I first became truly aware of vaccination when I was about eleven. I’d had my standard (Ontario) childhood vaccinations, but didn’t remember them, and hadn’t actually thought about them. Then I read a story about Edward Jenner in Cricket magazine – and I never forgot it. As you may know, Jenner was the English scientist…
Tag: politics
Should Evolution Be Taught In Schools?
Sean and I had fun watching this li’l video the other day. It’s fifty-one Miss USA candidates weighing in on whether evolution should be taught in schools. It’s a good question for categorizing candidates – those who know their minds, and those who don’t. Those who, like politicians, are trying desperately to say something that…
BANG Movie Review: J. Edgar
Before last night, I did not know much about John Edgar Hoover. Then, I watched a movie all about him. Now, I don’t know whether I know a lot more about him, or a few factual things plus a bunch of delusional baloney. Here are my thoughts: We knew this was a “guy movie” before…
11 a.m., 11/11/11
I took a gamble and brought my kindergarten class to the Remembrance Day assembly today, just after 11 a.m. We had talked about it beforehand, especially the minute of silence, and I think they were excited to take the challenge. I told them I’d spoken to the principal about it, and we both believed they…
School Snippets: Student Elections and the stuff we really want from our world
The other week at my school, Grade 5s and 6s participated in hypothetical democracy: student “elections”. I put that in quotes because they don’t actually get to elect anyone – there is no student council or anything – but they get to hear speeches and platforms and read campaign signs, and then vote. One of…
PLEASE DON’T TOUCH THE KINDERGARTNERS
In the first week of school this year, I passed a kindergarten colleague in the hall with a student hanging off her arm. As we crossed paths, she said, “I’m too raw of a mommy for this job.” I totally get it. Her being a “raw mommy” means that she exudes maternalism that the kids…
September 2001
Ten years ago today, it was my first day of school at the University of Toronto. I lazily listened to the radio after the alarm went off, until a breaking story about a wayward airplane interrupted the newscast. In the living room, I turned on the television and watched the second one arrive – the…
A Tribute to Jack Layton
Today, as I write this, millions have gathered their minds together to honour you, Jack. I hope you can see them. They drew all over the square with chalk and love. They got up hours before the sun, to make sure they could come see you. They are shedding tears for you and your family…
School Snippets: BIG questions from seven-year-olds
I had an interesting discussion with my French Immersion Grade 2s yesterday – an impromptu one that I was not prepared for. We were looking at the globe and doing a little summative review – remember what continents are? What’s this line around the middle called? Where do we live? Then, one student asked how…
An Open Letter to Stephen Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper Langevin Building 80 Wellington Street Ottawa ON K1A 0A6 Dear Prime Minister, Firstly, I would like to apologize. I know I have started off on the wrong foot: I am supposed to address you as the Prime Minister of Canada, but with “Harper Government” replacing “Government of Canada”, I got confused…