Yesterday I whined about research papers. But I think I’m starting to get this research thing dialed in a bit. It all starts with the right questions. Here’s the list from yesterday. We’re trying to decide which ones would be good research-type questions. 1. Why are flamingos pink? 2. Who invented the car? 3. What was the first video game? 4. Is global warming real? 5. Should I buy an Apple or a Windows computer? 6. What other explanations are there for UFO sightings? 7. How many rides have they had in the history of Disneyland, and what are they? 8. Why is the sky blue? 9. Does watching violent media make kids act more violently? 10. Why did the Titanic sink? The Answers: 1. No Dice, Cheese Slice. They eat shrimp. 30 seconds on Google, and etc. No thesis here, let’s move on. 2. Nyet, nyet, Soviet. See #1, except for the shrimp-eating part. 3. Oh Noes! Pong. I had it. It was boring. Still no research questions yet. 4. That’s what I’m talking about. On the surface, a yes/no question, but the research you need to do to come to that answer! 5. Yessss. Again, like #4, it
Middle school teaching: Five shows a day, 180 days a year.
That reminds me of those great SNL skits about the Sofa King. You know, how the prices are "Sofa King" low, the deals are "Sofa King" great, etc. (You obviously have to say those phrases out loud to get the joke.)