There is a difference between writing story as a text object and telling a story. One thing I love about social media how we can listen to and tell each other stories in this new context.
Perhaps the key difference between a short story as a text artifact and "story time" is that with "story time" you can talk back to the teller and that could change the story. It's still a conversation.
Do you have favorite stories to tell at this time of year?
Tell me a story!
#storyTime
Kwanzaa Facts
1. Kwanzaa is a made up holiday.
2. So is every other holiday.
3. Anyone can celebrate Kwanzaa.
4. It was created by Black, (mostly American and Christian*) people in the 1970s to celebrate Black history and the influence of African culture in the African diaspora and to assert the presence of Black people in US culture.
5. Most Black Americans don't celebrate Kwanzaa.
6. It is not a holiday tied to any particular religion.
7. Dr. Maulana Karenga wrote extensively about Kwanzaa but personally I feel saying he "invented Kwanzaa" misses some of the significance of the holiday.
8. It grows out of a long tradition of Black Americans seeking a connection to the homelands we cannot name.
9. It is a holiday about self improvement and personal growth and VERY anti-commercial.
10. It's a time to ask if you are doing enough to support your community.
I grew up celebrating Kwanzaa. So this is just my perspective.
Kwanzaa Facts
1. Kwanzaa is a made up holiday.
2. So is every other holiday.
3. Anyone can celebrate Kwanzaa.
4. It was created by Black, (mostly American and Christian*) people in the 1970s to celebrate Black history and the influence of African culture in the African diaspora and to assert the presence of Black people in US culture.
5. Most Black Americans don't celebrate Kwanzaa.
6. It is not a holiday tied to any particular religion.
Please remember that some of the oldest "investment opportunities" in the history of finance were essentially investing in pirates who'd go steal things from people at sea.
It's always been a little like this.
In other words they are still trying to reduce "meaningful human contact hours" to make it as objective as possible.
But the "tell" that this isn't a serious proposal? The best schools where the children of the wealthy get their education won't even consider this for a second. We'd stop using paper to save money first, we'd do anything else.
This is only be floated for "other people's kids"
Young people need the time and attention of adults to grow up and learn. Controversial I know.
As a teacher I have discovered that this is non-negotiable. Kids have an instinct for when they are being abandoned. Being a person who matters means that other people care about you and are willing to spend time on you.
I've seen kids who were acting out, totally lost find the thread again because they discovered that someone cared what happened to them. Someone cares what they do.
That alone will make you want to do better.
The people talking about implementing AI in education are saying things that start out sounding sensible until you think.
Most of my students don't need "extra attention" what if the AI could take care of the easy students and I would get the ones who need more nuance?
Well first of all detecting who needs "extra" is subtle. How will you do that?
Second: what if the majority of my students don't need "extra attention"
*because they got real help from supportive teachers previously?*
In other words they are still trying to reduce "meaningful human contact hours" to make it as objective as possible.
But the "tell" that this isn't a serious proposal? The best schools where the children of the wealthy get their education won't even consider this for a second. We'd stop using paper to save money first, we'd do anything else.
This is only be floated for "other people's kids"
Young people need the time and attention of adults to grow up and learn. Controversial I know.
A teacher needs to know their students to be effective. This puts an upper limit on the number of students one teacher can teach at once. Something like 150 students. I need to know their names, and when I see that name a little about who that is.
Further, a student should have at least 4 or 5 teachers who know them. This is a selection of hopefully trustworthy and supportive adults they can turn to.
Most plans to make school less expensive mess with these numbers.
The people talking about implementing AI in education are saying things that start out sounding sensible until you think.
Most of my students don't need "extra attention" what if the AI could take care of the easy students and I would get the ones who need more nuance?
Well first of all detecting who needs "extra" is subtle. How will you do that?
Second: what if the majority of my students don't need "extra attention"
*because they got real help from supportive teachers previously?*
A teacher needs to know their students to be effective. This puts an upper limit on the number of students one teacher can teach at once. Something like 150 students. I need to know their names, and when I see that name a little about who that is.
Further, a student should have at least 4 or 5 teachers who know them. This is a selection of hopefully trustworthy and supportive adults they can turn to.
Most plans to make school less expensive mess with these numbers.
Sock gremlins are real. #picathecat #catsofmastodon
I hate how because of gen AI when I see images of ants I have to spend time wondering if they are just focus stacked or if there is some AI being used.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/12/the-evolution-of-expendability-why-some-ants-traded-armor-for-numbers/
arstechnica paid for a "stock photo" from getty. Responsible normally. But I don't always trust getty with ants.
Why not buy rights direct from insect photographers like https://ant-photo.eu/en/photos/photos-of-ants/
or https://www.alexanderwild.com/
These guys always identify species when possible. Much better!
myrmepropagandist