Diverse, I Am!

Qtr 1, Blog Post #3
_______________

In two articles recently published by Washington Post, the authors feature some creatures (...mammals and animals!  The nerd in me loves all the rhymes!).  These living beings, while common, swim and stand to their own unique color schemes (NOTE the alliteration!)

Tall and White.  According to an article entitled "Rare white giraffes spotted in Kenya" by Thomas Johnson, "White giraffes are rarely spotted in the wild, and the conservation group said it's aware of only two previous confirmed sightings — in Kenya and Tanzania."  I am so glad they did!  How beautiful...and odd-looking...they are!  Watching them in the video, I could only think that how perfect they look, yet how curious they look.  Through no choice of their own, they were created just to be white and unique.

Music and Ears. I, too, have an oddity in my life.  I play the piano yet have never had a "real" lesson in my life.  If I hear a song long enough, I can play it.  And weirder still?  The less I think about the song I am playing, the better the fingers play the song.  This gift I treasure and use this unique blessing only to bless others, playing the piano at church, for weddings, and for funerals, never accepting pay, for this talent I do not own.  I am simply the vessel through which the piano is played.

Surely, during this tumultuous time in our country and world, we should look around, find the unique and appreciate even more why each was created as he/she was, especially when endowed with gifts beyond our control.  Embrace and magnify the "oddities" to the betterment of ourselves and be a blessing to those with whom we have contact, always striving to make our current setting a better place.

Transcending Time

Qtr 1, Paragraph 2
Texts:  Sir Gawain... and "The Lady of Shalott"

Assignment:  Write a three-chunk paragraph supporting a trend that transcends time.
______________________________________

TS

Chunk 1:  Sir Gawain

Chunk 2:  "The Lady of Shalott"

Chunk 3:  FDR - Connection outside of the text

CS


When finished, complete the following:

• Highlight in yellow sentences 2, 5, 8
• Proof for use of No-No’s
• Underline two appositive phrases.

______________________________________

Potential Topics

• Leadership
• Relationships
• Mother Nature...and her support...or lack of
• Importance of Attire/Clothing
• Leaving Comfort Zones

______________________________________

Mrs. Gillmore's Sample!

Simply put, no matter the era, no one escapes the journey of life.

In Arthurian literature Sir Gawain, the proves true when...

Also, in "The Lady of Shalott," author Lord Alfred Tennyson continues this trend within his poem in 1831 when he writes, "

Transcending to modern times, my life reflects the concept of a journey as I reflect on the phases of my life.

Based on this evidence, cycles continue and bumps abound, yet the journey of life remains a constant.

Thinking...about Thinking

Qtr 1 - Post #2
____________

To think...or not to think: that is the question.

As a teacher, I say, "Yes!"  

As a student, I say, "What?!  Who has time for that?!"  

As a thinker, I say, "About time!"

In Business Insider's article entitled "I've Adopted a '2-Hour Rule'...," author Zat Rana asserts, "...in the field of education, there has been a lot of work done on the idea of reflective thinking since the 1980s, and it's something that is now seen as a critical component of being an effective teacher."  With this, I heartily agree, and in continued support of this belief,  I have now been blogging for nearly a decade, spending time thinking, writing, reflecting.  Not on just one blog, either!  I am a bit of a glutton, for I blog somewhat consistently on three personal blogs and with my students on our class blogs.  

Also, about twice a year, I pick up a notebook, dividing the pages into sections for each of the responsibilities in my life, adding notes even then, creating task lists.  I carry this notebook everywhere, to work, to church, to various events, adding to the pages notes, questions, even more lists.  Then, after a time, I leave the notebook in a stack, for the purpose has been served, resulting in my being able to think, resulting in my accomplishing more, resulting in more success.

Unfortunately...or in conclusion, I just do not know if enough will take this topic seriously, for the world we live is just so busy being busy that time does not allow for just thinking, for many would view this as doing nothing, as a "waste of time."  Yet...if this tactic were good enough for Newton and Darwin, then why not for Mrs. Gillmore...and for you?!

Hurricanes: T Not Needed

Qtr 1 - Post 1
___________

Thus far, hurricanes have slammed the good ol' United States...in a harsh, destructive manner.  First, Harvey...and then Irma.  In essence, this year has forced...not encouraged!...my learning more about this natural disaster.

According to National Geographic, new information for me about hurricanes included, "A hurricane's high winds are also destructive and may spawn tornadoes."  High winds, I knew, but tornadoes I had not, thinking that the winds would just be too strong.  Not so, for an seen in the picture to the right, tornadoes were quite prevalent during Hurricane Irma.

This year, a yet-to-be-formed tropical storm will be named Tammy.   No, thank you.  Just no!  Before Hurricane Irma arrived, student Irma and I chatted about this and decided that, while we would appreciate our names in the newspapers, this, no this, definitely would not be our claim to fame.  Hummm...Mother Nature did not listen to our chatter, for here came Hurricane Irma, leaving too much destruction, devastating all in her path.  She was just very nice.

In conclusion, hurricanes need to take a break, and those in the paths of Harvey and Irma need time to recover and rebuild, time to focus on the day-to-day needs of survival.  These people, America supports.  Yes.