Inspiration

I am inspired again, by my students. As I read through their introductions to their individual research projects I am so impressed with their diversity, their unique passions and their desire to learn. There is something amazing about creating opportunities for youth to explore, to ask "what are you interested in," and then let them explore. Sometimes the curriculum seems a bit contrived and disconnected, but when I see the quality work coming in from students following their interests, I can't help but be impressed.

And again this morning I shared the "I'm Human" video created by middle school students in Alabama to my class. It was so quiet. We talked about how powerful it was in its simplicity. how diverse humanity is, as well as how we are all the same. We all see ourselves in the video. And then they asked if we could make a video like this one. Absolutely. I am ready to be inspired again.

Snow Day!

Hope you are all enjoying the snow day. I just got back from cross-country skiing and tobogganing around Beacon Hill Park with my daughters and neighbours. We will see what tomorrow looks like.

When we do get back, either Thursday or Monday, we will hold our Lit Circle discussions and the reading reflections can be handed in. I have posted everything necessary for the Socials Duotang on the wiki and will collect them Thursday, as planned, or Monday without penalty.

Please continue to work on the research project introductions. The criteria (intro criteres) and template gabarit d'intro) can be downloaded at http://huitpas.wikispaces.com/telecharger Drafts and competed assignments can be emailed to me at abarwin@sd61.bc.ca or handed in on Monday.

Enjoy the snow!

Masculin ou féminin?

 

I just came across this article in Le Monde about a curious rule in French in which adjectives and articles are masculine for mixed gender groups, and the movement to update the rule to our more egalitarian times.

The official rule, according the the Académie française, the institution set up by Cardinal Richelieu and Louis XIII in 1637, makes adjectives masculine because "le genre masculin est réputé plus noble que le féminin à cause de la supériorité du mâle sur la femelle", that is, according to the Académie, male is more noble than female. The article notes that in propogating the language over the centuries, the notion of female inferiority is reinforced.

Incredible that it takes until 2012 to try to update the rule. The proponents of the appeal to change the rule suggest the Greek and Latin rule of proximity should replace the current practice. They suggest that the adjective should agree with the noun that is closer to it.

Here is an example of the old rule:

Les garçons et les filles sont beaux (masculin adjective).

And the new proposed rule:

Les garçons et les filles sont belles (female adjective because it is closer to the word filles).

The proposed rule is flexible, egalitarian, and communicates instead of indoctrinates. The Académie is considering the proposal, but I am not holding my breath. In the meantime, we will have a good discussion in French class and I will look forward to more progressive writing among my students.