Common Core State Standards

The State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) on July 12, 2010. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.

These standards are modeled after the highest, most effective practices from states across the country and countries around the world and provide teachers and parents with a common understanding of what students are expected to learn. Consistent standards will provide appropriate benchmarks for all students, regardless of where they live.

These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate with the ability to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. These standards are aligned with college and work expectations; they are clear, understandable and consistent; they include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills; they build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards; and they are used by other top performing countries so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society.

These Common Core state standards are the first step in transforming our education system in Arkansas. For systemic change to occur in Arkansas, educators must be given resources, tools, and time to adjust classroom practices. Instructional materials will need to be developed that align to the standards; assessments will need to be developed to measure student progress; and federal, state, and district policies will need to be re-examined to ensure they support alignment of the Common Core with student achievement throughout the system.

The state of Arkansas, as well as our district, will implement Common Core State Standards over the next three years. K-2 will implement the CCSS this school year. 3-8 will implement the standards in 2012-2013. 9-12 will implement in 2013-2014.

Our district provided professional development for all K-2 this summer to prepare for the Common Core implementation this year. We will review the CCSS and plan for the changes coming in grades 3-12 over the next few years. Our district has established building-level and district-level teams to guide the CCSS process within our district. We plan to provide parents more information regarding Common Core during parent teacher conferences in October. Link to CCSS web page.

According to James Patterson…

How to get your kid to be a fanatic reader

By James Patterson, Special to CNN

updated 1:38 PM EST, Wed September 28, 2011

James Patterson says boys can be a little squirrelly when it comes to reading, but they need to be praised and encouraged.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• James Patterson says: Parents, it's up to you, not schools, to find books to get your kids reading
• He says get them motivated with books they like; rereading books and reading on tablets is fine
• He says there are numerous programs to guide parents; they also need to model reading habit
• Patterson: Boys especially need encouragement; movies, video games should push reading

Editor's note: James Patterson's most recent book, "Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life" is a No. 1 New York Times and No. 1 Indiebound best-seller. He is also the author of the award-winning "Maximum Ride," "Daniel X," and "Witch & Wizard" young adult series, and is the 2010 Children's Choice Book Awards author of the year. In 2008, Patterson created www.ReadKiddoRead.com, a site dedicated to helping parents find books that will get their kids reading.

(CNN) -- You're reading CNN.com, so maybe this isn't a stress-inducing worry in your house, but for too many kids in this country, reading is a dirty word. Fortunately, we know exactly whom we have to talk to in order to start a much-needed intervention.

Sorry, moms and dads, but it's your job -- not the schools' -- to find books to get your kids reading and to make sure they read them.

Here's some good news: This can often be as easy as teaching children to ride a two-wheeler or to throw a baseball. Case in point: When our son, Jack, was 8, he wasn't a gung-ho reader. Now, I'm sure my wife, Sue, and I have made a half-million mistakes raising Jack, but during that eighth summer of our stewardship, we did something right: We told him he didn't have to mow the lawn (hooray!), but he was going to read every day (boo).

We then told Jack we were going to help him find books we promised he would like: the Mom-and-Dad "Reading Can Be a Joy" Guarantee. We picked out "The Lightning Thief," a book in the "Warriors" series, "A Wrinkle in Time," "Al Capone Does My Shirts," a novel from my own "Maximum Ride" series, and a few others. By the end of the summer, Jack had read half a dozen books that he loved, and his reading skills had improved dramatically.

Here's a simple but powerful truth that many parents and schools don't act on: The more kids read, the better readers they become.

The best way to get kids reading more is to give them books that they'll gobble up -- and that will make them ask for another. Yes, it's that simple. 1 + 1 = 2. Kids say the No. 1 reason they don't read more is that they can't find books they like. Freedom of choice is a key to getting them motivated and excited. Vampire sagas, comics, manga, books of sports statistics -- terrific! -- as long as kids are reading. Should they read on e-tablets? Sure, why not? How about rereading a book? Definitely. And don't tell them a book is too hard or too easy. "Great Expectations"? Absolutely. "Finnegans Wake"? Well, maybe not. And remember, books can be borrowed free at libraries.

Some schools and school systems are on top of the reading problem. Is yours?

Many schools around the country are successful at getting kids reading. That raises the obvious question: How come so many schools aren't?

There are terrific models for success with reluctant readers, but many school systems and state governments need to set aside their "not invented here" and "we have more important problems than education" attitudes.

The Drop Everything and Read program is a brilliant learning tool used by more than a thousand schools. Drop Everything and Read schools devote one period a day to kids -- and their teachers -- doing nothing but reading, and mostly reading what they want to. The results can be dramatic.

The Knowledge Is Power Program schools in Washington require students to read at least 20 books a year and to carry a book with them at all times. Hooray! The Sun Prairie public schools in Wisconsin stopped buying textbooks and used the money to buy children's trade books. Reading scores improved, because the kids wanted to read. P.S. 8 in the Bronx, New York, has a rotating library of student-published and student-illustrated books. Kids love books written by their peers. One Texas school librarian has a club for fourth- and fifth-grade boys called the BUBBAs. The kids read books such as "It's Disgusting-- and We Ate It!," "Holes," the "Time Warp Trio" series, and the "Joey Pigza" books. Silly, funny, and it works.

Speaking of boys, here's how to get reluctant readers -- er, boys -- reading and loving it.

First, try to understand that boys can be a little squirrelly when it comes to reading, and what's squirrelly about them needs to be praised and encouraged.

Boys should be made to feel all squishy inside about reading graphic novels, comics, pop-ups, joke books, and general-information tomes -- especially the last. GuysRead.com has categories such as "Robots," "How to Build Stuff," "Outer Space, but with Aliens," and "At Least One Explosion." It's a wonderful site for finding books that will turn boys on to reading.

Teachers and school administrators might want to consider this: in many schools, there's a tendency not to reward boys for reading books like "Guinness World Records" or "Sports Illustrated Almanac" or "The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll." Too often, boy-appealing books are disproportionately overlooked on recommended reading lists.

Big mistake. Tragic mistake. Avoidable mistake. It's all about attitude. If your kids' school library isn't a boy magnet, the school probably needs to check its attitude.

Where to find books your kids will gobble up.

ReadKiddoRead.com, GuysRead.com, and Oprah.com's Kids Reading List are excellent resources, and they're simpler to use than an iPhone. The American Library Association and the Young Adult Library Services Association have recommendations for terrific books, easily found by searching "ALA reading lists." DropEverythingandRead.com has a "Favorite D.E.A.R. Books" tab on its home page.

Most libraries and bookstores are extremely generous with their time and help. Kids and parents should visit Scholastic and other book fairs. Free or low-cost books for schools are available (while supplies last) at ReadKiddoRead.com, FirstBook.org, and ReadertoReader.org.

Reading role models, please apply here.

Let's face it: Most of us don't realize it, but we are failing our kids as reading role models. The best role models are in the home: brothers, fathers, grandfathers; mothers, sisters, grandmothers. Moms and dads, it's important that your kids see you reading. Not just books -- reading the newspaper is good too.

The president and the first lady can be powerful role models if they are willing to pitch in and press the issue from their bully pulpit. In England, the entire country celebrates World Book Day. Every young lass and bloke gets a pound to buy a book of their choice, and most bookstores lower prices for the day. Cheers for former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was an active role model for getting kids reading.

By showing more respect for books, kid-influential organizations such as ESPN, the NBA, and the NFL could help thousands of kids become better readers. I cringe when I hear college-educated sports announcers scoff at books during broadcasts because they're afraid to man up to being readers themselves.

Hollywood studios and stars could inspire kids to read, but often don't. Apparently, some film directors think it's their civic duty to teach kids how to smoke. Magazines and newspapers could call attention to the reluctant reader and literacy problems on a daily or weekly basis. Fast-food chains could put stories in their kids' meal boxes -- most publishers will work with them. Video-game makers could incorporate written stories in their games; maybe it ought to be the price of admission for selling to kids. Many publishers could do a much better job of supplying free or low-cost books to schools in need.

Now, this entire article probably took you only a few minutes to read. Please don't let your effort end here. While you're thinking about it, send your thoughts, or even this piece, to your school principal or librarian. Heck, send it to the White House. If you have the means, offer to buy your local school a few good books. But most important, take your kids or grandkids or students to a library or a bookstore or go online to search for some books right now. If you have better ideas than the ones suggested here, terrific -- please share them with your school, or in the comments section below, or at ReadKiddoRead.com.

Your taking action will speak louder than words to kids about the power and glory of reading: First you read, then you get up off your seat and do something to fix the problem.

THE LITTLE PRINCE

The Little Prince online text.

Our first novel of the year is The Little Prince by Antoine de St. Exupery.  This novel begins our year of the universal them of “the journey.”

Students have completed Chapters 1 –4 and will continue with additional chapters this week.

There are a number of links on our Edline page that will be helpful throughout the year.  Please explore those.

PreAP students will begin the process of writing their research papers this week.  They will need their index boxes by Friday.  I will provide index cards as long as the supply lasts.

Book Club Ordering Online

INTRODUCING EDGAR ALLAN POE

Next week we will be taking a look at Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart." Do you have a favorite Poe story or poem? Share your choice in the comments.

Excited!

I am so excited that my students will be able to interact with our class blog this year. I am anxious to get started with them on that.

I want to congratulate last year's Seventh Grade class on their outstanding ACTAAP scores! You worked so hard, and it paid off. Thanks.

#5 IN THE STATE

Benton Middle School 7th Grade Literacy Scores: # 5 in the State of Arkansas. Congrats to all of you!

CONGRATULATIONS TO BMS STUDENTS!!!

The faculty got a brief review today of the ACTAAP (Benchmark) scores for our BMS Students.  WE ARE THRILLED! 

PARENTS, YOU ARE GOING TO BE PLEASED.

Our students did phenomenally well (if I do say so myself…thank you very much!)

I can’t wait for you to get the results:)

 Have a wonderful summer.  Thanks for all of your help this year.  I’ve loved getting to know your children.

JAMIE OLIVER’S FOOD REVOLUTION

Watch the episodes.  I would be interested in what you have to say.

America’s Teachers on America’s Schools

Scholastic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Invite you to join them for the launch of the largest-ever national survey of
America's public school teachers. Wednesday, March 3, 2010 10:00am ET

I received this notification from scholastic.com and thought that you might be interested in checking on it.  I hope to be able to view the webcast.  Unfortunately, the time makes it unavailable to us at school as it involves live streaming. 

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY MUFFINS

I seem to be on a quest to find better breakfast ideas for my students.  So many arrive in the mornings with sodas and chips or loaded coffees.  I really do understand how difficult it can be to prepare breakfasts for picky teens, but I also know how quickly those sugar highs wear off.  Our school does offer a breakfast option, but not every students takes advantage of that.

I found this muffin recipe that is easy, tasty and full of nutrition.  It might be an option for you.  Plus, your teen can make these!

Thanks to Tiffany at Eat At Home for sharing the recipe.

CORN DOG MUFFINS

This corn dog muffin idea sounds like an easy lunch idea. I thought you might want to try them. I'm going to make them for my grandchildren. They LOVE corndogs!

IS PHYS ED THE DEATH OF LEARNING?

I came across these comments and thought you might be interested in reading them as well. He makes some very good points regarding children and physical activity. I am a definite believer in lots of exercise...I should do more of it myself. Happy New Year to everyone.
Check it out: http://www.theslowcook.com/2009/12/29/is-phys-ed-the-death-of-learning/

DRUG PROBLEM

I came across a copy of this article in my files the other day.  After rereading it, I decided to share it with you because it seems to me to have a powerful message.  I would love to credit the author, but it was written anonymously.

“The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ‘Why didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?’

I replied I had a drug problem when I was young; I was drug to church on Sunday morning.   I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.  I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.  I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn’t put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity.  I was drug out to pull weeds in mom’s garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad’s fields.  I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mothers had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think.  They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today’s children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us.”

 I could not have said it better myself.  Thanks for all you do to “drug” your children.

Linked to:  Dining With Debbie

BREAKFAST MUFFINS

I came across this really good muffin recipe for oatmeal blueberry muffins that are a great way to start your day.  They are tasty AND nutritious and middle schoolers should be able to make them without any real difficulty.  I want to thank Smells Like Home blog for sharing these.  Click on the picture to follow the link to the recipe.

Parent Conferences are October 26, 1 – 7 p.m.  If you can attend earlier in the day, please do so.  The time between 5 and 7 is usually very busy so I do not have much time to visit at length. 

Thanks!

TIPS FOR PARENTING THE BEST STUDENTS and Ham and Cheese Muffins

I came across a newspaper article the other day written by family psychologist, John Rosemond.  It was actually a reprint of an article that was first written about ten years ago,  Apparently, he had received numerous requests from teachers to publish it again, and so he complied.

His advice, I believe, is right on the money.  This is my 28th year of teaching so I have some insight and “expertise” with this subject.

What he says, and I fully agree, is that the “best students” are not necessarily those who make the best grades.  Rather, the best students are those who come to school prepared to do their best, to accept and fulfill their assignments, and to pay attention to what is being taught.

I would be interested in what you have to say about his tips.  I am reprinting the article almost verbatim in order to make sure that I present it to you as he intended.

1.  Make it clear to your child that disobedience is not an option.  I love this quote:  “Good behavior begins at home, not at school, and not  even the best teacher can discipline a child who is not respectful of adult authority.”   Further, he says to make the rules of proper behavior clear to your child.  When the rules are broken enforce with a firm, even hand.  New research finds that a child’s level of self-control is positively associated with school achievement.

Growing up, I always knew that if I got in trouble at school, I would be in far more trouble at home.  My parents taught me to respect adults, especially my teachers, and I never thought it alright not to do so.  I remember only one time my dad going to a teacher about me.  Then it was not to question the grade I had been given but to see how he could help me at home.  My parents listened to me complain, I am sure.  But never, I repeat never, did they not support the teacher.

2.  Assign your child a fair share of day-to -day housework.    Teachers have told Rosemond that the best students are usually those who have daily chores at home.  He says that it makes sense that a child who comes to school already accustomed to accepting adult assignments will have fewer problems accepting assignments from teachers.  The more responsible a child is at home, the more responsibility he/she will demonstrate in school.  (Notice that he said a “fair share,” not to be confused with slave labor.)

I appreciate that Perfect Daughter and Perfect SIL are already giving my perfect grandchildren a certain number of responsibilities at home.  They pick up their toys.  They often set their table.  They think putting dishes in the dishwasher is fun!  Perfect Boy is four; Perfect Girl is two.

From what I have read about the Northwest Arkansas Duggar Family with their 18, soon to be 19, children, they instill this sense of task commitment early.  It’s obvious that each child has a responsibility within the family and is fully expected to carry that out.  (You can find out more about them at Discovery.com or TLC.)

3.  Limit electronic entertainment to nonschool days and even then allow no more than five total hours per week. Rosemond remarks that research shows that screen time of any sort decreases attention span.  Learning from a real-life, flesh-and-blood teacher requires being ready to answer questions, memorizing, conducting independent inquiry, transferring what you’ve learned to paper, listening to the teacher’s feedback concerning your work and correcting your mistakes.  As for television alone, a researcher once found that truly gifted children tended to watch  no more than 5 hours of television per week.  The national average is 25 hours per week per child.   IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO BE AVERAGE, LET HIM WATCH A LOT OF TELEVISION.  (Read that again, please.)

Teaching is sometimes viewed as another form of entertainment.  My students probably think I’m mean because I don’t try to entertain them.  Sure, we will play a game on occasion IF it adds to the learning.  But sorry guys, we aren’t High School Musical – The Middle School Version.  We are about real life.  Note to Students: Your schoolwork is your job.  I would like for you to think that if you don’t do it, don’t participate, you won’t get paid. 

4.  Be interested in what and how your child is doing in school, but take care not to do his work for him.  THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT. (Read that again, please.)  The interested parent says to the child, in effect, “I am concerned about your education, but it is ultimately your responsibility.”  The involved parent says, “ Your education is my responsibility.”  Unfortunately, too many well-intentioned parents have unwittingly accepted or appropriated responsibility for their children’s school work.  The result of this parental benevolence is a child who has difficulty taking the proverbial bull by the horns.  New research supports this low-involvement parenting model.

One of the most frustrating things I deal with as a teacher is when a parent takes on too much responsibility for the child’s work.  For the most part, I can tell the difference in papers written by seventh graders and those written by their parents.  Yes, it is okay to assist.  Yes, it is okay to encourage.  Yes, it is okay to offer suggestions.  But no, it is not okay to do it for them.  But you already know that.

Oh, and if your child forgets his project and leaves it at home, it probably is okay to fetch it for him the first time.  After that, I think he should know that it won’t do any good to call.  Do him a favor, allow him to learn the  consequences for his lack of responsibility.

5.  If your child’s teacher reports a problem, give the teacher---not your child---the benefit of the doubt.  As a rule, teachers are more committed to determining the welfare of children than any other class of professional.  When a teacher says your child has a problem --- academic or behavioral --- it is with your child’s best interest in  mind.  Curb the tendency to become defensive and listen with an open mind and an open heart.  You may learn something that will help you become  a better parent.

Several years ago my teaching partner  at the time (Dian) and I began requesting of parents that they write a letter to us about their child.  We asked them to tell us in a “million words or less” what made their child special.  We didn’t want grades or test scores, but rather what would they have us know about their son or daughter that we might not otherwise discover.  I have to tell you that those letters are just wonderful.  Also, I must admit that I often began to view a student in a different light after I read what was written about him.  A big regret is that not every parent takes the time to write that letter.  What a loss.  Those who do, tell me that it is a privilege.  Often they will remark that it is the first time in a long time that they have really given time and thought to  how special their child really is.  (So, if you are one of those parents who hasn’t gotten around to writing that letter, I would still love to read yours.)

Okay.  Here’s your homework.  What tips would you add to Rosemond’s? What do you do as a parent to ensure that your child has the opportunity to be the best student and person he or she can be?

An idea for breakfast:

I think breakfast is probably an overlooked meal in our harried pace.  From a teacher’s standpoint, I know the value of a good breakfast for my students.  All too often I see them with large containers of soda, chips, cookies, and even the very large size of whatever their “flavor” coffee is.  The immediate effect of that is a sugar high that only lasts a short time.

Since Hubby is our breakfast cook, I try to have things either made up or on hand that are simple for him to prepare.   This is one of those great tasting, filling muffins that works great for that.  I freeze them after baking so they are readily available. 

HAM AND CHEESE MUFFINS

3 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups all-purpose baking mix such as Bisquick
2 cups (8-ounces) shredded Swiss or Cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 large egg
1 cup finely chopped cooked ham
poppy seeds (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and saute until tender, 3-5 minutes.  Combine baking mix and half of cheese in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture.  Whisk together milk, Dijon mustard and egg; add to cheese mixture, stirring just until moistened.  Stir in onion and ham.  Spoon into lightly greased muffin pans, filling two-thirds full.  Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese and poppy seeds, if desired.

Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden.  Let stand 2 to 3 minutes before removing from pans.  (from Southern Living)

 

Here’s your second homework assignment: what quick, healthy and easy ideas can you share for those early school-day breakfasts?

I can’t wait to hear what you have to say.  Share your comments or, even better, link up your post on either of these subjects with Mister Linky below.

Reposted at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com

Linked to:
Foodie Friday hosted by Gollum

Check out her cute idea for Fall cookies:) 

VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

It's time to vote for the Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year. This award is sponsored by the Arkansas Municipal League, the Governor's Office, adn the SHS Division of Volunteerism. It honors 12 communities that demonstrate Outstanding Volunteerism. I would like to nominate our community. The people of Benton are amazing in what they do for our area. Our youth benefit. Out senior adults benefit. Our schools benefit. Our....you name it. Without our volunteers, many services would go lacking. If you believe as I do that our community deserves this award, go to http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/adov and look for the link to 2009 Volunteer Community of the Year Awards. The deadline is September 30. Go now and nominate our community for this award.

Grammar of Doom!

Grammar of Doom!

This is a fun site to practice grammar usage.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.  If you come across any recommendations for other sites, let me know about them.

There are several links available to you on Edline that will provide extra practice for you.  Sign in to your Edline account and look through the list.

 

 

REACH OUT AND READ ARKANSAS

Reach Out and Read Arkansas (LINK TO PICTURE)

Reach Out and Read Arkansas is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of early literacy intervention and the critical role it plays in a child’s development.

AMERICA AS 100 PEOPLE

America as 100 people: 'Village' concept used to teach

By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY

Nearly 22 years ago, David J. Smith, a middle-school social studies teacher in Cambridge, Mass., had a brief conversation that would change his life.

A student came to him with a simple question: Would it be smarter to take French or Spanish in seventh grade?

Smith said both were important languages, so the student asked, "If our classroom were the world, how many people would speak English, how many would speak French and how many would speak Spanish?"

It was a revelation: What if teachers, Smith thought, could help children understand the world by reducing it to a small group of people? Kids may not be able to wrap their minds around a number like 5 billion, but they can understand 100.

It was an appealing way of helping kids understand not only an abstract idea like a percentage, but, more important, how people live — what they do, what they own, how they worship.

He had long been developing an innovative geography curriculum called Mapping the World By Heart, which teaches students over the course of a school year to create a complete world map from memory. But the conversation took him in a new direction. He spent the next decade trying to craft the "100-people" idea into a book.

Two publishers liked it but neither could find an illustrator to match the material. Finally, in 2002, Kids Can Press, a small Canadian publisher, found the right illustrator, and If the World Were a Village appeared.

It was a huge success, with half a million copies sold. Schools nationwide have built entire geography units around it, and teachers in two schools have written original musicals, with 100 students shuffling across stage to represent villagers.

All of which delights Smith, now 65 and retired: "It's the most rewarding work I've ever done."

Now he has written a follow-up: If America Were a Village ($18.95, Kids Can Press), which reduces the USA to the same-size 100-person village.

In it we learn that 50 of 100 live in just nine states (12 of them in California). The combined populations of five rural states — Alaska, Vermont, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota — amount to just one person. (Each "person" equals more than 3 million people.)

It also tackles economic inequality, noting that:

•Five people share more than half the USA's wealth;

•One person controls more than 30%;

•The 60 poorest share about 4%.

The poverty figures, Smith notes, are actually rising, and like other stats will likely be updated in the next edition. "A lot of people are really shocked by the fact that 'people living in poverty in the U.S.' is increasing."

As for the student, his name is Kelefa Sanneh, and he ended up taking French. He became a journalist and now works as a staff writer for The New Yorker. He has fond memories of Mr. Smith, but absolutely no memory of the seminal conversation.