Sunday, February 22, 2015

Last call for Mr. Stewart's English class

  1. Good day and welcome to my English classroom. I will make sure the AC is on high; I know it gets hot in the hallway.
  2. Take a seat, anywhere is fine, no phones or devices, please, and relax--no test for you!
  1. Poetry week, always a highlight.



  2. Don't freak out.





  3. It's a non-venomous, harmless, non-venomous, friendly, non-venomous snake. 




  4. One must go to great lengths to help sixteen-year-olds engage their four senses (we did not taste the snake) for a descriptive poem.


  5. For another poem, I want them to write about taste/flavor, and what better to awaken the taste buds than Vegemite.


  6.   
  7. All survived.
  8. Excuse me a moment, someone is here...
  9. Oh, hello Don (Superintendent of GIS). Sure, come on in. You want to observe my class today? And then twitter it online? Be my guest.
  10. SUPER OUT of OFFICE AND INTO...
  11. the English 10 class with T. Stewart.
  12. byAvatar for Don WilliamsDon Williams  
  13. T. Stewart greets students, "good day". Students respond. Teacher opens class with prayer. #GISsuperooo http://t.co/Lr1ZkPL9QS 
  14. T. Stewart greets students, "good day". Students respond.  Teacher opens class with prayer.

  1.  Students work on their learning logs (while listening to music - majority ruled!) 
  2. Students responsible for one page in their logs.
  3.  Students comparing and contrasting a topic of choice using two titles they've read
You have to run so soon?  Thanks for stopping by, Don.


It's time to end our semester in British Literature.



But not without a feast of scones and jam to celebrate completing Macbeth.


  I forgot my beard hair-net.




Please, take the leftover Coke home.

The tenth graders are wrapping up the Greek tragedy unit --- OPA! A feast for all!









That's the bell. So soon! Class is over.

No homework due this week. 

Thanks for stopping by and supporting the work God has called me to at Grace International School. It's an honor to work here.


Monday, January 12, 2015

With Love, The Spinner


A few months back, Jill was sipping her morning coffee and the thought came to her:

"The annual carnival for people with disabilities is coming up; last year's was amazing! The same families will come, and repetition is essential, but I think a new booth would be fantastic!"

*she views this on amazon.com*


"Mmmmm.....I like it. But I need it wheelchair accessible, walker-friendly, and a whole lot bigger."



Tim suggests hiring a student keen on working with his hands.

Blueprints, deadlines and cash is exchanged between Jill and the student/my creator (in the red shirt).





Success! 
I am made! I work!  I am ready!  



I'm in a closet?!



Why am I being stored alongside all this?

*one month later*


An hour ride in a pick up, woo hoo!


I am finally going to be used!

What did you say?  I will be used ALL DAY?  
Bring it on...I am ready.  

Wait a second, I can see other things getting set up.

Wow! Look at all this:
























Who is this? He is coming toward me and coming fast!


That's great, write your name on the back.


This is going to turn out beautiful. I can feel it.


He loves me!




They love me!






I'm getting quite the workout!


My fearless bearded operator.



What a DAY!
  
I created art.

I crossed cultural boundaries.

I saw smiles and heard laughs. 

I helped these kids and their caretakers, in a small way, to  know they matter. 

I love this.

I am exhausted.


With love, The Spinner

***


Check out our first carnival blog post and the background story of why we love doing this.

What was your favorite carnival booth as a kid?   Leave a comment to give us some ideas!

Thanks for reading.