I’m a high school English teacher working in a low-performing inner-city school. I’ve used Straight Dope columns on ocassion as a teaching tool in my classroom. The print out various columns, assigne one to each kid, and have him simply explain what it’s saying. Believe me, it’s no easy task for them. I’ve used the column about voodoo (most of the kids are of Haitian descent), shrunken heads, Area 51, and a few other ones I thought they might enjoy. So, now I’m just trying to find a bunch of columns that are both easy to understand and interesting.
Some of the problems the kids run into is that they can’t recognize sarcasm in writings (and, what’s a Straight Dope column without Cecil’s quips?) Anyone have some favortie columns I can print off of the archives? The more I can get, the better, so keep 'em coming!
I don’t have specific recommendations, but you might focus on some of the urban legend debunking columns. These have sensational stories to capture the attention, but they also set the story straight and would allow you to surreptitously teach some critical thinking skills.
Not to redirect form the SD archives, but Snopes might be a good source if you want to pursue this angle.
[sub]BTW, I find that 4x4 treated wood posts or two-inch steel make best columns to support a studnet. Anything weaker will collapse when a larger specimen impacts.[/sub]
Well, do you want the goofy columns, like “Does Mountain Dew make your testicles shrink?” or do you want the educational ones, like “Could everybody in China really jump up and down at the same time and cause an earthquake?”
My suggestion would be for you to buy the books and browse at your leisure, like when you’re presiding on the Porcelain Throne.
