A Guide For Your Response to the Year

This is by far my favourite piece to read from the Year In Review. It gives me some insight about the things that have mattered to you throughout the year. As we discussed, it can include anything that you experienced, heard about, saw, or thought about this year. Remember also that you are in a stage in your life where many thing are changing (or are about to change). Even your thoughts will go through a change as you begin to see the world through the eyes of an adult.

Some students organize this response with subtitles. They talk about different things that have happened this year and they give each a little title. Others write the whole thing in one document (divided into paragraphs of course). Some incorporate lists in their response as they organize the new things they have learned and come to believe through the course of the year.

Common topics include:

     - Classes or the school: What were your favourites? Your least favourites? Being in a high school was new for most of you.

     - Friends: Some of your friends have been there forever, and some are new to you this year.

     - Changes in friends: As you change, sometimes your friends do too. You may find that you are discovering common ground with new people and your inner circle has reduced or expanded (depending on your case).

     - Family: What has the year been like for you at home?

     - Sports: In and out of school.

     - Music: In and out of school.

     - Travel: You may have had the opportunity to go on one (or several) trip(s) this year. This may be something worth responding to.

     - Technology: You may have appreciated (or not) the way technology was used at school this year. You may also have other interests in technology you would like to talk about.

     - The future: Has this year impacted the way you see your future? Are you more afraid? Are you comforted knowing that you have a better idea of what the adult world is all about?

     - People: Are there people who have come into (or remain in) your life that help you to grow as you approach independence?

     - How do you feel about starting grade 8 next year? Remember that it will be the last of your elementary school years. After that, high school, Baby! Are you ready? Has this year helped you to feel ready? Or do you feel you have a long way to go yet? If so, what made you realize this? Are you ready to do the work you need to do in order to get there?

     - Other: There are a number of other things you may have experienced this year. FTJ, school outings such as baseball, movies (at USB), and even the grade 7 camp. What did you like or appreciate about them?

Where the Red Fern Grows

I once knew a teacher who had a great answer for a student who asked her why on Earth she would read a book more than once. To this she answered, "Have you ever had pizza more than once?" The student told her he had, to which she replied, "But why would you eat pizza if you had already tasted it?" He had no answer.

I first read Where the Red Fern Grows in grade 5. I stayed up late, hidden under the covers with a flashlight and cried real tears as the touching events unfolded. (This does blur your vision and makes reading difficult, but it's a worthwhile cry.) It was the first time a book had had such an effect on me. I started to crave that kind of connection with my reading and my book choices became more and more discriminating. Over the years, I have found others, but it takes a great book to bring this kind of attachment to my reading out of hiding.

Every year, I share this novel with my students. I don't expect them all to react in the same way, but I do want them to learn to appreciate literature and to realize that books and writing can have that kind of an effect on you as a reader. It is the best I can do to convince them that reading is worth the investment of their time.

Click on the link below to read my responses as the book unfolds and feel free to leave some comments so that we can start a dialogue about our shared reading. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Values From a Book?

To This Day - Response

What an inspirational video. I still can't believe the silence that followed in the classroom. On a couple occasions during this spoken-word poem, the author mentions the "Sticks and Stones" riddle. It's very true what they say about the fact that it is completely wrong! It's simply not true that names won't hurt you. In fact, they continue to hurt you long after the bruises would have healed. This explains the title "To This Day" which shows how long that kind of cruelty can last.

The second reference he makes that seems ludicrous now is the statement, "Kids can be cruel". Yes they can, but I maintain that this cruelty is learned. And that saying it doesn't make it ok. What I wonder is where kids learn to be this way. In some homes, this is the norm. Parents will toughen kids up by exposing them to this kind of banter. When they get to school, they honestly don't understand how hurtful it can be to a child who may not have been exposed to this. And let's face it, it doesn't really hurt less if they have been exposed to it either.

The expression that comes to mind is the one about fighting a losing battle. I wish it would change, I would love to be a part of the solutiuon, but when I look at all the initiatives of the past, I wonder if it is possible to weed the meanness out of people who don't seem to feel anything for others. I guess, we must simply not lose hope.

The Giver - Response

Well, we are over half way through the novel The Giver by Lois Lowry and I feel so mean. I have stopped the reading for the next week and I am watching, with more than a bit of guilt I might add, as my students mope about resentful about the wait. I really am sorry, but we have to respond in the middle to consider some of the elements of a response midway through a novel as opposed to one done at the end of the book.

With this in mind, remember that your thoughts (good and bad) help to show me the meaning you are making from the text as we stop and discuss the themes we are finding as we plug away. I have attached my own response (just one of many possible ideas) so that you can get some ideas about responding to a longer story. Just click the link below to read it and to add your comments.

Don't hold back. Be creative and have some fun with this one. Remember that it will be as interesting as you make it. This novel is great for providing some controversial topics about controls in society. What would you accept? What wouldn't you? Back it up. Be specific. I'm anxious to read your thoughts and I hope you respond to mine as well.

Also, just to see who is actually following my blog from time to time, I have read a rumour (and it is a rumour because it is as of yet unconfirmed), that the Giver is being made into a movie starring Jeff Bridges!!!! Keep your fingers crossed people! We could all meet up at the theatre on opening night!

The Giver - A Model Society?

The Girl Effect

For those of you who missed it, here is the little video we watched and talked about on the day of the Volleyball tournament. It made me think a lot about the opportunities we have in this country that allow us (girls in particular) to reach our full potential, especially knowing that some places on this big beautiful planet have the urge to deem them less worthy than our male counterparts.

This is not to say that girls are superior, but simply to say that they are entitled to all the same praise and value and esteem as any other person. Imagine what could be accomplished in those countries if we encouraged the help and ideas of ALL its inhabitants! Hope to hear some of your thoughts on this one. You can respond to this on your own blog or comment on mine if you like. Either way, I will read it.

Two Choices

Today, we watched this video in class. I have seen such a variety of reactions to it that I am never sure what will come out of a viewing. The first thing that struck me after showing it to the 7-1 group was the absolute silence that followed. I was impressed with the respect and compassion they displayed and the discussion that followed led me to think a little more about the three principle players of the bullying scene.

First of all, we have the bully. This is not a tough one to figure out, but they do come in different types. There are those who physically bully others, those who prefer to inflict emotional hurt, and those who redefine what they will socially allow for their victims. I am not sure why some people feel entitled to decide what happiness or comfort others should be allowed to enjoy, but there seem to be an awful lot of people who give themselves this liberty.

The second player is the victim. I know that there are many reasons a child (or adult) is targeted but are any of them valid? A person acts, dresses, talks, or behaves differently. Is it my place to ridicule them, or to correct them based on my definition of what is acceptable? Is it up to me to remind them that they are different, to point out to them that no one likes them the way they are? Sometimes they are easy targets. They are shy or physically weak, or even slower at accomplishing tasks (academic, athletic, musical or other). Again, is this a good enough reason to belittle them? What does any bully stand to gain by making someone else feel worthless or unliked or unpopular? If the answer is nothing, then WHY do they keep doing it?

The third (and possibly most important) player is the witness. We do not give him or her the attention he or she deserves. By deciding not to get involved, the witness is saying that what they see is OK. If it wasn't OK, they would surely do something about it. You disagree? It's more complicated than that? I would love to know why. Some will answer that others would look down on them for being a snitch. Shouldn't they worry more about others looking down on them for allowing the bullying to continue? Would others really say, "Yeah, we don't like him (or her) because they don't stand by and let people get bullied"? If they would, are these the kinds of people you really care to impress?

The behaviours we value sometimes baffle me. People say they are just not getting involved. The fact of the matter is that you are involved the minute you witness it. The question remains...

What are you going to CHOOSE to do about it?

Think about it carefully. Your response (translated through your actions) is spelled out in two ways.

1. I choose to get help (or do something myself) because what is happening is wrong and I will not stand by and allow it to continue.

2. I choose to allow this to continue by doing nothing.

Either way, it is your choice. Either way, your actions speak volumes about your character and your compassion towards another human being who has just as many feelings and rights to feel safe as you do. Either way, it defines you. So I ask you...

How would you rather be known?

Michael Jordan - Failure

It sure is encouraging to hear from a leader in his field that failure is a necessary part of success. This video goes nicely with the Famous Failures video. See the post below for topic ideas.

Famous Failures

It's hard to believe that so many famous people have not always been the best at what they do. I think that we need to be reminded once in a while that to get to where we want to go, we're going to have to make a few mistakes, learn from them, and fail better until we finally succeed.

What have you failed at? What have gotten good at? Have you always been good at it? Have you had to make sacrifices in order to get good? Have you needed help? Was it sometimes hard to believe in yourself along the way? What got you through? Are you still working on something? What keeps you going?

The Lost Generation

The first time I saw this video, I was apalled at what I was hearing. I kept waiting for the message to become more positive and when it reached the end, I wondered how they could ever fix such a negative message. The twist sure impressed me. Poetry and a creative mind can sure come up with some interesting products.

Which lines in this poem speak to you? Do you see the world as being more like the first reading or like the second? Do you think this generation has enough care and inspiration to see to it that our world heads in the right direction? How does this make you feel about the future?

Cold Case Videos

Peer pressure is a very real issue that affects people of all ages, although it is more known for its effects on teenagers. Some face it head on and others skirt the issue by going along with the expectations of others. How we stand up to it (or fail to) often defines us as we allow or resist others in controlling us. Who would you relate to in this video?

The Sunscreen Song

This video has at least one lesson for everyone. I can watch it several times and find something new each time. What you get out of it will depend on a number of things: What you believe about life right now, what you believe about the future and what you have already lived. Different people will smile at different points during the video based on those factors.

Take the time to rewatch this one a couple times. Which of the gems of advice speaks to you? Why? Does it change the way you see the future?

The Deathcrawl

The first time I saw this video, it gave me goosebumps. There is nothing more powerful for a teacher than to recruit an influencial student to be the advocate for whjat you are trying to teach. I love the way this kid was shown how far his influence could go. The other players would no longer doubt their willingness to give it their all and the entire team will benefit from the example the coach made of the player in question.

I also love that the coach got right down on the ground with this kid when the kid was ready to give up on himself. He was reminded that he is not alone and that he would always have others on his side in life.

This is a football video, but the message reaches much farther than the field of play. It is a life lesson in disguise. Can you see through it?

You Walk, The Country Walks

This little video has remained my favourite for several years. Every time I watch it, I get something new out of it. The themes are endless and the effects chosen by the director are obviously very well thought out. The way the rain symbolizes the problem and the sun signifies the resolution of the problem...

Most people would be able to identify with at least one character in this video. Who would you be? The kids who believes enough to inspire all those who stand by? The first one to join in? Those who want to help in the efforts of a child? One who complains, blames or looks the other way? One who waits for someone else to solve the problem? One who sleeps through it, yet benefits from the work of others.

Another inspirational part is the fact that there are so many types of people who are a part of the solution. There are children and adults, modern and tradtional, men and women... It doesn't matter who you are, you have a part to play. What would your part be?

Don't Give Up

A little gem shared with me by a former student. This one is gripping, whether or not you are an animal (or even a nature) lover. It is not just about whether or not you care about those things but could you live without them.

What stands out for you in this one? What do you walk away with? Does it make you aware of things that you (or others you know) need to change in order to avoid this kind of situation?

Did You Know?

The music in this video attracted me at first and the speed and collection of random facts complimented it well as the whirlwind we live in was accentuated! There are so many thinks to learn and know that it is a wonder we are able to keep up at all.

What I ask myself when I watch this is, "Do I need all this information?" and "Now that I know what I know, what should I do about it?" What will stand out for you in this one. One suggestions might be to watch it a few times and choose a couple points mentioned in this video that are most important (or interesting) to you. Try to explain why it matters to you and how it changes what you think.

Children See, Children Do

I show this video every year hoping students will see beyond the parent/child relationship.The responsibility we all share in shaping future generations is made obvious in this clip and it is my wish that it will stick with you somehow.

In a world where we idolize Family Guy and Homer Simpson, we are forgetting that very young children are very impressionable and that what we consider funny or cool becomes what they strive for. Is this what we want for them?

We also laugh or scoff at the image of a child displaying a traditionally adult behaviour (smoking, drinking, swearing, etc), but why is it less funny or disturbing when an adult (who is supposed to know better) does it?

Food for thought anyway. Anxious to hear what you have to say about this one.

Attack on World Trade Centre

On the anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center, we viewed this video to educate and remind students about this historical event. As you were too young to remember it, I would like to make you aware of this tragic event so that it will not be forgotten in the future.

You are encouraged to consider the perceptions of the various participants and spectators of this event and to understand the impact it will have for generations to come. Those who lost their lives, those who survived, those who lost loved ones, those who watched from afar - all affected in one way or another.

 I am anxious to hear what you have to say about this one.

Jason McElway - A Basketball Hero

A former student shared this inspirational video with me a few years ago and I have been showing it to students ever since. It is loaded with so many personal themes that most students can connect one one level or another.

Some of the themes identified by students this year were about acceptance of others despite significant differences, giving value to the talents of others, and the importance of encouragement vs criticism. My only hope is that it had enough of an impact to reach farther than the response notebook. Time will tell.

The Power of One

This video includes some great examples from our world's history when courageous individuals remained strong in the face of adversity to stand firm in their beliefs. How many of them can you identify? What can you learn about their circumstances?

These examples also make us analyse our reality as we become aware of how easy it has become for us to sit back and wait for someone else to take that first step. Ask yourself what you would be willing to make sacrifices for. Would it be your family, your friends, your country or your religion? Do you think the world will continue to change for the better?

Do you think there are enough people who inspire change to make a difference in the world? Do you see yourself one day being one of those people? Explain why or why not.