Random Stuff

Alright, so things are a little busy and the blog continues to suffer. But here are some random things I've been pondering:

A weird thing happened at school a couple weeks ago. Our school is undergoing renovations and there are about 12 classrooms in the cafeteria that are basically office-style cubicles. The noise level is insane and this makes effective teaching a gigantic challenge. So it's a stretch to ask my classes to read a couple pages in the textbook because their concentration and focus are minimal in this environment. So, I decided that instead of asking them to read, I would read the section to them while they followed along in the book. Keep in mind here, I teach all juniors all day. These are 17 and 18 year old creatures. The most amazing thing happened. There was absolute silence in my cubicle and everyone in the class followed along while I read. No talking. I repeat, no talking. I was shocked and more than pleasantly surprised. So I'm trying to figure out if maybe these kids can't read or even those we don't expect still like to be read to. I don't know. But it was a cool experience for me so I've repeated it this week with the same results.

So on to things in the news that have made me think:

I saw a story about a Mexican immigrant who has lived in this country for a couple of decades. Last year, his son, who was born in the United States and consequently a U.S. citizen, was killed in the Iraq War. Well, this man, the father of the soldier, is about to be deported back to Mexico. I am the first to say that our immigration laws should not only be stricter, but actually be enforced. But I took exception with this story. The custom is usually that the immediate family of a fallen soldier is granted amnesty and the soldier's wife was. But come on, this guy has made the ultimate sacrifice for a country that isn't even his. I know, I've gone soft. But war pretty much sucks and it changes the rules of life.

So my humanities class has been discussing Imperial Rome this week. To entertain myself, I posed the question to my classes as to whether or not the United States is an imperial nation, the Roman Empire of the modern age, if you will. Wow. This started a serious debate in which some students thought the U.S. should mind its own business and stop trying to help people who don't even ask for help. An exchange student from Switzerland informed me that the U.S. tries to make itself "the police of the world" and we should "mind our own business." Another kid said "we should just blow them all up. why do we even need Iraqis. they're the ones causing the trouble." Just when I think teenagers are apathetic and they've frayed my last nerve, there's a glimmer of hope that they might actually care about something that matters.

A teacher in Oregon is suing the school board so that she may carry a gun to school. I'm not really sure how I feel about this. For the record, I am a gun owner, but have never even remotely thought that carrying it to school would be a good idea. I can see both sides of the issue here and neither one really captures me. Sure it could be dangerous to have a gun in the classroom considering a number of variables that could occur, including a student getting their hands on the gun. But could a teacher carrying a gun prevent a major crisis? Possibly. And if someone possesses a concealed weapon permit, they must be a law abiding citizen who has met certain criteria. Rather than putting guns in teachers hands, I think it would be a better route to create more efficient security in schools. When our renovations are complete, security cameras will be in every classroom and this feed will also be available to law enforcement agencies. We also have a school resource officer on site at most all times. I'm glad this decision is not one I have to make.

Alright, I'll try to be more faithful it posting things that make me think. I'm still pondering that forced abortion issue in China that was posed to me. Maybe next time. But I'm open to suggestions. Basketball season begins Monday and time becomes even more precious. But I'm gonna make the effort.