In Chapter 15 of The Devil's Arithmetic, Leye explains that Rivka organized a ring for the blokova, allowing Hannah to have a decent job in the kitchens. Rivka and Hannah have an exchange regarding Leye's explanation in which Rivka essentially tells Hannah to "pay it forward," an idea that prompts people to do good for others. Please provide your feelings on the following excerpt, drawing connections to your own life or other areas of study in the Sixth Grade.
When Hannah tried to thank Rivka, the girl only smiled and shrugged away the thanks. "My mother, may she rest in peace, always said 'a nemer iz nisht keyn geber,' a taker is not a giver. And a giver is not a taker either. Keep your thanks. And hand it on." She said it gently, as if embarrassed.
Hannah understood her embarrassment and didn't mention it again, but she did try to pass it on....
Monday, November 22, 2010
Capt. Charles Moore on the seas of plastic | Video on TED.com
Capt. Charles Moore on the seas of plastic | Video on TED.com
An excellent TED Talk by Charles Moore, as shared by Jewelyn P. during her Plan of Action presentation. Thanks, Jewelyn!
An excellent TED Talk by Charles Moore, as shared by Jewelyn P. during her Plan of Action presentation. Thanks, Jewelyn!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Science Stars Step Into Finals
Science Students,
It's time for us to play a little 1st Trimester review game... Please provide one "Fun Fact" from our studies during the 1st Trimester of Earth Science. You may list one golden nugget from Chapters 1, 2, 6, or 13, but you may not provide the blog with a fun fact that a classmate has already posted (first come, first served). You must also number your post. If you are the second student to log in, your entry might begin like this:
2) Alfred Wegener developed the Theory of Continental Drift.
Email or see me if you have any questions... Let the game begin!
It's time for us to play a little 1st Trimester review game... Please provide one "Fun Fact" from our studies during the 1st Trimester of Earth Science. You may list one golden nugget from Chapters 1, 2, 6, or 13, but you may not provide the blog with a fun fact that a classmate has already posted (first come, first served). You must also number your post. If you are the second student to log in, your entry might begin like this:
2) Alfred Wegener developed the Theory of Continental Drift.
Email or see me if you have any questions... Let the game begin!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Courage. Grace. Fortitude.
Courage. Grace. Fortitude.
These are the defining qualities of a dear friend of mine. She is a woman who exhibits such bravery in the face of what is surely the greatest battle of her life that I often find myself saying that she is a better “man” than me. You see, she is waging a war on a terror that is unlike anything any superpower or military might has ever encountered. This battle has roiled inside of her for months; it is a war that is fueled by factors which are sadly common to so many others like her.
Like many of her comrades who wage similar wars, my friend is young, vibrant, talented, and kind. She is a daughter. A wife. A mother. And now she is a warrior.
Her battle is against cancer, and she embodies such fervent qualities that she echoes the call of countless survivors and womanly warriors of similar ilk. My friend is no stranger to the fight against women’s cancers. She has witnessed as the dreaded disease cruelly toyed with her family and friends. She worked in the trenches with the Susan G. Komen foundation. And now she faces a faceless foe, staring into the darkness and refusing to blink. Despite pain, discomfort, doubts, and disbelief, she battles – working each day, caring for her young daughter, standing side-by-side with her devoted husband. She pushes pain and doctor recommendations of rest aside in order to devote her time to teaching. She shows few chinks in her armor despite the onslaught of the effects of cancer and the treatment that is supposed to heal her. She wears a brave face and shares a warm heart and sharp sense of humor with her students and colleagues. Even as she walks this long road, she asks for little but gives so much. Now, I find myself asking what we could possibly give her to ease her pain, tell her troubles to tarry outside her door, or to allay her fears.
I always tell my students that the word “sucks” is never to be used in my classroom. Such common verbiage holds no place in our academic halls; however, I used that word today (with apologies). There was to be no denying it – Cancer Sucks.
My friend is truly a profile in courage. By exhibiting such grace under fire, she has somehow channeled the words and spirit of President John F. Kennedy who wrote, “The stories of past courage can define that ingredient – they can teach, they can offer hope, they can provide inspiration. But they cannot supply courage itself. For this each man must look into his own soul.” When Kennedy speaks of the courage of man, he speaks of mankind or womankind. Kennedy speaks of the courage that is required of not only world leaders, but of those who wage a daily war against such villainy as cancer. He speaks of the courage of my dear friend and colleague. In her battle against cancer, this teacher continues to teach, continues to offer hope, and continues to provide inspiration. And if it is for each man to look into his own soul, well she’s doing just that. She’s digging deep and again prompting me to say that she’s more “man” than I could ever be.
Like a boxer with an entourage of trainers and supporters, she has us in her corner. She’s coming out swinging, and she’ll keep swinging through the bell. This fighter and her entourage will never throw in the towel.
These are the defining qualities of a dear friend of mine. She is a woman who exhibits such bravery in the face of what is surely the greatest battle of her life that I often find myself saying that she is a better “man” than me. You see, she is waging a war on a terror that is unlike anything any superpower or military might has ever encountered. This battle has roiled inside of her for months; it is a war that is fueled by factors which are sadly common to so many others like her.
Like many of her comrades who wage similar wars, my friend is young, vibrant, talented, and kind. She is a daughter. A wife. A mother. And now she is a warrior.
Her battle is against cancer, and she embodies such fervent qualities that she echoes the call of countless survivors and womanly warriors of similar ilk. My friend is no stranger to the fight against women’s cancers. She has witnessed as the dreaded disease cruelly toyed with her family and friends. She worked in the trenches with the Susan G. Komen foundation. And now she faces a faceless foe, staring into the darkness and refusing to blink. Despite pain, discomfort, doubts, and disbelief, she battles – working each day, caring for her young daughter, standing side-by-side with her devoted husband. She pushes pain and doctor recommendations of rest aside in order to devote her time to teaching. She shows few chinks in her armor despite the onslaught of the effects of cancer and the treatment that is supposed to heal her. She wears a brave face and shares a warm heart and sharp sense of humor with her students and colleagues. Even as she walks this long road, she asks for little but gives so much. Now, I find myself asking what we could possibly give her to ease her pain, tell her troubles to tarry outside her door, or to allay her fears.
I always tell my students that the word “sucks” is never to be used in my classroom. Such common verbiage holds no place in our academic halls; however, I used that word today (with apologies). There was to be no denying it – Cancer Sucks.
My friend is truly a profile in courage. By exhibiting such grace under fire, she has somehow channeled the words and spirit of President John F. Kennedy who wrote, “The stories of past courage can define that ingredient – they can teach, they can offer hope, they can provide inspiration. But they cannot supply courage itself. For this each man must look into his own soul.” When Kennedy speaks of the courage of man, he speaks of mankind or womankind. Kennedy speaks of the courage that is required of not only world leaders, but of those who wage a daily war against such villainy as cancer. He speaks of the courage of my dear friend and colleague. In her battle against cancer, this teacher continues to teach, continues to offer hope, and continues to provide inspiration. And if it is for each man to look into his own soul, well she’s doing just that. She’s digging deep and again prompting me to say that she’s more “man” than I could ever be.
Like a boxer with an entourage of trainers and supporters, she has us in her corner. She’s coming out swinging, and she’ll keep swinging through the bell. This fighter and her entourage will never throw in the towel.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Michael Josephson Commentary: A Veterans Day Tribute 696.5
From the Josephson Institute and Character Counts!, a commentary on Veterans' Day and the honor of those who serve our country...
Michael Josephson Commentary: A Veterans Day Tribute 696.5
Michael Josephson Commentary: A Veterans Day Tribute 696.5
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