Hammock Day isn’t just one day of the year, one special day of summer. As soon as June appears I drag out my hammocks–doesn’t everyone have two? Lounging in the hammock with a book or some tunes is one mainstay of summer. I may not go to the beach. I might abstain from a road trip. I probably won’t go to the local theme park. I will, however, spend as much time as possible in my hammock(s).
There is something so acceptably decadent lying about suspended above ground, be it parked in the shade or soaking up the rays. Hammocks are cool. In more ways than one.
ET would not be able to phone home if he were attending certain schools, school districts, and even some states. The cell phone debate once again hits the news as the controversy over phones in class continues.
According to Education Week, “By 2020, 77 percent of schools had prohibited non-academic use of cellphones during school hours, according to federal data.” In my twenty years of teaching I would say cell phone usage remained one of the biggest challenges when it came to student behavior. I remember when the first cell phone went off in my class (when only a few students had them). As I reminded the student to mute her phone she tersely replied, “It’s my grandma. She’s dying. I have to take this.” How am I supposed to enforce a policy contending with that kind of situation?
Phone policies have come and gone, and I am so glad I no longer have to deal with students and their phones. Although retired from teaching now, I remain interested in educational trends, and I can’t help but wonder at the shifting back to school districts adopting stronger cell phone policies.
Granted, cell phones have their use in the classroom; the problem is their potential for positive contributions is abused. Texting, gaming, scrolling, uploading, shaming are distractors and are distractions to the learning environment. While the intent of full, partial, or limited use is debated the real issue is enforcement.
Here are some problems with implementing a school phone policy:
Everyone has to be on board. Consistency is paramount to success. As a high school teacher I adhered to the school’s policy. Verbal reminders, posters, follow through—Yup. Other teachers not following the policy weren’t as much as a problem as the off-campus adults: parents, employers, medical appointments. One parent said, “I only leave a text to call me at lunch.” The problem is that when students feel or hear that “ping” they are programmed to check their phone like two-legged Pavlov puppies.
“But I need to answer it!”
Speaking of noticing students checking their phones, that leads into how odious it is to become the Phone Police. It is more likely a student is willing to give a pint of blood then surrender their phone. There is an addiction issue. It’s very real.
Plugged in
Once a phone is confiscated it demonstrates the consequences of disregarding the policy, right? Not really. Our school office manager showed me the desk drawer of confiscated electronics (ear buds are on the “no no” list as well). Instead of parents coming to school and picking up the phone they write it off as lost utilizing their phone insurance.
Phone policies are double-edged. School staff get to have their phones (unless the school policy is really hard-edged), which illustrates the irritating adage of “do as I say, not as I do“ that widens the gap of responsibility and respect between teachers and students.
Our school did modify its phone policy after it became apparent that a draconian approach was doomed. Leaving it up to individual teachers ended up as the soft approach.
Oh, for the good old days of being the only one to have a phone in class
My approach was a placing a poster in a prominent place which listed the classroom phone policy, mainly that phones needed to be out of sight during instructional time. There were times students could engage with their phones—for instance after ALL their was completed. The goal was to implement the need of discernment—there are good, better, and inappropriate times to use phones. At the high school level students are gaining book knowledge, but they are also gaining social skills. Allowing them to exercise self-control with their phones better prepares them to become responsible citizens. If seventeen year olds lack discernment when using their phones I can’t imagine what it must be like encountering seven year olds with phones, let alone a twelve year old.
Phones are here to stay. Phone policies will come and go. Perhaps those who are making decisions about policies should approach the issue as the phone not being the problem so much as how/when to utilize the phone. Phone etiquette is something that should taught right along with decimal points and comma usage. Maybe there is an app for that.
I’m not sure why I think it’s automatically summer when May flips over to June on the calendar. It wasn’t the case this year. Our wet spring adamantly hung on through a major portion of June with only a scattering of sunny days. June ended with a torrential rainstorm complete with donner und blitzen (as my latent German surfaces).
Rainy days equal reading days. Here are the five star reads for June 2024.
Vendela in Venice by Christina Bjork, illustrated by Inja-Karin Eriksson
image: Amazon
The adult Swedish author recounts a trip she took to Venice with her father when she was a child presented as a picture book. Informative and charming with beautiful illustrations that capture and complement the text.
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
image: Goodreads
Anthony Horowitz is a talented writer. He is also a cheeky one in how he can get away with writing himself in as a character in a novel, dropping names hither thither, promoting his other works, and elaborating truths into meta fictional facts to suit his purpose.
His latest foray into adult fiction involves him teaming up with the irascible Hawthorne, a former police officer, who wants Horowitz to write a book about a murder case he’s working on. The problem is that Hawthorne is unreliable and unlikable, and that Horowitz gets dragged into the investigation at the risk of his career and even his life.
The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn
image: Amazon
Quite an original and superb novel emphasizing how books bring people together. Though translated, it easily becomes a story that any culture which values reading can embrace. Books, eccentric characters, even a cat with idiosyncrasies—a novel that is a delightful one sitting read.
Modernity overlaps tradition as the new bookstore owner wants to phase out home delivery service, which essentially phases out Carl. His simple life becomes more complicated when precocious nine year old Schascha joins him on his rounds. Her involvement on his deliveries begins the end of life as he knows it to open a door to other possibilities.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
image: Amazon
A few years ago I read the book and have recently watched the TV series, which necessitated rereading the book. This proved the best way to thoroughly enjoy the author presentation of a Russian fairytale that deftly weaves in Russian history. Watching the TV series with Ewan McGregor playing Count Rostov is proving the old adage “the book is the book and the movie is the movie.”
Now that July has arrived the weather report indicates a hot summer is anticipated. No problem—I just bought a new hammock with an umbrella. My TBR is fully loaded.I’m looking forward to lounging and reading in the backyard.
Where’s your favorite place to read in the summer?
I like having my birthday on a quasi-recognizable holiday. Some calendars don’t even list it (hummph). Banks, libraries, stores, are all open. Few flags are outside waving their recognition of the designated day. Ask most people what Flag Day is all about and most people don’t have a clue.
So instead I will talk about my birthday. As I’ve gotten older I’m more low key about my birthday. I tell my family: kids–just a phone call is fine (I don’t need more stuff); hubs–just take me out to dinner (he complies easily). I like that special feeling of walking around town, sometimes seeing a flag outside, and saying to myself, “Yeah, Flag Day is my birthday.”
I may not crave presents but I do like joining birthday clubs to get freebies. For instance:
Anthony’s (favorite seafood restaurant) sends me a $20 coupon towards a dinner entrée.
Red Robin will give me a free burger (with a $5.00 minimum purchase)
Regal Crown theaters has a free small bag of popcorn waiting for me.
True Lemon has a 30% coupon available.
Panera has a free treat for me as long as I get there in the next couple of days.
More than a couple of local massage therapists have special deals for me.
I love all those birthday bonus bargains!
My doctor and dentist send me greetings as well. No free visits thought, although I did find my birthday message from my doctor’s office a hoot and a half.
As we all know words come and go when it comes to usage and popularity. I recently came across an article through Reader’s Digest that discussed vintage slang terms no longer in use. The article suggested a return of these words. Hmm, what do you think?
Mutton Shunter Definition: Policeman
Gigglemug Definition: An habitually smiling face
Fly Rink Definition: A polished bald head
Sauce-box Definition: The mouth
Row-de-dow Definition: Riot
Etymology: A play on “row” (18th century slang for “quarrel”) or “rowdy.” Also spelled, “rowdydow.”
I’m partial to “Row-de-dow” not that I’ve been to many riots lately. I know once upon a time “pigs” were bandied about as a term, but “sheep” for police? “Gigglemug” sounds like something from Willy Wonka, and “fly-rink” and “sauce box” don’t make the grade.
Our local library has a feature in which it posts interviews with local authors. My thanks to the library for promoting writers, especially local writers. Here is the link.
I’m always hoping to be discovered by more readers. As well as agents, editors, reviewers, and publisher. Hoping for fame, and wouldn’t mind if some fortune came with that.
I would be infinitesimally poorer if it were not for the local library. Our library prints at the bottom of the check out slip how much money saved by using the library. My last receipt stated I had saved $183.50 since I chose to check out books instead of buying them. That’s a lot of chocolate I could be investing in instead. So, my thanks to the library for providing books and helping me save money.
May was full of variety as I am trying to get away from my mystery mode of preference. Here are the five star reads for last month.
image: Goodreads
Preston’s quiet novel is based on the findings of the Sutton Hoo archeological dig in Britain, discovered just prior to WWII. While it’s difficult to get overly enthused about the discovered artifacts through descriptions, Preston balances the historical significance of the find with well-rounded characterization, providing hints of personal conflict, even though the focus is on the dig and its ramifications. The Netflix movie with Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan, and Lily James is what prompted me to read the book. I would say seeing the movie first enriched reading the novel.
check it out on Netflix
image: Goodreads
A reader never quite knows what to expect from the talented pen of Anthony Horowitz. He tossed the murder mystery genre on its ear with Magpie Murders and gave it a sound shaking with his Hawthorne series. Mixed reviews on this fifth entry of the series indicate readers are not always pleased when a writer changes up the format. In Close to Death Horowitz again collaborates with police consultant Hawthorne, but as a writer mandated to deliver a book to the publisher. Instead of following Hawthorne’s lead, Horowitz must dig for information on his own, which is challenging since this is a five year old murder. Horowitz discovers the case takes on a different appearance when he find the ruled suicide is perhaps a murder, yet there are far too many suspects with alibis making this seem to be a suicide after all. Somewhat confusing? Yes. Very clever? Definitely.
image: Goodreads
Dickens, Twain, Homer, and a bit of Elmer Gantry comprise this epic coming-of-age tale of four orphans who dub themselves the Vagabonds as they escape injustice in hopes of finding home. The author acknowledges how he spun together the pathos of Dickens with the journey adventure of Twain to create the tale of Odie, a midwestern Odysseus of the Depression. All components of a riveting story are present: setting (the horrors of a school institution in the landscape of the Midwest Depression era); characters (evil school administrators, stoic adults, rascal children, precious little girls, morally ambiguous women); conflict (spoilers!). The prose complements the sincerity of the narrator’s voice, as he loses his naïveté and develops a more realistic perspective of what life is all about.
image: Goodreads
What would it be like to live in an alternate reality, one that is nearly perfect? People must wonder because films such as The Lake House and novels like Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse continue to remain popular. For Kitty, whose double life as Katharyn, her two worlds are both so real she can no longer tell which she is dreaming and which one she is living. A compelling debut by Cynthia Swanson, that is addictive and a storyline that leaves one pondering the different ways of coping with loss, change, and what constitutes the perfect life.
image: Goodreads
A middle grade debut that deservedly earned the Coretta Scott King award for its sensitive portrayal of a young boy who migrates from Alabama to Chicago when the mother passes. Cline-Ransome captures the sorrow, confusion, and sense of loss as Langston tries to adjust to moving to the city. Bullied and lonely, Langston finds solace in the words of his namesake, Langston Hughes.
Do you find yourself returning to the same author or the same genre? I wonder if that is a problem or is it more of an indication of being content with a choice that is satisfying. Thoughts?
Since retiring from teaching (two years come June) I am writing more, since my excuse of not having time because of how much time teaching requires is no longer my safety net of non productivity.
I diligently try to write from 9 am to 2 pm and even though the hubs will pop in and say a brief “hi” as he does retired guy stuff around the house, I have to say writing is quite solitary.
However, I have discovered writing has become less solitary since I have set up a bird feeder, birdbath, and squirrel platform outside my office window. My bird buddies, an ever changing rotation of chickadees, nuthatches, and sparrows brighten my day. The squirrel adds hilarity as it plots to get more than its fair share of birdseed.
The other day a white-crowned sparrow discovered the feeding station as well as wayward seeds on the windowsill. He hung out all day.
A personable sparrow
At times it seemed as if he was peering in at me. Wanting to encourage his return I sprinkled more birdseed on the window ledge. The sparrow did not return, instead the resident squirrel crashed the party.
Yes, it is big for a squirrel
I do not get as much work done, unfortunately, with all this distraction, but I did manage a blog post.
This month’s word list theme is all about those words that lead a person from a thought to the deed.
1. prevaricate: to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie.
2. anamnesis: the recollection or remembrance of the past; reminiscence.
3. esperance: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.
4. plaudit: an enthusiastic expression of approval.
5. felicific: causing or tending to cause happiness.
6. perspicuity: clearness or lucidity, as of a statement.
7. insouciant: free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant.
8. susurrus: soft murmuring or rustling sound; whisper.
9. jannock: straightforward; fair.
10. cavil: to raise trivial and irritating objections; find fault unnecessarily.
11. valleity: wish or inclination not strong enough to lead to action.
12.risible: causing laughter; ludicrous.
13. taradiddle: a small lie.
*Just a side note: when compiling the list the words come straight from Dictionary.com—okay, then why does spellcheck not recognize most of them or insist on changing them into another word—like “velleity” morphs into “valley?” Are they not really words after all? Or is my spellcheck needing some tutor time in lexiconical studies?
Oh—what word caught your eye?
I’m leaning towards risible as it rhymes with laughter becoming visible.
Pam Webb 