1. Teaching's still going pretty well. I don't like grading papers at all, since it's hard to gauge how much of high school papers I should correct and how much I should let slide since they're high schoolers. But I got a very positive evaluation from a visiting administrator, who was impressed that I actually … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Teaching, Grammar, and Historical Tangents
History
Columbus Day Post
Once again, behold the Admiral's response to his critics And some suitable music (I haven't heard anything good about the film itself, but the music is great): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26dlYEzOtog&t=929s
Historical Thought: Rhode Island Contra Mundi
I find it intensely amusing that Rhode Island, of all states, was the most intransigent against the Constitution. There were reasons for that, of course, but I can't help picturing the other States at the Convention: "Oh, no; we've lost Rhode Island!" "Well, I suppose, if we really must, we can find a way to … Continue reading Historical Thought: Rhode Island Contra Mundi
Thought of the Day: ‘Don’t Blame the Constitution’
My history textbook - Christ and the Americas - has many virtues, but it's at its worst when the authoress tries to pontificate. Take the following passage (which comes out of a kind of mini-essay on the subject in the section on the Constitutional Convention): "If our Constitution has failed in any way, it is … Continue reading Thought of the Day: ‘Don’t Blame the Constitution’
Musical Interlude: ‘To Anacreon in Heaven’
Here's a jolly old song that was quite popular in its day. You may or may not recognize the title, and probably don't know the lyrics, but I'm almost sure you'll recognize the tune: it was adopted for another little song, which has enjoyed a broader popularity. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PUFUCTXwfc
Friday Flotsam: Mostly Political History
1. We're still reading Thomas Paine in my American Government course (I'm going to be looking ahead this weekend, but I may have to go off-script because there doesn't seem much else being discussed in the coming weeks), along with his chosen opponent, Rev. Charles Inglis (later the first Anglican Bishop in the New World). … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly Political History
Friday Flotsam: School and ‘One Piece’
1. At school I've more or less defaulted to lecturing, as trying to get the kids to engage hasn't been too profitable for most of the classes. Though oddly enough, turning to lecturing interspersed with questions has gotten a lot more interaction going, so perhaps it works out. 2. I ended up correcting the history … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: School and ‘One Piece’
Friday Flotsam: Mostly School and Language Matters
1. School still going okay. Started getting into the weeds of the Revolution with my Government class; they were surprised to learn of some of my clarifications (i.e. that the amount of taxes weren't the issue, but rather the question of jurisdiction). Actually, the idea that the British government had a case at all seemed … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly School and Language Matters
September 12, 1683: The Lifting of the Second Siege of Vienna
We remember In September... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxlRJsQ7p2k "Don't worry, everyone; I'm here to save the world. Again."-State motto of Poland
Friday Flotsam: Corniness and ‘Shadows on the Rock’
1. Thinking of 50s-era educational shorts this week made me wonder: they're usually described as 'cheesy' or 'corny'. What does this mean? What constitutes corn? The heirs of Webster define it as "mawkishly old-fashioned : tiresomely simple and sentimental". Fair enough, but what is the positive contrary? Up-to-date, sophisticated, and rational, I suppose. Though that … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Corniness and ‘Shadows on the Rock’
Serpent's Den 