Monthly Archives: April 2014

Wet in DC

Posted on April 30, 2014 by jyourist

How very wet 8th graders creatively problem-solve the fact that their shoes, socks, and pants are very very wet in a very very wet DC. So wet, in fact, that even the tidal basin has risen three to four feet (see bench … Continue reading →

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A Restaurant for Books

Posted on April 29, 2014 by jyourist

I am in DC with 125 8th graders. One of our stops was at the Library of Congress. I was explaining to BN that it was a readers library for most people which meant that you ordered the manuscripts you wanted … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Powerful closures

Posted on April 28, 2014 by jyourist

The students presented their creative projects for All Quiet on the Western Front today. There was the annual absurdly funny video of the book by a few of the boys, a collection of poems about the war from all the countries involved … Continue reading →

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Dragon Flies throughout the Heavens

Posted on April 27, 2014 by jyourist

It happened right during Dragon Flies Throughout the Heavens, right at the end of the form and just before relaxation. My eyes were tearing. I guess I was crying. It was like an obstruction or a locked gate or a solid … Continue reading →

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Gourmet Birthday

Posted on April 26, 2014 by jyourist

Last night we celebrated IB’s birthday at Kendall College. Here are some of the amazing dishes we ate, created by the seniors at the school and served to us by the hospitality majors. Yes, life is good (and quite luscious).

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Fiddler

Posted on April 24, 2014 by jyourist

I was at the dress rehearsal of Fiddler on the Roof at school today, performed by a bunch of very talented middle schoolers and directed by our new theater teacher. The students’ voices in song, their choreography, and acting were … Continue reading →

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Pale Blue Dot

Posted on April 22, 2014 by jyourist
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Last night’s humble dinner, just the preamble.

Posted on April 21, 2014 by jyourist

We have a wonderful back porch that is not heated. This means that sometime, late in the fall, the weather gets a bit too cold and we abandon the porch until the following spring when temperatures get warm enough. From … Continue reading →

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Three Passover poems shared by three friends

Posted on April 19, 2014 by jyourist

On the second night of Passover, three Passover poems shared by friends: The first by Jane Hirshfield: xxxx In a Room with Five People, Six Griefs In a room with five people, six griefs. Some you will hear of, some not. … Continue reading →

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Drinking games

Posted on April 19, 2014 by jyourist

Every Friday morning we have an extended advisory. One of the students brings breakfast treats for us all to share. There are usually a variety of activities, discussions, tasks, and announcements with which we are involved while we munch. Advisory … Continue reading →

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