Because I could not stop for death . . .

He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labour, and my leisure too,
For his civility.

We passed the school where children played,
Their lessons scarcely done;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.

We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.

Since then 'tis centuries; but each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.

 As we are much too busy, Emily reminds us that Death will kindly stop for us. This is what happened for me on Saturday.

First, I need to say that funerals can be life changing events for me. When I was at my aunt's funeral about eight years ago, I decided that I would not be in a pine box without first having the joys of a motorcycle (many of my family and friends think I am hastening the process). Getting my first motorcycle and the next three (all blue) have opened up new vistas and adventures for me that I will continue to treasure.

The most recent funeral for my good buddy's father-in-law, Dr. Bernard Patrick, was at St. Collum's Episcopal Church, a beautiful modern sanctuary with a majestic yet simple traditional service. One of the granddaughters gave a remembrance that had ever one in stitches. My buddy Rob continued that spirit and then went eloquently into the life and spirit of his lovely wife's dad. It seems strange to say I enjoyed a funeral but, nevertheless, I did. Dr. Patrick lived a full life and as the priest said, relationships live on forever. I feel like I know Dr. Patrick much better and will embrace that in my journey.

During the funeral service, I had another possible life-changing moment that involves service to others. However, I am going to let it gestate awhile before I share it publicly.

One of the granddaughers, who is attending Evergreen University in Olympia, Washington to record music, wrote a piece that is very poignant. I got to meet her when I asked permission to include it on my blog. She also shared with me the Library of Congress Storycorp project in which I hope to participate. I quote in for my students and colleagues and friends to ponder:

Here is what she wrote: It's weird when you watch your hero;s strength fade. When you see them as physically and mentally invincible and something so unexpected weakens them. Well I won't let that something win. His legend will live on. All of his accomplishments, talents, knowledge, wisdom, and over-told-witty jokes, will be carried throughout the generations in stories and memories. He really did live life to the fullest, that's one thing I strive to do everyday. I just started college; it's been rough. But one thing that has kept my head high is remembering our late night "deep" talks about our virtues. I love you, Grandfather,. I hope I can live up to your standard.
-Rachel (age 18)

Thank your heroes.

Super B Goes on the Road

When I signed up for MAST (Mississippi Academy for Science Teachers) at Jackson State, I did it for the stipend. To my very pleasant surprise I not only gained a whole new tool bag of pedagogical tools; I also made many new professional friends.

One of those is a very special person who is a grant writer par excellance, great presenter and who talks the most pleasant Cajun you will ever hear, Jackie Henisee.

I did not know the respect was so mutual until I got this letter:

MERMENTAU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MELVYN SMITH, PRINCIPAL

405 Church Street

P.O. Box 250

Mermentau, Louisiana   70556

Phone: (337) 824-1943

Fax:     (337) 824-1958

9/24/2013

Dear Mr. John Banks,

            As one of the workshop leaders for Project MAST, I was impressed with not only the experience you have as an innovative teacher, but with your genuine passion for students and the quality of their learning. This year as the Curriculum Facilitator for Mermentau Elementary School, I am leading a school-wide focus on student engagement, particularly in the content area of Science and Social Studies.

            Would  you be interested in participating in the October 17 (Thursday) parish-wide inservice as a NBCT and instructor extraordinaire? I think Super B would make a great impression on the teachers and show them what is possible in the elementary classroom.

            Please contact me at the number on this letterhead, or send me an email at jhanisee@acadia.k12.la.us stating your intention to share your enthusiasm. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Jackie Hanisee

Curriculum Facilitator

Mermentau Elementary School

Acadia Parish

* * *

I am so excited to spread my passion for learning and life to my colleagues in the Cajun Prairie. 

Check after the 17th for my latest adventures.

Declaring W.A.R.

Books, physical activity and school have always been a big part of our family. I read to both of my kids every night in their early years and both of my kids played lots of sports. Her mother and I are teachers.

With that in mind I have started a Walk and Read club at my school. We are partnering with my daughter's kindergarten class. Also we are partnering with several schools locally.

The following is a letter I am sending to Michelle Obama:

Dear Ms. Obama

Greetings from Madison, Mississippi. I want to declare W.A.R. on obesity and illiteracy.

Please hear my strategy. It is inspired in part by your effective Let’s Move campaign.

First, I need your help for my daughter, Mary, a first year kindergarten teacher and her students, and for thousands of others across the country.

Mary, like countless other elementary school teachers, need at least a couple of other hands and minds in their classroom. I am trying to get iPads for her students and eventually for 1000s of others as did the Coachella Valley Unified School District and the McAllen Independent School District in California and Texas. (The Tennessean, September 5, 2013)

These iPads will help them read not only books but the world. They will give the teachers yet another way to broaden their learning community.

My plan is simple. A teacher will write a grant for a classroom set of iPads to a foundation, hopefully, started by you. This will not be a straight give-away program. Teachers who are interested will have to take the initiative to apply. W.A.R. will be well published through the media and the internet.

Once they are received the teacher’s students will be asked to walk so many miles a day. Initially this could be as little as a lap around the track or the school. A goal set of miles would be set for the class. Once this is goal is reached; each student would receive a book.

Then another goal of many more miles would be set. Once this goal is reached; the students would receive not only a book but also a video. This video would be from someone “famous” that they admire, such as you, reading that book to them.

Finally, another much larger goal would be set. Once this is reached; the students would receive another book and a visit. The visit would be from their hero who would read that book to the class.

To get this started, I have begun a W.A.R. club at my school to help my daughter’s class in Jackson, Tn and many other classes locally.

Will you help declare W.A.R. with us?

Sincerely,


John R. Banks     


Madison Central W.A.R. Club       

I wiped out a whole family . . .

It was the most beautiful of fall days this morning. All my flowers and tomatoes and grass and ferns were singing a happy tune after the very long, very needed soaking rain. I wanted to sit in my favorite spot in the oasis with the new teak table and rust umbrella.

But I could not. A large family of wasps had invaded my space and built their nest just above where my head usually perched. When we had a party of MAST (Mississippi Academy of Sciences) friends, Price pointed them out to me. I just let them be for over a week.

Then my needs took over. I wanted my space back. On this beautiful morning I became a killer. I wiped out an entire family of unsuspecting wasps with just a few sprays of chemicals. I did not want to be a killer but I let my needs dictate. I am still not sure I did the right thing.

Isn't all life special and if we diminish even annoying creatures like wasps don't we in some way diminish all?

Later in the morning a few brothers and sisters came to check on their once happy home.

Yes, I killed again.

Choices are not easy and need to be considered with creation and all others in mind. I still cannot bring myself to sit in my once favorite spot. Sadly, in time I will probably forget about all my wasp friends and move on.

Red, Yellow, Black and White Wednesday

Here are the first three of an avalanche that is forming at my school.

I invited one of my classes to join with me in a silent affirmation of diversity. Wear Red, Yellow, Black and/or White on Wednesday. Do not say anything. Just wear it. Eventually, people will get the point.

Hopefully, all those who follow this blog will join in wherever you are as well.

Hopefully, this celebration of diversity of color will also lead to diversity of ideas, of religion, of economics, of lifestyle and of nationality.

Hopefully, this avalanche will knock down the walls of stereotype and false hype that divide us.

Let it snow, let it snow.

Plans for Alka Rocket

This goes with post 5,4, 3, 2, 1 . . . Again 0-5 stabilizers can be added according to what the student team deems best.

Nicholas, one of my physics students, sketched this for me.

A Dream in Progress

 From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

 To the steps of the US Capitol, one long journey.

I remember the I Have a Dream speech when I was in the third grade. I remember it more from classes and news clips. It had a profound effect on me and on my life trying to affect change in my parents, my schools, my community, my country and even world as I traveled.

It seemed a good thing on the anniversary of the March on Washington to ask my students to write. This is the prompt I gave them: Today is the 50^th anniversary of the March on Washington. Write what you have read or heard about it. Use SIK (sure I know), SOK (sort of know) and WTK (want to know) sentences.

Gerald was kind enough to type up some of the responses from their journal.

Five, Four, Three, Two, One . . .

Kids of all sizes love to see rockets of all sizes take off. 

Tiny 15 to 20 centimeter rockets with film canister fuel cells are no exception.

  

                     

http://jean-baptiste-faure.blogspot.com/2010/12/first-saturn-v-rocket-on-launch-pad-39a.html

 

                                                                   Winning Rocket

Here's one launch

And another

Groups were divided by ACT scores or grade point averages with one from each of four categories - very high, high, medium, low.

Each group was told:
1. Mass Matters.
2. Measure 10-15 mL of water in film canister.
3. Mass half an alka seltzer tablet.
4. Decide to use paper and/or cardstock for rocket.
5. Decide whether or not to have a nose cone.
6. Decide how many stablizers (fins) to have from 0-5.
7. Predict how high it will go in centimeters.
8. Predict how long it will take to blast off in seconds.
9. Mass the rocket empty.
10. Record all the results including the actual height and actual time.

These are the results.Alka Rocket Data Sheets for Six Classes

Rough Sketch Plans for Alka Rocket-  Make sure film canisters that snap on the inside are used (photography stores will donate them) or you will have a lot of duds.  

Have fun please send comments, pics, and questions. 

Check out teacherspayteachers,com for more ready to use ideas for your classroom.