It's true what they say. Teenagers can be cruel, selfish, lazy, unmotivated, and apathetic. However, they can also be incredibly smart, witty, passionate, creative, daring, and truthful. Every day my kids challenge and impress me. We are studying 19th century American literature right now, and I LOVE it. We started with transcendentalism, and got to read Thoreau, Emerson, Wordsworth, Whitman, Longfellow, and Bradbury. We moved into American Gothic last week, and read William Faulkner and lots of Edgar Allan Poe. The kids analyzed classic Gothic poems and modern Gothic songs and made posters:
They also wrote their own Gothic poems:
We're now focusing on Realism and Mark Twain, but during the Transcendentalism part of our unit we read and listened to the "Sunscreen Song" from 1999. Since the lyrics praise the importance of being your own person, following your own dreams, and appreciating nature, the connection to transcendental life seemed fairly clear. We decided to come up with our own "words to live by," and posted our ideas on a 20 foot stretch outside the classroom in the hall. This is only a portion:
A few of their words of wisdom.....
You know yourself better than anyone else.
Think green.
Go to the beach.
Be fair.
Belly dance.
If you have the opportunity, take it.
Have no regrets.
Eat buttermilk pancakes and smile.
Know your neighbors.
Respect everyone; don't blame others.
Keep the people you love in your life.
Wear your favorite color.
You can't shake hands with a clenched fist. -Gandhi
Life's a garden...dig it!
Take a drive with your best buddies.
Chances are, you were right.
Say good morning to Ms. Murray.
Hate is easy, love takes courage.
Eat sushi at least once!
Sometimes the dreams that come true are the dreams you never knew you had.
Live every day as if it were your last.
Respect yourself. Keep your own identity.
Watch the sunset.
Leave the nest.
Memorize the lines from your favorite movie.
Lie in the grass at night and appreciate the beauty of the stars.
Drive slower.
Leave a legacy.
Think green.
Go to the beach.
Be fair.
Belly dance.
If you have the opportunity, take it.
Have no regrets.
Eat buttermilk pancakes and smile.
Know your neighbors.
Respect everyone; don't blame others.
Keep the people you love in your life.
Wear your favorite color.
You can't shake hands with a clenched fist. -Gandhi
Life's a garden...dig it!
Take a drive with your best buddies.
Chances are, you were right.
Say good morning to Ms. Murray.
Hate is easy, love takes courage.
Eat sushi at least once!
Sometimes the dreams that come true are the dreams you never knew you had.
Live every day as if it were your last.
Respect yourself. Keep your own identity.
Watch the sunset.
Leave the nest.
Memorize the lines from your favorite movie.
Lie in the grass at night and appreciate the beauty of the stars.
Drive slower.
Leave a legacy.
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