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Pandemic Pivot: Binge Reading

Forget about Netflix, How About Binge Reading? Most people have heard the term Netflix binge-watching, no doubt, many people turned to streaming and other distracting measures as a means of solace once COVID-19 hit. Some took up baking, others turned to arts and crafts, and still others, or maybe just me, turned to my favoriteContinue reading “Pandemic Pivot: Binge Reading”

Lane’s Recs 2

Book cover for "The Dispossessed" by Ursula K. Le Guin. The image shows a lone figure (right) standing on a barren stretch of land, looking towards a rising or setting planet in the background, which has a glint of light peeking around its edge, presumably the sun behind it. At the top, text reads, "Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards, The World Fantasy Award, and the National Book Award." At the bottom of the cover white text reads, "An astonishing tale of one man's search for utopia."

I don’t always read science fiction (or even particularly enjoy the genre), but I will say that I enjoy The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin, which is incidentally my first experience with Le Guin. I thought the novel would be incredibly daunting, yet it’s proven to be an incredibly interesting and fun read, andContinue reading “Lane’s Recs 2”

Back to School: Teacher Perspectives No. 2

Line drawings on a blue-lined yellow paper background. Various sketches include: a globe; a whiteboard with the equation e = mc squared; a treble clef; an apple; a soccer ball; musical notes; books; depiction an atom; the comedy and tragedy masks; paintbrushes; a computer mouse; a curved pencil writing 1 +1 equals; the numbers 1, 2, 3; and the letters A, B, C. Source: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/blog/visual-timetables-all-ages

I was disenchanted about heading back to school and what that might mean for me. I teach at the secondary level, and the question about whether kids will be returning or should be is always on my mind. Despite my being initially disgruntled about having to report to campus when all could be accomplished atContinue reading “Back to School: Teacher Perspectives No. 2”

Back to School: Teacher Perspectives No. 1

This 2020-2021 school year has certainly gotten off to an interesting start so far. This pandemic has made everything feel so strange and different. No matter how many years of experience you have behind you, virtual teaching has become a learning process for every teacher. I discussed this with a coworker and we both agreedContinue reading “Back to School: Teacher Perspectives No. 1”

On My Bookshelf: Community Recs No. 3

I really enjoyed reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho because the story is more than just turning lead into gold. This story describes the adventure of a shepherd who finds his treasure, but gains infinitely more than a chest of jewels. The storyline itself is simple. A shepherd from Spain named Santiago goes on aContinue reading “On My Bookshelf: Community Recs No. 3”

Opinion: Free Speech Versus Hate Speech

A row of colorful cut-out figures under five floating speech bubbles. From left to right, they are colored: yellow, red, pink, light blue, orange, and dark blue. The bubbles, from left to right, are: pink, light blue, yellow, red, and orange. Source: https://www.bcse.org/lets-talk-talanoa-how-clean-energy-can-power-ambition/

How do we have both social unity and diversity of ideas without protecting hate speech?

Pandemic Pivot: The Disillusioned

Classical painting: The Disillusioned Medea by Paulus Bor. It depicts a young woman leaning her head on her hand, her elbow propped against a table. She stares distantly, face expressionless.

Now that online classes have begun, I’ve realized why getting an education in a university setting has always appealed to me: education is a collaborative social process.

Creator Interview: David Wesley

A screencap from the video "The Solid Rock." Centered is an ASL interpreter in a light purple shirt. Above and below are five horizontally scrolling singers, each wearing a shirt color corresponding to their part (see video alt text). In the background is a mosaic of singers and interpreters.

David Wesley was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. He is a father of 3 boys and works as a registered nurse. When he is able to spare the time, Wesley dedicates hours of work to his projects such as virtual choirs. As per our commitment to accessibility, we recognize the talents and efforts ofContinue reading “Creator Interview: David Wesley”

On My Bookshelf: Community Recs No. 2

Book cover for Transfer. The background is a gray cloudy sky, with a hot pink paper clothing pricetag bisecting from the left. In black text the title reads Transfer. In white text along the right edge, read from the bottom corner up to the tag, is "Poems by Naomi Shihab Nye."

Voices for a More Perfect Union: Thoughts on Transfer by Naomi Shihab Nye. BOA Editions, Ltd. 2011 I don’t know about you, but I have found myself picking up one book, starting, setting it down, picking up another, starting, going back to the first book, starting a third, going back to the second and soContinue reading “On My Bookshelf: Community Recs No. 2”

Lane’s Recs 1

Book cover. The background is an oil painting of an open glass jar of honey sitting on a bright windowsill, a single bee trying to get at it from the other side of the window. The label on the jar appears to be a holy figure, haloed with golden light and one hand uplifted. In a yellow decorative bubble above the jar is the title: "The Secret Life of Bees: a novel." In a light blue bar across the bottom in black text is the author's name: Sue Monk Kidd.

Now, full disclosure, I haven’t finished this book–but it’s so damn good that I’m going to recommend it anyways. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve been trying to read books that I’ve wanted to read for a while, like Pachinko, books that I had started and hadn’t finished, like Amerika by Franz Kafka, andContinue reading “Lane’s Recs 1”