The new poll is up. This one is tricky, because, frankly, both of those songs are horrendous. I keep waffling back and forth over which song is actually worse. Every time I go to vote for "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer," because of the absolute crudeness and annoying vocal tones, I then hear the whiny voice of the kid in "Christmas Shoes," begging for some stupid footwear for his sick mother. Seriously, Mom, if you were sick, would you really want me to beg for some special Christmas shoes for you? Wouldn't you rather that I donate a kidney for you or something? But then, when I decide that I'm going to vote for "Christmas Shoes," I realize how much I really, really hate GGROBAR.
It's a conundrum, plain and simple.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
I like Vanilla, and I like Coke...but I don't like Vanilla Coke.
Hey this idea comes from a post a while back...Sis and I were talking about Andy Rooney and his general zaniness. I mentioned the title sentence about Vanilla Coke (which is a true statement) and Sis had used the statement, "I like peanut butter and I like cookies, but I don't like peanut butter cookies." Which is a total lie, because she does like peanut butter cookies, including, but not limited to, Nutter Butters and those peanut butter cookies with the Hershey Kisses on top. So, I'm wondering...can you guys come up with some other good comparisons following the pattern from above (two things that you like separately, but not in tandem)? And, they have to be real combinations, not like, "I like cheese and I like chocolate ice cream, but I don't like cheesy chocolate ice cream," or something ridiculous like that.
I'm looking forward to your responses.
I'm looking forward to your responses.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Sis, are you okay?
Sis, are you doing okay out there? I haven't heard from you for a while. You haven't posted anything on your blog (The Crafty Snicklefritzes) and you haven't posted any comments to mine for a few days now. You haven't called and you haven't emailed. I know you're having a rough week, what with Robert's death and all. But, cheer up! You can always pull out the records and listen to him belting out "Camelot"!!
What is the one sign that I cannot sign...
without completely losing it and cracking up? ROBOT. That's right, I cannot interpret the word ROBOT. I can't handle it. Even thinking about it while typing this entry is making me chuckle. Seriously, try signing it. I challenge you to sign it in a serious manner. It's impossible. And really, when I'm in the middle of interpreting something and most of my signs only last about a second, I can't help but drag out the sign for ROBOT to about five seconds.
So why is this a problem? Well, currently the seventh graders are gearing up for the good ol'Science Fair. Yes, it's that time of year again. The time when young adolescents dream of grandeur and making the impossible possible. This past week we've watched two videos about science fair projects and ideas, we've visited the computer lab to look at websites with ideas and project help, and we've viewed past science fair projects. All leading to today, when the students had to submit their final topic proposal.
If you haven't done so recently, I recommend talking to a seventh grader. No, really. Have a conversation with one. I promise you, it will be fantastical and hilarious; especially if you ask one to think of a science fair topic. These kids haven't grasped the concept of what is measurable and testable. And, they haven't realized the limits of their own knowledge and ability. Really, that can be a good thing, I mean, all kids should have high goals and strive towards achieving them. But, when a student has difficulty remembering to place his completed homework in the correct tray before the bell rings, it's a little difficult to approve a science fair proposal in which he wishes to construct a robotic arm.
Yes, this is where the sign ROBOT comes into play. My favorite video of the week (note that all interpreters hate interpreting videos) was one that was probably 18 years old and featured a boy who did create a robotic arm. Let's just say that that science class was not one of my finer moments in interpreting; it was a video from 1989 and the word "robot" was used roughly 52 times.
So why is this a problem? Well, currently the seventh graders are gearing up for the good ol'Science Fair. Yes, it's that time of year again. The time when young adolescents dream of grandeur and making the impossible possible. This past week we've watched two videos about science fair projects and ideas, we've visited the computer lab to look at websites with ideas and project help, and we've viewed past science fair projects. All leading to today, when the students had to submit their final topic proposal.
If you haven't done so recently, I recommend talking to a seventh grader. No, really. Have a conversation with one. I promise you, it will be fantastical and hilarious; especially if you ask one to think of a science fair topic. These kids haven't grasped the concept of what is measurable and testable. And, they haven't realized the limits of their own knowledge and ability. Really, that can be a good thing, I mean, all kids should have high goals and strive towards achieving them. But, when a student has difficulty remembering to place his completed homework in the correct tray before the bell rings, it's a little difficult to approve a science fair proposal in which he wishes to construct a robotic arm.
Yes, this is where the sign ROBOT comes into play. My favorite video of the week (note that all interpreters hate interpreting videos) was one that was probably 18 years old and featured a boy who did create a robotic arm. Let's just say that that science class was not one of my finer moments in interpreting; it was a video from 1989 and the word "robot" was used roughly 52 times.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Last Post of the Month
Happy Halloween!!
I didn't do anything special and I didn't get to hand out candy. :o( Still waiting for the day when I will get to spread chocolaty goodness out to the little becostumed (I just made that word up) children of the world.
Yesterday I had the opportunity of interpreting for a kid while he was being suspended. I always enjoy seeing the deaf kids called on their behavior, mainly because most of the teachers and administrators let them get away with so much. "Oh, it's okay if little Johnny is late to class, he couldn't hear the bell." "Oh, Susie just misunderstood what was expected of her." Excuse me while I go vomit. This kid knew exactly what he was doing, but he plays the innocent fool really well.
I didn't do anything special and I didn't get to hand out candy. :o( Still waiting for the day when I will get to spread chocolaty goodness out to the little becostumed (I just made that word up) children of the world.
Yesterday I had the opportunity of interpreting for a kid while he was being suspended. I always enjoy seeing the deaf kids called on their behavior, mainly because most of the teachers and administrators let them get away with so much. "Oh, it's okay if little Johnny is late to class, he couldn't hear the bell." "Oh, Susie just misunderstood what was expected of her." Excuse me while I go vomit. This kid knew exactly what he was doing, but he plays the innocent fool really well.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Poll
Ohmygosh!! I just found out that you can add polls to your blog. I'm so super pumped. Check out my first poll! I know the question is slightly generic and I can probably predict every person's response (of the people whom I actually know read my blog), but who cares? Do the poll anyway!!!!
Waiver Day
Today we had what is known as a "Waiver Day," which means that the kids didn't have to come to school and that we had to sit through meetings all day. Actually, today's waiver day wasn't too bad. In the morning we had presentations about special ed., in which the interpreters participated. I had to speak about processing time by using the question, "Why is the interpreter still signing even when I've [the teacher] stopped talking?" This was a good one because most teachers don't realize that we have a "lag" or "processing" time when they are speaking. Some teachers are even of the mindset that if they have finished speaking and the interpreter is still flapping her arms, that she must be feeding answers to the deaf students. So, I gave a brief spiel about that. I also mentioned how impossible it is for an interpreter and by default, the deaf student, to keep up with a class if it is conducted in a rapid-fire question and answer format. The deaf student will always be behind and unprepared to answer when called on, until he has been caught up by the interpreter.
We also had a question about disciplining the deaf student: if it is the responsibility of the teacher, the interpreter, or both the teacher and the interpreter. Many teachers answered, "The interpreter." This is not so. It is the teacher's responsibility to uphold classroom and behavior management and that includes any deaf students in their class. Of course, there are times when the educational interpreter has to sit up and say, "Hey, I'm an adult and a staff member," and be a part of the disciplining or monitoring of student behavior.
We also had a question about disciplining the deaf student: if it is the responsibility of the teacher, the interpreter, or both the teacher and the interpreter. Many teachers answered, "The interpreter." This is not so. It is the teacher's responsibility to uphold classroom and behavior management and that includes any deaf students in their class. Of course, there are times when the educational interpreter has to sit up and say, "Hey, I'm an adult and a staff member," and be a part of the disciplining or monitoring of student behavior.
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