Blog Archives

Music Has the Power to Heal!

10/29/2015

Can you believe that it’s November already?!?! Time is flying by us at a breakneck speed. For your blog post this week, I want us to continue to think about differences. Thank you so much to those people who followed the instructions last week and wrote a journal post from Ellie’s perspective. It was so wonderful to see how you all were so respectful of the idea of difference and that we all need to respect and be respected for our differences. I think it’s so powerful that music has the ability to change an idea, to help people see positives and to bring people up when they’re down. For your blog post this week, I’d like you to:

find a song that helps you feel up when you’re down.
Write the title and artist
Copy and paste a verse from the song that has meaning for you
Write down why this song and verse are meaningful for you

Here’s my example:
I have chosen the song “Dear Prudence” originally by the Beatles but the version I like best is by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
The verse I like the most is:
Dear Prudence, open up your eyes
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies
The wind is low, the birds will sing
That you are part of everything
Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?
I really like this song because it reminds me that there is beauty in everything in the world and it’s just your perspective and ability to see it that changes. I really like the idea that we are all a part of everything in this world and we’re all connected.
This song really helps me when I feel down.

Seeing a Different Perspective

10/22/2015

Have you ever hear the phrase, “until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes”. As we’ve been reading Wonder, it’s been a neat opportunity to see into the mind of August, Via, and now Summer, and to really see how feel and react when dealing with the same events. We've really had a chance to start "walking in those characters' shoes". Sometimes we get so caught up in our own feelings, lives, and personal things that we don’t see how others are seeing or feeling. The world is made up of different, amazing, and interesting people. After watching the video above, can you write a journal entry for the main character. What do you think this child feels after his parents talk to him, after his first day of school, or by the end of the video. This video is by Burlington group Walk Off The Earth and I found not just the video but the lyrics both positive and inspiriting.
The lyrics for the song can be found here.
Try writing a one paragraph journal entry, from the child’s perspective.
Walk a mile in their shoes!

Where are You Focussing?

10/15/2015

Isn't it amazing how our brains work? They can focus so strongly on one thing that other things can slip by unnoticed. The question then becomes, what will you have your brain focus on? When you're at school, at home, doing sports, drama, or other activities, are you able to give your full focus to that activity? Sometimes, our brain is so full and cluttered with other things that we don't focus on the things that really matter.

On the blog this week, I want you to write a plan for yourself that is going to help you focus on what really matters. Write down 3 things that really matter to you and how you're going to try to give them the focus they need.

Precepts: Choose Kind

10/9/2015

http://wwf.worldwildlife.org/images/content/pagebuilder/PandaThanks.jpg
When you focus on the positives, life can be amazing. We are surrounded by people who support us and want us to succeed. This week for your blog post, can you find one person to thank for something awesome they’ve done? Write down what they did so we can celebrate it.

PS. Don’t feel like you need to answer this question right away, maybe think about it for a bit and then write your answer near the end of next week. Sometimes, it takes time to find something really awesome!

I would like to start with my example for meaningful thanks.
1. 6-2, thank you for being so interested in learning this year! It’s been amazing learning from and with you… You are all truly unique, and awesome, thank you!

2. Thank you to both my brothers and my father for being such positive and fun relatives to Vera. Thank you for being awesome!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Precepts: Choose Kind

10/1/2015

While we were reading Wonder these past few weeks, I keep reflecting on Mr. Browne’s precept of “When you have the choice of being right or being kind, choose kind”. We learned in the book that a precept is a statement that helps you focus the way you live.
What do you think the precept means though?

Can you write a paragraph below in which you use an example (either from real life or made up) to explain what Mr. Browne means and why this is such a good precept.
As an added bonus, can you write a precept or life rule that helps you guide your life?

Music Has the Power to Heal!

Seeing a Different Perspective

Where are You Focussing?

Precepts: Choose Kind

Precepts: Choose Kind

Mr. Steltman's Class

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