Some beach...somewhere

Title says it all!  School is becoming a chore and not something most of us are really enjoying much anymore.  I am still enjoying the material and the memories that exist in this building at the University but I'm spending a lot more time watching wakeboarding videos and boat shopping than I am thinking about school work (still getting it all done though).  This is not to say I dislike this whole experience, this is not true at all.  However, the relative lack of coherence in my thoughts on this post can lend validity to the fact that we all need nothing more than a nice beach somewhere, with a boat on the shore and a substantial amount of beer and rum back at the Cabin.
Cheers!  Almost there :)  

In a bit of a hole...

Sometimes these Saskatchewan roads drive me insane.  My truck is a two-wheel drive model and thus has very limited potential when it comes to sticky road related situations.  Anyway, I got stuck in a hole in the road today.  Actually, it was at the end of my drive way, which makes it sound even worse.  I consider myself a pretty capable person behind the wheel of a decent number of vehicles...but this was something else.  It was like Star Wars...in Return of the Jedi, when the Sarrlac (spelling?) pit swallows up people like M & Ms.  Those potholes swallowed up my front tires like they were nothing :(  Doesn't help that the front tires have no power and just sit there, while the two rear meats do all the work (which today was spinning a lot).  Maybe I need to buy that 2500 Diesel sooner than expected?

Hell was an ocean away...

I was reading a book on the Pacific War last night and came across a passage that I found interesting.  What I read may have been nothing new but it was a reminder to remember an aspect of war that doesn't typically make it into many of the "hollywood" style renditions.  Now, don't go thinking I don't appreciate hollywood now...because I most certainly do.  I have absolutely nothing against a good couple hours of kicking ass and possibly taking a few names (A.K.A the Expendables).  On the flip side of this coin is the the fact that war is so often fought with patience and the ability to keep your beans together (mentally).  In this book, it depicts the day after (remembrance of) Independence Day in which most of the men had a hell of a hangover.  Their boredom and the constant tension resulted in a bit of a riot when Ice cream was introduced into the mix.  A couple keeled over from heat stroke, while another had a good ol' time chasing a rat around camp in an effort to kill it.  Some were lucky enough to receive packages of both food and reading material to help with alleviation of that boredom and tension.  They were in hell, it just didn't seem like it some of the time. 

KABOOM!

Being a history major can be interesting as a dinner conversation starter.  When you tell someone this is your major they give you one of two responses: pride or pity.  Pride results from the other person sharing that same passionate interest (or at least appreciates why you're interested).  Unfortunately I more often received pity than a mutual pride in this topic of study.  This disinterest in all things history can sometimes disappoint me (but I think it's the result of history teachers than don't give a poop about whether their students actually care about the subject material).  Recently I picked up a book called KABOOM...which is ironically about the war in the middle east, Iraq in particular.  I have a particular interest in such events and so I picked this up as soon as I saw it.  Apparently the book is based on a blog written by Matt Gallenger, a U.S. soldier who served in Iraq.  His entries are about their lives in a war that he feels no one cares about.  He often expresses, along with his fellow soldiers, a distaste for those disaffected by the conflict.  His thoughts mirror mine...you dont have to agree or disagree with the conflict in the middle east...you just "...have to give a fuck" (Gallenger).

I would encourage you to pick up the book, but you can also check out the blog at the following address.  IT is a poignant and sometimes difficult read but above all it is something everyone should read in order to better get inside the head of a modern day solider in a contemporary conflict.

 http://kaboomwarjournalarchive.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=1

Web Quest Concept Map

Web Quest

1.  A description of the target learner including the entry-level skills and knowledge they need to begin this web quest.

This web quest will be aimed at the grade twelve level within the study of the treaties.  Students will need to enter this web quest with a basic understanding of why the treaties were signed and understand the cultural discrepancies during the signing of the treaties (the two cultures not understanding each other), which have led to tensions today.  While students should know the basics of the treaties (when they were signed and the basics of what the First Nations wanted from each), they need not know the Saskatchewan treaties in detail, as they will be examining them further in this web quest, in order to synthesize and present the needs and wants of each side of the treaty signing.  Students will need to have basic computer skills (such as word processing) but will need to be taught how to use Garage band to record their pod casts. 

2.  A specific reference to the appropriate Saskatchewan Education Curriculum Guide.  Give the http address, subject and topic(s)/themes/concepts selected from the curriculum guide

This web quest fits in nicely under Unit two in the grade 12 curriculum guide, particularly the theme of Forces of Change: The Road to Confederation.  This guide can be found at http://www.sasklearning.gov.sk.ca/docs/history30/unitii.html#core

3.  Develop a concept map showing the relationships between and/or among the topics you have selected and the context in which they appear in the curriculum.

4.  A statement of the higher-order thinking skills (analysis, synthesis or evaluation) question for your students to answer.

What did the first nations and the representatives of the crown want and need from the signing of the treaties?  What were their individual motivations?

5.  A brief statement (rationale) of why the topic you have selected is important to your students.

Contemporary Canada faces many political and racial challenges surrounding the historical event that was the signing of the treaties between the Crown and the First Nations people in Canada.  It is crucially important to the future of Canada that our young generations develop an understanding of why and how these treaties were signed and the ramifications they have had on us today.  By investigating and presenting a simulation of the treaty signing, students will gain an intimate viewpoint on the motivations of both sides during the signing and better appreciate the frustrations that many First Nations still feel today. 

6.  A brief outline or teaching activities you intend to use with your students.

-Instruction on the basics of treaties signed in Saskatchewan.  Give limited information, as students are to investigate and research the details of both, in order to present their understandings of the motivations of both sides during the signing. 

-Students research the details of one of the treaties signed in Saskatchewan, with particular attention to what motivated each side before and during the signing. 

-Working in groups, students will examine the information they have found and develop a script and outline for a short radio play, involving representatives of both sides of the treaties.  Students will act out the signing of the treaties with careful attention to historical accuracy and focusing on the details of the treaty, what each side wanted and making this clear in the dialogue.  They would need to finish their radio plays with an epilogue by the characters explaining what they actually got out of the treaty (as opposed to what they actually wanted going in). 

7.  A brief summary of the resources (human, computer, and software) you will need to implement your plan.

-Enough computers for student groups

-iMacs equipped with both garageband and a microphone

-Students would need to be trained in how to use this technology.  While not difficult, time still needs to be set aside for training

-Groups would need privacy to record; so planning would be required to keep the rest of the class busy while each group records

8.  A sample of Internet sites you found that can be used by your students to complete their web quest.

http://k-12treatyeducation.gov.sk.ca/Support-Resources/

-Government documents related to the treaties.  Students could use this as a good starting point on choosing which treaty they wish to research for their web quest radio play

http://www.otc.ca/ABOUT_TREATIES/Treaty_Information_Sheets/

-Basic information on the treaties

http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/site.nsf/eng/ao20262.html

-Specific government information on the treaties

http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/treaty_6.html

-Specific information on treaties signed in Saskatchewan

http://www.devdaily.com/apple/mac/garage-band-create-podcast/CreateAPodcast.shtml

-Information on using garageband to record a podcast

9.  A statement of how you intend to evaluate the product of the web quest.

-Rubric for end product of radio play (criteria mainly focused on historical accuracy and representation of the treaties as opposed to acting ability)

-Peer evaluation of work during process: research, planning and implementation

Slack Line :)

I got introduced to this particular summer sport by a good friend of mine this summer. Not at this level, but you can burn away many summer nights practicing by the river :)

Everyone looks like Ants!

I enjoy my job so much I thought I would share it with you :)

I get to drive this beauty whenever I feel like it...If that doesn't get you excited then I don't know what would...

APPLE STARTS WORLD WAR

www.Wulffmorgenthaler.com

Now, this may seem ridiculous but I'm not so sure.  I mean, I am stuck with a low-tech Samsung something-or-other and I seem to use that enough to make it a bit of a habit.  We all know how cell phone habits form...start innocent enough but before we know it we are passing up the pub for a good text session (or texting at the pub, or texting each other on the car ride to the pub, or tweeting in the delivery room or something).  Consider Egypt recently...can you say "cell phone revolutionary"?  And before that the UAE put out a ban on Black Berry use, citing it as a security risk.  There reasoning was essentially that the servers were/are all located in North America...and texts sent from a blackberry are security coded (I.e. no government control!).  I mean really, how easy is it to send a state secret from a cell phone?http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10830485  So, how much should governments fear the growing power of the cell phone?

The Parting Glass

Sometimes we have to say good bye.  This parting can take many forms, some more intense and emotional than others.  For example, when I say goodbye to my two cats in the morning (they both make a great effort to suck me into staying home), it is with the knowledge that I will see them in a short time.  When I say goodbye to my mom, it is usually with the knowledge that I will also see her in a short time.  But, as we both know, life isn’t always this way and “good-bye” is a phrase that can be full of profound sadness.  We have all had to say good bye to people, pets, places or things we enjoyed.  Each of these carries their own weight and affects us differently.  What I have learned over the course of my years, is to seize the day or “Carpe Diem.”  I have also learned how to cope with grief in a constructive and respectful (to the deceased), manner.  I do not hide from the pain the memories cause me, nor do I dwell on the negative.  Remember all the happy times, those which affected who you are right now, and who you will become later.  Those are the memories that honour the memory of the person in question.  This works regardless of whether they are leaving the school, the city, the country or they have passed on.  The song lyrics below are some of my favourite and are an old Irish traditional folk tale.  The beauty of these words is their ability for interpretation.  For example, it is not made clear whether the person in the song is leaving the city, the country or has passed on.  Take these lyrics as you will, but they have and will continue to offer me comfort when I am faced with a situation where I must part with those I love.  I hope they do the same for you.  

The Parting Glass:

“Of all the money that ere I had, I spent it in good company.
And of all the harm that ere I've done, alas was done to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I cannot recall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Of all the comrades that ere I had, they're sorry for my going away,
And of all the sweethearts that ere I had , they wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise while you should not,
I will gently rise and I'll softly call, "Goodnight and joy be with you all!"

Oh, if I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town that sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips, she alone has my heart in thrall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Cultural Heritage

I come from an Irish and Norwegian background and because of that, have some unique culinary tastes and interests.  I had the privilege of knowing the grandparents on my Norwegian side, and through them, the enjoyment of things like pickled herring and Lutefisk.  We even have a book of our family members and the family tree, in Norway.  Looking at some of these pictures and seeing the uncanny resemblance between various family members, is very cool.  My Irish side is very much less informed about our culture.  We make attempts to get to know more, but this is limited, as neither my Dad nor I were able to meet my Granddad before he died (he was killed working for the CPR).  We had this dish the other day that I really enjoyed; it consisted of lots of potatoes, cabbage and bacon, all cooked together.  As unhealthy as this seems, it gave me a connection to a man, and a culture I haven’t had much of a chance to get to know.  My grandpa came to Canada from Ireland before WW2, and fought in the Princess Patricia regiment.  My Grandma and him married while they were both enlisted.  That is all I know about him, and about my Irish heritage.  Like I said, I make an effort, doing a bit of research here and there, and drinking my fair share of Guinness (me and my brother love it, but dad has always hated it).  My brother and I have never been close, with our relationship being very strained for some time now.  However, it’s been our mutual interest in both our Grandpa, as well as our heritage, that has provided us with some common ground to start mending the damage.  

My interest in my heritage has also led me to begin learning to play the Irish Whistle (listen to any traditional Celtic tune and you’re sure to hear it’s distinctive tone).  Music has been a part of my life since I was very young, and it stands to reason that this will also serve as a means of further connecting me to that part of my family.  Through the little bit of research I have been able to do up to this point, it’s very clear that this instrument is closely tied to traditional music often played and heard in the traditional Irish pub/home.  So, I have found a way to connect some very intimate passions together, in an effort to connect to both a man and a culture that I have never met.

What have you done to connect to your own heritage?

Blogging my face off!

This is how I'm going to look in a couple days.  I'm even going to blog at work.  My life will be put on hold.