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I’m Back!

Posted on: Thursday, November 13th, 2008 in: Announcements, Journal

Sorry about that huge delay in the posting, folks. I haven’t been able to post for quite a while! 
Ummmm….
er…..
awkward…..
If you are one of my friends at Byrd, could you comment here? Discussion topics? Anything? 
How ’bout them Cowboys?
…..

Nickeled and Dimed

Posted on: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 in: Journal, Thoughts on public matters

I once saw this ad for Southwest Airlines in which the guy on the airplane has to pay to use the restroom, pay to recline the chair, pay to use the overhead storage… etc., etc., etc. But what’s surprising is that that is sort of true nowadays. American Airlines is charging little fees (or big [...]

WooHoo!

Posted on: Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 in: Announcements, Journal

The Byrd Symphonic 1 Band (of which I am a member) recently competed in the Beach Within Reach band contest, and I am elated to say that we won the Grand Champion prize, meaning that out of every single band that the judges heard, we were the BEST!!! (And man, that trophy was huge!)
Our pieces were: March from Matinees [...]

TAKS Commentary, Part Four: Texas History Benchmark

Posted on: Friday, May 2nd, 2008 in: Journal

The last one was the absolute worst. The test itself was easy, but very shoddily put together. It looked like someone had just gone and cut-pasted it together. (This isn’t a state test, mind you, the district made it.)
There was nothing to do after the test, as usual. 
I really should be glad to not be dead of boredom. [...]

TAKS Commentary, Part Three: Science Benchmark

Posted on: Thursday, May 1st, 2008 in: Journal

This was the worst, as it was the quickest to be completed. We were sitting there for hours on end, not being able to talk (the 8th graders were taking their real tests), and by the time we left for fifth period, we were ready to explode with pure energy.
…I really don’t get the kind [...]

TAKS Commentary, Part Two: Reading

Posted on: Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 in: Journal

Same deal as with the math portion… frustratingly boring, but really easy. I finished early, so I dawdled a bit before turning it in so it wouldn’t look like I rushed. The questions were so easy, that I could have just done a quick scan of all the passages, and answered all of the questions right off [...]

TAKS Commentary, Part One: Mathematics

Posted on: Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 in: Journal, Series

Today, we took the math portion of the TAKS tests. It was very easy, and most of the questions I could do in my head. (I’m not speaking for all people, just myself!) The worst part of it, though, was not the test itself, but what to do afterwards. The only two things the state [...]

TAKS Time Is Upon Us!!! (hordes of screaming people run away)

Posted on: Saturday, April 26th, 2008 in: Journal

It’s that time again… In four days (from the date posted), the TAKS Math and Reading Tests will take place at schools across Texas. Now, I’ve already discussed the non-usefulness of TAKS (see post here) but still, I highly doubt that many students are looking forward to 4+ hours virtually chained to their desks. Wish everyone [...]

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted on: Monday, March 17th, 2008 in: Announcements, Journal, Uncategorized

Things to do on St. Patrick’s Day (do these in order):

Wear green.
Eat green eggs and ham.
Pinch someone who isn’t wearing green.
Go to Ireland.
Find a four leaf clover.
Kiss the Blarney Stone.
Go to a pub.
Boast about how you did some heroic thing (that you really didn’t do).
Go home and sleep.

TAKS: What is it good for?

Posted on: Friday, March 7th, 2008 in: Journal, Thoughts on public matters

One thing I’ve never understood is the reason for the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) tests. They aren’t really a benchmark for the progress for the students, but more of a benchmark for the school. List of things that the TAKS is useful for:

Benchmark for the school’s progress in boring to death [...]