
Wow, we haven’t blogged in a while, sorry! The weather has been gloomy, most of us have had bad colds the last week or so. Lexi went on a service trip using power tools and building greenhouses! Savana has been plowing her way through school to get graduated, it’s just around the corner. Wyatt is on a campout with boys scouts this weekend. I was supposed to go, but my cold kept me out of it. The sun is finally out today though!
At the beginning of the semester, I showed Miss Potter. Good movie if you haven’t seen it. Then week before last, I showed Pursuit of Happyness. Because I was sick I showed Secretariat right after. I usually never show movies back to back, but my cold was so bad I couldn’t talk in class without going into a coughing fit. It wasn’t intentional but these movies give a consistent message. I didn’t realize it until we finished Secretariat. They are all biographies and all of the main characters had a dream but were told “You can’t do it,” often by immediate family members (parent, spouse, etc.)
The students liked all three movies and after it was over I wrote the three main character names and “You can’t do it” and “That’s impossible” on the board. I asked them what the characters dreams were and who told them you can't do it. I crossed out both negative sentences. I told them that part of why I came to China was to tell them that they matter, they are important. I hope I get asked “why am I important?” and get to tell the rest of the story.
PS - The picture was taken on our trip to Fu Xian Lake
Hope you are all well very soon!!
ReplyDeleteThat cold must be spreading around the globe and reached California...
ReplyDeleteThose are great movies, Jeff!
How about October Sky, another inspirational movie with lots of teaching points.