Snow storm of December 19, 2009.


"Are we going yet?"


( 2 more photos and a video! )

My Livejournal paid account expired in early December, despite numerous reminders and pleas from Livejournal.

In all honesty, I don't use many of the features of the paid account. Look at my statistics:
0 of 20 voice posts this month
22 of 54 userpics
18.82 MB of 2.00 GB storage space
8 of 1000 subscriptions

But a few years ago I decided that I have been a member since 2001 and I felt that given what they have provided me, I should "give back" by supporting them.

By definition to me, a "renewal" is when a paid account renews their account.
An "upgrade", on the other hand, is when you go from Basic to Paid.

If you don't pay for your Paid and you let it expire, you eventually revert to Basic. So if I then pay for a Paid account, is that not an "upgrade"? Thus, in my mind, on Dec 15, what I did was an "upgrade"--- I paid for another year's Paid account for $25.

The very next day, on Dec 16, Livejournal News announces a holiday promotion where you can upgrade an account for $9.95 with automatic payment or a one-time manual payment of $15! See: news

I email them, arguing: (1) My account wasn't a renewal, I feel it was an upgrade as I had let it expire, (2) I did it less than 24 hours before their promotion; so could they please honor their promotion and refund me the balance of $10?

They don't argue any of my points, but simply state "as per our policy shown here, we do not offer any refunds. Thank you for supporting us, but go fuck off now."

NICE ATTITUDE, LIVEJOURNAL.

There is no sharp limit of development, age, or weight at which a fetus automatically becomes viable. According to data years 2003-2005, 20 - 35% of babies born at 23 weeks of gestation survive, while 50 - 70% of babies born at 24 to 25 weeks, and more than 90% born at 26 to 27 weeks, survive. It is rare for a baby weighing less than 500 gm (approximately 17 oz.) to survive.

( Prenatal development table under cut... kinda large, didn't want to screw up anybody's page )

Peanut, by the way, exceeded 500 grams about two weeks ago, the little eater! ;)

In summary, at 24 weeks gestational age, Peanut now has a greater than 50% chance of survival outside the womb, based strictly on statistics. All her major organs are functioning, and she's started producing surfactant (which helps her breath air.. before this point, her lungs wouldn't be able to handle breathing)-- still would need a respirator, but she is now deemed "viable". In truth, I don't really care this statistic that much. Perhaps because I am convincing myself I'm not going to need this statistic as she will NOT be making an early appearance.

For insurance purposes though, before this date, if I were to go into labor, most insurances (mine included) would NOT cover it and hospitals do not attempt to save the child. But as of today, if (GOD FORBID!) I went into labor, the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will do everything in their power to save Peanut's life. From that perspective, today is a big milestone.

First day of snow! Big, fat, wet ones!

Baby's now the size of a papaya!
Baby's settling into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

OMG I've got a papaya inside me.

Another check-up today at 22w1d. Anatomy scan reveals everything is good, low chance of Down Syndrome, spinal column is forming perfectly, her heart is wonderful (valves, arteries, everything in place!), and she's kicking and squirming on a daily basis now. Especially after I eat! She loves to move when I feed her.

The doctor says she weighs in at around 19 oz. The average fetus for this week is between 13 to 21 oz. She's going to be a big baby, I think!

A senior boy commented, "Ms. Ng, you're gaining a lot of weight."
No shit, Sherlock.
I gave him a wry smile.
Then he added: "You're really getting really, really fat."

Me: "Okay, that was rude."
Him: "I was just joking."

Seriously. These are the type of conversations I have to deal with.

Friday we checked out baby cribs. We liked Bonavita Hudson Collection (in Chocolate) and Ragazzi Pompei Collection (in Cherry) at the My Baby's Crib in Howell. Then we saw the Babi Italia Pinehurst Collection (in Espresso) at Babies R Us. Also looked at infant car seats and strollers at Babies R Us, and we picked out a nursery bedding set. Was that an eye-opener for me!

Here are some styles (maybe not exact, but close. You get the idea) of what Brian had envisioned or likes:


The ones I picked? Blue! Bold primary colors! Monkeys and trains!!


I pouted and whined: "they all look like something horridly pink just threw up all over the bedding!"

And he complained: "she's a girl! you're going to give her a complex!"

We finally settled on this organic cotton set, Kids Line Bunny Meadows Collection:


By settled, I mean I decided this was what we were going with.

Saturday, Kade injured his paw and needed to go to Red Bank Hospital at 5 pm. We got home from a walk and realized he was licking his rear paw a lot, and when Brian went to inspect it, there was lots of blood all over his white fur and the nail was pointing the wrong direction. We weren't sure if it was a broken nail or a broken toe, so we rushed to the veterinarian hospital.

He's fine now-- but basically he tore the nail on his rear left paw, and had to get it anesthetized, and yanked. Then bandaged and now he's on pain medication and antibiotics till it heals and grows back another nail. The vet said that he's going to be a little sedated-- for a Border Collie, that means he's been acting like an average dog instead of running around the apartment like a lunatic, chasing tennis balls and accomplishing tasks. The vet said he's on restricted exercise-- no running, no jumping, and reduce walking! Which is near impossible instructions for a Border Collie. He doesn't understand.

Sunday, we went to New York City to watch the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show. Brian hasn't seen it in years and I'd never seen it. We got Orchestra seats at 40% off, which was still a fortune, but it was a nice splurge. The show was amazing and the Rockettes seem to have legs that never end!

( Lots of photos underneath, including what I look like right now! )

OB appointment on Wed. Picked Carol up at train station and then headed over.

Peanut's heartbeat is at 135 bpm and sounding great. Measuring 21 cm fundal height, 17 lbs. in pregnancy weight gain.

Midwife asked if I was eating healthy-- grains, vegetables, fruits-- and I said yes. She then said "well, then if you're a hearty eater, cut back on your intake, just a little". Oh boo!! Apparently I've "over-gained" by 5 lbs. and she wants me to ease off.

Thursday Thanksgiving dinner featured a roast turkey breast, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, sauteed green beans and almonds, and oven-roasted stuffed mushrooms. Then for dessert, we had vanilla cupcakes, homemade apple pie, or creme brulee. YUM.

That time of year again!

Some of you have moved, some of you are new friends, and for some of you, I've misplaced or lost your addresses (oops)!

So update my Rolodex with your latest contact info (whatever you want to share):

Full name
Mailing address
Phone number
Email

Comments are screened.

Baby's now the size of a banana!
Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, if baby is a girl, her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

First-- On average from week 20 to week 21, a fetus grows 4 inches and 2 ounces!! I am completely astounded by this growth. Baby, you are growing!!

Peanut has been moving around at a higher intensity and frequency than last week. These "quickenings" do not feel like "butterfly kisses", which is what online girls have been calling it (with misty eyes and nostalgic sighs). It also doesn't feel like the thrill you get from a rollercoaster, which some other girls describe it as.

For me, the movements feel like twitches-- you know how you sometimes get that uncontrollable eye twitch that just wont stop? That's what it feels like, except two inches below my belly button. When Brian or my sister reached to feel it, they both instinctively reached for the most protruding part near my belly button and not below (it's closer to top of my pantyline), but that's where you can feel Peanut the best!

You can simulate the same feeling that you get from placing your hand on my belly by doing the following: place your hand up against your cheek. Then use your tongue to make a quick, stabbing motion against the inside of your cheek towards your hand (like a fast boxer jab). It truly does feel the same!

I'm also learning her patterns. Peanut moves consistently every day between 5 and 7 p.m. This is her waking hour when she is most active. Aside from these two hours, she barely stirs, unless I eat a meal. This is not an immediate effect... I've noticed that it takes approximately 15 minutes into a meal before the stirring begins. I'm guessing it has to do with my sugar levels.

Some girls online say their baby's movements is correlated with the time they turn on a switch, press buttons on a microwave, or make a phone call. The scientist in me is trying to figure out how biologically this is possible; unless they always turn on a switch, touch the microwave, or make phone calls, at a regular time every day. The girls swear it's not the case. I am immediately questioning the accuracy of their data observations and rigorousness of record-keeping. Not to mention lack of hypothesis as to what could possibly correlate a baby's movement with something like phone calls. I truly want to know.

I attended the first baby shower on Saturday! It was for a friend I've known since high school, so we're going on 15 years here (or half my life!). I really liked it because she did three key and crucial things: (1) both males and females were invited (the baby does, after all, have two parents. Why does only the mother sit in on these things?), (2) she kept it small (only 7 couples in attendance, including in-laws, a neighbor, some sorority sisters, and a few high school friends from both sides), and (3) no games!

One, by keeping it small, she really indicated to all of us that it wasn't about the gifts or the presents; it was about celebrating the impending birth. And it was nice to see her at 8 months, happy, excited, blissful. Two, by inviting significant others, it cut down on the "girly TMI talk" and cooing/aahhing that tends to happen at showers every time a gift is opened. It also cut down on the awkwardness of feeling like you didn't know anybody else there (only people I knew were my sister and Brian, who I dragged along). And three, the silly games! I was so grateful that we didn't have to do embarrassing games or silly things that just humiliate everyone involved. It was a classy get-together where we snacked, talked, caught up, opened gifts, congratulated the couple, and enjoyed the company. PERFECT BABY SHOWER! I think all other baby showers will now pale in comparison from this point forth.

From the back:
(I look pretty much the same...)


From the front:
(Oh wait, is there a bump there...?)


From the side:
(OMG yes, there's definitely a belly bump!)


I'M SO HAPPY IT'S HARD TO STOP SMILING!

Baby's now the size of a cantaloupe!
Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

Flutterings have started.

Heartburn has increased.

And belly is growing larger. People keep commenting that they think I'm carrying twins. (No, there is only Peanut in there! Just one girl! Thanks for telling me I'm gaining too much weight, though.)

Registered for childbirth preparation classes at the delivery hospital (5-week program starting when I'm 32 weeks).


Update:
I'm having the worst luck with eating out lately!

On Sunday, we went to IHOP for lunch (and saw four pregnant ladies, is this a hub for pregnancy-cravings?) and I ordered eggs over well, hash browns, strawberry pancakes, and two sausage links.

Instead, the waitress brought me plain pancakes and two slices of bacon. I don't return food (they just spit it in the new stuff...) and I was hungry, so I ate it anyway.

Then Monday for dinner, I ordered a Philly cheesesteak with peppers and onions, and a side of French fries. The order? Just plain cheesesteak with no vegetables. Boo! So flavorless!! :(

Baby's now the size of a mango!
Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

FIRST: PEANUT IS A GIRL!!!
23% of you voted "Boy"
77% of you voted "Girl"

Not a 50-50 split at all!! :)



Okay, on to weekend news...

On Saturday, had my first encounter with a stranger acknowledging I was pregnant. I felt pleased that I now look pregnant, and not like I'm developing a beer gut or ate too many donuts at the last office party.

Brian and I stopped at a deli because I ran out of milk for my morning meal and Peanut was not happy with not being fed in over 12 hours. So I ran in and ordered a sausage-egg-cheese sandwich and two hashbrowns, grabbed a box of orange juice, and went to the register. The deli place is a mom-and-pop place run by straight-shooting, no-nonsense, Italian couple. The guy rings me up, says "Ten-twenty" ($10.20 for breakfast-- yeah damn Jersey prices! But their breakfast sandwiches are so delicious!), takes one look at me and says: "When you do?"

At least, that's what I interpret him to say.

I give him a puzzled look and wonder if he meant to say "What'd you do?" and I almost blurted out "I'm a teacher!" and wondered if he knew I taught at the nearby school, or was I wearing a shirt that somehow indicated an affiliation to some company? But then I notice the sudden and very frantic eye-darting from my face to my belly, and I instinctively put my hand on Peanut and think "Oh! DUE, not do!" (Keep in mind, thick Italian accent, sounds the same to me).

I say "April 5th!" and he bursts out laughing, red in the face, and dramatically wipes his brow. "I've said a lot of stupid things and managed to get out of a lot of them, but I wasn't quite sure what I would've said if you told me you weren't pregnant!" and he laughed some more. He congratulated us and asked if it was a boy or girl (A GIRL! A GIRL!) and if it was our first one (YES! YES! YES!) and we grabbed my sandwich and OJ and left. I felt pretty merry-- I'm pregnant enough that people know I'm pregnant!!

Then we drove to Philadelphia for Jeff (Brian's best friend)'s baby Jack's first birthday party (Curious George themed), got ooohed and aaahed by all the friends and family members, brainstormed baby girls names with an enthusiastic 9-year old, ate chocolate birthday cake, watched all the non-parents get piss drunk (haha! How exciting can a 1-year old birthday party be to a non-parent?), and then headed home.

In my informal 1-day **completely biased poll according to Brian** poll, here are the results:
When is "this weekend"?
1 person said 10/17 (huh? you are strange, smitha...)
2 people said 10/20 (starts Tuesday?)
13 people said 10/23
1 person said it implies "currently in the weekend (i.e. the present)"

When is "next weekend"?
2 people said 10/23
14 people said 10/31
3 people said 10/20 (you guys are strange...)

amaranth, you have some weird dates. seriously.
butterflysneeze was the only one that said "next weekend" and "this weekend" mean the same thing.

So this was the argument Brian and I had on Friday, and I told him I'm going to poll my LJ friends, to which he rolled his eyes and **harrummpfed**, and said I'd post a biased poll in my favor and skew the results, so what's the point-- I'm just plain wrong about this.

I started with: "I can't believe Halloween is next weekend! Time's flying!"

He says, "It's not next weekend; today's Oct 19th, which means Halloween is 12 days away."

Me: Right. That's 2 weeks away, so it's next weekend.
Him: No-- "next weekend" means the next weekend that is coming.
Me: No, that's "this weekend".
Him: You can't use the phrase "this weekend" unless you're actually in the weekend.
Me: Wait, what does that mean?
Him: You say it when it's Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and when you say "this weekend" it means what's happening on the weekend that is actually occurring.
Me: So what happens when somebody says "this weekend" on a Wednesday?
Him: You tell them there's no such thing because it's a weekday! It's illogical!
Me: No it's not! So what weekend is Halloween?
Him: "Following weekend".
Me: When I say "following weekend", I mean 11/6.
Him: That's wrong.
Me: Halloween's next weekend.
Him: No, it's the following weekend.
Me: You're wrong.


And so forth.
He's going to say I paraphrased our conversation all wrong too, I'm sure. :P
(Aren't you, B?!)

In summary, I think:
"This weekend" = whatever the next weekend is, as soon as you're past Sunday, i.e. Oct 24.
"Next weekend" = the weekend that comes after this weekend (at this point, that's Halloween)

Brian thinks:
"This weekend" = only works if it's a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and refers to the present.
"Next weekend" = this upcoming weekend (the one in 2 days), i.e. Oct 24.

Post your replies as comments. I'm not going to use radio buttons so you can post unbiased answers.

Today is Wednesday, October 21.

1. What do I mean by "next weekend"? (example: If I asked "what are your plans for next weekend?", what date would that be?)

2. What do I mean by "this weekend"?

3. What do I mean by "following weekend"?


This is another Brian-Clare conflict that occurred. I'll post the story tomorrow!
(If it matters, the conversation occurred on two nights ago on Monday night).

Ahh, here's another example of my imprecise use of the English language.

I told my class that they would be taking their vocabulary quiz on the beach, and thus needed to: "bring something to write with, and something to write on."

I had 18 out of 19 students bring a writing utensil (pencil or pen), and a notebook, binder, textbook, clipboard, or some sort of hard surface.

Also keep in mind that their vocabulary quizzes, which they've taken five thus far, have always been pre-printed quizzes, ones that they have to fill in. (In other words, not the type of quiz where a teacher dictates a word and you spell it on a sheet of paper).

Katie takes the quiz, and then says: "but why did we need to bring a piece of paper?" She holds up a loose-leaf lined paper titled with her name, subject, and date.

"I didn't tell you to bring a piece of paper," I protest.

"Yes, you did," she says, equally confused, "you said to bring something to write on!"

When I was a first-year teacher, I designed worksheets that had instructions that would read: "Be sure to take the reading from the bottom of the meniscus on your graduate cylinder" and then I'd get angry when students didn't follow instructions.

I didn't realize nobody had taught them how to.

Now as a fourth-year teacher, I make sure that I say "does anybody know what a meniscus is?" and draw a picture on the whiteboard. Then I fill a graduated cylinder with water, and show it to them, and explain the properties of water that cause a meniscus to form. Then I demonstrate the proper technique for reading the values in a graduated cylinder, then call on a a student to do the same. And then everybody breaks out into groups of three and they practice with their graduated cylinders, before we even move on to the real task at hand.

That's how 13-year old mind work. You give them instructions, you model it, they try it in groups, then they try it on their own. Four years ago, I'd put a graduated cylinder in front of a student, say "read the instructions" and expect them to get it. They don't, their brains just don't work that way.


When I was first-year teacher, I'd assign students to make a line graph and a bar graph, and come home and find myself frustratedly grading 70% of graphs that were incorrectly labeled, reversed data, lacking a scale, missing a title-- I'd even get pie graphs. And I'd yell at Brian: "the instructions said MAKE A LINE GRAPH!!" I'd blame middle school teachers for not teaching them these things. I'd blame the students for not following the detailed two-page instructions I meticulously wrote out for them.

Now as a fourth-year teacher, I realize it doesn't matter whether or not their middle school teachers taught them how to make a graph. It doesn't matter if they didn't get it. It's MY JOB to teach them these skills, even if others have failed to do so before. So I take "unnecessary" time out of my scheduled lesson and review graphs. I remind them about using a ruler, and connecting the dots. I tell them about why you need to include units of measurements and what a descriptive title is (this is different than simply including a title!). Then we practice doing graphs, I collect them, I photocopy a sample of the class' work (removing their names) and pass it out to the class the next day. We sit in groups of four and I tell them to "pretend they are the teacher" and write constructive criticism on the sheet. Then we discuss it as a class and see how we can improve the graphs we looked at. Then their homework assignment is to do a graph (the real one!) and I grade it.

It takes time out of my day, but then I come home and only 10% of the students do it incorrectly. That's a big reduction in errors and so worth my time, and I'm so over placing the blame on others, whether it's their previous teachers or their failure to read instructions. The bottom line is it's a skill they need and who cares if this is something they should've learnt before high school--- it's up to me to teach it to them now.


I'm sure this is all stuff they teach you in "education programs" but since I was a lateral-entry (a.k.a. alternate education) and came straight from the sciences, where I was inundated with Ph.D. and M.S. candidates and we're all working on a very different level (the "sink or swim" mentality) than you are with high school students, it's been quite a rethinking of my teaching philosophy and what I need to do to ensure my students succeed with becoming scientific literate citizens with a strong, working knowledge of scientific skills and talents to take on the world.

The first slide of my PowerPoint lectures just display the chapter and the chapter title; i.e. it may say "Chapter 5. Climate and Biodiversity"

Then on following slides, bulleted lists, animations, graphs, charts, and so forth. However, on these slides, instead of using font size 60, I reduce it to a reasonable font size of around 35 or so.

We started a new chapter today, and the first slide came up.
In SIZE 60 FONT.

Girl yells: "Oooh! I like it big!"

Without thinking, I say: "Don't get used to it. It's not always big, so just deal and pretend you like it."

In a classroom of seniors, there is a short pause, then hilarity ensues and nobody can breathe for a minute because we're all laughing so hard.

I got to meet goovery after knowing her for 10+ years (Meece from Estronet/She-Net/ChickClick era). She's visiting from Seattle and we met up on Coney Island. We rode the Coney Island Cyclone, which is a **classic** for all rollercoaster enthusiasts. The first rides of the historic roller coaster began on June 26, 1927.

The ride made Charles Lindbergh say that, "A ride on the Cyclone is greater than flying an airplane at top speed." The Cyclone was declared a city landmark in 1988 and a National Historic Landmark in 1991. Due to lower ridership and deterioration, the last day for the Cyclone was scheduled for Sunday, Sept 20. We rode it on Saturday, the second to last day, after 80 years of history!



Then we rode the Coney Island Wonder Wheel, built in 1918, the tallest ferris wheel in the world, at 150 feet high and able to hold 144 people at once. The Wonder Wheel is unlike most ferris wheels in that it has eight stationery cars and sixteen that roll along tracks within the wheel's structure. It is the freakiest feeling to be in a ferris wheel car that ROLLS---- "AAARRGH!!" I squealed.


For lunch, we grabbed hotdogs at Nathan's, the original and the best. This is where it all started, and now they're in every U.S. state and several foreign countries. Site of the Nathan's Famous July Fourth International Eating Contest featured annually on ESPN. (Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi! C'mon, surely you guys watch this with me!)

Walked along the boardwalk (icecream... nom nom nom!) and enjoyed the sun...

I'm really enjoying this 4th year.

My first year, I was brand new to the realm of teaching, straight from the science research field, having no experience in a classroom with only brief stints as a college TA, a grad school mentor, and so forth. I had to take 200 hours of night school to obtain my teaching certification. I cried most nights from sheer exhaustion.

My second year, my principal gave me my first club advisorship. I was swamped with after-school activities, paperwork, filings, and running bi-monthly meetings. I wanted to pull my hair out after all the conferences and meetings and paperwork I had to deal with.

My third year, I had to design and teach a new course that had to be rigorous enough to impress the local college to sign a dual-enrollment agreement, whereby students enrolled in my high school class would automatically get 4 college credits. The college got a new curriculum and tuition from my students. The students got a discounted rate for college credit (and it looked good on their senior transcripts). My school got recognition for being affiliated with a college. And me? I just had lots of paperwork and curriculum design to do, all on my own (and no extra pay!)

This year, my fourth year, the college course got approved over the summer. It's my fourth year teaching Marine Biology and my second year with Environmental Science. I'm still developing new worksheets and labs, but I'm not worried about the pacing or structure.


In all years, I've taught freshmen (9th graders, i.e. 14-year olds) and seniors (12th graders, i.e. 17-year olds). At the beginning of every school year, students test their teachers boundaries. The freshmen are pretty easy to handle-- they fall into line quickly, a firm talking-to after class normally results in a tearful apology, or a phone call home resolves most issues. The seniors, on the other hand, faced with a teacher they've never had before, are defiant, stubborn, aggressive, and prideful. A curt reprimand can lead to a classwide boycott/protest, a confrontation after class can lead to defiant refusal to do work all year, and a phone call home pisses off a senior enough to make life hell for you for the rest of the year.

BUT-- this is the FIRST year I have seniors who have had me four years ago! This year has been practically blissful because I've had no issues with inappropriate dress code violations from the girls, no boys smoking in their cars, no late homework being turned in, no "oops, I didn't know I couldn't use my cell phone in class" excuses, and no nonchalant "I dont take notes" declarations (followed by loud talking with friends). All because I'm not the new teacher they are getting senior year. This group of seniors, for the first time, had me as freshmen. They know my drill, they know my attitude, they know my boundaries (e.g. chewing gum is a school rule you can break, but being late is not).

I got tenure! (Principal recommendation and a requirement of three years and one day, by school district policies).

We started on Sept 1 with two staff days. There was a guest speaker, a motivational speaker, that had some good points but I'm not sure I agree with most of it.

His first main point was this: American students need to adapt to an ever-changing world of growing technology and a global market. As technology continues to develop, emphasizing the math and sciences loses its importance. Computers, Artificial Intelligence, calculators, and software programs hold the capabilities to complete our taxes, crunch numbers, calculate trajectories and run lab tests. On the contrary, these technologies will not be able to replace the human mind's ability to be a creative, independent, unique thinker. The future lies in encouraging right-brain thinking, focusing on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity. We need to stop focusing on left-brain activities of logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy that have been typical dogmas of the education system because these ways of thinking will soon be obsolete.

I am perhaps biased because I have received two degrees in the sciences, I did a stint as a fisheries biologist, and I'm currently a high school science teacher; but in my humble opinion, while I recognize that the Arts has been largely ignored in many schools (and often the first thing cut from programs), it would be a dangerous mistake to ignore the need for logical, analytical thinkers. American students do not lead the world in math and science-- as evidenced by the constant influx and need of foreign scientists and university professors. If anything, don't we overindulge our athletes and idolize our musical artists; at least compared with mathematicians and scientists?


His second point: It is a mistake to begin a school year based on rules and expectations. What student wants to sit in a classroom listening to safety rules and grading procedures? Shouldn't students leave school on their first day saying "Wow! That was an exciting day! I can't wait for tomorrow!" and the way to achieve this is by adding "pizzazz" to your classroom. "Pizzazz" is about hooking your students with exciting ideas, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking, and slowly begin to introduce your classroom rules about two weeks into the school year. Don't hand out the term paper assignment on the first day that details how to write and cite the 10-page paper you are requesting-- is the student going to start that night? No. So wait a month, and then hand out the assignment, when they are engaged and willing to learn and know what to expect of your class.

I think "pizzazz", excitement, and enthusiasm is important for a motivational speaker, or any other instructor that is trying to engage high school students for 2 hours or one day. But have you tried "pizzazz" for 180 days? Have you tried going 2 weeks without rules? No offense to the speaker, but his background consists of getting an education degree, teaching in middle school for 10 or so years, and for the past 20 years, has worked as motivational speaker (geared at administrators, teachers, and/or students). I can deliver a very "wow, I love that speaker" talk for 2 hours to students. But I don't think those same rules apply when you need to establish appropriate roles and expectations for 180 school days.

I had tried that my first year of teaching. My only previous experience with teaching had been a college T.A. and a grad student mentor to undergraduate science projects. I went into my classroom with a "you're all awesome and I'm so glad to be here!" attitude. And then two weeks in, a student cheated on my test, and when I went to write him up, he gave me the most genuinely confused look and said "but Ms. Ng, I thought we were friends!" Friends? I certainly hadn't viewed it that way, but apparently the entire class had. I wasn't their teacher, I was their friend. They didn't think it was my place to enforce rules or tell them what to do.

Now, as a fourth year teacher, I go over safety rules for my laboratory on the first day. I make them sign it, and they have to get their parent's signature too. We go over grading procedures and how much each assignment would be worth. We rehearse fire drills and lock-downs in case of emergencies. I tell them to start reading the textbook, and read it often.

And when students ask if I'm their friend (senior already said this again, this year), I smile and say to the class: "I have many friends my own age. I don't need any that are 17 years old."