Mr.T’s Digital Class Newsletter

A fantastic congratulations to the 2007-2008 5th graders for their momumental work of heart that has moved so many people with our movie project, “The Difference” and their American Red Cross Award for being chosen as “Hometown Heroes!”

This award is generally given to adults who have saved lives or made a serious difference in lives in our community and been given to firefighters, law enforcement and other life saving heroes in the past.  Never has it ever been given out to students, let alone 5th graders! 

On top of that, the Hometown Hero award is a Nationally Recognized Award that KREM2 and numerous other businesses, associations and societies support both locally and nationwide.

If you missed it, our class was recognized at the Cooper Open House and introduced by our principal Mrs. Williams.  However, the actual award presentation is still coming!  I believe that includes interviews with KREM2 for the 5th graders, a school presentation, and a business luncheon and more stardom!

Our movie was most recently used at Roosevelt Elementary to help staff better understand the tremendous diversity amongst their students - at one bus stop, there were kids from over 40 different countries!  I received another note mentioning how our video was used this summer at Whitworth University as part of a college level curriculum development class for future teachers. 

So to answer your question, Stevee Jo, yes.  One class CAN make a difference!

School is well under way…

Here’s a quick update!

Homework

You should be seeing yellow homework sheets coming home daily now, with 20 minutes of reading nightly (or more!) and a sign off or initial section once that has been done.  Also any assignments, projects or work not finished in class, will often be pushed onto homework and we always take time as a class to fill it out at the end of the day.  Kids always know where more sheets can be found or you can always print another one from this website.  Homework sheets are checked every morning and sheets are collected every Monday, with new weekly sheets going out that same Monday.

Request

Water bottles?  It’s still rather warm for September and sometimes a quick drink at the fountain just doesn’t do it.  If you have a non-disposable water bottle, feel free to send it with your child.  Better yet, if you’d like to donate some disposable water bottles (or EVEN better, a class set of 27) we’d love you for it!

Snacks

Feel free to send snacks for just your child whenever you would like.  I generally let them eat whenever they feel they need to.  We have the last lunch at 12:20 so it can be a long wait.  It can also be pretty intimidating (not to mention costly) bringing in snacks for 27, so just send them for your kiddo!  The ants, bugs and occasional rodent only ask that you avoid candy, sugary treats and drinks with sugar.  Our backdoor has provided a fieldday for pests so help us out!  Our last “infestation” was a scene out of Aliens… all located in a students’ desk…

Open House

Coming to Cooper on September 16th at 6:30pm-8pm.  There will be an informal gathering in the gym from the principal, Mrs. Williams, to greet everyone and introduce the staff (including many of the new members of Cooper) and then make your way to classrooms, where you can then find out just how much learning goes on here at Cooper.  Come one, come all!

Exciting news just in!

For our small, but important act in helping our community and those around us, we have obviously touched the lives and hearts of people who have seen our movie.  As a result, our class has been nominated by the American Red Cross for an award entitled, “Hometown Hero!”

That’s right!  Of the 14 categories, this nationwide award by our local chapter highlights people in our community, including people who have saved the lives of others while performing their job (ie: firefighters rescuing someone from a fire), super volunteers (who spend an exorbantant amount of time giving) and even an award to an animal or pet that has saved a life!  Our class falls under the category of teaming with a community organization (World Relief) to help change or save lives!

Apparently we not only had one nomination but several - so, to my special 5th grade students of 2007-08, you can now clearly see that yes, indeed, you CAN make a difference.  Overall, it’s quite an honor.

Oh and I’m sure you want more details!

Since we’re nominated, once the committee meets and decides, the winner will then be awarded - but they’ve never awarded an entire class before (or kids either, for that matter).  And did I mention it also means being on KREM2?  Oh yes, there is that… ALOT of TV footage… then I heard something about a big sign thing at Northtown mall… and something big at school…

Maybe that’s a bit vague without much details… bahahahhh!

More exciting that way.  Stay tuned! 

And even if we don’t win, we already have won.  And you and I both know that.

I’ve finally compiled and edited all of the feedback I’ve received from far and wide and wanted to remind you (my dear 5th graders of 07-08!) just how helping one another in small ways can make a big difference in people’s minds and in their hearts. 

Phil Koestner, English Language Department, Spokane Schools
“I think this is GREAT what you’re doing with your class…The video was great and I’m so glad to see kids learning and taking part in such meaningful projects.”

Kristy Mylroie, Public Relations, Spokane Schools
“WOW! This is awesome! This is a FANTASTIC story!!! Amazing! Stupendous! Fabulous! I just watched “The Difference” on our intranet. It made me cry. I am so impressed by your students and their dedication, patience and compassion. This is truly, truly outstanding. Congratulations! I LOVE it!!”

Susan W. - Educator, Spokane Schools
“Everyone is talking about how (this is) powerful and insightful and a dynamic reminder of the best we are all called to be. Thank you for your courage, leadership, example and compassionate heart.”

Gailen
“Kudos to Cooper! I read the article in the Spokesman Review and watched the video. I thought it was fantastic. I shared the video link with some of the office staff and they were impressed also.”

Karen K. - Seattle
“WOW!!! Don’t know what to say other than it was soooo amazing. You guys did a spectacular job. Congratulations! btw, love the Brother IZ song at the 15 minute mark;) I shared it with a few friends and my mom, who was a teacher her entire life too.”

Esther Louie - Assistant Dean at Whitworth University
“Congratulations to Mr.Tanaka, his students and all those involved. I read the Spokesman Review article yesterday and it’s great that they wrote about the project. I’m glad that I got to see the video on Sunday with you. I hope all sorts of good things happen for the students because of their involvement - what a change in their young lives such a project can create for them. Congratulations to Mr.T and I hope he knows they will always remember Studio 137!   Mr.T’s students and their video project gives me hope.”

Ivan Bush - Equity Department, Spokane Schools
“(A) must see! Your kids learned a great lesson of concern & connectedness that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Jon K. - Seattle
“WOW! What a mighty impressive undertaking! And darn enriching for your students!”

Linda Unseth, Northwest Director, World Relief Spokane
“I sincerely appreciate your leadership and the great job accomplished by your class. From start to finish they are to be commended… This is truly a special group of kids.”

Diana M. - new teacher
“Wow! That is what I am talking about. Show the love yo! Mr.T sounds like such an awesome teacher. I would love to watch him organize this project.”

Jerred G. - Educator, Spokane Schools
“Wow, what a wonderful project! I don’t even think I can put into words how profound it is. All I can say is that what I watched is the heart of teaching which poured out of your wonderful hearts to allow kids to pour out theirs. My breath is still taken away…”

Lisa S. - principal, Seattle
“Tell Mr.T that I am so proud of him and his class. It is so very inspiring…….”

Mari C. - Educator, Spokane Schools
“Oh my gosh Mr.T. Just finished watching the program. I cried and cried…and I have sooooooo many questions. all my love…..”

Andrea Kaufmann, World Relief Central Office, Baltimore, Maryland
“What a great story! I’m very impressed with your class, and I really appreciate the fact that you ended by showing that both the family and your class benefited from the experience. I think it’s a powerful testimony to the fact that interacting with many of these refugee families leaves one blessed beyond belief! Thanks for sharing, and thanks for your willingness to share in the work of World Relief in Spokane!”

Tania Dall, KXLY News Channel 4
“You and your class did such a fantastic job and your students were such great hosts this morning!”

Joanne E, former principal, Spokane Schools
“I couldn’t hold back my tears and wanted you to know that this is what teaching is really all about…My thanks and admiration for inspiring kids to see that each person can make a real difference!”

 Many have asked, “So have you met with the refugee families?”  “How are they doing?”  “Are they adjusting to American life?”

The answer is that they are all doing incredibly well!  June 20th was World Refugee Day and World Relief Spokane had their first ever picnic to celebrate, with games, songs and displaced people joining in from countries all around the world!  The potluck was an adventure for the eyes as well as for the taste buds and if you missed it, I can honestly say, I ate enough for your share too!

Pictured above is the second Karen refugee family that was only briefly shown in our movie, “The Difference.”  They also arrived on the same delayed flight and our class also gathered materials and supplies to assist in setting up their apartment as well, although we were not able to physically prepare it as you saw in our movie.

I talked briefly, using hand motions, lots of smiling and simple English with the mom, since she spent over 10 years in refugee camps on the Thai border (and spent much of that time studying English) and she said that they are doing well, although adjustment has been difficult. 

Many of my students will remember Hsay, the Karen cultural informant, who visited our class and answered a variety of questions we had as we learned all we could early in our research.  Hsay explained how he has been really busy trying to help each of the new families learn about stores, how to get food, getting them used to houses and everything they need to know about work and school.  I think I heard that 80-90% of refugees quickly find jobs, but as Moonlight, one of the very first refugees to Spokane explained to me said, “I didn’t get treated very well at my job.  They would yell at me.  And instead of saying, please or thank you, just yell.” 

For people who have come from a place that has attempted to strip them of not only their lives but their dignity as well, I can easily see why Moonlight made the tough decision to leave his job, despite having small kids.  Moonlight stuck it out for a long time, but it’s a matter of principle.

On a different matter but same topic, several people continued to recommend that I see Rambo.  Thinking it was some remake of the original movie, “Rambo: First Blood” I thought, “Why?”  However, I soon learned, Sylvester Stallone’s movie, while completely not appropriate content-wise for elementary school, is based on the horrific events happening in Burma right now. 

I’ve since seen it and it was far more graphic than anything I’d seen so far on the subject.  Yet I can’t help but think that events like it must be happening.  Very disturbing.

Our video is now currently being hosted at Spokane Public Schools at:

www.spokaneschools.org

(Under ONGOING-> Cooper Class Project)

For those wondering about the family you DID see in our movie, they are doing VERY well!  I saw each of the children playing, the teenage girls could easily be mistaken for American teens and the parents looked relaxed and happy.  I smiled at the elderly aunt (with purple hair) and she very clearly remembered me and smiled, though I know we both realized we couldn’t say anything - sometimes a smile is more than enough. 

Dear Mr T. and students
I have just watched the film The Difference thanks to The SpokesmanReview online. I am absolutely moved and amazed. I am so very proud of the wonderful work you did and the difference you are making in our world.

For fifteen years I taught in District 81 (mostly at Browne) and for some of those years I taught fifth grade. I have since moved to Texas and I now teach adults who are becoming teachers. I have the opportunity to share with my students just how special and wonderful fifth and sixth graders are. It is my goal to inspire and challenge each of my students to be outstanding teachers who really CARE about their students. I can hardly wait to go into class this afternoon at 2 and show the film you made. I am in awe of you and of your magnificent Mr. T. You have learned incredibly important life lessons in this school year and these lessons will always be with you.

Thank you for being the kind of people who are already making a difference in our world and who will continue to make a difference for many many years!

With great admiration, Leeann Moore

Have you seen our 5th grade movie, “The Difference?”

Let us know how it affected you!  What did you think?  Will you show it to others?  How can you see yourself making a difference in the world YOU live in?

Your words and comments will affect US and encourage us since our original intent was to see if we really could make a difference!  Don’t forget to tell us where in the world you are too!

Our full length video of “The Difference”
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/media/video/?ID=1662

An article from the Spokesman Review (Spokane):
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=15251

Update!

A busy busy couple months have rolled by!

5th graders undergo more WASL testing than any other elementary grade level and our class did their very best until the very end.

With WASL now behind us, we have moved on to our year-end movie project.  Instead of our traditional fictional action-suspense story that has kept Cooper spellbound each year, our class has chosen a very different path.  Wanting to make a difference in our community and our world, students in studio 137 have decided to help resettle Burmese refugees directly from camps just on the Thai border.

Not long after we started our project, the Burma disaster hit the news, further impressing our need to do something upon students.  As a teacher who likes to empower his students to create films, I really am unsure about how entertaining this movie will be to watch.  It really is more about the journey the students are taking in their process of learning than it is about some dramatic ending or amazing number of donations or money they gather.  It’s silent and inside - not loud and for all to see.  I don’t know if video will capture it.  I guess we’ll see.

You’ll also note the ability to sign up for email updates to our blog.  I really don’t know if this works, so if someone does this, and it works, let me know!

Academically, we’re studying algebra!  That’s right!  Algebra!  Easily explained as balancing an equation just like a scale and searching for the mystery number.  In addition, we are also finding easier mental ways in which to divide.  In writing, we are studying various ways to let poetry flow.  In reading, we continue to read on our own, but also have been reading a variety of books on Burma (as well as CS Lewis’ Prince Caspian due out in theatres this Friday!).

Hold on!  It’ll be one wild ride until the end!

Mr.T

Long time since an update came out!

Since February (and the last blog), our classroom blog has literally hundreds of messages, used by students, between students and often about any number of things.  In fact, one student who was home ill, was able to read and write to the blog so we could find out how she was doing.  In another case, Mr. Barnett, a 5th Grade teacher in Moses Lake, was able to add messages to setup our recent video conferencing session.  All in all, MIGHTY useful!

-The CityScape Simulation-

As you may have heard, CityScape emulates a full city, complete with neighborhoods, taxes and people (with jobs, families and a variety of complex problems).  “I was going to school with my mom and she needed to write a check but couldn’t because she was driving.  I was able to do it for her!”  Kyrah mentioned one morning.  Check writing was only one of the many skills needed to balance a monthly budget, insure they had enough money for rent or a mortgage and provide everything from clothes to transportation for themselves and often a family.

However, beyond the basic skills, the City wrestled with complex social problems such as homelessness, inequity and poverty.  Along with gaining a deep understanding for how and why taxes exist, citizens used a host of cross curricular skills, including reading the CityScape News to infer critical information, budgeting accurately and using math estimation to plan ahead and writing proposals and communicating those needs during our Town Hall Meetings, which were presided over by the Honorable Mayor Tan.

Most revealing however, CityScape residents took very real urban issues and began solving them.  For example, creating an emergency fund in low income neighborhoods so that nobody would go homeless.  The idea of rotating credit dates back in many cultures hundreds, even thousands of years.  Yet Anthony developed this concept himself, from his new understanding of taxes, combined with his empathy for those in need.  Other solution included free child care for those parents who need to work and a rotating scholarship program, funded by one of the more affluent CityScape residents, Jasmine.

All in all, a fantastic and memorable experience.  Tyann, now a 10th grader, returned and I asked what she got (if anything) out of CityScape (the 1st time it was ever run).  Tyann could recall every detail of her experience!  Her job, which “neighborhood” she lived in, her kids - everything.  ”It showed me a whole new perspective and way of looking at life and living in a city.  It gave me a real-life experience without the real-life (and harsh) consequences.”  Tyann wants to become a writer and attend Boston University, an Ivy league school.