Lexicongraphers are dreamy…

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Yes, it is true.
I fancy the nerdy femme fatales.
How could you not?!

The glasses.
The nomenclature.
Their virtues as a scrabble partner…

But I digress!
This little tasty video is about words.
Beautiful words.
We all use them.
Make them.
Fear them.

But fret not!
You can control these terrifying teamings of phonemes.
You can even make up your own!

PoopleDabble.

See?!, I just made one!:
PoopleDabble = n. little lies used by “experts” to justify their expertise.  Ronald used a fair amount of PoopleDabble to justify the $1o,ooo he spent on his teaching credential.

Double dactyl, yo.

So enjoy this video from Erin McKean (more like Erin McDreamy-wink, wink)
and expand all of our vocabularies by making new vocabulary.

Word.

-Q

 

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Constitution Day Video

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A video to accompany our lovely list
of Constitution Day quotations.

Yes, I am more patriotic
than you.

I own a powdered wig.
I also have a pet bald eagle
named Jorge Washington.
And about 50 mice all named
King George III.

-Q

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The (un)American Dream: Knocking on Opportunity’s Door

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“I don’t have talent.  I have tenacity.”
Henry Rollins.
Frontman for the (in)famous punk band Black Flag.

Americana at its best!
A story of dumb luck.
And seizing opportunity by the throat.
And the marriage betweenst the two…

“[My story] is a story of a lot of luck,
but taking advantage of opportunity
& working really d@#% hard.”

Ponder this:
How would education change
if tenacity was graded in instead
of ability?

-Q

 

 

 

 

 

A Teacher Must Do: Constitution Day Quotes & Lesson Ideas

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It is true.
Carved in stone, written in law.
On Tuesday, September 17th
every educator is required
to address our most important document.

The US Constitution.
[Applause]

Yes, the classroom rules of the United States of America.

In need of lesson idears?
Below you will find a pdf of Constitution Day Quotes,
Common Core Standards addressed,
and some implementation ideas.

-Q

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Constitution Day quotes.

Constitution Day quotes.

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Suggestions
1.  Download the pdf of the quotes here and the aligned Common Core Standards here.
2.  Make copies and save the day for all the unprepared teachers.
3.  Put that poster maker to work and make a bulletin board.
4.  Research the links below and use the quotes to conduct a Socratic Seminar.
The quotes should lead your class discussion from colonial rebellion to independence to fear of new tyrannical rule to defining democracy.
5.  Encourage EVERYONE to read the Constitution.
Obvious, but rarely done.

Links
http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/the-constitution
http://www.constitutionday.com/

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Daaaaaaaw: Cutest Little Girl Laughs at Your Demise

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Let’s get one thing straight.

The End of Days will come in three forms:

 

1.  Trans fats

2.  Primary students

3.  Zombies

 

In that order.

 

Sure, you might say, “Q, how on earth can a small child be the end of civilization?!”

Believe it or not.  I dare you.

But your days of sitting on your laurels and living vicariously through reality TV are numbered, my bonbon-eating friend.

 

Case in point: This rarely seen footage of a small child showing her maniacal laugh.  Proof positive that no one in their right mind teaches kindergarten.

 

All I am saying, is buy fencing.

A lot of fencing.

And candy.

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-Q

Top 10s: Top 10 Latin Quotes

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Latin.

No better way to look smart

while confusing others.

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Watch the video above,

read the list below,

or download your own copy here.

-Q

 

Top 10 Latin Quotes

List compiled by Q.

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X.

In vino veritas.

“There is truth in wine.”

>Pliny the Elder<

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IX.

Si vis pacem, para bellum.

“If you wish for peace, prepare for war.”

>Vegetius<

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VIII.

  Bonis nocet quisquis malis perpercit.

“Whoever spares the bad injures the good.”

>Publius Syrus<

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VII.

Homines quod volunt credunt.

“Men believe what they want to.”

>Julius Cesar<

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VI.

Ne sutor supra crepidam.

“Shoemaker, not above the sandal.”

>Apelles<

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V.

Fabas indulcet fames. 


“Hunger sweetens the beans.”

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IV.

Philosophum non facit barba.

“The beard does not constitute a philosopher.”

>Plutarch<

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III.

Cineri gloria sera est.

“Glory paid to ashes comes too late.”

>Martial<

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II.

Dulce bellum inexpertis. 


“War is sweet for those who haven’t experienced it.”

>Pindaros<

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I.

Tempus edax rerum.

“Time devours all things.”

>Ovid<

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Visit us at :

www.quotationals.org

www.facebook.com/QuoteBee

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The Biknic: Working Out Your Bike, Belly, & Mind

Overview

A family memory is a unique type of memory unto itself.  Celebrations, milestones, and routines are what tie families together and play a large role in how children define family in the future.

The Biknic is a simple activity that combines working your bike, belly, and mind to build a lasting tradition.

 

 

 

 

Objectives

A.  Physical:  (1) Aerobic exercise resulting in burning off 500-1000 calories (depending on one’s rotundness); (2) Sampling of the Mediterranean Diet.

B.  Mental: (1) Defining and understanding circumference.  Specifically, its relation to linear length, diameter, and pi;  (2) Calculating distance in units of wheel rotation & solving how many times you will pedal on this trip..

C.  Familial:  (1) Developing a routine around family exercise;  (2) Bonding via food, new experiences,  biking culture, making fun of passersby, and academic discussion.

 

 

 

 

Preparation

A.  The Machine:  helmet (pedestrians and sand make it fall prone), carrying device (bike basket or backpack), lightweight fleece, charged cell phone (GPS and tunes are quit valuable), bike lights.

B.  The Body:  water, coffee (provides a needed second wind), sunscreen, whole wheat pita, hummus,  nuts, goat cheese, proscuitto, cut veggies, utensils/wet wipes.

C.  The Mind: pen, notebook, tape measure.

 

 

 

 

The Trail

A.  The trail we biked was 28 miles round trip with about 95% on a flat, bike only lane.  The other 5% connect carries you along an active street, but does have a marked bike lane.  Being new to biking and shaped like a pear, I comfortably classify this as doable.  The difficulty of this trail is simply the distance you choose to cover.  Adjust as necessary.

 

 

 

 

B.  We chose to start in Manhattan Beach and found free parking in on N. Valley & 15th Street (90266).  A good place to start is with coffee at La Pain Quotidien where you can review the map and discuss the math concepts for the day:

1.  Definitions:

  • Circumference = the distance around the outside of the wheel or circle.
  • Diameter = the distance from the top to the bottom of a circle (use the spokes of a bike to illustrate this point).
  • Pie = a tasty treat that has a diameter.
  • Pi = A special number that shows the relationship between diameter and circumference.

2.  C=3.14 D

A circle’s circumference is equal to a little over 3 diameters.  Measure the diameter of a bike wheel and then find the circumference.  You will verify this later with a math experiment.

  • C = 3.14 x Length of wheel’s diameter = ?
  • For Example,  C (26 in. wheel) = 3.14 x 26 in. = 81.64 inches or 6.8 feet.

Yes, I used a calculator.  Don’t judge.

 

 

 

 

C.  Proceed up the trail toward Santa Monica.  You will initially pass some minor annoyances like pedestrians in the bike lane, chubby beachgoers wearing swimwear from 30 pounds ago, and packs of “Bros” being overly competitive on the volleyball courts.  After the last tribal tattoo, you will hit a lonely stretch of road past a factory and planes flying overhead.  This is the 4 mile marker.  This is also a good benchmark to reevaluate whether it will be a 12 or 28 mile day.

 

D.  You will hit Marina Del Rey at the 6 mile marker where the trail will turn inland and cross a bridge.  For those families looking for an easier ride, this is a good point to stop and have lunch before turning back.  There is an ice cream truck, restaurants, and coffee spots sprinkled about this area.

 

E.  Exercising the mind.   This a good point in the journey to prove the math with a measuring experiment.  A good explanation & animation of this can be found on Wikipedia (search: circumference).

Do the following:

  • Take the wheel used earlier in calculating circumference set it on fresh sand at the point where the air valve pokes out.
  • Mark the sand here as the starting point.
  • Roll the bike one full rotation and mark the point where the spoke touches the ground the again.
  • Measure the length of this rotation.  It should be pi, or a little over 3 times the diameter of the wheel.
  • Say, “Pow! I just blew your mind [insert jazzhands] with mathmagic!”  Explain that people often use math as a shortcut to work.  That is, math is a lot like cheating.

 

 

 

 

F.  For those families looking to go on, follow the trail and other bikers to Venice.  The path wraps around some boat docks and cross Washington Blvd.  Turn left.  Follow the path to the coast whilst being wary of traffic.

 

 

 

 

G.  You will run into Venice Beach and enter a newer, slower, pedestrian-congested trail.  This is also a good spot to relax and enjoy the freak show that has made California famous.  Stand in awe of the new Vegan Muscle Beach complete with hipsters playing acoustic guitars whilst walking tightropes (no joke), hippy chicks pretending to exercise with hula hoops, and Cirque du Soleil show offs.

 

H.   Go further a couple more miles and you will reach your midway destination, Santa Monica Pier.  You have (halfway) made it!  Congrats.

This is a good spot to park the bike and walk the pier or promenade.  Food, flicks, coffee shops, and people watching abound.  Relax and replenish before the 14 mile return.

 

 

 

 

I.  Math Lesson Extension.  It is a good idea to kills some time extending the math lesson.  This will prioritize academics in your family and help the brain absorb what was taught earlier..

Review then use the following to calculate how many wheel spins make your mile bike trip:

  • Number of miles in feet = _____miles x 5280 ft.
  • Divide the answer by the circumference of your bike tire.
  • This is the number of wheel rotations you accomplished!

 

For example (if your have 26 inch wheels and rode 28 miles):

28 miles x 5280 feet = 147,840 feet traveled

147,840 divided by 6.8 feet (wheel circumference)

= 21, 741 wheel rotations.

 

J.  Enjoy.  Keep in mind that this is not about frustrating the family with math or over exercising.  Cut away what makes you feel uncomfortable.  Add more miles and math in later visits.

 

 

 

From Pupil to Poet: Growing Years in Writing Ability

Reaksmai on the Radio.

 

Enemies

by Reaksmai Phonn

10 years old

What is it about my enemies

that makes me want to hide

in a safe place?

 

I worry about my enemies.

 

What is it about my enemies

that makes me want to eat

everything in sight?

 

What is it about my enemies

that makes me want to run home

all the way?

 

What is it about my enemies

that makes me want to do anything

even my homework?

 

What is it about me

that my enemies don’t see?

 

Laying in my bed, I wonder, I pause.

 

I do not know why I worry.

I wish I understood my fear.

 

 

Reaksmai is one amazing human being. In so many ways he has the world against him.  So many struggles to overcome.  Such a tough circumstance to change.  While so many  adults complain about adulthood and responsibility, Reaksmai approaches his struggles with integrity, passion, and not one inkling of a whine.  Despite his skinny 10 year old frame, he has seen more than most of us and does more than those who are three times his age.

The above poem is the bookend to a year of prolific and fearless writing.  Reaksmai started with a “Roses are Red” adaptation and ended with the introspective piece you just read on bullies.  Perhaps we should pause to rethink that heroes sometimes come in a 70 lb frame and a wide smile.

Q