Monthly Archives: December 2012

Austen vs. Common Core State Standards

By Robin Bates | Published: December 13, 2012

To excite students, teach good writing–not writing that torments.

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Gradgrind Takes Over English Classes

By Robin Bates | Published: December 12, 2012

The new Common Core State Standards are pushing literature out of English classes.

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Leaping Off the Fiscal Cliff…and Flying

By Robin Bates | Published: December 11, 2012

Morrison’s “Song of Solomon” has advice for Obama in the fiscal cliff confrontation: Leap!

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Kate’s Pregnancy: Return of the King

By Robin Bates | Published: December 10, 2012

Fascination with Kate Middleton’s pregnancy may be tied in with the “return of the king” trope found in much British fiction.

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I Carry You in Me Like an Embryo

By Robin Bates | Published: December 9, 2012

Marge Piercy’s mother died during Hanukkah and the poet uses the season to reflect upon their contentious relationship.

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NFL Rookie QBs and Mac the Knife

By Robin Bates | Published: December 8, 2012

RGIII, Russell Wilson, and Andrew Luck are escape artists in the mode of Mac the Knife.

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Which Jane Austen Character Are You?

By Robin Bates | Published: December 7, 2012

Find out what Jane Austen character you are with my class’s Jane Austen Personality Profile test.

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Holmes, Moriarty Grapple on the Fiscal Cliff

By Robin Bates | Published: December 6, 2012

If Obama goes over the fiscal cliff as Sherlock goes over the Reichenbach Falls, then he’ll be all right.

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A Solution to Nativity Scene Battles

By Robin Bates | Published: December 5, 2012

The Christmas nativity scene is less Christian than devout Christians realize.

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