Definitions of words in my readings

(All definitions from The Chambers Dictionary, 1995)

Parochial - of or relating to a parish; restricted or confined within narrow limits; denominational.

Apotheosis - a deification; glorification; a perfect example of its type.

Raconteur - a teller of anecdotes

Polemical - given to disputing, controversial.

Ephemeral - existing only for a day; short-lived; fleeting.

*But as you know, drama students aren't that intellectual ;-) *

Literacy troubles

We are currently in the middle of a big debate about literacy, and what we should be teaching, and whether our spelling is gud enough. Mine's pretty gud. At least I don't spell scissors "sizzers".

However, many people are upset (so I hear) about this problem. And there is a literacy problem. The question is, how to address it?

Fortunately at home group last night, Louise (one of my friends) sang me a song that will probably go a long way towards solving literacy problems. (Sung to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands)

A person, place or thing is a noun
An action or a doing word's a verb
An adverb describes a verb
An adjective a noun
Remember all these rules and you're set
Ching ching! (just a nice little way to end the song :-)

That is totally going to revolutionise literacy in Australia.