Thursday, 31 January 2013

Practicum in a Nutshell


Housekeeping: I started a Tumblr! Apparently Tumblr was so 2009 according to one of my friends, but it gives me a place where I can just dump the hundreds of pictures that I have on my computer, so it works well for me. Plus it's on my life list to have a site that I update daily. I started January 1st and I will be adding (at least) one picture everyday, guaranteed. Check it out at www.inpauseinpoise.tumblr.com.
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As most of you know I spent my last semester in my practicum teaching Gr. 3 students. It took up a lot of my time and was pretty exhausting, but also just really awesome. I got so lucky to have an incredibly positive experience where I learnt so much. I learnt that beatboxing is an incredibly effective classroom management technique, that the ‘Beaver Crawl’ works as a suitable reward incentive, and that, if you’re going to do a lesson on building your house upon the rock, you should not try and bring in the largest rock in your neighbourhood as a demonstration. My TA was relatable and insightful, the school staff was ridiculously welcoming (despite mocking me for bringing Alphagetti in a can to work on a daily basis), and the experience as a whole was really stretching. I taught a lesson in every different subject and discovered a new passion for Science, was reminded of why I love English, and maintained my general lackluster attitude towards Math. Oops. I was able to present some of my favourite camp songs to the entire student body and even got to debut my acting career in the school’s Christmas production. The production went great until I came on and realized that I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what to do with my face. Amongst thoughts of remembering my next line all I could think about was: Is this how my lips normally look? Am I smiling too much? Maybe if I open my eyes wide enough people will be able to tell how into this I am. NO NOT THAT WIDE you just look creepy. Stop twitching your eyebrows frick I hope nobody can see that my ears are shaking WHY ARE MY EARS SHAKING?? (and on and on and on). Acting is not my strong suit.

BUT as any unintentionally cheesy and sincere teacher will tell you, the best part of the job is the kids. I loved working with children mostly because:


Ready for a barrage of heart-warming anecdotal quotes? Move over, Chicken Soup, you’ve got nothing on these Grade 3s. (Italics are 100% direct quotes from the kids.)

See, there are many things that I love about Gr 3 kids. At times they are filled with great insights such as “If dices were alive they would be sooo dizzy” and “Did you know that if we went to another planet WE would be the aliens?” It was always entertaining to watch them grow in awareness, witnessing the light bulbs turning on. “Orange? Why that’s my favourite colour! Why… WHY, THAT'S MY FAVOURITE TASTE!!”

Their sense of competition always intrigued me. “I’M THE FIRST PERSON WHO MADE ENOUGH SPIT FOR A BUBBLE!” one student yelled across the room in the middle of a (non-spit bubble related) LA class. Immediately a student from across the room loudly retorts “My cousin can make a bigger bubble!” Take that kid, your spit bubbles are only mediocre. Or, my personal favourite comeback, which came out during an argument about who was in line to go indoors first: “I was in line first!” “No I was!” “Do you even HAAAVE Facebook?” He’s got you there, Jimmy.

Sometimes their logic would be too sharp for their own good. I fought with a student for almost an hour once because, as he rationalized, “No one ever DIED because they didn’t use capitals!!” You think lesson planning is hard? Try convincing a defiant eight-year-old that capital letters are important.

Other times their logic was thoroughly fallible. While creating an acrostic of their names, the students were told to find letters that described themselves. One student had a ‘J’ in his name. “You could be jolly!” I recommended. “You’re just trying to trick me!” he responded, offended. “Jolly means fat!” Another student came skipping up to me, thesaurus in hand, ecstatic about finding the missing word for the letter ‘A’. “I’m aggressive!” she exclaimed, “Yaaaaaaay!”

Gr 3s are entertaining. Gr 3s in a Christian school are substantially more enjoyable. Nowhere else, when you have worn an Obi-wan costume to school for dress-up day, do you get mistaken for Jesus on multiple occasions. On another occasion, in Social class the teacher was talking about how we have freedom because of the soldiers who fought in WWI and II. The student closest to me loudly whispers, “I thought that was because of Jesus.” Or, in LA class when I’ve assigned each of the students to create a superhero that has powers and motives. In amongst the bundle of ‘Marshmallow Man’ and ‘Mr Stupidhead’ was this gem: “My superhero’s power is that he takes bad guys and puts them in jail and then tells them about Jesus. He’s called the Fisher of Men.” Take that Satan.

Their simple confusions are endearing: “Knock knock” Who’s there? “Under” Under who? “Uhhh…………. Umm knock knock who’s there UNDERWEAR!” Nailed it. Or “Is Canada the biggest country?” one student asks. “No stupid! It’s Calgary!” Almost, buddy, almost.

But most lovable is their warm and caring hearts, which come through with compliments such as “My brother Luke has humongous hairs on his arms just like you!” One student even went out of her way so that whenever my TA mentioned that I was a student teacher, she would come up to me, pat my arm consolingly and say, “You’ll get there” before returning to her desk. What’s funny is that I actually felt a little bit encouraged every time.

And sometimes when it comes to kids it’s their beautiful simplicity that gets ya. On Rememberance Day they were instructed to fill out a handout as to how the memorial service made them feel. One student succinctly wrote: “I feel sad and bad and free.” I loved it.

One of my favourite moments from my practicum is a bit longer than an anecdotal quote. There was a boy in our class who had autism and who wasn’t very comfortable with change or new people. Despite having been in the classroom for almost two weeks he wouldn't talk to me or put his hand up when I was teaching. One day, the school had a theme dress day where everyone was supposed to come as their favourite Disney character. I came as Obi-wan Kenobi (because the only better than a wicked awesome costume is a topical wicked awesome costume).


Throughout the day I noticed that this student was watching me closely, even when I was just sitting at my desk. During my lesson he put up his hand and he even came and talked to me during recess. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what had changed until his Educational Assistant informed me that he had a HUGE obsession with Star Wars and that it was all he talked about to her. He loved my costume so much that he asked to do a photo-shoot at the end of the day, so we went out into the hallway and took a bunch of pictures together. 

Every day after that, even if we don't have class together, he would make a point of coming into my classroom and giving me a high-five. What a way to brighten my day and what a great lesson on the power of finding relatable material for your students.

And the most powerful moment of the practicum came when I was not really expecting it at all. Going into it, I didn’t even know that I had the option of doing my practicum at a Christian school, but I’m so glad that I did. One example of this was in Chapel one day. It was first thing in the morning and Chapel had begun with worship. The kids were not really into it and were quite distracted (and with the young ones they couldn’t even read the words on the screen so they just stood there). Nobody was really singing along until the worship leader started playing the song 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. I was completely overwhelmed by the chorus of children that were suddenly all paying attention and singing loudly. You may have heard it before, but the song begins with the verse:

It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes


Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name 


Hearing the kids sing louder than the worship leader was such a powerful experience. I understand that a lot of the kids didn’t grasp the gravity of what they are singing, but their child-like faith was so encouraging. The next verse follows describing the characteristics of God.
You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find 


Again, hearing these truths being sung from the mouths of children somehow made them so much more powerful. When the final chorus came about, I could not help but be overwhelmed.


And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore


Six months before this event my grandfather had passed away. As the children sang, my thoughts immediately turned to him. As I listened to the kids sing I began to cry. (This would have been fine except that this was actually the same day that I wore my Obi-wan costume--the last thing I wanted was for one of the students to see a great Jedi in tears :P). But one of the students did approach me after and asked why I had been crying. I thought about it and responded as truthfully as I could. I was crying because what they were singing was powerful and the way that they sang it brought a sorrowful joy to my heart. 
All I can say is kids are ridiculous and difficult and entertaining and inspiring and awesome. They definitely make me reconsider my desire to be a high school teacher.

Monday, 7 January 2013

2012 in Review - The Best Books, Movies and Music

My last post hinted that I was going to do a whole chunk of entries about Peru but this semester kind of got away on me. Once I entered my pracitcum I was often doing 16 hour work days, which, if you're good at math, doesn't leave a whole lot of time for my own writing. Thankfully I've got some time on my hands now so I'm going to spend some time reflecting on 2012. I love December because it often means summing up your year into short, concise lists. Obviously we have so much more going for us than a few bullet points to summarize a year, but it's a cool reminder to look back on. Just a few of the great moments in my life this year were:

- Becoming an uncle
- Watching my middle sister get married
- 5 Days for the Homeless
- Going to Peru and climbing the Inca Trail
- Getting to share my spoken word
- Having an amazing PS1 experience

This is less about bragging and more about reminding myself how blessed I am. There was a lot that went wrong this year as well, but a lot of things also went really right.

Books

Alright, enough with the personal stuff, let's get on with my media lists. 

In 2011 I started making a note of every book that I read in the year. I so wish that I had started doing this sooner. It's cool how looking back over a list of books can give you a reflection of the year. Each book brings with it a memory of where I was when I was reading it. Why I chose to read it, who I was reading it with, why I took so long to finish it--these all point to the parts in my year that aren't necessarily special enough to make it onto a grand list, but are still a huge portion of my life. When I first started making the list my goal was to read more books each year. I failed completely. Meh, it was worth a shot. Here are some great books that I read this year:

  • Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom. When I finished this book I literally just sat on the couch and cried for a solid amount of time. It's short, simple, and powerful. Maybe it was the connection I've had in my life with people who had Lou Gehrig's disease, maybe it was because the failing health of my grandpa, maybe it was because it just reflected on humanity so well, but either way it was definitely a book that I will be going back to. I recommend it completely (K, I'm not going to say that at the end of each one seeing as I probably will recommend them all).
  • In the Skin of a Lion - Michael Ondaatje. This book really turned me on to Ondaatje's writings and I recommend his stuff to any customer who comes in. Refreshing and Canadian. It's books like this that make me really lament the fact that my English class days are pretty much over. I would never have read this book if I hadn't been forced to, and I would never have appreciated it as much as I did if I had not had someone showing me how awesome it truly is.
  • Irresistible Revolution - Shane Claiborne. This is my go-to book when people are wandering in the religious section at Chapters with a wide-eyed, lost look. "Seriously, it changed my life," I tell every customer. It's hard to explain why I found it so impacting. "What's it about?" they always ask. "Welp, it's about love." Ooo, I really sell it with that line. Most of the people just stare blankly at me at that point and I don't usually end up selling it, but to the few who picked it up, I can pretty much guarantee that they loved it. If you haven't already read this book (and most have) go out and buy it right now. If I could pick one book off this list to recommend, it would be this one. (And then, if you have already read this one already, check out "7" by Jennifer Hatmaker. It's in a similar vein and, while not quite as inspiring, still one that I intend to read again and again. And if you've read that one, check out "The Man Who Quit Money" by Mark Sundeen. How I made it out of this year with out becoming a full blown hippie I will never know.)
  • The Days Run Away Like Wild Horses Over the Hills - Chuck Bukowski. With a title like that, it's gotta be poetry. Despite my love of poetry I really don't actively seek it out because I often find myself drowning in its pretentiousness. I really liked Bukowski because his poems aren't overly cryptic or full of flamboyant narratives of rolling hills and deep oceans. His work is simple and shocking and entertaining. Kinda like Shel Silverstein for grown ups. But really not really at all.
  • To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee. Yes, I am an English major who managed to get through his whole life without reading To Kill a Mockingbird. People who don't read a lot have read To Kill a Mockingbird. People who hate reading have read To Kill a Mockingbird. So I'm sorry, I remedied it, and I quite enjoyed it. Would I teach it in my classroom? Probably not. Would I give it to my kids to read one day? Definitely. It's got some great lessons and a good story.
  • Stitches - David Small. I took a seminar in university about graphic novels and their increasing prominence in schools nowadays. I had honestly never given them much thought--I have always wanted to read Maus by Art Spiegelman but have never really gotten around to it. Stitches was one of the first 'literary graphic novels' that I have read and I loved it. It's an autobiography of a boy who had brutal parents and cancer growing up. It's certainly not the 'BANG' 'KAPOW' that you typically think of when you think comic books, but it certainly packs a punch in its own way. I bought it immediately after I was finished it and it has encouraged me to check out a slew of other literary graphic novels. Any other ones anyone would recommend? (Also, if you like Stitches, check out Blankets by Craig Thompson).
Movies 

Along with books, I always make a list of movies that impacted me throughout the year. Obviously not all these movies were released in 2012, so you're not going to be seeing a lot of them at the Oscars, but I watched them this year so they deserve to be mentioned. My top eleven are:

11. Freedom Writers - I had to make the list 11 to include this because it's so cheesy and predictable but given my desired occupation I couldn't resist.
10. American History X - After watching this I decided that Edward Norton is genuinely messed up in the head, but still it's a profound movie that anyone (with a bit of a tough stomach) should watch.
9. Sherlock Holmes 2 - My 'superhero' pick. Avengers was fantastic, Dark Knight was strong, but for some reason Sherlock stuck with me. (This might be swayed by the fact that I just watched every episode of BBC's Sherlock and am currently riding that high.)
8. Like Crazy - I didn't really like this movie, but I came away from it shaken and not okay. If a movie can cause that strong of a reaction, it must mean there's something there.
7. Blue Like Jazz - For what it was, it was amazing. It was probably the best Christian movie I've seen, which isn't saying a WHOLE lot, but it is saying something. Again, it affected me strongly, not necessarily in a this-is-the-best-movie-ever kinda way, but in the I-actually-want-to-spend-time-contemplating-my-life kinda way.
6. The Departed - Got me started on a whole mafia/gangsters kick. I love movies that make me pause halfway through and go, "Okay so he's... but then that guy... but they think... but who was... OHHHH!"
5. There Will Be Blood - I still think about this movie on a weekly basis. I love love love it and it made me want to watch every Paul Thomas Anderson film. (Punch Drunk Love should also get an honourable mention on this list too).
4. Safety Not Guaranteed - Really fun, simple, and slightly quirky. More than just your average rom com. 
3. Silver Linings Playbook - I think Bradley Cooper deserves an Oscar nom for Best Actor. He probably shouldn't win it, but he still deserves to be recognized.
2. Never Let Me Go - So unique! I have never seen a movie that I've been more thrown-off by its complete disregard for its premise. It's technically sci-fi, but it's so character driven that you kind of forget about the sci-fi -part. And it made me hate Keira Knightley less, so that's always a bonus. I wrote out a whole review immediately after watching this movie for no other reason then I wanted to sort out why I loved it so much. (Watch the movie, don't read the book). Also, it features my love Carey Mulligan, of whom I will one day convince to amicably split up from her now-husband Marcus Mumford so he can play at mine and Carey's wedding. 
1. Life of Pi - This is what a movie should be. It didn't need sex, violence, or any other cheap trick to keep it flowing. It was brilliant to witness, entertaining to watch, and inspiring to analyze. I didn't even like the book all that much but the movie made me a believer. I definitely want to see it nominated for Best Picture. As I described it on Facebook: "So Life of Pi is like Castaway meets the Discovery Channel meets Avatar. Except Tom Hanks is an Indian boy, Wilson is a tiger, and the director is on acid. I recommend it 100%"

I feel like The Master and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel should also probably find their way on to this list but I just don't know where.

This year I learnt to stop following actors and start following directors. Some actors consistently pick good roles (e.g. Philip Seymour Hoffman), but I found out that most the time, if you want consistency, you follow the director. Some that I actively sought out this year were: Paul Thomas Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Christopher Nolan, the Coen Brothers, Roman Polanski. They've all got some really, really great stuff. I'm still learning to delve past the Golden Globes and Oscars. Does anyone have any recommendations of less popular titles/ones I didn't mention? (And don't say Les Mis, Argo, or Lincoln--I'm working on it!)

Music

And finally music! My New Years Resolution for the year 2012 was to not download a single song and, with some serious dedication, I can proudly say I reached it. Life list entry checked off! I went from getting multiple albums in a week to multiple albums in a year. And honestly, I like the change. It was a lot of pressure to keep up with all of the music I was downloading and this past year I've been able to just appreciate the music that I already have. But still I can't go completely without new music, so thank God for gifts from friends, Noisetrade, 8tracks, and good ol' youtube. From the few that I purchased, ones that I would recommend:

  • Dave Siverns - Songs for Singing (If you live in Lethbridge you should already own this one)
  • Alt J - An Awesome Wave (K maybe just buy 'Breezeblocks')
  • Fun. - Some Nights (Don't actually buy this album. Listen to the good ones--'All Alright', 'Some Nights', 'Carry On'--on youtube over and over and that'll be enough.)
  • Shane Koyczan - Shut Up and Say Something (Have I mentioned Shane Koyczan before? Well if not, get this album. Spoken word gets hazed for using music to manipulate emotions--this album does it even without the music)
  • Matthew Mayfield - A Banquet for Ghosts (Free on Noisetrade. Worth checking out.)
  • The Fray - Scars and Stories (If you're not a huge fan, at least check out 'Be Still', the final track)
  • Keane - Strangeland (Worth buying. I had this album on repeat for a month)
  • Mumford and Sons - Babel (Still not as revolutionary as ''Sigh No More'', but that's not to say it's not ridiculously awesome. I love it more and more with each listen.)
  • Of Monsters and Men - My Head is an Animal (Icelandic and fantastic. Sold.)
  • John Mayer - Born and Raised (I feel compelled to buy every John Mayer album because I know that with enough hits on shuffle over the years I will probably discover that I love it.)
  • David Crowder Band - Give Us Rest (Their final album. A few amazing tracks, but mostly just goodness.)
  • Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires (Not quite ''Eyes Open'' but it still has a couple synth-ballads that I love oh so much)
  • James Vincent McMorrow - Early in the Morning (100% recommend.)
  • The Lumineers - The Lumineers (102% recommend. It's a short album but I listened to it over and over and over.)

TL;DR: Buy James Vincent McMorrow, Lumineers, Mumford and Sons, and Of Monsters and Men. Love everything else. Get mad at Sigur Ros for putting out ''Valtari'' (I love you guys, I really do, but this album was really just sounds.)

Now it's your turn! During my music "fast" I made a list of albums I want to buy/download when I have the money. Most I was interested in, but nothing quite pushed me over the edge to buy them. Would you recommend any of these guys' latest albums? Any other ones that aren't listed that you would recommend?

- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Soundtrack
- Starfield
- Gotye
- O Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack
- Train
- Hunger Games soundtrack
- Polyphonic Spree
- Ingrid Michaelson
- Like Crazy Soundtrack
- Sons & Daughters
- Hugo Soundtrack
- Rend Collective Experiment
- A Creation Liturgy - Gungor
- Regina Spektor
- Temper Trap

So there you have it. My year in a very media-focused nutshell. 2013 has been off to a great start with four (4!) things already crossed of my life list. Here's to a year of more consistent, shorter blog posts. (Ha!)