DAY 10 Read. Write. Dream.
Well last day is already behind me. And I knew the students would do well presenting. Had an audience too. A few parents. Adults from several programs. Judges. And about ten cute ones, wide eyed and young. They were sitting up front listening to me talk about the importance of reading and the novel Money Hungry, being entrepreneurs and the like. Good audience they were.
The young people in Read. Write. Dream. read some of the pieces they had written. I love that several of them wrote some impressive beginnings to stories. I spoke to the audience about creating pictures with words. Reading. And how much interesting stories students had written often with only an interesting photo as a prompt.
Presenting can bring about the shakes even with adults. No shakes today, but I could see a little nervousness. And who wouldn't be nervous? Afterwards, while the judges did their thing, I invited the little ones to go and talk to the older students sitting at desks. It was so cool to see the 13-14 year olds sitting with their posters spread out, flanked by 6-8 year olds asking questions, leaning in, captivated at times.
I asked the older students how many wanted to be entrepreneurs. About four out of thirteen said they did. How many made the decision after the program? About three. Plus a few young ones even put their hands up. I was giddy. I wanted to teach Money Hungry with the entrepreneurial aspect because I always felt the two were a perfect pair. Raspberry like so many youth, has an entrepreneurial spirit. She is always in pursuit of opportunities to work and make more cash. But she doesn't think of herself as an entrepreneur, I believe. Readers of the book might not think of Odd Job as one either. Yet they both are. So are many students in the classroom, so lets give them the information and skills to make a career out of it, was my thought. Having students write up a business plan for Raspberry's boarding house gig would be a great teachable moment. Wish I'd thought of it during the class
I'm hoping other people will do something along these lines with the book. But mostly I hope the students I was blessed to work with will keep reading, writing and dreaming of owning their own businesses. It's the American way after all. Oh, and who won? I'm not telling. In my eyes, we all did.
By the way, thanks for hanging with me on this journey. I think I learned as much as I taught. Until next time, Read. Write. Dream.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Day 9 Read. Write. Dream.
Busy day. Students working like bees preparing for presentations tomorrow. Amazing to watch them finalize things. Gathering info to include on posters. Selecting written pieces they want to read before parents and other students.
I thought they would have to rehearse and rehearse. Silly me. They ran through their presentations once for everyone and a few times among their business groups. They found ways to remember their parts, taping bits of information on the inside of the poster. Finding their own voices to hand off to the next person or start the introductions, not simply saying what I had suggested.
It's funny one guy asks me just about everyday what time they'll leave, when they leave the same time everyday. But he was smiling cheek to cheek when I told him that he and the others how proud I was of their group. They gave a terrific presentation.
Asked everyone to complete a two question survey about how well the program went and what they would change. Awesome, wouldn't change a thing, one student said. I was surprised. His momma made him come and he wasn't always happy about it. Liked journaling, the posters, my part (presentation) were other comments. Too much talk someone said. Were they talking about me? Not sure, but I can be a chatterbox. What about the book, the book, the book, I thought? They liked the book. But this is summer. And their peers are in pools and hitting the zoo. So I guess I'll take awesome, even though I know as I write this which things need to be scraped or improved or remember the time someone said they were bored.
Tomorrow is the final day and presentation. They will knock it out of the box make their parents happy and move on, I'm sure. I will remember them as my first Read. Write. Dream. group. I will think about what worked, what I could have done better and what next. And I will never look at teaching the same again. Or students either, I hope. You can not know young people in a day, a week or two. But I swear I saw them grow and change. Or maybe we all did. Not so much changing, but revealing pieces of ourselves a little more to one another along the way. Maybe that was our real education
I thought they would have to rehearse and rehearse. Silly me. They ran through their presentations once for everyone and a few times among their business groups. They found ways to remember their parts, taping bits of information on the inside of the poster. Finding their own voices to hand off to the next person or start the introductions, not simply saying what I had suggested.
It's funny one guy asks me just about everyday what time they'll leave, when they leave the same time everyday. But he was smiling cheek to cheek when I told him that he and the others how proud I was of their group. They gave a terrific presentation.
Asked everyone to complete a two question survey about how well the program went and what they would change. Awesome, wouldn't change a thing, one student said. I was surprised. His momma made him come and he wasn't always happy about it. Liked journaling, the posters, my part (presentation) were other comments. Too much talk someone said. Were they talking about me? Not sure, but I can be a chatterbox. What about the book, the book, the book, I thought? They liked the book. But this is summer. And their peers are in pools and hitting the zoo. So I guess I'll take awesome, even though I know as I write this which things need to be scraped or improved or remember the time someone said they were bored.
Tomorrow is the final day and presentation. They will knock it out of the box make their parents happy and move on, I'm sure. I will remember them as my first Read. Write. Dream. group. I will think about what worked, what I could have done better and what next. And I will never look at teaching the same again. Or students either, I hope. You can not know young people in a day, a week or two. But I swear I saw them grow and change. Or maybe we all did. Not so much changing, but revealing pieces of ourselves a little more to one another along the way. Maybe that was our real education
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Day 8 Read.Write.Dream.
Not much to say today. Several students went on a trip. The remaining students practiced for Friday's presentation. They did a really good job. Practicing over and over again can be a chore even for adults, but it didn't seem to bother them much. They got better each time, more confident. Made me remember the first time I stood before a crowd. I was maybe eight at church for a spelling bee. Don't remember being scared, but I'm sure I was. I do remember that I went down on the first word. It was bottle or bottom, truly it was. Spelling was never my thing. Am better now but will never be terrific at it. I am not that little girl anymore, however. But here is a bit of who I am. Someone who rarely quits. Who works hard, tries hard, and is brave enough to take on challenges that some folks wouldn't think about. I push past my limits. I don't let scared stop me. I think outside the box. I believe in underdogs, speaking to strangers on the street, hugging students during visits, rewriting, rewriting, rewriting, and family.
I am not perfect, which is why I guess so many of my characters are so wonderfully flawed.
In two days the workshop will end. I shall keep blogging I believe. Thank goodness it won't be everyday. I'm sure you and I both will be happy about that. But blog I will. I think I like it. Not sure what I shall write about. And know this. I am a hit and miss kind of girl. Sorry if you had other notions. I come and go on facebook and twitter with a flash and a bright light. Then disappear. I'm sure people say what the heck....or where'd she go? Trying to do better. Wish I could just stay put and be steady appearing daily or weekly or something like that. But know this, with writing and my daughter I am very consistent, steady ever present. And with this workshop too. Showing up every day. Not just because I am being paid to by the way. But because I promised I would. And with promises, I am usually, most all of the time someone who keeps them. Ain't perfect...just me. Sharon G. Flake. Having the time of my life! By the way thanks. It's nice to be out here with you folks.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Day 7 Read. Write. Dream. Remember
I never take naps. Until about seven days ago that is. My daughter laughs. She makes comments like now you see what it's like to leave home and work with people. I leave home all year long, traveling hours, speaking three times a day interacting with students, lunching with them, dining with faculty, only to do it again the next day sometimes for an entire week even. I burn a ton of energy, but like my daughter says, this is different. In class you have to be on your toes in another sort of way. To be prepared for the insightful questions, the quick student who finishes (truly finishes) before all the rest. To tell a student again what you just told him three times before, making sure you don't crush a spirit but you still get your point across. No it is not the same as visiting a school and speaking, leaving all of the correcting, homework and assignments to the real teachers. But it's no ride in the park either.
Raspberry Hill, the protagonist in Money Hungry, would probably tell me "Miss Sharon, when are you going to get back to talking about me? Enough about those students. I'm the reason you connected with them in the first place, aren't I?"
"Yes, you are Miss. Raspberry." So here's what we did with the book and with little miss redhead today. As always Raspberry is trying to make another dollar. That's how she and her friends end up working in a boarding home that's in grave condition. Before reading the chapter I let students take slips of paper from a bag. The papers said things like You are the man in the wheel chair. You are the women with oatmeal on her face, or the man who hides his money among the lettuce. They were to pay close attention while I read the text and to what I said about their characters. Then they had to write a letter to the Better Business Bureau as that character, complaining about treatment, and proposing the action they wanted taken. The students with problems writing letters last time still struggled, but the details on the board helped them a little more than the paper I gave them before. I also found a teacher's manual that showed paragraph, by paragraph, what students could focus on in a persuasive letter. Several good pieces came out of it. Some still need a bit of help. Read the work of a girl who couldn't seem to get the letter writing at all the other day. For some reason this time things clicked, great letter. She got into the character, was not stomped by the form. Reading it and giving her a "you go girl," was my way of celebrating her in public. She deserved it.
Hey we were to have a banker come today to discuss the power of saving your money and maintaining good credit. She blew a tire along the way so no pig banks for the students. Maybe another time. Truly sorry she didn't come for other reasons. The Communications managers with about ten minutes preparation were going to introduce her, close out her presentation and give her a gift. That group is made of all sorts of students. They had all agreed and were eager to take it on. Sometimes life gets in the way.
Students did get their business cards. Ten each. So cute. After most had them in their hands and were on their way out, a girl asked what are these for? Sometimes we assume things. Don't explain because we think everyone knows the purpose of things. Most of the students did I think. They have parents in the workplace, some high up I believe. Message to self. Do not assume. You don't know everything, and no one else does either. I hope I remember that long as Friday passes.
Raspberry Hill, the protagonist in Money Hungry, would probably tell me "Miss Sharon, when are you going to get back to talking about me? Enough about those students. I'm the reason you connected with them in the first place, aren't I?"
"Yes, you are Miss. Raspberry." So here's what we did with the book and with little miss redhead today. As always Raspberry is trying to make another dollar. That's how she and her friends end up working in a boarding home that's in grave condition. Before reading the chapter I let students take slips of paper from a bag. The papers said things like You are the man in the wheel chair. You are the women with oatmeal on her face, or the man who hides his money among the lettuce. They were to pay close attention while I read the text and to what I said about their characters. Then they had to write a letter to the Better Business Bureau as that character, complaining about treatment, and proposing the action they wanted taken. The students with problems writing letters last time still struggled, but the details on the board helped them a little more than the paper I gave them before. I also found a teacher's manual that showed paragraph, by paragraph, what students could focus on in a persuasive letter. Several good pieces came out of it. Some still need a bit of help. Read the work of a girl who couldn't seem to get the letter writing at all the other day. For some reason this time things clicked, great letter. She got into the character, was not stomped by the form. Reading it and giving her a "you go girl," was my way of celebrating her in public. She deserved it.
Hey we were to have a banker come today to discuss the power of saving your money and maintaining good credit. She blew a tire along the way so no pig banks for the students. Maybe another time. Truly sorry she didn't come for other reasons. The Communications managers with about ten minutes preparation were going to introduce her, close out her presentation and give her a gift. That group is made of all sorts of students. They had all agreed and were eager to take it on. Sometimes life gets in the way.
Students did get their business cards. Ten each. So cute. After most had them in their hands and were on their way out, a girl asked what are these for? Sometimes we assume things. Don't explain because we think everyone knows the purpose of things. Most of the students did I think. They have parents in the workplace, some high up I believe. Message to self. Do not assume. You don't know everything, and no one else does either. I hope I remember that long as Friday passes.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Day 6 Read.Write.Dream.
Second week, first day. No tears. Today while studying Money Hungry, we looked at boundaries and when someone might have gone too far. Raspberry swipes money from a friend. She does put it back when her conscience gets the better of her, but does that mean she didn't steal? Are there times when we go to far? What boundaries do we put in place for ourselves and others? Why do we even need them? Conversation picked up as students were able to discuss the boundaries they have in place for themselves and others. Interesting what things are off bounds, like borrowing clothes and cell phones. Wouldn't have thought that about the cell. At least not in the short run. A few girls say they'd lend clothes but far less than I'd suspect. Dating people with the wrong color hair or ugly feet was out of bounds as well. It's a middle school world folks. But they were serious about not letting people hit or hurt them. Nice discussion followed written assignment about the expectations they had for the people who entered their space, or for themselves. Things got even more serious and pointed. Several expected to go to college and have the ability to do so. Others expected high QPA's or to listen to adults more, not fight, always do their best. Oh by the way, I read their files for the first time on Saturday. Nice to finally put names to faces, and work to students. Most people fell in a good place, having completed more work than not.
On the entrepreneurial side, everyone has a job now. Finance manager, Communications manager, etc. Class was busy working on posters for final day presentation. Lots of buzz, especially since finance person was meeting with banker for cash, to pay for things like Fictitious Name Search. I swear I'd love to know if someone's ever done a study on fake money as a motivator. Seems one can get as much return on that as real money when it comes to students. I guess it feels good to have cash no matter what. And truth be told, the stuff does look real. Hey...wonder if Walmart would let me buy....no...I think they put you in jail for doing that.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Day 5 And on the fifth day she cried
Came up with this great idea. How do I know it was great? Because the students loved it. Or was it the candy?
Created a game around the entrepreneur side of things. Don't worry teachers each day we do literacy around my novel Money Hungry. Oh. Not today though, sorry. Today a few students began to write a letter about their businesses, to another organization.
The business game was to reinforce or to teach things around entrepreneurship and 99 percent of them were on board, asking questions, answering them. Later when we started the letter and a few got stuck saying it's too hard. I asked about one of the traits of an entrepreneur. "They know things get hard but they don't quit 'cause things do get hard." Okay that's not a 100 percent accurate quote from the student, 'cause I ain't in there taping them. But the quote is very close.
Packing up. Ready to leave. I cried. Wish they were happy tears. They weren't. I'll just say that a business letter is not the Constitution.
Here's what I think. Be mad at me if you like. Some people think God is judging America for all sorts of things like homosexually, abortion and more. I don't, but think what you wish. That said I am certain God is ticked off about what we've allowed to happen to our young. He's got to be. And they've got to be too.
Oh Sharon where have you been? I can hear you now with your coffee and pomp. Right here. In the inner city. But I am the one who can see without seeing. That has been absolutely necessary to do the kind of work I do. It is also what it's like to walk in my head. I notice and I do not notice, and I am glad for that. Otherwise, it is like watching the news all the time, which I do not. You begin to believe that all you see is all there is. And I have always known there was more right where these students live and dream. Walking up the steps these five days. Putting my bags down. Writing on the big, tall teacher pad. I wait for them to enter. I hug, I smile, I laugh. I teach. I believe. Have always believed. That I can change the world. Even when I trip over my feet. Skin my knee. Take on too much. I believe. That all of God's babies deserve better. So why is it, that this nation seems okay when so many do not get it?
Created a game around the entrepreneur side of things. Don't worry teachers each day we do literacy around my novel Money Hungry. Oh. Not today though, sorry. Today a few students began to write a letter about their businesses, to another organization.
The business game was to reinforce or to teach things around entrepreneurship and 99 percent of them were on board, asking questions, answering them. Later when we started the letter and a few got stuck saying it's too hard. I asked about one of the traits of an entrepreneur. "They know things get hard but they don't quit 'cause things do get hard." Okay that's not a 100 percent accurate quote from the student, 'cause I ain't in there taping them. But the quote is very close.
Packing up. Ready to leave. I cried. Wish they were happy tears. They weren't. I'll just say that a business letter is not the Constitution.
Here's what I think. Be mad at me if you like. Some people think God is judging America for all sorts of things like homosexually, abortion and more. I don't, but think what you wish. That said I am certain God is ticked off about what we've allowed to happen to our young. He's got to be. And they've got to be too.
Oh Sharon where have you been? I can hear you now with your coffee and pomp. Right here. In the inner city. But I am the one who can see without seeing. That has been absolutely necessary to do the kind of work I do. It is also what it's like to walk in my head. I notice and I do not notice, and I am glad for that. Otherwise, it is like watching the news all the time, which I do not. You begin to believe that all you see is all there is. And I have always known there was more right where these students live and dream. Walking up the steps these five days. Putting my bags down. Writing on the big, tall teacher pad. I wait for them to enter. I hug, I smile, I laugh. I teach. I believe. Have always believed. That I can change the world. Even when I trip over my feet. Skin my knee. Take on too much. I believe. That all of God's babies deserve better. So why is it, that this nation seems okay when so many do not get it?
Day 4 Read.Write.Dream. Bet you were wondering...
So what happened to me, I bet some of you are asking. All my happy chatter and then nothing. Friends close to me worry when I go silent. I am one of those people who hardly ever shuts up. Well maybe now that I am 56 I've quieted down a tad. Figure it's my brain aging and all that jazz. But go with my friends. If I shut my trap, I'm musing. Or sad, scared. Never in a deep funk though, hardly ever deal with stuff like that.
It was an 85 day I think, if I had to give myself a score. My teacher friend says if that's the grade I'd give myself I'm doing great. I am a perfectionist. Hadn't realized it until a few years ago. If you saw my inside hallway, or the bathroom I've yet to complete after five years, you would wonder about my claims. Okay my daughter is saying it's been seven years. Onward Sharon. Focus. The entrepreneurship side gets the students juices going. Today was no different. But I am learning maybe I have to give students more specific tasks to do. To perhaps let each table go to the computers one by one instead of my way: "okay time for entrepreneur class." No they don't run off like horses. But zip they sure get across the class quick. I also don't think I had made sure each child had enough to do. So a team might have had three folks plugging away today, one finishing a project and one twiddling his/her thumbs. But truly, most students don't twiddle. They will talk or move or whine. Better for them to work
I think it was a day about me more than them. Looking. Reassessing. Thinking how can I do things differently, better. Take meditation. The day before students were a little wiggly. That night I thought hmmm. There's a RIF employee in the room with me. I am the spokesperson for Reading is Fundamental locally. And they are one of the big sponsors for me while I work with the youth. Anywho (yes I meant what I just said) she meditates along with the class while I walk and remind folks to close eyes, relax. I asked her if she wanted to do the meditation, thinking she might have a skill set in that area that was stronger than mine. I was right. Those babies were gone, in another world in seconds. I am learning what I hope students will learn. People are on the planet to help and guide. If you let them you will spend less time roaming int he wilderness.
Late at night, looking over the next days work and how I might improve it, I thought about the day, the students, me. But more and more I think about teachers. I am convinced they must be angels, even the rotten ones. To be able to give ones full attention. To care about this child and that one. To look to see if Malcolm needs you, if Mary can keep up, If Ja'mal is on task after being distracted by his neighbor. To rub the back of the girl who always gives the answers as well as touching and smiling at the ones who don't (not on purpose for me just comes naturally). To make a course correction while teaching knowing it will mean more time at the computer late at night. To be ashamed at having raised ones voice a tad to loudly. Or to have passed by one child who needed you for another one only realizing to late what you've done. It is an awesome responsibility. It is difficult, heart touching work. But who else is supposed to do it?
As I said, I come about an hour early. I work late into the night. I consider myself blessed. They have let me into their world. They trust that I know what I am talking about. And everyday they draw closer. Not bad, I'd say. For a woman with a bathroom that people mistake for a closet.
It was an 85 day I think, if I had to give myself a score. My teacher friend says if that's the grade I'd give myself I'm doing great. I am a perfectionist. Hadn't realized it until a few years ago. If you saw my inside hallway, or the bathroom I've yet to complete after five years, you would wonder about my claims. Okay my daughter is saying it's been seven years. Onward Sharon. Focus. The entrepreneurship side gets the students juices going. Today was no different. But I am learning maybe I have to give students more specific tasks to do. To perhaps let each table go to the computers one by one instead of my way: "okay time for entrepreneur class." No they don't run off like horses. But zip they sure get across the class quick. I also don't think I had made sure each child had enough to do. So a team might have had three folks plugging away today, one finishing a project and one twiddling his/her thumbs. But truly, most students don't twiddle. They will talk or move or whine. Better for them to work
I think it was a day about me more than them. Looking. Reassessing. Thinking how can I do things differently, better. Take meditation. The day before students were a little wiggly. That night I thought hmmm. There's a RIF employee in the room with me. I am the spokesperson for Reading is Fundamental locally. And they are one of the big sponsors for me while I work with the youth. Anywho (yes I meant what I just said) she meditates along with the class while I walk and remind folks to close eyes, relax. I asked her if she wanted to do the meditation, thinking she might have a skill set in that area that was stronger than mine. I was right. Those babies were gone, in another world in seconds. I am learning what I hope students will learn. People are on the planet to help and guide. If you let them you will spend less time roaming int he wilderness.
Late at night, looking over the next days work and how I might improve it, I thought about the day, the students, me. But more and more I think about teachers. I am convinced they must be angels, even the rotten ones. To be able to give ones full attention. To care about this child and that one. To look to see if Malcolm needs you, if Mary can keep up, If Ja'mal is on task after being distracted by his neighbor. To rub the back of the girl who always gives the answers as well as touching and smiling at the ones who don't (not on purpose for me just comes naturally). To make a course correction while teaching knowing it will mean more time at the computer late at night. To be ashamed at having raised ones voice a tad to loudly. Or to have passed by one child who needed you for another one only realizing to late what you've done. It is an awesome responsibility. It is difficult, heart touching work. But who else is supposed to do it?
As I said, I come about an hour early. I work late into the night. I consider myself blessed. They have let me into their world. They trust that I know what I am talking about. And everyday they draw closer. Not bad, I'd say. For a woman with a bathroom that people mistake for a closet.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Day 3 Read.Write.Dream: speaking out on race and ethnicity
Okay so I didn't nap yesterday. But I wanted to. I understand teachers a bit better as well. Tired. Wishing I could just chill. But couldn't. Had to tweak my curriculum. By the way when I get home I find that all I have planned doesn't all get done. Lots of things do, but not everything. I'm lucky. I have the pleasure of following a great idea to it's completion, be it mine or a students. I can shift direction, or come off topic all together.
My colon shifted too I suppose. Sorry but truth is truth. Woke up this morning and walked three miles, but still was feeling blah when I got to class. When students walked in, I could see it on their faces. They felt blah too. Colons do not stop the needs of students so I had to get myself together. Didn't take long. Had an interesting issue to discuss for the Money Hungry Book. Posted a statement I saw on line by a girl saying she related to her Black mother more than White father because the world sees biracial kids as black anyhow. Asked my soon to be 7th and 8th graders if they felt this was true, most didn't. Asked if race, ethnicity mattered when it came to marriage. They didn't think so. All African-American they were eager to share when I asked about which stereotypes were out there about Whites, Asians, Blacks. Close your eyes if this is gonna bother you. Whites they said were stereotyped as being stuck up and distant. Asians they believe are stereotyped by having people say negative comments about their eyes, and being considered smart. African-American stereotypes include people calling them ghetto, loud and wearing slippers out. Again, they weren't saying this is what they thought, but what stereotypes were out there. I loved their honesty.
Mai in my novel does not want to be biracial or Asian like her dad. She wishes her mixed race parents had married their own kind. Should people only marry their own kind I asked the class? Absolutely not they all agreed. Marry who you like, was the message they sent. Many raised their hand when asked if they would marry outside their race. One girl even said a woman should marry another woman if she liked. A man a man. Several students agreed.
Authors have to slip out of their skin and write from other perspectives I told them. I'm 56 not 13. In Money Hungry I had to be a black girl, a Korean dad, a biracial girl. So they had to be someone else today as well. Gave them photos of people nothing like themselves. Whites, men, old ladies, little girls. It's an assignment that stops some students. Pretend you are this person and tell the reader who you are, what you are going through, why you are here. Stopped some of my students too at first. I think sometimes students forget they have imaginations. Some want you to tell them what is going on in the piece. I had conversations with a few to get them thinking. After a while, several students got it. Revisiting it again tomorrow. Pushing past limits is what is needed. And they do it all the time I'm sure. Just need reminding via practicing and a pushy 56 year old.
Their business groups well well. Always busy, noisy with them buzzing about. Some at computer, some at desks with entrepreneur partners, some talking. It matters who you connect with in a group. you'll work harder if you connect with a social butterfly. That's a valuable lesson to learn in a group as well. One group had a break through I think. Didn't have their name and tagline until late in the day. But oh it was nice. I read it to the entire class. Always reminding them that more is in them. So nice so very nice to see them rising to the occasion. Today the first person created an ad. Logos are coming, along with completing information (for me) for trademarks, posters, presentations and more. Today I was like, what did I do? Can this all be down in two weeks? It's my brain child. My baby. My belief that if we expect more we get more. Here's hoping I don't land on my colon.
My colon shifted too I suppose. Sorry but truth is truth. Woke up this morning and walked three miles, but still was feeling blah when I got to class. When students walked in, I could see it on their faces. They felt blah too. Colons do not stop the needs of students so I had to get myself together. Didn't take long. Had an interesting issue to discuss for the Money Hungry Book. Posted a statement I saw on line by a girl saying she related to her Black mother more than White father because the world sees biracial kids as black anyhow. Asked my soon to be 7th and 8th graders if they felt this was true, most didn't. Asked if race, ethnicity mattered when it came to marriage. They didn't think so. All African-American they were eager to share when I asked about which stereotypes were out there about Whites, Asians, Blacks. Close your eyes if this is gonna bother you. Whites they said were stereotyped as being stuck up and distant. Asians they believe are stereotyped by having people say negative comments about their eyes, and being considered smart. African-American stereotypes include people calling them ghetto, loud and wearing slippers out. Again, they weren't saying this is what they thought, but what stereotypes were out there. I loved their honesty.
Mai in my novel does not want to be biracial or Asian like her dad. She wishes her mixed race parents had married their own kind. Should people only marry their own kind I asked the class? Absolutely not they all agreed. Marry who you like, was the message they sent. Many raised their hand when asked if they would marry outside their race. One girl even said a woman should marry another woman if she liked. A man a man. Several students agreed.
I wrote about issues of race and ethnicity in the novel because I wanted teachers to explore the issues with youth. To not shy away from such discussions. Later someone said they hadn't thought youth this age could discuss race with such intention and thoughtfulness. It takes more than a day to address such topics. But it's a beginning.
Authors have to slip out of their skin and write from other perspectives I told them. I'm 56 not 13. In Money Hungry I had to be a black girl, a Korean dad, a biracial girl. So they had to be someone else today as well. Gave them photos of people nothing like themselves. Whites, men, old ladies, little girls. It's an assignment that stops some students. Pretend you are this person and tell the reader who you are, what you are going through, why you are here. Stopped some of my students too at first. I think sometimes students forget they have imaginations. Some want you to tell them what is going on in the piece. I had conversations with a few to get them thinking. After a while, several students got it. Revisiting it again tomorrow. Pushing past limits is what is needed. And they do it all the time I'm sure. Just need reminding via practicing and a pushy 56 year old.
Their business groups well well. Always busy, noisy with them buzzing about. Some at computer, some at desks with entrepreneur partners, some talking. It matters who you connect with in a group. you'll work harder if you connect with a social butterfly. That's a valuable lesson to learn in a group as well. One group had a break through I think. Didn't have their name and tagline until late in the day. But oh it was nice. I read it to the entire class. Always reminding them that more is in them. So nice so very nice to see them rising to the occasion. Today the first person created an ad. Logos are coming, along with completing information (for me) for trademarks, posters, presentations and more. Today I was like, what did I do? Can this all be down in two weeks? It's my brain child. My baby. My belief that if we expect more we get more. Here's hoping I don't land on my colon.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Read. Write. Dream. Day 2. A lesson for the teacher
How many times do you say settle down? How many times do you want to, especially when students are excited, animated and engaged? That was the challenge today when I began the workshop with the entrepreneurial session. Students took off. Working. Chatting. Laughing. In fact they went nuts working in their business groups and writing out their business plans. I created the questions. They had to work as a unit to provide the answers. Name their group. That was an easy question. They'd named them weeks ago. Describe the business. Not so easy a question as some thought. So easy to jot down one line and think you're done. I am pushy. They were all okay with digging deeper. And rethinking things. How many customers will you serve daily? Who will be your customers? Everyone is an answer but here they get to learn why it may not be the most complete answer. In their heads they might have been thinking, lady sit down. But on the outside they showed that they understood and were willing to rethink some things.
Over these ten days I want the students to hear and experience business terms and strategies they may run into later in life. But how to tie in the novel Money Hungry to the entrepreneurial side? I hadn't realized I hadn't done that. They spend one hour doing business and one hour discussing the book and writing. Today they were told that one of my characters wanted to be a part of their business. In envelopes I had names of the top five characters, and fifty pretend dollars in each one. Here's what I've learned. It is easy to motivate young people with money, even if it's play money. Each of the four groups wanted an envelop. I told them they had to have only one person select the envelop out of my hand. I was being intentional. Teaching them to depend on others, give others a chance and think of the group first. For accepting my characters and my cash, they now have to write up a bio on the character, provide their full name, the city they live in, parents, and main conflict they face. I said I had five characters. I had four envelopes. All hands went up when I asked which group wanted the fifth one. Oh it was for the money, Sharon, you're saying. It was. But work came with the money and they were willing to do it. I liked knowing that.
Itemizing lists for things they will need or sell meant that some students took to circulars and the internet. Having students at different skill levels and interests, meant everyone wasn't at the same place at the same time. But all in all it was a good day, for the business side. But what about the novel? Were they all as hyped up? Can a novel compete with play money?
Well here's what I learned today. All that excitement spills over into the next period, especially when you begin the next period with a game. We played Who Am I? I wrote information about characters, places and money (yep money talks when you need it to) and wrote it down under the name of a character. Each time someone read a phrase someone else had to say, I am Raspberry or whomever and read their phrase. This went on and on, with students enjoying themselves.
We were discussing leadership today. Was the main character a leader? Who leads in the friendships of the students in the class? What is a leader? Also tried to help them see Raspberry has the entrepreneurial sprit which is why she sees opportunity everywhere she goes. On the bus she sees old women talking about hiring girls to clean their homes. She believes this is a great idea. I believed it was a great idea to have students write letters to elderly people they knew telling them the interesting things happening in their lives and why this person was valuable to them. Turns out everyone isn't in love with the elderly. Let's face it y'all, some of them are cranks. And lots of young people have had bad experiences with them. While most of the literary session went exceptionally well, the writing assignment didn't fly high. I have to take credit for that. Back to doing the book first for starters. Have an example of whatever you want students to work on. Understand that no matter what group a person is in (elderly, super models, pilots) everyone won't love 'em, be prepared with a plan B.
All in all I left flying high. Great group as I've said before. Not perfect, though I'd never go into specific details here. Not appropriate I think to teach and tell. Oh yes, the meditating. I'm seeing progress already. Also with the journaling. They may write on whatever they like. I do not read it. Today most wrote longer passages than yesterday. Some even wanted more time.
On my way home, recounting things. I yawned. And why? 'Cause teaching is hard work y'all. Took a nap yesterday thinking it was because I was up almost all night the day before. Am ready for another nap. And I'm taking it too. Then up to work on my curriculum. Just think. I only teach (is it teaching if you're not a real teacher?) two hours a day. Dang. How do the real ones do it, all day, five days a week, up to the end of the school year? Yawn.
Until tomorrow. Nap, nap.
Over these ten days I want the students to hear and experience business terms and strategies they may run into later in life. But how to tie in the novel Money Hungry to the entrepreneurial side? I hadn't realized I hadn't done that. They spend one hour doing business and one hour discussing the book and writing. Today they were told that one of my characters wanted to be a part of their business. In envelopes I had names of the top five characters, and fifty pretend dollars in each one. Here's what I've learned. It is easy to motivate young people with money, even if it's play money. Each of the four groups wanted an envelop. I told them they had to have only one person select the envelop out of my hand. I was being intentional. Teaching them to depend on others, give others a chance and think of the group first. For accepting my characters and my cash, they now have to write up a bio on the character, provide their full name, the city they live in, parents, and main conflict they face. I said I had five characters. I had four envelopes. All hands went up when I asked which group wanted the fifth one. Oh it was for the money, Sharon, you're saying. It was. But work came with the money and they were willing to do it. I liked knowing that.
Itemizing lists for things they will need or sell meant that some students took to circulars and the internet. Having students at different skill levels and interests, meant everyone wasn't at the same place at the same time. But all in all it was a good day, for the business side. But what about the novel? Were they all as hyped up? Can a novel compete with play money?
Well here's what I learned today. All that excitement spills over into the next period, especially when you begin the next period with a game. We played Who Am I? I wrote information about characters, places and money (yep money talks when you need it to) and wrote it down under the name of a character. Each time someone read a phrase someone else had to say, I am Raspberry or whomever and read their phrase. This went on and on, with students enjoying themselves.
We were discussing leadership today. Was the main character a leader? Who leads in the friendships of the students in the class? What is a leader? Also tried to help them see Raspberry has the entrepreneurial sprit which is why she sees opportunity everywhere she goes. On the bus she sees old women talking about hiring girls to clean their homes. She believes this is a great idea. I believed it was a great idea to have students write letters to elderly people they knew telling them the interesting things happening in their lives and why this person was valuable to them. Turns out everyone isn't in love with the elderly. Let's face it y'all, some of them are cranks. And lots of young people have had bad experiences with them. While most of the literary session went exceptionally well, the writing assignment didn't fly high. I have to take credit for that. Back to doing the book first for starters. Have an example of whatever you want students to work on. Understand that no matter what group a person is in (elderly, super models, pilots) everyone won't love 'em, be prepared with a plan B.
All in all I left flying high. Great group as I've said before. Not perfect, though I'd never go into specific details here. Not appropriate I think to teach and tell. Oh yes, the meditating. I'm seeing progress already. Also with the journaling. They may write on whatever they like. I do not read it. Today most wrote longer passages than yesterday. Some even wanted more time.
On my way home, recounting things. I yawned. And why? 'Cause teaching is hard work y'all. Took a nap yesterday thinking it was because I was up almost all night the day before. Am ready for another nap. And I'm taking it too. Then up to work on my curriculum. Just think. I only teach (is it teaching if you're not a real teacher?) two hours a day. Dang. How do the real ones do it, all day, five days a week, up to the end of the school year? Yawn.
Until tomorrow. Nap, nap.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Read. Write. Dream. Day 1. Entrepreneurship.
Read. Write. Dream. I came up with that phrase two years ago. It said everything to me. Held what I hold dear in each word. Kicking off the business with the entrepreneurship program around my book Money Hungry only seems fitting.
Didn't know anything about business when I was young. Just that the man who owned the corner store had the best Johnny cookies in the world. Philly is full of corner stores. When I was young, they were owned by white people, then black folks now lots of people from the Dominican and elsewhere. How's a kid supposed to know that they can own that spot, or any spot anywhere, unless we tell them? Show them. And what better way to do that than to tether that idea to students when they are young?
I guess for the next ten days the students and I are tethered as well. They walked in quietly today. Inside I was quiet as well. No sleepy. Was up almost 24 hours. Nerves I suppose. But I am the teacher. Oh gosh. Someone out there is laughing I bet. So they picked up folders. Journals. Cards describing the businesses of an entrepreneur couple visiting in the afternoon. Okay so a few left their books at home. One or two hadn't read them at all. One girl even lost hers. But we got to work. And their minds were ripe and laughter came easily. No flinching when I said how much writing we had to do. Or when I asked for a volunteer to introduce our guests upon arrival.
Funny how people see your characters so differently than you do. Raspberry Hill is so beloved, but boy would she like to know how money hungry they really do see her. I connected that idea back to them. Are they hungry for money? Do they save? What do they value? They are going to seventh and eighth grade. They value sneakers and cell phones. Friends. No one said education. But they are sitting in my class while their peers in the building are off doing summer-like things. They are reading, most are anyhow. They are journaling, writing. Meditating, sometimes with one eye open. So education is valued by them or their parents, especially by the folks running the program.
Read. Write. Dream. Will they dream about making loads of money? Will the guys dream about all the pretty girls in the class that out number them? Will they grow up and see their dreams deferred? Who is to know. But as Oprah says, this I know for sure. Plant the seeds early. Believe they are receiving even when it might not appear to be so. And give them the best that you have.
I still dream. I still believe. That books are more than words on a page. They are living, breathing things that get under the skin of the young. Raspberry and her money hungry ways can teach young people to be hungry themselves to own their businesses. To make their own rules and set their own course.
Even while I am batting my tired eyes here at home thinking, ten days? How do teachers do it? I believe that what we are doing together, these young people and I, will spill over into their lives when they are grown. Business owners? Maybe a few will sprout from here. Readers. Dreamers. Oh I expect a load of those to take flight. Well off to work on tomorrow's lesson. Night.
Didn't know anything about business when I was young. Just that the man who owned the corner store had the best Johnny cookies in the world. Philly is full of corner stores. When I was young, they were owned by white people, then black folks now lots of people from the Dominican and elsewhere. How's a kid supposed to know that they can own that spot, or any spot anywhere, unless we tell them? Show them. And what better way to do that than to tether that idea to students when they are young?
I guess for the next ten days the students and I are tethered as well. They walked in quietly today. Inside I was quiet as well. No sleepy. Was up almost 24 hours. Nerves I suppose. But I am the teacher. Oh gosh. Someone out there is laughing I bet. So they picked up folders. Journals. Cards describing the businesses of an entrepreneur couple visiting in the afternoon. Okay so a few left their books at home. One or two hadn't read them at all. One girl even lost hers. But we got to work. And their minds were ripe and laughter came easily. No flinching when I said how much writing we had to do. Or when I asked for a volunteer to introduce our guests upon arrival.
Funny how people see your characters so differently than you do. Raspberry Hill is so beloved, but boy would she like to know how money hungry they really do see her. I connected that idea back to them. Are they hungry for money? Do they save? What do they value? They are going to seventh and eighth grade. They value sneakers and cell phones. Friends. No one said education. But they are sitting in my class while their peers in the building are off doing summer-like things. They are reading, most are anyhow. They are journaling, writing. Meditating, sometimes with one eye open. So education is valued by them or their parents, especially by the folks running the program.
Read. Write. Dream. Will they dream about making loads of money? Will the guys dream about all the pretty girls in the class that out number them? Will they grow up and see their dreams deferred? Who is to know. But as Oprah says, this I know for sure. Plant the seeds early. Believe they are receiving even when it might not appear to be so. And give them the best that you have.
I still dream. I still believe. That books are more than words on a page. They are living, breathing things that get under the skin of the young. Raspberry and her money hungry ways can teach young people to be hungry themselves to own their businesses. To make their own rules and set their own course.
Even while I am batting my tired eyes here at home thinking, ten days? How do teachers do it? I believe that what we are doing together, these young people and I, will spill over into their lives when they are grown. Business owners? Maybe a few will sprout from here. Readers. Dreamers. Oh I expect a load of those to take flight. Well off to work on tomorrow's lesson. Night.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Students Use Money Hungry Novel to Learn Entrepreneurship
I swore I’d never blog. There is so much chatter in the world already; I figured I’d keep my big mouth shut. I lied.
Here I am blogging with the rest of the planet—darn it another big mouth. Don’t worry. I won’t bend your ear too often. Just every now and again.
Not that you asked, but I am sitting on my lawn smiling ear to ear by the way, happy enough to tap dance if I knew how. Why? Because I did something yesterday I’ve wanted to do for a while. Took one of my novels and began to use it with students in a way I always knew was possible. Now don’t puff up teachers and librarians. I’m hugging you kissing you right now—not the married ones your wifeys wouldn’t like it. You’ve supported my work for years and I wouldn’t be here without you. But sometimes, way down deep inside, I think the breath and scope of some of my work has yet to be realized in many classrooms. Take Money Hungry, my Coretta Scott King Honor Book. It’s about a girl who thinks money will fill the hole inside her and prevent her from ending up living on the streets again. Loads of students still email me about it. They want a third novel, but that’s not why I’m blogging. This summer I will teach a class to teenagers in Pittsburgh connecting the book to common core standards and the entrepreneurial spirit that flows through it, as well as most youth.
The preview of the two-week course was yesterday. Thirteen young people (a few more to come) came voluntarily (that’s saying something when it’s summer and your friends are in the heat living la Vida loca.) Here’s a glimpse of what happened. I had them interview one another to get loosened up. Nothing like asking a person who they would like to have play themselves in a movie or what the title of a book about them and their friends should be called, to start a lively conversation.
I introduced the program. Had the class meditate for five minutes. Yeah—I said what you thought I said. They could lie across the desks or on the floor. Sit in their chairs or kick off their shoes. Stinky feet had to stay inside sneakers, however. My rule. The five-minute meditation seemed like hours I suppose. Took me three minutes to wake some folk up. Why mediate? Tell you later.
Next they wrote for ten-minutes about whatever they liked. It’s hard sometimes to give students an open ended assignment like this—but necessary at times to help them remember that their minds are full and not just when someone else is pouring into them.
So what does all of this have to do with entrepreneurship? Imagination, creativity, pushing past your boundaries has everything to do with it. Ask Fifty Cent or Donald Trump. Madame C.J. Walker or the guy on the corner selling umbrellas and water ice.
I told the class that they weren’t kids in my room, nor students. They will be referred to as entrepreneurs. They believed me. After we discussed my novel, they set right to work. Their charge? Form business groups on their own or let this big mouth bossy woman do it for them. You know what they preferred. I told them in advance, though, don’t just hook up with friends. “You don’t know some of these people well but use your gut. Think. Look for workers, creative thinkers, leaders.” Then the fun began. I gave them a list of businesses any 11-17 year old could do if they'd like. Didn’t want them thinking they could only start a business when they were grown or old as dirt. They could select from my list or come up with their own businesses. Smart folks. Some groups combined their ideas with those on the list. “Your business needs a name,” I said. They did that as well. Looking back already, I wish that list had more technology oriented options.
The instant entrepreneurs were empowered, fast learners and feeling themselves. But part of being an entrepreneur (As an author, I’m one myself) is learning to make the business work. Picking the right team of folks to be around you. Knowing what you need to be successful and learning to pick yourself up when you fall. I’m hoping these young people will learn all this and more during our time together. The work will be on paper, but the pressure will be on. They will have to come up with ways to market themselves, make presentations, create logos and the like. They will have to calculate how much money they will need for three months of supplies, as well as figure out how much to donate to a organization (on paper) to a charity in their neighborhood.
So Sharon Flake, where’s the book come in you’re saying? Money Hungry will never be far behind. They will read it over the two weeks they will be away from me. When we return, we’ll deal with characters, plots, and author intent, common core standards and more. We’ll connect Raspberry the entrepreneur to the business folks in the class and beyond. Issues of homelessness, and community in the book will also be addressed with the entrepreneurs. What role does small business play in the health and welfare of the communities they serve? Do you have to be a millionaire to give back? They will also write love letters to their community.
I know what you’re thinking. Sharon Flake who are those young people in your class anyhow? Geniuses? I will admit, some seem very smart and motivated. I am doing my session in conjunction with a few local organizations and never asked how they selected my young entrepreneurs. My thought has always been to expect the most even from the least likely. Adapt your adapt approach along the way but don't sell young people short. I'm down with that. Already I am thinking about ways the entrepreneurs may donate time to any struggling entrepreneurs in the class.
So stay tuned. In two weeks I will be back here again letting you know how it all goes. In the mean time, chill. Read a book. Inside each book, each child, there are worlds of possibilities. Believe.
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