Monday, March 20, 2023

Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts About Easter

Confession is good for the soul, it is said. And I confess I do love the 'chocolate' holiday season from Halloween to Christmas to Valentine's Day to Easter. Cadbury has the queen of treats, the Creme Egg, appearing only at Easter. 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I'm not alone. It is just too much fun decorating baskets with that eternal Easter grass (it never goes away, it's like glitter), and coloring the eggs the old fashioned way with vinegar, etc. The images of bunnies and chicks and ducklings are cute, even better than Santa who has a list and checks it twice. No unconditional love from him! And this is an outside sport, temps in the 70s, with light breezes, egg hunting, spring clothes and bonnets, blooming Easter Lilies. Well, at least here in SoCal.





I did see a puddy tat!
Not one of Woodstock's, I'm guessing.











The secularization of this holiday makes it acceptable to everyone. Afterall, anthropologists say that all peoples celebrated the return of spring after the difficulties of winter.

Coaxing a smile from Eeyore.
Familiar pop-culture figures dominate all 
holidays now, and this is a word that used to mean 'holy-day.' Have we lost anything by this transformation?  Is the concept of the sacred now forbidden? Teachers carefully appreciate the separation of church and state in a public school. But everywhere?

Easter is the most secularized of the holidays in the USA, and ironically, the most important for Christians acknowledging the death and resurrection of Jesus. Question: how can we honor the rights of all and permit our students to express their beliefs in public and private?

This is not a student of mine. He is a model.
Here in SoCal this year it has become a fashion statement for middle school boys to wear rosaries as necklaces.

 And not only the latino kids. I've asked some of them what it means to them; sometimes they say it means they are Mexican, sometimes they tell me it is about their faith. Some say they just think it looks cool. So far, this practice has not been considered a dress code violation. In other places, it is dress code.

Amarillo ISD Student Wears Rosary Beads, Violates Dress Code, Arrested

http://www.everythinglubbock.com/story/d/story/-/2y_mYNc72ESSBDmVsYGvgA 

Can I wear clothing that communicates a political or religious message?
http://www.riaclu.org/know-your-rights/pamphlets/know-your-rights-school-dress-codes 


So why so serious, MzTeachuh, and where are the silly Garfield jokes? OK, here we go.

What do you need if your Cadbury Creme Eggs suddenly disappear?

You need an eggsplanation.

Where does the Easter Bunny get his eggs? From Eggplants.



How is the Easter Bunny like Kobe Bryant?

They're both famous for stuffing baskets.

Q: What does the Easter Bunny get for making a basket?
A: Two points, just like anyone else.

Q: How can you tell where the Easter Bunny has been?
A: Eggs mark the spot! 

Did you hear the one about the fifty-pound jelly bean?

It was pretty hard to swallow

Why do we paint Easter eggs?

Because it is too hard to wallpaper them.


What does the White House do when there are too many undiscovered Easter eggs on the South Lawn?

Call an eggstermi-nator.

What is the title of the rabbit in charge of the distribution of Easter eggs?

Chief of Hoperations.




I am a huge fan of the Cadbury Creme Egg Bunny, and was charmed when I found one I could buy as an Easter Bunny. A stuffed one that cackles like a chicken, not a real one.

So, enjoy these animal actors. Why is there no Emmy or Oscar for animal actors?

Cadbury Bunny Ad - Chocolate 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev2eOXtDN6g

Matisse and Spring--What's Outside Your Window?


The Dessert: Harmony in Red, Henri Matisse http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dessert:_Harmony_in_Red_%28The_Red_Room%29

Looks like Henri had trees in bloom outside his window.
Maybe he was listening to this music while he painted, which premiered the same year, 1908.

Maurice Ravel - Rhapsodie Espagnole, I-II 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ZyAf1udmU 

Education Links 3/21/23

Why You Shouldn’t “Build Community”



ED TECH DIGEST

25 Slam Poetry Examples To Inspire Students of All Ages


Increasing the Value of Graphic Organizers

How to Stop Procrastinating If You Live with ADHD

 


Solving the Dyslexia Paradox



Best Virtual Field Trips

MzTeachuh's Meditations: When God's Will Looks Like a Rube Goldberg Machine

 

Behind the scenes, God is working. Circumstances, when there are so many, may seems like a Rube Goldberg contraption of extensive, extraneous steps.  It is difficult to wait for a result-or maybe several results-of obedience to God and prayer. But the Holy Spirit is very thorough, methodically ordering the best opportunities, the most profound insights and guidance, and healing that effects our whole lives. We keep up with the obedience and prayer as we wait with anticipation. That's what hope is defined as-expectant anticipation. God is working.


God is working in you

Philippians 2:12-15, NLT Dear friends…. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights…

God is working behind the scenes
Job 34:20, MSG … we know God is working behind the scenes.


God is always working his purpose out – God is working right now!
John 5:17, NIV Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

God is working on me and you
1 Corinthians 12:6, NLT God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.



Saturday, March 18, 2023

Spring! Wordsworth, cummings, and Vivaldi

 

Romantic poet looking pensive

Would be a 'whoa, dude!' experience

That's awesome! Not exactly what Wordsworth said, but almost. This is a very famous poem with lots of mixed metaphors, but still great for this time of year with all the tulips and daffodils popping up

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Wandered_Lonely_as_a_Cloud
The theme of feeling a part of nature and having joy in reflecting back on a beautiful experience is worth reading this poem with kids. Plus, they will meet 'I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud'  many times in English literature class. I do like the daffodils dancing spritely. Personification does it for me every time.

in Just
by e e cumming

http://www.poetry-archive.com/c/in_just.html
Springtime is an excellent time for teaching poetry because it seems poets get very inspired during this season. e. e. cummings even made up new words for spring--mudluscious (You can hear your galoshes go schluppp as you try to extract them out of the newly melted snow/mud. Like hot fudge being pulled out of a sundae. That's mudluscious.) And everyone knows what puddlewonderful is; none of us resist splashing in a puddle. Of course, we in SoCal can't fully appreciate the ecstacy that the folks Back East experience having a puddle to splash after everything freezes for half the year--but we sort of empathize.
That's not eddieandbill or bettyandisbel. Maybe its bettyandeddie or isbelandbill; or bettyandbill or isbelandeddie.


 Kids also love music. So it is no surprise that Spring from Vivaldi would really tickle them with the marvelous sounds of a  spring day--that they can identify on their walk to and from school. The music even sounds like flowers burst-blooming in the sun.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRxofEmo3HA
Performed by the Budapest Strings.

 

 

 

 


Thursday, March 16, 2023

Education Links 3/16/23



A BEGINNING LIST OF THE BEST RESOURCES FOR TEACHING ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE


50 Learning Reflection Questions For Students


 

SIX TIPS FOR TEACHING SHAKESPEARE



5 Strategies to Improve Students’ Listening Skills


Discipline, ADHD, and learning differences


Kids Understand More From Books Than Screens, But That’s Not Always the Case



3 years since the pandemic wrecked attendance, kids still aren't showing up to school


Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Book Review: Song of the Swallows (March 19 when they return to Capistrano)



"Song of the Swallows," las golondrinas, is a picture book which won the Caldecott Award in 1949. Written and illustrated by Leo Politi, the story highlights Hispanic customs in San Juan Capistrano, California, that blend nature, Catholicism, and the history of California from a child's perspective.

Juan is the main character, a boy of about seven or eight years old. He attends the school by the Mission, and is a friend of the bell ringer/gardener, grandfatherly Julian. Julian is the only adult mentioned in the book, the Mission is the only setting. The story occurs in the timelessness of childhood, so we don't really know if the illustrations depict the 1940's or not. There is no clue by the clothing, activities, or countryside. The Mission and garden are not dated. There are no automobiles, but even today in coastal California, you might go miles without seeing a motorized vehicle. And there is no clue from the birds; swallows don't follow fashion dictates. One of the main attractions of "The Song of the Swallows" is this untainted marvel-of-childhood quality.

Julian tells Juan about the settling of California by Father Serra and the Franciscan friars. Every fourth grader in this state (myself included) studied this period of California history, and created model missions, maybe even visiting a Mission. There are over twenty missions up and down the California coast, with many cities named after the nearby Mission, i.e., San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and, of course, San Francisco.  I've seen a few and the facilities are well maintained and beautiful.

There is no controversy in this book about the treatment of the Indians by the Franciscans.
A 1985 stamp immortalizing Father Junipero Serra







The following link is a balanced biography of Father Serra.

Father Junipero Serra also has a statue in the United States Statuary Hall, in Washington, D.C.



Politi's portrayal of Mission San Juan Capistrano.


You can purchase this model of San Juan Capistrano for a Grade Four project.




Julian, the St. Francis look-a-like.
Julian, in little Juan's eyes,  is portrayed almost St. Francis-like with the beautiful garden and hummingbirds, pigeons, sparrows and other birds being comfortable around the gentle soul.

Juan learns of the mystery of the swallows. How do they know to arrive on St. Joseph's Day? (March 19.)  It has nothing to do with Joseph, the stepfather of the Savior  (of Jesus, Mary and Joseph fame.) It just coincides with the season the swallows migrate to their familiar habitat.



Happy birdie family, happy boy.
Juan wonders about the nests
Why is there a St. Joseph's Day? In the worship schedule for Catholics, each day has one or more saints honored throughout the year at daily Mass with a feast day, or worship service. For example, many communities have the blessing of the animals on October 4, the feast of Francis of Assisi, to honor his saintly lifestyle that was so peaceful that it is said that even wild animals were gentle with him and birds would perch on him. Francis also propagated peace, forgiveness, and taking care of the poor.  Francis lived in twelfth century Italy, and wrote some lovely prayers.

Happy kids enjoying the beautiful Mission and the birds.
 As the birds get comfortable, the child personifies the male and female birds as the nest is built, the female incubates the eggs, and the male serenades her with sweet, twittering song. Then both the parents diligently feed the hatchlings, like a happy family.

 The children thoroughly enjoy the presence of the birds, the  spring season, and the safety and contentment of the belief system supplied by the Mission. It is interesting, though, in  the story that parents, priests, nuns, teachers or any other adult besides Julian, the grandfatherly gardener, do not make an appearance. Not even an older brother or sister.

In due time, the swallows migrate to a mysterious island for the winter. The human inhabitants of Capistrano will wait for their return. Juan and the other happy kids are very excited when the birds return. The birds actually fly to Goya, Argentina.

The swallows leave Capistrano on their mission to a mysterious island.

Leo Politi
 Leo Politi, although an Italian-America, wrote warmly of the Hispanic culture in Southern California. He authored several children's books. I met him when I was in college in Los Angeles. He was very encouraging to a young English student.



This year in San Juan Capistrano, the swallows are sort of hiding from the big to-do that the residents of Capistrano throw on March 19, St. Joseph's Day.  Now the occasion is kind of a mixed metaphor, with a large variety of traditions celebrated, but still a beautiful day out in a remarkably lovely part of the world.



Pat Boone - When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDL_CcvOgqM

This is a wonderful, cheesy song about the swallows returning to Capistrano by Pat Boone recorded in the 1950's, with great pictures of the little birds.
Singing with Pat.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Beware the Ides of March!

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar with John Wilkes Booth (l) playing Marc Antony and brothers Edwin (c) and Junius playing Brutus. Maybe Edwin played Cassius.

March 15 used to be the day untenured teachers received noticed they were being let go. The irony was not not lost on anyone.

Here is Marcus Brutus played by Marlon Brando (1953.) There are many excellent film productions of the play; I saw it at the Old Globe in San Diego. As usual, Shakespeare is too cool. 



Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend Me Your Ears  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=101sKhH-lMQ

Your Irish Eyes Be Smiling

 

The Irish eyes of my grandmother, Mary Mangan, 1919, Denver, Colorado.
Born March 8, 1900.

The Irish Tenors (John McDermott, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan) -

 When Irish Eyes Are Smiling




There's a tear in your eye
And I'm wondering why
For it never should be there at all
With such pow'r in your smile

Sure a stone you'd beguile

So there's never a teardrop should fall

When your sweet lilting laughter's

Like some fairy song
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be
You should laugh all the while

And all other times smile

And now, smile a smile for me

When Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy

All the world seems bright and gay
And when Irish eyes are smiling
Sure, they steal your heart away

For your smile is a part

Of the love in your heart
And it makes even sunshine more bright
Like the linnet's sweet song

Crooning all the day long

Comes your laughter and light

For the springtime of life

Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret
And while springtime is ours

Throughout all of youth's hours

Let us smile each chance we get

When Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy

All the world seems bright and gay
And when Irish eyes are smiling
Sure, they steal your heart away.

Monday, March 13, 2023

Celtic Circle of Joy--Living Your Dream



The Irish culture embraces delight, melancholy, whimsy, rage--the full human experience.


 Here is a lovely piece of music inspired by Irish heritage and instruments. As I listen, I can see the spirits dance in the faery rings of the forest.


Lisa Lynne - Circle of Joy 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_sPqL60az8 


Lisa Lynne Wesbsite