Here is an Original Poem

Rain, rain go away
the Bulls keep winning, so it's okay
the Hawks keep putting the puck in nets
I wish I would have placed some bets
if the Chicago boys of summer would start knocking in some runs
that might just bring out the sun

Happy Poetry Month from
the Cycling Librarian

Is our society asking too much of teachers?

The simple answer to the title of this post is: YES. I always try to remind my friends who work in the private sector that the product of education is the mind of a human being. And while there are a number of responsibilities that teachers must accept and hone, there are many responsibilities that teachers are expected to address that they have little or no control over. And these are things that include basic needs like sleep, security, nutrition, and basic resources. A student who comes to a classroom without these needs being met will not be as effective of a student as the student who comes rested, well fed, and from a secure home with resources. On the same note though, a student who is spoon fed, gets his or her way at home, lives without needs and gets what he or she wants regularly, this student often lacks the discipline or motivation to succeed. Teachers have no control over who walks into the classroom or what that student brings with him or herself.

I digress a bit from what my original intent was here. I want to direct my readers to an Washington Post/Answer Sheet Blog by Valerie Strauss titled "Teachers: Blame Only Where Blame is Due." In this post, Strauss identifies 16 variables that affect student achievement. When I look at these variables, I would identify only four that a teacher has direct influence. About three to four more of those are the responsibility of the school and the rest, nine variables, are up to the individuals raising the child.

I encourage you to read the link to Strauss's post to learn the 16 variables and see if you agree, but I believe that her 16 variable prove that education is not only on the shoulders of teachers. Education is a community effort. Teachers are not off the hook. They must be dedicated to their work, profession and students. Just as schools must be dedicated to their teachers, building, and community, and parents must take an interest and dedicate themselves to their students not just at home, but on the streets and at school.

Oh, what about the students? Everyone seems to forget about them in the discussion about "What's wrong with Eduction, these days?" More and more students seem to have a sense of entitlement. That it is their right to do what they please and if they want to fail, that is their right, too. Is this what we believe as Americans? I believe that should be addressed as well. Is the answer stricter discipline, harsher punishment, higher or lower expectations? I don't know. But I do know that the attitude a student brings to the classroom has a large impact on not only his or her achievement, but also those around him or her.

Teachers have a lot to manage and most do an excellent job of it. Does our society ask too much. Indeed, it does.

Poetry Month

Illini Bluffs elementary, middle and high school libraries are celebrating Poetry Month with several activities which will culminate with a large display of student work in both libraries. I am particularly excited to see how the Poetry Video turns out. Students will look at, interpret and read one line from a poem. Then when all lines from a poem are read on video, I will edit the video where the entire poem is being delivered line-by-line by a different student. Hopefully, my editing program and skills will make the poems flow, but also show the different interpretations of each line out of context. I don't know. It'll be great or not so great, but it will be fun. I will post some of the videos right here later this month.

Embedding Media: the Nerves of the Blog

Even though I am way behind in completing the "Kick Start Your Blog Challenge," I am determined to finish and keep the blog rolling.

I realize that I am guilty of boring blog posts. To me, those are the posts that have no pictures, no video, no nothin' except words. I admit that there are times I just want to write/complain/preach and I don't take the time to add interesting media to support my rant. This is dangerous to the health of my blog. I know that, personally, I am more drawn to a blog that includes some type of media.

I have added a video below that has nothing to do with embedding media or nerves, except that maybe it will calm some nerves of those who just want to see something fun. If you've never read Knuffle Bunny or held Knuffle Bunny, you might want to try sometime. He (or she) is pretty cool. My daughter thinks so too.

While I would not advocate that people, me included, add media to a blog post simply to make it look good (as I have here), the video above is designed to make the point that it is more interesting to see media in a post.

What is Illini Bluffs Library?

It is a place to...

have fun.

get work done.

work with technology.

find a good book.

relax.

Inspiring Movie

For my cycling friends:

What does it take to test our limits? How far can we be pushed by nature? Is it our environment? Is it loneliness? Is it our ability to push our pain threshold, our endurance? I found the answer Saturday night at the Peoria Theater in the movie, Ride the Divide. This is a 2700 mile, Canada to Mexico race along the Continental Divide. The race (yes, race) is completely unsupported. This fantastic film, which was Best Adventure Film (first recipient), 2010 Vail Film Festival, mainly follows three people as they attempt to complete the race. We ride with the production team who at times lose the riders in snow storms and the wilderness. The only means of tracking the riders is their GPS tracking devices, but that requires having Internet or a reliable wireless network which most of this ground lacks.

Ride The Divide Movie Trailer from Ride The Divide on Vimeo.

We can see a change in the riders as the miles and climbs begin to take a toll on their bodies and bikes. But, what really is inspiring is to see that the physical toll, in most cases, is not what brings the riders to drop out or push on. It is the emotional strain of riding hundreds and thousands of miles alone. What is it that keeps them out their day after day putting in 50 to 150 miles a day, alone? Most drop out, but those who finish have some good insight of what it takes. It truly is inspiring to hear their stories and see the land. Check out the trailer and check out the movie. Then, air up the tires and get out there!

Avatars: The Real You or Not

I've played around with using avatars a year ago or thereabouts, and I really was not happy with them. I can never get one that I feel resembles me (I mean, when your handsome and all... ahem). Then, I tried coming up with some that fit my likes. Then, I created crazy avatars. The trouble with those is I would get tired of them and want to always change them, and I think consistency is important. So I gave up on using avatars. I did try a couple today and created, again, interesting representations, but nothing that I like to use as a regular. I used Picassoheads and Reasonably Clever lego avatars. I have also used voki in the past without any pleasing results. Yes, that is a lego avatar of me being a famous treasure hunter like Indiana Jones.

I like using pictures of some famous people or characters. On Facebook, I am represented with a famous picture of my favorite president. I have also been Han Solo, Snoopy, and Spiderman. Lots of people complained that they weren't sure it was me. They have gotten over that and now everyone knows on Facebook that I am my favorite president.

I am not a big fan of using a picture of me to represent myself for...well...I don't know. Privacy? No good pictures of myself? I don't have a good reason, but I usually don't use pictures of me. Obviously, if you go to the bottom of the page you will see a picture of me. I figure it is only fair that if you are taking the time to read the ramblings of the Cycling Librarian, you might as well know what I look like. So, avatars? I'm not a big fan.