%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |   So playing the trombone wasn't getting me in enough trouble? |
| I need someplace to write down the often confusing thoughts that enter my mind, while my stories give voice to the characters that wander through periodically, this is the place for my voice. Join me if you wish, comment if you wish, all are welcomed and appreciated. |
| Exactly what is a Teachable Moment? "The concept was popularized by Robert Havighurst in his 1952 book, "Human Development and Education". In the context of education theory, Havighurst explained, "A developmental task is a task which is learned at a specific point and which makes achievement of succeeding tasks possible. When the timing is right, the ability to learn a particular task will be possible. This is referred to as a 'teachable moment.' It is important to keep in mind that unless the time is right, learning will not occur. Hence, it is important to repeat important points whenever possible so that when a student's teachable moment occurs, s/he can benefit from the knowledge."[1] The concept pre-dates Havighurst's book, as does use of the phrase,[2] but he is credited with popularizing it.[3] The phrase sometimes denotes not a developmental stage, but rather "that moment when a unique, high interest situation arises that lends itself to discussion of a particular topic."[4] It implies "personal engagement" with issues and problems.[5] These moments can (and often do) come when least expected. Teachers and parents alike can benefit from use of teachable moments." Wikipedia  Educators tend to expand that definition to things that can be taught along with and in addition to the material presented. Take for example a Music History lesson involving Minstral Shows ; A horribly racist precursor of vaudeville and the musical comedy form.Its portrayal of blacks, mostly done by white performers featured in black face, would by today's standards be deemed extremely offensive — rightfully so. But, as noted above, it is an important (yet flawed) piece of music history. As racist and offensive as it is by today's standards it reflected the status quo of its era. It has direct ties to the vaudevillian concept of entertainment and if one seeks out the musical comedy form, one can see direct correlations. What's a teacher to do? The choices are; Ignore the form, it is racist, it is offensive, and should be erased from music history. Teach the form, and seize the teachable moment. Teaching not only the importance of the form and its place in music history but the inherent racism of the form and its time period. The latter is what good teachers do, covering all the material, not just the shiny parts, include the gritty darkness. And, that's why I vehemently oppose removing songs or forms from the repertoire. It is also why I oppose removing books from publication. It's our job to use every tool available to educate and enlighten our students, sometimes those tools are mean, racist, and offensive. Let us do our jobs — Uncensored! Removing Geisel's early works from publication served no purpose other than to appease and placate some sensibilities — we missed a teachable moment. Which books are next? Clemens for its racist portrayals? Perhaps Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"? Which by the way have or were banned by some schools and libraries. Where is the line drawn? Should Wagner's operas be banned? Based on the fact that they instilled a sense of Nationalism? If so what about the Country Western tune "I'm Proud To Be An American"? Again, where is the boundary? Or do we just use the tools to educate? |
| The world is on fire. The level of destruction is unparalleled and growing daily. It isn't restricted to a single region, country, or continent. And, whether you chose to acknowledge it or not, it affects us all. No matter what the actual spark, it's hard not to point out the main causes are man-made. What are we doing to ourselves? Smoke At The Northpole The link above and this "Invalid Item" moved me into a very dark/sad mood/place. Sorry to share, but sometimes I just don't understand — Us.I think I'm eating ice cream for lunch today. |
In Local News, Here On Sunny Long Island; Comes the story of a lonely bull. No, Not That Bull!?! I'm talking about a real live escaped bull on the loose. Apparently, this handsome fellow escaped earlier this week —  And has been on the lamb ever since. The strangest part of the whole story is that this isn't the first time a bovine has escaped under similar circumstances. This exact thing happened around this time last year. You can read a bit about this year's run-away bull here: A Plan To Lure 'Mastic Bull' Out Of Nature Preserve To me, this looks like a job for ♥Hooves♥ !!! The good news is that when he's finally recaptured he's going to a Bullish Retirement Community, rather than being sacrificed or slaughtered.   |
| A previous blog entry talks about the Regents/Final Exam for a class I teach "So before I embark on Andre's Cruise ---" The Pertinent Excerpt; "Then, there's the Regents Exam. Every year my Music Theory 2 section has to take a Regents instead of a final exam. For this, they get Regents Credit in Music and can claim that's their quasi High School Major Sequence. The Regents offered by the state do not cover nearly all that my kids have learned, so every year I have to create and submit my own Regents for approval. It always consists of seventy true/false, multiple-choice questions, and a thirty-point creative question. This year the reviewer thought my thirty-pointer was "too hard" and would result in too many kids failing. Aside from the fact that she doesn't know the kids, does she really think I'd set them up to fail? We arrived at a compromise — I created another much easier thirty-pointer, but I am allowed to include both on the final. We have a bet on which option my kids are going to take, she is so gonna lose!" The results are in and somebody owes me an ice cream sundae the next time she's on Long Island for a NYSSMA Solo Festival! 21 of 23 students chose the harder, more creative option 10 of the 21 students received full credit (30 Points) 6 of the 21 students received 28 points for a minor error 5 of the 21 students received 25 points for multiple minor errors Just to be fair I faxed all of the results of the question (minus student names) to her so she could check the results. Her reply; "Yes you win — but you grade too tough."  ...I'm only the trombone player! |
| First, let me say; There is NOTHING more disconcerting than to be notified, via Notifications that you have been mentioned in a blog comment and to go look for that comment only to find it was deleted, doesn't exist, and isn't there for you to read, learn from or answer. Of course, before looking for the comment in question one (at least this one) reads the original blog posting. Read it several times as a matter of fact. Then I read through all of the comments, only to be confused by not seeing myself mentioned. The confusion gives way to a sort of enlightenment, when, after reading the blog post and accompanying comments you realize that many of the points in the Blogger's post pertain in many ways to YOU! WHELP! Guilty as charged on ALL COUNTS! And Proud Of It. No, I don't write or review nearly enough, this has been a weird and whacky year. Covid created nightmares for everyone, especially educators, who in a few short weeks had to relearn how to teach. Toss into that a rolling loss of personal, the need to take on additional responsibilities and it's no wonder that I turned to just PLAYING on WdC. I'd apologize for that, but personally, I don't think I need to. Yes, I have PURCHASED many of the Merit Badges I own. TOUGH! Most of them were bought during a member's fundraising for a worthwhile activity on WdC, or for an activity I took part in and benefited from. GET OVER IT! Yes, I have PURCHASED online currency. With it; I either sponsored my own activities, supported other WdC members activities, purchased membership upgrades for deserving veteran and new members, purchased Merit Badges for groups and members who deserved them, and had Merit Badges created for groups that needed them. YOU CAN GET OVER THAT TOO! No, I don't always answer Blog comments, for various reasons. Sometimes the comment doesn't invite an answer. Sometimes the comment makes an assumption or misconstrues the point I'm making. Rather than start a Facebook-style DEBATE, that ends in stupidity, I just let it go. If you have a particular question as to why I didn't reply to a comment you made, either to my blog, the Newsfeed or anywhere else, let me know. I also make it a point to respond to all Reviews with a succinct Thank You, a carryover from my solo festival audition days, the Kick The Waste Paper Basket When Your Alone Philosophy. And yeah, the same people always win the contests, even the ones I enter. Maybe because they are the superior writers? It's not hard to be a better writer than me!! Short Point? If I'm doing something wrong, Tell Me! I'm pretty thick-skinned (you'll never see me kick the waste basket. After all; I've been told to throw my Trombone under a passing bus. Been fired by Bobby Rydell, we looked too young — Bobby never heard us play. Been told my ellipses were wrong...both ... versions. I can probably handle whatever you have to say. Thanks!! |
| It's been a crazy start to June! It all started when I lost a day or rather tried to do the same day twice, thankfully Lilli 🧿 ☕ was quick to rush coffee and cookies my way and got me back on track! On the job front, the school year is winding down. Instrumental music lessons have stopped so that we aren't pulling kids out of class during review weeks. My two Music Theory sections are in review for Regents Final in Music Theory 2 and Independent Study for Theory One, working on their final project. As of this morning, all of the Director/Chairpeople positions have been filled, we are now filling the openings at the teaching level we created filling the supervisory jobs. I am happy to say that for three out of four of the supervisory jobs we stayed in house, only the Librarian Technology position is a new to the district hire. Today formal offers will go out to the six regular positions, after that I can put this task to bed. It has been decided that we are having a full scale graduation, limiting only audience size to four attendees per graduate. Because of continued state mandates, masks will be required, there is already push-back. Not my problem. I'm just the trombone player in charge of the tunes, on that note, I will be conducting both the band and choir for this year's ceremony in honor of my pending retirement. As for retirement, in 23 days, I'm a free man. Which is weird to contemplate. I am looking forward to more of this; ...I'm only the trombone player! |
| It all started on Cozumel — at least what I can remember of it did. Cozumel itself had been fantastic, the tour and climb of the Mayan ruins at Coba. Ziplining over the beautiful crystal lagune, though for the life of me, I can't figure out how Andre managed to zipline back uphill to do it three times. Rappeling into, swimming, and snorkeling in the cenote was a lot of fun. Of course, Andre had to show off while we rappelled down, but I got him back when I put his swimmy's on him before he'd get in the water.Best of all, though, was the extraordinary special visit we had to the Monkey Sanctuary in Punta Laguna. We got to meet many of Andre's little cousins and spent the day getting to know them. The visit ended much too soon, and it was time to board the chopper and head back to the boat. We cracked open a bottle (or two) of tequila that Andre's buddies had given us, polishing them off before we descended onto the boat, that was already heading out to sea. Captain Cedric was not happy with our rappelling onto his bridge, particularly since Andre insisted on wearing an eye patch and shouting, "Arrrr! We be boarding this wallowing tub ye scurvy vermin!" Cedric quickly ushered us off the bridge, leading us in a chorus of "What Do You Do With A Drunken Monkey," which sounded familiar; I couldn't quite place the tune — We both showered away the day and took naps, waking up just in time to don our tuxes for formal night — this is where it gets fuzzy. The rest of these recollections are pieced together from my addled memory and accounts of my fellow cruise passengers. Just like any event involving Andre, there were copious amounts of spirits involved, among them, more tequila, some excellent rum, an outstanding Honey Mead — and don't forget the cigars! The maître d'hôtel rolled his eyes repeatedly as we first pushed tables aside to dance to the mariachi band. He fainted when we finally succumbed to just dancing on them! Captain Cedric revived him, only to have him pass out once more when Andre and a certain someone began to swing from chandelier to chandelier. I remember playing trumpet with the band and winning a bet (somebody owes me a drink — lemonade will be just fine, thank you!). That's about it. That's my last unclear memory until I woke up bobbing around in a lifeboat towed behind the ship. Andre was leaning over one side, chumming but not fishing, while I leaned over the other, doing the same. When Captain Cedric finally let us both back aboard the ship, we spent the remainder of the cruise in the infirmary. Lilli 🧿 ☕ and Brother Nature had the "Invalid Item" staff physician flown in to care for us, that worthy doctor felt the need to further consult a specialist to aid in our cure. We are both fine now.BUT! Andre just took a pass on a rum and coke, and we may have learned our lesson for a bit. I'll get back to you on that.   ...I'm only the trombone player! |
| I woke up to a blood-curdling Monkey Scream at 5 AM this morning. By the time I was out of bed and put my glasses on, Andre had barricaded himself into our bathroom. He had gotten up early and decided to research our next destination Cozumel, Mexico. Unfortunately he found this thread on Trip Advisor – Monkeys . It was this entry from the thread that had agitated Andre; 9. Re: Monkeys ~ 8 years ago “There used to be monkeys and parrots but boa constrictors were introduced by a European film crew that released the snakes after filming and it wiped out the population of both. i've been told people are seeing parrots again but can't verify that myself.” There was no way I was getting this Monkey off the boat and into port in Cozumel! Thinking fast and without coffee, I looked for some alternatives. Luckily I found this; COBA & MONKEY SANCTUARY "This is an exciting adventure like no other in Cozumel or the Riviera Maya. You'll explore the ancient Mayan Ruins of Coba, swim in a cenote, and visit the monkey preserve of Punta Laguna, where you can see spider monkeys and howler monkeys swinging from the treetops, and if you're quiet, maybe even coming up close for a curious look. A true ecological adventure!" Now, this was right up Andre’s alley. Usually this tour isn’t available to cruise passengers because of the travel time involved, but when you’re traveling with Andre, things have a way of working out. It took a bit of coaxing, (fresh banana muffins and an uncorked bottle of Patron Cafe XO), but I got Andre out of the bathroom. I let him read the itinerary for the tour. He jumped for joy when he read about the Monkey Sanctuary.. Knowing time was short Andre placed an immediate call and summoned the Chihuahua's and the chopper, before we were even docked we heard the whirlybirds buzz past the ship. We made it off the boat and were at the pad lickity-split. It was a short chopper ride to the start of the excursion, we gave the Chihuahua's the morning off so they could visit relatives. When we got to the Sanctuary, everybody on the bus was wondering if we'd see Monkeys? (Totally missing the fact that Andre was sitting in the back of the bus already.) Andre just smiled a knowing little grin. At the first stop he got off the bus, chattered a bit, and we were surrounded by tribe of monkeys, all of them appeared to know Andre. Apparently he's famous in the Monkey Business World, and quite well liked. We spent a while among the tribe, took pictures and there were some tears of happiness as we parted. We made it back in plenty of time, Andre is taking a little nap before formal night. We did tried our tuxes on, I got a picture of Andre in his! See everybody at dinner.  ...I'm only the trombone player! |
| I woke up to the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Opening one cautious eye, I checked to make sure Lilli wasn’t sneaking around playing pranks on the passengers. Much to my surprise, Andre was up and about, all chipper and eager to go. He had even ordered breakfast for us. MAN! Those banana pancakes were yummy! Some great coffee and PINEAPPLE RUM PUNCH MIMOSAS to wash them down. We ate breakfast on the balcony, where we watched Captain Cedric skillfully pilot the ship into the dock at Key West. Andre was eager to be among the first people to disembark, so we hurried down to the gangplank — but, not before stopping to get a round of Mimosas to go. Andre made sure I tipped the barkeep heavily; this was a perk we intended to take full advantage of for the rest of the cruise. Andre was in a hurry. He was looking forward to meeting Key West’s famous Gypsy Chickens. Andre had heard quite a bit about them, their history, and the special status the chickens held on the Island. He was very excited to meet them and immediately made a date with several of them for lunch at the Banana Café. The chickens were quite taken with Andre and gave us a guided tour of the hotspots in Key West — including the best place to take a dust bath.We had a great time in Key West, and there were so many places to find great drinks that we almost didn’t want to head back to the boat! We finally did, making it by the less than a banana peel to spare. There was quite a to-do when one of the roosters tried to board with us! It seemed like quite the problem until he whipped out a guitar and started strummin’ and singin’. Captain Cedric hired him on the spot, Elvis the rooster, will be performing in the main lounge tonight!  |
I arrived at the ship in plenty of time to make the boarding call, in fact, for my taste it was a bit too early. The three stooges partners in crime very fine muses (There are you three ok with that? who pester instigate trouble lead me down a righteous path decided to make sure I made the boat. They claim I have been cranky, irritable, and "no fun whatsoever lately". So at precisely 4:51 AM this morning a Police Helicopter began orbiting my bedroom, the down-wash from its whirling blades blowing the bedding off me. As if that wasn't enough, it periodically flashed a searchlight on the windows, presumably to aid its landing. (Yeah, this part is True, now back to your usually scheduled fiction!) Turns out though it wasn't a police chopper, I realized that when six chihuahuas repelled into my bedroom, rolled me out of bed and onto a basket that hauled me aboard the chopper. My luggage, a five-gallon pail of sunscreen (chubby little bald guys have got to be careful), a trombone, and two cases of assorted liquor were hauled up after me. A quick chopper chopper ride to Republic Airport and me and all my stuff was bundled onto an ancient looking biplane. I was mighty shocked to see the pilot was a cigar smoking monkey — I didn't know Monkeys smoked cigars! All in all it was a very smooth flight, not counting the barrel rolls and immelmann loops. Once we landed I was whisked away via a dog cart, drawn by yet another team of chihuahuas. (We must have a million little fellas on the payroll) The trip to the cruise ship was fast and comfortable, if a bit Yippie~Yappie. I was met at dockside by our erstwhile Captain, who led me up the gangplank, bending to pickup a tiny umbrella, the Captain grimaced and said, "You'll be rooming with Andre," pointing out a trail of similar umbrellas leading further into the ship, "I don't think you'll have trouble finding your cabin." I found the cabin easily — and a passed out monkey sleeping on the balcony. I woke him slowly by waving a fresh Mojito under his nose. He perked up right away, suggesting we go exploring. I – AyeYiYi never realized there were that many bars on a Smooze Crip – errrr – I mean Cruise Ship! Hey! Di...did you guys know Andre schnores (hic) snores I mean — Nighty Night All!! P.S. I almost gorfot, I t-took a picture of the pilot. Wanna share it with ya...  |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
Credit is delaying the pain unless one pays it off every month. I don't buy what I can't afford. I don't go into debt. I live well by living well within my means. 
