Everyone is busy learning about Asia!

These guys made wonderful Chinese Almond Cookies.

The Great Puzzle Race....

We used to do puzzles around here daily. The kids had one or two 5000 piece puzzles going at a time. Well, today we had some extra time on our hands and this group of young men had never been part of the puzzlers. My puzzle workers have now graduated going on to careers and college!

I gave these guys two sets of 100 piece jr big piece puzzles and was absolutely shock that even working in teams it took them over an hour to complete the two puzzles. Many times they wanted to give up. And as you can see they even lost 5 pieces to one of the puzzles during the process. Later the pieces were found on the floor under the table.

Puzzles are important. They help focus, concentration, organization, problem solving, memory, visual cues, etc...I can go on for days and days. So, until these guys can do a 100 piece jr. puzzle in 15-20 minutes, they will be doing puzzles at least three times a week!

Finishing Latin American Studies....

Random pictures from the Latin Dance Party. The kids made South American Foods, learn Salsa Dancing, made a pinata, and played traditional South American games.
A great time was had by all.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

Dec. 20, 2006

These seven essays on the Bridge of San Luis Rey were the best and most diverse that were turned in. The students are getting better and better at seeing and using literary tools. If you have never read this book, I strongly suggest it.

The theme of Live by Divine Purpose, Die by Divine Purpose or Live my accident, Die by accident is an important one.

Dec. 20, 2006

Brandon Hamilton

As in life, I found several types of love in the story The Bridge of San Luis Rey written by Thornton Wilder. Parent to child love was illustrated through the relationship of Dona Maria and her daughter, Dona Clara. This was a bad love because Dona Clara did not love her mother, but her mother loved her more than anything, even herself. Another bad family relationship was shown between Camila and her son Don Jamie. Camila did not know how to be a mother. The parent-child relationship between Camila and Uncle Pio was a good love because he loved her and took care of her. Physical love was shown between Camila and the Viceroy; and Camila and the Matador. Both of these relationships were only physical, Camila was interested in only what she could get from her lovers. She did not understand that true love is giving not always receiving. Uncle Pio and Camila’s relationship also demonstrated mentor to student love. This was a good one because she felt comfortable discussing her life with him. Camila knew in her heart that Uncle Pio was a good role model. There should have been a mentor to student relationship between Dona Maria and Pepita but there wasn’t because Dona Maria was too wrapped up in her own world and didn’t know Pepita was with her most of the time. Towards the end of their stories Pepita was Dona Maria’s mentor, when Pepita taught Dona Maria about real love and courage. Pepita’s real mentor was the Mother Superior. It was she who Pepita truly learned from and could talk to. Throughout the whole book, the love of Yahweh shines bright. It was Brother Juniper’s love of Yahweh, and his need to “prove” that love, that led him to investigate the lives of the five people who died when the San Luis Rey Bridge fell. The Abbess showed her love of Yahweh by dedicating her life to the needs of those less fortunate. Uncle Pio’s life was an earthly example of Yahweh’s total unconditional love of man. Dona Maria after being shown how to love by Pepita wrote her Corinthian letter, which showed Yahweh’s love regardless. After the tragedy, Camila joined the convent and became a true servant of Yahweh. Love is one of the most important aspects of human relationships. This story illustrated that Yahweh’s love is the source of all love. Man takes this love and expresses it in many simple and complex ways. Wilder has shown us different ways that people express love, both good and bad, it is up to us to learn how to love like Yahweh.

Dec. 20, 2006

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

These seven essays on the Bridge of San Luis Rey were the best and most diverse that were turned in. The students are getting better and better at seeing and using literary tools. If you have never read this book, I strongly suggest it. The theme of Live by Divine Purpose, Die by Divine Purpose or Live my accident, Die by accident is an important one.

Dec. 20, 2006

by Athena Rose

Esteban was twin to Manual. He and his brother grew up in an orphanage. They were tall, handsome and hard workers. These two were as one, no one really knew which was who. It was almost as if they were one person living in two bodies. Until one day Manual fell in love. This was when the two began to separate. Esteban and his brother kept to themselves most of the time. There were a few people who impacted Esteban's life. The Abbess raised the boys, influencing them in their writing, other skills, and teaching them the way of the Lord. After Manual died, Esteban went into a deep depression. He even tried many times to kill himself by doing dangerous rescues. When these attempts didn't work, Esteban attempted to hang himself. This is when Esteban was saved by Captain Alvarado. The Captain asked Esteban to come with him , to help on his ship, and busy the pain away. Esteban agreed, a couple days later, he died on the Bridge. Was Esteban's death an accident or a plan by the All Mighty? Esteban was starting over, but in what, a new life without his brother or a new life with God? In this story, Wilder expands our minds to think about the question, are we all an accident and just die by accident or are we all part of a plan and our death is planned out before it happens? I believe God created us to make choices. Our choices create our destiny. I also believe God is with us when we make our choices and hopefully His word influences the choices we make. While I don't believe life is a total accident, I don't believe God has it planned out in stone either. We are part of God's plan, making our choices with His guidance.

Dec. 20, 2006

by Austin Broadus

In the book we read , The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Dona Clara was the daughter of Dona Maria. When she grew up her mother worshiped her which really got on her nerves. She would take advantage of her mother's wealthiness and the way she felt made it easier to get it. When she got older she totally forgot about her mother and moved to Spain and got a very wealthy man. In the story Dona Maria kept sending countless letters to her daughter. She never read them though. Her husband kept them and they still survive today thanks to him. Before Dona Maria died she sent a final letter that showed something her daughter had never seen before. It showed true love, love that had never been felt by Dona Clara. She then gave her mothers money to the church and orphanage instead of donating it to science which she had previously planned. The whole book has to do religion versus science. The author used the characters to illustrate theme by showing that either by an act of god or an accident. People die and that can change people's perspective on life. If the collapse of the bridge was just a random event or those five people deserved to die, it still happened an they did die, and that combined combined with that last letter changed Dona Clara's view of her mother and her life.

Dec. 20, 2006

by Matthew Newsome

Mother Superior was a head nun at a convent. She was a feminist she believed women should be respected. Men in this society treated women like work animals not people. Mother superior also had an foster home in her church which there was a small girl she was very close to her. Mother Superior taught this little girl everything. Pepita was the little girl's name and she was basically a daughter to Mother Superior. When Donna Marie came to adopt Pepita Mother was worried for her because Donna Marie was crazy but she said it would be good to because she would get to see what it's like to live in the palace. Mother had an impact on Pepita because when she went to Donna's house she thought about what Mother said about always obeying your elders and this is when Pepita was left on the conner of the church when Donna went to the church to pray. She also had an effect on Donna Marie because Donna was always worried about someone else and never thought about herself and then she realize it was not worth worrying all the time about other people. The death's that effected mother Superior's life were Esteban, Pepita, and Donna Marie. Pepita had an effect on Mother was Pepita was like a daughter to Mother and she taught her everything and she was going to follow and take over Mother's job. Then she lost the twins and she felt like she was loosing hope because these two were like her children. Then Donna Marie died and she left all her money to the church. She felt better when she received the money and Camellia help her to feel a whole lot better about the future.

Dec. 20, 2006

by Josh Woodson

The reason Camellia was important in the story was because she was connected to all five people that died on the bridge. Camellia was connected to Uncle Pio because he was her mentor because she could not read or write so he had to teach her everything she knew about acting,sining and being a lady. She was connected to Don Jamie because that was her son. She would never cuddle him or anything else;she always had other people take care of him. The way Camellia was connected to Esteban was that his brother loved Camellia and he was a scribe at the theater where she worked. Camellia was connected to Dona Maria because she made fun of her in public,then had to go apologize to her in person. But after Camellia started to know Dona Maria Camellia wanted to be a lady just like Dona Maria. She knew Pepita because she visited Dona Maria. As a young women Camellia thought people only loved her because she was beautiful, after having small pox she thought she would never know any kind of love. Camellia changed after the bridge collapsed because she went into the convent. This made her finally be able to love. After six years of taking care of sick people the that were going to die she learned the difference between love and lust.

Dec. 20, 2006

by Taylor Sprowles

The book my literature group and I read was called The Bridge of San Luis Rey and the character I'm writing about is named Pepita. Pepita was an orphan girl. At about the age of twelve, she was very smart and could read very well. She was being raised in the convent. The Abbess was training her to take over. Before that could happen she had to spend time in the outside world with Dona Maria. She was Dona Maria's servant and also like a daughter. Pepita played a very important role in this great book because she showed Dona Maria the real meaning of true love. Because of a letter Pepita wrote to the Abbess. In the letter Pepita talked about how much she missed the convent, the sisters, and especially the Abbess. It was kind of a whining letter. When Dona Maria read it at first she thought it was beautiful, but Pepita explained it was not ?brave?. Dona Maria finally under stood that she was being selfish, because she wanted her daughter to feel sorry for her. Dona Maria noticed that she was giving people gifts and almost anything they wanted just so that they would like her more. The reason I believe she died on the Bridge of San Luis Rey is because she served her purpose in life by helping Dona Maria find the real meaning of love. Pepita also showed her to try and start her relationship over with her daughter Dona Clara. Pepita played her part in helping someone else and so, as she was crossing the bridge the accident we all know happened.

Dec. 20, 2006

by Gabe Wright

When Dona Maria was a little kid her mother wanted her to main stream with popular pretty girls. She was never really accepted, because she was a little awkward and never picked up on social cues. Her mother pushed her into these groups and wanted her to be something she was not. When she turned 20 she married a ruined nobleman. Dona Maria had a child, Dona Clara. Dona Clara didn't like listening to her mother. She thought that she was insignificant. Dona Clara left to go to Spain. Dona Maria wanted her daughter to love her so much that he sent her extravagant letters. These letters were so good that they were put into textbooks for school boys to study. Since Dona Maria was Marquesa de Montemayer she had much influence over many people. Her servant Pepita had a lot to do with Dona Maria. She made Dona Maria feel courage and independent. Pepita also made Dona Maria notice that she doesn't need to give people stuff to make them like her. Well of course she died from the fall of the bridge, but you could say she killed her old-self to make way for her rebirth. Her rebirth happened when she figured out that she needed to be more independent and live bravely in the true love of God. I believe when she fell from the bridge that it was time for her to go.

Heart Of Darkness

Sep. 29, 2006

Heart Of Darkness---Group Report

(this study group is all boys between the ages of 14-15) As a group we had mixed reactions to this book. A few thought it was boring because they didn't understand the language. A few thought it was complicated and layered with meanings making it very interesting. Some thought it just rambled too much to really make any sense. A the last group thought it was a very good example of how to use symbols to change how people think. Most agreed the theme of this novel was that greed and power can turn an empty soul black. To stand up to the temptations of power a persons needs to be grounded. They really need to know who they are and what they want out of life. The book illustrated that the slippery slope of control gets out of control very quickly. As a group we answered the question: “Why does Marlow travel mostly on the river?” The ideas discussed were that the Congo represented a main vein into the heart of the dark continent. Marlow was traveling on this vein physically while emotionally, traveling into Kurtz's dark heart. Another thought was that the river kept him safe and separate from the interior of Africa and the dark interior of men's souls. On the few occasions he did step foot on land all he found was dead wasteland or the wasteland of Kurtz's soul. The following are the individual essays on Heart of Darkness. Austin: In the story “Heart of Darkness” the author interpreted light and dark in many different ways. Light usually represents good, warmth and salvation, while dark represents evil, death, and despair. I personally find these connections racist, but I also think that was Conrad's point. White people being 'light' were representing 'gods' to the 'ignorant' 'dark' natives. Being dark the natives were worth less to the white men than the cheapest of animals. It is strange because I think the case was just the opposite, without the natives, the white men would not have had the ivory they so craved. Conrad showed how the white men with their 'hearts of darkness' were cruel, greedy, disloyal and mean. The natives were often kind, simple, loyal and self-restrained. The cannibals for example went hungry instead of killing the men on the ship. Marlow saw this as truly remarkable. These men were able to kill, were hungry, and yet choose loyalty instead of personal comfort or nourishment. Throughout the whole book Conrad plays with the readers traditional understanding of light and dark. Cody: Darkness has many definitions. In the beginning darkness is just a reference to Africa itself. Darkness refers to the dark skinned people and the dark jungles. The author doesn't stick with those meanings very long. Soon we figure out it is the hearts of the white men that are the blackest part of this continent. Kurtz is the most extreme example. His heart becomes completely black because of greed and lust. Then at the very end of the book Marlow chooses to leave Kurtz's fiancée in the dark. Her darkness is one of not knowing the truth. Unless you read the whole book you will not notice how the definition of darkness changes. The way Conrad changes and uses the word 'darkness' is one of the book's huge driving ideas. It also gives us clues into his believes and morals. Travis: In this novel darkness represents many things. Darkness represents ignorance. The ignorance of the white people, the ignorance of the natives, and the final ignorance of Kurtz's fiancée. It also represents Africa. It refers to the people and the jungles. Darkness represents greed and evil desires. And finally, darkness represents death. The death of Kurtz, the death of the innocence of the natives and even the death of Marlow's idealism. Brandon B.: Kurtz's dying words were “The horror! The horror!” I believe they expressed his torment he felt at the enormity of his actions. I believe he was facing God and trying to explain his choices. This must have seemed like torture. He realized that the way he had been treating other human beings was horrible. Making the natives believe he was a god so they would fulfill his lust for more ivory was just one of the evil things he did. He also made people crawl on their bellies while in his presence. Having to explain this to God would be more than horrible. I believe the reason Marlow was the only one to hear the last words was because he was more emotionally connected to Kurtz than anyone else. People kept telling Marlow he was like Kurtz. Both were young men who were given high prestige jobs without working their way up through the company. The other men were very jealous and resented both Kurtz and Marlow because the men thought the jobs should have gone them. The words could also have been a stern warning to Marlow, to make sure he didn't end up the same way. Josh: “The horror, the horror!” were Kurtz's last words. I think he said them because he was reliving his last few years in Africa. He was facing the real God and having to explain why he pretended to be a god. Not a good god at that, but a vicious, greedy and lustful god that was only interested in power and wealth. Marlow was the only person to hear these words because they were meant to touch him. He understood Kurtz better than anyone else. He had been chasing Kurtz's shadow all the way into the interior of the continent. By hearing how tormented Kurtz was on his death bed, he could avoid falling into the same traps. The continent could not change him, the way it had Kurtz. Brandon H: Marlow lied to Kurtz's fiancée because she thought Kurtz was the greatest man to ever have lived. Marlow didn't want to hurt her by telling her the truth. She seemed to be a light in the darkness. As she spoke about Kurtz her forehead and blond hair seemed to be the only light in the room. Since she was thinking about Kurtz in a good way her forehead lit up, but her heart was dark because she did not know the truth of his heart. In reality Kurtz was no better than the next man and actually worse than many. He lied, cheated, and abused power just to get more ivory. Ivory was the main money in this book. It was also equated with power. Kurtz went so far as to convince the natives he was a god to get more ivory. Marlow didn't want to tell all this to the young girl so he left her in a state of innocence. He let her believe Kurtz was a hero, maybe even her god. Gabe: Marlow lied to Kurtz's fiancée so that she would not be hurt by his true memory. She was oblivious to the facts that Kurtz abused his power and position. She had only the best of thoughts about him. Marlow was faced with two choices. He could tell the truth and put Kurtz's fiancée into a deeper depression. She would probably lose all grip on reality. Or he could lie to her and let her live in a functioning fantasy world. Either way she was going to be a lost soul. Marlow choose to lie because of the light illuminating her forehead as she spoke about Kurtz. The room darkened, making her seem even more innocent and about to be swallowed up. In Marlow's loyalty to Kurtz, Marlow could not see shattering her hero worship of her intended. We would only recommend this book if you easily follow stories that bounce around in time and place. It is not for those who like straight forward stories with easy plots. The reader has to work hard to follow the story and stay interested.

Lord of the Flies

Dec. 21, 2006

These are four of the final essays done on Lord of the Flies. Its themes of where do we really encounter the beast in our lives is still very relevant. I am extremely proud of these young men and how they continue to dig into the literature we are reading.

Dec. 21, 2006

New Ending by Cody Priddy Awoken by the shrill cries of the savages, Ralph realizes that he has to run. He picks himself up and takes off. He can recognize jack’s voice above everyone else’s, chanting, “Kill the enemy! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!” Ralph picks up his pace, his heart throbbing faster than ever before. He looks back and sees the group of maniacs. He realizes that this may be the end. He quickens his pace, his legs feeling almost disconnected. Then out from the sky lands Jack. They stare at each other, eyes linking, one full of terror, the other full of hate and the want for blood. “Jack, why are you doing this?” an out of breath Ralph questions. Jack chuckles, “You’re the enemy, Ralph. I have to kill the enemy.” A vile grin runs across his face. “I just want to get off this island, like everyone else!” “Who cares about getting off this glorious sanctuary? We have all we need and no bloody adults!” “Sanctuary!? SANCTUARY!? This place is. . .Hell!” “And that’s where you’re be going soon enough!” “Wha...just listen to yourself, you’re batty!” “Perhaps. But, I own this island now, and I’m never leaving!” “What’s the use with you? Just kill me, but you’ll rot on this island.” “Great.” Jack turns off his smile and runs toward Ralph. He stabs and kills him. Blood spurts into the air, and mixes with the clouds. It lands on Jack’s face with a satisfying splat. He licks it off his lips, smiles and walks off into the distance, blood dripping from his hand. One year, seven months and six days have gone by since Ralph’s murder. No more animals inhabit the land, except for the humans, of course. The fruit is gone and many people are ill. Jack’s a mess. By now he is realizing how right Ralph was. Suicide crosses his mind, but an old memory crosses his mind. “Kill me, but you’ll rot on this island.” “Great.” Jack created what the island is today and he cannot allow himself to escape from it, whether it be by ship or death. So Jack stayed and watched as many people died. Soon two years have passed and he is the only one left, not tainted by illness or death. He has eaten the corpses of others to survive. But eventually there is absolutely nothing left. He starved to death, never thinking to fish. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is what probably should have happened for a number of reasons. The kids should not have escaped their island, they should have rotted on what they created. Only Ralph should have been set free, since he had no part in ruining the island. So by dying, he actually won. While Jack lost as he watched all the people he had been with for years die. For a time he was this so-called “beast,” but near the end his sanity returned and he regretted many things. This made his end even worse.

Dec. 21, 2006

New Ending by Gabe Wright My ending picks up after Piggy died. Ralph was stabbed in his ribs. He felt horrible pain. The tip of Spear still stuck in his side. He fled All the boys laughing at him. They were victorious, this time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ralph looked back in agonizing pain, he had to sit down. He was at least a third of a mile away from Castle Rock. He leaned his back against a rotten log. Ralph looked at his wound, seeing that it was only a flesh wound, he grabbed the end of the spear and pulled it out. Blood oozed out and he felt the warm liquid across his stomach. He ripped what was left of his shirt and wrapped it over his gash. Ralph breathed in and out feeling his side burst with pain. He clenched his teeth. He laid back his head against the rotten log; and, breathed slowly outward. He eyes closed. Piggy flashed in his head. “Piggy didn’t deserve to die. Jack and Roger will pay!” he mumbled to himself. “It seems safe for now. Tonight I will strike,” he said with a smile. Raising his fist into the air, and then pulling it back from the pain caused by his wounds. “Piggy is dead and he died horribly. Roger killed Piggy. He had no right to do that,” Ralph thought to himself, “How could he do that?” Tears started to stream down his face. He leaned his head down, trying to hide his tears from the world. He felt a rain drop on his head. He looked up tear streaked. “I will avenge your unnecessary death!” he yelled. As his voiced echoed through the trees it seemed to reach the end of the world. He lifted his dirty head with blood red eyes and a grimacing smile, and said, “If they want savage, I’ll give it to them!” Jack looked at the overcast sky, it had been orange just a minute ago. It was as if someone had summoned these unforgiving clouds. He looked at the fire. The wind was blowing at the back of his head. And, he noticed how the fire flickered in the dimming sunlight. He didn’t care if it went out, he had Piggy’s specks. He had fire. Jack turned around and looked at Roger. “It’s going to rain. We will go and hunt tomorrow for Ralph,” said Jack with his red and white striped face. “Well, we will get him tomorrow for sure. We’ll smoke him out and we’ll scan the place so good that he’ll have nowhere to hide. But the storm...the storm is rolling in....What about the fire?” “What about it!” said Roger with a disturbed look on his face. Roger looked at the dark gray sky. He frowned thirsting for more blood. Ralph was there...Castle Rock. He was fidgeting with the spearhead in his hand. He smiled with vengeance oozing out of his teeth. He was ready but the time was not right. The fire was going and people were still looking out for him. Ralph would have to wait for it to rain. The smell of fresh salty rain was in the air. Ralph licked his lips with dissatisfaction they tasted like dirt and salt. Ralph waiting for the time to be right went to the left side of the camp and sat down. Looking at his wound, he smirked. The rain was close, he smelled it. He closed his eyes. Ten minutes later, Ralph raised his eyelids. He looked up, the rain was beating hard on his face. “Perfect!” he said with a very happy smile. “Now is the time to strike!” Ralph stood up with the spearhead clenched in his hand. The smell of smoke had diminished. He walked towards the rock. No one was patrolling the area where he had been waiting. The fire was out and he could sneak in. He went to the side of the rock were the fire was completely out. He knew that almost everyone was asleep inside, but a few were still patrolling the area closest to the fire. But, it was too dark to see them as more than just silhouettes. He sneaked closer, he is in the middle of the sleeping boys. I must strike quickly before anyone wakes up, he thought. Stepping over a boy who was squirming, he reached towards a boy who was sleeping comfortably. Ralph couldn’t see who it was but it didn’t matter, he put his knife to the boy’s neck. A centimeter away, he covered the boy’s mouth slowly. The boy yawned, his hot moist breath heating Ralph’s hand. Ralph smiles, pulls back his hand ready to strike, sweat dripping from anticipation. Ralph swooped the knife deep into the boy’s neck. Blood squirts out. Splats over his face. Ralph smiles. The boy opened his eyes in horrific terror. He tried to yell, but choked on his own blood. The only sound was a bloody gurgle. The boy’s eyes close and he stops breathing. Ralph took his hand from the silhouette who laid dead in front of him, looks around to see if anybody has awakened. Nope, they still lay sleeping. Ralph looks back at the body. It laid motionless. Ralph smiles. Crouched and stepping over the pool of blood, searching, seeking for his next victim, Ralph sees slight movement and moves into the shadows. Behind a rock, he hid and spied his next target. It was still too dark to see and he didn’t really care who it was. Ralph stepped carefully over sleeping bodies. Finally, he stood over the squirming body with the bloody spearhead in his hand. He reached for the throat of his target, moving ever so slowly, ever so carefully, ever so close. He had very little time so he must work fast. His sweat mixing with the blood of another. Placing his hand over the sleeping victim, Ralph’s heart was beating fast. He crept the knife close to the sleeping body, then swooped it across the boy’s neck. A gurgle spurted from his lips and blood streamed out. The boy fell silent and still. He was dead. “Sleep, your nightmare is over,” Ralph whispered. Looking for another, Ralph saw who he thought was Sam. This should make an impression and tell them that this is NOT a game! Ralph said inside his head. Reaching for his final victim, his hand is now covered in blood. Moving slowly, he crept over to the boy. His hand shaking from excitement. The blood dripping...drip, drip...a drop falls on the third victim’s face. Ralph stops and looks around. The boy sleeps on. Knowing he has little time left to strike, it is getting light, Ralph covers the boy’s mouth. His hand is wet from blood, the boy opens an eye. He screams at the figure looming over him. Ralph puts Spearhead right into the boy’s forehead. The blood sprays over Ralph and showers him in warmth. Jack stood up as did others and scanned the dark room. A few slept on, three would never wake up, again. Ralph looks up and sees the commotion, it is time he made his exit! As he is running out of the cave and into the forest, Jack is trying to wake everyone up. He screams, “Turn the fire back on!” His face damp from the dew, Jack takes a step and felt a warm puddle between his toes. Reaching down, he feels the goop. He steps outside into the dim light. Dark red. Must be blood. Looking back with startled eyes asks, “Whose blood is this?” The crowd of boys looks back into the cave. Three figures lay still. Ralph lies at the end of the beach, his heart throbbing and his side bleeding freely, again. Tearing more of his shirt off, he ties his wound once more. Lying on the beach watching the light coming from the horizon, he puts he head back and lets a tear drop fall down his check. There is the smell of smoke in his nostrils, the island is on fire! Ralph turns and faces the horrid flames. A shadow looms over him, turning he finds himself staring at a pair of kneecaps covered by socks. He looks up into the face of a bearded man. “Are you the only one?” he asks in a husky tone. “Yes!” “Well, get on the boat, we’re set’n’t sail.” Once on the ship, Ralph looks back at the blazing hell that he is finally leaving. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The reason that I wanted Ralph to go a little crazy was because I wanted to see his evil side. Throughout the story, Ralph battled to choose which side he was on. I made him go temporarily insane for two reasons. First, by giving into his “dark side” he survived. Yet, in surviving he turned into what he didn’t want to be. He became a changed man by leaving his Enemies on the island to live out what they had made. Second, I wanted Ralph to kill the three boys to show that even though he was trying to do the right thing, he went in the opposite direction. He succumbed to revenge and savagery. He realized that Piggy was his only true friend. Even though Piggy wasn’t rough and strong, he was an innocent, he didn’t hurt anyone, always trying to do the right thing. In my ending savageness beat out the proper way to live. I see it that Piggy was Ralph’s good conscience and that Jack sat on his other shoulder. In loosing Piggy, Ralph lost the part of him that made him reasonable and civilized.

Dec. 21, 2006

by Thomas Campbell The three main symbols were Piggy’s glasses, the conch shell, and the head of the pig. Piggy’s glasses represent technology because when Piggy wears them he speaks rationally, intelligently and scientifically. The conch shell represents democracy and everybody’s chance to speak. It gathers them together and brings structure to all the boys. It helps them choose the leader with less arguing. The pig’s head represents superstition and savagery. The superstition is that there is a beast and the savagery is that it would want a blood offering. Jack uses the pig’s head to excite the blood lust of the tribe. In this book there were many symbols knowing how to recognize the symbols will help you understand a book better. by Brandon Hamilton The conch is one of the most important things on the island. It symbolizes government, justice and society, instead of savageness. When the story first started Ralph and Piggy found the conch on the beach. Ralph blows it to assemble all the children on the island. Then they all vote on a chief, which ends up being Ralph. As chief, Ralph decides to use the conch so everyone has a chance to be heard by passing it around. Whoever has it is able to speak so everybody wasn’t talking all at once. Ralph also decides when he blows the conch everyone is to gather for a meeting. After a while, Jack stops listening to Ralph and starts his own tribe. The children that were Jack’s friends when the plane crashed were the first to join Jack’s tribe. Later, almost all of the kids joined Jack because they saw that his tribe had no rules. The only five that were left in Ralph’s tribe were Ralph, Piggy, Simon, Eric and Sam. Jack didn’t respect society, he also didn’t respect the person that was speaking with the conch because he talked when he didn’t have the conch, in fact, he really didn’t respect any of the children on the island. At the end of the story Piggy tried to use the conch to get everyone to calm down and act civilized. His valiant effort cost him his life because he could not see without his glasses, therefore, he did not see the rock coming straight for him. After Piggy’s death, the conch was destroyed; and, Jack’s tribe tried to kill Ralph, but was unsuccessful. Even though the conch represents well being it wasn’t fool proof. At first it worked, until Jack began to disobey the rules and do what he wanted. It is worst to be a savage then to be civilized. Society doesn’t easily accept or tolerate those who act wild and uncivilized. In this story Simon, Piggy and Ralph are the civilized ones while those who deserted to Jack’s tribe did so because they believed that savagery was just another fun game.

Every trip is a quest

Literary Tools
These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.
I. Every trip is a Quest (except when it's not)
1. quester
2. a stated place to go
3. a stated reason to go
4. challenges and trials along the way
5. the "real" reason for the trip (self knowledge)

I can think of very few novels or movies that do not revolve around a quest. There are obvious ones like Finding Nemo to less obvious ones like Oedipus Rex.

When deciding whether or not a story is a quest you can compare it to the old knights of the round table going in search of an object, but really discovering their need for humility and forgiveness. A quest can be successful if the character grows and matures by learning about themselves. A quest is only a failure if the self-knowledge is not found. The stated place and reason don't have to be met, but knowledge of self is critical to the success of the quest.

One of my favorite quest stories is Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. The main quester is Cole. He is given a choice between jail and a deserted island as his stated place to go. He chooses the island the first time because he thinks he can escape. He almost dies in the attempt, but still doesn't acquire the self knowledge needed to finish his quest. It takes him actually hovering on the brink of death in a comma, a lot of physical labor, and the spiritual discoveries about the need for forgiveness and the need for reconciliation before his quest reaches its successful conclusion.

Nice To Eat You (acts of vampires)

Literary Tools
These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.

1. Older character represents corrupt worn out values

2. Younger character represents a love for life, innocence and virginity

3. Older character strips away at that innocence, youth, vitality

4. Older character flourishes

5. Younger character is destroyed or dies

It was an eye opening revelation to realize there were vampire stories that had nothing to do with vampires. The book talks a lot about Daisy Miller being a classic vampire story, so I won't go over that one again. My favorite obvious one is The Snow Queen. One that is not so obvious is in Memoirs of a Geisha. Mother and actually the whole “system” are both vampires in the strictest classical sense. They get richer and more powerful as they use and sell the innocence of the girls. Another surprise vampire is Morgause in Mists of Avalon. She “feeds” on young men to keep herself strong, beautiful, and powerful.

Nice to eat you or with you!?!

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day. Today however, I am going to do two closely related tools.
II. Nice to eat with you (acts of Communion and even communion)

1. Breaking bread together is an act of peace

2. Eating together can show a consuming desire for each other

3. Eating together breaks down social barriers, because it reinforces our sameness

4. A failed meal shows a crack in a relationship, or foreshadows doom

Let's use Beauty and Beast as an example. Their first meal together is a total disaster showing us that neither one of them are as comfortable as they seem. However, as they continue live and to eat together they are breaking down the barriers that keep them apart. They are starting to see how they compliment each other. In the formal dinner scene it is very clear that they desire each other.

My favorite meal scene in a movie is in Home For the Holidays with Holly Hunter. No matter how hard they try, the meal (like the family relationships) never works out smoothly. My favorite meal in a book is in Secret Life Of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. They are having a feast for Ascension Day and everything is wonderful, even magical. It is Communion with the Holy Spirit completely.

Where have I seen her before?

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.

4. Where Have I Seen Her Before?

   1. No such thing as a completely original work of literature

   2. Awareness of similarity leads us forward into new meanings

   3. Familiarity brings multiple layers of meaning to a story....

I am going to save Shakespeare's characters and Bible character's for different posts. There are so many from those works they needed they each needed their own chapters. So, the next most common inspiration for authors are fairy tales and Aesop's Fables. Think about Heidi and Beauty and The Beast, could not Grandfather be The Beast and isn't Heidi, Belle..... Both stories are about innocence melting hardened hearts. A lot of coming of age novels can relate back to Pinocchio. Tom Sawyer, for example, has quite a few parallels to Pinocchio's story. One of the strangest connection I had a student make was between Hansel and Gretel and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Ford and Trillian are lost in a world they know very little about, all the while searching for clues to get back to a home they are not sure exists.

When in doubt it is from Shakespeare

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.

V When in doubt it is from Shakespeare

1. To thine own self be true

2. That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet

3. Get thee to a nunnery!

4. A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse...

5. All the world's a stage, all men and women merely players.....

It has been said that over 70% of modern Western Literature is based on Shakespeare and the Bible. Even teen and children's movies have turned to the bard for inspiration. The movie 10 Things I hate About You is a remake of The Taming of the Shrew. What teen love story is NOT a remake of Romeo and Juliet? And Disney's Lion King is just a very clever version of Hamlet.

Biblical References in Movies and Literature

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.

VI. Biblical references

1. gardens

2. serpents

3. plagues

4. floods

5. rainbows

6. parting waters

7. loaves and fishes

8. fish of all kind

9. forty days, seven days, three days

10. betrayal

11. denial

12. slavery and escape

13. fatted calves

14. milk and honey

15. miraculous healing

16. baptisms

While many movies and stories are pulled directly from the Bible, many just use symbols, places, or events to refer you back to the Bible for a deeper understanding. Also, the Bible is so integrated in our cultural awareness that many authors use it subconsciously. The movie Big Fish, really surprised me with how many Biblical references it used. The Matrix is also another movie is full of Biblical references from beginning to end. One of my older students surprised me with the author Chuck Palahniuk. Chuck is dealing with some very twisted characters and Biblical themes. It makes for an interesting, if disturbing, experience.

it is never "just the weather"

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.

5. Weather, it is more than just rain or snow.....

   1. Rain that causes floods remind us of Noah

   2. Rain “cleanses” characters

   3. Rain baptizes characters, removing their sins

   4. Rain washes away false ideas and illusions

   5. Rain restores and reminds us of spring and new life

   6. Rain (storms) often cause or foreshadow sickness or death

   7. Rain causes rainbows which remind us of God's promises

   8. Fog means characters are confused, or can't see clearly

   9. Snow is: clean, stark, severe, warm (like blanket), inhospitable, inviting, playful, suffocating, filthy as time passes, death, and nothingness

The weather outside often reflects the mood of a character. It can also give us clues to the actual condition of a relationship or community. The weather can foreshadow, reflect or be a reaction to huge upheavals or changes in the story or character. The storm as Pinocchio is tossed about in the cage reflects all the terror that is going on within his heart. I think the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou, uses every one of these literary weather tools! Action adventure movies use the rain a lot to baptize or rejuvenate characters. It is usually during a rain storm lovers finally understand one another because the false ideas have been washed away....

Violence is usually a metaphor

Literary Tools
These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.

VI Concerning Violence

1. Violence is usually a metaphor

2. It comes in two types: Character to Character or Sickness and Accidents

3. ALWAYS ASK: What does this type of misfortune represent thematically?; What famous death does it remind me of?; Why did the author choose this form of violence?

I often think violent movies and stories get “short changed” and dismissed because it is hard to look through the violence and understand the deeper message. In the movie Crash for example, I want to throw-up, cry, throw something at the screen or just scream when the officer molests the TV producer's wife. But that violence was chosen by the author for a reason. It has nothing to do with the sexual nature of the molestation. It stands for control, dominance, dehumanizing, demoralizing, and “putting this race” in their place. It tells us that the officer actually feels helpless or powerless, so he must do something so horrific that “proves” his dominance and authority. It also lets us see that the TV producer feels helpless, oppressed, and dominated. It is strange that her molestation has nothing to do with her at all, it is a power struggle being played out between the two men. The two men also represent the extremes of society so it also represents the universal struggle of one group of people who are afraid of loosing control and another group of people who don't know how to safely find their own voice.

Can you find the symbol?

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.

7. Is that a symbol?

   1. If you think you have found a symbol, ask yourself what it means to you. Then ask if that fits the story.

   2. Brainstorm and listen to your instincts.

I may come back later and make a list of common symbols, but since just about anything can be a symbol I wanted to avoid an actual “list.” A few obvious examples are doves reoccurring as The Holy Spirit, mirrors as reflections of our souls, water as a passage to deeper understanding or new birth and clocks representing time. Some trickier ones might be snakes that we want to say are bad, but can often mean wisdom or knowledge, mazes or labyrinths can mean confusion or deeper enlightenment, or cages and fences can be for protection or imprisonment.

Authors are sometimes aware of the symbols they use and sometimes they are completely unaware until the work is finished and others have pointed the symbols out to them. Something that may be a symbol to you, and gives the story more meaning because you understand it that way doesn't mean the next person will get it at all. Princess Bride, Brother's Grimm and even Napoleon Dynamite are three examples of this. You either seem to “get it” and all its symbols and layers of meaning or your don't.

Here is short list of stories and movies I think are especially full of symbols: Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Matrix, Big Fish, Scarlet Letter, The Good Earth, Mists of Avalon, and Moby Dick. What they all have in common is the fact that “what they are about” is very different then “what happens” in the story. To me that is the best use of symbols because they allow you to enjoy the work on so many different levels.

You know you might be seeing a Christ-like character if.....

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.

8. Christ figures: You know you might be seeing a Christ-like character if.....

   1. Crucified, wounds in hands and feet

   2. In agony

   3. Self-sacrificing

   4. Good with children

   5. Good with loaves and fishes

   6. Water and wine

   7. Employed as a carpenter

   8. Uses humble modes of transportation

   9. Walks on water (or appears to)

   10. Out stretched arms

   11. Time alone in a wilderness

   12. Tempted by the devil

   13. Friends with “unsavory” characters

   14. Speak in parables

   15. Buried and rose again

   16. Very forgiving

   17. Had/Has disciples

   18. Redeems the unworthy

Some obvious Christ like characters are Beowulf, August in Secret Life of Bees, and King Arthur in most of the legends. Beowulf is willing to sacrifice himself for people he doesn't even know. He is tempted, resists and redeems or saves the people. Add all these together and you get a very strong Christ like character. Next I picked August, because not all Christ like characters are male. She is a strong example of a female Christ. She takes in anyone in need. She feeds huge groups of people. She often speaks in parables. She is forgiving and forgiving and forgiving! She points the way to God. She leads people into better lives. Then we have Arthur, he was written to be a Christ like savior to rally around. Depending on which version of the legend you read he goes through just about everyone of these “Christ-like” traits!

Flights of Fancy

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.

9. Flights of Fancy

   1. Flight means freedom

   2. Characters in flight mean: superhero, crazy, fictional (within the reality of the story) or an angel

A great example of this is in A Wrinkle In Time, when Meg flies she is being freed from her earthly constraints. She is free to let go of all the fears and stereotypes that have been holding her back. Sometimes flight is literal, like Superman, sometimes it is a metaphor, like Meg, and sometimes it is so obvious we over look it.

Characters on planes are in flight for a reason much deeper than getting from point A to point B. Authors choose modes of transportation to gives us insight into the character or hints about something the character is supposed to be learning. Characters that fly, are usually freer or are freeing themselves, from something the rest of the characters still need to deal with. Many times it isn't until after the flight the characters even realize they are working on freeing themselves. Flight has much more to do with the heart than the head. My favorite movie that uses flight symbolically is Always.

location, location, location......

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.

Geography Matters
1. low areas refer to mental depression, confusion, despair, death or the underworld
2. high areas usually refer to clear headed, inspiration, understanding, “seeing clearly”or purity
3. high areas can refer to isolation, fears, loneliness, or impending death
4. overcrowded cities usually refer to death, stagnated life, can't breathe, unpleasantness, mindlessness, or drone like behavior
5. farms and ranches usually refer to free thinkers, rebels, toughness, independence, or ability to breathe

This is one of the easiest of the literary tools because it is such a part of our general vocabulary. For example we say, “We're down in the dumps” or “We've had a mountain top experience” and most people know exactly what we mean. Going back to the story of Heidi, we see the purity of being on the mountain and the corruption of being in the low city. In fairy tales innocent virgins are put in high towers, while evil queens have their lairs in the dungeon.

Utopias are almost always found “in the country.” Examples I can think of are The Village, Lost Horizon, Swiss Family Robinson and Peter Pan. Whereas “living hells” are very crowded, noisy and usually dirty. A few examples, Minority Report, Crash, The Good Earth (fits both categories), 1984 and Brave New World. Then you have the authors who flip our perceptions around like in Lord of the Flies, Logan's Run, and Wizard of Oz.

Sensational Seasons....

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.

Seasons Matter

1. Winter- death, dying, loneliness, no growth

2. Spring- new life, new possibilities, youth, joy, awakened

3. Summer- full bloom, full of promise, young adulthood, “perfection”

4. Fall- middle age, wisdom, experience, slowness of time, “beauty in the defects”

These I think are easier to understand if you live in a climate that has four separate and distinct seasons. There is a beauty and rhythm to the year that helps put lives in perspective. It is the same for characters. Authors choose for certain things to be revealed during certain seasons for a reason. It adds to the message that is between the lines. The things your supposed to understand without being told.

Think about it in romance novels affairs rarely happen in the middle of winter, but almost always begin in Spring or early Summer. And as we will get to later an affair is not about the sex, but about what the main character is feeling and learning about themselves. In fairytales the prince rarely shows up in the dead of Winter, but a witch often does. There is a reason, so when the author takes time to set up which season of the year it is, ask yourself why....

A few of my favorite novels that use seasons as critical parts of the theme are Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, The Snow Queen, Anne of Green Gables, Touching Spirit Bear and Mists of Avalon. A few movies that come to mind are Snow White, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Serendipity, The Sound of Music and Jacob the Liar.

Marked for Greatness!

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.
I am going to try and cover a different tool each day.

Marked For Greatness

1. Physical shape tells a lot about the inner character

2. In Shakespeare and most fairytales, ugly means bad, evil character

3. In Greek stories scars show atonement for past sins

4. In modern stories scars show wisdom gained by experience, set a character apart from normal, and create 'a mysterious history' to be unraveled

5. Deformities and scars usually point to a theme the author wants you to see clearly

A few examples of scarred villains in modern films are Scar from The Lion King, Scarface from Scarface, Crater Face from Grease, Freddy from the Nightmare movies and the list could keep going. Since a movie has a very short time to get you to see who is 'good' and who is 'bad' it uses the visual clue of scars or deformities all the time.

Soldiers, cowboys and cops with scars are usually seen as extra capable or brave. Survivors with scars, slaves, concentration camps, abused relationships, or serious accidents seem to immediately get our trust and compassion. However, we are wary of characters with birth defects, tattoos, or burns.

My favorite marked character is Hester from Scarlet Letter. Her A, marks her, but it also becomes part of her. It allows her to know herself, to be one in mind, body and souls. This self-knowledge is very important in her development of into a mature woman. Without the self-knowledge she would have remained a 'child' or puppet of others.

Blindness matters!

Literary Tools

These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.

1. When a character can't see the physical world it means that they can see much more than most about the deeper meaning of life.

2. Often blind characters see into the future or spirit world.

3. Not only are people blind, but a house without windows is blind, an alley can be blind, a horse can wear blinders, and the author may have a character with 'blind' speculation.

All of these “mean” something to the theme of the story. The author is pointing you down the 'right path' if you can 'see' and pick up on these clues. Oedipus blinds himself at the end of the story so that he can see. He went through his whole life running away from his destiny that he could SEE that he had fulfilled it. Often as characters grow older and wiser they loose their physical sense of sight.

In stories with a Seer, the seer is blind because sight gets in the way of really seeing. In most stories with blind characters, the blindness is rarely a handicap. I can think of The Village, Miracle Worker, The Cay, Into The Dark, and one of my favorite poem/stories Knots on a Counting Rope where the blind character is not just capable, but the hero of the story. Leading those who can see to a better understanding of themselves and the world around them.

And More Clues...

Illness
1. Illness gives clues to the character of the person who is sick
2. Illness also give clues to what a character is experiencing, for example:
1. Malaria means gossip, either subject of or participating in
2. Plagues are God's judgments
3. TB and AIDS are wasting away diseases, and show the characters are wasting away or have been forgotten by society
4. STD's and mental illness often go together
5. Paralysis of the body often means the character is or was paralyzed mentally or spiritually before

Rent is the first story I can think of where the character Angel has AIDS and it is directly related to her/him being thrown away by society. Unfortunately, sickness and sin are often mixed together in literature and society. Some authors like Toni Morrison also talk about humans being sick because the world they live in is broken. So, when you see a sick character, look inside them and look at the world they live in. Something caused the illness and what ever it was points to the theme of the story.

Heart disease and Illness are clues.....

Literary Tools
These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.

Heart Disease
1. Bad love life
2. Loneliness
3. Cruelty
4. Pedophile
5. Disloyalty
6. Cowardice
7. Lack of determination
8. Character is wrong or making bad choices

To me one of the most obvious cases of heart disease being a major clue to the character's psyche is, Mr. Dimmesdale in Scarlet Letter. He is a coward, disloyal to his vows and Hester, and his body is punishing him for what he won't confess. Or the Grinch, who had to overcome his heart problems to find love.

When characters are shot, stabbed or staked through the heart it is often seen as the only way to kill them. With brave characters it is because of their strength and loyalty we would really believe anything else. Evil characters have hearts of stone, or are cold hearted, so they need to have that part of them destroyed so that they can die.

I think heart disease is easier to use in literature than in movies. You will often see it used with parents who need to make things right before they die, or men who won't express their feelings. I have also seen the idea flipped around and a child born with a heart that was too big, gives new life and love to the family before they die.

Irony trumps everything!

Literary Tools
These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.

Irony
1.Irony: difference between what you expect to happen & what actually happens
2.Irony can be: comic, tragic, wry, or perplexing
3.Irony trumps everything else when trying to find a theme or meaning


One of my favorite movies that is all about irony is Raising Arizona. Nothing you expect to happen happens and most of the symbols that we have come to rely on are thrown out the door. For example a law abiding police officer stealing a child, but being furious at her husband for stealing the diapers. I just saw the movie Something's Gotta Give and it was also full of irony. It takes the traditional romantic comedy and turns it on its ear. The lead doesn't end up with the cute young leading lady, but the mature self assured independent woman.

My favorite ironic play is the one mentioned in the book, Waiting for Godot. Heroes with a journey and a clear path that they refuse to take confuses us until we figure out the irony of the situation. In My Fair Lady, Mr Higgins may not see the irony in his situation, but we do. He created a lady, then was upset when she actually acted like one.

If She Comes Up, Its A Baptism!

Literary Tools
These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.

Literary Baptisms

1. Baptisms can take place in any amount of water
a. A sink
b. A river
c. A rain storm
d. An ocean
e. The examples go on and on

2. A baptism is a rebirth, sometimes very spiritual, sometimes not so spiritual—often a character is “dunked” three times within the story before the totally transformation happens.

3. A baptism can exorcise fears

4. It is almost always a outer ward sign of an inner transformation—the character is usually more aware of God working in their life after a baptism.

5. It is a heart beat away from a drowning…drowning comes with its own set of symbols, but they are like the flip side of a baptism

a. Drowning implies guilt that can’t be washed away
b. Desires that can never come true
c. Change that just can’t quite happen
d. Misunderstandings that can’t be solved
e. Unbearable pain



Birth stories and Baptisms seem to always go hand in hand because a baptism is a spiritual birth. The soul is reborn fresh and new. Some of the most powerful baptism/birth scenes for me take place in my favorite movies….Matrix, Big Fish, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, and even in comedies like Splash.

The first books I think of are, Song of Solomon, The Mists of Avalon, and Touching Spirit Bear. These books are very important to me as well as showing how baptism can really show an inner change in the character. The characters are fundamentally different after their experience.

It's all political!!!

Aug. 13, 2006

Literary Tools
These ideas are inspired by How To Read Literature Like A Professor.

It seems quite funny that this time I am posting about the Political Chapter when I have been involved in more political discussions this week than usual.

It's All Political
1. Knowing the social climate and a few political details helps you understand the author's point of view.
2. A 'political work' that is so specific to its time and place, is often boring and carries no meaning for modern readers.
3. A writing that engages the reality of its world, usually carries a universal quality that modern readers can find compelling and engaging.
4. Politically minded people could make every novel political, by saying every work either is part of the social problems or part of the solution to social problems.
5. The best writers, tell a political story that leads the reader on a journey where at the end of it the reader then realizes the message.
6. Some of the best political storytellers: Sophocles, Dickens, Poe, Irving, Ibsen, Shaw, Morrison.....


In books my favorite Political novels are A Christmas Carol, Alice and Wonderland, A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist and The Scarlet Pimpernel. In plays I love Les Miserables, A Dolls House, and Cabaret. In movies my favorites are Gattaca, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, and Stand and Deliver.

RGRC's Purpose

Friday, June 24, 2005

The Ross Griffin Resource Center’s purpose is to work in partnership with the individual learner and his or her family to enrich academics and develop these seven skills: This group of skills comes from “How to Raise a Self-Reliant Child in a Self-Indulgent World.”

1) Perceptions of personal capabilities-- capable of facing problems and learning through challenges and experiences

A few of the practical ways we do these are: 1000-5000 piece puzzles, student lead group projects, conflict resolution with role playing, reading and studying classical literature together. We help student plan and follow through with projects that interest and challenge them, mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually.

2) Perceptions of personal significance-- capable of contributing in meaningful ways and believing that life has meaning and purpose

This perception is fostered when individuals are given tasks and responsibilities that benefit the whole group. At the center many students are asked to tutor other students, this is meaningful and they truly understand that. The students also help with daily “chores” that make life easier for everyone. Because they contribute they feel ownership of the program.

3) Perceptions of personal influence over life-- capacity to understand that one's actions and choices influence one's life and hold one accountable

This perception is easy to squash in a young person if your not very careful. Actions must have logical consequences, good and bad. Young people need to understand their choices affect their lives and the lives of those around them. Here at RGRC we encourage making choices, because then students gain wisdom. When they develop wisdom they make even better choices. Good literature and movies that are truly discussed can help us learn a little less painfully the consequences of harmful choices.

4) Intrapersonal skills-- capacity to manage emotions through self-assessment, self-control, and self-discipline

All people need to be able to do honest self-assessments so that they can continue to work to be all they were created to be… it is a lifelong process. Here at RGRC we regular sit down with students to evaluate skills, interests and passions for the purpose of self-assessment. You have to be able to identify your weakness so that you can work on them. Learning and applying a strong work ethic is critical for young people. As teachers and parents we cannot make them do anything, we can make their lives miserable if we choose because we don’t like their choices, but admitting that they have control of themselves is necessary and difficult. Once we acknowledge that to them and to ourselves—they usually become more cooperative because they have nothing left to prove. Then they -not us- become responsible for that behavior as well.

5) Interpersonal skills-- capacities necessary to deal effectively with others through communication, cooperation, negotiation, sharing, empathizing, and listening

I wish I had a penny for every time I have asked a young person –“Do you know that you are being rude?” Or “Did you know you had other choices of behavior?” While sometimes they admit that the behavior might be rude, they honestly did not have another behavior in their bag of skill to choose from. So “let’s talk about what else you could have done”; seems to be so much a part of my speech that the kids would love to have a penny for every time I say it!

6) Systemic skills-- capacity for responding to the limits, consequences, and interrelatedness of human and natural systems with responsibility, adaptability, flexibility, and integrity.

Students, Mentors, and Parents of RGRC get to work on this skill. Since we all work together to become better human beings the interrelatedness shows up often for good and bad. For things to work in a less structured environment everyone must do their part or the day doesn’t run as smoothly as it should. Students learn that they can either help or hurt the day with their choice of behavior. The rewards for keeping their integrity and being adaptable are not just a great academic day, but they also develop a sense of leadership responsibility to the community. They feel great about the fact they “held it together” when other were just “goofing off.”

7) Judgment skills-- capacity for making decisions and choices that reflect moral and ethical principles, wisdom, and values.
Here at RGRC we role play this over and over and over so that when our students are faced with making decisions they have not only the ability, but also the confidence and practice. Classical literature also plays a big role in learning judgment skills. Students have access to 5000 plus years of human wisdom, ethics and values at their fingertips. They have learned through Hector, Hercules, Moses, Jesus, Caesar, Arthur, Joan, and so many more to stand up for what is right for the good of all –even if it means pain for you. They know that it is their responsibility to leave the world a better place than they found it.

teacher vs. mentor

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Since I said I was the antithesis of a teacher I think I need to explain the differences I see between teachers and mentors. Before I do though I want to make it clear that mentors are found everywhere –in schools, in homeschools, at work, in the community, at church etc. Teachers are found everywhere too!

How is a mentor different from a teacher?

A teacher often tells you important information.

A mentor provides the opportunity for you to discover the information.

For example: Teachers spend much of their time in the classroom giving lectures while the students take notes. Mentors give students thought provoking questions and books then wait patiently while the students discover and discuss what they have learned.

A teacher tells you to read a book; then tests you on your retention of the facts.

A mentor reads a book with you; then discusses how that book changed you both.

For example: Both the mentor and teacher might assign Iliad as the next classic to tackle. The teacher would then give a true/false, multiple guess, maybe even short answer or essay questions that ask you about the hero, the plot, the time period, the character tension and the climax. Then assign you a grade on the Iliad, so you can promptly forget you ever read it.

The mentor would read the Iliad with you discussing all these things as they came up, but your “test” on the Iliad would be a written reflection on which character made better decisions and why, or which character are you most like and why, or pretend to be a war correspondent covering the Trojan War. After you turn in this written work the mentor would discuss its strong point points and its weak points with you. Then you would go back and rework your paper, you would repeat this process until the paper is the best it could possibly be. You and your mentor would often refer back to this work as you tackle your future assignments.

A teacher imparts the same information to each student equally.

A mentor observes each student and makes suggestions based on their individual needs, passions, or skill levels.

For example: In a conveyor belt system of education, all 6yr olds must cover a,b,c and then 7 yr olds cover d,e,f and so on and so with topics repeating every two to three years. Teachers are locked into the pages they must cover and the requirements they must reach in each grade or subject.

In a leadership education, there is room for individuality. One 6yr old can be learning to read, while another one is already reading independently. One 14 yr old can be spending all their time studying science and the lives of great scientists, while another is studying history and culture through the humanities. Both will be emulating important people who changed our world for the better.

A teacher understands his/her job to be that of educating.

A mentor understands his/her job to be that of inspiring the students to educate themselves.

For example: Teachers often think of students as empty buckets to be filled, but mentors often think of students as brightly growing gardens that just need a little tending. A bucket can never fill itself, but a flower garden will grow even if left alone. The full bucket’s purpose is to be dumped some day. A garden’s job is to create beauty and seeds for new gardens. With just a little care the garden and the gardener can create something together that is enjoyed by many generations.