Posted on September 9th, 2009 by mrlane
One of the Pillars of Marauder Character is Trustworthiness. Last week we watched a video that dealt with the issue of trust and followed it up yesterday with a discussion of the character traits you believe someone needs to possess (have within them) to be trusted. Below you will find some of the ideas you presented: Period 1’s is on top and Period 2’s is on the bottom (If you click on them you will be taken to a enlarged version). What is interesting to note is that in both classes many of the same ideas were presented — often just using different words for the same concept.
The reason I think the issue of “trustworthiness” is important to discuss in a reading class is that so much of what we will be doing together this year is based on trust. We will be working on skills together to become more proficient (good) readers. For some of you, we will focus on fluency (speed and accuracy); for others it might be vocabulary (understanding what words mean); and for the rest it might be comprehension (making meaning out what is written and unwritten). Regardless of what area we focus, being willing to try and, possibly, fail the first few times we try in front of our peers (fellow students) is scary. As a result, sometimes we don’t trust ourselves or those around us and, as a result, we don’t try to do our best. Not doing our best is not an option!!! – We must trust those around us to support us in our efforts and we must support those around us in their efforts!!!
The only way to do this is to recognize how we feel about trust. So I ask you to review the words you used yesterday to describe the traits a trustworthy person. Then complete the following sentence (#1) and answer the following questions (#2-4):
- You know someone is trustworthy when….
- Do you trust yourself?
- Do you trust your classmates? Why or why not?
- Do you think your classmates trust you? Why or why not?
Please be honest with yourself — it is one of the traits of a “trustworthy” person. 
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Filed under: Pillar of Marauder Character tagged character, classroom, family, friendship, honesty, reading, trust
Posted on May 16th, 2009 by mrlane
As we discussed in class Thursday, in the late 1800s people from across Europe began immigrating to the United States in large numbers. The turn of the 20th century (the start of the 1900s) saw the United States emerge as the “land of opportunity.” Every immigrant had to come through New York’s Ellis Island and many decided to start their new life right in New York City.
The play we read, The Garden at 97 Orchard Street , celebrates the experience of Greek immigrants, the Confinos. In it, Victoria Confino learns the true meaning of friendship and family, as well as the importance of making a home in a new land. The building of the play’s title, once crowded and unsanitary (extremely dirty and unfit to be lived in), still exists as the Tenement Museum in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. You can learn more about the Confinos, Rosenthals, and many other families who immigrated to the United States by visiting the museum and taking a virtural tour (select the PLAY tab at the top of the web page). You can also play an immigrant game, make a flag, mix a folksong, and view webcomics.
I invite you to use the following links that provide some visual of the time and place in which this play takes place:
Ellis Island -
97 Orchard Street -
Then, when your done, let me know what you thought of the play as well as the website links by submitting a comment below. For those students who submit thoughtful and reflective comments bonus assignment credit will be given. Should there be any questions or concerns, please ask.
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Filed under: READ tagged 97 orchard street, ellis island, historical, history, immigrants, plays, READ, tenement houses
Posted on April 20th, 2009 by mrlane
This Sunday, April 26, my family and I will be once again joining hundreds of others in raising money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by participating in the MS Walk. As many of you know I was diagnosed with MS several years ago and have rebounded from the lows that I first experienced. I attribute the highs I experience today to the clinical study I am participating in that is possible, in part, because of your past support.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as I am. MS stops people from moving. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. They help people address the challenges of living with MS. They simultaneously fund research for a cure while also helping people who currently live with MS lead more fulfilling lives. I believe in the work they do, and I invite you to see for yourself all the good they’ve done for the MS community. More than 400,000 Americans live with MS, and your support can and will make changes in their lives.
Please help by making a donation – large or small – to our journey to create a world free of MS. Any amount you can give will help! Should this not be possible, I ask that you keep me and my family in your thoughts as we walk. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.
To make a donation, please go to my MS Walk page.
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Filed under: MS tagged fundraising, MS, ms walk, multiple sclerosis
