SUBSCRIPT: New You Tube rap video deserves wider circulation
The Baltimore Sun reported on March 10, 2011, that the actress who played the character "Snoop" in the HBO series "The Wire" was arrested in a massive drug raid in Baltimore. According to The Sun, Felecia ("Snoop") Pearson was among more than 60 people arrested in a major heroin bust in Baltimore. Memorial Day should always be a day for a reality check, and if possible, with part reality and part humor. For teachers this year, times are more difficult than usual as the U.S. Department of Education, the President of the United States, and the plutocratic interests that both represent in 2011 continue their attack on public services, especially public schools and those of us who teach in the nation's public schools (especially those in our inner cities). Any teacher wanting to relax a bit and laugh this Memorial Day holiday should take a moment to listen and watch a recent video now available on You Tube about high-stakes testing. The refrain gets into your mind — 'cause a teacher's much more than a test score...' — but the real laughs come from watching closely at all the graphics. The production is by "2 teachers and a microphone" from Los Angeles, but its humor take in the entire country, from Arne Duncan and Barack Obama to Chris Christie (New Jersey) and Antonio Vollraigosa of Los Angeles. Some of the cartoons are familiar to anyone who has been working against the ridiculous reign of high-stakes testing, but many are new and refreshing. Maybe we can hold a contest as to whether the graphics of Arne Duncan, Barack Obama or Michelle Rhee are the funniest. If anyone has all the words, let us know. The URL for those who can't access a hotlink is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cnRYZ5bN-c&feature=share... 'cause the kids we teach/ are so much more/ than the value you assign/ to a test score...
Felecia Pearson being arrested in Baltimore by DEA agents on March 10, 2011. While you are at it, if you have a long memory, there is a simple review of "The Wire" available, too. It's a greatest quotes thing, which is a good way to review for the next high-stakes testings on reality. That URL is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sgj78QG9Bg&feature=related... Just remember that The Wire is not for the little ones.
