In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day, the following is a brief note of thanks: Dr. King, thank you for setting the precedent.
Jan182021
Apr142020
Flannery O’Connor and the “Tennessee Waltz”
During this sudden change in classroom environment–in person to virtual–my students and I continue to grapple with the idea of God, truth and human nature in accordance with our current events and author, Flannery O’Connor. As a Christian/southern/gothic writer, O’Connor wrote about the complexities of human nature through her characters. Mostly, characters are in a world of duality consisting of individuals who have “faith” in God juxtaposed with those who choose to follow self (or according to O’Connor, the devil).
This is the case for O’Connor’s character “the grandmother” in “A Good Man is Hard to Find.” While some may argue that O’Connor displays “the grandmother” as vain and self-centered, others argue that she is a God-fearing individual who desires the best for her family. Whether one sides with the former or the latter argument, O’Connor provides no background information to suggest how this character evolves into what is encapsulated in this short story; or does she?
O’Connor’ s “Tennessee Waltz” allusion is perhaps the only information provided to suggest why “the grandmother” is characterized as the only “true” believer in God and at the same time, one whose interest in self leads to her family’s demise. The following are some questions to consider while exploring Flannery O’Connor’s choice of allusion in connection with her protagonist:
- What could O’Connor possibly be communicating about “the grandmother” in connection with the “Tennessee Waltz” lyrics?
- Refer to the “Tennessee Waltz” lyrics, “…my little darling…” What is O’Connor suggesting about the grandmother’s former relationship(s)?
- Could the “Tennessee Waltz” possibly explain the relationship between “the grandmother” and her son, Bailey?
- Is there important information we should know about the origin of the song in connection with Flannery O’Connor and her characterization of Grandmother?
“Tennessee Waltz” (Shantel’s Version on YouTube)
This week, I’m sharing my talent to raise awareness for A Woman’s Place, dedicated to envisioning “…a society where all individuals are safe in their relationships and can flourish.” Learn more at A Woman’s Place here. Be well as we work together to flatten the COVID-19 curve.
Please share any comments you’d like to contribute. I welcome all subscribers!!!
Sep142018
Why is the Essential Question Essential?
Why is the Essential Question Essential?
What is an essential question? I remember when I was in my capstone course at Temple University when my professor posed this question to my cohort and me. He said the essential question is essential for framing a unit. You can “hook” students into whatever stories you read in the unit by connecting all of these stories to a question that they will continue to investigate.
I didn’t quite understand how one question could possibly address all of the texts read in one unit at the time. I initially considered this one question to be quite limiting. I thought, why should we create the same question for reflection across texts? Why not investigate different questions and ideas?…
While reflecting on the challenges I had with constructing an essential question, the jazz tune “I Can’t Get Started (With You)” by Ira Gershwin, sung by Ella Fitzgerald, came to mind; I simply could not understand how one question could apply to all readings. I had difficulties getting started myself.
Today, I understand more than ever before why the essential question is dynamic. The essential question allows for:
- Purposeful reading: Students read with intention and use the question as a guide for deeper understanding
- A starting point for further investigation: While students are learning how to formulate their own questions, the essential question is a starting point
- Higher order thinking: The essential question should be an open-ended question. This creates a space for students to begin investigating other aspects of a given text
- Transfer of Learning: The essential question transfers from one reading to the next. Considering this, students have the opportunity to critically think about how this question applies in different contexts
- Interdisciplinary connections: Students understand how to apply the question across disciplines for a more dynamic learning experience
Michael Smith (my professor in the capstone course) and Jeffrey Wilhelm both agree in Going with the Flow (2006) that for an essential question to work, it must be debatable and most of all, it must be meaningful. To provide you with an idea of what makes an essential question, the following are five questions created according to the aforementioned criteria:
- How can literature serve as a vehicle for social change?
- How does conflict lead to change?
- What is truth and who defines it?
- What is reality and how is it constructed?
- What does it mean to be invisible?
Overall, these questions are created while backward planning and reflecting on what is essential for students to know and understand in a unit. Most importantly, these questions help when guiding students into more critical areas of inquiry. What essential questions do you and have you used in your classroom? In what ways have these questions changed the way you approach a unit? I’m looking forward to your comments….
Aug152018
Reflection, Intention and Prayer for the School Year
Reflection, intention and a prayer for the new school year:
Yes. I said it. The school year is upon us and teachers are hustling and bustling to switch mental gears from summer to more formalized days. Parents are in stores trying to check off the list of supplies needed for the year and students are either dreading or looking forward to classes. During all this activity we call “gearing up for the new year,” it is important to remember that we all should take time for reflection, intention and prayer. I usually do not share my thinking process “behind the scenes;” however, I believe it is important for us to learn how various individuals ready themselves for the classroom, as it is a sacred place.
Before sharing my reflections, intentions and prayers that prepare me up for the new year, I first want to share with you a song that always puts me in a space of thanks.
Song: Donny Hathaway’s “Lord Help Me”
Reflection (What I ask myself before the year begins. These questions are applicable to students and teachers):
1. What were the highlights of the school year last year? How can I replicate this?
2. Where did I excel most?
3. Was I challenged enough? If I was not, what can I do to ensure that I have the accurate level of challenge?
4. Which class(es) were my favorites? Why?
5. Which class(es) were my least favorites? Why?
6. What were student responses during the evaluation process? What can I do to improve the classroom experience based on their suggestions?
7. Did I schedule enough me time during the year?
8. Did I schedule enough family time during the year?
Intention:
1. I’m usually very reserved when sharing information about my home life. At the same time, I know that this information is important to share if you expect to build trust and community. Especially for purposes of personalizing lessons and discussions in the classroom. Considering this, I intend on sharing more about my life with my students.
2. Consultations are usually an optional feature for students who require additional assistance. I plan on making consultation a requirement for the first term. I feel that if students can get over the initial consultation meeting, scheduling the following consultations should be a less complicated matter.
3. I’m seeking ways to discover each one of my students’ gifts in the context of our class dynamic. I plan on doing this by designating room for open-topic writing assignments and journal entries. In the past, I allowed one student to continue writing her novel for her journal entry assignments instead of responding to prescribed prompts. She is now working with me through an independent study course (more on her journey in future posts).
Prayer:
……, thank you for blessing me with the great opportunity to help shape lives. The teaching field is an incredibly rewarding career where I have the opportunity to build upon skills learned and share them with colleagues and students alike.
Thank you for blessing me with another day of life and the hope that I will continue to see more days where I can be(come) more of my authentic self. May this authenticity translate into having more of a connection with my students. Bless each one of them as they face challenges that will shape them into the beings they are evolving into everyday. Bless their parents as they learn how to allow their children more independence. Moreover, help parents to feel confident that all who are in contact with their children have their best interest at heart and are in the teaching field because of the responsibility that they feel for the youth.
Continue to teach me how to work smarter and not harder than is required. Allow me to share my knowledge in a manner that will spark many “aha moments” and encourage the discouraged.
Thank you for allowing me to recognize the important role that I play in my classroom, community and in this lifetime. Thank you for allowing me the insight and the strength to be at peace with the realization that I am where I need to be in this very moment. Therefore, I will give my all to this very moment.
As you prepare for the school year, what do you do to get yourself in a space to teach? Please feel welcomed to share below: