I have a lot of things that I believe that I carry into my classroom. They are probably the essence of who I am and what I will teach. I will explore some of these beliefs in this writing so that I might consider if they are what I really want to put forth in my classroom. I believe that you have to read to become a good reader, and write to become a good writer, and do math to become proficient in math. I believe perfect paractice makes perfect, but your beginning practices you can only do your best.
I do not believe children should be allowed to be direspectful to anyone. I do not believe that young children can not learn to read and write quite well. I do not believe that there are normal children that can not learn. I do not believe that sustained chaos is good in a classroom. I do not believe that children can simply sit down and write to a specified request without preteaching.
Beliefs are the essence of what I teach
I don't believe we think highly enough of children's abilities
Recording everyones responses with such a simple writing option will give all kids voice an ability to feel they can meet the mark and do it well. I don't know a single kid that does not like to listen to themselves! Fun! Fun! Fun!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Teacher as Leader, Teacher as Facilitator
I have learned that their are a lot of things that you can teacher that you can not do well. You can reasearch nand learn with a student. You can listen and praise and see growth. It is an amazing thing to see a student pass you up and leave you in the dust. This year I had a district employee ask a student (who I have worked with on the violin---which I do not play), if I played violin as well as he did. His response made me laugh. He said, "No, but she could if she wanted to. She could do anything she wanted to."
One thing I do not think you can teach others without practicing it yourself is being a leader. This has to be a part of you life that others see and benefit from. You can talk about the qualities of a leader, and what you would want to see in a leader; but the most effective leader is one who exemplifies leadership in their daily life. If you are not living it, how can you be a facilitator? Facilitators are suppose to be people who have something to share that will be helpful, motivational, or encouraging. If you have not proven yourself as a leader who in the world would want to listen to what you have to say? So lead on and see where it leads you, and whose lives you have an opportunity to impact.
One thing I do not think you can teach others without practicing it yourself is being a leader. This has to be a part of you life that others see and benefit from. You can talk about the qualities of a leader, and what you would want to see in a leader; but the most effective leader is one who exemplifies leadership in their daily life. If you are not living it, how can you be a facilitator? Facilitators are suppose to be people who have something to share that will be helpful, motivational, or encouraging. If you have not proven yourself as a leader who in the world would want to listen to what you have to say? So lead on and see where it leads you, and whose lives you have an opportunity to impact.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Enlightened Musings
I recently had one of those enlightening moments that bring a momentary clash of cultures and thinking. You take a deep breath, step back, and realize you are experiencing something that is not the norm for you. You can pass the moment off, or reflect, internalize, savor the experience, and note how you felt. I chose to do the later and found I was going down a road that many of our village youth must travel when they leave their isolated village norms and come to Anchorage or some other large metropolitan area. Wanting to better understand why so many of these youth do not do well once they leave the village, and often come home to a nonproductive life in their old environment, I decided to pay very close attention to things that were out of my norm.
I was raised in a small Alaska village and have spent the last ten years in one as well. So, I felt that I might be able to experience, to a lesser degree, what our village youth must go through when leaving the comfortable habits of their culture and village. This interesting divergence began when our writing class was assigned to travel around to different place in Anchorage and write. At our first stop I followed my fellow classmates into a coffee house where we would begin our first writing. Wonderful odors waft through the air and the constant sound of contented voices gave a feeling of relaxation. The emotions and troubles of the morning drained away and a new appreciation for life slowly seeped in. This was a place where one could slide into a peaceful quiet spot in the midst of activity and barely be noticed.
It was wonderful to stand amidst a crowd and not be the center of attention. It was as if I was a shadow that was attached and yet almost invisible. I learned something while in this detached state of being that gave me a delightful chuckle. Did you know that a utilakit is still a kilt. I thought I was looking at a tattooed motorcycle man in a skirt. However, a brave threesome of women asked this ape of a man about the pleated skirt. Thus, I learned about a new brand of men’s clothing. To think, I didn’t have to do a thing, but stand in the shadows and pay attention. This is a comfortable state of being.
Oh, I also learned that they now make coffee drinks other than vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. Three Musketeers! Who would have though! Candy bar coffee and everyone knows what dry, wet, and some other foam term means. However, I have to ask as I have no idea what options they have offered me. At this point I was way out of my comfort zone and at a loss as to what to order. I felt lost, dumb, embarrassed, like fading into a mist, and not standing in a line where they might ask me one more of those unintelligible questions again. I really must have been in the bush to long!
Our next stop is the library. How do I feel? I think I feel something attune to awe. The nice wood on shelves, counters, displays and furniture are more wonderful than anything I have seen for year. The soft chairs with moveable desk tops attached, the beautiful shiny hard covered books, and the crazy colorful chairs in the children’s area all amazed me. There is nothing to compare it to in our school library or anywhere in our village. Two elevators in a library---oh my goodness!!! How do I feel? Overwhelmed! Tears ran down my cheeks as I contemplated how our village children must feel to enter life beyond a village. In past years I have had some dealings in most of the great cities of the United States and Canada, and yet I felt very out of place. My past ten years in the bush made me feel like I am standing in a fortress of beauty. Yes, it stirred my emotions to the depths of my being.
As we moved on towards our next destination, downtown Anchorage, I realize that the conversations around me solicit unbidden emotions. I was at a loss when conversations centered on commercials and house pets. Why did I feel like this? We only watch videos and small cats and dogs are fox and bear bait. Big dogs are for warning and protecting. They rarely come indoors and would never come past the entry where we keep shoes and coats. The conversation is quite foreign and hard to slide into my village norm.
During our writing times my colleagues wrote three to four pages to my one. I wrote constantly! What did I do differently? Do they write faster or bigger? Do I stop and unknowingly think, or was I just that much slower? They raise their writing to a level that requires abstract thinking. I have to listen closely, and even then I have moments of grasping in order to catch where their wonderful words have taken them. How do I write? Concrete, factual, order of sequence---why? That’s what my students and village value. A good earthy story teller is of great worth. How do I feel? Small, out of place, vulnerable, uncomfortable.
Open market! Guitar music and singing! Yes, something normal and comfortable. However, after a half hour, my ears felt assaulted by the noise and mass of human racket. I wanted to escape to a quieter world. This was an arena full of wonderful things, color, and a variety of people, but there was just too much stimulation. A classmate tapped me on my on the shoulder to let me know it was time to go. How do I feel? Saved!
This narrative of events took place within a four hour time frame. I noted how some of the events that transpired around me made me feel. This opened my eyes a bit wider and helped me understand to a greater degree how our young people coming in from the villages must feel in a magnified way. Without friendly support, it would be very easy for them to long for the norm of the lifestyle they had grown up in. It is hard to feel like you are not really a part of things going on around you because you can not quite relate. Some interactions actually make you question your value and make you wish you could disappear. Is it any wonder that our village youth either return to their villages or get caught up in drinking and drugs. Both are escapes. How do I feel now? I do not want to reflect any deeper as I found it often made me feel small, depressed, worthless, withdrawn, emotional, and defeated. I think I will just go back to my village for another year!
I was raised in a small Alaska village and have spent the last ten years in one as well. So, I felt that I might be able to experience, to a lesser degree, what our village youth must go through when leaving the comfortable habits of their culture and village. This interesting divergence began when our writing class was assigned to travel around to different place in Anchorage and write. At our first stop I followed my fellow classmates into a coffee house where we would begin our first writing. Wonderful odors waft through the air and the constant sound of contented voices gave a feeling of relaxation. The emotions and troubles of the morning drained away and a new appreciation for life slowly seeped in. This was a place where one could slide into a peaceful quiet spot in the midst of activity and barely be noticed.
It was wonderful to stand amidst a crowd and not be the center of attention. It was as if I was a shadow that was attached and yet almost invisible. I learned something while in this detached state of being that gave me a delightful chuckle. Did you know that a utilakit is still a kilt. I thought I was looking at a tattooed motorcycle man in a skirt. However, a brave threesome of women asked this ape of a man about the pleated skirt. Thus, I learned about a new brand of men’s clothing. To think, I didn’t have to do a thing, but stand in the shadows and pay attention. This is a comfortable state of being.
Oh, I also learned that they now make coffee drinks other than vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. Three Musketeers! Who would have though! Candy bar coffee and everyone knows what dry, wet, and some other foam term means. However, I have to ask as I have no idea what options they have offered me. At this point I was way out of my comfort zone and at a loss as to what to order. I felt lost, dumb, embarrassed, like fading into a mist, and not standing in a line where they might ask me one more of those unintelligible questions again. I really must have been in the bush to long!
Our next stop is the library. How do I feel? I think I feel something attune to awe. The nice wood on shelves, counters, displays and furniture are more wonderful than anything I have seen for year. The soft chairs with moveable desk tops attached, the beautiful shiny hard covered books, and the crazy colorful chairs in the children’s area all amazed me. There is nothing to compare it to in our school library or anywhere in our village. Two elevators in a library---oh my goodness!!! How do I feel? Overwhelmed! Tears ran down my cheeks as I contemplated how our village children must feel to enter life beyond a village. In past years I have had some dealings in most of the great cities of the United States and Canada, and yet I felt very out of place. My past ten years in the bush made me feel like I am standing in a fortress of beauty. Yes, it stirred my emotions to the depths of my being.
As we moved on towards our next destination, downtown Anchorage, I realize that the conversations around me solicit unbidden emotions. I was at a loss when conversations centered on commercials and house pets. Why did I feel like this? We only watch videos and small cats and dogs are fox and bear bait. Big dogs are for warning and protecting. They rarely come indoors and would never come past the entry where we keep shoes and coats. The conversation is quite foreign and hard to slide into my village norm.
During our writing times my colleagues wrote three to four pages to my one. I wrote constantly! What did I do differently? Do they write faster or bigger? Do I stop and unknowingly think, or was I just that much slower? They raise their writing to a level that requires abstract thinking. I have to listen closely, and even then I have moments of grasping in order to catch where their wonderful words have taken them. How do I write? Concrete, factual, order of sequence---why? That’s what my students and village value. A good earthy story teller is of great worth. How do I feel? Small, out of place, vulnerable, uncomfortable.
Open market! Guitar music and singing! Yes, something normal and comfortable. However, after a half hour, my ears felt assaulted by the noise and mass of human racket. I wanted to escape to a quieter world. This was an arena full of wonderful things, color, and a variety of people, but there was just too much stimulation. A classmate tapped me on my on the shoulder to let me know it was time to go. How do I feel? Saved!
This narrative of events took place within a four hour time frame. I noted how some of the events that transpired around me made me feel. This opened my eyes a bit wider and helped me understand to a greater degree how our young people coming in from the villages must feel in a magnified way. Without friendly support, it would be very easy for them to long for the norm of the lifestyle they had grown up in. It is hard to feel like you are not really a part of things going on around you because you can not quite relate. Some interactions actually make you question your value and make you wish you could disappear. Is it any wonder that our village youth either return to their villages or get caught up in drinking and drugs. Both are escapes. How do I feel now? I do not want to reflect any deeper as I found it often made me feel small, depressed, worthless, withdrawn, emotional, and defeated. I think I will just go back to my village for another year!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Day 7---our research refletions
Wow, we have covered a lot of turf and have written a great variety of genres. Some have been actually hard on me. It has been years since I have had any time to be reflective, and it has touched a deep emotion at times. We have moved on to more factual things today and that is much more comfortable. I looked for books and information backing the fact that I believe very young children can be taught to write a nice paragraph. I was relieved to find numerous sources with a great number of suggestions on how to do this very thing. This gives me even more confidence and greater resources on just how to accomplish this very task with fun and ease. Of course we know it is never really all that easy!!! We can teach, but we can not open those little mind at just the moment we would like.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Revised: A Person of Influence in My Life
A Person of Influence in My Life
In our lives we are occasionally blessed to have a person that leaves an enduring print on the path we trod. There is one such person that comes to my mind that had a life changing influence on my views, and who I have become. She was not a dynamic individual at first glance. She dressed very conservatively, was very quiet spoken, never shared her opinions unless asked, and was not a beauty in appearance. How could such a person have such an impact on me? Perhaps if I share some of the things that happened between us over several years time you will come to the same conclusions that I did.
This lady came into my life when I entered 6th grade. We had moved into a small Alaskan village on an island in the Kodiak archipelago. The first day of the school year the tides were high and water was up around our house to such a degree that my two brothers and I had to put on hip boots and try to find the higher ground in order to make our way above the water level, so we could get to school. (This water issue was due to the recent earthquake that had caused our island to sink between 6 and 13 feet---depending on the location). We arrived at our new one room school with wet pants, boots and feet. We weren’t sure what in the world we should do about our plight and debated on leaving when the teacher opened the door and greeted us with a huge smile. She said, “Take off your boots and drain the water out, and we will hang them up in here over the heater. Then we will go downstairs to my apartment and I’ll find something for you to wear while I wash and dry your clothes.” She found us warm clothes and a cup of cocoa to take back up to class where she proceeded to introduce us to our new classmates. We found that this was a normal type of response to whatever situation might come into our small classroom. There was always a gentle and thoughtful action that exuded from her very being. We were only blessed by this teacher for one year. It was with great sorrow that we bid her goodbye at the end of the school year.
Three years later high school was looming before me. This was a huge change as I would have to leave our village and go to boarding school. The town of Kodiak was in the process of building dorms so that they could help meet the needs of Alaska high school students. The dorm was not going to be ready for at least a year, so we were put in peoples’ homes. I was placed in a home with a woman that had recently lost her husband and mother. She needed someone who could help her with her four young children. The situation was not ideal and within a short time began to deteriorate. One dismal day I found myself locked out with a note saying that I was not to return. I was 13, and totally alone. I went to the boarding student councilor who had been having weekly updates about me from my boarding home parent. I had no idea there was a storm brewing in our home, and the problems that I was accused of causeing were not even issues that were or had ever been a part of my life.
I had to radio my parents and let them know I was on the street. My mother was on the next plane to town and after a day found me a new home. Yes indeed, it was that kind and generous teacher I had in 6th grade.
This lady lived in a “microhouse”. It was so small two people could hardly pass each other in the living room! My new “Mom” was in her 60s, but she insisted I had to have the only bed in the house because I was a student and needed my sleep. She would not bend on this, so she took the couch, gave up her closet, and personal space. During this year I remember things like accidentally loosing the spaghetti noodles down the sink just as company was coming in the door for dinner. She just laughed and said everyone had moments like that. I was so embarrassed and she was so gracious and smoothed it over so quickly that the company didn’t even know of my blunder.
Then, there was the time she was teaching me to drive, and due to removing a coat I drove us off the road, flew over a creek, and into a field. She just laughed and said, “Well, I guess we know not to do that again.” A fellow helped us get back on the road, and she got back in the passenger seat! I was shaking so bad I had no desire to drive again, but I knew the expectation so followed through. There was no condemnation and no stories ever told. The following year, this generous woman rented a larger home so that my younger brother could join us until she retired the following year. We have no memories of anything but generosity, kindness, and encouragement during our time with her.
There was such a stark difference in how this lady lived and what I had experienced in my life. I wanted to have the views and attitudes that made her such an amazingly sweet person who was never defeated by anything. I once asked her what made her so different. She assured me that if I saw any good in her it was because Jesus was a part of her life, and He helped her be who she was. I took that to heart and determined to follow her example. This amazing woman has been my model through many difficult circumstances, and I feel blessed that she has left her print on my life. I pray that as I work with so may young lives that I might have the opportunity to likewise leave my mark on those that will come after.
In our lives we are occasionally blessed to have a person that leaves an enduring print on the path we trod. There is one such person that comes to my mind that had a life changing influence on my views, and who I have become. She was not a dynamic individual at first glance. She dressed very conservatively, was very quiet spoken, never shared her opinions unless asked, and was not a beauty in appearance. How could such a person have such an impact on me? Perhaps if I share some of the things that happened between us over several years time you will come to the same conclusions that I did.
This lady came into my life when I entered 6th grade. We had moved into a small Alaskan village on an island in the Kodiak archipelago. The first day of the school year the tides were high and water was up around our house to such a degree that my two brothers and I had to put on hip boots and try to find the higher ground in order to make our way above the water level, so we could get to school. (This water issue was due to the recent earthquake that had caused our island to sink between 6 and 13 feet---depending on the location). We arrived at our new one room school with wet pants, boots and feet. We weren’t sure what in the world we should do about our plight and debated on leaving when the teacher opened the door and greeted us with a huge smile. She said, “Take off your boots and drain the water out, and we will hang them up in here over the heater. Then we will go downstairs to my apartment and I’ll find something for you to wear while I wash and dry your clothes.” She found us warm clothes and a cup of cocoa to take back up to class where she proceeded to introduce us to our new classmates. We found that this was a normal type of response to whatever situation might come into our small classroom. There was always a gentle and thoughtful action that exuded from her very being. We were only blessed by this teacher for one year. It was with great sorrow that we bid her goodbye at the end of the school year.
Three years later high school was looming before me. This was a huge change as I would have to leave our village and go to boarding school. The town of Kodiak was in the process of building dorms so that they could help meet the needs of Alaska high school students. The dorm was not going to be ready for at least a year, so we were put in peoples’ homes. I was placed in a home with a woman that had recently lost her husband and mother. She needed someone who could help her with her four young children. The situation was not ideal and within a short time began to deteriorate. One dismal day I found myself locked out with a note saying that I was not to return. I was 13, and totally alone. I went to the boarding student councilor who had been having weekly updates about me from my boarding home parent. I had no idea there was a storm brewing in our home, and the problems that I was accused of causeing were not even issues that were or had ever been a part of my life.
I had to radio my parents and let them know I was on the street. My mother was on the next plane to town and after a day found me a new home. Yes indeed, it was that kind and generous teacher I had in 6th grade.
This lady lived in a “microhouse”. It was so small two people could hardly pass each other in the living room! My new “Mom” was in her 60s, but she insisted I had to have the only bed in the house because I was a student and needed my sleep. She would not bend on this, so she took the couch, gave up her closet, and personal space. During this year I remember things like accidentally loosing the spaghetti noodles down the sink just as company was coming in the door for dinner. She just laughed and said everyone had moments like that. I was so embarrassed and she was so gracious and smoothed it over so quickly that the company didn’t even know of my blunder.
Then, there was the time she was teaching me to drive, and due to removing a coat I drove us off the road, flew over a creek, and into a field. She just laughed and said, “Well, I guess we know not to do that again.” A fellow helped us get back on the road, and she got back in the passenger seat! I was shaking so bad I had no desire to drive again, but I knew the expectation so followed through. There was no condemnation and no stories ever told. The following year, this generous woman rented a larger home so that my younger brother could join us until she retired the following year. We have no memories of anything but generosity, kindness, and encouragement during our time with her.
There was such a stark difference in how this lady lived and what I had experienced in my life. I wanted to have the views and attitudes that made her such an amazingly sweet person who was never defeated by anything. I once asked her what made her so different. She assured me that if I saw any good in her it was because Jesus was a part of her life, and He helped her be who she was. I took that to heart and determined to follow her example. This amazing woman has been my model through many difficult circumstances, and I feel blessed that she has left her print on my life. I pray that as I work with so may young lives that I might have the opportunity to likewise leave my mark on those that will come after.
Friday, June 4, 2010
A Person of Influence in My Life
In our lives we are occasionally blessed to have a person that leaves a print on the lives of others. There is one such person that come to my mind that had a life changing influence on my views, and who I have become. She was not a dynamic individual at first glance. She dressed very conservatively, was very quiet spoken, never shared her opinions unless asked, and was not a beauty in appearance. How could such a person have such an impact on me? Perhaps if I share some of the things that happened between us over several years time you will come to the same conclusions that I did.
This lady came into my life when I entered 6th grade. We had moved into a small Alaskan village on an island in the Kodiak archipelago. The first day of the school year the tides were high and water was up around our house to such a degree that my two brothers and I had to put on hip boots and try to find the higher ground in order to make our way above the water level so we could get to school. (This water issue was due to the recent earthquake that had caused our island to sink between 6 and 13 feet---depending on the location). We arrived at our new one room school with wet pants, boots and feet. We weren’t sure what in the world we should do about our plight and debated on leaving when the teacher opened the door and greeted us with a huge smile. She said, “Take off your boots and drain the water out and we will hang them up in here over the heater. Then we will go downstairs to my apartment and I’ll find something for you to wear while I wash and dry your clothes.” She found us warm clothes and a cup of cocoa to take back up to class where she proceeded to introduce us to our new classmates. We found that this was a normal type of response to whatever situation might come into our small classroom. There was always a gentle and thoughtful response. We were only blessed by this teacher for one year. It was with great sorrow that we bid her goodbye at the end of the school year.
Three years later high school was looming before me. This was a huge change as I would have to leave our village and go to boarding school. The town of Kodiak was in the process of building dorms so that they could help meet the needs of Alaska high school students. The dorm was not going to be ready for at least a year so we were put in peoples’ homes. I was placed in a home with a woman that had recently lost her husband and mother. She needed someone who could help her with her four young children. The situation was not ideal and within a short time began to deteriorate. One dismal day I found myself locked out with a note saying that I was not to return. I was 13, and totally alone. I went to the boarding student councilor who had been having weekly updates about me from my boarding home parent. I had no idea there was even any problem and the problems with me were not even issues that were or had ever been a part of my life.
I had to radio my parents and let them know I was on the street. My mother was on the next plane to town and after a day found me a new home. Yes indeed, it was that kind and generous teacher I had in 6th grade.
This lady lived in a “microhouse”. It was so small two people could hardly pass each other in the living room! My new “Mom” was in her 60s, but she insisted I had to have the only bed in the house because I was a student and needed my sleep. She would not bend on this, so she took the couch, gave up her closet, and personal space. During this year I remember things like accidentally loosing the spaghetti noodles down the sink just as company was coming in the door for dinner. She just laughed and said everyone had moments like that. I was so embarrassed and she was so gracious and smoothed it over so quickly that the company didn’t even know of my blunder.
Then, there was the time she was teaching me to drive and due to removing a coat I drove us off the road and flew over a creek and into a field. She just laughed and said, “Well, I guess we know not to do that again.” A fellow helped us get back on the road, and she got back in the passenger seat! I was shaking so bad I had no desire to drive again, but I knew the expectation so followed through. There was no condemnation and no stories ever told. The following year, this generous woman rented a larger home so that my younger brother could join us until she retired the following year. We have no memories of anything but generosity, kindness, and encouragement during are time with her.
There was such a stark difference in how this lady lived and what I had experienced in my life. I wanted to have the views and attitudes that made her such an amazingly sweet person who was never defeated by anything. She has been my model through many difficult circumstances, and I feel blessed for having known her and being a part of her life.
This lady came into my life when I entered 6th grade. We had moved into a small Alaskan village on an island in the Kodiak archipelago. The first day of the school year the tides were high and water was up around our house to such a degree that my two brothers and I had to put on hip boots and try to find the higher ground in order to make our way above the water level so we could get to school. (This water issue was due to the recent earthquake that had caused our island to sink between 6 and 13 feet---depending on the location). We arrived at our new one room school with wet pants, boots and feet. We weren’t sure what in the world we should do about our plight and debated on leaving when the teacher opened the door and greeted us with a huge smile. She said, “Take off your boots and drain the water out and we will hang them up in here over the heater. Then we will go downstairs to my apartment and I’ll find something for you to wear while I wash and dry your clothes.” She found us warm clothes and a cup of cocoa to take back up to class where she proceeded to introduce us to our new classmates. We found that this was a normal type of response to whatever situation might come into our small classroom. There was always a gentle and thoughtful response. We were only blessed by this teacher for one year. It was with great sorrow that we bid her goodbye at the end of the school year.
Three years later high school was looming before me. This was a huge change as I would have to leave our village and go to boarding school. The town of Kodiak was in the process of building dorms so that they could help meet the needs of Alaska high school students. The dorm was not going to be ready for at least a year so we were put in peoples’ homes. I was placed in a home with a woman that had recently lost her husband and mother. She needed someone who could help her with her four young children. The situation was not ideal and within a short time began to deteriorate. One dismal day I found myself locked out with a note saying that I was not to return. I was 13, and totally alone. I went to the boarding student councilor who had been having weekly updates about me from my boarding home parent. I had no idea there was even any problem and the problems with me were not even issues that were or had ever been a part of my life.
I had to radio my parents and let them know I was on the street. My mother was on the next plane to town and after a day found me a new home. Yes indeed, it was that kind and generous teacher I had in 6th grade.
This lady lived in a “microhouse”. It was so small two people could hardly pass each other in the living room! My new “Mom” was in her 60s, but she insisted I had to have the only bed in the house because I was a student and needed my sleep. She would not bend on this, so she took the couch, gave up her closet, and personal space. During this year I remember things like accidentally loosing the spaghetti noodles down the sink just as company was coming in the door for dinner. She just laughed and said everyone had moments like that. I was so embarrassed and she was so gracious and smoothed it over so quickly that the company didn’t even know of my blunder.
Then, there was the time she was teaching me to drive and due to removing a coat I drove us off the road and flew over a creek and into a field. She just laughed and said, “Well, I guess we know not to do that again.” A fellow helped us get back on the road, and she got back in the passenger seat! I was shaking so bad I had no desire to drive again, but I knew the expectation so followed through. There was no condemnation and no stories ever told. The following year, this generous woman rented a larger home so that my younger brother could join us until she retired the following year. We have no memories of anything but generosity, kindness, and encouragement during are time with her.
There was such a stark difference in how this lady lived and what I had experienced in my life. I wanted to have the views and attitudes that made her such an amazingly sweet person who was never defeated by anything. She has been my model through many difficult circumstances, and I feel blessed for having known her and being a part of her life.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Day Two of Blogging Thoughts
I had never applied the word "digging" to my writing before, but found it to be quite stimulating. It was quite enjoyable. In fact, I hated to quite. I really appreciated where the process took me, and hope to work more on this particular piece of writing. When it is finished, I think I will send it (with minor revisions) to the person I wrote about, so that they might know the impact they had on my life before they die (she is well into her ninties).
Falling down the page is also a new term for me. The process of this writing piece brought all kinds of ideas to mind. I have a whole unit nearly thought out and plans on how to encourage fellow teachers to give it a try in their classrooms. I see great things happening for students as they apply this process.
Productive and fun day!
Falling down the page is also a new term for me. The process of this writing piece brought all kinds of ideas to mind. I have a whole unit nearly thought out and plans on how to encourage fellow teachers to give it a try in their classrooms. I see great things happening for students as they apply this process.
Productive and fun day!
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