The Road Less Traveled

Another clever video.  This one is really similar to The Connected Classroom, with some slightly more catchy background music.

Download Video: Posted by bionicteaching at TeacherTube.com.

This is a very similar video to Did You Know 2.0 but is more focused for teachers.  Before watching this video, I had my room set up in rows because I was taught in college that it was the best set up for maintaining classroom management.  After, though, my desks are arranged in clusters of five.

Download Video: Posted by khokanson at TeacherTube.com.

I think I may start a series of videos on education and technology to post on this blog for anyone who has not seen them yet.  I’m not as frightened of the 21st century as many others are but I am also a fast learner when it comes to technology.  I think, though, one of the reasons so many people are worried is because now we have no choice but to learn and grow.

In The World is Flat:  A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, Thomas Friedman interviewed Nandan Nilekani, CEO for Infosyst Technologies Limited.  Nadan said, “The playing field is being leveled” and that America is going to be challenged but “… the challenge would be good for America because we are always at our best when we are being challenged” (Friedman, 7).

I love a challenge.  I don’t always rise to the occasion, but I do believe that people are at their best when being challenged.  That is an important thing to understand as a teacher.  Increase expectations, challenge students, and you will see the best in them.  They may not all meet the expectations, but they will be amazed by how hard they worked to try.

Until later– “There’s no turning back now that you opened up to your mind.”

This is a great video.  I showed it to my students and they were amazed.  The end of the video is an special message for parents on how to prepare their child for the 21st century.  This video may change the way you view the future.

Download Video: Posted by mcleod at TeacherTube.com.

Let me know what you think, your reactions to the video.

I found this video on teachertube.com (a school accepted video site for teachers).  It is a brief history of the United States of America set to the tune of “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”

Download Video: Posted by mrallsop at TeacherTube.com.

I love finding amazing things like this.  This is funny, informative, catchy.  I love the South Park inspired Civil Rights Movement animations at the beginning.

For my next post, I’ll put up a video that a lot of you may have already seen:  “Did You Know 2.0″  It is essential viewing for anyone who wants to know what is up with our world right now and what all the big fuss is about for 21st century learning.

Want to tap into some forgotten part of yourself? I’ve perfected this more than I should be proud of. I have even managed to break myself down into tears trying this out. Heed this warning, though: Trying any of the following might just put you on an emotional roller-coaster that is undeniably out of your control.

1. Listen to a song from your past: This is more successful if you choose a song from a very significant time in your life and if you haven’t heard the song for a long time. The other day, I heard “Freshman” by the Verve Pipe and I was transported to trying to scrunch into the back seat of a Chevy Cavalier with three friends on our way to the mall. Most of those faces are strangers to me now but hearing this song brought all of them flowing back. “For the life of me, I cannot remember what made us think that we were wise and we’d never compromise…We’ve tried to wash our hands of all of this. We never talk of our lack in relationships and how we’re guilt stricken sobbin’ with our heads on the floor. We fell through the ice when we tried not to slip…” Man, that was some good stuff.

2. Watch a movie: This is also more effective if you haven’t seen the film for a while and if you once watched it with someone close to you. I rummaged through my VHS tapes and found my copies of Casino and Goodfellas. Once again, memories of propping my feet up on the arm of my friend’s basement couch with the rest of the group sprawled out on the floor, in lounge chairs, staying up until 4 a.m. for our Mobster Movie Marathon. Other films of this famous insomnia inducer included Godfather I and II (we cursed III), Scarface, and Heat.

3. Read one of your favorite children’s books: This is a sad one. This summer, one of my fellow CWVWP participants taught a grammar lesson in which she passed out copies of Amelia Bedelia books to us. I spotted the one I wanted right away. Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping. Just seeing that book brought a wave of memories that nearly sent me out of the room in tears. And I had to fight them back again as I read the book aloud. My grandfather took me to the Cross Lanes library when I was about five or six and this was one of the books I chose. He read it to me in his gruff smoker’s voice, his country accent adding to the humor. Six years later, he died of a stroke on Christmas Eve. Seeing that book… man… it was like looking right into his face again. Moments like that can sweep you off of your feet before you know it.

So, that’s my adventure into the old vault. Heed my warning, though. Objects in the rear-view mirror are closer than they appear.

Until later– “There’s no turning back now that you opened up to your mind.”

I can’t stand not having Internet at home.  So much has happened since my last post and I’ve not been able to update because I’ve been out of school for a week.

I worked at the theater all week, including Thanksgiving.  It’s really not as bad as it sounds because we get paid time-and-a-half for working holidays.  I had thought the Thanksgiving crowd would be unbelievable, but it was the day after that poured in a little over 1100 customers to watch movies.  It is one of the perks of working at a theater next to a Wal-Mart.  I also predict we will be crowded after Christmas, as well, for shoppers who are returning and bargain shopping.

I stayed after work Wednesday to see The Mist.  It was one of the best horror movies I have ever seen, true to Stephen King’s vision for all of his stories.  The most frightening aspect of the story was not the creatures that live in the mist, but the behaviors of the people who are trapped together in the supermarket.  The same thing that disturbed me about Lord of the Flies, the steady breaking down of civilization when placed in a situation that is chaotic and in which rules are nonexistent or questioned.  Director Frank Darabont has always done a good job adapting King’s books to screenplay and this is no exception.  He does create his own ending, however, one that sent shivers down my spine and sent angry moviegoers out the door.

I also spent some time with my grandmother and ate oyster dressing for the first time.  It sounds icky, but it was oh-so-good.

We have much to be thankful for every day of our lives.  I made a promise to myself to thank God every day, as many times as I can.  I also made a promise to say “Thank you,” to others, especially those who least expect it.

I hope all of you had the opportunity to thank someone last week, and most of all the chance to do something for that person to show your gratitude.

Happy late Thanksgiving.

This is going to be a good day, although it will be hard to top yesterday.  It’s been a while since I put my feet in cool creek water.

Every day at the CWVWP Summer Institute, we have a scribe, someone who keeps note of the day’s festivities, writes an “article” about it, and posts in on the National Writing Project’s web site.  Today… that person… is me.

I’d like to think I’m pretty observant.  There is a quote from the movie “In the Land of Women” that makes me smile… because I can relate:

Carter Webb: I pride myself on being this great listener, but whenever I meet somebody new I find I’m doing all the talking.
Sarah Hardwicke: Maybe you’re not really such a great listener.
Carter Webb: Hmm?
Sarah Hardwicke: Maybe you’re not such a great listener.
Carter Webb: No that’s not it, I’m a great listener.

So, wish me luck today.  I’m hoping I can stay focused on what goes on and do the group justice by posting a good description of our day.

Oh, and I’m going to pick up my new glasses today.  I’ll get some of my writing from yesterday posted ASAP.

Man, I’m tired.  I worked from 6 to 12:30 last night.  After that, out of curiosity, I stayed to watch Hairspray.  My wife and daughters saw it yesterday and told me it was really good.

I agree.  It is about time Hollywood brought us a musical that was uplifting and not a downer.  Rent, although I’ve seen a video of the actual musical, was more of a downer on the big screen.  Chicago was great, but just so angry.  Hairspray was an uplifting, fun musical.  Stupid?  Yeah, in parts, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen a musical as fun as that.

More on this later.  I’ve got to run.  Going to get new glasses.

I stumbled onto a writing prompt that said, “Write about something you love that you are actually kind of embarrassed about.  Explain why you love it so much.”  I laughed out loud.  Since I am pretty much shameless, even my wife could answer this one for me.  Here goes:  I love the movie Stick-It.

The main character is recovering from her parents’ divorce, acting out, and eventually gets arrested for a BMX stunt gone wrong.  As punishment, her father and the court sends her to a gymnastics academy in Houston where she is forced to return to a gymnastics career that she had recently abandoned.  I was enjoying the film’s witty dialogue and fun characters, but I fell in love with it near the end when the main character is about to do her floor routine.  She has a short in-her-head monologue before her performance:

“There are things you wish for before big moments.  I wish my friends were here.  I wish my parents were different. I wish there was someone who got what was happening and could just look at me and tell me we weren’t crazy, that we weren’t being stupid.  Someone to say ‘I’m proud of you… and I got your back no matter what.’”

After this, her coach interrupts her before she begins the routine and tells her that he is so proud to be her coach.  I tear up almost every time I watch it.  Sorry, can’t help it.  Because I know that is what we all want, someone to tell us how proud they are, regardless of our mistakes, that they’re proud to be a part of our lives and they have our backs, no matter what.

There is another really great scene that I will post here.  This is an amazing part because it reminds me that kids like Haley, although rebellious on the surface, are always doing what’s right for others.  The greatest part is that her rebellion catches on.  As a teacher, I am careful to label my students who appear “bad”.  I honestly believe that a girl like Haley would make a great leader.

My last post with the successful video embedding gave me a great idea.  To help you guys get to know a little more about me, I’m going to post some clips from a few of my favorite movies.  Since YouTube is a little unpredictable, these videos will probably come and go, but let’s give it a shot anyway.

My favorite movie of all time:  Stand By Me.  This is the best part of the movie.  I nearly cry every time.  Beware, the clip does have some objectionable language (movie is rated R)

My second favorite movie, American Beauty.  This amazing scene made me cry in the theater, right in front of my wife.  She didn’t think it was all that touching, but at least it let her know I was a sensitive guy:

I’ll post some more later.  I don’t want to overwhelm you.