Can't. Lesson. Plan. Any. More.
So, I'm thinking about poetry--specifically the Third Thursday coming up at the YMCA (sponsored by Youth City Network). Just today I had two different (former) students come by to read me poetry that they had composed. I'm encouraging them to read it at the Third Thursday event. I attended last time and it was wonderful to see local teenagers so excited about sharing their talents with each other.
Poetry is an intensely personal art form, which is why it's so perfect for teenagers who feel that everything is happening to them for the first time ever and in the most extreme way ever. Poetry allows them to share those strong emotions and to connect with others who are feeling the same. I'm really looking forward to seeing our school represented and to hearing what others have to say.
In related news, I just received "Louder Than a Bomb" from Netflix. Recommended by fellow English teachers and poetry buffs, it's an account of a poetry slam/competition and follows a Chicago team as they prepare. I'm hoping to screen it for the club during the February Third Thursday. The truly exciting thing is that it's coming to Kansas City in 2014. How great is that?
Friday, January 11, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
Novels and other distractions
Love Christmas break for the chance to really dig into some good books! I just recently finished "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn and couldn't put it down. It was very twisty--in a good way--and even though there was a dearth of sympathetic characters, I still cared enough to find out what happened to all of them. I'd highly recommend it if you enjoy murder mysteries with a serious twist!
We purchased a refurbished (new to us!) computer just around Thanksgiving time, so the kids have really enjoyed the faster, easier interface and the ability to use their game Skyrim. It has great graphics, but is not something I could get into--the storyline requires you to kill people and other beings and steal their things. Not my kind of thing. I have enjoyed using it for my games and for sending e-mail, which I can't seem to do on the Apple when using Yahoo. A bit frustrating. My work e-mail functions, of course. Yay.
I also got around to cleaning out the basement (donating a bunch of toys that hadn't been played with in some years, but that the kids weren't ready to let go of), getting family pictures taken and getting several doctor's visits out of the way. Also been thinking about lesson planning and have devoted several hours to that as well. I think for teachers that every holiday is a busman's holiday--everything we run across is fodder for teaching at some point. That's probably a good thing but sometimes it feels a little too busy.
We purchased a refurbished (new to us!) computer just around Thanksgiving time, so the kids have really enjoyed the faster, easier interface and the ability to use their game Skyrim. It has great graphics, but is not something I could get into--the storyline requires you to kill people and other beings and steal their things. Not my kind of thing. I have enjoyed using it for my games and for sending e-mail, which I can't seem to do on the Apple when using Yahoo. A bit frustrating. My work e-mail functions, of course. Yay.
I also got around to cleaning out the basement (donating a bunch of toys that hadn't been played with in some years, but that the kids weren't ready to let go of), getting family pictures taken and getting several doctor's visits out of the way. Also been thinking about lesson planning and have devoted several hours to that as well. I think for teachers that every holiday is a busman's holiday--everything we run across is fodder for teaching at some point. That's probably a good thing but sometimes it feels a little too busy.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Supreme Court Considers Gay Marriage
We recently left a church we'd attended for over a year. The issue was two-fold--both the pastor and several of the congregants had made public statements against gay marriage and the pastor had sermonized about disciplining children with a belt. When I mentioned these concerns to the pastor's wife, stating that the anti-gay message particularly disturbed my daughter, she asked, "is she gay?" I said no, but what I SHOULD have said was, "Why do you ask?" In a Christian church, we believe that God is the God of all. If all means all, that should include gay and straight, black and white, sinners and saints.
So, in the same vein, the Supreme court is considering the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8 which both concern blocking benefits for married same-sex couples. The essential question being considered is "whether the Constitution's promise of equality for all persons applies to gay men and lesbians when it comes to marriage." (According to a recent article in the Kansas City Star, "Gay Marriage on Docket")
The question I'd like to ask is, haven't we already determined that the Constitution applies to all person? Not just white persons, not just male persons, but all persons. Seems we keep having to make the distinction about what being a person means. I think that each time this decision comes up to vote, we (humankind) are facing our fear of the unknown. Can women really be smart enough and capable enough to have an opinion and to vote? Are they really PEOPLE? Same question for African-Americans, American Indians or other "foreigners." At root, people who have a different sexual orientation are different than the majority and that is scary! I can only hope that at some point we will evolve to where different more often means interesting than fearful.
So, in the same vein, the Supreme court is considering the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8 which both concern blocking benefits for married same-sex couples. The essential question being considered is "whether the Constitution's promise of equality for all persons applies to gay men and lesbians when it comes to marriage." (According to a recent article in the Kansas City Star, "Gay Marriage on Docket")
The question I'd like to ask is, haven't we already determined that the Constitution applies to all person? Not just white persons, not just male persons, but all persons. Seems we keep having to make the distinction about what being a person means. I think that each time this decision comes up to vote, we (humankind) are facing our fear of the unknown. Can women really be smart enough and capable enough to have an opinion and to vote? Are they really PEOPLE? Same question for African-Americans, American Indians or other "foreigners." At root, people who have a different sexual orientation are different than the majority and that is scary! I can only hope that at some point we will evolve to where different more often means interesting than fearful.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
How Much Can You Help?
Another article in a (probably continuing) series about the murder/suicide of Kassandra Perkins and Jovan Belcher. A good deal more information as come to light this morning, including the fact that Belcher kissed his girlfriend after killing her and telling her he was sorry.
Immediately after the murder, Belcher drove to the Chief's stadium where he met Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli. Pioli tried to reason with Belcher but that didn't work. Belcher had been in counseling with the Chiefs, who “were bending over backward” to help, Sharp said. But Belcher told Pioli that the assistance wasn’t enough to fix their problems and now, “It was too late.”
In the wake of this tragedy, my question is; once a person is to the point where they are willing to kill, is it too late to help them? Belcher had lots of problems, both financial (according to the article) and personal, but so do many people. He and Kassandra had a fight the night of her murder, but many couples fight. What else could the Chiefs, his mother or his friends have done to prevent this tragedy? Could anyone have stopped it?
Immediately after the murder, Belcher drove to the Chief's stadium where he met Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli. Pioli tried to reason with Belcher but that didn't work. Belcher had been in counseling with the Chiefs, who “were bending over backward” to help, Sharp said. But Belcher told Pioli that the assistance wasn’t enough to fix their problems and now, “It was too late.”
In the wake of this tragedy, my question is; once a person is to the point where they are willing to kill, is it too late to help them? Belcher had lots of problems, both financial (according to the article) and personal, but so do many people. He and Kassandra had a fight the night of her murder, but many couples fight. What else could the Chiefs, his mother or his friends have done to prevent this tragedy? Could anyone have stopped it?
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Modern Life--WHEW!
This weekend we stopped moving only when we were asleep. There were school-related activities and work to do, household activities and work, Christmas activities and work and church. My whole family was on the computer constantly sending e-mails, grading (me), drop-boxing homework (daughter), playing Minecraft (son) and creating budget sheets (hubby). As soon as one task was over it was time to start another.
Modern life does not allow for a lot of down time and I'm craving it. I don't mean boredom--just time when all tasks are done, no expectations are upon me and I can curl up on the couch with a good book or an old, favorite movie. If I do that now I have guilt--I should be doing something!
Reading the Sunday paper this morning while I waited for my hubby to get out of the shower, I enjoyed an article by C.W. Gusewelle called "The Joy of a Simpler Type of Writing" in which he describes his pleasure in using a typewriter when his computer dies an untimely death. I can identify. Some days I wish we could just unplug from everything and all come out to the porch with a glass of lemonade to watch the world go by.
I'm holding out for Christmas break, just 18 days away. I pledge to take at least two of those days and "unplug" from modern life. I'll have freshly-made cookies and a well-worn book, dog at my feet, hubby and children happy and busy (somewhere else :-). A deep breath, a sigh and an acknowledgement that the world will get along just fine without me for a few, precious hours.
Modern life does not allow for a lot of down time and I'm craving it. I don't mean boredom--just time when all tasks are done, no expectations are upon me and I can curl up on the couch with a good book or an old, favorite movie. If I do that now I have guilt--I should be doing something!
Reading the Sunday paper this morning while I waited for my hubby to get out of the shower, I enjoyed an article by C.W. Gusewelle called "The Joy of a Simpler Type of Writing" in which he describes his pleasure in using a typewriter when his computer dies an untimely death. I can identify. Some days I wish we could just unplug from everything and all come out to the porch with a glass of lemonade to watch the world go by.
I'm holding out for Christmas break, just 18 days away. I pledge to take at least two of those days and "unplug" from modern life. I'll have freshly-made cookies and a well-worn book, dog at my feet, hubby and children happy and busy (somewhere else :-). A deep breath, a sigh and an acknowledgement that the world will get along just fine without me for a few, precious hours.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Committees
Adults are enamored of committees. This year, I am a member of the District Literacy Committee, the Literacy Committee subgroup (to develop a plan for the Literacy Committee), the Literacy Committee book study group (to report back to the Literacy Committee on the books we read) and the school-specific Literacy Committee. Confused yet? Me too.
I understand the necessity of forming small groups of like-minded people to both study a problem/issue and to take action on it. However, sometimes it gets a little overwhelming. While it's all for a good cause (Literacy, for goodness sake!), I often feel that I'm meeting more than I'm doing, but I'm glad to be a part of something bigger than anything I could do by myself. Meeting adjourned.
I understand the necessity of forming small groups of like-minded people to both study a problem/issue and to take action on it. However, sometimes it gets a little overwhelming. While it's all for a good cause (Literacy, for goodness sake!), I often feel that I'm meeting more than I'm doing, but I'm glad to be a part of something bigger than anything I could do by myself. Meeting adjourned.
Hunger in Kansas City
From the Sunday, November 25 edition of The Kansas City Star,
“When you provide food to a child, you are providing much more than a simple meal,” said Karen Haren, president and CEO of Harvesters. “Your gift is an investment in that child’s health, ability to do well in school and grow into someone who contributes to our community.”
Hunger is a real problem in Kansas City, the United States and the world. Just because it is the holiday season doesn't mean it's worse for homeless and hungry, but it's a good marketing opportunity for food banks and homeless shelters--a time when people are feeling their most generous. the Star followed Darius Bryant, a formerly homeless person who is now a college student. They told his story as only a home-town newspaper could, by letting him do the talking.
What I wonder is how this can happen in America today? With a general population that is so connected, so in-touch with each other, how do people like Bryant slip through the cracks? It would be great to have someone to blame, someone or something to point a finger at and say--there's the problem! But I think we'd all be lying to ourselves if we didn't point that same finger inward and say, there's the problem, it's with me!
I've volunteered at Harvesters (see quote above), but usually only when I had to for Kauffman Scholars or for work. I always take my kids with me and we always feel good following our work there, but I don't do it on a regular basis. Why not? Am I selfish, uncaring, unfeeling? I see kids coming to school with no breakfast, with no showers because their water got cut off, not eating lunch because they can't afford it. I've shared my lunch, I've directed students toward agencies that can help their families. But is that enough? Am I doing all I can? If people like Bryant exist, then clearly the answer is no.
What do you think? What have you done to help the cause of hunger in Kansas City, KS? What else can you do?
“When you provide food to a child, you are providing much more than a simple meal,” said Karen Haren, president and CEO of Harvesters. “Your gift is an investment in that child’s health, ability to do well in school and grow into someone who contributes to our community.”
Hunger is a real problem in Kansas City, the United States and the world. Just because it is the holiday season doesn't mean it's worse for homeless and hungry, but it's a good marketing opportunity for food banks and homeless shelters--a time when people are feeling their most generous. the Star followed Darius Bryant, a formerly homeless person who is now a college student. They told his story as only a home-town newspaper could, by letting him do the talking.
What I wonder is how this can happen in America today? With a general population that is so connected, so in-touch with each other, how do people like Bryant slip through the cracks? It would be great to have someone to blame, someone or something to point a finger at and say--there's the problem! But I think we'd all be lying to ourselves if we didn't point that same finger inward and say, there's the problem, it's with me!
I've volunteered at Harvesters (see quote above), but usually only when I had to for Kauffman Scholars or for work. I always take my kids with me and we always feel good following our work there, but I don't do it on a regular basis. Why not? Am I selfish, uncaring, unfeeling? I see kids coming to school with no breakfast, with no showers because their water got cut off, not eating lunch because they can't afford it. I've shared my lunch, I've directed students toward agencies that can help their families. But is that enough? Am I doing all I can? If people like Bryant exist, then clearly the answer is no.
What do you think? What have you done to help the cause of hunger in Kansas City, KS? What else can you do?
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