Tag Archives: teaching

Dante takes Homer’s torch to the Inferno

Posted on February 9, 2011 by catbird2

Don’t think me unaware, dear readers. I know that literary history is not quite as interesting as a tale of being a foreigner or of dropping the f-bomb on my mother. But I just can’t seem to help myself. I’ve … Continue reading →

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What teachers make

Posted on February 1, 2011 by catbird2

A poem by slam poet Taylor Mali, with a little help from YouTube. I wonder how I had never heard of this guy before a week ago.      

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Last minute letter to Santa

Posted on January 6, 2011 by catbird2

Dear Santa, I have not believed in you for many years, so please forgive the hurried and inexpert tone of this letter. I am, let’s say, over 29 years old and I have been relatively good this year, if you’ll … Continue reading →

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Lost as Epic Poem, Part 2

Posted on June 11, 2010 by catbird2

Previously on my indulgences in Lost: I suggested that Lost shouldn’t be dismissed as junk television, but instead should be seen as a kind of literature that lets us live in imaginary worlds. Before that, I built half an argument … Continue reading →

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Lost as Epic Poem, Part 1

Posted on May 30, 2010 by catbird2

The comparative literature reflex kicks in as I bid farewell to my favorite television show Spoiler alert: I’ve seen the whole series and I’m not holding back My comparative literature reflex, apparently, is always on, just waiting to be activated. … Continue reading →

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Words fail

Posted on May 2, 2010 by catbird2

Being a composition teacher requires a lot of imagination. Sometimes it takes fun imagination, like inventing news lines of inquiry or challenging students’ perspectives on a story – or coming up with a quick reply to a smart-aleck question from … Continue reading →

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Control maintenance – teacher’s edition

Posted on April 25, 2010 by catbird2

Machiavelli on the hovering / empowering distinction Toward the end of a library research session with one of my lit classes this week, I caught myself making a third set of rounds among students as they leaned in to their … Continue reading →

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Oxford Comma

Posted on March 18, 2010 by catbird2

Warning: Appropriate for audiences 18 and over. Contains dirty language and graphic depiction of English grammar. Lately I’ve traded in my usual Paul Simon car-dancing songs for a Vampire Weekend tune called “Oxford Comma.” For those of you who may … Continue reading →

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