Monthly Archives: February 2016

It takes a village

Posted on February 28, 2016 by jyourist

This is a shout out to JB who, knowing what my hibernation with 8th grade first draft research papers entails, brought up to my desk a surprise lunch, a sprig of fresh marjoram newly pushing through the surface of wintered … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, relationship | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Many miles before I sleep

Posted on February 27, 2016 by jyourist

I am presently buried beneath piles of research papers. Plugging along. They are taking me about 40 minutes to an hour apiece to grade. (Who were those politicians who complained about how easy a teacher’s life is, leaving school at … Continue reading →

Posted in school, Teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Guide to the Other Gallery” by Dana Gioia

Posted on February 26, 2016 by jyourist

This is the hall of broken limbs Where splintered marble athletes lie Beside the arms of cherubim. Nothing is ever thrown away. These butterflies are set in rows. So small and gray inside their case They look alike now. I … Continue reading →

Posted in death, poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Patterned tapes

Posted on February 25, 2016 by jyourist

This photo is of a personalized computer one of my students brought to school today to complete work on a research paper. She used a variety of patterned tapes to create this visual menagerie. At first I thought she had … Continue reading →

Posted in creativity, students | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

February

Posted on February 24, 2016 by jyourist

It has always been the shortest month. It has always felt like it goes on forever. Ah February, la plus ça change, la plus ça reste la même.

Posted in art, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why can’t we do this more often?

Posted on February 23, 2016 by jyourist

Since the beginning of the school year last fall, every other week, on Tuesdays, my advisory teams up with a class of kindergarteners. The 8th graders become older mentors to the little kids, become their “buddies.” We have gone for … Continue reading →

Posted in acting, story, students | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reverspective

Posted on February 22, 2016 by jyourist

Patrick Hughes, born 1939 in Birmingham UK, is a painter who has created reverspective or reverse perspective which is the optical illusion where the parts of the picture which are the closest are actually furthest from view. Hughes says, “Reverspectives … Continue reading →

Posted in art, artist, perspective, point of view | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Put your names in your books

Posted on February 21, 2016 by jyourist

Found this written inside an abandoned middle school Algebra book in the classroom. Provocative.

Posted in photography, school, students, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Japanese Internment

Posted on February 20, 2016 by jyourist

This is not an anniversary to be celebrated, but certainly one we need to never forget.  74 years ago yesterday, nearly 120,000 people of Japanese descent (62% of whom were American citizens and 30,000 of whom were children, the rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, race | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Harper Lee 1926-2016 RIP

Posted on February 19, 2016 by jyourist

Some previous posts connected to Harper Lee: Ta-Nehisi Coates and Harper Lee Harper Lee is not immune Zack Graham’s To Kill a Mockingbird Problem…and Ours Scuppernongs  

Posted in race, school, students, Teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment