How Anne Frank Helped Me Score Free Classroom Novels

Mamacita says:  Every year, for over twenty years, I taught a unit based on The Diary of Anne Frank.  This title refers to the stage play; Anne’s actual diary is titled Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl.  Please don’t … Continue reading

Those Who Burn Books Will, in the End, Burn People.*

Mamacita says:  Banned Books Week is coming up this month – Sept. 30 – Oct. 6, 2012.  It always saddens me to be reminded that there are such huge hordes of ignorant masses in the United States, and yet, sigh, … Continue reading

Back Off – Your Kids Don't Need An Adult Best Friend

Mamacita says:  I can remember being really little, and I can remember my parents playing with me. (Those are my parents; aren’t they pretty?) They played with me whenever they could, but it wasn’t very often. I can remember Mom … Continue reading

You must learn, young Padawan, but finals are now officially over

Fair warning:  there is “language” ahead. . . . Mamacita says: I gave finals to five classes last week. Most of my students last semester were awesome; I adore them. I already miss them.  They rocked.  All semester, they worked … Continue reading

Blue Balls

I’m running this again because that house down the road has put up those depressing blue lights again. Mamacita says:  A house down the road from us has deep blue lights festooning its shrubberies, hanging from the eaves, and framing … Continue reading

Things Nice People Already Know: Go To The Back of the Line!

Mamacita says:  The Post Office is really busy at this time of the year. People are standing in long lines, waiting to buy stamps and mail packages.  Everybody knows how busy the Post Office is at this time of the … Continue reading