http://www.scribd.com/documents
Two (2) new documents with new-ish ideas on how to conduct peer review. Maybe they aren't new to YOU, but I'm using 'em up!

There are a few activities that English instructors typically chuck into their English courses, no matter the course. One of those tough-to-get-right activities is peer review. I thought aloud this weekend about that; I figured there had to be a way to get the students to go beyond just "correcting" their classmates' drafts, you know? Like, why not COLOR them. The thesis in green, a great title in red (not great = grey), good citations in purple, etc. It's like ART, almost. The one sample of that @Scribd.com above shows colorful words circled and repetitive words and metaphor-usage, etc.

I've also been working on reading activities; I hope to pop that document up soon.

I should put Ruby Rubric on Scribd.com too maybe...

"I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus last night." Turns out, it was Tiger Woods.

Anyhow...
New desks in the office. Oooh la la. I get easily distracted when there are things to be put back together. Re-arranging to be completed. Oh well. Thus far, I've kept up with grading. Stuff was turned in Saturday & Monday; those items were assessed last night. Right now, a few assignment have come in at midnight last night and I had a 10am deadline today for my English 110ers. So, yea. I should get to those things before my 4pm deadline today (for my English 120 on-campus students).

This morning, while getting ready, I cranked some Christmas tunes. Then, I wondered... could I really get in trouble for blasting Holiday music? I mean, REALLY? Even late at night... blasting "Silent Night" would be ironic right? And funny to me. Hmph. Perhaps. Something to try out. An experiment.

"So, this is Christmas; I hope you have fun."

Weee... downloading podcasts and music in the office. And, yes, I did nab a subscription to "Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips to Better Writing." I should have my students subscribe. On that note, I did try to find world literature podcasts for my online class next spring... no such luck.

Why am I downloading stuff today? Easy. On the 2 hour plane ride from Minneapolis to Nashville this Friday morning (and on the return flight Monday night), I'll have NEW things to listen to. That's thinking ahead... and as for the teeny flight from Fargo to Mpls? Books... yes, books. I have really thought this all through, haven't I?

No worries - it's not all academic... I subscribed to Dane Cook's podcast as well as one called the Dance Department.