Comments on: From the Archives - Part 3 http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/ From your friends at Teach Kentucky Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:36:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: Ian Jones http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-158 Ian Jones Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:18:53 +0000 http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-158 I remember studying Lyon at school as a somewhat reluctant student of Literature but the poems completely changed my outlook on the subject. Sarah, I agree with you that the poems are a great source of inspiration for students- I certainly found this to be the case. With subjects such as Literature, I think it’s essential for students to feel confident enough to open up, and it’s often difficult to instil this kind of self- belief in teenagers! If achieved however, it can really improve the quality of their work in regards to both original material and responses to other authors. I remember studying Lyon at school as a somewhat reluctant student of Literature but the poems completely changed my outlook on the subject. Sarah, I agree with you that the poems are a great source of inspiration for students- I certainly found this to be the case. With subjects such as Literature, I think it’s essential for students to feel confident enough to open up, and it’s often difficult to instil this kind of self- belief in teenagers! If achieved however, it can really improve the quality of their work in regards to both original material and responses to other authors.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-156 Kelly Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:37:01 +0000 http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-156 I have the same problem trying to teach my of class of 8th graders poetry. Like what you did, I found that building up their confidence slowly with constant positive reinforcement helped them see it as a positive outlet. Referring to poems as a beat-less rap got a few of the guys going on it as well. :) I have the same problem trying to teach my of class of 8th graders poetry. Like what you did, I found that building up their confidence slowly with constant positive reinforcement helped them see it as a positive outlet.

Referring to poems as a beat-less rap got a few of the guys going on it as well. :)

]]> By: Kevin Peterson http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-155 Kevin Peterson Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:27:01 +0000 http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-155 Thanks for the great insight. I think it's important to get kids interested in the finer things in life like poetry. There are so many areas it branches off into and if this subject gets ignored, then we slowly lose bits and pieces of our culture. Thanks for the great insight. I think it’s important to get kids interested in the finer things in life like poetry. There are so many areas it branches off into and if this subject gets ignored, then we slowly lose bits and pieces of our culture.

]]> By: polly L http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-154 polly L Mon, 23 May 2011 22:06:31 +0000 http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-154 Hey there just read those poems i loved them and don't listen to anyone who says such bad things about poetry, and regarding what you wrote about: "I’ll admit some students can compose a poem that belies their actual shaky grasp of the written word when it comes to longer, more complex projects. But the mere fact that this type of student is excited about his writing" Thats so correct until the vocabulary expands there will be shaky words but the way the use those words sometimes are so nice Hey there just read those poems i loved them and don’t listen to anyone who says such bad things about poetry, and regarding what you wrote about: “I’ll admit some students can compose a poem that belies their actual shaky grasp of the written word when it comes to longer, more complex projects. But the mere fact that this type of student is excited about his writing”
Thats so correct until the vocabulary expands there will be shaky words but the way the use those words sometimes are so nice

]]> By: Robin Swisher http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-130 Robin Swisher Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:17:00 +0000 http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-130 For the unique culture our little section of the US affords us, it lays out in the attitudes of ours students mountains we expect never to overcome. I am happy to read of your inspiring victories Mr. Barnwell. The comments of Ms. Yost sound like my own experiences when I entered the classroom. Our task in teaching writing is daunting without state jargon and the lack of motivation and support from students and families, but small victories are enough. Meeting deer hunters and four wheeler riders at their hearts assures them that what they do is just as poetic as a Shakespeare sonnet. I am in extreme southeast Kentucky -- as down home as it gets -- and live for months off of one instance of student inspiration or realization. I understand. And if you are blessed to share a space with Ms. Lyon, you will see the heart of a writer generously open to draw you in and prepare you to write who you are. This is what we must continue to do for our students. Great blog! The students comments are wonderful* For the unique culture our little section of the US affords us, it lays out in the attitudes of ours students mountains we expect never to overcome. I am happy to read of your inspiring victories Mr. Barnwell. The comments of Ms. Yost sound like my own experiences when I entered the classroom. Our task in teaching writing is daunting without state jargon and the lack of motivation and support from students and families, but small victories are enough. Meeting deer hunters and four wheeler riders at their hearts assures them that what they do is just as poetic as a Shakespeare sonnet. I am in extreme southeast Kentucky — as down home as it gets — and live for months off of one instance of student inspiration or realization. I understand. And if you are blessed to share a space with Ms. Lyon, you will see the heart of a writer generously open to draw you in and prepare you to write who you are. This is what we must continue to do for our students.
Great blog! The students comments are wonderful*

]]> By: Sarah Yost http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-68 Sarah Yost Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:05:22 +0000 http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-68 I, too, have had great success with Ms. Lyon's poem as a scaffold for getting reluctant writers to write poetry. This year my kids were so inspired, their own organic and original poetry sprung from initial "I Am From" drafts, and I received the most beautiful and authentic poetry I'd seen in three years. Also a success: Ms. Lyon's memory mapping exercise and opening myself up to my kids by sharing my own journals and scraps of writing. I saw George Ella Lyon present at the Louisville Writing Project (LWP) in the fall, and she shared her journals with us. I was inspired to do the same with my students, and the results have been amazing. It helped us become a closer knit, more honest and open writing community. By my willingness to "bare my soul", they too were encouraged to open up. Many thanks to George Ella Lyon and her inspirational attitude toward what it means to be a writer! I, too, have had great success with Ms. Lyon’s poem as a scaffold for getting reluctant writers to write poetry. This year my kids were so inspired, their own organic and original poetry sprung from initial “I Am From” drafts, and I received the most beautiful and authentic poetry I’d seen in three years.

Also a success: Ms. Lyon’s memory mapping exercise and opening myself up to my kids by sharing my own journals and scraps of writing. I saw George Ella Lyon present at the Louisville Writing Project (LWP) in the fall, and she shared her journals with us. I was inspired to do the same with my students, and the results have been amazing. It helped us become a closer knit, more honest and open writing community. By my willingness to “bare my soul”, they too were encouraged to open up.

Many thanks to George Ella Lyon and her inspirational attitude toward what it means to be a writer!

]]> By: George Ella Lyon http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-65 George Ella Lyon Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:51:33 +0000 http://www.teachopedia.com/blog/from-the-archives-part-3/#comment-65 Just wanted to let you know that i wrote the poem-- "Where I'm From." Your students can hear me read it on my website, <a href="www.georgeellalyon.com" rel="nofollow">http://georgeellalyon.com/</a>. All best, George Ella Lyon Just wanted to let you know that i wrote the poem– “Where I’m From.” Your students can hear me read it on my website, http://georgeellalyon.com/.

All best,

George Ella Lyon

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