Dramatizing the Partition of India: Play by Riti Sachdeva

How difficult it seems to be to compress centuries of history into an evening of heightened drama. Riti Sachdeva renders an epitome of the long-term religious tensions of South Asia in her play, "Parts of Parts of Stitches," currently running at the 14th Street Y. Here's a link to a review.

Jennifer Muller | The Works at Ailey Center March 19

Monday is a great night to catch Jennifer Muller | The Works performing the beautiful "Aria" to the accompaniment of the excellent Da Capo Chamber Players at the Ailey Center. Tickets at Smarttix.
Don't miss it!

Romantic Ireland's Dead and Gone

See two compelling Irish plays at The Cell in Chelsea this weekend just in time for St. Patrick's day! Here's a brief review of "Blood" and "Dancing at Lunacy."

The theater space is excellent and the writers are passionate. Wear green.

No Child Left Behind--But Where Are We Going?

Test your knowledge of American History at the eighth grade level provided by CNN here.


Now take your turn with an example of a test taken by eighth graders in Kansas during 1895. The Smoky Valley Genealogical Society also provides a link to answers on that same page.

What do students need to know? What do teachers need to learn? Next week, the American Congress is considering the topic again for K-12 students. This informative blog from Education Week outlines the ongoing debates nicely. Costs keep rising, but we cannot put our heads in the sand. No Child Left Behind, in its unexamined consequences, could have put all of our schools out of business. One hundred percent is a nice round number for a quiz grade, but children are not learning objects. I hope we don't shoot ourselves in the collective foot by not thinking about the consequences and building in some opportunities for review and reconsideration. That's the least a thoughtful, well-educated person can do.

I'm off to see CQ/CX a play about the media and plagiarism today. What are you doing for the arts this weekend?

In the mood for Jennifer Muller | The Works--Tueday Feb. 14

Review of TADA Youth Theater's History Mystery

Read this review of History Mystery at Suite101.com. If you are looking for something to do with school-aged children aged 6 and above, TADA! offers an excellent showcase in New York City. Here's a link to their website.

In the Mood for Muller--Valentine's Day 2012!