Posts Tagged ‘teacher’
Why Bullshitted Papers are Underrated
Why Bullshitted Papers are Underrated By Sara Codair It’s the last day of class before finals. While some students have their notebooks and netbooks open, ready to take notes, others are glancing at their phone, counting down the minutes until I give them permission to leave. They’re all exhausted. Most have been working all day,…
Read MoreNo Back to School Blues
For many childless adults, the idea of having summers off and going “back to school” in the fall is a distant memory. However, for those of us who haven’t spent much time working in the illusion known as the “real word,” summers off, or at least a off from our regular job, is a very…
Read MoreFramed by Flash:Eliminate Fluff and Teach Transfer
As the summer rolls on, it gets closer to time when us teachers need to start thinking about the start of the next semester. Here are some thoughts on how to use Flash Fiction and Flash CNF in your classroom. Framed by Flash: Eliminate Fluff and Teach Transfer By Sara Codair Flash fiction and micro…
Read MoreFour Lessons About the Writing Process I Didn’t Believe Until I Started Teaching
“I’ve spent like, a total of 12 hours on this essay and my instructor wants me to revise it again! This is the third draft! It has to be good!” -anonymous student Four Lessons About the Writing Process I Didn’t Believe Until I Started Teaching By Sara Codair As a professional tutor working in a busy…
Read MoreFlying Mouse-Squirrel-Bird Thing
When I decide to write a flash story after spending the day grading papers, I end up writing stories inspired by cat toys. “Flying mouse-squirrel-bird Thing” is one of those. My cat has this crinkly, furry toy that is flattened like a flying squirrel but with the face and coloring of a mouse. It has strings dangling…
Read MoreEnd Elitist Information, Democratize Academia
I find it terrifying when I realize that scientist and the media are playing a game of virtual telephone with information.
Read MoreFinals Week and Chicken Soup
As the semester comes to an end, it can be hard to remember to eat at all, let alone eat healthy. This was true for me when I was a student, and still is true now that I am a teacher. Since women cannot survive on chocolate alone (though we often want to), I believe…
Read MoreThe Magic of Tuesday Acceptance Letters
Tuesdays are the best and worst day of my week. I leave the house at 8:30 a.m. and don’t get home until 9:30 p.m. I tutor all day and teach at night, ending the day with my favorite group of students. By the time I get home, I’m exhausted, hungry, and off-the-wall hyper. This Tuesday,…
Read MoreWrite What You Know (or not).
I used to just write what I understood. Now, I go out of my way to write what I don’t.
Read MoreA Fun Run for the Developing Writer’s Brain
Creative Writing exercises are my favorite thing to do in class. However, I used to think there wasn’t room for them in a first year writing class. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Teaching any kind of writing without creative exercises is like a coach who doesn’t encourage his or her athletes to run or…
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