Friday, June 22, 2012

MAC/ Week 4, Response to Cherylee Gruber's Blog


Cherylee Gruber, you are so talented, invested in your students, and creative. You go so far beyond what is necessary because you really enjoy doing this and you inspire me to do my best.

I can relate to having to teach something that you don’t connect to and having to do a total mind-shift. You took Animal Farm to a wonderful creative level. I wish I could conjure up quick ideas like you do in the moment; it would have made this year much easier to live with.

You state, “I also think it is important to allow other to ignite yours, (the spark), and that we tend to shutout the “sparkers” because of the flames that they might ignite. Ignition means work.” I know that with my students, if I ignite them, the room bursts with energy and it gets loud which in my current school wasn’t allowed or understood.

You have certainly not only ignited my spark, but you have helped me continue to let it spark when at times, I really wanted to snuff it out. To rise above the system also requires much work and gets tiring. Thank you.


Image Source; Microsoft Office Clipart, MP900437381



Chapter 9 - Lighting the Spark

In Chapter Nine, Lighting the Spark and Enrollment are the key points.  Zander’s theory is that the universe is alive with sparks. Passion rather than fear is the abundant force. Once you realize the spark exists it is like playing catch in a field of light.  Offer others the spark you carry. I appreciate the analogies especially being a teacher.  I have observed several other teachers in action, and it is always very obvious who is carrying a spark, who is smoldering, and whose fire has long ago died. 

I have always tried to convey my passion for English Literature.  I show excitement about what we are about to read.  My one area that always concerned me was Animal Farm.  I don’t like it, yet it was district required.  My outlook however, was trying to make it exciting for the students.  I never walked in and said, “We have to read this book.”  Instead I have tried several projects to “spark” the book for my students and myself.  Once I held a “meet-and-great” where all students pulled the “Hi my name is” tag out of a bag with a historical figure or party member on the tag.  They had time to research their roles and then attended the party.  It was quite funny to see how they would interact with one another based on research.  

The point is lighting the spark.  I also think it is important to allow others to ignite yours.  Sometimes in a hectic and chaotic life, we tend to shutout “sparkers” because of the flames that they might ignite.  Ignition means work. 


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