This post will quickly get to the point. I am exhausted from the biased network commentaries about our nation's response to the devasting Hurricane Katrina. The bottom line is that we have no experience with a disaster of this magnitude and we are truly writing the handbook on response on a hourly basis. Meanwhile, let us continue our call for action.
All of us--individuals, families, villages, cities, states, our country, and other nations--need to respond and respond passionately to the need for assistance in the Gulf area. As I write, twelve motorcoaches requested by FEMA to move disaster victims should be arriving in Mississipi loaded with supplies from International Aid in Spring Lake.
Susan and Shelby just returned from a few hours of shopping this morning where they focused on the urgent needs: full size bars of soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, wash clothes, hand towels, small notepads, spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, and bottled water. They dropped of their items at the main office of International Aid at 17011 W. Hickory in Spring Lake where they are also accepting donations to help in the distribution of some 20,000 relief packs.
At times we have limited our viewing of the television network reports because the trauma is beyond belief. However, we just can't limit our response to heartfelt compassion and prayer. Will you join us in some form of action? Please respond to this great need. International Aid can be located on the web at http://internationalaid.gospelcom.net where you can even provide a secure online donation. Credit card donations may be made by calling the International Aid 24-hour donation line at 800-251-2502.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Thursday, June 02, 2005
LEST WE FORGET
We’ve known each other for decades and chatted on Sunday night before Memorial Day. I’m glad our church took the time to recognize this American holiday—few do these days. The multi-media presentation was a bit too real for Reggie, however. Since his 1965 stint in Viet Nam, the images replay in his head frequently and this experience quickly transported him back to the horrific scenes of war. The emotion was obvious. I put my arm on his shoulder and attempted to understand as he shared with me his vivid memories…lest we forget.
Recognized as Decoration Day in 1868, the holiday first honored patriots who died in the Civil War by decorating their graves. Its named changed to Memorial Day in 1882 and now honors soldiers who died in other wars as well. It wasn’t until 1971 that Memorial Day became a national holiday held on the last Monday in May…lest we forget.
Lloyd lives across the street. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and later assisted with the deployment of Minuteman missiles during those “cold war” years with the Soviet Union. He also assisted our country and contractors in the development of Saturn rocket technology. Lloyd remembers the paranoia of the sixties and seventies...lest we forget.
A few weeks ago our family viewed the stories of everyday Americans in “The Perilous Flight: America’s World War II in Color.” This presentation is an intimate account of people who lived this thirteen-year experience. The website [http://www.pbs.org/perilousfight/] which accompanies this documentary is powerful media as well. The extensive timeline of the war itself is worth exploring the site that dramatically shares stories of everyday Americans. I was certainly impressed with how this PBS special provided a graphic connection to the past…lest we forget.
The rapt attention of my social studies students as they watched the “Military Salute” presentation on Tuesday following Memorial Day was obvious. Maybe they weren’t aware of the effort it takes to maintain our freedom; or that an estimated 1800 veterans die every day. Maybe the precise rows of graves at Arlington National Cemetery left an impression; and that we now face a shortage of “hallowed ground” for those who served in the armed forces. No matter, I think they discovered the reality of Memorial Day…lest we forget.
Recognized as Decoration Day in 1868, the holiday first honored patriots who died in the Civil War by decorating their graves. Its named changed to Memorial Day in 1882 and now honors soldiers who died in other wars as well. It wasn’t until 1971 that Memorial Day became a national holiday held on the last Monday in May…lest we forget.
Lloyd lives across the street. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and later assisted with the deployment of Minuteman missiles during those “cold war” years with the Soviet Union. He also assisted our country and contractors in the development of Saturn rocket technology. Lloyd remembers the paranoia of the sixties and seventies...lest we forget.
A few weeks ago our family viewed the stories of everyday Americans in “The Perilous Flight: America’s World War II in Color.” This presentation is an intimate account of people who lived this thirteen-year experience. The website [http://www.pbs.org/perilousfight/] which accompanies this documentary is powerful media as well. The extensive timeline of the war itself is worth exploring the site that dramatically shares stories of everyday Americans. I was certainly impressed with how this PBS special provided a graphic connection to the past…lest we forget.
The rapt attention of my social studies students as they watched the “Military Salute” presentation on Tuesday following Memorial Day was obvious. Maybe they weren’t aware of the effort it takes to maintain our freedom; or that an estimated 1800 veterans die every day. Maybe the precise rows of graves at Arlington National Cemetery left an impression; and that we now face a shortage of “hallowed ground” for those who served in the armed forces. No matter, I think they discovered the reality of Memorial Day…lest we forget.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
SHARING ADVENTURE
My hibernation from writing seems embarrassing. It’s not for lack of material, however. Life these past several months seemed more like warp drive, if you accept such a fictional literary device, thrusting one faster than the speed of light. However, even a starship is not able to sustain such propulsion using infinite amounts of energy. Fortunately, mine is no solo excursion.
I recently perused a magazine story in Time about parental involvement in schools. It seemed to represent a wide range of thought about the effectiveness of parents partnering with education, the scope of which is shared by many of my friends and colleagues. I must admit that my experience as a teacher provides a strong testimony of the importance of parental involvement within a community of learners.
Not surprisingly, theatrical arts have a way of building a strong sense of cross-generational community. My class has been working furiously to prepare for the opening of our class play, The Hobbit. Roles were cast months ago and students were expected to be “off book” after spring vacation. Student engagement in this project is amazing.
In play productions, students have the opportunity to develop fluency and further enhance comprehension of what they are reading through dramatic interpretation; and the obvious impact of drama on speaking and listening skills almost goes without mentioning.
In addition, we have integrated a powerful cross-curricular project into several writing assignments and even mathematics. I offer no apology for the access my students have experienced to the benefits of theatrical arts.
That access has also included expertise shared by an outstanding team of adults. Parents, grandparents, and siblings have contributed as set craftsmen and artists, technical engineers, costume designers, fund raising experts, and more. From the crew of men who initially constructed the set to dads who have been building custom props and moms baking cookies and sewing costumes, the dedication is truly amazing.
Countdown to curtain is now days. A full house is reserved for three of the four performances and less than 40 seats remain for the fourth. The story we share is fictional but the experience is most real and memorable. Thank you to my students and all of you who have made this journey as remarkable as the adventure experienced by our hobbit friend, Bilbo Baggins.
Link to THE HOBBIT
I recently perused a magazine story in Time about parental involvement in schools. It seemed to represent a wide range of thought about the effectiveness of parents partnering with education, the scope of which is shared by many of my friends and colleagues. I must admit that my experience as a teacher provides a strong testimony of the importance of parental involvement within a community of learners.
Not surprisingly, theatrical arts have a way of building a strong sense of cross-generational community. My class has been working furiously to prepare for the opening of our class play, The Hobbit. Roles were cast months ago and students were expected to be “off book” after spring vacation. Student engagement in this project is amazing.
In play productions, students have the opportunity to develop fluency and further enhance comprehension of what they are reading through dramatic interpretation; and the obvious impact of drama on speaking and listening skills almost goes without mentioning.
In addition, we have integrated a powerful cross-curricular project into several writing assignments and even mathematics. I offer no apology for the access my students have experienced to the benefits of theatrical arts.
That access has also included expertise shared by an outstanding team of adults. Parents, grandparents, and siblings have contributed as set craftsmen and artists, technical engineers, costume designers, fund raising experts, and more. From the crew of men who initially constructed the set to dads who have been building custom props and moms baking cookies and sewing costumes, the dedication is truly amazing.
Countdown to curtain is now days. A full house is reserved for three of the four performances and less than 40 seats remain for the fourth. The story we share is fictional but the experience is most real and memorable. Thank you to my students and all of you who have made this journey as remarkable as the adventure experienced by our hobbit friend, Bilbo Baggins.
Link to THE HOBBIT
Sunday, January 09, 2005
DELAYED GRATIFICATION
I was looking forward to heading north for a few days. I just finished wrestling with the integral code of a small web site as I began my weekend. It’s the final punch list on projects like this that can thrust your design into a mode of frustration. Finally, I approached closure on the extracurricular project.
I then discovered that my son was expected to create a PowerPoint presentation by Monday morning for his high school biology class. After I called his teacher for further clarification, I wondered when the last time she actually created such a presentation on the epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis of botulism. Good grief! So, I provided a framework for Jeff’s research and after four hours and a 10-minute break, he developed an awesome multimedia project. Meanwhile, I had multi-tasked my morning away.
Embarking on a weekend retreat was now considerably delayed and sans son. I finally headed north to the cabin on Saturday afternoon leaving Jeff behind to complete another project for his American History class. Is there life outside of high school these days? Has this homework thing gotten a bit out of hand? More teachers should get their life back and embrace Mark Twain’s maxim: “Never let school get in the way of your education." Teachers, please reference this link.
I frequent the River Stop Café in Newaygo and often enjoy a light meal and good coffee enroute to the cabin. Some of the home-grown entertainment at the café is worthy of credit as well. The same ensemble of ladies that perform on weekends at the River Stop have recently appeared at the Porto Bello on Wednesday evenings in Grand Haven. Genetics go a long way in creating musical success for this talented mother and her two daughters.
Since I was already across the street from Powers Outdoors, I decided to take advantage of their sale and my remaining Christmas gift money to buy a new winter coat. Clothing technology has developed extensively from the days of gas-powered parkas. I’m not sure what those devices looked like, but I enjoyed Garrison Keillor’s humorous reference to them during the Saturday night radio broadcast of Prairie Home Companion. It seemed to confirm my pleasure with the apparel upgrade I just made from Greg.
I switched on the four-wheel drive as I plowed my way through the snow at the cabin entrance. The journey had been a bit tangled, but I was there. I unloaded the truck, turned up the heat, and enjoyed a few hours of reading and relaxation. A few eggs and pancakes later in the evening were a fine prelude to a good night’s rest.
I then discovered that my son was expected to create a PowerPoint presentation by Monday morning for his high school biology class. After I called his teacher for further clarification, I wondered when the last time she actually created such a presentation on the epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis of botulism. Good grief! So, I provided a framework for Jeff’s research and after four hours and a 10-minute break, he developed an awesome multimedia project. Meanwhile, I had multi-tasked my morning away.
Embarking on a weekend retreat was now considerably delayed and sans son. I finally headed north to the cabin on Saturday afternoon leaving Jeff behind to complete another project for his American History class. Is there life outside of high school these days? Has this homework thing gotten a bit out of hand? More teachers should get their life back and embrace Mark Twain’s maxim: “Never let school get in the way of your education." Teachers, please reference this link.
I frequent the River Stop Café in Newaygo and often enjoy a light meal and good coffee enroute to the cabin. Some of the home-grown entertainment at the café is worthy of credit as well. The same ensemble of ladies that perform on weekends at the River Stop have recently appeared at the Porto Bello on Wednesday evenings in Grand Haven. Genetics go a long way in creating musical success for this talented mother and her two daughters.
Since I was already across the street from Powers Outdoors, I decided to take advantage of their sale and my remaining Christmas gift money to buy a new winter coat. Clothing technology has developed extensively from the days of gas-powered parkas. I’m not sure what those devices looked like, but I enjoyed Garrison Keillor’s humorous reference to them during the Saturday night radio broadcast of Prairie Home Companion. It seemed to confirm my pleasure with the apparel upgrade I just made from Greg.
I switched on the four-wheel drive as I plowed my way through the snow at the cabin entrance. The journey had been a bit tangled, but I was there. I unloaded the truck, turned up the heat, and enjoyed a few hours of reading and relaxation. A few eggs and pancakes later in the evening were a fine prelude to a good night’s rest.
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