For the next two days, I will be in Kuala Lumpur. I figure - I'm here, I ought to go see that cool building from 'Entrapment.' :D
My hostel is supposedly quite near the Petronas Towers, and I am definitely looking forward to going up to that bridge thingy that links them. Anyway, I desperately need a vacation, even if it's only two days. I was feeling so irritable today that I actually yelled. Well, not really a yell, it was more shrill than that. I think it was a combination of feeling so bored I was miserable (I keep myself busy, but I don't have enough money to buy books, and their father hasn't gotten a library card yet - if he ever does - so I can't check out any books to keep my brain from going stir-crazy) plus the frustration of teaching long division. Today, 3-digit long division started, which is not significantly different than 2 -digit long division, but it was treated by my charges as something horribly new and difficult. They will probably do very well in school this fall, but these topics aren't usually even covered until the 4th grade (they're starting 4th grade this Fall). And, unlike some kids who did deserve to move ahead in math, these ones are better at English and drawing and imaginative sorts of things than math.
So, I'm looking forward to my two days of freedom from the hated cartoons and long division.
And I'm looking forward to going on the two tours I booked, one a city highlights tour, and the other a tour of some caves with nifty Hindu statues and stuff near Kuala Lumpur. I'm hoping to get some good pictures there. I am still more excited about going to Melacca in a couple of weeks, but Kuala Lumpur isn't anything to sneeze at. Updates will come shortly!
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Friday, August 03, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
BMI => Do you really look good if your mommy tells you so?
In one of my classes recently, we were talking about beauty: various definitions, personal experiences and so on. They argued that Marilyn Monroe is more beautiful than Twiggy because she's curvier (we compared two pictures, one of MM in the Seven Year Itch and one of Twiggy in a tube dress). However, most of the girls in the class are careful about what they eat. Is it unhealthy to be careful of what you eat to remain thin? We discussed the importance of the BMI - here's a table.
Height Weight Range BMI Weight Status
5’ 9” 124 lbs or less Below 18.5 Underweight
125 lbs to 168 lbs 18.5 to 24.9 Normal
169 lbs to 202 lbs 25.0 to 29.9 Overweight
203 lbs or more 30 or higher Obese
I do not remember a time in my life that I haven't been overweight. And I think these girls have never actually been overweight, yet they say that they're unhappy with their bodies and the way they look. I prefer the Marilyn Monroe look myself, but I think it takes either a very confident woman, or a naturally slender/curvy woman who doesn't watch her weight to be satisfied with that look in today's skinny obsessed world. One thing I do NOT agree with is the assumption that it is not possible to change one's weight. I may have a hard time doing so myself, but that's because I eat things I ought not to, and I don't exercise like I should, not because I have some sort of physical deficiency. People who say that it's impossible to lose weight simply haven't tackled their weight problem the right way for them to lose the weight.
Height Weight Range BMI Weight Status
5’ 9” 124 lbs or less Below 18.5 Underweight
125 lbs to 168 lbs 18.5 to 24.9 Normal
169 lbs to 202 lbs 25.0 to 29.9 Overweight
203 lbs or more 30 or higher Obese
I do not remember a time in my life that I haven't been overweight. And I think these girls have never actually been overweight, yet they say that they're unhappy with their bodies and the way they look. I prefer the Marilyn Monroe look myself, but I think it takes either a very confident woman, or a naturally slender/curvy woman who doesn't watch her weight to be satisfied with that look in today's skinny obsessed world. One thing I do NOT agree with is the assumption that it is not possible to change one's weight. I may have a hard time doing so myself, but that's because I eat things I ought not to, and I don't exercise like I should, not because I have some sort of physical deficiency. People who say that it's impossible to lose weight simply haven't tackled their weight problem the right way for them to lose the weight.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Why did the chicken cross the road?
M. and I were talking about our favorite teachers at NKHS (our high school) and why they were so great. Both of us agree that if it hadn't been for having at least one or two good teachers, we wouldn't be in the profession today. Frodel - History, Bressan - History, Driscoll - English. Driscoll was my favorite, and I base my teaching philosophy on his way of seeing the world. :) (M. wrote these answers)
Frodel: Because the chicken saw the potential to expand it's mind by crossing the threshold of uncharted territory that was the road and everything beyond it.
Driscoll: Because the chicken, in its stupidity, throwing all logic to the wind, saw all the other chickens crossing the road and followed suit like cattle, because chickens, like teenagers, are inherently stupid.
Bressan: I once saw a chicken TEN FEET TALL gun down a whole crapload of Viet Kong!! What? You don't believe me? I have the scars to prove it!!!
(p.s. Bressen wasn't actually ever in Vietnam, but he always told stories about his time there.)
I see this as competition between three different teaching styles: Frodel tried to expand the minds of his students because everything was so interesting to him that his enthusiasm for his subject was contagious; Driscoll thought all students were dumb and didn't hesitate to tell them what he thought of their 'we just want to get an A' philosophy; and Bressan was the kind of person who would just say crazy stuff and then see if you'd actually believe it. All of them were successful in challenging the idea that school is for grades, and that knowledge is only useful to pass tests. They made teaching something relevant, and they made us care. It's teachers like these that prevent the American public school system from completely imploding.
Frodel: Because the chicken saw the potential to expand it's mind by crossing the threshold of uncharted territory that was the road and everything beyond it.
Driscoll: Because the chicken, in its stupidity, throwing all logic to the wind, saw all the other chickens crossing the road and followed suit like cattle, because chickens, like teenagers, are inherently stupid.
Bressan: I once saw a chicken TEN FEET TALL gun down a whole crapload of Viet Kong!! What? You don't believe me? I have the scars to prove it!!!
(p.s. Bressen wasn't actually ever in Vietnam, but he always told stories about his time there.)
I see this as competition between three different teaching styles: Frodel tried to expand the minds of his students because everything was so interesting to him that his enthusiasm for his subject was contagious; Driscoll thought all students were dumb and didn't hesitate to tell them what he thought of their 'we just want to get an A' philosophy; and Bressan was the kind of person who would just say crazy stuff and then see if you'd actually believe it. All of them were successful in challenging the idea that school is for grades, and that knowledge is only useful to pass tests. They made teaching something relevant, and they made us care. It's teachers like these that prevent the American public school system from completely imploding.
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