My three-year old and I were in the kids’ section of the library the other day. It’s one of our favorite hangouts. There’s a nice little nook by a big picture window that they have furnished with overstuffed chairs, couches and rockers to sit on while you read. They also have the walls carpeted so that felt letters and shapes will cling to them (bins of felt are available for perusal), a magnetic board to put letters and shapes on, and some other toys. My little one loves to play there.

That’s what she was doing the other day, just playing in the kids’ section while I sat on a couch, reading and watching her enjoy herself. Across from us, there was another mother and her daughter. The daughter looked to be just a little older than mine—so, maybe about 4, or at the tops, 5. This child was reading a Step 3 Reader out loud to her mother. She was doing a remarkable job with it, too. I was impressed at first.

continue reading…

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TeacherX is a new blog by an anonymous teacher who wants to take the inadequate Chicago Public School system to task, and pull its shortcomings out of the shadows kicking and screaming. “TeacherX” offers an interesting inside look at a large city public school system, and seems to be poising him/herself to be a big whistleblower. Now that school has started today, things should get really juicy… here’s the mission statement from his/her first post:

It’s not the kids. It’s never the kids. It isn’t their fault the system is what it is. Don’t ever blame the kids. Not only won’t I discuss my students, I won’t discuss where I teach. This blog is solely to discuss (and quite frankly make fun of) the bizarre policies and unpredictable behavior of the Chicago Public Schools…

I realize this might have limited regional appeal, but it is another interesting example of how the internet can be used for activism and awareness, even locally. I would imagine it could even have a greater effect when used on a micro level, as the people/agencies involved with less power are more motivated by public opinion and press. And besides, Chicago is the second largest city in the United States.

What’s that? Yes, I’ve heard of Los Angeles. Los Angeles doesn’t count. L.A. is a bunch of suburbs dreaming to be a city. A city is a cohesive structure, full of hard working productive people that contribute endless amounts to the economy, culture, and society at large. L.A. is full of shitty bands and overpaid, self-righteous actors who only produce market-tested crap that allows the rest of us to rot our brains. Even the computer industry knew well enough to move 400 miles north. Fuck you, L.A., we’re the true “Second City”, bee-yotch.

MIDWEST SIDE, REPRESENT!

Hat tip: Chicagoist

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