tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468256391412314462024-03-05T20:36:04.059-08:00Principal - Year OneA peek into school leadershipDebsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-38348373296314169882014-07-24T21:55:00.001-07:002014-07-24T21:55:54.971-07:00<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forgive the long time between posts, and pardon the ramble. I promised, and have not delivered, but now I deliver at the end of a very long day with far too little energy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being principal is quite different from being in the classroom. I don't believe I work any harder, but what I do is often far from my comfort zone, and is rarely uninterrupted. In mid word, I'll stop to take care of something that can't wait; a sandwich lasts several hours, and a portion eventually gets tossed (a very good diet, I must say); multitasking is a given; and breaks are unheard of. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I finish week four, I've learned more about building codes, construction planning requirements, fire marshals and bodies per square inch. I'm still not completely sure where everyone is going to be come August 12 ... yes, August 12. Just over two weeks away. But I am confident - because I must be and because I just am. These things are not the norm ... but it will never be this unfamiliar. I say to my AP, "it will never be harder," and we both laugh - realizing it's true but still hyperventilating a bit. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm learning to work a budget - something classroom teachers rarely, if ever, have a chance to oversee or even truly participate in. Always a challenge. What a school wants and needs is far outside the available finances. I have lots of ideas for finding financial support, but no time to act on a one. Next year? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I sat in our math professional development, and jumped in and out of the room for phone calls and brief meetings, even though I wanted to just be a learner. I remember being so annoyed when my administrators would do the same thing during a meeting, training, event they'd asked us all to be a part of. I offer an apology!!! I get it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow, I begin my first professional development with our new teachers. Just two days, but how I've stressed that it be organized, engaging, and not a wasted moment. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will never forget what it means to be a classroom teacher, so I am a fierce advocate for ensuring what happens in the classroom is directed toward children, but fair to teachers. I've read time and time again, heard over and over, and believe without an ounce of doubt, that what makes a leader truly strong is time spent in the shoes of those she leads. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay tuned! I'll try to get back in a week. </span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-69487373257469184722014-07-06T22:03:00.001-07:002014-07-06T22:03:59.094-07:00Comfort Zone Attack - week 1<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thought I've had as I make this career transition is that I won't have the same close bonds with children I've had for so many years. That piece makes me a little sad, and also leads me to say I won't have the same sort of stories to share. </span><div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After so many years in the classroom teaching, I rarely thought about what I needed to do on a daily basis - it was second nature. This is a whole different ballgame - and staff and students have not yet arrived! I know the learning curve is steep, and I also know that several months from now I'll look back at these words and be amazed by what I have learned. What's the point of doing anything if you're not learning!? That's an easy thing for me to say at 9:45pm - I may have a different sentiment at 5am!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Monday was my first day on the job. The week was filled with making decisions about budget and building - things that classroom teachers rarely have a say in. Arts in Action is expanding, and the logistics of determining which space to use, where to place staff, etc., are hardly issues I assumed I'd be facing as I completed my admin program. Decisions have been made, though, and tomorrow I'll start to dig into areas a bit more familiar. There is so much, but how I handle it all will send a very strong message. Thus, while work must get done, so must living a good life, getting rest, spending time with those I love. And so I shall ... do both. One will likely win for a bit. :o)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet dreams.</span></div>
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Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-23616001429103917392014-06-28T16:41:00.000-07:002014-06-28T16:41:19.713-07:00<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">June 11 marked my last day as a classroom teacher. (A few folks have insinuated I might return to the classroom, but after 24 years, I think it's time to move into the next phase of my career in education). As many of you know, I just completed my administrative credential and masters in school leadership. I've been hired as the principal of Arts in Action Charter School in East Los Angeles, California. July 1 I will take on this new challenge. While I don't anticipate being able to keep up with a daily or even every few days blog, I aim to report on a weekly basis the ups, downs, and sideways of school leadership. At times, these reports will be mighty short, and at other times more detailed. I invite you to follow along, and look forward to sharing my journey.</span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-46192151780833224002012-09-03T13:17:00.000-07:002012-09-03T13:17:39.435-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As I shared last week, I am now teaching third grade with Citizens of the World, Hollywood. Another CWC school opened this fall, and three of my colleagues from SMBCCS are teaching at this location (Silverlake). I am so pleased to work with smart, dedicated, truly constructivist individuals. Each member of the staff brings such a gift - lucky students. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday, my students come. We do something called Gentle Beginnings - all 66 students rotate through the three of us (Mike and Sara compose the rest of the new third grade team), and by Friday, we'll make necessary changes, should the need present, and begin with our regular class the 10th. Things won't change much, but the opportunity is there. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I already have one little story, so just imagine what will happen once I'm spending my days with the kids! Last Sunday CWC had a "work party." Families came to help do all sorts of jobs at the school, from painting and building and papering to organizing libraries and hanging up all sorts of things. It was truly amazing, and I had the opportunity to get to know a few families and kids. One trio of little girls spent about an hour in my classroom library. They introduced themselves to me as two first graders, and one tiny little one who shook my hand and told me in the most ernest manner possible that she was NOT in kinder or first YET ... she was in pre-kinder ... but that SOON she would be in kinder ... just not yet! She nodded fiercely and then added ... "and I'm ready!" </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Additionally, I've begun my master's in educational leadership/administrative credential through CSUN - the Santa Monica cohort. There are 16-17 of us, from varied walks of life with many different levels of experience in and out of the classroom. As I read the first week's assignment, I recognize that the time is right, and that I am so ready to take on the next phase of my career. I should have done this 5 years ago (or more), but better late than never! </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Until the next visit! Have a great week.</b></span><br />
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<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="101" data-width="112" height="360" id="rg_hi" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRrv7YIoWHCI4BJ8OzGl3ysyVQQyAX4nZUqBbHZR2SD_pQF25NFjg" style="height: 101px; width: 112px;" width="400" /><img height="198" id="il_fi" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8c/CSUNS.svg/200px-CSUNS.svg.png" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /><br />
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<br />Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-79699378674258225662012-08-25T17:18:00.001-07:002012-08-25T17:18:07.495-07:00I'm back<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">I stopped blogging back in March, as the remainder of the spring was loaded with too much responsibility, and it wasn't in me to speak out on kids or anything else. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">As many of you know, I left SMBCCS, where I'd been 20 years, in June. The school did away with multiage and was taken over by another charter with a philosophy of education that simply does not jive with my own. I'm constructivist in nature, believing that children best learn by doing and experiencing, regardless of subject matter. I found a new teaching position with Citizens of the World Charter/Hollywood (a new Silverlake school opens this year, and three of my previous colleagues from SMBCCS are there). I'm teaching 3rd grade in a building located on the campus of LeConte MS, the feeder middle school for many of the SMBCCS students. It's a terrific organization, with room to grow, and a group of colleagues who impress me constantly with their intelligence and passion, and deep understanding of what is good for children. I am excited to work with them, and excited to meet my new students on September 5. The website, should anyone wish to take a peek, is http://www.citizensoftheworld.org/.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Stay tuned for more regular sharing of stories from the classroom (221), the world of constructivist education, and life in general! Additionally, I just decided to go back for my master's in educational leadership/administrative credential. I begin with a cohort based in Santa Monica on Monday. Stories from that experience may well make it into my blog, as well!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">I look forward to sharing! </span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-2208046746985036312012-03-22T21:15:00.000-07:002012-03-22T21:15:12.615-07:00I'll take your vote.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Life is very busy these days. It's been hard to find the time to write regularly, though there have been numerous stories to share.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">A is a student in my math class. He doesn't like to do homework, and gets little support at home. Bedtime is long past midnight and motivation lacks. After too many missed assignments, we had a little talk about goals and the future. A will go on to middle school next year. I don't want to see him spending every afternoon in detention. I don't want to see him in a class composed of kids who are barely able to work with basic facts. He's a good kid, with good skills and, I believe, a desire to have success.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">I asked him to write me a letter, along with his regular math homework, explaining himself a bit. This is the letter content:</span><br />
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Dear Ms. Stern,</span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">I like doing math. It's just that I have difficulties with it. I ask for help at home but everybody is doing something. I want and will do my homework for math. I will try to get good grades for math. Like that I don't get detention in middle school, or also go to a class where students don't know their addition and subtraction. If they have to vote for best teacher for math I would vote for you.</span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">From,</span></b></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Letting kids know you care, that you are watching, holds more weight than we'll ever know. A's letter gives me a bit more information I'll use to help him. </span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-9226399759376190132012-03-11T09:22:00.001-07:002012-03-11T09:23:01.141-07:00Taking care of ALL our needs!<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">My friend Lisa is in the classroom next door to mine. She has provided several experiences in her classroom that have made it to my blog. </span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">This week, Lisa had her students create "maps" of buildings in a colony they are building. We both laughed aloud when we saw this student's interpretation of what he deems an excellent living situation. Notice the "area" next to the bar. Just in case you are not completely comprehending ... cooking area was the intention. Now it's dual purpose. </span></b><br />
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<img align="baseline" alt="" border="0" hspace="0" src="https://www.me.com/wm/messagepart?guid=messagepart%3AINBOX%2F66888%2D2&type=image%2Fjpeg&name=20120308%5F144403%2Ejpg&uniq=debbiestern" title="right-click and choose Save Picture As... to save the image" />Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-30833722497660647902012-02-23T20:18:00.000-08:002012-02-23T20:18:30.517-08:00Baseball and batI shared this story with my friend, and she told me I must post it. So here you are:<br />
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T, a frequent guest of my blog, has quite a story to tell. Her dad left T and her mom a few years ago, and T's mom has done her very best to provide for T. In my opinion, she's done incredibly well, as T is a marvelous human being. Last year was a tough one for both of them. T's mom lost her job and went back to school for a specialized certificate. She relied on T's aunt for weekend care as her program went from Friday through Sunday. Every Friday, T's mom picked her up one-two hours early to drive T to meet her aunt. T and her aunt then took a four hour journey by city bus to the aunt's home in the valley. Sunday night, T's mom picked her up to go back home. This went on for nearly the full year.<br />
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Several weeks in, T walked in one Friday morning. She hugs me every day, and on this day, her hug felt different. A little desperate. I asked her what was going on. Nutshell version, T was nervous about going to her aunt's. She didn't like it. Why? Her 18 year old cousin bothered her. Hairs up on my arms. How does he bother you? He calls me really mean names. Such as? At this, T broke down. She was so afraid to say anything because not staying the weekend at her aunt's meant her mom would have to drop out of school. They were close to being evicted. So much on nine-year-old shoulders.<br />
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T told me about her cousin. I spoke with her mom that afternoon. She immediately reassured T that her daughter's safety and happiness came first. Things changed right away for the better. The sour piece is that T's mom's school lost its license, and her schooling holds no merit.<br />
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Where's the baseball, Stern? What about the bat?<br />
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Earlier this year, T and I were chatting after school. Out of nowhere, T says, "You really went to baseball for me, Ms. Stern." I looked at her, confused. "Baseball?" "Yeah, you know, you really went to baseball when I had to stay with my aunt and my cousin last year." Ohhhhh ... "You mean, to bat." Ohhhhh ... "I mean, to bat!" We both smiled. And I got two hugs that day.Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-89954338376747263192012-02-13T22:51:00.000-08:002012-02-18T20:35:51.216-08:00changes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">I began this blog with the intent to focus only on my kids and not to allow school business that has nothing to do with children to color my entries. I'd be remiss, however, if I didn't mention that my school is undergoing tremendous transition. After 20 years, I find myself making choices I didn't plan on just yet. After 20 years, my philosophy and that of my school no longer align. After 20 years, I'm looking at the next 20 (or so) through a very different lens. And, while change is hard, it's also exciting. My next blog site will certainly follow a different slant. Stay tuned for that.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">Meanwhile, it's all about the kids. For several years prior to this one, my students wrote weekly letters in response to self-selected literature. This year, as referred to in previous posts, my students are writing weekly responses to prompts of varied genres. Some weeks, the writing is just plain great, others I know I didn't give enough support and guidance, and on occasion, my kids bring me to tears. This was one of those weeks. Pardon the length of this post, but I'd like to share three of those journal entries.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">My kids were asked to write about a hero in their lives. A few wrote about famous figures - MLK, Jr., Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi - and most wrote about their fathers or mothers. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">L, a funny, funny boy, wrote eloquently about both parents. They are marvelous - supportive, kind, understanding, tough. "We all love each other. They are the reason I am working hard for an exceptional life. They need money. That's another reason. We need a house and when I am older, I will help them find one." These words demonstrate L's maturity and grasp of quite adult matters. "My parents care for me and I care for them. They are like Barney. They're kind, caring, loving and protective, but they're not as fat." These words ... well, need I say more!? I laughed out loud.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">B has not yet been featured in my blog posts. She's a beautiful 5th grader who has worked hard and made such tremendous progress in all academic and social areas. Her dad, released just six weeks ago, has been in prison most of her life. The little bit of time he's been out since she's been my student has made a noticeable difference. He helps her with her journal entries, and I know he helped her with this one, but the content is all B. Little pieces:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">"I would like to write about my hero. Although he doesn't have super powers, he has a super heart."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">"My daddy is always giving me ideas on what careers would be nice for me to study. One of the ideas he gave me is to study law. He has also mentioned to consider architectural work."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">"Last, but not least, my daddy is my hero because even though he has been back and forth lately, every time he comes back from his trips, he shows me how much he loves me. I love him because he doesn't have to say that he cares about me because he is always showing me."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">Finally, again I share T with you. Bright, beautiful, full of spunk T. She, and others like her, remind me over and over again why I love what I do. She, and others like her, make the idea of big changes to come form lumps in my throat. Pardon the length - her entire essay must be shared.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">"My hero ... is ... Ms. Stern. She is my hero because she has supported me for 2 and counting years. Ms. Stern is a person you can trust with secrets. She makes you feel welcomed. She is always giving me hints to write better. She loves to hear your opinion. Sometimes I feel that Ms. Stern is another person I can trust. She is a happy and calm person but becomes aggravated when you mess up. I think she thinks that all of us have a future and in her eyes sees us graduated.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">My second hero is my mom. My mom is my hero because even though sometimes it seems she has failed, it turned out she succeeded. She is a mother who has to take care of me by herself. She also never gives up for me or her. She says she is the future of this family because my dad left me. I love that she is always defending me and talking to me.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">My other heroes are my class. They are my heroes because they treat each other like family. We are any normal family. We fight, make up, and then we're best friends again. They have taught me that anyone can be my family member, it does not have to be blood. They are the best little brothers and sisters I've ever had. Each one of them is a mystery I have to crack. All of them teach me new things like how to share, how to love, and much more because I am an only child. They make me feel so welcomed that sometimes I do not want to leave. I hate that I will leave them this year. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">P.S. Ms. Stern, when I wrote this I was sobbing so hard my mom asked what happened."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: inherit;">How honored I am to be a part of these lives. Thank you for letting me share.</span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-69957231158159793912012-02-04T21:03:00.000-08:002012-02-04T21:03:28.226-08:00Pick me because ...Young Storyteller's Foundation is a wonderful program matching screenwriters with fourth and fifth graders. The kids and mentors meet for seven weeks, culminating with "The Big Show" ... a group of professionals acting out the kids' screenplays.<br />
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This program has been involved with my school for many years. Generally I choose the participant. I have five fifth graders this year. J participated in the fall program, and two from my class will participate when the program begins Wednesday. I offered D, B, T and E the same opportunity as J. Because there are just two slots, I asked each child to write a letter to me, persuading me to pick him or her.<br />
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T and E won the spots. (They were also the only two to write letters)! These are their words, with no editing.<br />
E: I should be in Young Storytellers 'cause I like makeing funny stories and I love writeing a lot of nasty and imaginery storys. I know that I am not a good spelling guy but makeing funny storys that is fun for kids. And I know a lot of funny things to put in a story and crazy things. That is of one of the hobbis for me that I really like to do everyday. That is why I want you to pick me to enter Young Storytellers. I hope you pick me. :)-<br />
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T: I would love to on Young Storytellers because one year ago I lost intrest in writing, saying in my mind "I will never be a good writer." But when I found out I was getting good at writing it got my hopes up again. I think YST will even inspire me more to even try to make a book. Love, T<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5d0UZI4a5zW3pYzbLpEamtx-rOP9EHBydEquZAajOUhx-eQrBlonlOgh6HdI7EsvWQfixaElT39hecHK4CN9bbDt5lij8KBtJJ0J0Xl9kCft5fjhd30C1OTrhZKir5DWaj5DCtiQ6wRb/s1600/IMG_3895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5d0UZI4a5zW3pYzbLpEamtx-rOP9EHBydEquZAajOUhx-eQrBlonlOgh6HdI7EsvWQfixaElT39hecHK4CN9bbDt5lij8KBtJJ0J0Xl9kCft5fjhd30C1OTrhZKir5DWaj5DCtiQ6wRb/s320/IMG_3895.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They have both completed the pretest they must take, turned in their parent permission forms, and told me yesterday they hope the weekend goes by quickly because they can't wait for Wednesday (day one). That inspires me!Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-23034766885153690412012-02-04T20:45:00.000-08:002012-02-04T20:45:14.530-08:00President in a taxi<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last week, my students responded to the following prompt: You are running for president. You must give a speech to a group of people voting for the first time. What do you say in your speech?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I read their words, I was ever more a believer that young children should make the rules by which we live. They get it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are a few tidbits from the work of my kids:</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">J: We were slightly affected by the bombing on September 10, 2001. Many can’t afford to pay their health insurance. People get sick, they are brought to the hospital and the government pays for them. The others are not given proper medicine so I believe this problem is about the health insurance companies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am glad the wars are over. We have achieved our goals. Our soldiers are back. Unfortunately, we had a lot of casualties. This is the prize (he meant price - and that's priceless) of freedom.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Friends, what can you do as citizens of America? The solution or answer is in you. This can’t be solved without you. If I shall be elected, I promise to serve you the best I can.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">L: We need to develop our children’s education to be able to have smart personnel in every organization.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This could be hard if we are all selfish and are not cooperative and never care to start making things better. We are not going to make things improve if we don’t want to start.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">E: Getting rid of wars may be hard, but not impossible.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They will vote for me because I come from a working family and want things to be better for all.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lance: I like many things like candy and I dislike many things like bad people. I am running for president because I think I can make the USA a better place. I will change police into robots because robots don’t get hurt much and we don’t have to pay them. I will also make regular gum into never-lasting gum so it is very fun. I will also make nannybots to take care of babies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And ... my personal favorite:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A: People will remember that I will lower their taxis.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm going to be very careful the next time I call for a ride to the airport.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy Groundhog weekend.</span></div><!--EndFragment--><br />
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One of the two main characters of <u>Untouchable</u> is a selective mute, who takes a vow of silence following the death of his mother.<br />
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During our discussion this evening, I found myself thinking of L, a six year old in my first class at SMBCCS in 1992. I took the class six weeks into the year. I was hired out of student teaching. I so wanted to be a part of the SMB staff, I accepted a job with a K-1-2, even though I knew I wanted older kids. The second day on the job, L, a first grader, showed up. Many of my students knew her, and from their enthusiastic greeting, liked her very much. She'd been a part of the class the previous year, entering in January. I learned immediately that L was a selective mute. She apparently spoke all the time at home, but had uttered just one word since beginning kindergarten, "good-bye." Her father had forced it out of her when she moved from another school in the middle of kindergarten the year before.<br />
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Ironically, I'd read Ghost Girl by Tory Hayden over the summer, learning a great deal about selective mutism and how to handle the situation. Don't push the child, the author warned. Ask questions that allow for a feeling of safety, that can be answered with a nod or a pointing finger.<br />
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For several months, L demonstrated excellent listening skills, an obvious ability to read and write, strong mathematical understanding, and sweet, sweet, sweetness. I adored her, and she seemed to be bonding with me.<br />
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One day, just before Thanksgiving, I walked out to lunch with my students. L held my right hand, her best friend, M, held my left. The kids lined up on colored dots in order to switch for non-core subjects in the afternoon. I wondered aloud, "Where is everyone lining up?" I heard a voice on my right. "I think they're over there, Ms. Stern." I nearly jumped out of my skin. I tingled, got teary, wanted to squeeze this little girl in a great bear hug. Instead, I calmly said, with little reaction, "Okay, let's head over." I walked the girls over, told them to have a good lunch, and began to walk away. "You, too, Ms. Stern," L yelled. "See you after lunch!"<br />
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I RAN into the staff lounge, looking for Rachel, our staff psychologist who was seeing L. "L talked! She talked" L said words," I yelled. Rachel was equally delighted, and after sharing the story with many teachers, they were delighted as well. My roommate at the time commented that I'd never be able to say "Stop Talking" as she might stop forever. Ah, the humor, the humor. :o)<br />
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It became less important to me that I share the story with others and more important that I fully engage with L. And I did. The inevitable happened, though. In April, her father took her from her bedroom without her mother knowing. He took L and her older sister to New York, and kept their mother from her daughters. Devastating!!!<br />
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I never heard from L. I'd like to think that had she stayed in the LA area, she'd have come for a visit and a play! I also have to say that, indeed, she never stopped talking, and I never said "Stop Talking."<br />
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L, if you are out there, I think about you all the time, and hope you are well.Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-16967484554846309942012-01-09T21:21:00.000-08:002012-01-09T21:21:07.423-08:00Back to school<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">After three weeks (winter break), I am excited to see my kids, but not so ready to go back to six hours of sleep a night, rising at 5 am, and packing everything else about life into just a few hours in the evening. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">A put it best today, however. An adorable, quiet, funny third grader, A cheered when I reminded the kids that next Monday is MLK, Jr. Day, and that we won't have school. I glanced her way, as did most of the kids. Quickly, she reassured me. "Ms. Stern, it's not you. I really love you. But sometimes I love my bed more. This is one of those times." Then she smiled angelically. I smiled back and reassured her that I understood completely. "A, I, too, sometimes love my bed more than anything, including you guys. I get it, and it's okay." We shared a moment, the kids left for the day, and I went about packing it all in. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I'm off to bed. I so hope A has been in hers for at least an hour, and know she'll remain there long after I rise in the morning. As much as I love my kids, I do miss my bed as I stumble toward the shower. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Sweet dreams. And happy new year.</span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-33889872346815617272011-12-18T16:27:00.000-08:002011-12-18T16:27:25.944-08:00Appreciate.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Last week, as we prepared to go on a three week winter break, I finished our read-aloud novel (<u>Sarny</u>, the sequel to <u>Nightjohn</u> ... brilliant), and read a few stories from <u>Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul</u>. My students love the series, and we generally follow a story with a wonderful discussion. The story I read them on Thursday was no exception. A young woman wrote of a period during her childhood when her mom lost her job, and she and her two girls (the author was the elder of the two) were homeless. Sometimes there was a cot available, sometimes they slept on the floor of a shelter, sometimes they slept on the street. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My students were noticeably moved. I asked them how many of them knew someone who was or had been homeless, and there ensued a conversation about being thankful for a home, for nourishment, and for the important people in our lives. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One of my students, C, has been the topic of earlier postings. C is a very bright, underperforming student. I fight to maintain a patient attitude with him. Oftentimes, C acts out, calls out, performs in ways that bring negative attention. On occasion, C shares such a unique perspective on a topic, and we are astonished. This was no exception.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>C raised his hand toward the end of our conversation about homelessness. He shared that he, his mom and sister had lived in their car for several months when he was three. His mom had lost her job, and they had been evicted. Part of his story included a tenant in an apartment building finding a bottle from which C could drink. He was so appreciative of this act, and spoke for several minutes about being homeless and how thankful he was now that his mom had a job at a car wash, and how seriously she took her responsibilities. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The conversation moved on, and as we were getting up to prepare for dismissal, C asked us if we'd keep what he'd told us sacred. He actually used the word. He said he wasn't embarrassed, but proud. However, he'd appreciate (again, his word) it if we'd keep the knowledge to ourselves. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Here I am sharing his story. As I'm using only first initials, I think it's okay. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In the spirit of the holiday season, I appreciate the gifts my students give me ... among them, the willingness to be open and honest, to be vulnerable, and to ask their friends to appreciate the courage it takes to share those personal stories.</b></span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-84003145523482809592011-12-12T22:10:00.000-08:002011-12-12T22:10:12.139-08:00McDonald's or a Blood Draw?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I've shared several of my students' essays (green journal essays, as they are written in a green composition book, due each Monday). This week's responses were priceless. The prompt asked the kids to share a bad experience. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>At my request, four of my students shared their work with their classmates this afternoon. T wrote about having blood drawn, and the difficulty the medical assistant had attempting to draw T's blood. My favorite part made me laugh out loud, and had the same effect on my students.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"When she (the medical assistant) put the needle in, she could not take the blood out. It was so painful. My mom told them to stop. They told my mom she should take me to the lavatory. Instead she took me to McDonald's." </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>T laughed when I explained the difference between a lavatory and a laboratory. She's so quick to catch the joke. She commented without prompt from me that she probably could have found someone better to draw her blood at a lavatory than the clinic! </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>J shared his experience finding that he has a nut allergy, and had to travel by ambulance to the emergency room. His experience prompted several questions, and brought out his EPI pen for a quick explanation. Hopefully there will never be a demonstration.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>C, my brilliant young man with difficulty producing quality work in readable penmanship, received his first score of a three. For all you "old-school" folks, basically a strong B. C generally sees ones and twos on his work. I had read and scored his essay during lunch, and while the kids were reading silently this afternoon, called C over to share with him his score. His eyes widened, he pumped his fist into the air, and threw his arms around me. He uttered, "I finally did it!" I told him how proud I was, that I recognized how hard he'd worked to earn that three, and asked if he'd share his work with the class that afternoon. He allowed me to share with his classmates his struggle. (Not that they didn't already know, but we don't tend to talk in group about individual academic struggle). His bad experience involved scoring a goal for the other team during a soccer game. I don't know if C recognized this, but not only did he produce a quality piece of writing, he made himself quite vulnerable in an arena he prides himself in excelling. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>C, J, and T are writing stars today. E, one of the sweetest, gentlest boys I know, blew us all away with his essay today, and with his willingness to have his work read aloud. E put a twist on the prompt, writing about something positive that happened to him because of the help he offered those less fortunate. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>E wrote about giving money to the homeless when others walked or drove on by, paying no attention. He shared the story of giving $5 to a man sitting on the road and of collecting a $1 bill thrown at the man and handing it back to him. His paragraph ended with the statement, "He was happy."</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>E's next paragraph described helping more people out, followed by his dad taking him to the arcade for changing the world. He ended his essay with the following paragraph, continuing the tale of the man on the road:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"The first poor guy was so happy. When it was another Saturday I went to see him. He was happy to see me. I asked him, "Why are you so happy? He kept smiling and then he said, "You want to know? I got a job." And then he started to cry.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And so did I.</b></span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-23277348414177978662011-12-11T18:24:00.000-08:002011-12-11T18:24:59.281-08:00compassion<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shared the following story with a friend the other day. She insisted I post, although the group of students in the story are now in their early twenties.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A coworker and dear friend, Lisa K., and I did an in-depth unit on WWII and the Holocaust. While these periods of history are not covered in the CA state standards, there are several literature selections focused on the people and events of the time. We read picture books and an amazing novel, <u>Number the Stars</u>. Our students were so engaged, and begged to learn everything possible about the subject. We were able to take our fourth and fifth graders to the Museum of Tolerance. Normally, fifth graders are the youngest students allowed on field trips to the museum. We were given special permission to bring our fourth graders, but the third graders were not allowed to accompany us. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While there, the rest of our students commented that the third graders could have handled the experience with no problem. Because of all their prior experience with the subject, and the fact that with a multiage class we all learn together regardless of grade, our older kids knew their younger peers were as prepared as they to handle even the most difficult of subject matter. In fact, the docents leading us on our tour commented on how knowledgeable, focused and mature our students were.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a culminating activity, Lisa's father-in-law, Mr. K, a concentration camp survivor, came to talk to our students. We spent time beforehand brainstorming questions for Mr. K, and talking about being a good listener, a compassionate group participant, and one who is patient while listening to an elder telling a poignant and difficult story. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We gathered in one of our classrooms ... all 64 students ... sitting on the floor and in surrounding chairs while Mr. K shared his stories and answered questions. It was one of the most touching and beautiful moments of my teaching career. We had to stop the questions as we could tell that Mr. K was getting tired. Telling this particular story was beyond an emotional drain, yet he would have kept sharing as long as the kids would listen. And listen they did - without incident. They'd have been content to sit as long as Mr. K was willing to be share. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, our students wrote thank you letters to Mr. K. They were beyond beautiful, written with honesty and integrity, and with the compassion befitting a much older person. Their understanding of what Mr. K had shared was evident. These eight, nine and ten year olds shared in their letters and in their words to their teachers how much this experience meant to them. For the remainder of their tenure in our classes, the study of this period of history was one of the most important experiences they'd had. The kindness with which our students treated one another was wonderful to see. Over the years, students from my class at that time have come to visit. They have not forgotten a single element from our unit of study. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wondered why telling this story means so much to me. I believe it's because the direction of education as we approach 2012 heads toward a score on a test. All the children in our classes that year demonstrated their ability to read, to write, to listen, to speak. The story I tell is what we should care about - compassion. </span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-89055878354967530672011-12-05T21:45:00.000-08:002011-12-05T21:45:08.398-08:00Balls, balls, balls<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My classroom is located on the second floor of an old building with bare floors and thin walls. The softest of steps resonate below. Chairs scrape ... the sound is similar to elephants stomping (not that I've experienced living with elephants, but you get the picture). To protect the ears of the young and the sanity of the old(er), our chairs wear tennis balls, cut to fit over the feet. As the year progresses, chairs lose their tennis balls. They are eventually replaced, though often not for several days or weeks.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lisa is in the classroom next door to mine. Her situation is exactly the same. Several weeks ago, her students were particularly loud. She asked them to write letters of apology to the class below. They did. Sufficiently apologetic, her kids had several reasons for their noisiness that day. My favorite is in quotes below:</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm sorry we were so loud, Ms. M. It's because our chairs have no balls."</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just makes you want to wait an extra few days to replace those ... balls, doesn't it? </span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shhhhhh!</span></b>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-49564010260682908472011-11-24T14:09:00.000-08:002011-11-24T14:09:53.487-08:00Being Thankful<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Yesterday my students, student teacher, teacher's assistant and I shared a few traditional Thanksgiving treats. The adults each brought a dish, and a few kids brought others. Before we ate, I asked the kids to write what they were thankful for. Over the years, I've had my student do similar activities in honor of a new year, Thanksgiving, the end of a grade, etc. I always have several students who write that they are most thankful for a PSP, a Wii, money ... you get the picture. Yesterday, not one of my students mentioned an object. One stated that he was thankful for enough money to put food on their table, especially for Christmas, his favorite holiday. A lump formed in my throat as several mentioned being thankful for their teacher ... because she cares so much and doesn't give up on them. The best paycheck ever.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I've shared in prior posts that most of my students live in conditions I can't even imagine. Many live with extended families totaling six or more in one-two bedroom apartments. A few have their only meals at school - the free breakfast and lunch provided on all school days. I worry about them over the holidays and summer break. They witness drug transactions and violence daily. I've had several students over the years watch someone die on the streets, and a few see someone die in their home. I'm constantly amazed at their perseverance, at their ability to find the joy when they face such adversity. What my students wrote yesterday brings home that very message.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Here are a few quotes from the kids:</b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I'm thankful for the food that I eat, the family I have, the school where we can learn new things. I'm thankful for the clothes we wear. I'm thankful that I play and for family that loves me.</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I'm thankful for having a family and a place to live.</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I'm thankful for honest classmates and a great family.</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I'm thankful for the life I have.</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I'm thankful that I'll be with my mom.</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Finally, one that touched me so ... I'm thankful for freedom and for living in a good condition, for peace in the world, and for my lovely teacher.</b></span></li>
</ul><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>We finished eating and sharing our thanks, and then I kept my students after school for 10 minutes - they were so incredibly talkative and were not paying attention to instructions. Ah the life of a teacher! I'm glad I had them write their thanks before keeping them after!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Happy Thanksgiving. </b></span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-12092473720967314632011-11-21T21:00:00.000-08:002011-11-21T21:00:34.039-08:00The greatest gift<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One of the most difficult aspects of my job is knowing that so many of my wonderfully bright, capable, enthusiastic students will not go nearly far enough in the educational world. They'll stop after high school, and many won't go even that far. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A colleague of mine has been helping students at my school apply to a wonderful program called The Alliance. Its primary goal is to help Hispanic and African American students obtain scholarships and meander through the process of applying to private schools in the greater Los Angeles area. While I am a believer in providing the best public education possible, many of the students at SMBCC have little opportunity to obtain such an education via the public schools in the area. Thus, an opportunity such as that provided by The Alliance is a gift. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I have two students on full scholarship through The Alliance. One is in 11th grade at an all-girls school in the LA area. The other, K, is in 12th grade at one of the more prestigious schools in the country. K is the youngest of four children. Her oldest sister was involved with gangs, and had her first child (of four) at 15. She did not finish high school. Her oldest brother was also involved with gangs, and was the victim of a drive-by shooting two years ago. He was shot in the hand. He did not finish high school. The shot was intended to kill. Her other brother was also my student. A wonderful kid then, he's a terrific young man now, with two young children. He did not finish high school, though went on to get his GED a few years ago, and holds a good job repairing electronics. K's mom and dad have raised their four kids, and their four grandchildren. The family was forced apart for two years when the four grandchildren were taken from the home they all shared and put in separate foster homes. They are together now, but it was a very difficult couple of years. K's mom, M, has sacrificed her life to care for all the children. Her typical daily schedule involves driving K 30 minutes west on the freeway before 7:00 am, turning around and dropping the grandchildren enrolled in my school in time for breakfast and for the oldest to catch the school bus to a feeder middle school, heading to her job as a housekeeper a few miles from school from 8-2, then reversing it all to pick everyone up, take them home, make dinner for all, and start up again the next morning. She works weekends cleaning an office building. I have known this family over a dozen years, and I have never heard one complaint.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>K and M came to see me late last spring. It was, hands-down, the most wonderful conference I've ever held with a student and her parent. K brought her list of over 30 colleges to share with me, asking me to help her edit her list. Her criteria was crystal clear - a school that was in or near a city, that had diversity, and that had a liberal arts focus. The community I teach often struggles to let its children move away. M gets it, though. She and K recognize that going away to school is K's ticket to a life different (her mother adamantly said better) from that of her brothers and her sister. She will be the first in a large family, on both sides, to go to college. She will graduate. She's on the honor roll of her high school. The school paid for her to go east with her mom and visit campuses. She's won a special award from The Alliance. It's one of very few awarded. She's amazing. Her mom is beyond amazing. I am humbled to be a part of their lives. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is a portion of the email K sent me this evening:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"I've finalized my list of schools so here it is:<br />
1. American University<br />
2. UC Berkeley/ Santa Barbara<br />
3. Georgetown<br />
4. Goucher College<br />
5. Rice University<br />
6. University of San Diego<br />
7. University of San Francisco<br />
8. Santa Clara University<br />
9. Scripps College<br />
10. Seattle University<br />
11. Smith College<br />
12. Stanford University<br />
13. Tulane University<br />
I've already submitted my apps for five of them and I'll be submitting two more before the end of the year. I'm soo excited!!!! As of now, I'm waiting for my latest SAT Scores, but I feel really good about my list of schools and I'm so happy! This year has been going really well for me and I just can't wait to embark on this next chapter in my life." </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I attended K's graduation from middle school, and will again be in the audience when she graduates, with honors, from high school. One of the schools from the list above will be a huge part of the beginning of her next chapter. I can't wait to visit her there!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>K's two oldest nieces, two of the four grandchildren I mentioned above, have been my students. The oldest is in 7th grade, and doing well. The other, A, is in my class now. I see K in her everyday. She often says to me that she adores her aunt K, and that she plans to do what she has done. She writes about the school K attends in stories, and recently asked me to spend recess with her so that we could look up the student population and course of study at the school. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One child, one mom ... and look what they've begun. To be continued ... </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sweet dreams.</b></span><br />
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</span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-88113676299248509282011-11-07T19:34:00.000-08:002011-11-07T19:34:41.570-08:00Nightjohn<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My favorite part of the school day is read aloud. There are so many great books written for kids. I often wish reading aloud to my kids was my only responsibility. I choose the titles we share carefully, attempting a balance of humor, drama, and intensity. I aim to build interest in history through amazing literary figures and brilliantly written historical fiction and nonfiction. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am not great with Eastern European accents, but I do a mean British, a decent Italian, and a bang-up little kid. My southern dialect rocks, though don't ask for a New England elder. Thus far, we've read <u>Benjamin Dove</u>, a story involving severe bullying, incredible friendship and sacrifice, Scottish royalty and death. (It takes place in Iceland, but I've no idea how Icelandic sounds, so did a very mild British), Second in line was a story of wonderful friendship, jealousy, acceptance and what it means to be blind titled <u>Granny Torrelli Makes Soup</u>. (Very fun Italian there). Nightjohn is our third read aloud of the year. We are about 1/3 of the way through this incredibly intense Gary Paulen novel. The story of two slaves ... Sarny, a 12 year old girl, and Nightjohn, a freed slave who deliberately reenters the horror of enslavement in order to teach others to read and write, has captured my students' hearts and minds. In order to ease them into the intensity of the subject and to give them an opportunity to share their prior knowledge of slavery, we engaged in a "tea party" a day prior to beginning the book. Students read from strips of paper on which were written phrases and short sections of text from the novel. They shared thoughts and predictions as they shared their strips of text, and anticipation was built. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of my students, T, had just finished reading another book on the subject of slavery. She was in the middle of explaining what slavery is to a couple of my third graders as we gathered on the rug for our first read of Nightjohn. Because there are some very difficult scenes in the story, I stopped several times while reading to check for understanding, to have students explain or retell portions, and to answer the many questions my students had. In the first 10-15 pages of the novel, there are brutally descriptive passages telling of the horrendous mistreatment of the men, women and children living on Master Waller's plantation in the 1850s. Our first read aloud was over 30 minutes. My kids had so many questions, and struggled to understand how anyone could survive such brutality. They didn't want to stop, but our day was ready to end. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The next day, I continued reading. Nightjohn was introduced early on. He's brought to the plantation stripped of clothing, and immediately sent to work in the fields. That night, as most of the others sleep, he whispers into the dark that he'll trade for a lip of tobacco. Sarny berates him, telling him he was brought in naked, so what could he possibly have to trade. "Letters," he responds. "I got letters."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I stopped there and explained to my students that reading was punishable by dismemberment (explained that, too), and asked why there would have been a law against slaves reading or writing. T immediately responded that being able to read and write meant being able to tell your story and to pass along knowledge. Another student, J, said she thought that if you could read, you would be able to know how much you cost. She added that reading gave you information and that made you dangerous. "But good dangerous," J said. They are so smart ... so thoughtful!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A is one of my struggling students. He has a tough time with math, reads far below grade level, takes twice to three times the time necessary to complete a writing assignment, and would much prefer to be on the playground than do nearly anything else, although he often enjoys our read aloud time. He gets little to no support at home. He is a challenge for me. I am constantly looking for ways to motivate him.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A was sitting to my right as I was reading to them. He was mesmerized by the story. Little by little I noticed his chair creeping just a little closer to me, his head angled toward the book. I held the book out a bit so that he could read along. As the chapter continued, Nightjohn showed Sarny how to make the letter 'A.' He explained how it sounded, and promised her two more letters the next night. I stopped there, to groans and "Noooo - don't stop!" (The best, the best, the best)! As we stood to get ready to move on, A murmured, softly enough for my ears only, but loud enough to be heard clearly, "Wow, imagine not even knowing what letters are. That's terrible."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From any other kid this would draw from me simply accord. From A, it drew tremendous hope. My challenge took on a new dimension. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just ordered A his own copy of <u>Nightjohn</u>. I think he'll murmur his thanks. For my ears only. For both our hearts. </span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-85416378323485084562011-11-05T17:14:00.000-07:002011-11-05T17:14:30.249-07:00gesundheit!My math class is comprised of struggling 5th graders coming from all of my multiage colleagues (with an independent group of three students who went through the 5th grade content last year and are now doing special projects and 6th grade curriculum). A is an adorable boy who happens to be autistic. He is with me for math, and also for book talks. He and I have gotten to know each other fairly well. I forget, sometimes, just how literally he takes things.<br />
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Last week I suffered a tremendous sneezing attack during math. At the end, I laughingly commented that I must be allergic to the kids, and went on to continue teaching.<br />
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A returned to his own class a bit later, and pulled his teacher aside. With a very serious look on his face, he said to his teacher, "Ms. __, Ms. Stern is allergic to me!"<br />
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I have to decide how to play this on Monday. <br />
Gesundheit!Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-70860556290643758262011-10-31T19:50:00.000-07:002011-10-31T19:50:48.073-07:00My contemporary, Michael J.<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday, as my students were working on an art project, I played some Michael Jackson tunes. L, a 4th grader I've referred to in past posts, is a huge fan. I was singing along when someone asked me how I knew the words. "This is my generation of music, guys. I danced to a lot of MJ in my younger days." There were a few nods, and all but one of my students returned to the project at hand. I was no longer of interest. L, however, looked at me with slightly averted eyes. "You know, Ms. Stern, Michael Jackson was pretty old when he died. Not saying you are really old or anything, but maybe just a little old."</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stopped by Nordstrom and stocked up on wrinkle cream. I plan to slather it all over L's head after I use it myself. </span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Halloween. </span></b>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-31487874439296378202011-10-29T15:42:00.000-07:002011-10-29T15:42:09.722-07:00Update - Waste My Time<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday, my students were addressed by Mr. ___, who explained himself, and let the kids know he had not meant to ignore what they'd written, but that he wanted to get on with the planned activities and deal with the issue later. "Not an apology," T told me, "but at least he didn't ignore what we wrote." She'll be a lawyer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we walked across the yard a day earlier, my students noticed that the two staff responsible for psychomotor were actually running along with the kids. This was one of their requests. They were thrilled to see that their words had effected a positive change. Big grins lit up faces. Including my own. </span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-82474449280418635852011-10-26T00:09:00.000-07:002011-10-26T00:09:48.188-07:00I'd just pull it out and play with it.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's quite late on a school night. Our school governance meets on alternate Tuesdays. Although I'm no longer a member, having served my allowed two years through June of this year, I can't help but stay for meetings. The focus right now is revising and editing our charter renewal document. It's a huge task. When I left school at 10:15pm, the council was still in session. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sat reading and correcting my students' essays due this week. They were much improved ... my kids are really trying to better their content, mechanics, grammar and penmanship. I'm proud of them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The prompt for their essay due this morning was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">You are stranded on a deserted island. In your backpack, you have 12 items (all must fit inside). Describe each item, and tell how it will be useful to you. The meeting was a rough one, and I was looking for a little escape. I found it in all of my students' work. Thanks, guys, for helping me get through tonight!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">Here are a few things my students felt were of utmost importance should they be stranded on a deserted island:</span></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hand sanitizer</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a teddy bear</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a pistol for those pesky wild beasts</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a tent (small and foldable to fit in the backpack)</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a towel and a change of clothes or two - being naked at any time does not appear to be an option</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a pencil bag, a pen, a notebook or journal ... to write adventures and share experiences </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a book, a book, a book, a book ... you get the picture - nearly unanimous!</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">photos of family, especially mom</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">two little toys to keep the mind flowing</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and my personal favorite, taken directly as it was written by a 9 year old boy, A</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... "I would bring a little ball because if I get bored I will just pull it out and play with it." </span></span></li>
</ul><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">My night was made. I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">can only imagine what he'd bring if allowed a 22" carry-on. </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">Sweet dreams.</span></span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKNYjRvbm_QIVNAVtK0jOU3WfPa-10dNsg4vLyHW2nwJmyAohYhREK9-A62AEIa-H336cGj0IccusHq2bmmqFvVaEZKspgzd1pMNrhgXGA8MSfZz6K7E3nNmaktb2B3T-SpNyut4zvDnK/s1600/IMG_5529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKNYjRvbm_QIVNAVtK0jOU3WfPa-10dNsg4vLyHW2nwJmyAohYhREK9-A62AEIa-H336cGj0IccusHq2bmmqFvVaEZKspgzd1pMNrhgXGA8MSfZz6K7E3nNmaktb2B3T-SpNyut4zvDnK/s320/IMG_5529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlyCJj2ZcIo9slP1AfimkgDy80yryhJtOFOVfeR4m5Xiu6rwdKh8y-lCjC-SOULt8C1QRZM_rItnYdTJ1fZX1RL24sKQSDZSaNJ0dRfHO_S16oZB-0A8l7QtV1xvCauz2pKUzCJutnerT/s1600/IMG_5530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlyCJj2ZcIo9slP1AfimkgDy80yryhJtOFOVfeR4m5Xiu6rwdKh8y-lCjC-SOULt8C1QRZM_rItnYdTJ1fZX1RL24sKQSDZSaNJ0dRfHO_S16oZB-0A8l7QtV1xvCauz2pKUzCJutnerT/s320/IMG_5530.JPG" width="313" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-346825639141231446.post-1431608513857268352011-10-22T13:26:00.000-07:002011-10-22T13:26:22.782-07:00Please waste my time!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On alternate Wednesday afternoons, and also on every Friday morning, my grade level has a planning and discussion period, during which our students go outside for structured physical education. For the past several years, this has been run by a credentialed teacher, and has included dance (as well as some non-PE such as music). This year, due to budget cuts, the program is run by two classified positions (teacher assistants). There have been several complaints from teachers, parents, and particularly students about the "hard-core" focus of the PE. In fifth grade, students do the Presidential Physical Fitness test, recognizing students' ability to do curl-ups/partial curl-ups, an endurance run/walk, pull-ups or a flexed-arm hang, and a sit and reach. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">One of the goals of the school PE program is to prepare students to pass this test. </span>Every child, from kindergarten to sixth grade, is expected to run laps, in addition to going through several stations over the course of an hour. One of these stations is a water/rest period. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday morning, prior to going out for PE, my students began to give me every excuse in the world for not going, finally saying they hated PE. Two had written excuses from parents, asking that they not participate. One told me she felt nauseous, and needed to go to the nurse. Something was up!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My kids, along with four from another class, with us for the day as their teacher was attending a day-long meeting, asked me to say something on their behalf to the PE instructional team. Ah, teachable moment! I found myself in mini-lecture mode, talking about the US Constitution, and the first amendment. I told them that I could say something for them, but that they also had the right to say something for themselves. The kids asked to dictate a letter to me, stating their feelings and complaining about the program as it was. I told them I was happy to oblige, but that I feel if one complains, one must come up with an alternative or a solution. So, while their thoughts would go on paper, so must suggestions for change. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aside from a bit of word tweaking and sentence restructuring, this is my students' dictation:</span><br />
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<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>279</o:Words> <o:Characters>1594</o:Characters> <o:Lines>13</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>1957</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">To: the PE program<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">From: Debbie Stern’s students + 4 of __’s students<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Last Friday, October 14, 2011, we lined up and waited patiently for you to arrive, as you were a few minutes late. Once you did arrive, we were instructed to run for 12 minutes, during which time we were not allowed a water break. We did not ask to get water, as we were told we’d get an orange card if we got water. The only water break we get is the water station, and for some of us, this is not until the last 10 minutes of psychomotor. If we stopped for a brief break or to tie a shoe, we were given an orange card.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This Wednesday, we again ran for 12 minutes, and instead of doing stations, we formed a square doing running exercises that caused us to run into one another. Several of us got hurt as we slammed into each other or were tackled, causing us to fall. We were jumping like frogs, bear-crawling, and doing a crab walk. If we stood during one of these activities, we were told to run additional laps of the school. All of these activities are quite strenuous, and we were not allowed a water break. Additionally, if we stopped and sat down, we were given orange cards. If we stepped outside the yellow line surrounding the fun zone, we got an orange card. Finally, we were not allowed any water until the school bell rang, and we were dismissed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We are writing to you because:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.0pt; text-indent: -19.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><!--[endif]-->We are not having any fun at psychomotor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.0pt; text-indent: -19.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><!--[endif]-->We feel the rules are very strict and unfair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.0pt; text-indent: -19.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><!--[endif]-->We are concerned for our health.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 37.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 37.0pt; text-indent: -19.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><!--[endif]-->We would like to see a change in the psychomotor rules.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We’d like to have a water break on a more regular basis, in particular immediately following any running activity. We also ask that you participate with us as we do psychomotor. We would like to ask that you remember we’re kids, and are not yet ready for the army.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Ms. J (the teaching assistant assigned to a colleague and me) was with us, and agrees with these statements).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Room 31 and a fraction of room 28</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><!--EndFragment--><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My students were nervous about delivering this letter. One of them, T, a resilient fifth grader, said aloud that even though she was nervous, she knew that being silent was the wrong way to go, and she would just have to swallow the butterflies. Some of them sort of hid behind each other as I walked outside with them, and handed the letter to the instructional team. I asked them to read it, then address concerns with the kids as they saw fit. I had a meeting to attend. As I walked away, I noticed they were beginning to explain certain parts of the letter to the kids.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During our grade-level meeting, our principal came in to discuss another matter with us. I gave him a copy of the letter. As he left the meeting, which was held in my classroom, a few minutes after PE had ended, my students were lined up at the door. The principal told the kids he'd seen their letter, told them he was glad they'd shared their thoughts and feelings, and assured them that he would investigate what had been brought up, and that something would be done. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As they entered the room, T, the student referred to above, and two other kids pulled me aside. She told me that Mr. __, the member of our staff in charge of the employees running the PE program, had come out to see what was being read, and what was being said to the kids. According to T, Mr. __ took the letter, gave it a quick glance-over, and said, in front of several of my students, "Don't waste your time with this." He then walked away. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The kids were noticeably nervous and upset. T said to me, "Ms. Stern, that was really hard for us to do. We did what you said, complained but also gave suggestions to make it better, and it doesn't seem to matter." I assured her it did matter, that I would move forward on this, and that I was so proud of all of them for their willingness to speak out. I told the kids that many more opportunities would come their way as children and adults to take action, and that I hoped they'd never be scared to exercise their constitutional right.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was noticeably upset as T delivered this news to me. As I dismissed the kids a few minutes later for recess, T went over to the little flip chart of emotions. The page showing stated chill. T flipped forward to find aggravated again. She gave me a little smile of a secret shared, reached around my waist for a hug, and walked out the door.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waste my time any day.</span>Debsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13101522175885578576noreply@blogger.com1