I am the bread of life

As part of Easter, we continue to consider Jesus and His words: I am the bread of life. As I was sharing with students the idea of the bread is the Eucharist, I realized the Eucharist is the entire sentence.... I am the bread of life. Jesus is the "I am" the "bread" and giver of earthly and eternal "life." Let us draw near daily, weekly, monthly, yearly to receive the .... I am the bread of life. This sacrament is food for our lives and for our souls.

Students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 shared their "color" poems: displayed on a palette. We celebrated the good words and visuals of our poets with applause and publishing their work on the bulletin board. Now we are working on "ice cream" poetry... flavoring our lines with tongue twisters and words of alliteration.

In Geography we are working on individual country reports. Yesterday Mrs. MaryBeth Monroe came from the Chamber of Commerce and told the students how to "market" your country... she used the marketing of Ashland as an example. Her instructions and advice were very helpful.

Don't forget to ask your students about their Science Fair project. Next week is the deadline for in-class presentations. Please offer your support and encouragement for this high-quality academic opportunity. Thanks so much.

Events on the calendar:
We are working on tickets for the Twins-Red Sox game on May 28th. We also want to do a field trip to Prentice Park, the Friar's cabin in Iron River, and perhaps an 8th grade luncheon. Also the yearbook is under construction so we need photos please. We will also bring some (or all) junior high students to Good Shepherd next Thursday for the National Day of Prayer. Hope you get to enjoy the smelt fry tonight! An annual ritual for many of us upnorth.

Power of the Cross

Yesterday students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 read and discussed Anne Spencer's poem: White Things. This poem was written during the Harlem Renaissance (late 1920's) and raises questions about how "power" is attached to race-skin color. With anger, Spencer takes events of the time to make a strong point. In class, we then talked about diversity and "power." These are hard questions that call for creative and new answers that all people may know justice and equity.

Jesus also walked and talked an unusual rendering of power- power of the cross. It often meant silence instead of defense, healing rather than hate, poverty rather than wealth, being last rather than being first. In this time in our culture where many are hurting and uncertainly seems more normal than certainty, may we offer quiet listening, healing, poverty of spirit, and a willingness to be last... and even misunderstood. True power transcends the trappings of this world, but rather is attached to an eternal way of living. Let Easter resurrect our resolve to be more like Jesus.

Grades 6, 7, and 8 are working on "color" poems. Crafting poetry helps us to better appreciate the beauty and the influence it has on our lives. After white winter, our lives are hungry for MORE color. Students are saying it with poetic verse.

In Geography, students will begin working on a country report of their choice. Tuesday and Wednesday we did activities related to Earth Day.

Thank you colleagues and students for your many birthday wishes. I felt deeply blessed by your expressions. With God's help, I look forward to another year of growing in relationships and faith.

Road to Emmaus

Today we heard the story of Jesus' encounter with disciples on the road to Emmaus. This narrative is amazing for so many reasons. The concern of the disciples, Jesus joining them, the invitation to stay the night, the walk of 7 miles, the breaking of bread, the recognition of Jesus, the statement did not our hearts burn within us... and then the disciples returning to Jerusalem (7 more miles that very night) to join others and share the news: He is Risen Indeed! May we do likewise. Tell the story to those around us, invite others to break bread, and pray we may all see Jesus and proclaim: He is Risen Indeed!

Welcome back students after an Easter weekend. I traveled to Seattle and had a good visit with our son, his wife, and our two lovely granddaughters. Our Easter worship together at St. Joseph Catholic Church was one of the highlights.

For English, we continue to analyze poetry: literary devices, the quality of words, the themes....
Students will share haikus and water-color posters on Friday.

In Geography we just finished up our unit on Sahara desert life. Time and time again we came back to food resources, heat of sun, and availablity of water and how these factors influence how people live. Students shared nomadic campsites, and folk tales.

Yes, we are on the eternal road of faith. Easter assures us that Jesus walks with us... and the outcome to this journey is secure. Join His church on earth to proclaim: He is Risen Indeed!
Happy Easter.

Like No Other

Holy Week is like no other week. What starts out as a triumphal entry into Jerusalem will deteriorate into a tragic exit. You would think that we are reading a Shakespeare play as the drama becomes so intense, but the crucifixion of Jesus is real. And we are called to take this journey every year because we have so much to learn about God and what He has done for us.
Say "yes" to Holy Week and ride the roller coaster of faith. We belong to a God like no other... and this week is like no other... Thanks be to God.

Students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 are doing a shortened vocabulary sheet this week. 18 words need to be written 5 times and 12 of the words are to be used in sentences about Holy Week. The words are mostly proper nouns of people and places and a few verbs. Most students will complete this assignment in class. Due on Wednesday.

Geography students are finishing up Desert campsites and folktales. I hope we can present them in class this week.

I am very proud of Meghan and Rachel for reading the young adult version of: Three Cups of Tea. They will receive a Dairy Queen reward. Thank you Mrs. Chambers for buying these books for our classroom.

Take time this week to attend Mass/church. Listen to the words of Jesus and those around him during the unfolding drama of fast-moving events. We see ourselves in the characters.... What would we do? May you all be blessed in this shared journey with Jesus... as we prepare our hearts to gather at the empty tomb on Sunday.

p.s. Pray for the people of Italy during this devastating earthquake. My brother was in Rome... felt the tremors!

Full School Days and Fullness of Faith

I just finished watching 3 eighth graders give PowerPoint presentations: Vincent on Hard Rock, Mary on Volleyball, and Eloise on her life. This is always the fun part of teaching when students become the teachers and instruct us. I have always been grading 7th grade PowerPoint presentations on autobiographies; you would have enjoyed the good quality work that we have been seeing. Thank you Mrs. Worrall for supporting what we are doing in the classroom. And thank you students for the good work that you have done to add visuals to the good essays you have written.

If your students are asking you the meaning of the vocabulary words "twitter" and "tweet" the above paragraph is somewhat close to this new way of social networking (micro-blogging) where you just write about what is happening in the moment (twitter) and each sentence or phrase is a tweet. Yes, computers are even changing the way we communicate.

Today the junior high led our Mass. Father Henry focused on "remain in the truth, and the truth shall set you free." This sounds straight forward, but truly is a challenge in a world where more than ever people are hungry for the truth. Jesus was way ahead of us and set up guidelines that are good for all times and for all people. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul; and love your neighbor as yourself." This still is true today.

After Mass Chester Marcol (Packer kicker 1972 to 1981) came and talked to our students. Along with his football career, he talked about his life got derailed from drugs and alcohol. His story was powerful and difficult as drugs stole much of his hope and happiness. He is now a drug counselor and sharing his story with young people. Thank you Mr. Marcol for your willingness to teach others in the hope they will make good decisions.

Grade 6 turned in final Greek biographies today. Grade 7 and 8 are working on desert Nomadic camps and Sahara folktales.

Along with the usual spelling each week, Grades 6, 7, and 8 are learning about haikus and will be writing their own poetry. April is National Poetry Month.

Thank you Mrs. Chambers for 3 young adults versions of Three Cups of Tea. Already two of the books are in the hands of good readers. I was able to hear Greg Mortenson's mother at the Visitor's Center on Monday night; she received a standing ovation for the good work her son is doing to build schools in remote villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

So we are having full school days. Woven into this activities is the season of Lent. Sunday will mark the beginning of Holy Week. Let us remember to stay on the road to the Cross. We have much to learn and relearn about redemption and resurrection. Thanks be to God for offering His son Jesus as a sacrifice on our behalf.