bethdarby, August 1, 2002 at 8:30:00 PM CEST

Reflection 8/1

I'm with you Doug and am also enjoying class a lot. As a matter of fact... everyone seems to be to me. I thought the responses to Martha's Demo were all fantastic! I'm including my "Untitled Poem" from today's class activity:

This is a poem to my future students Whose faces are yet mystery to me Whose dreams sit behind the eyes That will stare back at me on the first day of class.

Whatever it is you want to to know You must teach yourselves. Whatever it is you want to know You must teach me. Whatever it is you want to know We can learn together.

I am a student too Bringing ideas into this classroom Just as you bring yours.

Look around... what do you see? What is all this? A composition of matter and dreams. Why are we here? Let's teach each other.

(In retrospect, I think I'm going to name my untitled poem.... I'm thinking "Composition Class")

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dougtriplett, August 1, 2002 at 7:22:10 PM CEST

Wondering and Blogging

I am enjoying class a lot. Things are coming together quite well. I feel that we are going to be getting some very good projects. I feel that the changes the members of the class are going through are great. I can see that everyone is feeling more comfortable with their writing.

I heard Bethanna say Martha today that she had always enjoyed to write but not to share. She sadi that it wasn't a big deal now. I think that that is an opinion that has been growing. I think that positive affirmation in the writing is one of the best things we can do to encourage sharing of writing.

I am wondering about something Karen said yesterday. She said that she felt that our group of 2nd timers was probably the only group that had truly bonded. I wonder what the reason for this could be. One reason might be that Beth and I worked together last year in response groups. I think this took away some of the "get to know how the other persons write" problems. We both had a feel of the style and ability of the other.

After much lake of intellectual patience I think that everyone's SA projects are starting to fall together. I figure that people complaining about them is bothering you Karen. However, I think that some of this is just grumbling and not truly a dislike of the project. Take heart that you are creating a social change in the people here by deliberatly inducing frustration (a good thing) in their notions of teaching.

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bethdarby, August 1, 2002 at 4:43:48 AM CEST

Reflection 7/31/02

 I’m thinking about the reaction to “social action” in class today.  I thought Karen’s 2 voice poem was a great response which acknowledged the tension (and hope she’ll post a copy).  I’m wondering, if there is room on the board… or if there are any of those big huge sheets of paper around, if starting a “social action” list might be helpful as a sort of visual reminder about what it is we’re talking about.  I’m thinking of Jeanette comments linking  “social action” to the super institutions which her sociological training has led her to believe are immovable.  And… I told her in the hallway that I think my societal pessimism is linked to the same sociological perspective of the world.  Religions, governments, businesses, marriages, etc. reinterpret the rules of their respective games… but tend to go to the same roots, the same texts, and make those fit the current situation.

Change is slow and incremental because it isn’t like they’re throwing out the old texts and rewriting brand new scenarios. We’re building on top of crumbled civilizations, cities on top of cities. Yesterday’s toppled domes are today’s foundations. And… I see where this leads to frustration with subjects of fairness, justice, equity, etc. It is like events repeat as much as the change. It is like a pendulum swing more than progress.
I’m rambling I think… back to the list. Social action is listening to students. Social action is encouraging students. Social action is creating a space where learning can take place. Social action is giving even when you can’t see the results. Social action is finding a positive focus, planning how that focus will be carried out, working to carry it out and returning to it when negative feelings take hold. Social action is being willing to get feedback from students and revising your plan according to their needs. Social action is discussing your classroom concerns with colleagues who are a source of ideas, solutions, and encouragement.
Social action is being consistent. Social action is modeling. Social action is researching teaching. Social action is supporting each other in Writing Project. Social action is respecting others points of view.

Would a list like this posted somewhere in the classroom help us focus? Maybe a list that everyone could add to and look to if they get stuck in a Writing prompt.

Conversational note: After class today, Tonda asked me to consider collaborating with her on a 2 voice poem about the pledge/flag. Isn’t that neat?

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