So Long, Farewell...

Although this is the last week for all of your blogging adventures, I hope that some of you will continue to post information on your blogs. You are all living is such an interesting time in our history. You have the ability to truly be heard through the tools of technology. Social networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Blogger allow you to share your ideas with friends around the corner and peers across the world. To not take advantage of such a powerful tool is a shame and a travesty. Don't get me wrong - I certainly do not think you should rely only on technology to share your thoughts, but I do believe that the use of technology should become an essential tool in your arsenal for communication.

And really, when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, it is ALL about effective communication. Having the ability to effectively communicate your ideas orally, textually, and visually will get you far in life. But, effective communication is not just about sharing ideas, it is also about understanding how other ideas are shared with you. A clear understanding of all of the information being communicated to you relies upon a broad knowledge base (which hopefully you are getting through your schooling), active, analytical observation and listening, and reflection. The world has much to offer, but if you allow it all to enter your mind passively, you will be easily controlled and manipulated.

While living in a place like Weston, it is easy to take your education for granted. Hell, it is handed to you on a silver platter. You don't have to seek it out, you don't have to fight for it, you don't even have to take advantage of it. But, through thick and thin, it is there. This is not the case in many other places in the world. So, for my last class post, I want to leave you with a parting bit of advice that I hope you will never forget. What you have in your life is special. You are given the opportunity to improve your body and mind through a free education. You have access to a plethora of books, resources, technology, and ideas. Use it well. Not everyone has these opportunities.

To conclude this final post I would like you to take a couple of minutes to read a news report about a place across the world. This place does not offer all of its citizens an education. But, somehow, someway, they find a way to seek one out...

Going Green

The more I travel, the more I appreciate this planet. I have had the opportunity to visit many climates, terrains, and locales and I have found beauty in every single one. One of my favorite places is Clovelly, England, a tiny village built into the side of a cliff. You enter the village from the top and meander down the cobblestone streets, stopping in shops and cafes along the way. The walk down is steep and rather dangerous but it is a quaint place where people are willing to lend a hand if necessary. As you walk down the village a view of the ocean is always in the distance, teasing, tempting you to the bottom so you can take a dip in the cool water. The village ends at the harbor where small boats are arriving from an early morning fishing expedition. While standing in the water you can look up to the village or to the left and right and marvel at the English cliff faces, jutting out into the sea. When you have had your fill of sight seeing you can wander over to the village restaurant where you are served a meal of the same fish that was caught only hours ago.

It is because of places like this and my own home, that I am passionate about saving the Earth. We live on a beautiful planet, why not keep it that way? I am not against advancements or building - to a degree. But, I am against people who squander the resources of the planet and choose to not give anything back. Whether you believe in the effects of climate change or not, there is no harm is taking the necessary steps to improve your surroundings.

There are many small actions that can lead to big changes. For example, many of you probably already recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum. But, did you know that you can add items like food boxes, toilet paper rolls, magazines, and envelopes to your recycling bin? Those of you that drive can reduce gas consumption by running all of your errands during a single outing or by car pooling to school or other functions. Also, by cutting down your showers only two minutes, you can save gallons of water. Not to mention using green bags when shopping, bringing your lunch in washable containers (instead of plastic baggies), washing your car over the lawn (so run-off water gets used again), or planting a small tree in your yard.

I have taken a great initiative to improve my attitude toward saving the environment, especially over the last 3-4 years. As you already know, I try to use as little paper as possible in my classroom. At home I recycle all that I can, have a small herb and veggie garden, use cloth (washable) napkins instead of paper, and never go to any store without my green bags. I drive a fuel efficient car, unplug electronics that are not in use, and wash my laundry in large loads to save water and energy. I know I could do a lot more, and I am trying, but, at least I have taken the initiative.

What do you do to help the Earth? Do you have any suggestions for ways that we all can make a big difference with a small change in our lifestyles?

The Days of Our Lives

Over the course of last week and early this week, my household was forced to deal with the economic down turn in a very personal way. My husband heard news at his workplace that lay-offs were in the future, especially for his department. My evenings were spent discussing possible outcomes and different paths we could take to remain above water, especially during the summer when me, as a teacher, does not receive a paycheck. I also did a lot of worrying about the "what-ifs," which led to some sleepless nights.

We found out this week that my husband will retain his job and just move to a different department. Only three people were asked to remain, he being one of them. There are most likely many reasons why he was allowed to keep his job, but one of those reasons is that he is a hard worker. Another is that he is intelligent (college degree, keeps up to date with news, cultured, etc.). Plus, he is also a kind man and a team player. And no, I am not stating these reasons because I am biased - they are true.

I am not overtly fond of sharing my personal life with my students. With the exception of a handful of stories, - which really is a drop in the bucket of my life - I prefer to keep my personal life, well, personal. But, I chose to tell this story because it exemplifies why I am passionate about the education that I try to provide to my students. The world out there can be tough. But, with hard work, intelligence, and kindness, anyone can get ahead and remain ahead for the rest of their lives. I am not saying that the next time lay-offs come down the pipe at his company that my husband will remain immune, but I saying that we all have to work hard for what we get and his retention of his job is a reflection of that hard work.

So, for this week's response, I would like to hear about events in your lives that have helped build your character. They could be positive or negative, but they must be poignant...

A Visual World

Some may find it ironic that I have a great love for and teach literature but also quite enjoy film and visual world. Personally, I don't see it as being ironic. Art can be expressed in many mediums and I just happen to love to steep myself in all forms of art - literature, visual arts, film, music, sculpture - and the list goes on. I also am vehemently for teaching the visual arts to students, preferably starting in the lower grades. American society, as well as much of the world, has become so visually oriented that it is now necessary to learn how to "read" visual language. I fear that if this area of education is not fully addressed, we will create generations of people who are passive viewers and, in turn, easily manipulated by visual language (think Nazi propaganda posters during WWII).

Hence, when I came across Jonathan Klein's lecture (embedded below and linked here) through TED.com, I instantly knew that I wanted, no, needed to share it with my students. Klein explains the power of images far better than I could ever do (with my stammering and pauses). He also addresses the media coverage of Vietnam and explains how the images themselves became the "voice of protest" for the war. I beg you to take six minutes to view Klein's lecture - I promise, you won't be sorry.

I hope that you all have an art form that moves you - either positively or negatively. For me, I am an equal opportunity art lover -but the visual world is right up there at the top of the list. I have posted a short slide show of images that I enjoy. Some I took, some others took (and some are quite famous), but they are all old favorites.

For this week I would love to see and read about some of the images that move you. They could be personal images or ones that we have seen again and again. Either provide a link in your comment to the image or post the image itself with your comment.

A confession...

I have a confession to make. Mind you, this is difficult for me. It may even be difficult for you to read. Are you ready? Are you waiting on bated breath? Here is goes...I am not as evil as I make myself out to be.

Yes, it is true. I do actually like my students. In fact, I am truly enjoying this semester's classes. My non-evilness goes so far as sometimes when I am at the store I think, "Self, you should pick up some cookies or something for your students. You know, just because." Now is that an evil thought? I think not!

Even when I seem evil, like when I assign essays or reading homework, I am really just being incredibly thoughtful. You see, I know what it is like in that world beyond high school. I know what is expected because (gasp!) I have already experienced it. I don't want my students to have that moment, in the college library, when they are surrounded by a bunch of books, printed documents, and their trusty laptop, only to stare sadly at the collection because they have absolutely no idea where to start. I don't want my students to enter the voting booth, quickly scan that new state amendment and make a split second decision to vote on a law that could change their lives - for the worse. And, most importantly, I certainly don't want my students to be the ones at their high school reunion that just sits back and listens to everyone else's achievements because, well, they have nothing positive to say about their last ten or twenty years. So, you see, I am trying to help by providing you with a well-rounded education.

It is because my intentions are always good (and never evil as I often kid about) that I find myself feeling sad when my students do not take advantage of the education that I am desperately trying to provide them. I don't believe in busy work or teaching to a test. Every assignment I give, every novel I assign, every essay prompt I provide is for a reason. Whether it is building higher order thinking skills, appealing to different learning styles, or simply passing along knowledge, there is always a reason for the activities we complete in and out of class. There is even a reason for my weekly stories (I believe it is part of my job to promote oral communication through storytelling - not just teach them).

It is these good intentions, these conscious reasons, that I expect the assignments to be completed. I expect the novels to be read. I expect the essays to be well-written. I think I do a decent job of providing a nice balance between rigor and fairness. I make a conscious effort to assign no more than 40 minutes of homework a night (although many students make it more by procrastinating) and also to not assign homework every night of the week. I expect this balance to be noticed and appreciated by students.

Of course, it is easier for students to ignore this effort and focus only on the negatives. It is easier for students to dislike their teachers and believe that we are out to get them. It is easier for students to blame their bad grades on teachers, and to complain to guidance and administration. But, the fact of the matter is that life is not easy. And, if school is supposed to prepare students for "life" then why shouldn't it be challenging?