Children Learn What They Live

While going through and organizing some old teacher folders, I ran across a sheet of paper with a poem on it. It was entitled Children Learn What They Live. After reading (and then REREADING it) the paper, it became evident why I kept it in the first place. I truly believed in the message and wanted others to have the opportunity to see what they felt. So what you think. I feel it is very powerful. Enjoy.

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live the hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.

If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.

If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice lace in which to live.

By Dorothy Law Nolte

As always, let me know what you think. Thanks for reading my blog, I think it will be updated more often in October of 2009. Going to have some guest writers on the blog. Stay tuned!!

Y.E. Yang: Haleztine Hereo!

While watching the PGA Championship and getting back into "school" mode today, I thought of creating a blog post in time order fashion. Y.E. Yang (I know, I've never heard of him before today as well) and the ever famousand touted Tiger Woods are finished through hole 15 as many surprised PGA people are seeing Y.E. Yang hang in there with a one stroke lead. He could become the first born Asian to win a PGA Championship. Anywho, I'm sitting at my table on my Apple and wanted to collect a few thoughts on this year's PGA Championship held in Minnesota (wish I was there, was fun in 2002!).

5:16 Y.E. Yang (-8) leads Tiger Woods (-7) by one stroke going into hole number 15! False, would be my first response, but we are not playing true or false right now, we are updating you with the 2009 PGA Chamionship at Haleztine.

5:20 Sure wish I had a huge HD tv right now. To all those who do, I'm jealous. Seriously, especially knowing college football is right around the corner.

5:23 Tiger's bad shots would still be more than my best. Yang is trying to end this (or is really, really lucky?). He came very close to finding trouble. A game of inches, bounces, and nature.

All Day Don't you just love David Feherty's voice? I wonder if he does any poem or book readings. Would be fun to listen to for sure.

5:32 Tiger putting...and they head to 17 & 18 one stroke apart.

5:39 Y. E. Yang has very cold blood flowing through his veins as he gently places his ball on the green. Should 2 putt from there. Tiger seems nervous. Ferherty's making jokes (about the amount of grass Tiger has thrown this week to get a gage on the wind here in MN) and I'm loving it. Enjoy that LONG grass Tiger. South Korea golf guru would have told you so.

5:43-5:49 I don't know where you'd be if playing this hole with Tiger and Yang, but I'm guessing I'd be in the water right now. Tiger is NOT in the Kentucky Bluegrass, but more of the Haleztine rain feed grass (to my facebook friends, I told you so.) Yang's water temperature is creeping up to triple digits as he shots his putt (slowed by the rain soaked greens? Could be.) Tiger's putt....waiting......good rhythm......good swing......good read.....not good enough! Tiger seems to be talking to himself, OR SENDING little messages to make Yang miss his short putt and not increase his lead.

5:52 On 18 tee off. Yang drives one straight down the pipe. Tiger hammers one to the edge of the fairway with a little extra effort.

5:54 86% battery life left. Thought someone might want to know.

5:55 Asian golf just got a boost. Like my post title states, Y.E Yang is becoming the Haleztine Hereo (I should really copyright that right now.)

5:56 Yang just gave the "golf shot" of the decade so far!!! Seriously, he used his 3 hybrid to just make ESPN's Play of August, the Summer, the PGA Championship, whatever you wish.. he simply just went at the pin and erase a lot of question on who would win this championship. Tiger loves the Hazeltine fast growing grass....NOT. Needs to whole it here to make things interesting.

Verne Lundquist (I'm pretty sure it's him) with call. "Y.E.. .SSSSS." Clever.

6:03 Y.E. Yang becomes the first born Asian PGA Champion. You'll be hearing this a lot the next week or so if you watch any type of sports shows.

6:05 "Get in the hole!" has to be a saying Tiger has on his pet peeve list. Two putts. Not a happy camper.

Okay. This started getting hard to do once I started using my DVR a wee bit much. This was a fun writing exercise and will have to do more watch/writing in the future.

Well done, Y.E.Yang. You took care of the Tiger and made the underdog victorious again.

This is my father Mark (on the right) after he shaved my head this past summer.

Waiting in the parking lot this fine summer morning was made difficult beings I knew my father would be surprised when he saw me. He wasn't expecting me to be in town until later that day, but my morning plans had shifted and here I was, smack dab in the middle of the Mason City Aqua Center parking lot, thinking of how I might react someday if my child surprised me with a earlier arrival time then planned on. I don't have children yet, but it's hard not to imagine being a father in the near future. In fact, in a few minutes, my dad and I would be in the swimming pool swimming laps side by side. Every once in a while we would wait for one another at either end of the pool, exchange a high five or hug, and then continue on as we only had an hour to swim. Although my dad and I didn't live in the same house for an extended time in my life, I think the last few years we've both made special time for each other where we can spend some good quality father & son time. I only hope I will be doing this years down the line.

The Memories Box by Mary Bahr Illustrated by David Cunningham.

Today I was given a wonderful gift. The gift of a book is one of the greatest gift's you could give someone as it can open so many doors. Now, I could go on and on about this book and how much I love it, but I'll make this short and sweet because it's really nice outside today and I want to enjoy the weather while it's nice (I live in Minnesota if you didn't know already). The children's picture book entitled The Memory Box by Mary Bahr and Illustrated by David Cunningham is a wonderful read for many reasons. For starters, it will serve as a great resource as my students and I delve into writing next year. Another reason this book is great is because it makes you think about your own family relationships and how special those can be. Third, wait, wasn't I supposed to be getting outside? Okay, the third and last reason this book is so great is because you could create your OWN memory box and put items in it that meant something to you. I've started thinking about what I'd put in my memory box (I'm using a shoe box right now). It serves as a great resource for writing and ......nevermind.. I'm heading out. Go out and read the book and let me know what you think.

Do the Dew Run!

Are you looking for something to do this weekend? Do you enjoy running? If you said yes to the previous two questions, then do I have an activity for you. The annual Dew Run will be held this Saturday morning. There are different race distances (1 & 4 mile runs) you can participate in. You can sign up the day of the race starting at 7:00 a.m. (I know, for some people, that's a bit early on a Summer Saturday morning). If interested, please follow the link below. I'm planning on running in the 4 mile race, but will be watching the 1 mile finishers before final preparations for the 4 miler. Maybe I'll see you there!

Farmington Dew Run 

Friday Scrabble Club

For all those interested, there will be a Scrabble Club meeting at the Ugly Mugg on Friday morning from 10:00-11:00 a.m. I'll also try to remember to bring Scrabble apple & Bananagrams in case anyone might want to try those games. Maybe we'll see you there.

New Book & Scrabble Club

Greetings all! Just wanted to post the book I'm reading as it is a good one. My father suggested this same title to me a while back and I'm finally following up on it as my time is a bit more open due to school ending. My wife bought it for me and is reading it right now as well for our little book club.  Get to the title already? It's the Young Reader's Edition of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin. It is a New York Times Best Seller and although I've just started this book, I know it will be a quick read as the message is very powerful and Greg (the author) does a great job of telling his story about his mission. I highly suggest this book and also recommend keeping a journal to jot down your thoughts as you read this book. Finally, I'm sorry about Scrabble Club last Wednesday. On Thursday I was there, but no one showed up. I'm up for any day this week, but will wait to be contacted by any interested parties. As always, thanks for the post and let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. 

Wed. Scrabble Club Canceled

Spread the word! Due to a family emergency, Wednesday's Scrabble Club has been canceled. Sorry about the late notice, but it's hard to plan around emergencies. Thursday is still on, but again, Wednesday morning Scrabble Club has been canceled. See you Thurday! 

Two Times!!

That's right! There will be two Scrabble Club meetings this week (one on Wednesday and another on Thursday). In addition to having some Scrabble boards, I'm also going to bring Bananagrams and Scrabble apple in case anyone is interested in learning how to play those games. We'll be meeting at the same time both days (that would be 10:00-11:00 a.m.). Hope your summer has been a productive one so far! Maybe we'll see you there.  

Scrabble vote is final.

And the vote is in! You have voiced your opinion and the majority will rule. There will be a Scrabble Club meeting at the Ugly Mugg on Thursday from 10:00-11:00 AM. I can supervise the event. Bring your Scrabble boards and dictionaries if you wish.  There will be a quick meeting to discuss the future meetings of the Scrabble club so please bring your ideas on how you would like this club to continue. Hope your summer is off to a great start. Remember to get outdoors when the weather allows as it's very important to get lots of exercise.  See you Thursday morning at 10:00 am.