Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Christmas Story

One of the projects that I started doing with my Third Grade classes has really been a lot of fun. I ask the boys to tell me any part of the Biblical Christmas story and I record it with a Flip camera. Then using Imovie, I put it all together in order, add some music and titles and post it to our school website for friends and family to see. This year I used the green screen feature for a background. We recorded in front of a green wall, I added a clip art picture of Bethlehem and the star and Viola! Check out the link to see them! Merry Christmas to everyone!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

They Ask Me Why I Teach

Wow! It has been a long time since I have posted. Not sure why...just haven't had anything worth sharing, I guess. A few nights ago, my husband and I watched a rerun of Charlie Rose's interview with legendary Coach, John Wooden, and he recited this poem. It brought tears to my eyes! This is for all of us who love to teach!

They Ask Me Why I Teach
by Glennice L. Harmon


They ask me why I teach,
And I reply,
Where could I find more splendid company?
There sits a statesman,
Strong, unbiased, wise,
Another later Webster,
Silver-tongued,
And there, a doctor
Whose quick, steady hand
Can mend a bone,
Or stem the lifeblood's flow.
A builder sits beside him-
Upward rise
The arches of a church he builds, wherein
That minister will speak the word of God,
And lead a stumbling soul to touch the Christ.
And all about
A lesser gathering
Of farmers, merchants, teachers,
Laborers, men
Who work and vote and build
And plan and pray
Into a great tomorrow
And I say,
"I may not see the church,
Or hear the word,
Or eat the food their hands will grow."
And yet- I may.
And later I may say,
"I knew the lad,
And he was strong,
Or weak, or kind, or proud,
Or bold, or gay.
I knew him once,
But then he was a boy."
They ask me why I teach, and I reply,
"Where could I find more splendid company?"