Friday Feels
December 9, 2016
Here I am, blogging again on a Friday. Last night was my birthday so I have decided to share a picture from the Forest Springs production of They Looked up and Saw. I took several Drama I/II students with me and we had a lovely evening dining on beautiful desserts and then treated ourselves to an original play. Overall I had a wonderful time and we even captured the moment on camera! Allison wanted to do one silly photo, which it turned out being anyway, but when she went to "dab", we all laughed.
The second picture was captured today at the beginning of my 6th hour class. In Honors English 10, I have decided to devote 2-4 minutes at the beginning of each class to "get our minds centered." This has been our fourth full week of meditation, and when I asked for feedback, the responses were positive. Overall, the students said they enjoy being able to disconnect for four minutes. They mentioned how often they go from one class to the next, and never truly ease their minds into the class ahead. Personally, I'm enjoying getting my mind in the right place at the beginning of class, and I find that if I visualize my intention for class, I am much more likely to stay on task the entire 40 minutes! I love it and I think the students are enjoying it as well.
Thanks for another great week.
The second picture was captured today at the beginning of my 6th hour class. In Honors English 10, I have decided to devote 2-4 minutes at the beginning of each class to "get our minds centered." This has been our fourth full week of meditation, and when I asked for feedback, the responses were positive. Overall, the students said they enjoy being able to disconnect for four minutes. They mentioned how often they go from one class to the next, and never truly ease their minds into the class ahead. Personally, I'm enjoying getting my mind in the right place at the beginning of class, and I find that if I visualize my intention for class, I am much more likely to stay on task the entire 40 minutes! I love it and I think the students are enjoying it as well.
Thanks for another great week.
Friday Feels
December 2, 2016
I don't typically post a lot during the school year, but this Friday I'm feeling inspired. I'm feeling inspired by my Drama class because they have been really amazing this year. Not only do we do a lot of production preparations, but we also learn what drama means and how to take a role in it. This year I asked them to create their own, original scenes and they performed them in the R/W Theater. They were all very creative and funny. Yesterday I asked them to participate in solving a mystery that they were all suspects in. The students did a wonderful job of coming in character and participating. I have attached several pictures of them here.
Also, I was looking through some of my pictures to create my annual Christmas card, and I found one of my late grandmother, Sophie, and me that I wanted to share the picture with all of you.. We are at Timm's Hill in the picture and I'm wearing a Simba t-shirt and Minnetonka Moccs with white socks. I miss my grandma. She was an incredible woman who came to America from Poland when she was 16.
A Triathlon, Homecoming and Crunchy Leaves
Fall 2016
It seems like so long ago that I got my new class lists and prepared for the upcoming school year. Now, I look at my last post from August and wonder, as I do most falls, "Where did the time go?"
This fall has been challenging, both physically and professionally! As you're all aware, over Labor Day weekend, I competed in my first ever triathlon in Hudson, WI. I swam a little under 1 mile, biked 24 and ran 6.2. It was difficult, I must be honest. The only goal I had was to finish, and I did. Because of my pride, I also did not want to finish last, and I didn't! As a former swimmer, I am proud to boast that out of 32 women, I finished 6th overall (in all of the age groups.) I was only one of the 32 women not wearing a wet suit. (Keep in mind, you need to swim, bike and run in the same outfit...) I am very proud of myself for finishing, as I was nursing a prior back/hip injury. What I learned is that I am capable of anything if I truly put my mind to it. I didn't train with anyone and nobody was there to help me with questions, or put my bike tire on and off, nor to give me a pre-race pep talk. Instead, I was forced to make new friends and confide in the goodness of those around me. I have also learned that training for anything takes time, discipline and strength, both mentally and physically. I would not have made it through my run without positive self talk and confidence in my training. Am I hooked on triathlons? Heck no. Will I ever do another one? Perhaps. Maybe it won't be an Olympic sized race, but it could be a "sprint." I found out the hard way that I am indeed not a runner.
My favorite time of year is fall: crunchy leaves, pumpkins, apples, spooky movies, a thrill in the air and the crisp weather settling in. Everything about fall, I love. I touched briefly in the beginning of this post about how this year has been a challenge professionally, and that is because I have had to step up to the plate and lead student council. Overall, this has challenged my time; when will I get things done and how? Homecoming is the most chaotic time of year with all of the events that happen. In case you haven't noticed, our student council takes on a lot of challenges and they do a lot for the school. Homecoming is no exception. We had an awesome time at HoCo 2k16: MASH: Passing the Torch! I got a little nostalgic the Friday of Homecoming, as I contemplated what to wear to the game. The choices were simple: wind breaker pull over from when my brother played Center, or my Letterman jacket. If you saw me at the game, you know which one I chose. Overall, our Council pulled off another great homecoming and I'm extremely proud of them.
As Thanksgiving falls upon us, it is important to take the time to be thankful. I want my students to know that I'm thankful for them and am blessed that I GET TO go to work; not that I HAVE TO. Thank you for making fall another enjoyable time of year. Please enjoy the pictures I have decided to share with you all...
This fall has been challenging, both physically and professionally! As you're all aware, over Labor Day weekend, I competed in my first ever triathlon in Hudson, WI. I swam a little under 1 mile, biked 24 and ran 6.2. It was difficult, I must be honest. The only goal I had was to finish, and I did. Because of my pride, I also did not want to finish last, and I didn't! As a former swimmer, I am proud to boast that out of 32 women, I finished 6th overall (in all of the age groups.) I was only one of the 32 women not wearing a wet suit. (Keep in mind, you need to swim, bike and run in the same outfit...) I am very proud of myself for finishing, as I was nursing a prior back/hip injury. What I learned is that I am capable of anything if I truly put my mind to it. I didn't train with anyone and nobody was there to help me with questions, or put my bike tire on and off, nor to give me a pre-race pep talk. Instead, I was forced to make new friends and confide in the goodness of those around me. I have also learned that training for anything takes time, discipline and strength, both mentally and physically. I would not have made it through my run without positive self talk and confidence in my training. Am I hooked on triathlons? Heck no. Will I ever do another one? Perhaps. Maybe it won't be an Olympic sized race, but it could be a "sprint." I found out the hard way that I am indeed not a runner.
My favorite time of year is fall: crunchy leaves, pumpkins, apples, spooky movies, a thrill in the air and the crisp weather settling in. Everything about fall, I love. I touched briefly in the beginning of this post about how this year has been a challenge professionally, and that is because I have had to step up to the plate and lead student council. Overall, this has challenged my time; when will I get things done and how? Homecoming is the most chaotic time of year with all of the events that happen. In case you haven't noticed, our student council takes on a lot of challenges and they do a lot for the school. Homecoming is no exception. We had an awesome time at HoCo 2k16: MASH: Passing the Torch! I got a little nostalgic the Friday of Homecoming, as I contemplated what to wear to the game. The choices were simple: wind breaker pull over from when my brother played Center, or my Letterman jacket. If you saw me at the game, you know which one I chose. Overall, our Council pulled off another great homecoming and I'm extremely proud of them.
As Thanksgiving falls upon us, it is important to take the time to be thankful. I want my students to know that I'm thankful for them and am blessed that I GET TO go to work; not that I HAVE TO. Thank you for making fall another enjoyable time of year. Please enjoy the pictures I have decided to share with you all...
All Good Things Come to an End...
What I've been up to:
Summer 2016
Welcome back to everyone. I hope this blog post finds you well. The summer of 2016 truly flew by, as cliche as that sounds. I did many fun things that stand out: went to see Dave Matthews Band for the 11th and 12th time, bought my very first road bike, began training for a triathlon, hung out with some awesome co-workers, attended several weddings, saw Dashboard Confessional (childhood dream), funded a Community Supported Agriculture plot through Stoney Acres Farm in Athens, WI, enjoyed many bike rides, early morning swims and plenty of runs, went to Denver, CO to visit my brother and saw Lord Huron as well as Trampled by Turtles at Red Rocks, and camped in the mountains. Now, as the summer winds down and the school year begins I'm not too sad and there are several reasons for that: I get to meet all of my amazing new students, teach exciting lessons in a block schedule with amazing technology and opportunities, and I get to work alongside my coworkers, whom I like! Life is good. Enjoy an inside peak into my summer below. Let's have an awesome school year.
Jeans for Genes: helping the community throughout the disciplines
February 2015
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects approximately 30,000 Americans. What do you personally know about Cystic Fibrosis (CF)? Personally, I know a young man who I went to college with that battles the disease. I know that at the ripe age of 27 he is in the hospital, struggling to breathe everyday. So, what can we do to help those who live with CF?
The best way for students to learn is by being constantly exposed to a subject. Essentially, in a perfect world, all disciplines would be aligned and everyday the topic being discussed in Government would be the same in Biology, math and English, too. The sophomore core subject teachers have teamed up and are trying to align a unit about genetics and we've settled on educating our students about CF.
We are organizing a "Jeans for Genes" day and inviting local businesses to participate in the event. On Wednesday, March 25 members of the local businesses can donate $5 to wear jeans to work on that particular day. We are asking participating businesses to mail their monies to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 6931 Arlington Rd., 2nd Floor Bethesda, MD 20814. Otherwise, they can drop off their collected money to the high school's main office after the jeans day.
In English class, the Honors English students drafted letters to the local businesses, informing them about CF and how they can get involved. This was a lot of work, considering how we had to teach formal business writing and how to address a letter before the students could draft letters. Then, the Star News came in and interviewed the students about their campaign, which was very exciting, since we want to do as much as we can to spread the word. The letters are going to the mailbox this afternoon, and we're hoping to see a lot of jeans for genes on Wednesday, March 25th! Keep an eye out in the Star News for the students and their participation.
The best way for students to learn is by being constantly exposed to a subject. Essentially, in a perfect world, all disciplines would be aligned and everyday the topic being discussed in Government would be the same in Biology, math and English, too. The sophomore core subject teachers have teamed up and are trying to align a unit about genetics and we've settled on educating our students about CF.
We are organizing a "Jeans for Genes" day and inviting local businesses to participate in the event. On Wednesday, March 25 members of the local businesses can donate $5 to wear jeans to work on that particular day. We are asking participating businesses to mail their monies to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 6931 Arlington Rd., 2nd Floor Bethesda, MD 20814. Otherwise, they can drop off their collected money to the high school's main office after the jeans day.
In English class, the Honors English students drafted letters to the local businesses, informing them about CF and how they can get involved. This was a lot of work, considering how we had to teach formal business writing and how to address a letter before the students could draft letters. Then, the Star News came in and interviewed the students about their campaign, which was very exciting, since we want to do as much as we can to spread the word. The letters are going to the mailbox this afternoon, and we're hoping to see a lot of jeans for genes on Wednesday, March 25th! Keep an eye out in the Star News for the students and their participation.
Remembering 70 Years...The Liberation of Auschwitz Death Camp
January 2015
Today, January 27, 2015, marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp, Auschwitz. 70 years ago, the emaciated, starved, "walking dead" greeted the Soviet soldiers at the infamous gates of Auschwitz, where they had been held prisoner and slave to, what some would call, the devil; Hitler and his Nazi SS. Today in history, the remaining and willing survivors reunited at the camp to commemorate the liberation they experienced 70 years ago, and remember those who unfortunately lost in their fight for survival, not so many years ago.
Auschwitz and the Holocaust in general, for that fact, is an inherently fascinating subject: one man's mission to exterminate an entire human race, stopping at nothing to do so with a seemingly unbeatable army to back him in the race for Aryan supremacy. Hitler's "Final Solution" was his "supreme" tactic to wipe out the Jewish race and all other man, woman and child he deemed to be "unfit" for his society. In order to complete this task, people that fell under an umbrella of different racial categories he deemed as degenerate were executed. Auschwitz was the factory he used to exterminate those men, women and children.
Auschwitz is considered to be a "human factory" because of how efficiently it was ran and the purpose it was used for: stripping humans of their personal possessions, hair, dignity and either a) sending them to the crematorium to die immediately or b) utilizing those humans for slave labor until they perished from various ailments/illnesses/exhaustion/murder. At this point you're probably wondering, "What gives this woman the right to speak about Auschwitz with such authority and how the heck would she know all of this?" The answer is somewhat simple. I am extremely intrigued by the Holocaust in general and have read countless non-fiction memoirs about the subject, took a college level course about genocide in college, done countless hours of personal and professional research and have actually been to Auschwitz myself.
Therefore, I would like to share with you a few pictures (all of which I took myself) and pieces of information about my short time spent at the darkly famous landmark, which I gained on my tour of the camps. When I was student teaching in Ireland I took a short trip to Poland to visit some of my family members, which brings me to an unmentioned factor for my high level of intrigue in the Holocaust; the fact that my grandmother grew up in Poland during that time period. When my cousins asked me where I would like to go/what I would like to do while in Poland, I couldn't help but tell them that I needed to go to Auschwitz and see the museum. Fortunately, Oświęcim, the city where the concentration camp is located, is less than two hours from my cousins' house, near Krakow.
I wish I could describe what it is like to look at the vast territory that is Auschwitz II-Birkenau, so instead I'll show you a picture (words don't do it justice because it's completely overwhelming). Upon arrival, all you can see are barbed wire fences, green grass and dozens of uniform "barns." If you know anything about Birkenau, you know that it is where they housed the overflow of prisoners from Auschwitz I, as well as exterminated massive amounts of people.
Auschwitz and the Holocaust in general, for that fact, is an inherently fascinating subject: one man's mission to exterminate an entire human race, stopping at nothing to do so with a seemingly unbeatable army to back him in the race for Aryan supremacy. Hitler's "Final Solution" was his "supreme" tactic to wipe out the Jewish race and all other man, woman and child he deemed to be "unfit" for his society. In order to complete this task, people that fell under an umbrella of different racial categories he deemed as degenerate were executed. Auschwitz was the factory he used to exterminate those men, women and children.
Auschwitz is considered to be a "human factory" because of how efficiently it was ran and the purpose it was used for: stripping humans of their personal possessions, hair, dignity and either a) sending them to the crematorium to die immediately or b) utilizing those humans for slave labor until they perished from various ailments/illnesses/exhaustion/murder. At this point you're probably wondering, "What gives this woman the right to speak about Auschwitz with such authority and how the heck would she know all of this?" The answer is somewhat simple. I am extremely intrigued by the Holocaust in general and have read countless non-fiction memoirs about the subject, took a college level course about genocide in college, done countless hours of personal and professional research and have actually been to Auschwitz myself.
Therefore, I would like to share with you a few pictures (all of which I took myself) and pieces of information about my short time spent at the darkly famous landmark, which I gained on my tour of the camps. When I was student teaching in Ireland I took a short trip to Poland to visit some of my family members, which brings me to an unmentioned factor for my high level of intrigue in the Holocaust; the fact that my grandmother grew up in Poland during that time period. When my cousins asked me where I would like to go/what I would like to do while in Poland, I couldn't help but tell them that I needed to go to Auschwitz and see the museum. Fortunately, Oświęcim, the city where the concentration camp is located, is less than two hours from my cousins' house, near Krakow.
I wish I could describe what it is like to look at the vast territory that is Auschwitz II-Birkenau, so instead I'll show you a picture (words don't do it justice because it's completely overwhelming). Upon arrival, all you can see are barbed wire fences, green grass and dozens of uniform "barns." If you know anything about Birkenau, you know that it is where they housed the overflow of prisoners from Auschwitz I, as well as exterminated massive amounts of people.
After I caught my breath from first sight, we walked into one of those "barns," which is where the museum begins, as there are informative signs posted everywhere on the grounds informing you of its history.
Stacked three layers high, the barn consists of rows upon rows of bunk beds. Above is a picture of what the Nazis called the barracks, which is where prisoners slept, sometimes five prisoners to each slat. The original purpose of these "barracks" was to house horses. You can imagine how cold the cement would be in the winter, as there's only a tiny stove at the end of the barracks to heat its occupants. Needless to say, living conditions were grim. After taking in only some of Birkenau, my cousins drove me, yes we had to drive because it's approximately one mile away, to the museum, which is where you see Auschwitz I, and really learn the death camp's gruesome history.
After watching a terrifying "orientation" video about Auschwitz concentration camp, I was taken down the path to the infamous gates of the camp which reads in German, Abeichteit macht frei" and in English means "Work makes you free." The feeling you experience at that gate is a calm sense of eerie. All I kept thinking to myself was, "how many people died here? What if someone died there? What happened here then? What would it have been like?" Already at the beginning I was shaken and couldn't stop myself from being overwhelmed by actually being on ground where so many people died.
After watching a terrifying "orientation" video about Auschwitz concentration camp, I was taken down the path to the infamous gates of the camp which reads in German, Abeichteit macht frei" and in English means "Work makes you free." The feeling you experience at that gate is a calm sense of eerie. All I kept thinking to myself was, "how many people died here? What if someone died there? What happened here then? What would it have been like?" Already at the beginning I was shaken and couldn't stop myself from being overwhelmed by actually being on ground where so many people died.
Once I passed the gate, I was taken through the Auschwitz I camp. As you can already probably tell, the scene in this camp is very different than that of Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The "blocks," or barracks in this camp are uniform brick buildings. Some might say that these blocks are more civilized than those in the Birkenau camp. Interesting enough, these blocks have been turned into the museum. Inside of the blocks, viewers receive a first hand experience of what Auschwitz was like, while viewing artifacts and informational, photographic displays. Most blocks display personal items and camp paraphernalia that was discovered at the camp's liberation. Some of the items seen inside include dozens of empty cans from zyklon b (the chemical used in the gas chambers), hundreds of camp documents, thousands of pictures, and numerous collections of personal items that were found in the warehouses of the camp.
When new arrivals came to the camp, they brought with them their necessary personal items and any mementos from home. Upon arrival, prisoner's suitcases were taken from them and were then sorted into various piles: shoes, combs, pictures, clothes, jewelry, bowls for cooking, prayer shawls, menorahs, bibles, baby dolls, hair bows, shaving creams, etc. Before the men, women and children were taken to their deaths, they were stripped further of their basic necessities: eye glasses, rings, earrings, prosthetics, wheel chairs, etc. Even further, they were stripped of their tooth fillings and hair postmortem. One of the most shocking rooms on the tour is an entire corridor filled with shoes, 80,000 shoes.
When new arrivals came to the camp, they brought with them their necessary personal items and any mementos from home. Upon arrival, prisoner's suitcases were taken from them and were then sorted into various piles: shoes, combs, pictures, clothes, jewelry, bowls for cooking, prayer shawls, menorahs, bibles, baby dolls, hair bows, shaving creams, etc. Before the men, women and children were taken to their deaths, they were stripped further of their basic necessities: eye glasses, rings, earrings, prosthetics, wheel chairs, etc. Even further, they were stripped of their tooth fillings and hair postmortem. One of the most shocking rooms on the tour is an entire corridor filled with shoes, 80,000 shoes.
Unfortunately the photos don't do the displays justice, but it's a little scope into what the museum looks like. As you can imagine, I'm sure, seeing these artifacts up close and personal is overwhelming. Someone can tell you a number as many times as they want to, but until you see tangible evidence of what 80,000 looks like, it's still even hard to believe what the number means...
The tour continues on through several more blocks, including block 11, which is where the prison is housed. Yes, there was a prison within a prison. Various political prisoners were required to stay here, along with other "rebels" who decided to be courageous, such as the rabbi who wouldn't give up his prayer shawl and was forced into a starvation cell until he perished. We weren't allowed to take very many pictures on the inside of the prison. Prison cells are housed in the basement. One cell we were allowed to enter has a "standing cell." Bricks are stacked up to the ceiling and the only way to get into the small space is through an opening at the bottom of the structure. Sometimes as many as four prisoners were forced to stand in the cell that should only allow space for one; eventually all of the prisoners suffocated, since there was only one slat for air. The standing cell is only one instance of torture in the grand scheme of the prison.
The tour continues on through several more blocks, including block 11, which is where the prison is housed. Yes, there was a prison within a prison. Various political prisoners were required to stay here, along with other "rebels" who decided to be courageous, such as the rabbi who wouldn't give up his prayer shawl and was forced into a starvation cell until he perished. We weren't allowed to take very many pictures on the inside of the prison. Prison cells are housed in the basement. One cell we were allowed to enter has a "standing cell." Bricks are stacked up to the ceiling and the only way to get into the small space is through an opening at the bottom of the structure. Sometimes as many as four prisoners were forced to stand in the cell that should only allow space for one; eventually all of the prisoners suffocated, since there was only one slat for air. The standing cell is only one instance of torture in the grand scheme of the prison.
In between blocks 10 and 11 there is a memorial for the mass executions that took place after the prisoners were "liquidated" from their state of hell. Today visitors bring flowers and candles to the spot where so many atrocious acts were performed.
The gas chamber is the final stop on the tour of Auschwtiz I. When Hitler realized there was no escaping his overtaking, he ordered the gas chambers be destroyed. He didn't want people to know what happened in Auschwitz. Auschwitz I's gas chamber is the only one remaining in the camp.
Visitors are guided through the process that so many unfortunate people endured 70 years ago: dressing room, gas chamber and finally crematorium. Being inside of the gas chamber is a somber and un-explainable experience. The room is cement and starkly grim. In the corner of a roped off section of the gas chamber sits a memorial spot for flowers.
Adjacent to the chamber is a crematorium, which is where the final step of the extermination took place. Again, another chilling spot on the tour. You can't help but let your mind wander back to what the functioning spot would have been like. The spot near the furnaces is one of great solitude, reflection and meditation on the atrocities that were performed, as a whole, in the camp.
Why remember? Why bring up Auschwitz and dedicate an entire post on my blog about it? Because if we don't remember, history repeats. It's unfortunate enough that numerous other genocides have happened after the Holocaust. What if we don't remember and don't stand witness? Elie Wiesel states in a quote in his novel Night that he "didn't think it was possible to burn people in our age; that humanity wouldn't let it." Mistakes will continue to happen unless we learn from them, which is why I have and will dedicate time and effort to informing my students about Auschwitz and the Holocaust in general. I hope that they learned something in class, that I evoked an emotion inside of them that they hadn't felt in awhile. Perhaps some experienced fear, anger, sadness, empathy, anxiety? I hope that they felt something and take it with them.
“We are alive. We are human, with good and bad in us. That's all we know for sure. We can't create a new species or a new world. That's been done. Now we have to live within those boundaries. What are our choices? We can despair and curse, and change nothing. We can choose evil like our enemies have done and create a world based on hate. Or we can try to make things better.” – Carol Matas, “Daniel’s Story”
The Importance of a Pearl
December 2014
A parable is a simple story with symbolism incorporated throughout. Recently the sophomores finished reading The Pearl by John Steinbeck. I remember reading this story as a sophomore when I attended Mash, also. I can honestly say that I have learned more through this story now, as an adult, than ever before. Reflecting back on the story reveals more than just what the characters learn throughout their journey, but the reader gains invaluable perspective about human struggles and the constant battle to figure out the moral of life. Throughout my reading, I could relate entirely too well to what the character was experiencing with his family, which reminded me why literature is so important; so that we can better understand our struggles and purpose on this planet.
At the beginning of the story, I asked groups of students to think about what money can and cannot buy. After a three minute brainstorm, I had the students write some of the "What money cannot buy" items on the board. Each team had to write all of their ideas on the board, and then we crossed off the repeats from other groups. The group with the least amount crossed off at the end (aka the most original) won a prize. I was surprised at some of the topics that appeared on the board, and was once again reminded of how creative my students are! The reason I asked the students to brain storm these topics is because the main character in The Pearl discovers a gigantic pearl one day when he is diving for his job. This massive pearl is the answer to his family's prayers! But unfortunately Kino, the main character, quickly figures out that what he wished for isn't exactly what he needs. His whole life turns upside down as he tries to receive a fair price for his precious pearl. When he is taken advantage of by the pearl buyers, he then decides to go to the capital. A series of unfortunate events lead the family to understand that perhaps their simple life was better than their imagined lavish one. At the end of the story, students were asked to think about the "moral" or "message" of the story. What they surmised is that "money truly cannot buy everything," "a person should be happy with what they have," "we never know what we have until it's gone," and "savor the moments and loved ones we have." |
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Drama
November 2014
A reader's theatre is a style of theatre in which the students do not memorize their lines; rather, they are given a script with which they are to create drama through the expression of their reading and engagement. During the month of November, the drama students in my first hour prepared to go to the elementary school and perform a reader's theatre for some of the first and second graders! They performed "The ABC's of the First Thanksgiving" as a model for the students.
After the students modeled a reader's theatre for the students, we then helped our new friends perform their own reader's theatre of "The Lonely Firefly." The younger friends struggled with flipping their pages, but with a little help from their new high school friends, they did a fantastic job! They are terrific readerss! We were all thoroughly impressed and had a wonderful time.
After the students modeled a reader's theatre for the students, we then helped our new friends perform their own reader's theatre of "The Lonely Firefly." The younger friends struggled with flipping their pages, but with a little help from their new high school friends, they did a fantastic job! They are terrific readerss! We were all thoroughly impressed and had a wonderful time.
Who am I?
October 2014
So often in life we are asked to question "who am I"? If the question isn't asked forthright, then we often times ponder the question introspectively. Everyday we are faced with challenges that help us better form an idea of who we are as human beings. In all English 10 classes, we've been reading short stories that center around the question, "who am I"? We read a story about a young girl, Mildred, (the title of the story) who struggles with her sister making poor life choices, while her parents put all attention on the "naughty" daughter, as opposed to Mildred, who tries her best all of the time. Eventually, Mildred realizes that she's the only one who isn't supportive of her sister, and her sister's decision to have a child as an un-married, 28 year old, single woman. At the end of the story, after Mildred has to unexpectedly escort her sister to the hospital to deliver the baby, her sister names her child Mildred.
Then, we read a story called "Being Alive," which is about a very athletic high school senior who befriends a wheelchair bound student, met with a third character who is overweight and low in self esteem. The threesome come together and bond as they try to offer Kenny, who has M.S., an opportunity he's never had the chance at before: running. Addie, the athletic senior, foregoes every week night to train with Kenny for the 3K "Fun Run" race at their high school. Nance, the overweight friend, sits out on the track, eating large bags of Cheetos and timing the two, while they train. Over the course of the story, the three become very good friends. Before the race, Addie tries convincing herself that winning isn't everything until she ends up losing the race. At the end of the story, Nance realizes she's been self centered and should have offered to run with Kenny in the race, so that Addie could have had her fair chance at winning. Eventually, everyone makes nice and learns a little bit more about themselves than they did before the race.
The English classes were asked to come up with a theme, or message to reading the story (think of the moral of the story). Here are some of the themes they created: "there's more to life than winning," "we should take opportunities when we have them," "we should respect everybody," "those who can, should" and "it is better to have lost than to have never tried at all."
Then, we read a story called "Being Alive," which is about a very athletic high school senior who befriends a wheelchair bound student, met with a third character who is overweight and low in self esteem. The threesome come together and bond as they try to offer Kenny, who has M.S., an opportunity he's never had the chance at before: running. Addie, the athletic senior, foregoes every week night to train with Kenny for the 3K "Fun Run" race at their high school. Nance, the overweight friend, sits out on the track, eating large bags of Cheetos and timing the two, while they train. Over the course of the story, the three become very good friends. Before the race, Addie tries convincing herself that winning isn't everything until she ends up losing the race. At the end of the story, Nance realizes she's been self centered and should have offered to run with Kenny in the race, so that Addie could have had her fair chance at winning. Eventually, everyone makes nice and learns a little bit more about themselves than they did before the race.
The English classes were asked to come up with a theme, or message to reading the story (think of the moral of the story). Here are some of the themes they created: "there's more to life than winning," "we should take opportunities when we have them," "we should respect everybody," "those who can, should" and "it is better to have lost than to have never tried at all."
After we finished reading "Being Alive" I asked the students to ponder the question, "who am I"? They then created collages which were meant to represent who they are as a person right now. They could do whatever they wanted on the collage; put pictures on it, cut out words from magazines, print pictures, draw, and/or color. I showed them a very short example of what their collage should look like, based off of one I created.
Below is a picture of what the students came up with for their collages. I didn't require that names were on their collages, but if parents come in for conferences, which are going to be held on October 16 from 1-8 PM, they can see these collages in my room, so be sure you ask your child which one is theirs!
Our ideas of who we are and what we stand for are always changing. Once we think we have ourselves figured out, we are faced with brand new opportunities and challenges, which will enable us to challenge the definition of who we think we are. Although at times this question can seem overwhelming and challenging, what a beautiful life it is to be able to continuously grow and develop into a better person. In the book Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by John Foer, one of the characters states, "I regret that it takes a life to learn how to live..." As we go through life it is hard to see the bigger picture, until we near the end and then it all makes sense. Don't wait to start seeing the bigger picture.
First Weeks of School
September 2014
The days are rolling by here at MASH and I can't believe it's already homecoming week...although, it is fairly early this year. In the spirit of homecoming, I would like to dedicate this post as a "Throwback Thursday," to show students and families that times haven't changed that much in the past 7 years. Today, Thursday, September 18th, is "Nerd VS Jocks" dress up day. When I was a senior in high school, (which was at MASH, btw.), we also had a "Nerd" dress up day. The picture on the left is a little look into nerd dress up day, circa 2007.
As a new member of the staff here at MASH, I can honestly say that I have been blown away by the student participation in homecoming week activities. Even though our students are highly involved in outside activities, they're still coming to float and wall building immediately following their sports practices and games! Then, the next morning, they're full throttle with dress up days. I can't wait to attend my first "Pep Fest" of the school year and see what school spirit we have there, too. I couldn't be more happy to be back at MASH as a teacher because this school is the reason I'm a teacher. Perhaps right now you're reading this and rolling your eyes, thinking, "Ugh. Ms. Smith is so lame; this school is lame and dress up days are lame..." but I think, maybe, after you've left this school, you will find that it's the little moments you took for granted that will mean the most to you once you're gone. A quote by anonymous says, "People seem to get nostalgic about a lot of things they weren't so crazy about the first time around..." So the next time you don't participate or negatively comment on how something is "so lame," I want you to think of what it would be like if those activities/items were taken away from you. What would your experience be like, then? Don't take for granted your high school days, because before you know it, they'll be gone.
The Final Days of Summer...What Did you Read?
August 2014
This summer I read several professional books, but also became engrossed in a historically fictional novel, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from beginning to end. Cliche to say, I know, but I really loved it. The story begins in present day with a female juvenile delinquent, who bops around from foster home to foster home. In jeopardy of being kicked out of yet another foster home (shortly before she turns 18), her boyfriend introduces her to an older woman, in order for her to satisfy some community service hours. The author weaves the old woman's, Vivian's, past on an "orphan train," which were used to shuttled orphaned and abandoned children from New York to the Midwest and South during the 1920's, and relays it to the troubled teenager. Overall, the book is the narration of two journeys, two lonely orphan's somewhat forgotten pasts, two separate and seemingly different females, who develop in an inseparable bond and help one another cope with their shattered pasts. I recommend the book for any and all! If you're looking to borrow the book, stop in to Mrs. Lindau's room and ask to borrow a copy today!
Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves. ~Henry David Thoreau