I thought I’d share with you some advance praise for Samson’s book, The Jive Talker, Or How to Get a British Passport. It comes out on 3 July.
Samson Kambalu’s The Jive Talker is one of the funniest books I’ve read in years–the book of a born writer and a born comic, as distinct from a “humorist”(save me)–and it has its own peculiar wisdom, namely that nothing’s what we’re told it is, probably nothing is what we say it is either, and most importantly, nothing’s sacred, least of all us. For every reader who’s been bedazzled and disappointed by the “pity-me” school of autobiographical writing, and every reader who’s been jived to death, this book should be a life-preserver of sanity in an upside down world, a reorientation in how to avoid claptrap, self-pity and boorishness, and have a high, smart time doing it.
- Gary Indiana, author of Do Everything in the Dark and The Schwarzenegger Syndrome.
Samson Kambalu has a beguiling voice, and The Jive Talker delivers the charming and rare story of Kambalu’s coming of age as an artist in Malawi.
- Daniel Bergner, author of In the Land of Magic Soldiers: A Story of White and Black in West Africa
I have been inspired by David Muir’s Choose Your Own Flickr Adventure … This is a work in progress, and really, I’m only linking it here now so I can find it again quickly and easily! But feel free to explore a bit. I am finding it a bit slow to set up, so that is my main concern. At least I have a bit of time to do that, though, just now!
Not just for those in Haringey of course! But I think over the next few weeks we’ll be seeing some interesting work being shared on some of the following sites. (Some were begun a year ago and have not been updated recently – hopefully that will change, and it would be great if you add your comments!)
Education ideas for using CrazyTalk – A blog where you can share your good ideas about using CrazyTalk in teaching. There are already links to examples here, and links to sites where you can create interesting characters, eg make your own Mr Potato Head.
Another Teachers’ TV link. A number of Great Books relating to education were put on the Teachers’ TV website for people to comment on and vote for. Selena Scott presents a programme featuring the countdown to the top ten books. I’ve not had a chance to watch it yet – after all, I’ve just discovered it just before midnight! – but it seems that the ten books I’ve listed below are the top ten. I have to confess I have only read four of these books (1, 2, 4 & 6) but have also found resumees of Vygotsky helpful (particularly when writing literature reviews!).
I was shocked to hear at lunch time of the death of Steve Sinnott, the General Secretary of the NUT. That is not my union, but I had heard Steve speak, I think during one of the fringe meetings at my own union’s conference, on behalf of Education International, where he spoke passionately about education and the importance of teachers. He seemed a friendly and dedicated man. He will obviously be much missed.
I am in two minds about posting this link here, but as a Teachers’ TV Associate, I have a responsibility to encourage other teachers to use the excellent resources that can be found on the Teachers’ TV website, and I was quite pleased with my students when they were recorded … so here goes. Follow the link to find out more about Online Social Networks.
