Born to Learn

 "Adolescence is not a problem; it's an opportunity."


Take some time for Born to Learn

Rethinking yesterday's post

After finding out some disheartening news this morning, I realized that my recent ramblings about the amount of work I have to complete before the culmination of the school year is just plain selfish. I was told this morning that my former student, who is now in 11th grade, has been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer. His sister is currently in my class, and we spent some time talking about the situation. She said that she feels like the whole world is on her shoulders. This is a big statement coming from her because she is a student who radiates confidence, but on the inside is very reflective. Things have literally changed overnight for her, her brother, and their mother. She explained to me that her brother is scared regarding his upcoming radiation and chemotherapy treatment. I stood there and listened intently as my heart and eyes teared up. I understand some of the emotions and confusion that this young girl is feeling; my mother is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. However, I am at a loss for understanding how my former student feels as he is about to take on the biggest challenge of his life, or how his thirteen year old sister feels as her mind seems to wander off into the frightening abyss of the unknown. Unable to grasp their mother's feelings, I can only empathize with her; a single-parent who just last week was concerned with motivating her kids to complete their homework has now shifted her focus on the health of her son and being able to give the right attention to her daughter at the same time.

Today was another reminder for me that my small struggles are exactly that. Small. Get it done, quit brooding, and spend time on things that truly matter. Make today your best day.

Missing: Motivation

If I could buy some motivation, I'd be willing to pay a pretty hefty price. It is amazing, in a not-so-amazing way, how unmotivated I've been feeling over the past couple of weeks. My motivation tank is on "E" and there aren't any refueling stations to be found! Seriously.

We have two more weeks of school left before summer break officially starts, yet I still have so much to do. Having loads of work to accomplish isn't so good if you've misplaced your motivation. My desk looks like a hurricane blew through and FEMA is still nowhere to be found. I still have student papers to read, provide feedback, and grade before the quarter wraps up next week. My students' attention spans are shorter than my one-year old daughter's, so my patience meter has just about reached negative numbers; however, I must keep my cool and send my students off gleaming with positivity!

With summer quickly approaching, one would assume that a teacher's amount of work would subside, but that is a myth. I'll be heading to a different school in August, so my brain and heart are in conflict with one another. My brain says to start focusing on my next adventure, which means that I should be looking at curriculum maps, syllabi, and lessons I need to rework in order to make a smooth transition into my new team. My heart wants to hold on to the current school year my current students because I am already beginning to miss them terribly. I wish my brain and heart would desire the same thing, so they could work in collaboration with my body to: 1) Finish grades and report card comments; 2) Clean, purge, and pack up all that needs to go with me; and 3) Enjoy my final two weeks with the students I love at the school that will always have a place in my heart.

So, whoever is in charge of motivation out there in our big ol' universe, could you please send some my way? Hmm... why do I always have some motivation on reserve for blogging???

A love letter

Dear Summer,

I long for your immediate arrival. My students are driving me crazy, and I am eager to send them on their way. I can't stop reminiscing about your warm rays wrapped around my air-conditioned classroom freezing body, while your encouraging waves tickle my toes as I sit upon the heated sand, inhaling your fresh air. 

Looking at old photographs from last year's adventures with you makes me misty and homesick. Our bond is so special, we don't even have to travel anywhere; we can just stay home and enjoy one another's company for two and a half amazing months! Yes, I know that everything cannot be perfect, and I will still have to complete some work and plan for the upcoming Fall, but oh my, I do not mind working if I know that you will remain beside me, outside of my four-walled cave. 

We can do so many things together! I can see us shedding our pale skin together and embracing the UV rays as we catch up on our book stacks and read for pleasure. We can create new lesson plans together, ones that will tackle the old ones and bring joy to my students. We can articulate with the new middle school team I will be working with in the Fall, and overwhelm myself with fresh ideas and creative people. 

I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about you! It seems you are so close, yet so far away. When will you hurry my way? The hubby and daughter impatiently await your return as well. Please do not stay away any longer. My heart, brain, and sanity are lost without you.

Yours truly,

(Exhausted) Seventh grade Teacher

The Outsiders

The final class novel of the school year is S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. My 7th graders anticipate this novel all year because they hear from the current 8th graders that it is an amazing book. My students get a kick out of knowing that their parents either read this book in school or saw the movie. I really enjoy reading this novel with my students because they find so much relevance to their own lives and the peer relationships that they are building. Although the story takes place in the sixties, the students are not put off by it and in fact, they gain interest in the decade. Because the students enjoy reading the book, they are very keen on picking up the various themes, characterization, and conflicts that exist within the plot. I wonder if this classic will ever be considered as outdated or unimportant to the American Canon of Literature... Or is it already outdated and we should be looking for new titles that focus on similar themes, but in more recent times? What do you think?

Indifference

Indifference was her name, I heard
and she couldn't
have cared
less.
Unconcerned for
what is
best.
No one saw her
pain and
stress.

Maurice Sendak

As I was browsing the news this morning, something immediately caught my eye. It was the announcement that children's author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak had passed away. Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are was definitely one of my favorite stories to read growing up, and one that I will read with my daughter as she grows up. Some critics felt that the story was too dark for young children, but I remember never being scared of the oversized "monsters" in Max's world because they took this young boy on an amazing journey that I too, wanted to be a part of. One thing I will always remember from reading the story was learning the word, supper. Growing up in Hawaii, there is no "supper," only dinner time, and I clearly remember my mom explaining to me what supper was. 

HarpersCollins, 1962

Scholastic Records, c. 1981

I have to admit though, there were two other Maurice Sendak stories that I loved even more. Chicken Soup With Rice: A Book of Months and Pierre. These two were daily reads for me. My parents even bought the 7" vinyl record with book set, so I could listen and read along to the clever words and catchy tunes. (music by the amazing Carole King!)

"In May I truly think it best

To be a robin lightly dressed

Concocting soup inside my nest

Mix it once, mix it twice

Mix that chicken soup

with rice!"

 Maurice Sendak's imaginative stories helped me foster a love for reading as I grew older. Good night, Mr. Sendak! Sweet dreams.