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Have a great day,
Mr. H


[From my blog, which for some reason will not post:]

Good morning, afternoon, evening, (circle the appropriate time of day--if you circled evening, perhaps it's time to brush your teeth and get ready for bed):

I keep hearing this ear wig (you know that little bit of music that keeps going round and round in your head) from a Saturday Night Live skit.  It is a mock talk show featuring Keenan Thompson as the host, called "What's Up With That?"  and every time a catchy phrase is spoken by one of the guests, the hi-hat goes off (ts-ts-ts-ts-ts-ts-ts-ts-), and the music cranks with a full crescendo until Thompson jumps up and croons, " Oooh Weee, What's up wit that? Whats up wit that!?!"

The character, as it appears, is so wrapped up in his own thoughts and self-indulgent excitment that he never waits to hear what the guest has to say.  I find that the character Thompson has created is an imitation of life as we know it, and I'm not talking about the students--that's normal for a young person to not be able to see beyond the limits of his or her own sphere (a normal 1st grader, when asked to write a sentence, will almost invariably begin with the pronoun "I").  I'm more concerned that it is we teachers and administrators that will not hear the voices of those whom we guide through the bigger part of the day. 

This self-absorption comes from a number of factors, but it is no less disturbing to witness.  I have my own theories, but will defer to you; add your voice here...