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fifth grade --
teaching parrots
to think
©Mary Lee Hahn, 2016
One of the many hard things about these times we're living in is how to teach about or talk about our government with fifth graders.
(Insert several carefully worded and then deleted paragraphs here.)
I'll just leave it at that. I'm sure you can imagine.
Tabatha has the round up at The Opposite of Indifference.
Ha. I love your deleted paragraphs, Mary Lee. Teachers are facing such challenges. I can't think of another time in recent history when the passions and biases of parents are as likely to be repeated at school. Bless y'all for trying to have fair, thoughtful discussions. Love your haiku!
ReplyDeleteHear Hear!! Grateful to teachers more than ever, who are now facing challenges we never could have imagined a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it must be. I admire your courage and boldness, Mary Lee. Bless those sweet parrots!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness. :)
ReplyDeleteAnother wise haiku from you, Mary Lee. It has been great fun pondering reality through the lens of your #haikuforhealing venture. I was listening carefully during the last press conference today.
ReplyDeleteI just read this on twitter, Mary Lee. It's just right! I've often thought of all teachers this year, and have great empathy for you all, wondering how I'd approach the year if still teaching. Thanks for #haikuforhealing, a blessing to many of us.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine what those deleted paragraphs might have said! I think your haiku sums it up perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I loved the eleven slaves book too (although I can't think of the title right now). My school says the pledge every morning over the PA (in English and Spanish) and I can hardly even bear to pledge my allegiance to my country right now. Thanks for inspiring me to teach kids to have a voice.
ReplyDeleteTeachers can make all the difference. They did in my life. I remember 5th grade as one of my most confusing years. I raise a glass to you and your deleted paragraphs.
ReplyDeleteYou captured SO MUCH in so few words, Mary Lee. And I love the photo!
ReplyDeleteYou are walking a challenging road, Mary Lee. As Brenda said, I tip my hat to you and your deleted paragraphs!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I can imagine.
ReplyDeleteLove your haiku, Mary Lee.
Oh, yes, I can imagine.
ReplyDeleteLove your haiku, Mary Lee.
A perfect senryu!
ReplyDeletePerfect! Even the deleted paragraphs. Thank goodness for teachers like you who do teach students to think - even ones who parrot their parents' opinions!
ReplyDeleteHa! EXCELLENT post. I don't know if she made it up herself, but I keep thinking of a phrase I heard Jeannine Atkins say at NCTE: poetry is the craft of leaving things out. Both haiku and commentary are well crafted this week I mean month I mean year.
ReplyDeleteTeachers have to choose carefully crafted words that walk a fine line - which is how you approach your poetry, too. One thing I know for sure is that you always do it with thoughtfulness and love, Mary Lee. Carry on! =)
ReplyDeleteThe parrots must learn to think and must feel that their thoughts are worthy. I also love your deleted paragraphs. I'm reading them in my head and thinking that blindness is dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI love to imagine that deleted paragraph. I am feeling very militant myself these days what with so much insanity in the news recently.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteOh, I love those carefully worded and deleted paragraphs, too!