2006/03/07
Circumcision, Polynomials, Unbelieveable Coincidence
The weather here on the Prairies is cool and windy. We had +2 degrees today and it looks as if it will be about the same for the next few days. Dang it - the weather is just starting to turn nice and we are leaving for Oooooooklahoma.
I subbed at one of my favourite schools today. Grade 8 and 9 (called Senior 1 here) Mathematics. It was quite good. It would have been better had I not been so tired. I didn't get to sleep until after 3:00 am and then I was up with the chickens (!) at 6:30.
I hardly had my eyes open in the first class when one of the darling little thirteen-year-old girls desparately wanted to know about circumcision. What is it, how is it done, doesn't it hurt, why is it done? Well, being the expert I am (!) I explained it as well as I could without visual aids. One thing led to another, as it usually does, and before you know it we were talking about "female circumcision" and the clitoris. I believe in being honest about the anatomy and physiology of humans and if I am lucky the powers that be at the school board office will believe it, too. The only embarrassing part was when one of the girls asked one of the boys, "Are you circumcised?" I told them that is too personal and no one should have to answer that question, at least not in public. If I am called up on the carpet, my defence will be: they asked - I was only answering a question. But it may not save me. Nothing to do with Mathematics, but an important subject for them. I'd be willing to bet the students will remember that class more than the one about monomials and polynomials.
At lunch time I met up with another retired teacher, Jess, who is subbing. It turns out her husband died on the same day as my husband died. And from cancer, although a different type of cancer. Unbelieveable coincidence. We got to talking and as soon as we both get back from trips we're going to have coffee and talk more. I think it might be good for both of us. It helps to talk with others who are having similar experiences.
Well, got to go - the Amazing Race is on soon. Gotta find out who is eliminated next. Will it be the self-described nerd couple, the pink girls, the middle-aged couple or the I-want-a-million-dollars-but-I-don't-want-to-work young studs?
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. - Dorothy Parker
Circumcision, Polynomials, Unbelieveable Coincidence
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I subbed at one of my favourite schools today. Grade 8 and 9 (called Senior 1 here) Mathematics. It was quite good. It would have been better had I not been so tired. I didn't get to sleep until after 3:00 am and then I was up with the chickens (!) at 6:30.
I hardly had my eyes open in the first class when one of the darling little thirteen-year-old girls desparately wanted to know about circumcision. What is it, how is it done, doesn't it hurt, why is it done? Well, being the expert I am (!) I explained it as well as I could without visual aids. One thing led to another, as it usually does, and before you know it we were talking about "female circumcision" and the clitoris. I believe in being honest about the anatomy and physiology of humans and if I am lucky the powers that be at the school board office will believe it, too. The only embarrassing part was when one of the girls asked one of the boys, "Are you circumcised?" I told them that is too personal and no one should have to answer that question, at least not in public. If I am called up on the carpet, my defence will be: they asked - I was only answering a question. But it may not save me. Nothing to do with Mathematics, but an important subject for them. I'd be willing to bet the students will remember that class more than the one about monomials and polynomials.
At lunch time I met up with another retired teacher, Jess, who is subbing. It turns out her husband died on the same day as my husband died. And from cancer, although a different type of cancer. Unbelieveable coincidence. We got to talking and as soon as we both get back from trips we're going to have coffee and talk more. I think it might be good for both of us. It helps to talk with others who are having similar experiences.
Well, got to go - the Amazing Race is on soon. Gotta find out who is eliminated next. Will it be the self-described nerd couple, the pink girls, the middle-aged couple or the I-want-a-million-dollars-but-I-don't-want-to-work young studs?
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. - Dorothy Parker
Circumcision, Polynomials, Unbelieveable Coincidence
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