So here's what I'm thinking...

Research Paper Season

Marja — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:59:51 +0000

It’s the end of the spring semester and do you what time it is? Nope, not exam time. I wish, that it so much easier to deal with. In the Language Arts teacher’s world, it’s research paper time. (Insert apathetic student GROANS).

After a long day of being in the library teaching NoodleTools and paraphrasing, I wanted to play/surf the web for a little down time and I happened to come across this cartoon. It couldn’t have fit my day any better. Enjoy!

The Power of Words

Marja — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 05:37:54 +0000

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the first faculty devotion of the new school year lead by our High School Division Head. I wish I could say that I remembered the exact words that sparked my thought process, but as I was sitting in the chapel this thought came to me: how will I bring Christ into my classroom this year? Several thoughts came to mind, and as an English teacher I did what we do: made a thinking web/concept map.

This year I will be teaching more grammar and writing and less literature. Literature often lends itself to open discussions about situations and decisions, but grammar – not so much. How will I bring Christ into my classroom then? An occasional discussion of the message in chapel that week or addressing the drama of middle school students?

I set up the center of my web with one point: WORDS. We use words in everyday life, be it in dialogue or writing; they are quite powerful.

God spoke creation into existence and it came to be (Genesis 1:1-2:2 NIV)
God calls himself the “I AM” (Exodus 3:14 NIV)- two simple words that can include so much
Our tongues and their power are described in great detail numerous times (James 3:1-12 NIV)

Of these topics that immediately came to mind, James 3:1-12 NIV stuck with me. I think that this is a fabulous verse for the year. I started a bible study earlier in the year centered around this very passage, but got distracted by summer school.

Conversation Peace by Mary A. Kassian

Middle School (as well as High School) students are submerged in a world of gossip everyday. I’ve seen both boys and girls torn down by these spite-filled words. My goal is to open the new school year centered around this passage and post in in my classroom. What other ways will I bring Christ into my classroom? I have yet to come up with those, but I am taking suggestions. This is where I have been lead so far.

So here’s what I’m thinking…

Marja — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:24:19 +0000

I have been familiar for sometime with blogs. I read at least 2-3 blogs a day. I keep up with a friend in Morocco (Mel in Morocco), pray for my friends who just had quads (Four Little Lambes), or discover the mind of a fellow educator (The Next Generation of Educational Leadership). I’m certainly not afraid of the technology, I actually had a blast creating the site. I learned a lot from Shawn that I was completely unaware I could do (Thanks for being patient, love! <3 ). But as I read all of these, I think,…

“Does anyone really want to know what I have to say? Do I want to put myself out there for criticism?Are my thoughts worth reading?”

I’m taking the leap! So this is me and my thoughts. Please feel free to comment, or in the least, let me know you’ve been here and just say “Hi!”.

Happy reading!