Those movies were like Lifetime Movies for 80s tweens. Long before television dramas like Secret Life of the American Teenager or movies like Cyberbully, ABC Afterschool Specials tackled popular topics among teens. It focused on everything from good sportsmanship and a crush on the popular cheerleader, to eating disorders, drugs and alcohol, and everything in between. But, I digress.
As a child who ultimately preferred books to television, how could I not love Schoolhouse Rock? They used music to teach things like grammar and math! And the music was cool! No really, it was cool. And the lyrics? Unforgettable, that's what they are. Here are some I can recall off the top of my head:
- Three is a magic number.
- Lolly, Lolly, Lolly get your adverbs here.
- Conjunction Junction, what's your function.
- I'm just a bill, yes just a bill and I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill.
- Naughty number nine, will tie you up, ooooh, in a knot.
Get your mind out of the gutter. That last one is about multiplication.
When home schooling my two sons, even though they are teenagers I still use Schoolhouse Rock videos in our lessons. This is partly because I hope the catchy tunes will stay with them in life, even beyond their time as a student. And partly, it is to prove to my husband that when it comes to all things grammar, compared to the way he butchers the English language, I am right.
We do not argue often. When we do, the subject has nothing to do with bills, or money, or anything from our past. It is almost always about something petty...like grammar. When he says something like "You boys don't need no coats" I fume inside. Outwardly I sigh, "Any. They don't need ANY coats." It is a never ending battle. His argument is that he does make an attempt to use better grammar around people who are well-spoken. Um...so what does that make me? Yeah, when it comes to arguing about grammar there is no end in sight.
Because my husband hates computers, I am fairly certain that he will never read this blog entry. In all fairness I did warn him this morning that he would be a featured guest. Honey, if you are reading this just remember -- I love you dearly, but greatly dislike the way you butcher the English language.
