One Response to Hate

To all future teachers:

“Hate.”

I was doing homework one day, when I overheard a troubling conversation. The word “hate” was being tossed around like it had no significance. Accompanying this word were once like: “lazy,” “useless,” “welfare,” and “dirty.” This conversation was being belted out like the speakers wanted the world to here. Well, it grabbed my attention, and I listened. Sure enough, among the insults, a subject eventually arose: Natives.

“I hate them and I always will.”

It wasn’t the harsh verbal act of racism alone that bothered me; it was the fact that I was in a room full of future teachers, and one day this person is going to have a classroom of their own.

As a future teacher myself, I know that we are bound to face a classroom full of diversity; with children of all backgrounds. We have to approach every student believing that they are individuals full of potential, and having the same ability to succeed. We need to have expanded worldviews that praise and welcome all identities. And most importantly, we have to work against racism.

Teachers have to realize that as political figures, everything they say or do affects the children. They teach more than just subject areas; they teach acceptance. If a teacher has negative views or holds stereotypes towards a certain culture, and believes they are inferior in any way, it will show through in their teaching. This of course, effects student learning. Even if a teacher does not make racist comments, but turns a blind eye and lets acts of racism happen in he classroom, they are contributors. Teachers are large influences on the lives of children, and if they do not counteract racism, who will?

Racism also contributes to drop-out and crime rates, as well as making them resistant to learn. Students to not want to function in a classroom where they do not feel comfortable and accepted for who they are.

Guess what?

You, as a future teacher, are responsible for the education of the future generations, and need to be able to provide the best opportunities for all students. This involves kindness, understanding, and inclusion, not stereotypes, racism, discrimination…

Or “hate.”

To the people belting out hate words for the world to hear: I have listened, and I’m responding. I obviously can’t tell anyone how to think or act, or what to believe, but if you can’t conform to the necessary essentials of being a teacher, I suggest you rethink your faculty.

                                                       I am from farm machinery

And ice cream sandwiches

From Grandma Darcia’s deepfreeze.

I am from sunsets and push lawnmowers,

Baby kitties and abandoned bird nests.

From hard work,

And “if you want a car, get a job!”

I am from campfires, and Ukrainian traditions,

From tools clanging in the garage,

From coyote howls, and mud puddles.

I am from pretend and straw bales,

Video cameras, and ideas,

From books, cattails, wood slivers,

Old hats from the basement,

And from the sound of gravel crunching beneath my feet.

I’m from the creek that runs

From one end of the universe to the other,

Cold cereal, and gooseberries

(“Why do you like those things anyway; they’re sour!”)

And from, “No, Lindsay, I don’t want to hear the poem you just wrote.”

I’m from quad and snowmobile,

Tomboy and pellet guns,

Shiney rocks, and being forced to wear this stupid blouse,

And ugly green birthstone.

I am from watermelon and burning barrels,

Being excited to go to Yorkton,

From toy tractors, and moats in wet sand,

From having my own room,

And you get your first fishing rod what your five.

I’m from trying cigarettes on the playground,

Wind, trees, and yellow school buses,

From exploring old buildings and hockey games,

And “I’ll give you two bits to hill potatoes.”

I’m from earthworms, tadpoles, salamanders,

Games of Hide’N’Seek at midnight,

From making forts and being the leader,

And being smart; sweetheart; and trying my best.

I am from learning to express myself

Differently than everyone else,

From feelings, rainbows, memories

(The good and the bad),

From a place where imagination lives

And growing up happens.

That’s where I’m from.

When it comes to putting words on paper, “be yourself…above all, let who you are, what you are, and what you believe shine through in every sentence you write, and every piece you finish.”  -Jake.

Blogging strongly contributes to the creative writing process; that’s why I love it.   Because of this, I got a relevent idea from one of my classes, which is about teaching English Language Arts and creative writing.  It is called a Writing Workshop.  It was started by a lady named Nancy Atwell, who primarily taught English in the middle grades. 

Many children do not write beyond the walls of the school, and many of the writing they do in schools is not creative writing that exists just for the enjoyment of writing.  The Writing Workshop is a structured program that focuses on writing process and development.  Students first create their own ‘Writing Portfolio’ and decorated it in any way they wish.  There are three compartments: Record Keeping, Works in Progress, and Finished Pieces. 

The Workshop begins every day with ‘Status of the Class.’  It is like a form of attendance-taking; however, when your name is called, you tell the teacher where you are at in your writing process/status.  An example of this is saying “Memoir: second draft,” or “currently changing topics”.  Or if you need teacher attention, you say “Teacher conference,” and the teacher knows to come to you later for help. 

After Status of the Class, is the ‘Mini-Lesson.’  This is where the teacher would tackle reoccurring issues in the students’ work.  An example of this would be the differences between ‘then,’ and ‘than,’ or comma splices, or apostrophes. 

Next is 40 to 50 minutes of actual writing time.  The students can work at their own pace; they can edit whatever piece of writing they happen to be working on.  They start a piece by making a web, then however many drafts it takes until it is polished.  This is also when teacher or student conferencing happens. 

Finally, the last stage is the Group Share.  Everyone gathers in a circle, and people have the option of sharing a piece of their work, or asking for help.  When someone shares their work, the TAG system is used.  ‘T’ is Tell what you like,  ‘A’ is Ask questions, and ‘G’ is Give suggestions.   

Current temperature +1 degrees; feels like -2with the east windchill of 11 km/hour.  It is partly cloudy, and looking for a low of -6 tonight.  And for the long range forcast, Friday: high of +2, variably cloudy; Saturday +3, wet flurries; Sunday 0.”

How do I know all this???  No, I did not watch the news.  But what I did use was the new computer-related tools on The Weather Network website.  Its true.  Many of you may already know about these tools, but if you haven’t, you may find them handy.  I am a person who has to check the weather every morning. I started doing it online, since I am usually on the computer anyway.  One day, as I was surfing the current temperatures, I came across the Weather Eye.  (I call it my Weather Buddy, because…well…I’m just strange.)  You can download it, and it sits at the bottom of your toolbar, and lets you know the forcast in your particular area, and is updated almost hourly.  It is so handy, all I have to do is look at my toolbar to find out the temperature, and click on it to get the details, the high-lows, and the long-range forcasts.  This is useful for me, because it ensures I stay on top of the weather anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

The next weather-related tool is the Facebook Application.  You can add it and access the weather in your community on your Facebook Profile, and people can view yours as well.  I added this and felt it was necessary to send my friends a message saying, “It is currently three degrees.”  You can also access the weather via text-messaging; however, I have not tried this yet because I think I’m connected enough to the weather right now.

Finally, you can embed the current weather into your blog!  Pay attention because this is COOL!  You can choose different background colors, you can choose more than on city and area.  I have included some of my favourite spots: my local golf course, and my favourite park. 

 I have been a Big Sister of Regina now for almost a year.  It is a rewarding experience and often takes lots of time and dedication.  Here is a little about what I do as a Big Sister:

Becoming one:  I had to contact the agency and set up an interview. It is important to determine what it is about yourself and the qualities that you have, that would make you a good role model and a good Big Sister.  Next, I had to contact three references that would verify me as safe, reliable, and responsible.  They have to show that you are good with children, and honest, and are interested in making a difference.  You also have to show community involvement, and experiences you have with people in areas of social issues.  They want to make sure you can handle yourself in situations with resistent kids, kids with anger problems, and disobedience.  Once that is all done, I had another interview in which I had to talk about myself and my life, and references to it that make me understanding and able to overcome barriers and obstacles.  When matching children with Big Sisters, it is imporant to have someone that understands and knows how to deal effectively, and has positive effects on kids that are rebelling, dropping out of school, or are exerting inappropriate behaviour because of life issues. 

Next, I had to take a Child Safety Training Course, and I was on my way.  Since then, I have been matched with several girls that I have been spending time with.  I take them to events, organize outings, and attend talk-back sessions.  It is my job to have fun, while encouraging them and modelling good behavior.  I have become really close to them and am glad that they are part of my life.  I try my best to be there for them in hard times and to give them every opportunity in my power. 

Here are some of the events I have done:  I have done many Craft Nights, including memo boards, resolution boxes, dreamcatchers, picture frames, etc.   A have also organized a cookie decorating night and Kareokee night.  We have done an overnight stay at the Science Center, and have gone to Lazer Quest, and done a Spa Day.  The Craft Nights are my favourite because I get the most intereaction with the kids, on a low budget.  However, it does not matter what we do, because we have fun no matter what.  This is one of those things in my life that I can look back on and say that I am proud of myself. 

When it comes to diversity in the classroom, remember: 
“You wouldn’t judge a book but its cover, so never just a person by their color.”

 Click this link:          Teaching English as a Second Language