From a teacher perspective, family and self based projects are really good at 1)Helping to teach context (i.e.-that there are people and things that came before) and 2)Helping to teach diversity (i.e.-that different people have different experiences). Relating things back to students' own lives is one of the easiest ways to make things compelling for them

I will, however, join the "boo"ing of teachers who are not open to coping reasonably with said diversity.

ION, I have a purring cat on my lap and don't know what to do. I've tried everything I can think of... petting her, scratching behind her ears, rubbing her tummy, but she won't leave....

Stand up?

2)Helping to teach diversity (i.e.-that different people have different experiences).

That does seem like the key missing piece in some of these stories.

I must say I really try to notice this in our textbooks and make things more inclusive. But it's not always easy.

OK, kitty just ran to the door to investigate doggie-like sounds coming from the hall....

Ooh! I just saw something on the Daily Show that made me think maybe my Work Nemesis will lose her job! t /oblique

And I realize it's terrible to hope for that for anyone, but she's just so incompetent, she should have been fired for cause years ago.

Family Tree Trauma can happen in even the most traditional of environments.

My Father's youngest sibling was the eighth child. When she had to bring in a baby picture of herself they couldn't FIND ONE. She was in plenty of group shots, but they coulnd't find any of just her. She took in a picture of her older sister.

Oh, my. They're re-releasing a CD with Butterfly Kisses on it. Why would you want to do that.

Trudy, it's not that traditional to be the 8th kid, surely?

Huh. Tonight's Criminal Minds repeat is set in Jamaica. I'm currently listening to an appalling accent. How could they not find better ones?

Trudy, it's not that traditional to be the 8th kid, surely?

It's OLD SKOOL, Roman Catholic, Man! What could be more traditional?

(Though I mostly meant "traditional" in the "Mom & Dad & Full Siblings All in One House" way.)

Sure, it's shantung silk, but... it's not made of butterfly wings, you know?

True, but it is made from baby butterfly butt-bunting. That's pretty special.

Here in NYC, we have term limits -- except the City Council just voted that the limit is three terms, not two LIKE THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR, because Bloomberg wants to run again. I don't even believe in term limits and this pisses me off.

That's quite odd, though I'll note that if it pissess off enough New Yorkers, then the right to run again won't mean that much. Mostly, though, I'm happy this wasn't the reaction when Giuliani was talking about a third term.

Do your self-eval Kathy!! Do it for America!!

Damn straight! Is America shirking from its self-evaluation? Can you do any less?