another pencil to sharpen...

As I put down the grade marking pen today, I think, what would my children think if they knew exactly what their teacher thought of them. I am so thankful that technology has not gotten to the point where my thoughts can be read. Would you be so surprised to find that your mouthy 7th grade daughter is so thoughtful and insightful and kind today - to a struggling special ed student? I see students' inherent kindness. I hear that skater kid complement another. Little acts of compassion - from students that will inherit our world. What happens to make them such cynical adults? From my side of the desk, I see them smile, struggle, and learn. It is my life's work - and I love it!
Each day/week a window into this world will be opened. Enjoy.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Beep Beep Beep....odd how that sounds just like when my dryer is ready.

That beep beep reminds me of the film "October Sky."  Where young high school chemistry and physics students take it up on themselves to build a rocket after watching the Sputnik satellite fly over.  The risks taken in the movie by the young protagonists would get them arrested today!  Branded a terrorist, or evaluated for mental issues!
I believe that we have changed as a nation so much in the last 50 years.  We have become a technological giant but we also have raised 2 generations of children that do not know where their food comes from, haven't climbed a tree, or really don't "play" outside anymore.  Our obesity rate amongst children is sky high (overly processed everything on the grocery store shelves.)  There is even a movement to learn how to "slow cook!"
    We as Americans have become soft (hence the note about my dryer).  In the summer I dry my clothes on the line,  I have actually had neighbors ask me if my dryer was broken!  What?  No! I want my clothes to smell fresh - the reply? "You can get that from Downy!"
   I think of movies such as WALL-E and it is frightening just how real that scenario could be!
   Our next sputnik should be a push to return to the basics.  Playing outside, discovery, turning off the tech when not at work....turning on the outside world....tuning in to the world around us.  Our next sputnik should be to care for our planet.  Clean it, preserve it. enjoy it.
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1 comment:

  1. mtelemacqueNovember 13, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Barbara,

    While other countries look to move ahead in the race to advance technologically, we at home worry about what sports our children will play profesionally, what more expensive car we will drive, and why our neighbor is not using her dryer like most "normal" people. Well I say bully for you! I grew up with my clothes being hung out to dry and found that I much prefer that method to the dryer with downy sheets any day. I would revert to that method if my HOA would allow it.

    If we need to find a motivating rallying point for our young people to strive for it may be to push them towards finding a solution for the energy woes that we face. Maybe the dream of the American youth should not be to play in the NFL or NBA but to develop the first renewable energy source to power vehicles.

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