Chapter 9: Jon 2.17.08

Lord have mercy, where is this book going? Gay marriage! I am just going to keep my comments to myself on this one.

Chapter 10: Jon 2.17.08

How do we respond to tragedy? That is a great question for teachers- I would have to say sympathy and/ or empathy, which ever is the most appropriate. I love the quote on page 187: Some tragedies are worsened and distorted by an upsurge in prejudice. Deconstructing a stereotype and developing human relationships can reverse the almost reflexive responses of fear and distrust in the face of tragedy. As teachers and parents, we can model ways to learn about less familiar cultures and traditions and foster a sense of connection in children and ourselves. This world is becoming smaller and smaller with transcontinental travel, immigration, world economics, and communication. I think, as an American culture, we must embrace the sense of learning about other cultures and languages as a majority of the world has embraced ours. We are not as progressive as we would like to think. Much of the friction we have today is from a lack of understanding and a break down in communication or the unwillingness to change. The strongest rock can only withstand the crushing waves of change for a time; it will eventually be broken and worn away with time.

Jen

Chapter 9

3-9-08

This chapter focuses on 2 things in my point of view--it is about knowing our students and teaching tolerance and the negativity of "hate"

I know this chapter mentions gay/lesbian marriage--this is something that can be discussed and taught but I feel it is more important if it is important in your class make up.  The author mentions that every year she has a few gay/lesbian parents so I can see the need of discussing family and involving all families.  It is important for the students and their class community.  I really liked her idea of taking family pictures and posting them in the classroom.  We take family photos on the first day but we send them home in their kinderegarten scrapbook.  This is something I will definitely do and I can just imagine all of the converstation it will lead to as each of my students look deeply at each others pictures.  They will see similarities and differences of their own families.

The other topic of "hate" always intrigues me as well.  Where does all of this "hate" come from? Home? School? Friends? How can we teach tolerance and acceptance of the people we see around us everyday?  I think the author does try very hard to reduce hate and build tolerance in her classroom.  Her morning meetings seem like a excellent source to build community and discuss teachable moments about tolerance and hate--she has mentioned responsive classrooms--and like I said before this is enough to make me look into this program more

Chapter 10

"While, on one hand, we as teachers and parents do our best to shelter young children from exposure to mass media, the reality is that tragedy will enter our classrooms.  It may be on the other side of the planet or in the life of a student or teacher "(p.191).

Tragedy has hit my classroom recently with one of my little boys getting cancer very suddenly.  The kids and I new he was sick--he was throwing up in class.  We thought he probably had the stomach flu (January 08).  He came to school a day here or there but just couldn't get better.  He is now in Egleston fighting for his life, enduring chemo , and continuing to smile through all of this.  At first my kids didn't think much of his absence--someone is always absent.  Then they started to ask where he was after a few weeks--at this point he was still at home because no one really knew what was wrong with him.  I then received a phone call from his mom and he was being put in the hospital.  I told the class and we made cards and sent balloons.  After a week I found out he had cancer and would probably not be back to school.  I wanted to do something and while reading this book it made me think of the community we are as a class and what can we do for him.  I started by asking to do a popcorn sale to raise $ for a gas card etc... for his parents.  This was shot down by my admin.(Do not get me started with this)  So my next step was to write a letter home to all of my parents (with his mom's permission) and I explained it all including the type of cancer and how much it spread etc.  I gave them the deciding factor how they wanted to discuss this with their child but the class wanted to do something for Cameron so we decided on a "smile" basket.  So the kids brought in stuff after stuff for Cameron's basket and they were so proud and excited!  I have even had a few of my students go see him in the hospital as well.  This weekend a little boy wen to the hospital and his mom said he just stood beside Cameron and rubbed his arm and said it would be ok...  How incredible...

That is how I can relate to this chapter--I wish I couldn't relate...

3.16.08- Jon

Goodness can come of any situation. I think it is incredible that you have created a strong community in your classroom. You are fearless; I cannot say the same thing about your administrator. You saw an opportunity to help a family in need in your class, and you helped and taught your class a valuable lesson in compassion and the fraility of life.