As I read Zander’s book about Rule #6 (Don’t take yourself so damn seriously!) I was prompted to put myself in the place of the Jr. executive who was having a problem with his superior. I am meeting with my superior and a mediator this week. I feel like I can take this lesson to heart this week, and try to get to our central selves for the discussion we need to have. I want to bring in humor and praise her for her support and guidance this past little while in our attempt to comply with the requirements of the drama program I am teaching at our school.
She has encouraged the teachers to cooperate with me in getting a survey filled out, with me present to approve of their scores. The state agency wanted to keep it real and make sure I agreed with the teachers’ appraisals of our relationship in teaching drama together. When she encouraged them over the intercom the last morning, she remarked, “Thank you for getting this done, this grant is worth $45,000 to our school, and it’s important that we do this.”
Though she has been difficult to work with in the past, I feel like I can approach her with requests and limitations I want to impose for next year. Wish me luck!
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2000). The art of possibility: Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin Books.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Wk 2 Reading - Just a bush in Oz
Zander again pulls me in with his goodness and charity. In chapter 4, “Being a Contribution,” he was talking about the comparisons he felt in his own family and the games that he stressfully played for so many years. This made me think about a girlfriend I had in high school. She was one year younger than me, and that was really the only thing I had on her. We both fell in love with theatre as teenagers and attended a BYU Youth Theatre Camp for a month together. That would be the first of many competitive auditions we would have. We were being considered for the part of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. There were three of us in the last callback; neither my friend, nor I got the part. I could sing higher than the girl that got the lead and when they didn’t want to continue transposing the score for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” she sang the first verse solo and then I sang the lead part as a bush. That was my debut, a bush from Oz.
But I digress. My friend and I continued to compete for leading parts for the rest of our high school career. We were in three summer theatres together as well. I was chosen over her many times. I went on to BYU for college, and was never out of a play that freshman year. I had a ball. She was joining the BYU theatre department the following year and the thoughts of competing with her again for parts did not appeal to me. So, as a last minute decision, I packed up and headed for a state college in Southern Utah, Dixie. There I was given several lead parts, whereas at enormous BYU, I was pretty much a peon.
I married, and continued theatre everywhere I could. By the time my friend and I ran into each other again, I had moved back near our hometown, and she had moved back from New York to the same area. We ended up at yet another audition together at Sundance Summer Theatre! This time, she got the part, and she continued to do so. What I finally learned was that I was happy for her. I was blown away by her talent and watched her in many leading roles. We went on to work together in many capacities, and she acknowledged my talent as well. I was happy to contribute wherever I could, and was happy for her success when she was able to do great things. That is such a freeing feeling, being happy for others’ triumphs without resentment or envy. It is only in giving that we receive.
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2000). The art of possibility:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin
Books.
But I digress. My friend and I continued to compete for leading parts for the rest of our high school career. We were in three summer theatres together as well. I was chosen over her many times. I went on to BYU for college, and was never out of a play that freshman year. I had a ball. She was joining the BYU theatre department the following year and the thoughts of competing with her again for parts did not appeal to me. So, as a last minute decision, I packed up and headed for a state college in Southern Utah, Dixie. There I was given several lead parts, whereas at enormous BYU, I was pretty much a peon.
I married, and continued theatre everywhere I could. By the time my friend and I ran into each other again, I had moved back near our hometown, and she had moved back from New York to the same area. We ended up at yet another audition together at Sundance Summer Theatre! This time, she got the part, and she continued to do so. What I finally learned was that I was happy for her. I was blown away by her talent and watched her in many leading roles. We went on to work together in many capacities, and she acknowledged my talent as well. I was happy to contribute wherever I could, and was happy for her success when she was able to do great things. That is such a freeing feeling, being happy for others’ triumphs without resentment or envy. It is only in giving that we receive.
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2000). The art of possibility:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin
Books.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Wk 1 Comment to Liz Dalton Wk 1 Blog 3 Copyright
Liz Dalton’s Wk 1 Blog 3 Copyright
I get so excited sometimes when I am creating a media project when I find a picture, video, or music that would be perfect in conveying just the right message that I am trying to get across. Then I get frustrated because I have to worry about copyright law. I agree with the last interview in the Good Copy/Bad Copy documentary that everyone has a different interpretation on media. It is great to have different interpretations of artistry to enjoy. I also agree that in the digital age we are in, it is going to be increasingly difficult to police copyright law. Especially since other countries have different copyright laws. I like sharing so others can enjoy or create something different from other creation. Copyright law only makes selfish people rich and stifles others creativity. I teach foods in high school. I love when a student likes the recipe they cooked in class and that student wants the recipe. I enjoy sharing and making others happy.
Sources: Liz Dalton’s Wk 1 Blog 3 Copyright. URL: http://web.me.com/lizdalton1/Site_4/Week_1_Media_Asset_Creation_Blog/Entries/2010/4/1_Copywrite.html
Retrieved on: April 3, 2010
Wk 1 Comment to Liz Dalton - Copyright
Liz-
I know exactly what you mean and I agree fully. I have so much fun creating videos as well, but then when you stop and say, woops, I better not use that, it kind of shuts you down. I know that many videos on YouTube now just have the ad that can take someone to a place to purchase the song they are hearing. I know my son was told in his film class in college that’s basically all you have to do now. I have been waiting to hear any more on this from FullSail, but I don’t think they’ve told us anything like that. I need to watch the copyright videos the CD has for us. I watched a really good one in about month four that made a lot of sense to me, and kind of helped me understand Fair Use. It was a 40-minute lecture by a professor. I need to pull that up again as well. I agree with the comment that it’s getting harder to police it and enforce it. I think it’s headed into a new wave of free use. I hope so.
I get so excited sometimes when I am creating a media project when I find a picture, video, or music that would be perfect in conveying just the right message that I am trying to get across. Then I get frustrated because I have to worry about copyright law. I agree with the last interview in the Good Copy/Bad Copy documentary that everyone has a different interpretation on media. It is great to have different interpretations of artistry to enjoy. I also agree that in the digital age we are in, it is going to be increasingly difficult to police copyright law. Especially since other countries have different copyright laws. I like sharing so others can enjoy or create something different from other creation. Copyright law only makes selfish people rich and stifles others creativity. I teach foods in high school. I love when a student likes the recipe they cooked in class and that student wants the recipe. I enjoy sharing and making others happy.
Sources: Liz Dalton’s Wk 1 Blog 3 Copyright. URL: http://web.me.com/lizdalton1/Site_4/Week_1_Media_Asset_Creation_Blog/Entries/2010/4/1_Copywrite.html
Retrieved on: April 3, 2010
Wk 1 Comment to Liz Dalton - Copyright
Liz-
I know exactly what you mean and I agree fully. I have so much fun creating videos as well, but then when you stop and say, woops, I better not use that, it kind of shuts you down. I know that many videos on YouTube now just have the ad that can take someone to a place to purchase the song they are hearing. I know my son was told in his film class in college that’s basically all you have to do now. I have been waiting to hear any more on this from FullSail, but I don’t think they’ve told us anything like that. I need to watch the copyright videos the CD has for us. I watched a really good one in about month four that made a lot of sense to me, and kind of helped me understand Fair Use. It was a 40-minute lecture by a professor. I need to pull that up again as well. I agree with the comment that it’s getting harder to police it and enforce it. I think it’s headed into a new wave of free use. I hope so.
Wk 1 Comment to Lucee Tangwell- Reading Blog
Wk 1 Lucee Tangwall’s Reading Blog
Recently, I read the book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. As I read that book, my worldview was wrecked and challenged by some of the things he discussed. I began to look for connections to my own life as well as to my job as a middle school teacher; brainstorming led to dreaming and formulating plans of implementing Miller’s ideas into my own practices.
For years I have struggled with the apathetic approaches my students have toward Math. With reasons unbeknownst to me, the majority of my students have little desire for learning. How do I, as one teacher, lead the unwilling? How do I convince students that learning 7th grade Math matters in the great scheme of life? Miller suggested that each person is a character in a bigger story; each life has meaning and purpose, and it is in that realization that a person begins to really live (Miller, 2009). Upon reading this book, I have spent much time brainstorming ways in which I can provide a role for my students to play in a bigger story that will give them purpose and meaning to what they do.
Surprise met me as I read the chapter “Giving an A” in The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander; the validation offered to my newfound passion was profound and encouraging.
Starting from the conviction that adolescents are looking for
an arena in which to make an authentic contribution to
the family and to the community, the first thing we would
notice is how few meaningful roles are available for young
people to fill. Then we might see how, in the absence of a
purpose greater than themselves, adolescents retreat to the
sidelines as though their existence were inconsequential.
(p. 40)
Once again, I go back to my brainstorming. How can I foster a “meaningful role” for my students within the math classroom? On a larger spectrum, how can my school foster a “meaningful role” for all students that goes beyond the classroom? I have some ideas, but details are yet to be formed.
Miller, D. (2009). A million miles in a thousand years. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2000). The art of possibility:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin
Books.
Sources: Lucee Tangwall’s Wk 1 Reading Blog. URL: http://web.me.com/ltangwall/Media_Asset_Creation_Blog/Week_1_Blog/Entries/2010/4/3_Reading_Blog.html
Retrieved on: April 3, 2010
Wk 1 Comment to Lucee Tangwall – Reading Blog
Lucee-I enjoyed your thoughts. I am teaching elementary school Drama and love it. I taught 2 years of high school English and Drama, and went back to elementary because of the exact things you’re talking about. Younger children can find the joy in learning more than high school and especially 7th grade students. I feel like religion plays a big part in students seeing the bigger picture, but you can’t foster that. I have always felt that the arts can give children so much joy and build their self-esteem; that is what I would recommend. Get them interested in music or art or drama or dance. Let them feel the joy of creating a work with others. That’s an important and vital part of education, I feel. Of course, math is too! It’s not an easy question you pose!
Karlene
Recently, I read the book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. As I read that book, my worldview was wrecked and challenged by some of the things he discussed. I began to look for connections to my own life as well as to my job as a middle school teacher; brainstorming led to dreaming and formulating plans of implementing Miller’s ideas into my own practices.
For years I have struggled with the apathetic approaches my students have toward Math. With reasons unbeknownst to me, the majority of my students have little desire for learning. How do I, as one teacher, lead the unwilling? How do I convince students that learning 7th grade Math matters in the great scheme of life? Miller suggested that each person is a character in a bigger story; each life has meaning and purpose, and it is in that realization that a person begins to really live (Miller, 2009). Upon reading this book, I have spent much time brainstorming ways in which I can provide a role for my students to play in a bigger story that will give them purpose and meaning to what they do.
Surprise met me as I read the chapter “Giving an A” in The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander; the validation offered to my newfound passion was profound and encouraging.
Starting from the conviction that adolescents are looking for
an arena in which to make an authentic contribution to
the family and to the community, the first thing we would
notice is how few meaningful roles are available for young
people to fill. Then we might see how, in the absence of a
purpose greater than themselves, adolescents retreat to the
sidelines as though their existence were inconsequential.
(p. 40)
Once again, I go back to my brainstorming. How can I foster a “meaningful role” for my students within the math classroom? On a larger spectrum, how can my school foster a “meaningful role” for all students that goes beyond the classroom? I have some ideas, but details are yet to be formed.
Miller, D. (2009). A million miles in a thousand years. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2000). The art of possibility:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin
Books.
Sources: Lucee Tangwall’s Wk 1 Reading Blog. URL: http://web.me.com/ltangwall/Media_Asset_Creation_Blog/Week_1_Blog/Entries/2010/4/3_Reading_Blog.html
Retrieved on: April 3, 2010
Wk 1 Comment to Lucee Tangwall – Reading Blog
Lucee-I enjoyed your thoughts. I am teaching elementary school Drama and love it. I taught 2 years of high school English and Drama, and went back to elementary because of the exact things you’re talking about. Younger children can find the joy in learning more than high school and especially 7th grade students. I feel like religion plays a big part in students seeing the bigger picture, but you can’t foster that. I have always felt that the arts can give children so much joy and build their self-esteem; that is what I would recommend. Get them interested in music or art or drama or dance. Let them feel the joy of creating a work with others. That’s an important and vital part of education, I feel. Of course, math is too! It’s not an easy question you pose!
Karlene
Wk 1 reading - Music is classy
I was put at peace watching Benjamin Zander talk about music and the idea that everyone can love classical music. I love to tune my car radio to a classical music station on the way to and from work. I have a 15-minute commute, which isn’t very long, but it’s amazing how listening to that music for just that short amount of time puts me into a peaceful mood. When I have a stressful day, that’s the best thing I can do. It always makes my spirit soar and puts a smile on my face.
Zander could make a believer out of everyone. He can truly communicate. He uses humor, universal truths, and gets out in to his audience to connect with them. I also enjoyed the idea that he knows when he has reached someone’s soul because of his or her shining eyes. I hope to be able to connect and communicate with my students in that way. When they know that I am always on their side and am pulling for their success, they can communicate with me through shining eyes.
Zander could make a believer out of everyone. He can truly communicate. He uses humor, universal truths, and gets out in to his audience to connect with them. I also enjoyed the idea that he knows when he has reached someone’s soul because of his or her shining eyes. I hope to be able to connect and communicate with my students in that way. When they know that I am always on their side and am pulling for their success, they can communicate with me through shining eyes.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Wk 1 reading – Mis steaks welcome
Wow, I am so impressed with the authors’ viewpoints in The Art of Possibility. Their concept and practice of Giving an A is powerful and inspiring. In my religion, we are taught from the time we are small children that we are a child of God. When you look at yourself with that divine spark, you have given yourself an A. Everything is possible when you know that a Supreme Being loves you, and you are in His image. We treat others with that same kind of love and respect, because we know that they too are sons and daughters of God. The powerful stories about music and the passion and depth with which it can be felt and played only strengthened my love for and appreciation of music.
I have a sign on my board that I have taught with for most of the 14 years I have been a teacher. It came from a “Games” class I took as a workshop at BYU for professional development. It reads, “If you’re making MIS STAKES, you’re doing it right!” When I introduce myself to my classes each year, we talk about that sign. I usually have to tell them that “mistakes” is spelled wrong. I feel very strongly that students need to feel safe to be able to risk and perform in a drama or music classroom. If they feel like they’re not doing it right, they often shut down. I ask those that are old enough, “How many mistakes do you think you made while you were learning to read?” They can’t even conceive of an answer to that question, but when I say, “A lot!” they definitely agree. I tell them to take care of themselves and take care of each other, and know that mistakes are a part of life and growing. I often reiterate that saying whenever a mistake is making someone feel bad.
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2000). The art of possibility:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin
Books.
I have a sign on my board that I have taught with for most of the 14 years I have been a teacher. It came from a “Games” class I took as a workshop at BYU for professional development. It reads, “If you’re making MIS STAKES, you’re doing it right!” When I introduce myself to my classes each year, we talk about that sign. I usually have to tell them that “mistakes” is spelled wrong. I feel very strongly that students need to feel safe to be able to risk and perform in a drama or music classroom. If they feel like they’re not doing it right, they often shut down. I ask those that are old enough, “How many mistakes do you think you made while you were learning to read?” They can’t even conceive of an answer to that question, but when I say, “A lot!” they definitely agree. I tell them to take care of themselves and take care of each other, and know that mistakes are a part of life and growing. I often reiterate that saying whenever a mistake is making someone feel bad.
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2000). The art of possibility:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin
Books.
Wk 1 reading – Optimism Wins!
I see the authors of The Art of Possibility seeing what I call optimism. When we are pessimistic, the world seems like a dismal place, when we are optimistic; it seems like a kind and happy place. One of their statements on page 21 said resources are going to flow abundantly to you if you are generous and inclusive.
I feel like a great example of this concept is my husband. We’ve known our whole married life that we would never be wealthy, but that’s OK. My husband has been a carpenter by trade for over 30 years. He was a general contractor for many years, and has built hundreds of homes. I would venture to say that 90-95% of his customers would give him a good referral and love to have him build for them again. That’s because he was always in this business to please people. If they didn’t like the way the closet was, he would change it for them. He never believed in change orders, he believed in pleasing people. He was their friend, and they would for the most part always love him as a builder. If we get to heaven together, it will be because he has always been a giver, always looking for ways to serve and love his neighbor.
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2000). The art of possibility:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin
Books.
I feel like a great example of this concept is my husband. We’ve known our whole married life that we would never be wealthy, but that’s OK. My husband has been a carpenter by trade for over 30 years. He was a general contractor for many years, and has built hundreds of homes. I would venture to say that 90-95% of his customers would give him a good referral and love to have him build for them again. That’s because he was always in this business to please people. If they didn’t like the way the closet was, he would change it for them. He never believed in change orders, he believed in pleasing people. He was their friend, and they would for the most part always love him as a builder. If we get to heaven together, it will be because he has always been a giver, always looking for ways to serve and love his neighbor.
Zander, B., & Zander, R. S. (2000). The art of possibility:
Transforming professional and personal life. New York: Penguin
Books.
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