One of my biggest pet peeves is when my teachers do not teach. It's like seriously, you were hired to pass on your supposedly supreme knowledge to your seemingly ignorant little students so that is what you should be doing! Here is just a few things that teachers frequently do when they should actually be teaching:
1. Grading papers from other class periods
2. Assigning busy work while they finish the book they just could not put down or do something else not class related
3. Working on things for other classes
4. Preparing a ten year long test for the class over stuff they have not even been taught (So what's the point of the test?)
5. Fantasizing about three o'clock
6. Sit there doing absolutely nothing (That is right folks! Your teachers really do just sit there and waste your time by doing absolutely nothing else besides sitting.)
Now do not get me wrong, I have some great teachers. They actually teach and they happen to be great at it. I bet the reason why the teachers who hardly ever teach are bad at teaching when they actually do teach is because they do not have any practice. Sounds plausible enough to me. Just a few tips for any teachers who might read this post:
1. If you have other stuff you absolutely HAVE to do, plan a short lesson and then use the left over time.
2. If you do not feel like teaching, quit your job because you obviously chose the wrong career.
3. If you feel you are bad at teaching, PRACTICE! Teaching your class will actually help you improve. It will show you what works and what does not, and I guarantee your attempts will be appreciated more than your students not knowing anything on the semester test.
Note to Mrs. Gillmore: I know there are several fragments in this post. I put them in intentionally because I felt they helped to convey my mood and position on this subject.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar, penned by English playwright William Shakespeare, hooked my attention and presented a controversial issue in a different way.
When this play was handed out to my English class, I was a bit wary because I didn't think it would be good at all. We started reading, and to my surprise, I actually liked it. Though in my opinion Romeo and Juliet was better, I still enjoyed Julius Caesar, and part of that was probably because it was easier to understand than Romeo and Juliet was.
The main characters of the play such as Caesar, Antony, and Brutus were actual people. The reason that I liked this play could have very possibly been because the story involves real people and actual historical events. It was really cool to see how Shakespeare interpreted these events and to see how he thought the characters would have reacted in certain situations.
The tragedy of Julius Caesar tells the story of the murder of Julius Caesar and the repercussions that his killers faced after his death. Marcus Brutus, along with a group of patricians, plotted to kill Caesar. Though most of the group aided only because of their jealousy, Brutus helped because he feared that Caesar would claim absolute power and become a tyrant. Their plan, which at the time seemed brilliant, ended up hurting them because Mark Antony, who dearly loved Caesar, turned the people of Rome against Brutus and civil war was brought upon the empire.
A theme of the play was that all acts bring about consequences and if you are prepared to commit the act, you better be prepared to deal with the consequences. After the conspirators kill Caesar, Antony turns many of the Romans against the conspirators and war breaks out.
I generally like Shakespeare's style and way of writing. He usually writes in poetry using iambic pentameter. Iambic pentameter can be recognized by ten syllables in each line, usually with every other syllable being stressed. In his plays, a lot of older language is used because of the time he grew up in. Because people in today's era aren't used to this way of writing, it can sometimes be very difficult to understand, but I think that the language aided to the historical aspect of Julius Caesar.
Though some of the play didn't interest me, all in all I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys plays or an unusual read.
209 pages
When this play was handed out to my English class, I was a bit wary because I didn't think it would be good at all. We started reading, and to my surprise, I actually liked it. Though in my opinion Romeo and Juliet was better, I still enjoyed Julius Caesar, and part of that was probably because it was easier to understand than Romeo and Juliet was.
The main characters of the play such as Caesar, Antony, and Brutus were actual people. The reason that I liked this play could have very possibly been because the story involves real people and actual historical events. It was really cool to see how Shakespeare interpreted these events and to see how he thought the characters would have reacted in certain situations.
The tragedy of Julius Caesar tells the story of the murder of Julius Caesar and the repercussions that his killers faced after his death. Marcus Brutus, along with a group of patricians, plotted to kill Caesar. Though most of the group aided only because of their jealousy, Brutus helped because he feared that Caesar would claim absolute power and become a tyrant. Their plan, which at the time seemed brilliant, ended up hurting them because Mark Antony, who dearly loved Caesar, turned the people of Rome against Brutus and civil war was brought upon the empire.
A theme of the play was that all acts bring about consequences and if you are prepared to commit the act, you better be prepared to deal with the consequences. After the conspirators kill Caesar, Antony turns many of the Romans against the conspirators and war breaks out.
I generally like Shakespeare's style and way of writing. He usually writes in poetry using iambic pentameter. Iambic pentameter can be recognized by ten syllables in each line, usually with every other syllable being stressed. In his plays, a lot of older language is used because of the time he grew up in. Because people in today's era aren't used to this way of writing, it can sometimes be very difficult to understand, but I think that the language aided to the historical aspect of Julius Caesar.
Though some of the play didn't interest me, all in all I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys plays or an unusual read.
209 pages
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Top 10 Leaders
1. Al Gore- tries to take carfe of environment, very "green"
2. Ghandi
3. Nelson Mandela- stood up for beliefs
4. Barack Obama- first black prez, now ain't that nice
5. Bill Clinton-helped improve economy
6. Jesus- saved everyone from sin
7. Eleanor Roosevelt- strong woman leader
8. John F. Kennedy
9. Optimus Prime- Optimus is fearless and amazing
10. Mufasa
2. Ghandi
3. Nelson Mandela- stood up for beliefs
4. Barack Obama- first black prez, now ain't that nice
5. Bill Clinton-helped improve economy
6. Jesus- saved everyone from sin
7. Eleanor Roosevelt- strong woman leader
8. John F. Kennedy
9. Optimus Prime- Optimus is fearless and amazing
10. Mufasa
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