I read this in a book last night and would like your take on it...I have mine, but sometimes I feel that I don't quite "get it" sometimes when it comes to literature and symbolism.
"To see coming toward you
The face that will mean an end of oneness is -
Far more than birth itself-the beginning of life."
- Holly Roth
Thanks to all who comment!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Making the Blog
To understand what occurred in the classroom, you need some background knowledge. Many years ago, I took broken crayons and melted them into multi-colored crayons using my oven. We also have been discussing nouns in the classroom - singular, plural, common and proper, and when to add -es.
Now, you are caught up to speed.
I had pulled out the bag of multi-colored crayons for another teacher to use and the students in our classroom wanted to use them. While we were waiting for everyone to finish a page, I let them color the back of a paper while I met with a student at my desk. And so began a conversation among the students.
"It's a cray-on." (emphasis on the -on) said one outspoken student.
Another student disagreed, "it's crayons."
"Cray-on."
"Crayons."
"Cray-on."
And another student couldn't help but join this conversation. "It's crayons."
The outspoken student responded with, "They're all mixed together, so it's one."
The extra student said, "Yeah, plural." (meaning it should be crayons, not cray-on)
About this time, they (meaning most of the class) noticed me grinning like a Cheshire cat at their conversation and frantically writing. One of the students blurted, "You just made the blog."
The students are becoming aware of me spying on their conversations. I honestly do not spy just to gain funny conversations, but do you realize the magnitude of their conversation? They are processing what we are talking about in our classroom and bringing it into other conversations. To discuss if something was plural or singular was great! I love their conversations because their voice matters in the classroom.
I really do think that teachers often miss the best teaching tool they have in their classrooms...their students. They are filled with wonderful ideas. Today, I made some of the students explain terms and homework assignments to others that weren't listening the first time...not as a punishment for the listening students, but to make the students who weren't listening aware that they can go to their peers as a resource. I am not the only resource in the room.
Can't wait to see what these treasures continue to discuss in the future!
Now, you are caught up to speed.
I had pulled out the bag of multi-colored crayons for another teacher to use and the students in our classroom wanted to use them. While we were waiting for everyone to finish a page, I let them color the back of a paper while I met with a student at my desk. And so began a conversation among the students.
"It's a cray-on." (emphasis on the -on) said one outspoken student.
Another student disagreed, "it's crayons."
"Cray-on."
"Crayons."
"Cray-on."
And another student couldn't help but join this conversation. "It's crayons."
The outspoken student responded with, "They're all mixed together, so it's one."
The extra student said, "Yeah, plural." (meaning it should be crayons, not cray-on)
About this time, they (meaning most of the class) noticed me grinning like a Cheshire cat at their conversation and frantically writing. One of the students blurted, "You just made the blog."
The students are becoming aware of me spying on their conversations. I honestly do not spy just to gain funny conversations, but do you realize the magnitude of their conversation? They are processing what we are talking about in our classroom and bringing it into other conversations. To discuss if something was plural or singular was great! I love their conversations because their voice matters in the classroom.
I really do think that teachers often miss the best teaching tool they have in their classrooms...their students. They are filled with wonderful ideas. Today, I made some of the students explain terms and homework assignments to others that weren't listening the first time...not as a punishment for the listening students, but to make the students who weren't listening aware that they can go to their peers as a resource. I am not the only resource in the room.
Can't wait to see what these treasures continue to discuss in the future!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Audience
I've read before that the audience of writing needs to be established for students. I never fully understood this until I found out that I have a student that reads my blog. Don't get me wrong, I am so glad that this student gets a chance to read what I write. It reinforces that I have an audience. But now I realize that by having an audience, I rethink some of my writing. I am hoping that by giving my students real audiences for their writing, they will also rethink some of their writing and will write with a purpose, with an audience in mind, with something more than just writing on a whim.
Currently, we are writing like an author and will send our writing actually to her. Can't wait to see what these young writers create!
Currently, we are writing like an author and will send our writing actually to her. Can't wait to see what these young writers create!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Learning to see them for who they are...
Today was a sweet day! One of my girls was absent on Thursday when our cadet teacher's last day was. After she read the morning message and I gave her some more instructions, she came back with her head hung down. Wondering what caused her to be in a horrible mood already, I questioned her. She didn't say anything. I knelt down on my knees to really look into her eyes. She broke into sobs and said that she missed our cadet teacher and didn't get to say good-bye. I assured her that our cadet teacher would be back to visit and we would be able to send her things. She then knelt down on her knees and kept crying about missing her. Then, gathering her wits, she looked at me and throwing her arms around me said, "Well, at least I still got you." Made my heart melt!
Then in our morning meeting, students had to pick out the most important part of Edward Tulane (as we refer to it) and I was shocked at their ideas. Granted I got a "when she coughed up blood..." (some boys never mature), but other ideas were amazing.
- Edward and the stars because they kept coming back
- Edward on the ocean floor
- Edward getting thrown into the ocean
- Edward on the doll shelf
- Edward on the shelf and the doll saying, "You disappoint me" (My mouth almost dropped when one of the boys shared that.)
- Edward being found
- Edward being thrown into the trash
- Edward being found by the hobo
- Edward dancing for Sarah Ruth
I am so thankful that I did read the book to the class. I was afraid the boys wouldn't get it. I was afraid that they wouldn't understand the meaning behind the book. I was afraid they wouldn't fall in love with Edward. I am glad I took the chance.
Same girl from above brought a book that connected to a poem that we had read in our class. I promised I would read it at morning meeting and time got away. I promised her I would read it before lunch. She came to me and told me that I had broken my promise, not once, but twice. I vowed to not do it again. I made her number six on our to do list in the afternoon and I did not break my promise again. We read it together and it brought up a great conversation.
And of course, the end of the day is always great when they leave and we do our high five or hug. I am always shocked when I get the hugs from the boys. They come quickly and the boys don't say anything, but it warms my heart to the very center. The class is not who I had last year (almost all of those students come back every lunch recess to give me hugs), but this class is one that I am learning to love for who they are. And don't we all want that?
Then in our morning meeting, students had to pick out the most important part of Edward Tulane (as we refer to it) and I was shocked at their ideas. Granted I got a "when she coughed up blood..." (some boys never mature), but other ideas were amazing.
- Edward and the stars because they kept coming back
- Edward on the ocean floor
- Edward getting thrown into the ocean
- Edward on the doll shelf
- Edward on the shelf and the doll saying, "You disappoint me" (My mouth almost dropped when one of the boys shared that.)
- Edward being found
- Edward being thrown into the trash
- Edward being found by the hobo
- Edward dancing for Sarah Ruth
I am so thankful that I did read the book to the class. I was afraid the boys wouldn't get it. I was afraid that they wouldn't understand the meaning behind the book. I was afraid they wouldn't fall in love with Edward. I am glad I took the chance.
Same girl from above brought a book that connected to a poem that we had read in our class. I promised I would read it at morning meeting and time got away. I promised her I would read it before lunch. She came to me and told me that I had broken my promise, not once, but twice. I vowed to not do it again. I made her number six on our to do list in the afternoon and I did not break my promise again. We read it together and it brought up a great conversation.
And of course, the end of the day is always great when they leave and we do our high five or hug. I am always shocked when I get the hugs from the boys. They come quickly and the boys don't say anything, but it warms my heart to the very center. The class is not who I had last year (almost all of those students come back every lunch recess to give me hugs), but this class is one that I am learning to love for who they are. And don't we all want that?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
:(
I had a sad moment today with a student. I noticed he had many pages of work in his desk. As I took them out and started to hand them to him, I asked him why he hadn't been completing them. He said, "I don't want to." Now before you huff and puff, reader, I thanked him for his honesty. When I asked why he didn't want to do them, he replied with, "I don't like school." My heart breaks...
I pulled him to my desk to have a more private conversation and because I know he struggles in school, I asked if it was because he doesn't understand it. He nodded. I told him that as he did only two pages tonight (rather than make him do all), whatever he didn't understand to circle and we'd do it together.
My heart hurts for a second grader who tonight doesn't enjoy school. I've been praying this year for God to work on my heart with some of these students (simply because there are so many who need extra support and I'm running out of hands) and tonight, God has answered another prayer. My heart is soft towards this child, not hard. I hope to give this child a love for learning, not just school.
I pulled him to my desk to have a more private conversation and because I know he struggles in school, I asked if it was because he doesn't understand it. He nodded. I told him that as he did only two pages tonight (rather than make him do all), whatever he didn't understand to circle and we'd do it together.
My heart hurts for a second grader who tonight doesn't enjoy school. I've been praying this year for God to work on my heart with some of these students (simply because there are so many who need extra support and I'm running out of hands) and tonight, God has answered another prayer. My heart is soft towards this child, not hard. I hope to give this child a love for learning, not just school.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
They got it!!!
I only have five girls this year in my classroom. Which makes the little fights and disagreements that girls get into even more dramatic. They don't have many girls to choose from to partner up with or to even chat with (because apparently the boys are still kind of icky to them) if they have a problem with another. Knowing that some of them were upset with others, I took matters into my own hands and delivered special invitations for lunch in the room with me.
After letting them talk a bit, I finally brought up that with having so few girls and knowing our feelings can often get hurt, I helped explain how they could apologize to each other and accept each other's apologies. One of the girls took it upon herself to apologize for rolling her eyes at another. She accepted her apology.
Another girl looked at me and said, "Miss Cathy, do you remember those mean looks I gave you at the beginning of the year?" Uh, yeah, I did. I simply nodded and said, "Yes." She then proceeded to say, "I'm sorry." I told her I accepted her apology. So sweet! I never expected an apology from the girl, but am so very blessed that she understood enough of her actions to be grown up enough to say she was sorry. It was such a sweet moment that I will not forget for a long time!
They continued with a few more apologies and acceptances. I am hoping that this will spark better understanding among them as the year progresses.
I am inviting the boys next week...to get their ideas on how to get them to work harder. What can I do that will help them? They might have some great ideas!
After letting them talk a bit, I finally brought up that with having so few girls and knowing our feelings can often get hurt, I helped explain how they could apologize to each other and accept each other's apologies. One of the girls took it upon herself to apologize for rolling her eyes at another. She accepted her apology.
Another girl looked at me and said, "Miss Cathy, do you remember those mean looks I gave you at the beginning of the year?" Uh, yeah, I did. I simply nodded and said, "Yes." She then proceeded to say, "I'm sorry." I told her I accepted her apology. So sweet! I never expected an apology from the girl, but am so very blessed that she understood enough of her actions to be grown up enough to say she was sorry. It was such a sweet moment that I will not forget for a long time!
They continued with a few more apologies and acceptances. I am hoping that this will spark better understanding among them as the year progresses.
I am inviting the boys next week...to get their ideas on how to get them to work harder. What can I do that will help them? They might have some great ideas!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Shoulder to shoulder
Tonight I realized that our past does truly impact our present. I never really knew why I didn't like standing shoulder to shoulder with people at church until tonight. I adored both people on each side of me. It was me. When we began singing, I just kept wondering, "What are they thinking of my singing voice? Am I on-key?" Where does this anticipation come?
Journey with me to middle school. I was in choir (cause it was cooler than band) and we were doing a 50s medley for a concert and I loved the songs! So much in fact, that I recorded myself singing them at my dad's...because there wasn't much else to do there on the weekend.
Fast forward to college - we were playing old mixed tapes that we had made and I stuck in one of my tapes...yep, you guessed it. It was playing and ended up turning into me singing (I honestly didn't remember that was on there - I thought I had recorded over it.) Well, my roommates (although they didn't mean to) had a great laugh to my dismay. I was mortified.
And now we are to present day. I think some part of me still is nervous that the person next to me will be laughing as I am belting out in pure adoration of my Creator. There are just some songs you have to belt...you can't hold it in. I just don't want to be known as the person people don't want to sit by at church because of the way they sing.
Journey with me to middle school. I was in choir (cause it was cooler than band) and we were doing a 50s medley for a concert and I loved the songs! So much in fact, that I recorded myself singing them at my dad's...because there wasn't much else to do there on the weekend.
Fast forward to college - we were playing old mixed tapes that we had made and I stuck in one of my tapes...yep, you guessed it. It was playing and ended up turning into me singing (I honestly didn't remember that was on there - I thought I had recorded over it.) Well, my roommates (although they didn't mean to) had a great laugh to my dismay. I was mortified.
And now we are to present day. I think some part of me still is nervous that the person next to me will be laughing as I am belting out in pure adoration of my Creator. There are just some songs you have to belt...you can't hold it in. I just don't want to be known as the person people don't want to sit by at church because of the way they sing.
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