People, acceptance and differences

I thought that because the election was so near, I would find a WORDLE of the Declaration of Independence just to see what words popped up. I think it nice that "people" is so large. Sometimes people forget that America was created "by the people, for the people" - all people, regardless of race, religion, beliefs or appearance. I find the intolerance of differences in this school to be so overwhelming that I spend much of instructional time stopping the harassment and teasing. Why is it so difficult to accept people who are "different" than we are? And if we can't accept them, why do some have to be cruel to those who are different?

Reading

What is it about reading in this school? A co-teacher who has not been working here long asked me today why the students in this school (7-12) hate reading. Why do they? I notice very few (less than 10%) of the students I have in class carrying a book or actually reading one. Students check out to the library during homeroom or study hall not to read, but to talk, look at a magazine or do homework in a quiet place. Less that half (or dare I say a third) of the students who are given a reading assignment actually do it. Students are even reluctant to read information on a worksheet or to read directions on a test. What is going on? Reading is a life skill that one always has to know how to do. It is a skill that needs to be practiced to retain, just like hitting a volleyball or passing a football.

I am anxious to see how many people show up at the October book club on Tuesday (the 28th at 8:15 P.M. in the library basement) to discuss Into the Wild. It will probably be Judd, Aaron and I because no one else bothered to read the book. What a disappointment!!