Success

I think we're living in a time where a lot of peoples lives revolve around the television and media. A friend of mine told me that they wanted to skip class in order to watch a season premiere that would be happening that day. A lot of shows these days are all reality based which draws people in even more. I think the reason why we watch reality television sometimes is to be thankful for what we have, to laugh at those who have it "better" but make fools of themselves, because we can relate in some way, or to see what those with more money have and do. In many ways, reality television makes me happy for what I have, as little as it may look to some, but I am extremely thankful that I'm not like many celebrities out there. Watching shows that portray the rich life doesn't make me wish I had that much money, it makes me push myself to be successful in ways that some of them are. I view success as having an amazing family, friends, and career that I love. I'm going to make sure I achieve that.

The Beauty that is The Lion King
From the time I was a little girl, the Disney classic The Lion King has always been a favorite of mine. I practically have every song and line memorized. Enthusiasm came over me when I learned there was going to be a Broadway production of the movie. I had waited for years to see it, and last summer I was finally able to witness the beauty that is The Lion King on Broadway. It doesn’t matter whether you love or hate the movie, the overall experience will be unforgettable and hair-raising. To only read or hear about the production does not give it justice in any way. The Lion King on Broadway is definitely something that everyone should see for themselves during their lifetime.

As my family, friends, and I took our seats, the excitement of finally being there took over me. The lights began to dim, and I could feel my heart beating faster and faster. Suddenly, the doors opened from the back of the orchestra, the music began to play, and everyone quickly turned their head. Goosebumps covered my arms as two men began to sing in an African language, in a sort of chant. Rows of animals followed each other into the mezzanine towards the stage. Zebras, cheetahs, birds, giraffes, antelopes, rhinos, and even a mother elephant with her calf slowly inched their way to the front. The fact that you could see the actors controlling them didn’t matter because the way they were designed makes it look as if they are the animals. The beauty of them gathering to welcome baby Simba into the world, the colors that illuminated the stage, and the enriching music that brought everything together took over me and filled me with emotion. I watched with my eyes wide and mouth slightly open. I suddenly felt a tear roll down my cheek; I couldn’t help but be in complete and total awe.

I believe that whoever sees this will be blown away because it’s unmistakably unique and unforgettable. The way the story is portrayed and told is in a purely imaginative way. I sensed that every person who was a part of the production had a passion for this and enjoyed doing what they did night after night. It didn’t matter if they were the main character or the person who represented the grass, everyone always looked proud and fortunate to be a part of this amazing show. The costumes, African masks, and puppets which made up the characters were simply mesmerizing. Not only was it beautiful to watch, but there were also meaningful messages and morals that weaved the story together. I learned to never forget who you are, about growing up and that the responsibilities you have are important and should never be forgotten no matter how big or small they may seem.

As I left the theater I was in love with The Lion King more than ever. To this day I want to go back and watch it again. I wish everyone could see it live and experience the beauty that is The Lion King on Broadway.

Looking at Norman Rockwell's Paintings

The three paintings all have one central theme which seems to be education. In The Spirit of Education the facial expression of the child looks as if he doesn't want to be there and the seated woman, who may be his mother, seems extremely happy. It seems like Rockwell is trying to say that children weren't eager to go to school back then which hasn't changed for many children these days.

With the newspaper backing in The Graduate it looks as though Rockwell is trying to show how after graduation there isn't much else one can do with "Officials to Seek Help for Job Woes" behind him. The boy also has a odd look on his face, a sort of confused look.

The Problem We All Live With has a very strong meaning to it with the "N" word written and the tomatoe splattered on the wall as a young black girl is being accompanied to school.

5. What is the setting of The Problem We All Live With? What event does it commemorate? How do you interpret the painting's title?

The setting seems to be a sidewalk in a place where people were against black children going to school with white children and it must be commemorating Brown vs Board of Education because that was around when the painting. The way i interpret the title is that there are two different kinds of problem's going on which is why it's The Problem We All Live With rather than The Problem She Lives With because not only was it hard for her to live with the fact that people were calling her names and throwing food at her for wanting to go to school but it was also the people problem who were doing those horrible acts.

Teachers

I wanted to post a video for my "Teachers" blog and came upon this and it's extremely powerful. What would we do without google and youtube??

My dad recently told me that some teachers in Seattle were going on strike and demanding higher pay and less students per class. After he told me that he said, "They aren't thinking about the students!" I thought about it for a second and realized that it has everything to do with the students. In my opinion it's in every child's best interest to be in a classroom with not too many students. I guess "too many" would be 25-30 students in a classroom because it's really not a good learning environment when it gets to be that many. From my experience in high school when I was in a larger classroom it felt more like the teacher was babysitting rather than teaching us. Many students didn't respect teachers , I feel, mostly because they weren't able to handle so many of us in one room. Most of the time they'd say "be quiet" or "sit down" and be taken away from what they were talking about. I, of course, wasn't one of those kids but unfortunately there are students who go to school just to go to school. I think many of them do because some teachers are overwhelmed with the amount of kids in their classes and don't make the students want to go back. I had a friend who I would always see in the hall and it made me sad because I want him to succeed in life and I know skipping class isn't going to do him any good. After asking him why he does it he told me that the teacher kicked him out. Believe it or not, that did happen at my school. I think that if the classroom were smaller and teachers were able to have total control, not like in the reading by Kozol, but in a way that students understand what needs to be done than schools in general would be much better.

My calculus teacher would constantly remind us that we were the ones who would be taking the AP test, not him, and it was our responsiblity to listen, pay attention, and take notes. As obvious as that may seem it truly opened my eyes. To have a teacher who cared so much about his students success made me wish that everyone could be taught by him. Im not trying to say that all teachers aren't able to handle their classes but i honestly think it would benifit everyone if classroom were smaller.

The fact that teachers demanded a pay increase is understandable because in my opinion and I think many other people believe teachers aren't paid enough. The way I see it is that without teachers there wouldn't be the doctors or lawyers because in many ways we have all gotten to where we are today because of our teachers. If a parent or family member didn't teach us how to read then it was a teacher who did. I just think that many people don't realize how important teachers are and take them for granted.

What Do Teachers Really Make? Taylor Mali Explains...

This is what the video above says. =]

~ SPEECH ~

What Teachers Make, or
Objection Overruled, or
If things don't work out, you can always go to law school

By Taylor Mali
www.taylormali.com


He says the problem with teachers is, "What's a kid going to learn
from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminds the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about
teachers:

That those who can, do; those who can't, teach.

I decide to bite my tongue instead of his
and resist the urge to remind the other dinner guests
that it's also true what they say about lawyers.

Because we're eating, after all, and this is polite conversation.

"I mean, you're a teacher, Taylor"
"Be honest. What do you make?"

And I wish he hadn't done that
(asked me to be honest)
because, you see, I have a policy
about honesty and ass-kicking:
which is, if you ask for it, then I have to let you have it.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional medal of honor
and I can make an A- feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best.

You wanna know what I make?

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence.
No, you can not work in groups.
No, you can not ask a question (so put your hand down)
Why won't I let you go to the bathroom?
Because you're bored and you don't really have to go, do you?

You wanna know what I make?

I make parents tremble in fear when I call home at around dinner time:
"Hi, This is Mr. Mali, I hope I haven't called at a bad time,
I just wanted to talk to you about something your son did today.
he said, "Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, don't you?"
And it was the noblest act of courage I have ever seen.

I make parents see their children for who they are
and who they can be.

You want to know what I make?

I make kids question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write, write, write.
And then I make them read.
I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely
beautiful
over and over again until they will never misspell
either one of those words again.
I make them show all their work in math.
And then hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them realize that if you got this (brains)
then you follow this (heart) and if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make, you give them this (the finger).

Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true:
I make a difference! What about you?

Math Teachers: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Since I was in third grade I was in "advanced" classes which was called the Tier 4 Program. It basically means that when I was in third grade I essentially was learning the same thing as fifth graders. For the most part I enjoyed being a part of those classes throughout elementary school and middle school. Unfortunetly when I was in the ninth grade my algebra 2 teacher, Mr. Kincer, was extremely lenient. Although everyone in the class loved being able to have take home and partner tests, no mandatory homework, and not getting in trouble for goofing around in class, when tenth grade came and we were all in pre-cal we all had a major wake up call. Pre-cal was the first time I had ever done bad in a math classes. I could barely keep a B because I wasn't used to the strictnest in the classroom. The first day of class my teacher said, "I am not Mr. Kincer!" I always tried to do my best but for some reason it was never good enough.


Thankfully in eleventh grade, my calculus teacher, Mr. Hedstrom, was amazing. I always got an A on the tests and never felt like it was too much. I of course made sure I studied, did all my homework, and stayed for tutoring before the test. Although pre-cal was unbelievably difficult it helped me to realize how much I have to put into my work which in the end paid off in my calculus class. The teachers you have have an enormous affect on how your school year will be.That is one reason why I want to be an elementary teacher because I want to be able to leave a lasting affect on my students to help them with their future.