Relaxation

Although I enjoy the holidays, the older I get (which is not too old...yet) the more I find the holidays to be exhausting. There is the shopping, the cooking, the get togethers, the preparing for visits, the time management...I thought I was supposed to be on vacation.

Fortunately, the bulk of the all of the holiday hoopla is now over and I have finally found time to relax. One more week of vacation and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. I am well supplied with books, movies, even my new Nintendo DS (which I absolutely love!). I may not see the light of day for a bit but I am not too concerned about such things. Relaxation is my main goal.

I hope the rest of you are enjoying your time off. My guess is that you were not as bogged down with holiday hoopla (that will come later, if you are lucky) so the enjoyment level is high, as it should be.

Remember, don't do anything I wouldn't do...

Happy Holidays!

As you all embark on your most needed holiday break, remember to treat this time as it is supposed to be treated - a time of togetherness, giving, and love. Enjoy your break, catch up on your rest, and don't do anything I wouldn't do!

Now it is your turn...

During my last post I shared some poems that move me, now it is your turn to share a poem that you enjoy. Please post your choices, complete with explanations of why you enjoy the work as well as a link to the poem.

I am looking forward to reading some of your favorites!

Poetry

I often wish I had more time to study poetry in class. Poetry allows the brain and the heart to connect in a way that other literature does not always allow. Unfortunately, many students do not enjoy poetry because they find the art form to be difficult to understand and "useless" in their everyday lives.

In my attempt to promote appreciation for poetry I would love to share some of my favorite poems. Below is a list of the poems that I hold near and dear to my heart.

"The Stolen Child" by W.B. Yeats
"To Ireland in the Coming Times" by W.B. Yeats
"How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
"i carry your heart with me (i carry it in" by E.E. Cummings
"The Untold Want" by Walt Whitman
"Sick" by Shel Silverstein
"Forgetfulness" by Billy Collins
"Helen" by H.D.
"Greater Love" by Wilfred Owen
Sonnet 129 by William Shakespeare

Pavlov Anyone?

In class yesterday I had a flashback to my high school biology class unit on Pavlov and his dogs. I collected an assignment with an accompanying direction to NOT staple the work. My students were baffled. What are they to do without staples? I had students that literally asked what to do if they had more than one page. I also had students that I watched proceed to my desk to staple their papers anyway. It seemed that since stapling is what they have always done, it is what they should always do.

Normally a minor event such as this would simply entertain me and I would forget about it. But this particular day I found myself pondering just how many more things out there we are conditioned to do - usually without even thinking about it. When we see a line, we get in it. When the bell rings my students proceed to their next class. When the alarm goes off in the morning, we wake up. The list could go on and on.

I am not quite sure if being overtly conditioned is a bad thing. The rebel in me is only peeking her little head outside the hole so I guess I am more willing to accept this as a typical way of life. Although I can't help but wonder if we are all becoming mindless drones...

By the way...staples should be used less frequently anyways. The steel industry generates higher levels of stack emissions than waste incineration. There are new "stapleless" staples that do the same job.

The Winner!

The winner of the charity contest is the Touch a Heart Foundation. This group raises money for children in the South Florida area. So all donations will be directly help less fortunate children right in our own backyard.

I want to thank everyone who participated in this contest. All of your charity suggestions seemed fantastic and I would love to donate to each and every one - but alas, I am unable to. Hopefully each of you will take the time to give a donation to the charity that you recommended - even if it is just a couple of dollars! Every little bit helps.

I will be taking donations to the Touch a Heart Foundation all week during class. At the end of the week I will send off the combined donations from all classes in the name of "Mrs. Stoklosa's English Classes."

Thank you again!

Should I throw you a bone???

I am disappointed and dismayed by the measly amount of responses that I have received for the charity contest. Come on guys - get out there and learn about some great causes! I had a post last week that provides a website for a bunch of different charities - check it out.

I thought that perhaps I should take pity on those of you who have not posted yet. I have only posted once this week so that means you can only respond to one post. Should I throw you a bone and provide another post for responses...nawwwww...that would just be too easy!

A Contest!

An update on the contest...to answer some of your questions...all postings for the contest must be done here on my blog in the form on comments under the "contest" posting. I will authorize all comments as they come in. The class will vote on Friday, therefore all comments must be in by Thursday evening. Any real charity is okay. Remember, you must have a link to the the charity website in your post. Happy posting!

A Contest

In celebration of the holiday season, I am proposing a bit of a contest to my readers...

I would love to give a charitable donation in the name of my wonderful classes, but I am having trouble deciding on the charity. This is where you all come in - choose a charity, research it, and create a blog post that argues why readers should choose your charity (include a link to your charity in your blog post). As a class, we will read the arguments and vote on which charity will receive the donations. I will donate $1 for each argument offered (up to $50) and will ask for donations from the class to accompany my donation.

So, start arguing!

Alternative

With all of the holidays looming around the corner I am sure that many of you are pondering what to give your loved ones for those gift giving events. I am sure that many of you will be taking part in the time honored tradition of "Black Friday," but if not, I would like to offer another alternative.
I came across a fantastic website not too long ago that allows people to not only purchase ecologically friendly goods, but also donate to a variety of charities and organizations. For example, last year I gave a gift in my mother's name to a butterfly habitat in Mexico. She loved it!
So, for those that have everything, give a gift that will allow them to give back to the world. Visit: http://greatergood.com/

"Random acts of kindness"

A couple of days ago I was waiting in line in a store. Something had fallen off a display onto the ground. The woman in front of me promptly looked down and simply kicked the object out of her way. When I was able to move up to her where she was standing I bent down, picked up the object, and placed it back on the display. Not because I could, but because I should. It took me three seconds.

While waiting in line in a different store I watched as a customer who was unable to use a coupon gave it to the woman who was waiting behind her. I thought, "Wow, that was nice." The new recipient of the coupon happily watched as her goods were scanned and then passed her newly received coupon along to the cashier. After the final payment the woman scanned her receipt and asked why she did not get 40% off her entire purchase instead of just one item (the coupon that she did not have when she walked in to the store, but was graciously given while in line was only for one item). She left the store disappointed.

Now, if I was a more aggressive person I would be the one yelling, "Hey, rather than kick that thing so someone can slip on it, pick it up!" or "Lady, you just got a free coupon, take what you can get." But, I watch, and I listen, and I just take it all in. Then, I wonder. I ponder. I reflect.

It seems as if the term "random acts of kindness" is right on the money. I am not sure when kindness, graciousness, and overall consideration was thrown out the window, but it seems as if these acts have indeed become random.

But it does not have to be this way...

When you come across something that is out of place, return it to where it should go. When you enter a building, glance behind you to see if you should hold open the door.
When you come across something that you know would make a friend happy, pick it up for them.
When you encounter a gracious act or a kind person, be gracious and kind right back.
And, when you encounter someone who is neither, be the bigger person and treat others how you would like to be treated.

Travel Anyone?

My family has opted to invest in a vacation for Christmas rather than buying a bunch of small gifts for everyone. We will not be traveling during the holiday (thankfully) and our trip could take place anytime after December.

Although I have a couple of things in mind (I am the master travel planner in the family) I would love to get some suggestions. I know many of you travel often. What are some of your favorite places? Why would you suggest them? My family loves to explore, eat yummy food, and balance relaxation with fun.

Sharism

During one of my graduate classes, a fellow student wrote her final post on collaboration in education (or the lack thereof). Her main premise was that collaboration needs to exist on all levels within the education world - nation, state, county, school, administrators, teachers, parents, students. Unfortunately, as we all know, this is not the case. My students complain about getting conflicting messages from teachers, teachers complain about getting students who have not been taught "basic" skills, and administrators complain about the lack of parent involvement.

Since education directly leads to how one lives their life it is no surprise that we have created what is dubbed the "Me Generation." Sure, educators promote cooperative learning projects or peer buddying but these activities are usually limited to the classroom. In the quest to promote social skills and collaboration in our individual classrooms, we have forgotten the big picture. The big picture goes beyond our classes, our subject areas, and our selves.

Which brings me to the inspiration for this posting - Sharism. I came across an interesting website arguing for the Sharism philosophy. According to Isaac Mao, "Sharism is also a mental practice that anyone can try, a social-psychological attitude to transform a wide and isolated world into a super-smart Social Brain." He goes on to argue that "The more collective our intelligence, the wiser our actions will be. People have always found better solutions through conversations. Now we can put it all online." And if it has not been obvious by the classroom practices that I try to promote, let me just state, I completely agree.

Please take some time to read about Mr. Mao's Sharism ideas. Maybe afterward you will become a "share-a-holic" like me!

It may be a small world, but it is not a small universe

I always try to remember that there is so much more out there. Sometimes, when the day is especially tough or awful things happen, I forget that the world does not in fact revolve around my life. We all do every once in a while. But, when I encounter a story like the one that was released this week, "First Extrasolar Planets Caught on Camera," I am forced to ponder the vast nature of existence.

So this weekend, make an effort to remember that the opportunities available to us are endless. The discovery of entire universes out in the great beyond reminds us that we can always learn more, be more, and grow more.

The Life of a Teacher

It dawned on me today (and not for the first time) that I have an odd job. When I tell adults that I am a high school teacher, my declaration is always followed by what I like to call the "I feel so awful for you" look. This look is usually followed up with a phrase like, "Bless you, I don't know how you do it" or "Wow, that must be really tough" or even, "You must be a saint" (this is always my favorite one since I am no where near a saint). My response is always something along the lines of, "No, it is great, I love my job." Now, after admitting that you (gasp) love your job, you would think that most people would respond positively. But apparently no one really believes me when I say this about teaching. People often think I am lying to them, lying to myself, or a crazy masochist.

And this is where I am lost.

Does teaching have such a bad rap that "non-teachers" can only feel pity for us educators? Does everyone just assume that our days are full of drudgery and abject torture? If this is the case, which I can only assume it is by the reactions I get, then why are teachers so under appreciated? If it is known that we have a tough job, why are we not paid more or even respected enough to get benefits that are offered to those working, dare I say it, less important jobs?

Now before my dear readers mistake this posting for an angry rant, let me state that I dug myself into the teaching hole early on. I knew from the beginning of my career that I would make little money and get little respect in the capitalist world. But I teach because not only do I think it is important, but also because I love it. This is not me complaining, this is me questioning what I view as a hypocritical concept in this nation.

So I ask, is education viewed as being as important as it should be? Lawyers get paid by the hour for their knowledge and expertise. Doctors get paid a hefty salary for their knowledge and application thereof. Athletes get paid millions for hitting a ball or running at full speed toward another human being with the sole intention of stopping their progress. Teachers get looks of pity and a salary that would make one cry.

Teaching is Conversation

This is the first year that I have incorporated a student blogging assignment into my curriculum. I can honestly say that it is one of the best teaching and learning practices that I have ever utilized. My students constantly blow me away with their blog postings both on their personal blogs and their comments to peer blogs. I am so proud!

The idea of conversation being one of the greatest "teachers" is one that I have long held near and dear to my heart (hence my constant incorporation of discussion into class activities). And this is why I think the blogging is working so well. Will Richardson mirrors this sentiment when arguing for the use of the web in education:
"By publishing content to a wide audience, we say 'these are my ideas, my understandings of the world.' That in itself is empowering, and with it comes an expectation that our voices will be heard. On their own, our students are learning that their voices matter, that people are listening and responding, and that their ideas count."

But this is just the tip of the ice berg when arguing the merits of blogging. Not only have my students learned that their voices count, but they have also been able to reflect upon their ideas through comments from readers. This reflection process is unmatched in the education sphere. Yes, teachers give feedback on essays or ask for student responses during class discussions, but these experiences rarely have the same effect as an impassioned discussion amongst readers from all over the world.

My brave bloggers, I implore you to continue to share your ideas. Never forget that great ideas never end, they evolve, and it is through conversation that this evolution takes place. So please, pass along your blog URL to friends and family and ask them to keep the chain going and continue to pass your URL to their friends and their families. The conversations this will start will provide you with some of the best education out there.

Too Much Information

It is easy to become overloaded with information these days. There are countless news stations and websites. ESPN has how many stations broadcasting sports? It has to be over a dozen (take pity on my lack of knowledge of the exact number). And I don't even want to get started on the plethora of useless cable stations and websites that convey propaganda advertising 24/7. How are we to figure out what is worthy and valid and, dare I say, beneficial to our lives?

The answer is that there is no answer. What is valid to me may not be valid to you.

Yet, I feel that it is my duty to teach my students how to muddle through it all. There are so many fantastic technology and web resources out there. I would love to teach my students about many of them but I worry that they will continue to rely on old favorites - MySpace, Facebook, Google and YouTube. What would it take to make students approach information gathering in a new way?

My Vote Counted!

I feel compelled to join the thousands of other bloggers out there and write about today's election...I apologize for being so predictable :)

I found myself giddy with excitement as my husband and I walked (yes, we even are voting in a "green" fashion) to our designated voting spot. The morning air was crisp and the line at the poll was relatively short. We chatted it up a bit as we were waiting until all of a sudden - blackness! Yes, the power went out. A cry erupted in the room and I turned to Aaron and said in my most sarcastic voice, "This better not be a ploy to get people to stop voting." Of course I did not mean it - sort of - and was eternally grateful when the lights flickered back on.

We waited about ten minutes for the computers to boot back up and again the line was on the move. As I waited I found myself people watching. I couldn't help but marvel as the diversity in the room. White, Hispanic, black, Asian, young, old, handicapped...At that moment it did not matter to me who would win today. I just felt proud to be a part of a process that includes people from all walks of life.

When my turn came I was handed my ballot (a glorified scantron sheet) and directed to a voting cubicle. I promptly filled in my votes, making sure to completely bubble in all circles. Double checked, triple checked, and finally glided on over to the optical scan machine (a glorified scantron scanner) to run my ballot through. At last I accepted my "My Vote Counted" sticker and headed back home.

It was only a half hour of my life but every one of those 1800 seconds felt special. Even in the 21st century there are still countries that do not allow women to vote. There are countries that do not hold a vote at all. To not look at what today in America is all about with awe is to forget the beauty of what we have and how far we have come.

Camus said, "Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better." I know that this country can be better and I know that we are the only ones to make it so. Today I made sure my voice was heard because I want to make our lives better. I hope that you feel the same way when it is your time to voice your opinions.

Is Your Voice Being Heard?

My husband and I ventured out this morning with the intention of waiting in line to vote early. We arrived at the closest early voting site an hour before it opened. The line was already stretched around the building and out to the nearest main road - at the very least, a 2-3 hour wait, if not more. We opted to wait until Tuesday, when more voting sites are open and lines will, hopefully, be shorter.
Now, I know that no matter how long the line is on Tuesday, I will wait to vote. But, as we shuffled back to our car, I could not help thinking about how many people will not be able to vote on Tuesday. Not everyone has the day off or understanding bosses that will accept late arrivals from lunch breaks. And not everyone has the time to wait in long lines during the early voting days.
Many countries hold important votes on weekends or days when the majority of the population does not work. Australia even makes people who do not vote pay a fine. We do neither.
Are we doing enough to allow citizens' voices to be heard? Or, is it in politicians best interest to make voting difficult?

10/30/08

Today my students read the article, "Rigor Redefined" by Tony Wager. Wagner breaks down seven survival skills that will help anyone survive in the "world of work." Afterward Wagner analyzes how high school courses are preparing students for the world of work. Sadly, most of the classes he mentions are not doing anything even remotely close to preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century working environment.
Although only a handful of classes (when compared to the thousands of classes in the nation) were observed for the article, Wagner makes a correct assertion about the state of education, especially in Florida. Educators are not doing all that they can to prepare students for this "brave new world." Of course, there are many reasons why this occurs - standardized testing as measurement for funding, salaries tied to student achievement on one test, lack of parental support - but the fact of the matter is that educators can do more for their students.
I would never consider myself a great teacher (I can always improve) but I do know that I work hard to provide my students with the tools that I witness are becoming a part of the emerging world. In my quest to become a better teacher, I ask, what more can I do for you, my students? What would you like to learn? How would you like to learn it?

Right or Wrong?

As is common during an election year, television viewers see many political ads aired during prime time. This is especially true for Floridians since we are a swing state. I dislike these ads tremendously, but after watching a new one last night, I have developed a deep hatred for them.
The ad that spawned this deep hatred was the "I am Joe the plumber ad." Basically the ad was stating that we as Americans should be able to keep the money we make, not share it by paying more taxes to help those that are less fortunate. This ad was a direct attack on Obama's proposed tax increases for those making more than $250,000.
When did it become accepted to advertise being selfish? When did it become accepted to let your fellow man fall into the depths of society without a way out? If we do not offer help in the form of tax supported initiatives many of our citizens will be left behind. Is this the way to raise up a country?

Who are you?

As you read Their Eyese Were Watching God I hope that you are reflecting not only on the novel, but on your own sense of self. Janie is on an incredible journey - and so are you!
So, I ask, who are you? Do you have a sense of self? I do...

A Reminder...

When this semester first began I presented a lesson that I hoped conveyed the idea that I want my students to take some extra time to really, truly see, or to dig deeper to find meaning in texts, images, or film. I would like for all of my students to continue this quest to expand your minds during the next quarter. Here is an image that should remind you of these goals -

End of the quarter...

In many ways I enjoy the end of the quarter. I get some extra time during planning days to work on new lessons or just tie up loose ends that have been hanging on for the past several weeks. My students get a couple of days to relax (which is more beneficial for your teachers than you know). Mid-terms help me assess how specific units went, who is learning what, and how I can improve.
But then there are the negatives of the end of the quarter - grades. In education grades are both wonderful and awful. As much as we would love for our students to forget about grades and focus on real learning, we as teachers make this hard when we complain about low grades and how detrimental they can be. Unfortunately, I don't know a better alternative to grades. I have been trying to come up with one for years, but few options seem feasible.
So at the end of the quarter I am innudated with grade questions and issues. I try to look on the bright side - a new quarter, a new beginning - but it often becomes overshadowed with the complaints and the frantic quest for last minute improvements to grades.
I will be happy to begin next week - out with the old, in with the new!

A Blogging Kind of Day

Today is one of those days that reminds me how much I enjoy teaching. During my first two classes my students created their own blogs. Although it was a little hectic when some kids got impatient with the website or when a piece of technology was just not working the way it should, at the end of the class most students were all smiles. Sometimes I don't think they even realize that they are showing some kind of positive emotion - I am sure that they would be appalled if caught smiling during a "school activity." :) (kidding, kidding)

My intentions for incorporating blogging into my classes were mostly academic - blogging will help my students work on their writing, communication skills, and critical thinking skills. But as I watched the kids create their blogs I realized that this is one of those activities, one of those moments, when I am truly giving my students the proverbial "key to the world." Could they have done this on their own? Yes. Would they have done this on their own? Some might. But for the majority of my students, today presented an opportunity for them to take their ideas and present them on a world stage. I feel honored to have been a part of this experience.

Now I know that any student reading this is saying to themselves, "Wow, this lady is nuts! We just created a simple blog." Although they may be right with the first statement (sometimes I think I am nuts too) they are so wrong with the second statement. To be able to share your ideas and dreams with the world is an opportunity that was only available to a select few only twenty years ago. Today my students opened the door to the world..I hope they enjoy the journey.

Watch Out For ZOMBIES!

I am a new viewer of Common Craft videos, but the few pieces that I have seen, I enjoy. You all know my love of Halloween! I just could not pass up the chance to share this zombie video with everyone.

To be or not to be...depressed

Yesterday one of my students asked a question that completely stumped me.  He asked if we will ever read anything "happy" in my English class.  First I was dumbfounded, then I was frustrated, then I was just saddened that my answer had to be "no."  Most great literature is anything but "happy."  Sure, there may be a "happy" ending, but that usually comes after pages and pages of conflict, and depressing characters or situations.  

This question plagued my mind all day.  Why are most pieces of great literature somber?  It is because many of the writers were unhappy?  Is it because writing addresses the issues of the world and most of them are unpleasant?  Is it because humans have a tendency to embrace "sadness" and look at "happiness" as an elusive dream?  

So now I am on a new quest - to find a piece of great literature that is "happy."  Any suggestions?

Did You Know?

Did you know that the world is changing before our eyes?  I have seen this video many times, and I feel that it expresses this change in ways that are both powerful and effective.  Please view the video and share your reactions.    

Is lack of passion a form of passion?

Today in class, I asked my students if there is anything that they would be willing to dedicate their lives to. Is there anything they are passionate about? Not one student was able to answer the question. Not one student was able to identify anything in their lives that drives them.   I was saddened to look upon a sea of students who were, for lack of a better word, boring.

But then I decided to view the situation differently.  Perhaps my students are just so tired of hearing about all of the things they should be interested in.  Perhaps my students are feeling overloaded with information and as a result cannot choose one thing that drives them.  Or perhaps, my students are passionate about not being passionate.  

I would like to hope that my students find something to fight for, something to drive them in the future...

A Discovery!

I am always amazed when I find a "new" writer that I enjoy.  I guess that I should not be so surprised considering just how many writers' works are housed in a place as tiny as a local bookstore.  I also should not be amazed because I know I have read only an iota of what is out there.  But, still, I am amazed...

This writer has been around for a long time.  He is pretty popular, has written many pieces, and unfortunately is now dead.  But, for me, he is "new."  His name is David Foster Wallace.

I was turned on to his writing after reading this short quote from a commencement speech: "Learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think.  It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience.  Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed."  The quote struck me as one of the most honest things I have read in a long time.  Educators always tell their students that they learn a plethora of information because we are "teaching them how to think."  But, I think Wallace said it better than any of us.  Learning to control what you think is the real goal.  

Are you able to control what you think?

So, I went out and bought one of his books.  I am intrigued to read more about what he has to say about life.  If it is as sincere as the above quote I think I am hooked.

If you would like to learn more about Wallace check out this Wikipedia page.

10/4/08

Although I was over joyed by the amount of students that chose to watch the Vice Presidential debates on Thursday, I was also surprised that the numbers were significantly higher in my 10th grade class.  I would expect my "savvy" 11th graders to pay more attention to the affairs of the world.  Not only did more of my 10th graders watch the debates, but they also came in to class analyzing the debates using rhetorical styles (ethos, logos, pathos)!  I was so proud!

So, 11th graders, I think you have some competition.

10/3/08

I love this time of year! Since I do not measure the year as most people do - mine starts in August/September - the "beginning" always seems more pleasant than the end. I think in my students' minds the beginning of the school year is awful, but overall they seem to be more stressed at the end of the year, especially 11th graders. When my students are stressed, they are unpleasant, which in turn, makes me unpleasant. So, the beginning of the year is my happy place.

Plus, Halloween is soon. I adore Halloween! The magic and mystery surrounding this time of year has always intrigued me and Halloween is the celebration of all things mysterious.

And I get a carve a pumpkin - really, how cool is that?

9/29/08

Welcome to my new blog!  I decided it would be nice to create a space that is "separate" from our class blogging atmosphere.  My goal is to create a space in which I could post information for varied subjects and you can respond with your own ideas, resources, and opinions.  

As always, I ask that your posts be appropriate, constructive, and engaging.  

So, let's begin!

I feel that if I continually ask my students to learn "new things,"  I must continually learn new things as well.  I am currently finishing up my master's degree in Educational Technology and I have been learning about many fun programs and web resources that I can't wait to incorporate into class.  How do you feel about the technology that has been incorporated thus far?

On a completely different note, my husband introduced me to a great free music website that allows users to create playlists that are web based.  You can find almost any song.  It allows you to listen to your favorite music via your computer without having to buy anything.  I am in love with it!  Check it out:  www.playlist.com