Teacher education

Mrs. Chili
February 16, 2010 at 6:32 pm

WE don’t have to make it up – CHS has a virtual classroom set up that the DOE has approved as instructional time. It occurred to me this afternoon, though, that my KIDS (my biological ones) DO have to make it up, so I’ll get vacation days that they don’t. That is four different flavors of awesome.

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1 Comment.
Coach J
February 5, 2010 at 12:15 pm

Every school needs a Front Desk Goddess. I swear, our school would fall apart without Miss G at the wheel. Sure, we teachers think we’re important, but NOTHING would get done around here if it wasn’t for Miss G. All hail the Front Desk Goddess!

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4 Comments.
Improbable Joe
December 7, 2009 at 10:35 am

The ones who need the lesson won’t get it, and the ones who get the lesson don’t need it.

Funny, because I just had a similar conversation with my Trigonometry teacher about an hour ago. He’s giving an extra-credit quiz online, and he told me that the only people who do it are folks who already have a pretty good grade, and the ones who need it won’t even make an attempt.

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2 Comments.
Improbable Joe
December 3, 2009 at 8:27 pm

Wait… not even turning in the in-class assignments? And wants to know how he can pass?

That’s… well… ummmm… the SINGLE MOST AWESOME THING I HAVE EVER HEARD!!!!

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In an interesting twist, Jason Calacanis is taking on top Blog lists and putting his money where his mouth is.

There’s been a lot of back and forth about A-list bloggers, the Technorati 100, the value of lists, and how to “work the A-list.

I agree w/ your reasons for kids attending online courses, if those kids are at the upper end of the high school spectrum.

When we read a kids application essay or their first biography essay we hear things like:–It is closer to home–I don’t have to deal with cliques–Teachers aren’t breathing down my back–I can take as much time as I need for _______ (insert homework, test, quiz, etc…)–Most of the kids at school are like me.–I can’t fit into the traditional high school schedule

I think our kids are pretty aware of their educational needs, but again our kids are from the opposite end of the education spectrum than the ones you work with.

The reasons I listed in my original post were my personal reasons and I live in about as rural of an area as it gets. (central Wyoming)

Comment by Kate Logan — June 14, 2006 @ 12:43 pm | Reply

Virtual Schooling in the News.

First from my ASCD SmartBrief for June 6, 2006 (see http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dLxAgmosvStubFHXJn ).

Cyberschool serves California studentsThe California Virtual Academies nonprofit provides its 3,500 K-9 students Internet connectivity, a computer, printer, software and access to a credentialed teacher available online and by phone. The virtual public charter school can spend more on each student than traditional schools do because it has no facility costs. Los Angeles Daily News (6/5)

Oregon online school ends first year amid controversyCritics complain that the student-teacher ratio at Oregon Connections Academy is 50-1 and that the large cyberschool is run by a for-profit private company. However, demand has been so great that enrollment could double this coming school year. The Oregonian (Portland) (6/7)

Next from Distance-Educator.com, Inc.

Distance Learning May Be CloserSource: timesobserver.com

The future may be now for “distance learning” classrooms in the Warren County School District. http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/Article14913.phtml

High School Students Filling Their Heads With CyberspaceSource: journal-news.com

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP — Eight hundred Butler County students were able to earn high school credit during the 2005-2006 school year through Butler Tech Online. Available through Butler Tech, the program is about to complete its third year. http://www.distance-educator.com/dnews/Article14907.phtml

From my Yahoo news alert for virtual school.

Elgin teen mixes career and school thanks to online learning CentralOhio.com Fri, 02 Jun 2006 10:10 AM PDT

MARION – When his sports career started to conflict with school work, Tim Hollenbeck decided to take his schooling to the virtual world. The professional dirt bike racer is now celebrating his success as he graduates from TRECA Digital Academy with a high grade point average.

By Laura Jansen Staff Reporter Maple Ridge News Sat, 03 Jun 2006 9:27 AM PDT

The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district will be one of many in the province to set up a virtual school. The district will expand the online program it already offers with courses available from Garibaldi and Pitt Meadows secondary schools, as well as the community education office.

Virtual classroom comes into home Los Angeles Daily News Mon, 05 Jun 2006 0:09 AM PDT

SANTA CLARITA – More homes may be turned into satellite public schools if parents buy into a program that lets them teach the lessons themselves. Though the children are taught at home, the program is not considered home-schooling.

Virtual school offers free second chance Lawrence Journal-World Tue, 06 Jun 2006 7:50 AM PDT

More than 475 area students are expected to take advantage of a summer program that gives them a second shot at failed courses. The school was host to a similar session Monday.

Regional News Briefs Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Mon, 05 Jun 2006 9:33 PM PDT

Union appeals virtual-school ruling The state’s largest teachers union has appealed a judge’s ruling…

Web school draws pupils, critics The Oregonian Wed, 07 Jun 2006 0:03 AM PDT

SCIO — The state’s biggest virtual school ends next week after an inaugural year that drew nearly 700 students with soaring demand that could double its size this fall, eventually making it the largest school in Oregon.

New online summer school is a hit with Wilson students Tennessean Wed, 07 Jun 2006 0:15 AM PDT

With morning football practice, a night job and a failing grade in English, Greg Thompson has a lot going on. If he didn’t live in Wilson County, this rising high school senior might have to choose between the pigskin and summer school to graduate on time.

Web School Draws Pupils, Critics RedNova Wed, 07 Jun 2006 5:20 PM PDT

By Steven Carter, The Oregonian, Portland, Ore. Jun. 7–SCIO — The state’s biggest virtual school ends next week after an inaugural year that drew nearly 700 students with soaring demand that could double its size this fall, eventually making it the largest school in Oregon.

Virtual excursions expand horizons The Mining Journal Thu, 08 Jun 2006 10:07 AM PDT

MARQUETTE — Students of the Marquette Alternative High School recently took a hike across Isle Royale, walked on the battlegrounds of Gettysburg and took a snowmobile tour through the Upper Peninsula — all without leaving their classroom.

Moving to the Google news Alert for virtual school.

Editorial: Charter school plans are innovative Sheboygan Press – Sheboygan,WI,USA

… Two seek to integrate the arts into the curriculum at the elementary and high school levels. Another emphasizes online learning almost like a virtual school. …

Virtual classroom comes into home Los Angeles Daily News – Los Angeles,CA,USA

… Thirty-five hundred kindergartners through ninth-graders attend the virtual school statewide. They are taught by 170 teachers, at …

District to expand virtual school Maple Ridge News – BC, Canada

By Laura Jansen. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district will be one of many in the province to set up a virtual school. The …

EDITORIAL: In the year of our technology: Report on status and … TMCnet – USA

… It also wisely suggests the state’s Virtual School be fully funded separately from the state school aid formula so more money for technology does not cut …

Virtual School graduates first four-year student Monroe Times – Monroe,WI,USA

… It also held some importance because she’s the first four-year graduate of the Monroe Virtual Charter School, if not the first four-year virtual school grad in …

Florida Virtual School Students Win International Diplomacy … NewsBlaze – Folsom,CA,USA

Leveraging technology, an innovative learning initiative and a passion to build a better global community, three Florida Virtual School (www.FLVS.net) students …

Webcasts alter learning dynamics Whistler Question – B.C., Canada

… George. He is the president of the Virtual School Society, a group working to improve and promote electronic courses for BC students. …

New ‘virtual school’ could start next year Skieston Standard Democrat – Sikeston,MO,USA

… Matt Blunt would create a “virtual school” for Missouri students through the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and state Board of …

Finally, the Google new Alert for cyber school.

Linking Midland to the arts Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Pittsburgh,PA,USA

… leaving the state. But like all charter schools, the cyber school was open to other Pennsylvania kids as well. The result is well …

School to offer diverse education Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Pittsburgh,PA,USA

… The school will create an individual educational plan for each student, custom designing course work out of the cyber school’s catalog. …

Schools seek lesson on cyber bullies The Desert Sun – Palm Springs,CA,USA

… With “cyber bullies” now an increasing reality, school officials are taking notice and looking at their options for disciplining students who harass and …

Cyber school begets an education empire Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Pittsburgh,PA,USA

… time employees and a $4.4 million budget. The cyber school alone has about 4,400 students, 400 employees and a $30 million budget. …

Franklin pitches new cyber plan News-Herald – Franklin,PA,USA

… Area School District officials as they explore the possibility of teaming up with Beaver Area School District to offer students a local cyber school option. …

Cybersecurity contests go national Register – London,England,UK

… of students from ten different Iowa high schools faced exactly that scenario during a single night in late May in the High School Cyber Defense Competition. …

Cyber school is part of an intricate web Pittsburgh Post Gazette – Pittsburgh,PA,USA

… Dr. Trombetta is looking at an educational model in which a cyber school teacher working in a classroom in the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center — of which …

Tags: virtual school , cyber school , high school , education

Beginning with the Eluminate Newsline – which is making its first appearance.

Alabama Department of Education Selected Elluminate to Deliver Professional Development and More.Elluminate is now a standard method of delivery for professional development and virtual meetings held by the Alabama Department of Education and ACCESS Distance Learning, which provides options and opportunities for Alamaba public high school students to enagage in a variety of online courses.
Learn more. »

Online Public High School Provides Unique Learning Opportunities with Elluminate . Insight Schools is on a roll, adding nine schools to its network of online public high schools this year alone. Learn more about how Elluminate synchronous learning environment helps drive enrollment and retention.

Next, the ASCD SmartBrief.

Online remediation lets students catch up at their own pace
As more high school graduates require remediation in math, some colleges are using online programs that allow students to focus on weak areas without taking up the time of full-time faculty. Some educators fear, however, that many students may lack the motivation to do the work without greater supervision. eSchool News (9/22)

Alabama to make distance learning mandatory for graduation
Next year, all high-school students in Alabama will be required to take and pass an online course in order to graduate. A growing number of students in Alabama already are learning online, with courses allowed to be taught by certified and highly qualified teachers only. Times Daily (Florence/Sheffield/Tuscumbia/Muscle Shoals, Ala.) (11/16)

Another irregular source, the DEC Weekly News.

Download Report — Learning Virtually: Expanding Opportunities
Source: State Educational Technology Directors Association
The paper highlights the opportunities offered through virtual learning to provide each student the promise of access to age- and ability appropriate curriculum, rich and extensive resources and accurate and up-to-date assessments regardless of location, economic situation or time. When effectively used, virtual learning allows for student centered, self-directed, self-paced learning that greatly enhances the curriculum offerings schools provide. Download Report in PDF

Download Report– Going Virtual: Unique Needs And Challanges Of K-12 Online Teachers
Source: North American Council for Online Learning

Download Report in PDF

Back to the Yahoo! News Alert for virtual school.

Spring Virtual School opens its portals to students on-the-go
Spring ObserverTue, 18 Nov 2008 8:32 AM PST
Spring Independent School District believes that anytime a school system can give children flexibility and a choice in how they learn will only have positive results.

Tennessee High Students Question Governor In Virtual Classroom
Bristol Herald CourierMon, 17 Nov 2008 10:01 PM PST
Students from a Tennessee High School government and economics class earned their way into the school’s first virtual real-time question-and-answer session Monday with Gov. Phil Bredesen.

The American Academys Rebekah Richards Addresses Virtual School Symposium
Business Wire via Yahoo! FinanceWed, 19 Nov 2008 7:00 AM PST
SALT LAKE CITY—-The American Academy’s Senior Vice President and School Principal, Rebekah Richards, recently addressed attendees of the Virtual School Symposium of the North American Council for Online Learning .

Spring Virtual School opens its portals to students on-the-go
Spring ObserverWed, 19 Nov 2008 0:55 AM PST
Spring Independent School District believes that anytime a school system can give children flexibility and a choice in how they learn will only have positive results.

Idaho Charter School Network to hold forum on virtual learning
The Idaho StatesmanWed, 19 Nov 2008 11:21 PM PST
The Idaho Charter School Network, a project of the Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies at Boise State University, will hold a free, public forum about virtual education from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, on campus in the Simplot/Micron Building, 1st floor. Free parking will be available in the parking structure on Brady Street.

Spring Virtual School opens its portals to students on-the-go
Spring ObserverThu, 20 Nov 2008 0:41 AM PST
Spring Independent School District believes that anytime a school system can give children flexibility and a choice in how they learn will only have positive results.

‘Virtual’ high school courses take hold
Gloucester Daily TimesThu, 20 Nov 2008 7:27 PM PST
ROCKPORT and mdash; Rockport High School’s list of course offerings has expanded like never before. Students can now enroll in courses such as “International Business,” “World Religions,” and “Zoology,” as well as collegiate-level “advanced placement” courses for nearly every subject.

Spring Virtual School opens its portals to students on-the-go
Spring ObserverThu, 20 Nov 2008 11:21 PM PST
Spring Independent School District believes that anytime a school system can give children flexibility and a choice in how they learn will only have positive results.

Next the Yahoo! News Alert for cyber school.

Urbandale High physics teacher devises ‘cyber school’
The Altoona Herald-Mitchellville IndexMon, 17 Nov 2008 11:22 PM PST
An Urbandale High School teacher’s innovation allows educators to post lessons online and students to access materials any time, anywhere. Physics teacher Marc Hermon videotapes all of his lectures and posts them on his Web site, www.hermonswebsites.com . This allows students who are absent during discussion days to have a chance to watch the lectures at home and find out what they’ve missed.

Cyber teacher answers online plea for help
Valley News DispatchFri, 21 Nov 2008 4:10 AM PST
Rae Balog, a Spanish teacher for Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, was contacted by a cyber student from Reading whose home was being robbed. Balog alerted police from her work station in the Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer, and the family was spared harm.

Area cyber teacher receives frantic online plea from Reading student
Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewThu, 20 Nov 2008 9:14 PM PST
Rae Balog, a Spanish teacher for Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, calls 911 for a teen whose home was being ransacked.

Moving on to the Google News Alert for virtual school.

Florida Offers Online Schools for Fulltime K-8 Students
School Library Journal – USA
It’s still unclear how many students will actually take advantage of the new online elementary and middle school law. But if Florida Virtual School’s online …
See all stories on this topic

Decade later, public charter schools thriving
Arizona Republic – Phoenix,AZ,USA
Primavera started in 2001 as a traditional school in Chandler, but in 2003 switched to become a virtual school and launched its entire curriculum online. …
See all stories on this topic

K12 Inc. F1Q09 (Qtr End 9/30/08) Earnings Call Transcript
Seeking Alpha – New York,NY,USA
We of course continue to work to give parents a virtual school option in every state. In fiscal 2009 new state development looks promising, …
See all stories on this topic

Group of county students to take part in pilot program for online …
Memphis Commercial Appeal – Memphis,TN,USA
By Sherri Drake Silence (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal A batch of Shelby County students will experience learning in a virtual school as part of a …
See all stories on this topic

West Bend schools to offer phy ed online
Greater Milwaukee Today – WI, USA
The School Board this week approved $20400 to buy the courses from Florida Virtual School Global Services. The district plans to expand the program to …
See all stories on this topic <

Virtual school for children in care
Hunts Post – Huntingdon,England,UK
The virtual school has three elements, called track, educate and communicate. Track is a secure database to which no one other than Mrs Haines and her two …
See all stories on this topic

SETDA Releases the Final Report in Class of 2020: Action Plan for …
MarketWatch – USA
States and school districts should create innovative funding models that meet the needs of both traditional schools and virtual schools. …
See all stories on this topic

Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

School plan dropped for new alternative
Pottstown Mercury – Pottstown,PA,USA
It could also provide a home for another idea the administration has been considering — having the school district establish its own cyber-school. …
See all stories on this topic

I actually got this off the Humble ISD website. A little shocking, I thought the first time we would see any boundary proposals would be at the upcoming meetings. Sorry I did not have time to look into each of these yet, I’m out of town (in Indianapolis, Indiana) visiting my dad. Also, my little laptop will not let me visit anything pdf, for the moment, gotta work on that. But, here is the information I got for you to look into. Any insight, please clue me in, and I will certainly follow up on this as soon as I can.

Work is underway to develop boundaries for Summer Creek High School (SCHS), which will open in the fall of 2009, and for Middle School #8, which will open in the fall of 2010.
SCHS is located in the Spring Trace area south of the West Lake Houston Pkwy. and is expected to provide relief for Atascocita High School and for Humble High School.

M iddle School #8 is located north of the Sam Houston Parkway and east of the railroad tracks, just west of Summerwood. MS #8 is expected to provide relief for Atascocita Middle School, and possibly for Humble and Sterling Middle Schools.

T he Population and Survey Analysts (PASA), the demographic firm, which has been working with Humble ISD since 2004, provided proposed boundaries and enrollment projections for SCHS and MS #8, which were used by the Citizens Boundary Advisory Committee (CBAC) as a starting point in their deliberations regarding boundaries.

I n the spring of 2008, the CBAC developed 4 other possible options for boundaries for SCHS and MS #8.

T he boundary option developed by PASA and the 4 options developed by the CBAC will be presented to parents and patrons in order to gather input regarding each of the options from those who may impacted by the boundary changes. The meetings will be held at Atascocita High School (Monday, Sept. 8), Humble High School (Thursday, Sept. 11), and Humble Middle School (Monday, Sept. 15). All meetings will begin at 7:00 PM in the auditoriums of the schools.

F ollowing the community input meetings, the CBAC will present its findings and recommendation for boundary changes to the Superintendent, who will, in turn, present his recommendation to the Board of Education. It is the responsibility of the Board of Education to approve boundary changes.

Don’t forget to view these:

Humble ISD Home | Quick Comparison of options | Pros and Cons of each option

Kari
October 10, 2008 at 9:38 am

I find it interesting that a nine year old can tell when a story ends ubruptly but a college student can’t.

Should the students have been writing a paper that’s “deeper” in meaning than a second grade reading level?

As a non-traditional college graduate, I have differing opinions. On one hand, I think the students would like the comments in that it shows them how their writing translates to the reader (maybe use this as a lesson without sharing the fact that your daughter read their work – a “what if” scenario). However, if that were one of my papers, I would feel that my teacher was unprofessional in passing my paper around to others to read.

That’s a tough call, but I don’t think you should let your students know your daughter read their work.

Reply

5 Comments.
Kizz
October 1, 2008 at 9:02 am

Perhaps it’s just a sign put up by one very arrogant teacher.

Re: unchartered, whatever boat this country is in seems to be sinking rapidly so if we DID charter it we should seriously get a refund.

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8 Comments.
Darci
September 23, 2008 at 7:11 pm

They have to do that to cool it down and keep the dust down. Our turf actually has an irrigation system that runs underneath the surface.

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17 Comments.
mrschili
September 23, 2008 at 5:18 am

I’m telling you; if I had to take a math test to be an English teacher, the world would be short an instructor right now. My sixth grader is coming home with stuff I don’t remember how to do. Seriously; I jettisoned those brain cells after I passed the (required) classes by the proverbial skin of the teeth.

I’m not as bad as I claim to be – I really CAN figure tips and sale prices – but I will freely admit that I couldn’t have solved for X.

Reply

Beginning with the Yahoo! News Alert for virtual school.

Virtual education brings schools home
East Valley TribuneSat, 06 Sep 2008 8:55 PM PDT
High school math teacher Dan Tucker no longer has to worry about whether a student’s midriff is showing or another one can have bathroom privileges. And now, with his only commute being the one along the Internet’s information superhighway, he has been known on occasion to work in his pajamas from his rural Catalina home.

Internet has turned homes into virtual classrooms
The Ironton TribuneSat, 06 Sep 2008 10:40 PM PDT
Back in the old days, if a student didn’t like going to the schoolhouse, they were out of luck. There were three options — go to school, don’t go to school and try to learn at home or take correspondent classes through the mail.

Web of knowledge
Coeur d’Alene PressSun, 07 Sep 2008 2:22 AM PDT
COEUR d’ALENE — For April O’Dell and her brother, Taylor, the first day of school won’t take place at Coeur d’Alene High School. Instead, the siblings have joined the growing number of Idaho students who attend one of the state’s virtual charter schools.

Next the Yahoo! News Alert for cyber school.

Test scores, cyber classes concern EL officials
The East Liverpool ReviewMon, 08 Sep 2008 3:07 AM PDT
EAST LIVERPOOL – The poor showing for East Liverpool City Schools in the recent release of the district 2007-08 report cards has school officials concerned.

Cyber high school completes transformation
Newport News-TimesFri, 12 Sep 2008 10:48 AM PDT
The Oregon Council for Online Learning (OCOL), the board of directors for Insight School of Oregon (ISO), put the finishing touches on the school’s transformation from public charter school to private alternative school during their final meeting held Aug. 29 at Nye Beach.

Board briefed on cyber school
Lebanon Daily NewsFri, 12 Sep 2008 9:31 PM PDT
FREDERICKSBURG — Nate Byler, coordinator of the Northern Lebanon High School Virtual Academy, presented the Northern Lebanon School District board with a progress report on the V3

Moving on to the Google News Alert for virtual school.

Some Grand Valley kids go to school online
KJCT8.com – Grand Junction,CO,USA
“I enjoy doing school here because then we spend more time with our mom,” said Kerri. Their mom Rebecca has enrolled them in a virtual school for four years …
See all stories on this topic

New Classes, Programs and Faces
RedOrbit – Dallas,TX,USA
Students will be able to participate in a virtual high school, where they can take online courses not offered at the high school. …
See all stories on this topic

Two schools to accept $30K for virtual learning
Durham Herald Sun – Durham,NC,USA
The board unanimously approved Wednesday night a memorandum of agreement to accept $30000 per school from the North Carolina Virtual Public School. …
See all stories on this topic

Finally, the Google News Alert for cyber school.

MORE, OR LESS, FED HELP
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader – Wilkes Barre,PA,USA
… schooling and cyber schools. In fact, he says he would shift some federal money currently targeted for tutoring into technology and more Internet school …
See all stories on this topic

American Spirit Academy
The Review – East Liverpool,OH,USA
By MICHAEL D. McELWAIN ( mmcelwain@reviewonline.com ) “We are not turning this (Christian School) into a cyber school. We are expanding the opportunities we …
See all stories on this topic

Organic Mama
April 5, 2007 at 7:25 pm

I’m so pleased that you won’t have to deal with him again this semester. No doubt you will encounter other challenging students, but at least this pain in the ass will be in someone else’s class. Best, not in MY class either. I’m giving props to Joe for handling this deftly – he’s quite a decent administrator and I look forward to interacting with him (and I am more likely to, given your positive experience) on student matters this semester.

Reply

11 Comments.
mrschili
April 4, 2007 at 6:22 am

Bowyer, you hit on my ONLY concern for having the kid again. Toward the end of last term, I heard him complaining to Tad – the other Bozo Twin and Dave’s nearly constant companion – that it didn’t matter what he did, I was going to “screw” him out of a good grade. The fact that I can’t grade what he doesn’t hand in never seemed to occur to the boy.

It will be interesting to me to see what the other English teacher’s experience will be with the kid, and whether or not he passes someone else’s class (though I suspect he won’t. I also heard him boasting that he’s not passed an English class since the seventh grade, so he’s got a record to maintain). This will be his third try at a passing grade in public speaking – he’s already failed out of my class, and Joe’s before me. I’ll keep an eye out and report when I have something to tell you all.

Janeri, never apologize for going off-topic when it’s fun (geeky) interesting stuff you’re talking about. I’m fascinated by the little variations that English presents in different popluations (and generations). For example, we here in New England use the word wicked as an adjective of emphasis; that was wicked coolor I’m wicked tired. As far as I can tell, very few people outside of this geographic region use that word in that way.

My students informed me, last term, that I should stop using the world tapped to mean volunteered or called upon – I was tapped to participate in the curriculum committee this term – because, in their parlance, tapped means sexual intercourse, as in Itapped my boyfriend in the back seat of the car last night.

I watch Nigella Lawson on the Food Network, and I’m starting to pick up little Brittish-isms from her. An amount of indeterminate size, for example, is a wodge (you’ll need a good wodge of butter), and tossing something in without having to be careful about it is bunging (bung in the strawberries at the end, and Bob’s your uncle!).

I love it!

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