The Toughest Race on Earth...

When I was in Middle School my mother was my homeroom teacher {Hi Mom!}.  She was a lot harder on me than the rest of the class regardless of my constant need for attention... but that is beyond the point.  And I guess you are wondering what the point is.  Well it is this:  The 2011 Iditarod.  AKA: The Toughest Race on Earth.  My mom {recently awarded with Teacher of the Year in Tyler County, thank you very much!} had us follow the Iditarod when I was in the 7th grade.  We read Jack London's "Call of the Wild" and we tracked the mushers daily.  We also took a poll/survey to see if anyone could guess what musher would win all the gold.  {My musher came in 3rd!}  We will be following this race and also reading a few books along the way so that we can track the mushers, their dogs, and their stories.  So get ready because the race starts this Friday!  I will be taking a poll to see who everyone thinks will be the winner this year!

Mush!  Mush!!

{UPDATE}


Tori is the winner!!! Her musher, Dallas Seavey, came in 4th!  Can you guess why she picked him?

Word of the Day... Or not.

The word of the day is…

 

Irregardless…which is actually not a word at all!

While use of the word irregardless is relatively common, it is actually an incorrect blending of the words irrespective and regardless. 

Incorrect: The Christmas party will continue as planned, irregardless of the weather.

Correct: The Christmas party will continue as planned, regardless of the weather. 

Incorrect: The benefit will be issued to all employees, irregardless of need.

Correct: The benefit will be issued to all employees, irrespective of need.

Amen.

Scientists...

Word of the Week...

Here's the latest admonition from the Mean Ol' Schoolmarm. Don't mess with her. She'll whack your knuckles with a ruler.

 

The Mean Ol’ Schoolmarm Moment of the day is…

Compliment v. Complement

Compliment: an expression of admiration, congratulations, and/or praise.
Complement: something that completes nicely, makes a whole, or makes perfect.
The word compliment is often incorrectly used in place of complement.

SENTENCES

Correct: The music was the perfect complement to the slideshow.
Incorrect: The music was the perfect compliment to the slideshow.
Correct: The man’s business partner brought complementary strengths to the table.
Incorrect: The man’s business partner brought complimentary strengths to the table.

(Note: there are alternate definitions for complement, but I’m focusing on the one that causes the most confusion.)

SUMMARY

Compliment = To offer praise. He paid me the highest compliment yesterday.
Complement = To complete or make whole. Marie’s outgoing personality proved to be the perfect complement to her husband’s shyness.

Until Next Time,
The Mean Ol’ Schoolmarm

An Apple A Day...

I hope you are all reading and keeping up with your work currently!  I cannot wait to get started working with you all at the gym.  In the mean time, I will post a list of recommended readings, of books I hope to cover before summer.

Good Luck this Saturday!

Jess