I Hear America SingingWalt Whitman I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,The boatman singing what belongs to … More A Happy 4th of July–Really!
I believe that one of the major reasons for the current political conflict and strife is this chart above. As I explained in yesterday’s post, this shows projections by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) that in 2028, only 44% of public school students will be white. That white students are now a minority … More How White Bias Gets Institutionalized in Literature Classes Conclusion: A Change Is Gonna Come
Preface: The following are my personal reflections on how white bias becomes institutionalized in high school literature classes. I teach group literature classes to homeschool students, but have never taught in a conventional public or private school, so my perspective reflects that. Also, I earned a Masters degree in Education in Education and National Development, … More How White Bias Becomes Institutionalized in Literature Classes: Part 1- Testing
As I’ve written about before, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s YouTube channel is displaying one of his works for free over these coronavirus weekends (in the East Coast Time Zone, from 2:00 PM Friday May 15 – 2:00 PM Sunday May 17). This weekend’s production is the musical Cats. I really like Cats. But you have … More Broadway Blessings 7: Cats!
*Yes, I do realize that is my second allusion to Yates’ poem during this pandemic. What can I say? I love the poem, and find it very appropriate right now. If you want to read my first reference, including the poem itself, click HERE. My state of North Carolina is easing up stay-at-home and commercial … More Slouching Towards Reopening*
With everything that is going on these days, I haven’t focused as much as I usually do on National Poetry Month, an annual event sponsored by the Academy Of American Poets to bring more attention to poetry in our everyday lives. Typically, the organization spends the month of April celebrating poetry through poetry gatherings across … More National Poetry Month Ends with a Live Virtual Poetry Reading Thursday, April 30
Back in 2016, the first year that Hamilton: An American Musical appeared on Broadway but before it had gained widespread fame, I played a few video clips of the show for my high school literature class. They knew nothing about the musical, but they were spell-bound. The very idea of an ethnically-diverse cast telling the … More Broadway Blessings #4: Homeschool with Hamilton
Following on the heels of Earth Day, April 24 is Arbor Day (at least in the US). On Arbor Days, citizens are encouraged to plant a tree in recognition of the many gifts trees bestow upon us. Even if you don’t plant a tree (which might be more difficult in these days of social distancing), … More Learn About Trees This Arbor Day (April 24)
Today was my last poetry unit for this academic year with my students. As glad as I am that I get to keep teaching via technology, it isn’t the same. I always get a little emotional at the end of every school year because I hate saying goodbye to my students (even though I enjoy … More Poetry for Our Times
The Second ComingW.B. Yates Turning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhereThe ceremony of innocence is drowned;The best lack all conviction, while the worstAre full of passionate intensity. Surely some revelation is at … More What If We Believed that the Aftermath of this Disruption Could Be Good?
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