How rare it is for a movie to actually be better than the original book? I can only think of one case, V for Vendetta. The movie was brilliant on so many levels, thanks mostly to the superb writing and storytelling of the original graphic novel. However, the movie made some changes to the story…

Image via Wikipedia Toronto’s Santa Claus parade was on television last weekend. As part of the program, the reporters went to the sidelines and talked to some of the families taking in the festivities. The first few interviews were sweet and innocent. They really highlighted what the Christmas season is all about. The families were…

While I wasn’t overly impressed with the latest Harry Potter movie, there were two moments in the film that were very well done. (Spoiler Alert) In one scene, a wizarding fairy tale was retold. This sequence was beautifully illustrated in a comic book style similar in tone to what we have seen in Frank Miller’s work. …

The only movie in the Harry Potter franchise that was true to the book was the very first installment. The first movie didn’t have to leave out any of the important story details. It didn’t need to trim the story down for it to fit in the theatrical format. That first movie was amazing. I…

I want my students to learn, but more than that, I want to develop in them a desire to learn, a desire to be productive, to accomplish things, to do more than they ever thought they could. That’s my goal. That is why I push my students to do their work, to use their time…

I went to the Santa Claus Parade on the weekend and was reminded of how much I love to see and hear the marching bands. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera with me. There were some great bands there that I would have loved to have shared with all of you who weren’t able to…

Image via Wikipedia Let’s observe a moment’s silence today in honour of the veterans who have paid the ultimate price for our safety and freedom. Lest we forget.Remembrance Day – November 11th

This week I took my class on a field trip to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, Ontario. It was an amazing experience for both myself and the kids. I was fascinated to get to see the Avro Lancaster Bomber up close and personal. As you can see in this photograph, the museum…

How could I have possibly have forgotten my lunch today? There’s my lunch bag. Right beside my water bottles (I never leave the house without one of them.) Yet this morning, I somehow managed to open the fridge and grab three of my water bottles and leave my lunch behind. I didn’t notice until I…

My brother handed this book to me a few months back and suggested that it would be right up my alley since I am a writer, an English major, and fascinated with words and language. He was right! The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker is a great read. For instance, did you know that “virtually every…