Have a GREAT Break!

 

Glory - 1st All Black Troops

 

Frederick Douglass, a famous abolitionist, came up with the idea for all Black Troops.  He convinced President Abraham Lincoln, and the 54th Regiment was born on January 1, 1863.  Douglass's sons fought with the 54th. The biggest frustration was they did not see battle.  Most troops were sent to Indian Territory to protect supplies and forts.  They proved themselves out west with bravery and courage.

They mad a movie about the 54th called Glory.  The cast is fantastic Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freemen, and Denzel Washington.  If you have not seen this film please watch!  You get a real sense of what these guys had to go through!

The military will stay segregated till the 1950s, Korean War.  All Black Troops were always stationed out west.  The Native Americans said their hair looks like Buffalo hair so called them the Buffalo Soldiers.  My Grandfather wrote the Standard on the Buffalo Soldiers.  I am so proud of that and Arlen Fowler is my Grandpa.  He is sadly gone, but when he was still alive he came to my classes to talk about his book.  One thing he said that will always stand out to me is how he described the Buffalo Soldiers.  He said it is a story that needs to be taught!  They demonstrated courage and bravery!

The Great Debaters

 

A GREAT movie to see is the Great Debaters.  It is about a debate team from Wiley College in 1940 deep South.  Of course, Denzel Washington plays the debate coach!  The movie follows their journey to a debate tournament at Harvard University.  Of course they make it!  But along the journey you see what life in the Jim Crow South looks like for African Americans.  

In class we talked about Thoreau and Civil Disobedience.  Thoreau hated President Polk and the Mexican American War so he protested peacefully or Civil Disobedience by not paying his taxes.  So now when you protest or resist peacefully one calls it Civil Disobedience.  In the movie when they make it to Harvard for the debate - Harvard tries to throw them on their toes and changed the theme of the debate to Civil Disobedience, but it worked in thier favor.  The last line always gives me goose bumps.

I also love Denzel Washington's introduction to his debaters!

BE KIND!!!

 

I Love this clip from the Ellen Show!  These students were so kind and got a great surprise.  If you need a lift me up - watch this!!!!

Have a Fun, Safe, and Restful Thanksgiving!

 

SEE YOU ON MONDAY December 2nd!!!!

I often wonder if Thanksgiving should have gone this way!

DO NOT FORGET - Winter Clothing Extra Credit!

 This is EXTRA Credit.  You do NOT have to do it, but it is an opportunity.

Due: Friday, November 22nd 

You have from now till the 22nd!

The AFJROTC is holding a Clothing Drive.  I am the second floor collector, and I want this to be a SUCCESS!!! 

AFROTC is collecting the following clothes:

1. New/Unused Socks

2. New/Unused Shirts

3. Pants

4. Winter Coats

5. Winter Wear

    Scarfs

     Gloves

     Hats

You can bring up to 5 items for 25 points total.  

Show me before you put in the box that will be outside my door!

Enjoy the Ride!

 

Choose Yourself!

 

CLOTHING Drive Extra Credit!

 

This is EXTRA Credit.  You do NOT have to do it, but it is an opportunity.

Due: Friday, November 22nd 

You have from now till the 22nd!

The AFJROTC is holding a Clothing Drive.  I am the second floor collector, and I want this to be a SUCCESS!!! 

AFROTC is collecting the following clothes:

1. New/Unused Socks

2. New/Unused Shirts

3. Pants

4. Winter Coats

5. Winter Wear

    Scarfs

     Gloves

     Hats

You can bring up to 5 items for 25 points total.  

Show me before you put in the box that will be outside my door!

You are Blessed!

 

The Power of One

 

I LOVE the idea of this!  We all have gifts and resources to give the world.  Here are some of my favorite examples of the Power of One:

Dr. Salk figured out how to cure Polio.  Instead of patening the cure and gaining BILLIONS - he gave it to the world to help people.  WOW!

This was a student protest in Beijing.  No one knows who this guy was, but MAN he made a statement!!!!

I LOVE This!  Using gifts to help people!!!!  Haircuts are life changing!

Do Not be a Bystander!

 

Danger of a Single Story

 

Darning Unit 2 England was the meanest European power who had strong stereotypes. 

Wake Up!

 

Parent Teacher Conferences 10/7 and 10/8

 

Monday and Tuesday from 4 to 7 - HOPE to see you there!

42 - The first Black man in Baseball

 

This week we discussed early Slavery in America.  Someone brought up how White Southerners made Medical Reports declaring African Americans as inferior.  That is crazy to me, and thankfully has been proven wrong.  White people and Black people are the same medically, but a Black person has more Melanin in their skin.

This conversation made me think of the movie 42.  The story of Jackie Robinson the first black man in Baseball (MLB).  He broke down so many barriers, and had to deal with so much racism.  It was the 1940s when Jin Crow ruled.  The movie focuses on the racism he had to deal with.  It makes you wonder - could you handle all that he did?  I think no.  It was in his contract not to get upset if someone spits on you.  What?!?!

DO NOT forget Homecoming Extra Credit

 Do NOT forget - Extra Credit for participating in Homecoming!  If you dress up, and it relates you get 5 points EC.

Monday - Minion Day

Tuesday - Inside/Out Day - Emotions Day

Wednesday - Dress your Age Day (10th Graders are Elementary/Middle Schoolers)

Thursday - Dress Up Day

Friday - Outrageous Orange and Black Day

Below are some of my favorite pictures of HomeComing!

I took this picture!

Homecoming Spirit Stick 2010

My 5th Hour won the door decoration last year!  

Homecoming 2014 - My favorite Outrageous Orange and Black!  She was committed!  She painted her face and arms!

My favorite "Anything but a Backpack" - Hampton last year brought a locker! Now Hampton is on the Royal Court.

Miss Hornet and I last year!

Confronting Hard History

 

I love this quote by Ken Burns!  We have to confront the dark chapters of American History even if it is hard!  As a teacher I feel it is required to.  I want you to know all parts of American History - good and bad.  

One of the hardest parts of American History is Slavery.  It is hard to imagine why Slavery lasted for 243 years, and why a whole region was ok with it.  The TED Talk below explains why it is SO IMPORTANT to Confront!!!!  Please watch!

We are the CHAMPIONS!!!

 Booker T won All City on Friday, August 23, 2024!!!!  I am so GLAD I teach at Booker T!

You CAN Learn from History!

 

This week we completed our first Anticipation Guide for Unit 3.  The first statemen to agree or disagree with was "A Government should pay attention to their citizens."  It made my teacher heart so HAPPY.  Everyone Strongly Agreed.  

I got present to after completing this 6 times on Wednesday I was talking about the colonists.  The colonists felt King George III was not paying attention to them so they declared their Independence.  They were upset about unfair taxes and no representation in Parliament.  People in charge should realize that the little guy can only take it for so long before they do something.  The colonist broke away and became Americans!

I Bleed Black and Orange

 

It is my 20th year at the Hive!  I bleed black and orange!!!!  I started working at the Hive in 2005. Feels like yesterday, but was so long ago!  Here are some of the reasons I love Booker T:

1. The Pride and the Tradition

This is Miss Hornet and I from last year.  She was in my class, and I ADORE her!  I LOVE the traditions of Booker T!  I am so glad teachers cannot vote in Mr. and Miss Hornet.  I usually know all the candidates, and love them all!

Last year my fifth hour won door decorating contest!  We were so happy!

I love Homecoming and Spirit Weeks, and dressing up!  My wardrobe is all black and orange!  This Homecoming 2013!  I love that students participate and go all out!  That really impressed me as a teacher!

2. Being a Class Sponsor - Class of 2010

The 2010 Nominees for Mr. and Miss Hornet Fall 2009

My 2nd year I became the Class Sponsor of 2010.  Being involved with Booker T is good for students and teachers!  Royce Anderson was Mr. Hornet, and TPS made a video about him.  Listen to his advice to future Hornets!  I completely agree!  Be involved - it deepens your love for Booker T!

Being the Class Sponsor of the Class of 2010 was the best decision ever!  I got to know them, and 11 years later we had a mini reunion, and the love was still there!  They will always have my heart!

3. I took students to Europe 3 Times

Paris 2007

Paris 2007

Rome 2008

I have done 3 trips to Europe with Booker T. students!  I am such an advocate for traveling!  See the world - the world is so much bigger than Tulsa, OK!!!  It was pure joy showing them the world!  

4. Supporting Students

Booker T students are rock stars!  I ADORE you!  I would move mountains for you!  Love watching you guys grow and learn!  I truly enjoy coming to school every day!  I have the best JOB on the planet!!

Class of 2024 - I will miss these two so much!!!!  They were in my APUSH class when they were sophomores.

Class of 2024 - I will miss seeing him in the halls saying hello!

Class of 2015 - These two have my heart!

2023 - Cheering on my APUSH Students before the Exam started.

This amazing girl was in my Advisory for 4 years!  So happy for her!

This was the NSU Graduation - Spring 2023.  I adore this girl to the moon and back!  So when she invited me to her college graduation - of course I said yes!  Her future is SO BRIGHT!!!

You got this!