tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post436311761828151178..comments2024-02-21T14:12:55.866-06:00Comments on coming home to myself: A Unit of Study Unites UsDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-22278455386823204772012-02-13T23:24:36.271-06:002012-02-13T23:24:36.271-06:00What a wonderful project! That curriculum should b...What a wonderful project! That curriculum should be required in every school in the nation.graceonlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07600679221472546269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-11307093710132534622012-02-09T09:23:14.269-06:002012-02-09T09:23:14.269-06:00I am late to the party, as usual.
One thing stuck ...I am late to the party, as usual.<br />One thing stuck out while reading this...have you thought about being a guest lecturer/teacher on this topic in schools now? I think your way of teaching is a forgotten art. Peanut has great teachers in school, don't get me wrong...but the passion you showed those kids was quite remarkable!Stephanie Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08117481136259148223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-38490223625928935062012-02-06T14:08:24.394-06:002012-02-06T14:08:24.394-06:00Dear Jim,
So glad you've stopped by to share y...Dear Jim,<br />So glad you've stopped by to share your own experiences. Racism hasn't gone away. It's clearly still present in everyday life here in the United States and I would guess elsewhere. Change does seem to happen so slowly. I hope that those people who live in the 22nd century will read history books that can delineate the rise, the decline, and the end of racism in our country. I do think that many more years will pass before its vestiges have disappeared. This country has paid and is paying a high price for keeping racism alive.<br /><br />Like you, I appreciate this dialogue between us and the other readers.<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-74979345130937477232012-02-05T21:21:38.648-06:002012-02-05T21:21:38.648-06:00Your teaching style sounds much like one I used in...Your teaching style sounds much like one I used in the inner city schools I taught at. It is a great way to encourage the youth to believe in learning.Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16174142810114806410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-27199447086383536452012-02-05T17:49:02.809-06:002012-02-05T17:49:02.809-06:00Truly inspirational and pioneering work! These stu...Truly inspirational and pioneering work! These students will forever be grateful, Dee.<br /> I grew up in a city that was and is steeped with 'systemic racism'. A lot of the same measures that you pioneered back in the 60's are now used regularly here as well. Only problem/hurdle that still remains is that a lot of people in power can't see that racism still exists and is so ingrained in our culture that when visible minorities are given these 'teaching aids' on culture etc. they (the 'powers' that be) feel that this is suffice and they have done their job to address the 'situation'. I guess change is slow to come to directly effect the lives of individuals who really need a solid education.<br />Great posts Dee! I really appreciate this dialogue.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11199777195853274898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-82627003833206244582012-01-31T10:58:37.786-06:002012-01-31T10:58:37.786-06:00Dear Jennifer,
I'm so glad that you are teachi...Dear Jennifer,<br />I'm so glad that you are teaching your students about Harriet Tubman and I'm pleased that you found my ideas on teaching the Underground Railroad "fun." I think the students in that inner-city classroom did enjoy our learning. Good luck with Harriet!<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-91148836922576732072012-01-31T10:57:18.934-06:002012-01-31T10:57:18.934-06:00Dear Kari,
I don't know if the children were c...Dear Kari,<br />I don't know if the children were changed, but I certainly was. In my posting on Thursday I'll explain part of what I mean by that.<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-87827700737170691912012-01-31T10:56:06.201-06:002012-01-31T10:56:06.201-06:00Dear Susan,
Thank you for your kind words. I had g...Dear Susan,<br />Thank you for your kind words. I had good teaching mentors.<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-48170768308797334382012-01-30T23:53:28.922-06:002012-01-30T23:53:28.922-06:00I'm just about to start teaching about Harriet...I'm just about to start teaching about Harriet Tubman myself...you have some fun ideas. Your post reminds me of how we all live in our 'bubble', and how important it is to keep perspective and point of view in the forefront of whatever we do.Jennifer Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11114021307777091105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-87471267142002364952012-01-30T14:14:33.392-06:002012-01-30T14:14:33.392-06:00Absolutely fantastic! I love that you thought abou...Absolutely fantastic! I love that you thought about the lessons that would be culturally relevant to them. I suspect many of those children were forever changed by having you as their teacher that year.kariohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10150537989886423212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-64073229431733545732012-01-30T13:30:03.843-06:002012-01-30T13:30:03.843-06:00Dee, what an awesome teacher you are! How you cha...Dee, what an awesome teacher you are! How you changed their lives! If only they could let you know how much you meant to them! Inspiring.Susan Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834094675218254410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-31666089136745295722012-01-30T12:02:06.486-06:002012-01-30T12:02:06.486-06:00Dear Penny,
I couldn't agree more. This whole ...Dear Penny,<br />I couldn't agree more. This whole thing about learning to pass a test is an exercise in trivia. We need to help students and one another learn how to think and reason, predict and anticipate. <br /><br />Yes, I was reading your blog when you posted on that grist mill. In fact, it was that post that recalled this unit of study to me and also that brought forth my return to your blog! <br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-6103747814533533412012-01-30T11:59:57.583-06:002012-01-30T11:59:57.583-06:00Dear Melissa,
Thank you! The Underground Railroad ...Dear Melissa,<br />Thank you! The Underground Railroad did offer "secrets and plots and heroes and villains and mysteries"! You hit the nail on the head!<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-59044083099519798452012-01-30T11:58:27.870-06:002012-01-30T11:58:27.870-06:00Dear Teresa,
As you say, "the invaluable natu...Dear Teresa,<br />As you say, "the invaluable nature of books." They open, expand, explain our world. Back in the '40s and '50s we never studied the Underground Railroad or anything really about slavery and racism. Our education was sorely lacking in that respect.<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-28417867110671671952012-01-30T11:56:45.476-06:002012-01-30T11:56:45.476-06:00Dear Yvonne,
Somehow your comment got posted twic...Dear Yvonne, <br />Somehow your comment got posted twice! I'm glad you've enjoyed the past few postings and pleased that you're reading them. Thank you.<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-6310137868994726382012-01-30T11:55:37.039-06:002012-01-30T11:55:37.039-06:00Dear Debra,
Oh, to have had the Internet then! I l...Dear Debra,<br />Oh, to have had the Internet then! I like thinking that I'm "passionate and compassionate." Thank you.<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-16215840951826010142012-01-30T11:54:47.551-06:002012-01-30T11:54:47.551-06:00Dear Sandi,
Your words really touched me because I...Dear Sandi,<br />Your words really touched me because I so admire your teaching and your dedication to your students. I'm surprised that you and Inger are suggesting I write a book. It's never occurred to me that anyone might be interested in my teaching.<br />Thank you.<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-14751394425328478412012-01-30T11:52:56.655-06:002012-01-30T11:52:56.655-06:00Dear EC,
I can't imagine assuming "omnipo...Dear EC,<br />I can't imagine assuming "omnipotence." I too filled with cracks and fissures and flaws to do so. I think you've put your finger on something with the idea that being "willing to learn" makes a difference. That and respect, I think, can make all the difference.<br /><br />Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-40860851390544311712012-01-29T15:20:19.369-06:002012-01-29T15:20:19.369-06:00This is how teaching should be, Dee; about the liv...This is how teaching should be, Dee; about the lives we live and how we are part of the larger circle of history. You incorporated all subject matter, from math to science, ecology and literature and brought the Underground Railroad alive for all your students. I'm afraid that teachers and students both inner city and suburbia don't have the time for this kind of learning any more with the advent of teaching to the test. Sad. <br /><br />I'm sure many of your students remember you and these lessons and that some went on to better lives. I look forward, as always, to your next chapter, Dee. <br /><br />I don't know if you were reading me yet, but, I did do a post on a grist mill a few miles from us here near Chicago that was a station on the Underground Railroad. It is a fascinating spot and a field trip destination for many schools in the area.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-48019840520416500082012-01-29T08:15:51.681-06:002012-01-29T08:15:51.681-06:00This is simply wonderful! During my blog tour, I w...This is simply wonderful! During my blog tour, I wrote a guest post called "Finding the STORY in HiSTORY. That's what you've done here - made history interesting and exciting - which is what it is! Filled with secrets and plots and heroes and villians and mysteries. Well done!Melissa Ann Goodwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13454907380469372468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-82810733879720229272012-01-29T07:49:21.148-06:002012-01-29T07:49:21.148-06:00I still recall learning about the Underground Rail...I still recall learning about the Underground Railroad when I was in school. It so intrigued me. What a great gift you gave them, not only of learning about this essential aspect of our country's history, but also what a huge difference one person can make by setting in motion life-changing events. Like you did, teaching them about it all those years later, the lessons we should never forget, and the invaluable nature of books.Teresa Evangelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05495114564099989481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-76370884844806892622012-01-29T03:18:35.809-06:002012-01-29T03:18:35.809-06:00I have really enjoyed these past blog, thanks for ...I have really enjoyed these past blog, thanks for sharing,<br /><br />Yvonne,RHYTHM AND RHYMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11386975261804630799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-2188525450879657552012-01-29T03:16:54.482-06:002012-01-29T03:16:54.482-06:00I have really enjoyed these past blogs. Thanks for...I have really enjoyed these past blogs. Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Yvonne.RHYTHM AND RHYMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11386975261804630799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-88133267758255644782012-01-29T00:31:31.933-06:002012-01-29T00:31:31.933-06:00What a brilliantly inspired curriculum! And all wi...What a brilliantly inspired curriculum! And all without the benefit of web searching. I can imagine the hours of library research! You are a passionate and compassionate teacher. DebraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195629195750583833.post-42859563327017134882012-01-28T22:10:16.624-06:002012-01-28T22:10:16.624-06:00Dear Dee,
An inspiring post! I love how you liter...Dear Dee,<br />An inspiring post! I love how you literally "made lemonade from lemons" in the sense that you assessed what you had, and built something great. You were ahead of your time, and your students were moved and changed due to your perseverance and willingness to teach outside the box. What an awesome unit of study you designed.<br /><br />I agree with someone who wrote earlier, you should write a book about your teaching experience. It would be inspiring and enlightening for teachers, and others, today.Sandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15923693784234135636noreply@blogger.com