and sizes, including many in the Fortune 500. He loved being a professional speaker and consulting with so many different companies but grew weary of all the travel, so in September, Christopher decided to leave the investment company he was working for and accept an offer to head up the Financial Advice Division at a new company . He regretfully is still living in the land of cold and snow, but is keeping busy and having a blast with his new role and responsibilities. Outside of the office, Christopher is continuing to go a hundred miles an hour with his responsibilities, which include going back to school, sitting for his CFP exam, serving in the Young Men’s Presidency at church, Merit Badge Counseling for Boy Scouts of America, and spending time with his beautiful girlfriend Jamie and her very cute daughter.
Carrie and Devin were happy to welcome their first baby on November 21st. They are both adjusting to parenthood nicely and really enjoy every part of it. They are both officially seniors , with high hopes of graduating next December. Carrie is majoring in Early Childhood Education and Devin is majoring in Sociology and minoring in business. Fortunately for Carrie and Caden, she has been able to quit her job and stay at home with little Caden as much as her schoolwork will allow. Devin started a new job in May at a banking call center where he works in sales. Aside from the birth of their first child, the highlight of their year was spending a week at Lake Powell with lots of family.
As a senior in high school, Jacob is spending time on college applications and homework. He loved marching band, even all the hot practices during August, and was sorry to see the season come to an end. Jacob entered the workforce this past summer as a life guard at a water park. Christmas found him working at a local movie theater and trying to recover from oral surgery.
David is now a sophomore in high school. He is very active in community theater, having just finished performing in Cinderella. Other plays this year included Belles on Their Toes and The Music Man. His ever-expanding social circle keeps him very busy, and he enjoyed cliff-jumping, knee-boarding, and tubing at Lake Powell.
Well, that's this year's letter. Sorry it wasn't in the mail, but maybe this is second best. I've missed blogging and really hope to keep up more in the New Year. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a wonderfully Happy New Year!
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