Author Archives: libbyjbaker

But seriously, what is Happening?

I once heard two people discussing how to eat a mango. One person was revealing with some enthusiasm to the other that they had just figured it out. “Just cut the cheeks off,” they exclaimed, “and then cut into them horizontally and vertically, Then pop the squares out!” I could tell by the way thatContinue reading “But seriously, what is Happening?”

Who is that talking while I’m reading?

Do you remember the excitement of the big book? I was lucky enough to have a teacher for many of my primary school years who adored books. And she read to my class often. I still remember the feeling of seeing the big book coming into the classroom. Carried in its over-sized bag. The pointer!Continue reading “Who is that talking while I’m reading?”

Can you speak socratic?

Add this to a list of nerd burger facts about me. I did debating. In high school. I’m a debater. Picture me in an over-sized blazer with a high school logo standing in front of my fellow debaters. True stamp of a nerd burger right there. I did debating not because I’m great at arguing.Continue reading “Can you speak socratic?”

Why did you say that?

I could start this post with a big reflection on all the things that have happened since I last posted. Sufficed to say there have been a few things on my “To Do” list above blogging during the last year including, getting pregnant, starting literacy consulting, beginning a research masters, changing jobs and having aContinue reading “Why did you say that?”

What are you constantly chattering about? Talking about talk.

“I’m sorry!” I whisper at my pencil case, as I accidentally zip my scissors in the zip. “Did you just talk to your pencil case?” My friend asks. I talk a lot. If you had spied my sister and I talking together it was like watching a car race. we would be talking over eachContinue reading “What are you constantly chattering about? Talking about talk.”

It’s how you begin that matters

It is the beginning of a new beginning. My New Years Eve decorations still hang above my head. The burnt remains of sparklers lie outside on the porch. The champagne bottle sits empty in the bin. It is somewhat significant that I write this post at the beginning of a new year. Beginnings are soContinue reading “It’s how you begin that matters”

When is a noun a thing?

I got a message from a friend the other day, “Libby! How are you? We are having a staff room discussion and need your help! When you are describing a noun why is there a specific order of words? Like why would you say ‘the small blue ball’ rather than ‘the blue small ball?” Yes.Continue reading “When is a noun a thing?”

Do you want some context with that?

“Chicken.” “What?” “Chicken” This was the discussion that my husband and I had tonight. My husband is sitting on the sofa watching TV and I am in the next room working on my laptop. Sufficed to say I have little, to no idea what he is talking about. Had he drifted off to sleep andContinue reading “Do you want some context with that?”

Are verbs just doing words?

If I had a dollar for every time I heard verbs being described as doing words… You get the idea. The traditional grammar language of verbs that classifies words is very restrictive. This has lead to many educators (and I will raise my hand as guilty) describe verbs in an overly simplistic way. So, isContinue reading “Are verbs just doing words?”