[ncte-talk] Reactions/Students/Family

["Katherine Mura" <murax001@tc.umn.edu>]

All of our students are reacting differently to the carnage of recent
weeks.  Middle schoolers seem to be taking on the fear of the adults, high
schoolers vary tremendously in the length to which they want to discuss,
analyze the news and events.  I've tried to be sensitive and find the
silence of many of the students when a related topic surfaces curious.  I
think they want to go on with their lives and try to recapture some of the
normalcy of daily living.

Last week all four sections of my world studies students read and
discussed Mark Twain's "A War Prayer," making connections with the current
literature, our country's history, and the horrible debacle.  This seemed
to give them a safe way to discuss alternate points of view.

I don't know what our institutional response will be altho I've made
several suggestions to our administration.  Hard to read them, too.  
Yesterday my small family decided to limit our holiday gifts and write a
check instead to go to an educational fund, or perhaps to an individual
family with kids that need $ for education--books, tuition--whatever.  
Even our 7-yr-old grandson agreed that it is a good idea,-- somewhat
reluctantly, I might add ;-) !!

It's strange how helpless one feels and how I have groped for some way to
assist.  What are the rest of you doing? I can't seem to quite obsessing
and need to turn off the damned tv.

Hope all is well with you folks.  Go well and stay well.

      Nobody sees a flower,
really--it is so small--we haven't
   time, and to see takes time,
like to have a friend takes time.
               Georgia O'Keeffe
                 
KateM at...HOME: Murax001@tc.umn.edu
         SCHOOL: kmura@randolph.spa.edu
                 http://www.spa.edu