Monthly Archives: November 2010

My students often ask whether spelling counts on quizzes and tests.  I understand what they are asking, and in general, if they are close on a test, they get credit.  For instance, Nebuchadnezzar is not an easy name to spell.  But … Continue reading →

One of my colleagues has a daughter who just graduated from college.  She’s now in the Peace Corps, serving in Cameroon.  I’ve been to Ethiopia and Kenya and Egypt, but I don’t know much about Cameroon.  Earlier in the year, … Continue reading →

Isn’t that a fun word?  Gerrymandering.  I live in Durham now, but I’m originally from Massachusetts, and that’s where the term came from.  Here’s the quick story: back in the early 1800s, Elbridge Gerry was governor of Massachusetts (1810-12).  Here’s a … Continue reading →

My family lives just off West Club Boulevard in Durham, a lovely tree-lined street with large houses that are close together.  It’s an ideal street for trick-or-treating, and over the years, a tradition has emerged where people with kids from all … Continue reading →