paging mr herman - a favorite thing

they don’t make ‘em like this anymore! i have always been a pee wee herman fan. i even own pee wee’s playhouse on dvd don’t hate.

enclave chicago

friday night i drove up to chicago to do some club promoting at enclave. i met my group of friends (derek, carlos, blair, katie, amanda, leo) at the pre-party at carlos’ condo off of navy pier. wow, what an amazing place..the view from his living room looks onto navy pier and you can watch the lighted ferris wheel as you play call of duty carlos’ roommate spun on the tables as we had some drinks before we headed to the club. our group was going to be rolling in there about 50 deep so when we got to the club we immediately got upgraded to 2 more tables and put right next to the dj booth. as people started arriving we ended up going through about 7 bottles of greygoose! i must say, enclave is one of the funner clubs i have been to. the energy in that place was so amazing, and everyone was really cool.

Indian Season in American Schools

“Analytical Overview of”

Indian Season in American Schools

By Andrea Schoemaker

            Jack Weatherford’s article, Indian Season in American Schools, explains how well meaning teachers across America attempt to teach lessons in the fall of each school year about Indian culture.  He feels these well meaning teachers do not accurately portray the American Indians as they lived when European settlers came to their shores.  Weatherford states that the Indians had a profound effect upon the settlers and not the other way around.  By demonstrating a varied diet and traditional Indian government, the Indians drastically changed the culture of the European settlers.  The author notes that the previous diets of these settlers were very bland vegetables until the Indians introduced them to wonderful new ways to prepare meat and vegetables.  In addition, the Indians were adept at fashioning weapons to protect their homeland.  They did not care to venture into the ocean and were quite happy to remain on their lands as farmers.  As stated in the article, “60% of all the food crops grown in the world today” came from the Indians of the Americas.  Little has been told to American school children about the variety of ways that Indians prepared tomatoes into dishes resembling chili or pizza.  Seasonings were cultivated and preserved.  The Thanksgiving story is a bit untrue as corn was not a staple in the diet of the European settlers.  They did however feed it to their animals and improved their own food supply.  A form of potato was also introduced and was widely utilized.  Even today the products of the American Indians derived from corn, cotton, tobacco, peanuts, and potatoes are marketed throughout the world.  Indian cultures in the remotes areas today are cultivating crops which may feed the world tomorrow. 

            Furthermore, Weatherford feels we owe a debt of gratitude to the Indians for our entire system of government.  A chief from the Iroquois league of Indians suggested as early as 1744 that the colonies unite.  It was Benjamin Franklin who repeated his words at the first meeting of colonies.  John Hancock wrote a speech which was taken back to the Iroquois chief asking for their help during the coming war with Britain.  Those Indians were instrumental in helping the colonies become free.  When independence came in 1776, representatives of that tribe attended the Philadelphia meeting.  Franklin had observed Iroquois laws which even supported female suffrage and the founding principals of our constitution.  The word “caucus” is an Algonquin term which means decision making.  That word describes the American nomination system for political candidates in some states.  Thus, Weatherford makes his case that Indians have had a tremendous effect on the history of the United States.  The entire idea of liberty and the rejection of slavery come from the Indians.  Visitors to Washington D.C. today can still see the influence of Indian carvings in marble buildings. 

            In addition to giving new foods and political systems, many medicines were given to settlers by the Indians.  Much of our modern language, math, and scientific concepts come from Indian influences.  Thus, the American Indians were much more influential on the European culture than were the Europeans upon the Indians. 

            Mr. Weatherford makes a great case for changing the approach many teachers take in the teaching of American Indian culture.  The lists of accomplishments in food preparation and cultivation are seldom taught in any American schools.  Previously most students were taught how to make a pilgrim hat or a turkey feather and assume that they had studied Indian culture.  However the author’s informative article vividly describes how inventive the Indians were with food. They took their staples of corn and tomatoes and built them into wonderful dishes.  The variety of spices that they were familiar with and used in cooking goes back many years.  The Indians inventively used potatoes and learned how to grow crops in even the harshest climates.  They were a people who could feed themselves unlike the European settlers who came to their shores.  It does seem obvious then that the same products that they raised such as corn and cotton are so plentiful even today and exported by American farmers today.  It is fascinating that there are still Indians in South America that are growing crops under very difficult conditions.  These grains grown once the Incans maybe become the staple of millions tomorrow. 

            The tremendous influence of the Indian system of government upon the colonists was amazing.  Weatherford’s knowledge of specific chiefs and tribes who contributed suggestions and attended meetings cannot be ignored.  It is sad that more American students are not learning what a huge impact these Indian leaders had upon our system of government.  Without the help of some tribes, we would probably have been defeated by the British during the revolutionary war.  Had the colonists listened more attentively when the Indians described liberty we would never had fallen into the trap of becoming slave holders.  In addition, the huge influence of Indians upon the medicine, scientific, and mathematical fields also cannot be ignored.  The author wishes readers to educate themselves and others in the understanding that the Indians were huge contributors to the current American culture. 

            Overall, I think Weatherford’s article should become a must read for any elementary school teacher.  Personally, I would be embarrassed to have my students make pilgrim hats and colorful turkeys and call it a lesson on Indian culture.  The inventiveness of the American Indians and their ability to survive and flourish agriculturally was so informative.  I cannot help but wonder what would have happened to those Europeans had the Indians simply ignored them rather than coming to their aide.  The sense of reason that the Indians had in government is so logical.  The Indians believed in the concept of voting and democracy.  Chief Canassatego of the Iroquois was able to bring peace among squabbling colonists over state’s rights.  The Indians were so adaptable in producing medicines when needed.  First attempts at astronomy and an accurate calendar also came from the Indian culture.  I think that it is so important that teachers alter lessons to reflect more than the traditional Thanksgiving turkey project.  Weatherford’s guidelines for choosing new textbooks which include American Indian history should be a mandate for all schools.  The list is complete and accurate listing of concepts that should be considered when choosing a text.  I found this article so interesting because most of these facts were never included in my own textbooks growing up. 

thank you they are beautiful ;)

happy valentines day bitches!

here’s my bondage barbie that i received as a gift that i thought i would share with all of you.

nothing says “i love you” quite like rope and a ball gag…

my theory of education - by planetandrea

I believe there is no limit to learning.  As a lifelong learner, I am excited to utilize my own interpersonal skills soon in the classroom.  I also know that an attentive teacher can spot opportunities to assist individuals through additional instruction or positive feedback.  Students may not achieve full expectations simultaneously but at various paces and styles. 

Former First Lady of the United States and current Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton told Americans, “It takes a village to raise a child.”  Actually, the real importance of this statement is in a lesser known part of her quote, which goes on to say, “I’m obviously not talking just about or even primarily about geographical villages any longer, but about the network of relationships and values that do connect us and binds us together.”  Schools today are given the arduous task of educating students who come from affluence to poverty, homelessness, and a variety of social ills.  The school and the classroom become the village binding students together through caring attitudes of conscientious teachers.  Regardless of socioeconomic or cultural factors, schools and classroom teachers can still influence learning and impact even the most discouraged student.  The ability to interact with diverse learners is a day-to-day challenge but can be accomplished by differentiating instruction for students within a classroom.  Some students may need additional instruction to internalize the concepts presented or may need additional strategies and encouragement.  However, through dedication and perseverance a teacher can gather her “village” of learners into a mutually cooperative community.  Most teachers should expect to be asked to work with large and small groups as teacher, co-teacher, facilitator, or mentor to my students.  Even if a student must return to a less than desirable home life at the close of the school day, I believe we must do our best to give that child a safe haven and nourish him physically and mentally in the hours we share with him or her.

Many students learn quickly and enjoy school assignments.  Yet, sometimes students come to us discouraged with diagnoses indicating much difficulty in past classroom accomplishments.  The job of the teacher is to believe that these students can also be reached through a variety of methods which may involve visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities.  Thus, a supportive teacher who is willing to go the extra mile for her students before and after school, through parental contacts, and supplemental materials can support the learning for all of her students.  

Teachers that have good interpersonal skills and communicate well with adults can certainly do so with children.  I believe students come to school expecting lessons that are challenging and interactive.  The schoolroom of the past with lengthy teacher-centered lessons and lectures are simply not viable today.  The technologically adept students today need variety and stimulating lessons which require thought.  Teamwork and collaboration are excellent ways to motivate students.  Classrooms that are setup for cooperative learning logistically will enhance learning.  A system of rewards may further learning as students are always responsive to positive re-enforcement.  Avoiding negativity is crucial to help students develop positive self-esteem.  Motivation can best be achieved through a constantly interesting and challenging set of assignments. 

what keeps me going

i have really been blessed with the people who have come into my life in the last month.  i’m not a religious person, but i used to be.  certain events happened in my life that made me question faith and God.  i’ve always thought of myself as a loving, giving, and kind person with a good heart.  in the last week, 3 different people have approached me and began a conversation about religion and people being lost but finding their way back.  it seems as though someone is trying to get my attention.  you have it.

my professors this semester have been nothing but awesome.  i feel very comfortable sharing my concerns with them about difficult assignments, and they are very willing to help.  dr isele even offered to meet me at steak n shake at 3am to discuss history standards as they pertain to researching family heritage.     i look forward to being a teacher someday, or at least making a difference somehow in a child’s life.

“Remember that there are multiple classes of children in your future just waiting for their teacher to come into their lives and smile back!”  - Professor Isele

well, tomorrow is valentines day and i will be working until around 9.  my friend steve and i decided that we are having a anti-valentines day night (since we both do not have dates) drinking beer and watching espn at a neighborhood bar after i get off work.  nothing like hanging out with the guys on the most romantic day of the year lol

my mom has been recording old family vhs tapes from christmas and other events onto dvd, so hopefully soon i’ll find some good video of me with a serious mullet and leg warmers dancing to debbie gibson and riding my strawberry shortcake bike with the awesome handlebars.

the most romantic movie

keeping in the valentines day spirit i thought i would share my suggestion for the most romantic movie. this one gets me every time i watch it. the notebook has to be hands down one of my favorite movies ever made. so now i share with you one of the greatest scenes ever:

States push for cyberbully controls

    Abbott Koloff writes an article for USA Today about how many states are trying to put an end to cyber bullying.  The article gives examples students that were being bullied online and they ended their own lives because of it.  Now a number of states are trying to impose laws that will either give local law enforcement agencies or school districts more control to prevent this type of violence from occurring.  Some officials are leery of passing any laws because they feel that it will impose on free speech. 

            I feel that cyber bullying is a very important issue and needs to be taken very seriously.  Not only are kids made fun of at school, but now there are so many ways they can be misrepresented and made a joke of outside of school.  The expanded use of technology has given kids the ability to say things about someone anonymously, which will cause a problem when it comes time to punish them.  I feel that law enforcement agencies are the ones who need to be in control of this problem since they are the group responsible for controlling any type of harassment anyway.  They can work with the schools to get names, find circles of friends, and use the school to find the actual kids to punish.  I have found that most kids are not necessarily scared of their teachers or principals, but are scared of a police officer.  I hope that the major social networking websites like Facebook and MySpace work together with law enforcement to allow them to patrol private messages and conversations from kids that have been found to pose an issue.  The most important role in this problem is parental involvement.  If parents talk to their children about peer pressure and respecting others’ feelings, that will catch most of the problems before they begin. 

birthday wishes and snow storms

 today is my dad’s birthday so i went to dinner with the birthday boy and my mom.  he’s not one to celebrate or make a big deal out of it anymore.  love ya pops!  i hope i never lose that birthday excitement.  however the big 3-0 is staring me straight in the face in less than a month.

i wanted to wish my friend steve a very happy birthday!  i first met him about 10 years ago when we met playing quake online and i ended up taking a train 23 hours to visit him and play together in a tournament in washington d.c. we had lost touch soon after that, but somehow our paths crossed again.

you have made a huge impact on me and i am forever grateful to have you in my life. people like you only are made every so often. you are a true friend and an amazing person who deserves nothing but the best.

today we were dumped with about 10 inches of snow throughout last night and all today.  i ventured out twice and both times it felt like i was in a bad movie.  our city has decided not to put salt down until the snow is completely done because they are running low on supply.  now our streets are so packed with snow that it feels like you’re driving over rocks starring in a ford f-150 commercial.   because of this latest storm, school was cancelled this morning, and i found out from a 6am automated phone call.  so much for sleeping in!