Georgia Heard
is another of our favorite writers who specializes in encouraging
others to write. She has a range of books for teachers and for writers
that you may have already discovered. Check out her website at http://georgiaheard.com . Many of her books focus on the teaching of poetry. Perhaps Sondra's favorite, however, is Writing Toward Home: Tales and Lessons to Find Your Way
(Heinemann), a thin, inspirational volume that encourage us to write
from close observation and past personal experiences. She challenges us
to see the ordinary in an extraordinary way. On her website she
writes: “Whether you are a student, teacher or a poet I believe our
challenge is to find the poetry all around us every day. Children are
often the best teachers of this. That's one of my goals when I teach
poetry is to help every student find the poetry inside.” Perhaps we can try to find what is inside us or buried in our ordinary lives for our journal this week. Last week's posts were diverse and amazing. Many of you even tapped into poetry and took risks in your personal writing. Thank you for such a wonderful second week. Our goal this week is two posts. You might continue the ten minute writes if you are finding them liberating or helpful.
(Another outstanding Heard publication you may want to check out is The Revision Toolbox which gives all teachers tools for approaching revision with students.)
I wrote this before I realized the topic this week was the Extraordinary in the Ordinary. It really is my personal awareness of some event that still leaves me dazzled with the incredible love of God.
ReplyDeleteFALLING IN LOVE WITH MARY
Myriam of Nazareth. How definitely different it was for me to hear that name and see it written the very first time. I had known her as Mary, Jesus’ mother and loved reading about that relationship. I thought often that so much of her life was hidden. Then I started one by one going through the joful times of her life, the sorrowful times of her life, the hidden times in her life and the glorious times of her life. The events lead me to so many questions. Women were not often written about in the Scriptures. Yet here is this young woman who had a relationship with God unlike that of even the Rabbis. Good Lord, what a fantastic and unheard of experience. Mother, Mary how I love you!
The joyful times in life are ones that we all love to remember. They draw us in with memories that have love and delight in them. So it was easy to think of Mary being a pregnant woman ready to accept the message of giving birth to God’s son Jesus. But was it? As I started to read the customs of the day, and the terrible awareness that this experience was so totally new, totally unique and unheard of, how could she have borne the fright the fear the newness of something that could have her stoned to death? Yet we can now over 2000 years later call this a joyful mystery. If Mary had simply said to the angel Gabriel, “I’ll get back to you,” Would you have resembled Zachariah? Would you have to be silent for many days on end while you were pregnant.
When I thought of the second joyful mystery, the Visitation I could immediately relate. What woman doesn’t love going to visit another woman? What woman who is pregnant doesn’t love to share the good news? Yet there is the memory that the visitation may have also been God’s way of keeping her safe, letting her care for Elizabeth in her pregnancy, and letting God work what God wanted done with Joseph, Mary, Anne Joachim and Elizabeth and Zachariah…just to name a few. Here is a young 13 year old woman, maybe a bit older, pregnant. How do you tell your parents this news? PS I am not married to the man to whom I am betrothed. Had she moved into his family household?
Yikes, problems. Did she know that Zachariah had an angel, the very same Gabriel appear to him too? What stories to compare there? Mary responds differently from Zachariah. He is silenced, and she walks 90 miles to go visit Elizabeth. There must be another unwritten story of Mary. How joyfully would it be to walk 90 miles, or ride a donkey and pregnant no less? The stories not written. Do they need to be? Evidently not. Sometimes, the troubles detract from the focus of joy. Interesting to think about that I wonder how Elizabeth viewed this whole thing. Here was her husband…now silent. She had no one to talk with. When I shared this with my husband, he simply remarked. Now you can see Elizabeth had a real problem. She had no one to to talk to. A different twist on women visiting. Cogent.
Two Jewish women meeting. Both pregnant. John the Baptist the son of Elizabeth. He always sounded in the Scriptures like a real different man… on the edge. The voice of one crying in the desert. That is how I think of him.
The Baptizer. Hmm. Soon the Mary story gets bigger
Beth, you wrote about one of the most ‘Extraordinary in the Ordinary’ stories in history. A 13 year old child saying “yes” to God even though she didn’t understand how the impregnation would occur, nor did she express the natural fear of knowing she could be stoned to death, her response, recorded for all generations to know, “Behold the maidservant of the LORD. Let it be to me according to your word.” A more modern day vernacular, “Your will not mine be done.” She surely had a true understanding of what was to happen. To give birth to the savior (‘Yeshua’ in Hebrew. Which is also Jesus’s name in Hebrew) of the world. Now that is extraordinary! Her question essentially the same as that as Zacharias, yet not chastened for asking as he was. He, being a high priest, would/should have more belief in the omniscient of God than a 13yr old, yet he didn’t. How extraordinary is that! In her visit to Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s child “leaped” in her womb. Not just normal kicking and moving, but “leaped.” The translation of the word “leaped” in both Greet and Hebrew gives the connotation of a big jump. Extraordinary! Then Joseph’s visitation of the same angel to let him know who Mary was carrying, and he believed. How many men would believe such a story even from a deity. Again, extraordinary! And as believers know, the story continues until birth and after...resurrection...re-united with God of the universe….Saved by God Himself, in His desire to have a relationship with His creation….out of Love….even after every rebellious action His people have done against Him……Now that is truly EXTRAORDINARY! So, Beth your story is the most Extraordinary in the Ordinary of all posts, in my opinion.
DeleteOne thing I love about this country is the separation of church and state.
DeleteLocal author, Heather Lende, came to class recently to inspire 3rd grade writers. We talked about how writers pay attention to everything around them, and notice more than others might. She read her story about the Egg Salad Sandwich – she starts the day with plans to make the perfect egg salad sandwich, but so much colorful life keeps interrupting her until at the end of the day she finally gets out to the hen house to get the egg to start. In class we referred to this egg salad sandwich often, as our way of saying how extraordinary an experience can become if the writer pays attention to details and possibilities.
ReplyDeleteThis week I am working with kindergarten authors. As they tell me about the pictures they’ve “written” I ask them to tell me more, tell me the story. What they may take as ordinary I rave about and tell them how they should put that in their stories. It truly is exciting how well these young ones are remembering how writers first think of their stories (plan), write/draw, then go back to add details (revise)! This is especially exciting considering that this week is my first time back in their class since October.
I so enjoyed Heather Lende's column for years ago. Somehow I thought she had left the state. She must be a great inspiration for kids and adults. I like the egg salad sandwich analogy. I like to talk about magnifying glass writing with students. Pinpoint and expand, pay attention to detail--these are what we can teach young writers and remember ourselves.
DeleteYes, Heather's here and working on her 3rd book, a novel. She also gave the class an interesting perspective on writing fiction. With her other nonfiction stories she had to wait for things to happen and see how they turned out, whereas in fiction she gets to make things happen!
DeleteCooking and Eating as Forms of Expression
ReplyDeleteI’m an adventurous eater. I enjoy eating food that is new or unusual to me. In restaurants, I always try something new that sounds interesting or promising, and I’m rarely let down. I am also an ambitious cook. With solid technical skills, years of restaurant experience, and experience working with all kinds of food, there is little I cannot cook or create. (Desserts are the exception because I rarely eat them.) I always look for new recipes or ingredients to try. I don’t repeat recipes often, and if I do, months often pass before it happens. It is how I keep expanding my repertoire.
Cooking is my main creative outlet. It allows me to make something while engaging all five senses. Eating is my favorite hobby, and it makes me very happy to practice on a regular basis. Because dining options are limited in Sand Point, I have to make everything I eat. If I can cook it better myself, why pay somebody to cook it for me and leave me dissatisfied? I relish trips to Anchorage and make the most out of any dining occasion. One of my favorite places in Anchorage is the Tofu House on Fireweed Lane. It’s a Korean place and every time I go I am the only white person there. I’ve tried a lot on the large menu, but there is still more to try. The black goat soup is wonderful, but the name freaks many people out. The short ribs are great too. And then there are the many side dishes or banchan that are served with a meal. There are so many different textures and flavors that are unique to Korean cuisine, which makes it the most challenging cuisine to the American palate.
There is still so much for me to taste and learn when it comes to food. What I thoroughly enjoy is when ordinary ingredients are transformed with culinary skills into an extraordinary meal.
Your adventures with food sound so exciting! I am not very daring when it comes to trying something new. I am a picky eater according to my husband and unadventurous when we go someplace new to eat (which is rare). Being in Bethel and having a young child has made us try to cook new things we never had to before. We would order out for the ease and because we didn't want to try and make it at home. Having a child makes you want to save that money you spend eating out! We have started to make our own Mongolian Beef version at home with moose and even chicken. It is much better than the restaurant version, healthier too and our little guy loves it! I will have to try getting more adventurous and make something new this week while on spring break!
DeleteA friend fell on the ice a few years ago and lost her sense of taste and smell. She has always been an adventurous cook and continues to make amazing things. When I asked, she said that she keeps her spices simple. The only danger is that she can't always detect when food has spoiled!?! Wear a helmet if you're out ice skating...
DeleteEEEK- Oh My! What an event to happen to someone. I am glad she still continues to cook and can still make food taste amazing though she is unable to eat it. I cannot imagine.
DeleteI am also a picky eater to an extent. I blame my parents. I think that they came from houses where you couldn't get up from the table until your plate was clean therefore urged us to do the same. However my father is one of the pickiest eaters alive. He is a "Meat and Potato" kind of guy. We literally had a form of meat and a starch every night, paired with WHITE wonder bread, ice berg lettuce and Hidden Valley Ranch (occasionally we would have applesauce). I have to tell you, my mom used to be a great cook. In fact she worked as a chef at a few restaurants in her 20s. But then she and my dad met and she was limited.
I had never tasted fresh pineapple or red bell peppers until I met my fiance'. I thought they were hot peppers and my dad always told me "pineapple has a weird texture, you won't like it." It blows me away how completely food sheltered I was until my early 20s. I didn't know that you could eat at places that weren't chains like Applebees or Chili's. I didn't know that you could eat local food with amazing flavor.
I don't know why I really went off on the food confessional of my life, but I guess in a round about way I have learned to explore new options and not just to take someone's word on it, even if it is your father's opinion. haha
Macro Lens and Fish Eye Lens
ReplyDeleteOne of the great aspects of photography is the challenge of capturing an image of something familiar in a new or original way. That’s why it is best to view a subject from multiple angles and work on composing the shot carefully before taking it. A great way to see a subject from a unique view is to use a macro lens or a fish eye lens. Each lens offers specific ways of altering an image and bringing out interesting qualities.
A macro lens is used for capturing small subjects and magnifying them. When something like a small flower is photographed, cropped, and blown up as large as it can go without distortion, a dramatic image is presented. Tiny details are dramatically enhanced, while patterns and textures emerge that are not as obvious to the eye in the small, original size. The key to using the macro lens is in composing the shot. Due to the magnification, the slightest movement toward a subject or away from if makes a difference in what is captured and how blurred or sharp it is. Once the main subject is identified, decisions must be made about what to include and exclude before settling on a shot. It is an engaging exercise.
A fish eye lens presents its own set of compositional challenges. It works ideally for bending straight lines and distorting an image to highlight something. However, getting a good image can take a lot of work. I enjoy using this lens, but it can be difficult. Many images are just ok and it’s an effect that can be overused. However, when the shot works, it is unique and unforgettable. When composing the shot, multiple angles must be explored to see if the distortion is cool and interesting or just ok. Another issue is the range that the lens picks up. A standard lens “sees” at 135 degrees, while a fish eye lens “sees” at 180 degrees. This wider range allows for more details in the image, but it can also capture unwanted details that mar the image’s perimeter.
The effects of these lenses are ways to bring out the extraordinary out of ordinary. It’s all in how you see it.
I would love to see your pictures, as I love photography and started to dabble in it a few years ago when I was a tour guide in Alaska. I was able to get many beautiful shots of wild life. But, I have not manipulated any lens the way you are talking about. I do have a macro lens that I have used with insects. If possible you should try to upload a pic or two.
DeleteI have been interested in photography for many years, and just bought myself a DSLR, but don't really know to get the most out of it. I do enjoy using the macro function on my simple digital camera. I love to see the details pop off the photo like a bee sitting on a flower in the front yard. I see those flowers all of the time, but there is something magical about seeing it in this new way.
DeleteHey Marci,
DeleteTo get to know your camera, think of images you'd like to get and set yourself challenges with the settings and functions. Check the owner's manual to learn how to use the assorted functions. There are also plenty of reliable websites for photography information online, especially when it comes to lenses and filters. There is a lot you can teach yourself. The thing is to just get out there and shoot. It's similar to developing as a writer.
I have enjoyed your posts so much Marc. I really like your description of these lenses and how they help you see the extraordinary through a new lens.
DeleteWatching my Cats
ReplyDeleteI love watching my cats. I love watching when they are sleeping, while they are playing, and while they are looking out the window.
When they are sleeping they seem so peaceful. Whether they are curled up in a ball or all stretched out in a sunbeam on the floor, it relaxes me. It makes me want to curl up beside them or stretch out in the sun and think of nothing!
It’s the complete opposite while they are playing. Half the time you can’t tell whether they are playing or fighting. I watch and wait. Is fur going to be flying this time? Are they going to break or knock something over? Who will give up first?
I have two bird feeders at my house, one by the front window and one by the back window. My cats will sit for hours watching the birds come to the feeders. What could they be thinking? Sometimes they get a low grumbling coming out of them other times they squat down like they are ready to pounce through the window. (I’m sure my cats wouldn’t know what to do with a bird if they had one…)
While reading Donna’s post about her cats, I related at a level that only animal people could, at least I think.
ReplyDeleteI have a miniature Japanese Chin, about 6lbs, if that, and he is the funniest thing alive. When I am up to late, he will come and yell at me (it is a very funny bark. This is the only time he barks) and then he runs toward the bedroom. That is his way of telling me to stop and come to bed. He will persist with this until I do. If the other dogs are on the bed he will force them off. This is interesting to watch as the other dogs are 40 to 60 lbs. But, he is always successful. The most extraordinary thing he does is when I am preparing his dinner. He hunts one of his stuffed animals, he will even act like he is stocking it, and destroys it; pulling it apart and spreading the stuffing all over as he shakes it. Once it is destroyed he then comes and eats dinner. You would have to see it, it is like a little lion. Anyway, I need to film him as it makes me laugh. I have to pick up the stuffing and put it back in his animal as he is running out of animals to kill. He is the pic on my writing.
I enjoyed reading your post. Your pup sounds like a riot! I love animals with personality!
DeleteShopping in Bethel at 22 below
ReplyDeleteIt is Tuesday of Spring Break, bitterly cold and we are sitting at home pondering what to do with our day. We have to go to the Post Office to pick up our mail. I know my the shiny red electric teapot and Writing Workshop book are waiting patiently for me to pick up the yellow slips and take them home! I then make a suggestion that we stop at the Q2 (store) near the Post Office and pick up some lunch. I was secretly hoping that they made bourbon chicken today. Mark, my husband was thinking about mini tacos, and juice for Otis.
We decided that the best plan was to head out to the PO and Q2 before the lunch rush. I had to hurry and get dressed because I was still in my pajamas. It was so enjoyable to see Otis get excited to go “bye-bye”. He was helping us get our gear, laughing, clapping and jumping up and down to go to the PO and Q2. In the mornings when we get ready to go to work, I leave first and it is a hectic rush just to get kisses and good-bye’s exchanged before he gets ready to leave. Today getting ready to leave I saw the extraordinary in the ordinary! I will remember to cherish these little moments, especially as the terrible twos roar on!
Now back to the finding the extraordinary in the rest of our adventure. We went to the PO and my things were waiting, I love getting boxes in the mail, reminds me of opening our random boxes we got from my aunt as a kid. Though now as an adult I dislike getting bills in the mail. As soon as I got to the truck, Otis wanted to rip into a box, so we carefully opened the box and checked out the new teapot. Otis wanted to take it out, be we convinced him to wait until we got home!
On to Q2 and picking out our lunch! I got a list what my husband thought was acceptable lunch fair. Jalapeño corndogs, mini tacos, burritos, juice for Otis. I sure hope they had the things on the list, along with my favorite- bourbon chicken. I was happy to see they were serving everything on my list except the mini tacos. They only serve those on Thursday, who knew there was a deli menu!
As I bundled up to walk into the blowing bitter wind, I was hatching a plan. Some shopping at Swanson’s, something we never do is just walk around and look. Usually it is in and out to get what is on the list. Maybe they will have mini tacos to fill Mark’s lunch needs! I suggest this as I get into the truck and it is welcomed. Mark comments on how long it has been since we just walked around, especially with a curious Otis in tow.
We drive past the Kuskokwim River and marvel at how much snow is blowing around. Mark said, “It is a good day to walk around inside today. Lets go shopping!” I look at the ice road and am glad we don’t have to travel on it today. We get to the store and bundle up Otis, and put on our gloves for the quick dash to the door. Otis hollers “Hot” when we get out of the truck. We laugh and I say “cold” and then he does too.
As we make our way through the store, Otis points and says “mine” to everything. It isn’t often we go shopping together; it is usually easier for one of us to go in the store, while the other stays in the truck with Otis. The shopping adventure starts. We head to the non-grocery part of the store and walk up and down the isles, as Otis runs down them ready for action! When he gets out of sight we hear, “uh oh” as he runs back to us. I was worried that the Godzilla in him would come out in the store, but he was happy to run and just look.
After the tiring adventure to the PO, Q2, and Swanson’s I was ready for a nap, but we had an awesome lunch. At the end of lunch, Otis told us he was ready for a nap by saying”Ba-ba, night-night”. He had his sleepy bear and was ready to take a well-needed nap. I will have to remember to take him to the store again before naptime. ! It was an ordinary day but I experienced extraordinary things.
Valerie--I captured some moments like this when my sons were small by writing at school as my students were writing. I cherish every single one of them and wish I had written so many more. The truth is what we think is ordinary in the here and now becomes extraordinary years later when those crisp moments fade into dimmer shadows that we almost recall. Reading what we have written puts us back into that time and moment even better than a picture to my mind. Thanks for sharing. SAVE this!
DeleteI plan on doing more writing soon too. I plan on printing this one and putting it in the baby book!
DeleteI loved this. Even though it is part of your ordinary life, I was able to paint a picture in my imagination of what you did. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteI experienced something this morning that seems like an example of this. I walk to school every morning, pretty much the same experience every day. But this morning as I walked out my door, stepping up about a foot and a half to get out my door, I noticed right away that it was bright out. This was the first day in months that I have not seen the stars out on my way to school. At first I felt a little sad about that, but I also felt excited about the promise of longer, brighter days soon to come. This is my first year in Alaska, so this difference in the amount of light/ dark in a day has been fascinating to me.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first noticed that. Just the other day, I noticed the sun coming up on my way to work... I love watching the sun rise or set on my way to work. It's just a great way to star the day! I don't know when you arrived in Alaska, but if that amazed you just wait until it is light all day and you feel like you never have to sleep because you loose track of time :)
DeleteYes, I noticed the light as well. The students at school are certainly energized! Can't you feel the excitement from everyone around us. More light, the leaves will be budding soon. Long days, cutting the grass, sitting in the sun and enjoy the pleasures of Alaska!
DeleteIt is exciting when the light comes back! Like waking up from a long winter. I can't wait to start my window plants! I have been here 7 years and the daylight change always makes life exciting! While doing dishes yesterday the light was so bright and hot coming through the window I was actually sweating! Good thing it melted the ice on the window so I could open it up and cool off!
DeleteIt's funny... when I first saw this assignment, I panicked a bit and thought oh man, how am I going to see extraordinary in ordinary. Then I felt like Winnie the Pooh "think, think think". I decided to view some other posts first to get my brain going. As I read the cat and dog posts, it made me think of my boys. They are some very extraordinary small people and I just love the things that they do and discover!! You'd think I'm about to talk about how they learned to walk or talk, which of course are amazing things but then I realized that I did something with my son tonight that fits perfectly!
ReplyDeleteAs you all probably know, it is almost Dr. Seuss' birthday. At my school we get to dress like a character from a book. My son is in Kindergarten at my school and decided he wanted to dress like Captain America from his Avengers book, but we don't have a costume. So we sat together and looked up pictures and different things on the computer. Here's where it gets interesting. We decided that first we needed to see if we already had blue pants and a plain blue shirt. Pants- check. Shirt- sort of. We turned a blue shirt inside out and voila- blue shirt! We needed a star so we headed for our art room. There we found a white foam star, perfect for attaching to the front of his inside out blue shirt. He informed me next that we needed red and white stripes, so we headed for a different area of the art room and found that we had red and white felt. We are going to cut it into strips and attach it to the blue shirt. Ok, red gloves next. Thank you Alaskan Winter- check. The only thing left was the mask. We found a print out online that we will color in, cut out and attach to an old batman mask. And this lucky duck has a great little brother who agreed to let him borrow his Avengers book and Captain America shield!
We laid everything out on the floor and he was amazed! He can't wait until we get home from school tomorrow so we can start cutting and pinning the pieces together. It was fun to see his face! When I first suggested a blue shirt and pants he rolled his eyes at me but watching his face as we transformed his ordinary clothes into an extraordinary Captain America costume was priceless! Even better, we spent some great creative time together!
I love this example. Watching kids discover things, or watch the transformation of one object into another is so fun. I love watching my students when I do a science experiment for them, or we do an art project together. They don't know what's going to happen until the end, and I almost always get some very excited reactions. A few weeks ago I did an example of the water cycle using a big sponge and a bucket of water. By adding a bit of water, and a bit more, the "lake" is evaporating into the sky. When the cloud get too full the water starts to drip out of the bottom of the cloud/ sponge. There were oohs and aahs when the cloud started to drip. We did it again and again, then they got to try. That's been one of my favorite lessons this year.
DeleteIn the Fall my Mom send up dried leaves for the students to see. She had packed the box so that it started with a small leaf, then a little bigger one, and so on until I pulled out a huge oak leaf (around 12 inches). As I pulled out each leaf they got exciting. But the excitement grew with each larger leaf. Just when they thought it couldn't get better, I pulled out the largest leaf. They were jumping up and down with excitement. There are no deciduous trees near here so this was a totally new experiment for them.
Katie
DeleteWhat a memory you will have the rest of you life. As the commercial says, priceless!
So I'm sitting here with 10 minutes to spare so I decided to do a quick write. We'll see how this goes. My students are finishing up their lunches and I'm going to attempt to write and keep track of 22 kids....... if all else fails, I'll finish this later. I'm really excited about my first iMovie that I created yesterday. I'm doing an art lesson tomorrow so I wanted to create something that I could show the kids. I made an almost four minute video with photos of them that I altered in an app that makes it look like their faces were painted on a brick wall. OK had to get them outside..... Then I took some photos of graffiti and wrote definitions, synonyms, etc. and dressed it up so to speak. I also used the song from Pink Floyd - Bricks in the Wall....... see where this is going. Turned out pretty good. Maybe I should have gone into producing :) I'm looking forward to sharing it with the students tomorrow. What'll even be more fun is the art part where they are going to decorate their graffiti portraits with gel pens and highlighters. A great way to end the week! Everyone in my family is sick.... my oldest daughter has the flu and my grandson has pink eye. Poor things. I need to keep myself away from their house. Can't afford to get sick. Just one more week and it's spring break!!! I realized this morning on my way to work that we actually had a sign of sunshine! This is monumental!! I feel like I'm coming out of hibernation. I was actually able to wear my sunglasses! I took the day off yesterday because I wasn't feeling well. I was hoping to get some work done for this class but it just didn't happen. Slept most of the day and I feel much better today. Can you tell I'm trying to fill the other two minutes left? I think this will be the last 10 minute fast write that I do. I prefer to do this where it is not being published for everyone to see. It has more value when it's for my eyes only. I still haven't had my students do this yet but it is on my to do list. My new book also came in yesterday afternoon for our group work. I'm anxious to get to read that too. I'm hoping it'll give me more insight on how to better meet the needs of my students. I would like to be more consistent with how I do things...... although I have to say, I have done more writing with the students since I've incorporated in with technology and art. I'm always looking for more ideas. Times up, going to eat lunch.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great assignment that your students loved.Was it Timona? I hope you give us the rest of the story.
DeleteI like fastwrites for myself as well. It gives me more permission to write badly as Goldberg advises. When we know others are going to read something, we can switch into constant correcting mode. This is good to remember with students. If my college students know only I am going to read it, they write in one way, but when they know their peers are going to be seeing it, they are much more concerned, usually in a good way. Audience, audience, audience...
DeleteI really liked that part of Goldberg's writing. I was struck by the suggestion to write bad. I tend to be someone who is in the constant correction mode when writing, most especially when typing because it is so much easier to make quick corrections when typing. It has been fun to do the quick writes without thinking about making a good finished product. I really have to try to let myself go.
DeleteFeb. 28 Week 3
ReplyDeleteFor our social studies unit we are learning about “historical figures”. After finishing our mini-book about each of these important people in our history, I thought it would be fun to add a page for each student to write about themselves. They are to write a paragraph on why they would be included in the historical figures book. They would each have to pretend that they have grown up and have done something spectacular in a way that helps others. I want to model this for them so they know what I am looking for. I thought I would run it past you all in the blog. Here goes:
Donna Schneiders was a daughter, wife, and mother. She is most famous for her teaching ability and to inspire the children in her classrooms for greatness. She received the Distinguished Teacher Cross from President Obama in 2013. She was also singled out by President Theresa Shelburn, the first female President of the United States, for being President Shelburn’s greatest inspiration and hero.
Love it! This sounds like a fun idea. Sounds like you are bound to be a magnificent woman. Great tie in to the first female President. I would be interested in reading what some of the students wrote.
DeleteThe extraordinary
ReplyDeleteToday I walked in the Sonita Creek Nature preserve with my husband Dave and a friend Matt. As usual, we were on the trail early birding around 8 am. The weather has been cold and a chill filled the air. I was clad in fleece, coat, gloves and my headband. I realize that I abhor cold even in Arizona. At home in Alaska, I take care to have on layers upon layers. I wondered if I should have added long johns.
This morning felt like Alaskan late spring, except it is a dry, late-winter now and colder than usual for southern Arizona. But the birds were not hunkered down. They were in spring mode complete with increased singing, a kinglet flashing his ruby crown and a pair of kestrels mating shamelessly right over the trail. A flicker sang his discordant love song. I spotted my first orange crowned warbler, ill-named in my opinion because he was quite yellow with no real orange showing. He was bathing in the open water along with white-crowned sparrows whose cousins will be arriving back in Alaska about the same time we return.
As always, I bring up the rear as we make our way down the trail, following my husband and all the better birders. I am a great spotter, but I am less a discerning birder than I should be, even after years of birding with Dave.
In fact, I fell in love with Dave birding. I figured any guy whose idea of a date was taking me up a canyon to see tiny black dippers diving into icy streams had a special kind of appeal.
I have followed him into a world of looking and listening closely to my surroundings, being aware of tiny differences, reveling in the extraordinary missed by most people all around us. As we made our way along the trail, I smiled to myself. I would never admit to him how much he has made me aware and broadened my life. It would only go to his head.
TIME!
Isn’t nature such a spectacular scene to behold. What a lucky find!
DeleteOriginal day turns into an extraordinary day. Once I thought about it -- yesterday was it. Every year my third graders end the year with a performance of Alaska Storytelling. We have kuspuks, drumming, dancing, etc. The Music teacher I have worked together for many years and these students always amaze us. Yesterday was the start of practicing. We tie in the old with the new. I turned on the music and we practice one of the dances called Northern Lights. Then, I decided to let them hear all the music for the first time. One of the songs is a very popular song the kids recognized. Dancing from kiddos that I didn't even imaged--- the shy ones love dancing! What a way to express yourself. An original day turned into an amazing day!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS!! It's amazing what kids will do when music is involved! I have had some of the "bad" kids come out of the woodwork for me where they are unruly for other teachers or specialists! Music really speaks to some. They must really feel comfortable with you to jump out of their skin and really show you what they are capable of! Thanks for sharing.
DeleteSounds like a great time Jackie! I use music in my elementary art classes a lot, especially with the younger grades. They love to move and have a dance minute or two before we settle into our lesson. I also love to let the music play while they are working on their art projects. The students can chat, sing-along, or just sway to the music while they create their art.
DeleteI try to use music as a break in my 1 1/2 reading block. If I forget the students I use it when I transition groups so they can get the wiggles out! Some days I play what I want, others I take requests. I only play 3 minutes then its time to move on! Love watching the students dance around the room. More tend to dance and move when I do. I just ask that they don't laugh at my dancing!
DeleteYesterday I was working with kindergarteners in the writing center. The rowdier gang in the block area caused the teacher to take one by the hand and move him to another center, and take another over to her table to finish up an assessment. There were tears from the first one about the unfairness of it all. But after saying his version through tears to the others at the craft activities table - he was over it. The one with the teacher for assessment was grumpy, not cooperative. But as she's getting him to count out loud to her she gently takes his face in her hands and tells him to look into her eyes as he counts. Soon she praises him and smiles start creeping in.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a time when I was teaching at a village. The children were out on the playground playing and an elder was chatting with me. He nodded towards the playground and said "We have a lot to learn from them. They get over things quickly. They get in an argument one minute and they are over it in the next." I agree that we do have a lot to learn from children!
What a great point! There are times I wish I was as resilient as a child!
DeleteGreat reminder Jeanne! I try to start each day as if it was a new one and leave all of the trash from the day before where it belongs-in the past :)
DeleteIt was an ordinary day with an ordinary breakfast and an ordinary ride to work. The overcast day did not invite the unusal, the extra ordinary or the awesome.
ReplyDeleteNine oclock came. All the three year olds had arrived, except one. The director knocked on my door and a young black haired shy Asian girl appeared close to the director’s knees. This is Suki, she said. She told me her mother is Korean and her father is Puerto Rican. The mother speaks to her in Korean and the father speaks to her in Spanish and she knows no English. I was speechless. After a pause I bent down and said Hello Suki. She looked away.
The director asked if she could bring Suki into the room. Of course that was welcome. Suki had taken off her coat so we hung that up. My mind was going fifty miles a minute trying to figure out how I was going to respond and handle the day with our newest little one. Nothing was coming to the fore as a way to proceed. Totally blank.
I tried to get Suki to play with the other children. No luck. I tried to get her to come to circle time. No luck. We had food and bathroom time coming up. My chances were getting down to slim or nothing of making any kind of connection with this child. I had explained to the children that Suki did not know the same language that we were speaking, but I thought she knew two other languages that we did not know, so I enlisted their help and understanding in trying to help Suki have at least somewhat of a good day in our class. One of the children got her a bucket of dolls. Not interested. One of the boys got her a bucket of legos. Now that looked interesting.
It was only when we got ready to line up and go to the bathroom that it hit me. I opened my mouth and started singing to Suki. “Suki, Suki, come follow me.” No response. Two more times of singing. I saw her head look toward me, when she heard her name in song. I tried two more times. She came running. The feeling of success and wondering what I was going to do with this response. I put my arms out and she responded with a hug. I quickly grabbed her hand and kept singing, Suki, Suki come follow me.
It turned out to be the only think I said all day long that got her to turn her head toward me and come to me. Before the week was over all the staff at the center were singing that song to Suki. That all seemed so extra ordinary because I had never had a three year old child not respond to her name until she decided to respond. I had never had language and touch fail with a young one. I started to think of her world and realized drawing into herself would be a her only option.
I tried saying Suki, Come here several times during the day. It wasn’t until late afternoon that I said it once again and heard from Suki. Gran ma mere. She kept saying that over and over again. After the truly umpteenth time of saying it, I realized that was the name she gave me. She called me that every day thereafter. She had figured out a name for me and a way to respond to Suki, Suki come follow me.
Outside of the daily miracles that occur every day, such as mothers giving birth, children growing up positive despite the situations they should never be in, gravity, sunshine etc., I do not encounter many extraordinary things in my daily life. Consequently, I really had to put my thinking cap on to look through my past. What I do remember is what I was blessed to see and experience during my life as a tour guide in Alaska. I have been privileged to take Europeans on hikes in Denali state park for over 10 years. On one of my own hikes when all is quiet and I just sat and enjoyed the serenity of nature, I saw a mother moose and her very young baby crossing a stream. I use to see such scenes a lot over the years, (again very blessed I am) but on this occasion, they stopped because baby wanted to nurse. Maybe that isn’t much to others, but I couldn’t stop taking pictures of it. The miracle of God’s creatures right in front of me. I pray I never lose that memory in my mind. I will admit it will be hard considering all my pics.
ReplyDeleteOn another hike with my clients, I was showing them a beavers home underwater and explaining to them how quiet we must be (some never listen) when a beaver came up by me and swatted water in my face. We all laughed as he wasn’t happy about us intruding upon his house. It was so surprising that I fell backwards. I guess for me what is so amazing is I was a staunch city girl gone country (wilderness/bush) and what changes have come in my life since that change. WoW am I blessed. I could sing that all day.
I love your hiking story! What fun to have a beaver "yell" at you! And how extraordinary!
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ReplyDeleteMarch 1: Birthday Parties
ReplyDelete13. 13! My daughter just turned 13! I am old enough to have a 13 year old! The cackling coming from the family room is overwhelming. Screaming, laughing, loud talking; it sounds like they are having a good time. What did I do at my 13th birthday party (not) so long ago?
I always had traditions when it came to what I did for my birthday parties. In fact, we always did the same things. My birthday was on December 20, right before Christmas.
I always had a sleep over party with a bunch of girls invited. There would always be chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. My mom always made ours from scratch. Back then, in small-town Iowa, there wasn’t a bakery to order cakes from. There was, however, a pizza restaurant that we could order pizza from. We had to go pick it up because, of course, there was no such thing as delivery.
Since my birthday was so close to Christmas we ALWAYS went Christmas caroling. This happened back in a time where a group of girls was safe to wander around the streets after dark without anything bad happening to them. So we would all get bundled up and walk from house to house singing as loud as we could. The last house we always went to was a certain boy’s house. We all had a crush on him. I remember one time, he and a few of his friends were waiting for us to show up. When we started singing, they proceeded to throw water balloons at us! Boy, we all sure loved him!!
As time went by, the parties got smaller and the only ones I could get to go caroling with me were my very best friends. I now have my own 13 year old. 13! I hope she has as much fun as I did on my birthdays!
I LOVE this!!! What a great story! I hope you start some great tradition with your daughter :)
DeleteMy son turned 13 yesterday too! And yes, I'm old enough to have a son of that age..... AND a 28, 24, and 18 year old! Time flies by very quickly! Enjoy every second! And of course my 7 month old grandson. So much fun!
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DeleteI was thinking about this assignment again and had an "ah ha!" moment. I make things extraordinary all the time! I LOVE to stamp as a Stampin' UP Demonstrator and I love to share that love. I am constantly creating new cards or scrapbooks or gift ideas for friends, family and even near strangers!
ReplyDeleteIt is so much fun to take an ordinary, plane piece of paper and make something extraordinary out of it! I especially love when people can't help but ooh and aah or comment on how amazing it is. It's about at artistic as I get but I sure feel great and accomplished making that very ordinary thing into something amazing!!
I'll agree with you completely Katie! I love to make cards and then send them to friends and family just because! It's nice to keep in touch with friends and to be able to send them something that is homemade. I'm not a demonstrator, but do love to make my own cards and go to the Saturday Stampin' Up days that our local demonstrator does once a month.
DeleteI love making cards too. I just eat it up when people comment on my creations. All of my stamping/ crafting supplies at back home with my parents. With my cardmaking I have enjoyed sending cards to military personnel serving overseas through Operation Write Home. Sometimes thank you letters or videos are sent back to OWH and posted on the website/ facebook. I love reading those letters. It makes me feel wonderful that something as simple as sending some of my cards to these men and women can have such an impact on them.
DeleteMarci,
DeleteI so agree!! I try to send a box of cards every year to Operation Write Home! It's such a great program! And it's so great to feel like you're helping give people joy through something you enjoy doing.
I just have to add one more... back when I was student teaching, I had a darling student with down syndrome in 2nd grade. Her name was Julia and I will never forget her. I have been through literally thousands of students since then (I love that about teaching music! I get to teach a whole school!!) but I will never forget Julia.
ReplyDeleteMy husband had recently joined the Air Force and was off at basic training. I was student teaching in 2 elementary schools and when I came in, my cooperating teacher was working with both schools on a K-5 Christmas Program. Fun! She set me to work right away on a song called "Merry Christmas to You From the Red, White & Blue." It was beautiful and perfect and just really touched my heart, especially with my husband away at training. We practiced hard but I just could not get Julia to sing it. She wanted no part in my song. She would take part in every other thing in music class except that. Then one day, something clicked for Julia. Maybe she was finally comfortable with me; enough so that she was willing to put herself out there and sing. I was practicing one day and suddenly heard the strangest sound. I mean, it was weird. I was looking all around, trying to figure out what on earth it was! It was so strange and then I realized that it wasn't strange, it was beautiful because it was my Julia! She touched my heart ten fold that day! Boy was she singing her heart out! I can still hear her in my mind! I already had strong feelings for this song but her choosing to reach out and give that song all that she had just made it that much more touching! I couldn't help the tears. My first and most touching moment ever in teaching! Julia turned that ordinary teaching moment into an extraordinary moment and we shared great memories after that, for the rest of my time there! I will always cherish this extraordinary moment! As I think of it now, I find my eyes well up with tears. It reminds me of why I chose to teach and even better, why I chose to teach music!
Wow--You made my eyes well up as you wrote about the experience. I still remember a drama production from the 70's and one of my first, amazing students singing "Bring on the Clowns." Thanks for sharing.
DeleteSharing dinner with friends and family is a wonderful experience. It is ordinary, but gives me the feeling of something extraordinary. I get a sense of peace and happiness by being able to spend time chatting with my friends over a great dish of pasta. Earlier this evening my friend shared pictures of her wedding, her husband, and her son and his fiancé with me. It was really neat to see the paths that her life has taken her on.
ReplyDeleteHaving dinner with my husband and children is an ordinary experience that is also extraordinary in the sense that we get a glimpse into each other’s day and the joys and disappointments that may have happened that particular day. I get to hear about projects, swim practice, gym class, or even about health class topics. It is nice for my family and I to be able to spend this special time together sharing parts of our busy lives. I am blessed to have a truly wonderful family and great friends!
There is something magical about sitting down to a meal especially one that we have created. I feel sorry for so many families that are too busy to eat together. They miss those times you have written about. I am lucky enough to have friends and family that take time to "break bread together."
DeleteI'm glad to hear that you sit with your family at the dinner table. In Holland it is a tradition that is still held sacred to this day. We own our own family business so my uncles and grandpa would come home for lunch too. You should see the fiestas in Spain.... awesome! Huge tables with many people and lots of food! So many great memories. You're creating wonderful memories that your kids will reflect back upon when they are older. Thanks for taking me back.......
DeleteI agree! So great to hear that you sit at the table together! As we transitioned from Vegas to Alaska years ago, we went for many months with no table (we sold just about all of our big furniture before we left to make room). It just didn't feel right. We now have a beautiful table that really seems to be the centerpiece of our kitchen! I can't even think of going back to no table! My kids are 4 & 5 and they love to sit together and talk about everyones day. My 4 year old will ask how my day was :)
DeleteIt's also my favorite part of visiting back home. Everyone gets together! We have large feasts and need lots of extra tables and fold out chairs just to squeeze into my grandma's kitchen, but we make it happen and the memories and moments are so worth sharing! Seems like a great time to learn about people.
Thanks for sharing!
Off the subject -- Sondra -- I've written to you through e-mail but wonder if you've received them? The video clip on the assignment isn't working; the 2 links go to the same 3-minute video. Is this just my system?
ReplyDeleteAlso do you have thoughts about the virtual classroom and issues of parental permission for students to be in the photos/videos to be posted on the Internet?
Hi Jeanne! I lost your email and wrote to three others asking if they had asked the questions. Sorry! I think it is working for others. No one else has complained. Don't worry. Just do some reading or thinking on Common Core. The video isn't perfect--very propaganda-like--so just engage in thoughtful discussion.
DeleteNo, you do not need students in your tour. You can include information in captions or a narrative and just pictures of your class site if your district so desires or you have personal reservation. I am well aware of the issue.
Jeanne:
DeleteI'm having the same issue with the video links as well. If you get it to work, please let me know!
I also just tried to access the 51 minute video and the link went back to the 3 minute video.
Delete“Whether you are a student, teacher or a poet I believe our challenge is to find the poetry all around us every day. Children are often the best teachers of this.”
ReplyDeleteMy son, Bryson, will be three in May. He has always been very talkative, but now he is in a stage where he LOVES words: the way they sound, how he can shape a phrase...He has been really into rhyming lately, and he'll walk around the house, looking for something particular and then say: "Hey! "Chair" and "where"! That rhymes!" This happens ALL DAY LONG.
When he first entered this stage, he tended to get confused between words that rhyme and pure alliteration. I explained the difference to him and now--in addition to the rhymes he makes up throughout the day--he'll throw a few: "Hey! "Bed," "book," "bee"! That's alliteration, Mommy!"
At first, I was simply shocked that he could learn the difference, and I was glad because, before this, my husband, a science teacher, had taught Bryson how to correctly identify a solid, liquid, and gas as well as an herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore. I knew that the boy's English Nerd skills needed reinforcement... :)
The more that it happens, though, the more it hits me about the power of this discovery. I've worked with kids for over a decade on the power of a strong vocabulary, but I've never actually seen someone DISCOVER words...it's pretty cool. He goes around the house making up these little poems and observing everything around him so closely. He’s seen these same items for three years, but now that he sees that their names sound like other words, too, they’re reborn for him with a new depth and function. I’ve been inspired by a toddler to really respect and delve into my surroundings—even the most basic pieces that I tend to overlook.
I love this! Kids really are inspiring AND such great reminders to take a step back and enjoy the simplicity of life! Thanks for sharing.
DeleteChristine,
DeleteThanks for sharing! This is a wonderful story and I agree. it's amazing to see the language skills develop in a growing child. It has been my pleasure and delight to see the growth in my 3 and 6 year old boys. I work in a Title 1 school and I have always known that a lot of the students are lacking in academic and language skills BUT I did not realized how much my students didn't know until I had my own children. The language skills, knowledge and growth in my children is amazing. I attribute these skills to their natural ability and the fact that we talk and interact all the time. Language is a powerful thing, more powerful than I realize.
Christine-
DeleteSo cool!
You should videotape some of this as an example for some of your older students - I am sure they would find this example of alliteration amusing! It is amazing how naming and categorizing things makes them real - this is the true power of words, to help us organize and catalogue and make sense of the things around us. His experience - learning alliteration and ecology together - poetry and science - is a beautiful example of how experience is dictated through words. The difference between arbitrary and relevant is just being established - though I hope it doesn't set in for some time more :)
Thank you for sharing.
In my last post I wrote about being inspired by my child, but for this one, I’d like to discuss one of the reasons why being an English teacher is so amazing: being inspired by other people’s children!
ReplyDeleteFor the past week, my AP students and I (they call themselves “APES”: AP English Students) have been digging into poetry—this is ALWAYS a good time! They come up with the coolest reads, and this year’s class is really into dissecting diction and syntax: They just blew my mind with their insights on why Yeats would used the term “blood-dimmed” in “The Second Coming,” digging into connotations and their relevance to the surrounding lines. I just wrote about this in a response to another ASWC member’s discussion board post, but one of the ideas that I teach my students is that literature is SO awesome because you can analyze it in whatever way you want, and as long as you can support your reading with text, it’s valid. This “rule” not only benefits them (encouraging them to inquire and think critically, as well as read closely) but me, as well. I’m constantly inspired to think differently about books that I’ve been teaching for ten-plus years because some sixteen-year-old’s brain has made a connection—and supported it—that I’ve never thought of or heard before. I always make sure to make a big deal of that in class, and then everyone always wants to know how their peer got to that conclusion. Listening to the thought-processes behind these connections is AMAZING and inspiring. They push me to read and process in a new way, and what English teacher wouldn’t want to do that?
More extraordinary in the ordinary- Banana-March 1, 2013
ReplyDeleteSome good news came out of an ordinary visit from a close friend, Nate. Nate also is our landlord. My husband worked with him and I worked for his wife when she was our school principal. Nate and his wife were some of the first people we met in Bethel. They are awesome landlords that take care of our place and replace things when needed. When we moved into our apartment it had just been remodeled, it was the best place we could find. The only problem is the lease says no pets.
We were visiting and chatting about life when he asked us about why we stay here. We explained that we loved it, but we would like to get a pet for our son Otis. He had explained that the people that lived below us had asked for a dog and he said no because they don’t keep up their apartment and the risk he has to take when letting someone have a dog.
I casually asked, what about a bunny, it would be in a cage and could be litter trained. He replied that Otis indeed needed something to keep him company and said anything that doesn’t need to be walked outside we could have. My husband said, “What about a cat?” Nate replied, “That is a great idea! Make sure you get Otis a manly cat!” The only condition was that we had to get the cat declawed, spayed and be willing to pay for any damages from the cat.
After his visit my Mark started planning by asking me to order the things we needed from Amazon. I never knew there were so many choices for cat litter and cat food! I put some things in my cart while Mark was discussing names for the kitten yet to arrive. Names of past kitties were discussed along with what kind of kitty to pick.
The following day it was cold so we went for another ride around town. This time we hit ID Variety in Bethel. It is store that sells all sorts of things. It carries Avon, gifts, electronics (Radio Shack type things), baby toys/gear, gardening supplies, and pets and pet supplies. Otis heard the birds chirping as soon as we walked in the door! He dragged us to the sound of the birds. It was an amazing sight to see his eyes light up and try to drag his dad to the back of the store. It made me giggle to see my little guy who is 3 ft tall trying to drag a large 6 ft. man around.
We watched parakeets, doves and cockatiel birds jump around in their fancy cages making lots of noise. Otis was mesmerized by the different kinds of fish swimming in the multiple tanks. The mice were freaky looking and gave me the willies, but Otis sure did squeal with delight. But to our disappointment there were no cats for sale. We left the store still dreaming of a companion for Otis!
Later that evening I remembered a post on our local Facebook page that was advertising kittens a few weeks ago. So I searched it and gave the lady a call. It was our lucky day, she still had 3 of the 5 kittens left. I have never seen my husband get ready to leave the house so quickly. He beat me this time! It was entertaining to see him so excited to get a pet. He grew up on a dairy farm with lots of dogs and cats.
We picked out a cute little black and white kitten home with us in my coat! Otis was so excited to see that we were bringing home a kitten. The whole way home he kept calling out, “Kitty Cat”. Otis didn’t understand the little kitten was scared and that shouting scared him more.
The discussion started about what to name our little boy kitten. Since he didn’t look like any of our old cats, the names we discussed were not a good choice. I suggested something that Otis could say. There are not many words yet that Otis says that would be good names. I said, “How about Banana? Otis knows that word!” So we welcomed Banana to our family. Otis calls him, “A-ban-a”.
I was so glad that our spring break turned out to be fun and adventurous! We even added a Banana to our family!
Hello Valerie :) When I first looked at the title of your writing, I thought, wow, I really need to read this one to see what she wrote about a banana! What a nice story about your son's first pet! Our family are pet lovers too and have had assorted pets over the years including guinea pigs, dogs, cats, and a sheep.
ReplyDeleteOtis really picked an original name for a cat-it will be interesting to see what he thinks of the name as he gets older. I hope you all enjoy your new little bundle of joy!
We are having a blast, except for the 2 am drag racing across the bed! LOL! I already see a change in Otis. Yesterday I caught Otis telling Banana no because the cat was trying to get into the garbage. Otis was trying to keep his new friend out of trouble, it was so cute!
DeleteA smile is a very ordinary thing in general. Almost everyone knows how to smile and is capable of smiling. Children and grownups alike have the mechanics of using facial muscles to turn ones mouth in an upward crescent moon. When a smile is shared and so simply offered, it can create something extraordinary. A grin offered to a shy and lonely child brings forth a flood of exuberant life just waiting to be expressed. The shy child is suddenly your best friend and you theirs. A grin freely given to a stranger passing by turns her stressed and pensive features into one of openness and loving. Souls connect touching one another even if for just a moment. A smile conveys friendliness, connection, and an understanding that one is not alone. An ordinary and simple smile can do extraordinary work.
ReplyDeleteSnowflakes, small little miracles meeting my eyes,
ReplyDeleteFalling, falling, falling from the gray laden skies.
Snow, snow swirling down,
Snow falling all around.
Fluffy flakes floating on the breeze,
Silently gliding, coming down to land on my bent knees.
Snowflakes, small little miracles meeting my eyes,
Falling, falling, falling from the gray laden skies.
Intricate patterns, six sided stars,
Little by little covering all the nearby cars.
Gracefully mounding, many little flakes,
Blowing in the wind, foaming up like icing on cakes.
Snowflakes, small little miracles meeting my eyes,
Falling, falling, falling from the gray laden skies.
Snowflakes, each individual we hardly see,
Everyday, ordinary snow, piling up around me.
Snow, snow, swirling down,
Snow falling all around.
This poem was inspired by some perfect little snow flakes that my oldest daughter and I spied on my car windows as we left school last week. Everyday, ordinary snow, turned into the extraordinary when we took the time to look and really see!
Well done. You did a wonderful job and I'm glad you found the words this week that I was unable to find. keep on writing my friend, keep on writing.
DeleteEnjoyed reading your poem. It reminded me of a fun writing and discovery exercise with young children. We made snow =flake catchers. Super simple. Take cardboard. (3x5) Glue a strip of black felt 3x5 to the cardboard. Go outside when it is snowing with a magnifying glass in hand. Catch at and look at the snowflakes. Then try to describe what you see.
DeleteI found myself having to do a lot of work this weekend to get caught up on all of my assignments for this class. Thank goodness I had already done all the reading. I just wrote my response to the Common Core Standard issue. It's interesting that there is always such a push to put everyone at the same level. I taught special education for seven years and this is a hard one for me to swallow. We are still having students who have learning disabilities take these tests as well...... where is the logic in this? These student scores count towards our overall AYP scores and we failed last year as a school because of this reason. The year before we passed because we didn't have a high enough population of learning disabled students to count towards our score. So there lies the question....... is this really an accurate test to evaluate how we are doing as an entire school. Or, even worse, we are being evaluated to see if our teaching is effective. If we took away their scores, we would have passed. I think it's extremely unfair to test these students on skills that the regular 5th grade students are learning. Students are receiving help in areas because many perform far below their current grade level. Then we test them for an entire week on material that they haven't even learned. Can't see how this is fair. Now the states are adopting these common core standards. I see the logic. But again, how is this taking into account the individual needs for children and how they learn. There is no cookie cutter mold that will fit every child that we teach. I refuse to teach to the test. As far as teaching the vocabulary that are on the tests, that's a different story. This vocabulary is used in all content areas and used in their everyday lives as well. It's time that we go back to what matters the most and that is to teach to the needs of each individual child. Wow! That was a quick 10 minutes. Hope everyone had a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou wrote: There is no cookie cutter mold that will fit every child that we teach. I refuse to teach to the test. As far as teaching the vocabulary that are on the tests, that's a different story. This vocabulary is used in all content areas and used in their everyday lives as well. It's time that we go back to what matters the most and that is to teach to the needs of each individual child." I think you have captured what so many in the class have been saying. We have to be allowed to find a way teach given the students we are "dealt." We cannot assume that all fifth graders everywhere are on the same page or even should be. What common core can do is give us goals and common benchmarks that allow us to see how our students are fitting a national norm.
DeleteOkay my friends I need to do a quick write for this post. I’ve been trying for HOURS and HOURS to write something and nothing is coming. I start and stop and cannot get the words to flow. So here is my attempt:
ReplyDeleteI see the extraordinary in my children. They are amazing. What creative souls they have and I am blessed to witness it. Tonight my husband was reading the boys a book. It’s a series about the alphabet. Each letter of the alphabet has it’s own book. Children represent the letters and are called Little A (or whatever letter the book is about). The child, Little H, has a box that is filled with nouns of the same letter. Tonight for the first time my oldest son decided to get a box and started filling it with items from the book: a hat, his piggy bank for hog, and a horn. We didn’t have a horn that was easily had so he put a toy gun into the box pretending it was the “horn”. Upon completion of the story my youngest son started to take the items out of the box. The hat was placed on his head and he able fingers retrieved the “horn” and pretended to play it. With puffed cheeks and ridged body he was blowing the “horn” with all his might. It was adorable to see. He kept blowing and blowing and I could hear the sound of the horn in the recess of my mind. My sons’ creativity is amazing and a delight to see.
Well, I think I need to set the timer for me to write. I seem to do better with some sort of time marker. I literally have been sitting here all day attempting so get something down on paper. All week I’ve been mulling things over and nothing concrete would come. Whispered words would drift out of my reach. Glimpses of ideas would briefly come into focus only to fade into the fog, shapes to be seen but not grasped. Sigh.
..."Whispered words would drift out of my reach. Glimpses of ideas would briefly come into focus only to fade into the fog, shapes to be seen but not grasped"...Wow! I would say you have a poem that wants to start or end like that. I also find sometimes the timer works best and ideas find me.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI’ve always wanted to write. To really write. But I thought that my life was not exciting enough, thrilling enough, interesting enough to warrant written analysis. I’ve been thinking about seeing “the ordinary in an ordinary way” all weeklong. Looking for inspiration in the minutest of details, events: my daughter singing, “The Wheels on the Bus” while spinning madly around our read leather chair. My husband standing with his back to me, humming, while doing the dishes neither of us wants to wash. Watching an icicle grow down the eave of the house, wondering what it would feel like to run my hand along it’s smooth, slick surface. Dancing with my daughter to the music of the Nutcracker and listening to her tell me how I’m doing it wrong. Dreading going in to work Monday morning and then realizing that I really do like, even times love, what I do.
ReplyDeleteThis is my ordinary. These are moments from my life. Moments that perhaps no one but me would find full of laughter, wonder and epiphany.
There are those moments, too, when the ordinary is too ordinary. After all, didn’t we all expect to become something special, really special, when we grew up? I feel like I’m still waiting for that grown-up moment to come, when everything will come together with synergy. Yet, I’m grown up enough to know that that moment is now. That that moment is what I make of it.
So what do I make of my ordinary moments? Do I stand back and look at them, ask, “Is this it?” Or do I hold them up to the sky and let the sun shine through them and revel that these moments are “it?”
Ordinary. Just write about the ordinary in an extra ordinary way. See it in an extraordinary way. So easy to say, so hard to do, especially when I’m used to seeing the ordinary as boring, as not worth noting.
ReplyDeleteOrdinary, like the half-eaten apple siting on my desk. Ordinary, like the apple skin wedged between my teeth. Ordinary, like deciding to eat the apple instead of the chocolate.
What is extra-ordinary about my apple, any apple for that matter? I suppose once the apple got stuck in my teeth it became something more that commonplace. It has taken on a heightened sense of being for me. An irritating, temporary part of me.
So the apple sits on my desk, slowly turning brown. I won’t finish eating it. This thought saddens me somehow. An unwanted apple, at least now. Sorry Fuji.
Home I’ll go and I’ll keep thinking about this apple—this I know. I’ll keep thinking about this apple until I can rid myself from its remains wedged between my teeth. Interesting how an uneventful, forgetful snack has the power to overtake over my afternoon. Should have had the chocolate.
Was this a quickwrite? This writing was fun because at the start, I pictured you talking, questioning the prompt and trying to focus, clearly in the third person. However, by the second or third paragraph, I was seeing things from the first person perspetive, feeling the need to reach for the floss that has to be in my desk somewhere, identifying with your struggle.
DeleteThe effect of this change of voice was humorous and artfully achieved. Thanks for sharing! This entertaining read was a great example of the power of using varied voice without being obvious.
No, it wasn't a quick write, but rather a way to just start writing about the subject with no direction. I wasn't feeling inspired and had long moments of just staring at the screen, at the apple and wondering how in the world it could be extraordinary. Thanks for the feedback. I've been struggling with these free writes since I have not written anything beyond academic writing for several years. ;-) BTW, a neighboring teacher gave me a piece of string--she, too, had no floss--and it did the trick!
DeleteThere is a lot to like in this piece. After I read it yesterday, I used the form of your writing as a starter for my class and a means for my kiddies to tie in their vocabulary list. I had the students turn their seats into small groups and then pull out an object from their pockets, binders, et and place it in the middle of the tables. I used an apple. I challenged them to begin writing about what is obvious and while they were writing to find the not-so-obvious in their object. Needless to say that the starter took too long today. Thank you for the idea.
DeleteI find myself often in a state of hyperbole; the details of ordinary life seem to be extraordinarily good or extraordinarily bad.
ReplyDeleteWe all live inside our heads, and I sometimes feel like my moods “happen to me”. This is not a useful perspective to have.
While I work on living more in a state of conscious, reasoned moderation, on forming “reality-based thoughts”, I have to sometimes find humor in my failure at moderation. Here is three perspectives of a fictional interaction with a stranger (my favorite is definitely the cranky one).
Objective.
The girl sat still, examining her hands, waiting. She appeared to be between 19 and 30, but it was hard to tell her exact age. She had strawberry red hair, and freckles and a pear-shaped figure and sat with her feet crossed at the ankles. She was wearing the current fashion of a long loose-fitting shift in pale colors over skinny jeans. She blinked several times and sniffed twice and looked around. We made eye contact for about two seconds. Her facial expression did not change before she looked away.
Hypomanic.
Across from me was a girl. She seemed nice enough, and had showered and applied makeup to come in on a Saturday. Good for her; I kind of wish I had that energy sometimes. We were both waiting, and I was wondering if she was here for the same reason as I, or if she had something more worrying on her mind. I looked up at the clock, then over at the receptionist and smiled - she smiled back. We were ten minutes behind schedule, but it was okay – I had nowhere to be until 4:00, and had my podcasts to listen to. The girl across from me looked nervous or worried. I looked at her and smiled. The edges of her mouth turned up slightly before she looked away. She probably has a lot on her mind right now, I thought.
Depressive.
Another girl was also waiting to be seen. She had dressed up for the visit, in “current” clothes, and it was not flattering. Tan is not a good color for redheads – she was totally washed out – and skinny jeans do not look on pear-shaped women. Her vacuum-packed legs protruded from underneath the baggy long tunic, I couldn’t help but think of the awkward proportions of a legoman. The look was unfortunate. I glanced up at the clock. Ten minutes late so far. I glanced at the girl across the way, right as she looked at me. It was awkward, and she quickly looked away. Great, now she thinks I’m a bitch. Maybe I am a bitch. This waiting room smells stale and icky – how I imagine the ‘80s must’ve smelled; like people used to smoke here and post smoking bans no one bothered to replace the drywall. Ick. Who schedules appointments on Saturdays anyway?
I liked these three character descriptions--they had me intrigued and wondering where they were and WHY they were there. It'd be interesting to hear what they would have to say to each other if they had to interact verbally.
DeleteI enjoyed your three different takes on the same person/situation. Hyperbole makes the boring more fun. My problem is that I have to remind myself to not get carried away and remember reality :)
DeleteI decided to do a 10 minute fast write to talk about the extraordinary:
ReplyDeleteFor a short time before I was a teacher, I was a doula. For those of you who don't know, a doula is a birthing assistant- we're hired by the parents to assist them through all parts of the birthing process (and sometimes pregnancy). I had to give it up to be more available for my young family, but I've always told myself that I'll go back to it and fulfill my dream of becoming a midwife.
While I was a doula, ordinary days were turned into extraordinary days. Of course, the birth of a baby is extraordinary, but so are so many other parts of the process. A woman’s body is made to be able to do all sorts of extraordinary things during pregnancy and birth and medical science doesn’t often let that occur. The changing of people to parents and the unconditional love that comes with it. The natural instinct and toughness of a baby during birth and their intuitiveness after birth. Medical science and what it can do for the birth process when needed. The sleep that comes after a long labor and birth. The indescribable feeling of being there with a family as they welcome their baby and the forever thankfulness that they allowed me to be a part of that moment in their lives.
I did a 10 minute fast write for my last post and while I was thinking about what to write in my 2nd post, I came up with quite a few extraordinary things. The problem was that none of them were ‘post worthy’ in length and/or content, so I decided to do another fast write in the form of a list of the extraordinary things that have happened to my family and me in the recent past.
ReplyDeletemy son won first place in his regional declamation contest
one of my best friends moved back to Alaska today after being away for 5 years
my husband joined a band today- he’s so excited and practicing right now
I cooked dinner for my family 2 days in a row!
I got 100% on my Econ test
math!
Science!
history!
a stranger tracked me down to give me something they found that had belonged to my dad (who died over 20 years ago)
finding lost friends
I got up enough nerve to stand up for myself and it paid off
my son and I met Olympic swimming gold medalist Dana Vollmer last week
seeing the smile on my son’s face as he held Dana’s gold medal
listening to my son talk about how excited he is to go to Europe this summer with his Spanish class
knowing that he wants me to chaperone to Europe
finding out I was right about something everyone else disagreed with me on
getting a family vacation planned with my parents and sister’s family
figuring out it was a gluten allergy and feeling so much better
feeling superhuman lately for having so much on my plate and getting it all done
DeeAnn,
ReplyDeleteI really like your list. What a special gift that person gave you to give you something of your fathers after so long. My mother died 15 years ago and I think I would really cherish a gift like that so congratulations.
Penni
Ps, I think we took the math consortium class together last year:-)
Hi, Penni!
DeleteIt's good to 'see you' again!
DeeAnn
The longest moments of my day are those first few tragic minutes in which I tear my mind, strand by strand, from sleep, and accept the fact that a new day is happening and I am a responsible adult who has a vital part to play in upholding the pointless and nasty sleep-stealing routines inveterate to mornings. When I stop pretending I have any more time to pretend to sleep, I proactively adopt a more positive attitude. “Good morning,” I croak to myself, trying to remove the sarcasm in my tone towards me. “Have a good day,” I stammer, alone in my bed, stuttering through my mouthguard like a wizened Walmart greeter. In my head I am really thinking “motherf***er”. I pull out my earplugs and roll onto the floor for some improvised yoga-like stretching moves, kicking aside dirty clothes. (Stretching is healthy, right? So it’s a good excuse for not getting ready right?)
ReplyDeleteTime is an experience more than a metric. In the reality of our individual experiences, (and really, what other reality is there?) time is measured in a manner that does not match up to any consistent clock. Fun times “flow” quickly – when the vacation is over, it is a nasty surprise! By contrast, uncomfortable and painful times move more slowly – all the better to remember our mistakes and protect ourselves, an evolutionary psychology might tell us.
I always remember my dreams in the morning. They are often unpleasant, but I am ever conflicted about leaving them. First, they are interesting, confusing and intellectually stimulating. They sometimes contain decades of time and history, all of which will be forgotten to my conscious mind when I face the day. But worse, to leave my dreams means face the tedium of another morning, another sandwich to make, shower to stand under, outfit to assemble from various places where I keep clean or mostly clean clothes, tea to brew in my sticky work thermos, long unruly hair to manage (why do I not schedule time for a haircut?), ski clothing to assemble from the floor, car, and furnace room, and a 20-30 minute commute. If I don’t time the caffeine right for the drive, I am dangerously loopy for the last 4 minutes of my commute up the steep hillside, bare of streetlights. Cars barrel downhill at 50 miles and hour, nothing but morning precision maintaining the difference between being a workerbee for the day or roadkill.
If I pass Old Rabbit Creek Road between 7:53am and 7:56am, I know I will see him walking up the road. The man always wears a white camouflage suit, the kind one wears for hunting. He carries an old fashioned walking stick, impractical and silly for an able-bodied person on a paved road. He is most likely between 20 and 30, but I am not sure why I think that this is likely, because I’ve never seen his face – I always pass him in a blur.
The first time I saw him, I almost saw him too late, and swerved to miss him. The third time I passed him, almost invisible in the dark, I started wondering, as I sometimes like to do when I see men being reckless (sexist, I know); what would the woman who gave birth to him and nurtured and loved his little baby body think if she saw him walking, unprotected in the roadway like this!?
That was when I noticed a length of reflective belt sagging around his butt from under his jacket – almost like some hiking gangster. Huh?! The more I see the Snow Walker, the more I am confused. Why does he always wear that same camouflage suit? Does he think it looks cool to blend in (so much so as to maybe get hit by passing cars)? There are no businesses up in that direction, so where is he going? Is he exercising? Visiting a friend or church? Caring for a relative? Going on a pilgrimage? Does he own a car? How old is he? Does he have a job?
As my morning routine crosses his, I can’t help but look down his path and wonder at his commitment of time to this ritual. It seems to be almost a matter of faith. He will be there, walking in the road. And, looking at my slow morning routines, too, I am starting to see the way in which routine solidifies experience and quickens time. Why do I make tea? Why would I drive up that hill? Why do I dress the way I do? It is not enough to tell myself to “have a nice day” every morning – The answers to these small questions are the biggest answer, the existential answer. That in our small, ordinary lives, the small, ordinary things we do are really all we have.
DeleteI need to live this routine like it is my life – because it is my life.
As I was thinking about what makes ordinary extraordinary I found that I was looking a bit too critically, and well, just trying too hard. It dawned on me that I had experienced the extraordinary just days before.
ReplyDeleteAside from being the third grade teacher at my school I am also the elementary PE teacher. A couple of weeks ago we were gifted with a stretch of truly beautiful weather that we do not often experience out here on the bay. It was sunny, windless, and warm, with A LOT of snow. I decided to take the 4th and 5th grade kiddos outside for their 50 minutes, much to their chagrin! It took mere seconds for the novelty of the snow and sun to set in. A pretty impressive snow fort was rapidly erected and the boys were transformed into pirates and zombies. The girls had tunneled themselves a 4-way "Gossip Spot." All I saw were 4 sets of legs sticking out of the snow, and heard only their muffled giggles. I myself was transported to the wintery days of my childhood in Michigan. As I watched them occupy themselves, for the full 50 minutes mind you, I couldn't help but wonder how often they actually do this...Step away from the technology and video games, etc. and let imagination truly take over. We all enjoyed the period, and the extraordinary joy one can draw from an afternoon playing in the snow!
As a first-time father of a two-year-old, I am constantly caught between being in the moment as we often say and watching the moment, taking a picture of it, making it a status update, reading other people's status updates...ensuring that we are not dong anything. A few days ago in class I made use of a TS Eliot line that has a way of meandering its way into my speech patterns and sub consciousness. It goes something like, we shall not cease from exploring and when we come to the end of a journey we will arrive back where we started and know it again for the first time. Those words whispered to me tonight as I watched my son play--as he is not supposed to-- in the fish tank. Going at the pace a parent does, it is so easy to miss so much, but for some reason tonight I was able to watch him play and experiment and I did not have to rush to take a picture of it and I was not compelled to correct him or stop him. He stood on his tippy toes (something he does a lot) and extended elbow deep trying in vane to touch one of the terrified goldfish. At that moment I realized my place in time. It has been a brutal week so maybe this was my first minute of repose and slow.But I watched him for what felt like a while being bad and yet innocent as only a two-year-old can and I watched, smiling. It was then that I was struck, more gently tapped I suppose , by a thought. One of my father's most pleasant and oft talked about memories of me when I was young was terrifying goldfish by trying to swim in the aquarium. A long time ago, my father sat, just as I am tired, haggard, and yet serenely happy watching his son be innocently bad. In this one ordinary moment--I might have scores of these a day and just not see them--my father, myself, and my son were all in the same room in the same overlapping time, all smiling all innocently bad.
ReplyDeleteA friend who was practicing Buddhism once told me, "Nothing is good or bad. It just is."
Deletehttp://mamashutts.wordpress.com/2013/03/12/week-three-past-personal-experience/
ReplyDeleteMy post is actually too long for this comment box and isn't being accepted by the website. Please check out my own blog to read this week's posts. Thank you.
http://mamashutts.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/week-three-the-extraordinary-in-the-ordinary/
ReplyDeleteWhat is buried in my ordinary life?
Again, my post was too long and I'm unable to post it here. Please check out my website and have a look at my posts for this week. Thanks!