Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Bright Futures: Slice 7


This post is #7 of 31 slices for the Slice of Life Story Challenge sponsored by Two Writing Teachers


Now that's a mohawk!
When I look around as I stand at my doorway in between classes I can't help but wonder about the future. Kids' futures, the community's future, where is all of this going? I'm sure, in some part of myself, that the kids with the spiked mohawk who'd decked out in dog chains is just going through a phase--that phase of figuring out what and how you fit. He may well wind up on Wall street, all business and boardrooms. I wouldn't be surprised. 

Click the book to check out
Sara's website.
Have you ever wondered what your students will do when they grow up? What will their real lives be like?

What will Lillian be like at 40? Will she have children? a job? Will she be a soccer mom or an engineer? She's sitting doe-eyed in front of me,14--what does her future hold?

I wish I had Sara Holbrook's "Whooping It Up at the MTV Saloon" with me at home so that I could send a line or two your way. The poem begins with a stern look at those "teenagers" and then the speaker in the poem sits back in awe as the child takes wing and flies. It's in Isn't She Ladylike--a collection of poems of rare range and reach. I've had the sort of day that makes me want to grab that poem in my fist and shake it. I've had the sort of day that makes me want look to the amazing heights to which many of my kids will soar-- instead of looking of down to see where a few have so recently fallen.


14 comments:

  1. I have been continually trying to remind myself to be a hopemonger. It is hard!

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  2. You're right, Beth, some days it is hard. Love the hope monger idea though : )

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  3. I'm sorry you had one of those days. I liked how although frustration or exhaustion came through to me in this post so did hope.

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  4. Thanks for the reminder to look up and not down, to find the potential and not the trouble. I can't wait to check out the Sara Holbrook site!

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    1. It's a great poem, Wendi. It's from an adult collection, but Holbrook also writes for children and teens. I LOVE her work.

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  5. A thought-provoking post with such a positive ending! Thanks for sharing your wonderings with us!

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    1. You're welcome. Thank you for the encouragement, Jennifer.

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  6. I just heard today about another former student who dropped out of high school. It is heartbreaking. I would prefer some of that boardroom to be in their futures, for sure. Interesting perspective today!

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    1. Yeah, for me it was having a student suspended for dealing drugs at school. Not the first this year, either. The student is a sweet, respectful child and I just hope... and hope...

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  7. Lee Ann,
    Teaching first grade, I often look out and wonder what kids will become. Mostly I hope the little light I see inside of them will continue to shine. I hope that the first grader who is obsessed with electricity and how things will work will hang onto his passion as he continues through school. I hope my animal lover will find a profession that allows her to continue to do what she loves. I hope my young readers will find enough books along the way that they want to read forever. I hope my students will continue to pick up a pen (or maybe write a blogpost) and remember their love for writing in first grade.

    Cathy

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    1. Thank you, Cathy. I loved my first grade teacher. It wasn't until I was a teacher myself that I realized how many of my own teachers probably loved me too--if love means to nurture and hope for and do right by. Thank you for bringing Ms.Madigan to mind.

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  8. I really do wonder. I hope some of them come find me and let me know!

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    1. They will! and it's amazing when they do. One of my students just accepted a graduate assistantship in a Ph.D. program for aerospace engineering--that made me stand and cheer! He let quite a few of his former teachers know via Facebook.

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