We farewelled a great lady from our family last month. As family members and friends reflected on her life and legacy, one common thread emerged. In the trail of her walk through life, she left a legacy of readers. And as far as legacies go, I think this might be one worth appreciating, because makingContinue reading “Who made you a reader?”
Tag Archives: education
Do you know what you are buying?
During one frosty Canberra Winter, my husband and I developed an addiction to instant chocolate self-saucing puddings. You know the ones I mean, you stick them in the microwave for a minute or so, and they come out warm with a rich fudgy sauce. One day after work, I rushed into the shop to purchaseContinue reading “Do you know what you are buying?”
What’s the point of form if it doesn’t function?
I don’t keep my love of the Swedish theme park, IKEA, a secret. I love milling through fake rooms, imagining how my big family could fit into small spaces. I love a Swedish meatball and that Dime cake as much as (or even more) than the next person. I know that many do not likeContinue reading “What’s the point of form if it doesn’t function?”
Dear New Grad
I was recently reminded that it has been over a decade since I graduated teaching. I’m what you would call “young-minded” and always conveniently forget that I’m not 24 anymore. You think for someone who is about to have her third baby (yahoo!) that I would have started realising my age. So, I’m starting toContinue reading “Dear New Grad”
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”
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?”
Where to now? Functional grammar in the classroom.
I struggled at writing “correctly” in school. I loved writing, but I struggled with the editorial skills of punctuation, paragraphing and spelling. I remember writing a speech one day (Yep, you better believe it, I was in the debating team! First speaker rocks!), and I recall the freedom that came from writing a text thatContinue reading “Where to now? Functional grammar in the classroom.”