A Wednesday : Mandatory independence, Naaman, early literacy, Golden Shovel poetry, Speech Sounds, musical theater, Filmmaking 101 lectures.
Immediately
He came wondering up, holding sheets of paper, an old workbook, a fistful of pencils.
Morning buddy! I said. Whatcha got?
He looked at me, battling down a grin: Do I have to do homework now?
Well, I said, glancing at the clock, it’s not even 7am yet, so…no? No, you don’t have to do any schoolwork yet.
He furrowed his brows and somehow pulled off both a frown and a grin: Why? He said? Why do I not have to do homework now?
Do you want to do homework now? I asked kindly.
Do I have to? He asked, glaring.
I began segueing into mean mode. Well…I said…it is almost 7 o’clock. So yes. Yes, you do have to do homework now.
His glare deepened. Oh-KAY! And stomped off unhappily, to angrily do homework before breakfast. Don’t underestimate the stress of being three years old.
Bible
We read and talked about the story of Naaman, and how dark so many of these stories are. The Bible is just a Masterclass on storytelling. Here’s the synopsis:
Naaman, Syrian general, has leprosy. It’s suggested he see the Israeli prophet Elisha, who can heal him. He goes with great riches and is prepared to whatever he has to do…except Elisha won’t even see him. He has his servant tell Naaman to go dip seven times in the Jordan. Naaman is angry at this snub and stupid idea, so storms off.
His aides suggest it might be worth trying, so he angrily does. Voila, he’s healed. Happy, he returns and tries to pay Elisha. The prophet refuses. End of story? No. Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, follows Naaman later and tells him that actually…Elisha would like some of that reward. Not for him, of course. Elisha confronts his servant upon return and orders him cursed with leprosy as a result of defying the prophet - and God. Happy ending for Naaman, bleak one for Gehazi.
Oh, and the by the way, the leprosy curse would carry on to his descendants. Dark.
My questions / conversation starters
Naaman’ s servant/slave girl suggested he go see Elisha. Consider the repercussions or consequences of even suggesting this, considering the power differential and the potential for things to go downhill.
Consider the political ramifications of Naaman asking for help from an enemy nation (Syria versus Israel), and the mindset behind what might happen if you can’t help.
Can you blame Gehazi?
So…does Naaman ever find out that Elisha really didn’t take a dime for helping?
What was the net effect on relations between Syria and Israel?
Literacy, BOB books 4-6
I practiced reading with our five-year old, using our trusty 2007 BOB learning series. When I say I practiced with the five-year old, what I mean is that our 3-year old is in there every page of the way.
Why is it important for him to learn to read? Here’s the thing: I resonate deeply with the Finnish approach to reading, which is to not put stress on kids early on to learn reading. If they’re not ready, don’t push them. Wait until age 7 to start the formal process, something like that. That’s my understanding from years ago, which may not be up to date now. There’s a great deal of pressure and focus on getting kids reading early and fast, and I have mixed feelings about it.
On the one hand, I really don’t care if they read at five or read at nine, as long as at some point they fall in love with words, language, books, and reading.
On the other hand, I know our children. I know this child, this five-year old. I know the value of pushing the right amount. That’s not to say I always do a good job of recognizing what the right amount is. But I believe in not accepting I don’t want to as an acceptable answer, end of discussion, for a lot of things. I know this boy, and - like his older siblings - his thirst for learning, his curiosity about so much, and his desire to connect and share with others his knowledge in different areas. Reading independently will be a significant milestone in this journey. When he does learn, I know, without doubt, the feeling of confidence and accomplishment he will have in himself and his ability to assertively and even more independently learn.
Trying to find the right balance.
Independence
I understand how easily this may read as a self-congratulatory pat on the back, and maybe it is my main motivation for writing what I’m about to write. It’s this:
Teaching students and children how to think and learn independently, with critical thought, creativity, and imagination, and committed attention, is completely worth it in terms of The Long Game. The Long Game being the belief that something will pay off over time.
In the short term, it’s really, really difficult sometimes. Especially when you want to be needed or necessary, and you’re sure they can benefit from you in some way. Then you see what they’re doing, you read the papers they’re writing and the projects they’re putting together and the analyses they’re coming up with on their own, and you find a sense of a gratitude in their competence and creativity…
…and a gratefulness for the times when they still want to run things by, or ask for help. The thing I’m still learning is how to be helpful, how to guide, and how and when step in. Especially when there’s four different ages (3, 5, 12, 15).
Math
I worked with our 7th grader on scales and proportion.
Poetry
We read and discussed Terrance Hayes’ 2010 The Golden Shovel, which was inspired and created from a deconstruction of Gwendolyn Brooks’ 1959 We Real Cool.
A golden shovel is a poetic form in which the last word of each line forms a second, pre-existing poem (or section thereof), to which the poet is paying homage. (Source: Wikipedia)
Short stories : Speech Sounds
We read together Octavia Butler’s 1983 Hugo-winning short story Speech Sounds. It’s future Los Angeles, post-pandemic. Humanity has lost the ability to communicate. A woman makes her way through the city, and forges a connection with a man in uniform. But reality is brutal. Is there room for hope or a future?
It’s not a feel-good, all-ages tale brimming with hope. It earns its moments. I may have self-censored a few sentences as I read aloud, simply from the sense - right or wrong - that when it comes to certain and specific articulations of sex or violence, I don’t feel the need to dwell or focus on them. Now…I may be setting myself up for a good talking-to here. If someone made or wrote or created something, what right do I have to add to, to delete, to modify?
And the short answer is right now, is that I reserve that right, in the pursuit of greater truths and discussions, because I am a) a parent, b) a teacher, and c) active and engaged participant in the creative process as both producer and consumer. In molding a framework for a conversation around this story, I felt it would not detract, particularly for a 12-year old, to omit a few sentences; in this case dealing with a brief sexual encounter. The encounter itself is important to the story. The specific actions taken are less so, in my opinion.
So there’s a conversation-starter.
Picture books
Jon Klassen is funny. Not cute-funny. Funny-funny. Read his trio of hat books:
This Is Not My Hat, I Want My Hat Back, and We Found a Hat.
A great example of how effective an artist and author can be by setting simple parameters, keeping things simple, and staying on point with a story.
More picture books
We also read Munro Leaf’s 1939 classic The Story of Ferdinand. I was moved, really moved. I will be writing a separate post about why I love this tale of a bull who liked his solitary existence.
Music and theater
Take a giant tub of costumes and accessories. Dump on the living floor.
Add children.
Crank up the volume and let a kid DJ.
Watch the magic twirl and unfold to Annie, Lanessa Long, and Imagine Dragons.
Film 101 for 5th graders
After Becca returned, I raced out the door, drove 45 minutes, and talked to a group of 10-12 year olds about filmmaking and video. I’d like to think I made a deep impact.
I think maybe that’s what we all think at some point about whatever it is we do. Convince ourselves we’ve made an impact.
Maybe the truth is somewhere between No Impact and Massive Impact.
I’d like to think it’s at least a click or two above the former.
