I just finished Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Even Ms. Austen said that it is not as interesting as Pride and Prejudice, and I agree. I did, however, enjoy reading it. It is a love story with a large cast of characters. All of these characters have romantic interactions and love triangles. In fact it could be described as one big love septagon. Toward the end there is a major plot twist, and some characters have a happy ending.
I feel that this would be a more enjoyable book if the main character were more likeable. Fanny is a young lady who comes from a poor home, but is raised by her rich aunt and uncle. She is perfectly grateful and well-mannered. She is moral, reliable and smart enough. But she has none of the wit or human flaws of an Elizabeth Bennet.
So, if you loved Pride and Prejudice, read Mansfield Park. You'll probably enjoy it, but don't expect to be blown away. If you didn't like P&P, you won't like this book. If you haven't read P&P, go read that!
I'm not sure which Classic novel to read next. If there are any that you recommend, or if there's something you've been interested in, but want me to find out if it's any good first, comment or email me your suggestions.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
44¢ a pack
In an earlier post, I described our district's push on academic vocabulary this year. When the assistant superintendant visited our site to give us the mandated list, she mentioned that any materials we would need for academic vocabulary instruction would be provided for us. We were directed to submit requests to our department chairs, who would compile a list and submit that to our principal, who would compile those into one master list for our site and forward it to the assistant superintendant.
All I really wanted were some index cads. I had already purchased a few packs to get me started and envelopes for my students to keep their cards in (with my own money). I had actually expected that I would be responsible for supplying them for all my students for the whole year. I was excited to hear that the district would provide some for me. So, I calculated how many total index cards I would need and sent my request to my department chair.
Two weeks later, I hadn't heard a thing about it from anyone. I asked my department chair if she had sent the request to the principal, and she said that she had, but had heard nothing about it either.
Two weeks after that at a department meeting, we realized that none of us had yet recieved any of the requested materials, and the department chair said that she would ask the principal about it.
Two weeks after that, I was called in for a meeting with the principal regarding my yearly evaluation. Before I left, he asked if there was anything I needed. I asked if he had heard anything about our vocabulary supplies. He said that he had sent all of the requests to the assistant superintendant but had not heard back from her about it. He offered to purchase some index cards for me as he was already sending in an order to Office Depot and said they should arrive in two to three days.
Over a week has gone by since the last discussion, and still I have heard nothing and recieved nothing. Today, I sawthe principal in the workroom, so I asked if my index cards had arrived yet. He responded, "Oh, I hope I didn't give those to another teacher." He said that he would order me some more right away, and they'll probably be here in two to three days. We will see.
In the meantime, I am comletely out of index cards. I have purchased multiple packs, three times. I borrowed two packs from another teacher the last time I ran out. I could just buy enough to last me the year and request reimbursment, but Im still waiting on a check for highlighters I bought the week before school started.
I truly believe that everyone involved in this is well meaning. They want to help us be good teachers. They are just so disorganized as to be totally ineffectual in that goal.
All I really wanted were some index cads. I had already purchased a few packs to get me started and envelopes for my students to keep their cards in (with my own money). I had actually expected that I would be responsible for supplying them for all my students for the whole year. I was excited to hear that the district would provide some for me. So, I calculated how many total index cards I would need and sent my request to my department chair.
Two weeks later, I hadn't heard a thing about it from anyone. I asked my department chair if she had sent the request to the principal, and she said that she had, but had heard nothing about it either.
Two weeks after that at a department meeting, we realized that none of us had yet recieved any of the requested materials, and the department chair said that she would ask the principal about it.
Two weeks after that, I was called in for a meeting with the principal regarding my yearly evaluation. Before I left, he asked if there was anything I needed. I asked if he had heard anything about our vocabulary supplies. He said that he had sent all of the requests to the assistant superintendant but had not heard back from her about it. He offered to purchase some index cards for me as he was already sending in an order to Office Depot and said they should arrive in two to three days.
Over a week has gone by since the last discussion, and still I have heard nothing and recieved nothing. Today, I sawthe principal in the workroom, so I asked if my index cards had arrived yet. He responded, "Oh, I hope I didn't give those to another teacher." He said that he would order me some more right away, and they'll probably be here in two to three days. We will see.
In the meantime, I am comletely out of index cards. I have purchased multiple packs, three times. I borrowed two packs from another teacher the last time I ran out. I could just buy enough to last me the year and request reimbursment, but Im still waiting on a check for highlighters I bought the week before school started.
I truly believe that everyone involved in this is well meaning. They want to help us be good teachers. They are just so disorganized as to be totally ineffectual in that goal.
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