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May 10, 2006
The A Team
“I love it when a plan comes together.” I am guessing most of the parents remember this quote even if the kids only know it from the 80’s TV channel. Our social studies talks have drifted from the trade deficit in Asia to the benefits and dangers of credit cards and for the last two days Channel One has been highlighting credit card dangers on the morning news show also. It is almost like we planned it.
We are in our Greek Mythology unit and it really is great reading. These Greek myths compliment the Asian and African folk tales we read and draw natural comparisons with the gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt we studied in social studies. Don’t get me wrong, the material and the concepts are difficult but we discuss them and break them down as we go along so that no one gets confused in the material. We began Monday with Phaethon: Son of Apollo. This story has a strong message warning students to not be overly confident and take unnecessary risks. The students had an easy task of drawing modern day comparisons and seemed to internalize the lesson. We read Demeter and Persephone this morning and learned how the Greeks explained the drab and boring winter season. I believe the kids enjoyed this story and the transformation of Pluto from the dark and dreadful god of the Underworld into a love struck school boy.
CBA’s Jazz Band is performing for us this afternoon. These kids are truly amazing. Being a person with no musical talent what so ever (the water stops running if I sing in the shower) I appreciate people who have such skills. Ask the kids what they thought and hopefully some of them will plan to be involved in programs like the Jazz Band in high school.
Posted by hlperson at 08:44 AM | Comments (8)
May 05, 2006
Cinco de Mayo
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Another week has been wrapped up and we are chugging right along. This time of year is a mixed blessing as I am sooo ready for Summer Break but the kids finally understand the system, they are finally maturing into young adults, and are actually a whole lot more fun. So I guess that is the mixed part of it all.
We read a great story called “The Dog who thought he was a Cat and the Cat who thought she was a Dog,” by Isaac Bashevis Singer. He is one of those writers who puts his moral right in the story for all to see. The kids identified with this message about “not judging a book by its cover” and “beauty only being skin deep” and brought a lot into the discussion.
In Social Studies we have discussed America’s trade deficit with Asia. It is a difficult concept to understand for most politicians much less seventh graders. We looked at specific jobs and products which we wear and have in our homes. We traced where they came from and talked in great length about how many of these were once proudly “Made in the USA”. My own mother lost a seamstress position to an overseas factory when I was in college.
The whole idea of a deficit was another area where the kids had trouble understanding. More than once this week I heard the comment, “Just put it on the credit card.” I know now why the State Department has developed a much more effective fiscal literacy plan for social studies. We talked in depth about different kids of debt and especially interest. The idea of 22% interest scares the heck out of me and I hope I conveyed that real danger to the kids.
I know they would enjoy the chance to discuss any of the things we are learning about in school with you. They have a lot of ideas and comments on things they would enjoy sharing with you.
Posted by hlperson at 10:32 AM | Comments (4)
May 01, 2006
Goal Achieved!
Thursday something happened that has never happened since I have been at Norwayne. I have always told my classes that if they ever make a 93 average as a class on a Vocabulary Test I would bring in cheeseburgers. For the first six years I have been here, this HAD never happened. Thursday my homeroom ended that long drought by scoring a 93.55 average on our test for Unit 12. All 28 kids were present. What a great accomplishment. A little hard work with some hard earned self-confidence seemed to do the job. They worked together to study together and to motivate one another and they defiantly deserve a burger feast. Be looking for some pictures from our lunch later this week.
Today was a difficult day for me. It is so hard to sit back when young people make bad decisions. Somehow or another some kids miss the idea that the decisions they are making today will affect their future in bigger ways than they can believe. As a teacher, days like this are the most difficult.
Progress Reports go home Tuesday. Be looking to see what is good and what needs improvement. This nine weeks goes by so fast, waiting until the last minute is a terrible idea.
Posted by hlperson at 09:03 PM | Comments (9)