Sjodin's Blog

Well, it's not my normal approach to viewing this world, but inspired by another writer and in light of the Utopian/Dystopian project, I thought I'd share: In no particular order. . . 1) Litter - I'd say "garbage", but truth is, I've seen garbage put to some unique and creative works! It's not garbage itself that I can't stand, it's carelessness for the environment and spaces we live. Beauty and aesthetic affects mood. I wish we would all just simply clean up after ourselves, both in small and large scale ways. 2)Impatience - I get most impatient with impatience. Yes, that's ironic. Especially when people are impatient with each other. What's the rush?! Why not pause, breathe and go with the flow just a little more? 3)Poverty - can't we share? 4)Telemarketers who don't stop talking to me when I say I am not interested. I feel the persistent attempt to persuade me to buy something I already know I don't want insults my intelli...

Many music and song artists have written about their hopes and fears for now and the future. Covered recently by American Idol star, David Archuleta, John Lennon's song "Imagine" is probably one of the most popular. Click the link to read many interesting facts about the song! (Check back to this post for upcoming links)

In groups of not more than four people you are to create and present a vision of Utopia or Dystopia using both text and visual media. Your creation must be compiled and presented in one of the following formats: * power point * poster (see the side link on how to make an effective poster) * movie * travel brochure/pamphlet * a blog spot (see me for help) * your idea (please see me before beginning) * 3D format with written essay In creating your vision be sure to include aspects that tie to several of the themes we have discussed in class. For example, how will issues linked to housing, food, water and health be organized in your vision? What of equality and human rights? Gender relations? Power? Money? Education? Arts and culture? How will conflict be resolved or managed in your vision? What of the environment? **You must include a minimum of four of these aforementioned elements. *Also, link key quotes from your novels to...

"Did I say how magnificent the assistants were? ... insightful, curious, genuine, fun to hang out with... each with their own fascinating story... especially given that every continent of the planet, and many of the world's religions and cultures, skin colours, and traditions, were represented." * read more of this feedback by visiting the comments on the first Living Library post. Moscropians - you rock!

We had 32 "Books"visited by over 300 Moscropian "Readers" at our first Living Library event. Many of the guests offered appreciation to our students for the myriad of respectful and intelligent questions. So far, feedback from many has been resoundingly positive. Overall, there is a general plea for more; more days, more "books", more time. Many staff and students have come forward with offers to organize our next one! I am in the process of reviewing the debriefing forms filled out by both volunteers and readers, and am eager to share this feedback with you. For now I will say that it was intriguing to see how quickly word spread throughout the school about the transformation of the library. Students who were not scheduled to visit the event were lining up at the door and working to find their way in. I was pretty sure too, to have seen faces reappearing throughout the day, hopeful at a chance to "read another book." I am pondering over wh...

This Friday students from several classes are invited to visit the Moscrop Library that will be transformed into a Living Library for the first time. What does this mean? Courageous and interested volunteers from the surrounding community will be here "on the shelves" as "Living Books", each person with a title that reflects some aspect of his or her identity or life experience, an aspect where there exists some element of stereotyping or prejudice of within our culture and society. Admittedly, it is difficult to grow up without internalizing at least some of the misinformation or generalizing we see and hear about people who belong to one group or another. Media often distorts, confusions go unchallenged. On this day students and staff are invited to check out a "living book", to "take out a prejudice ", "face a stereotype", or simply learn about another by exchanging curiosity and discussion. Each one of these courageous Books l...

Okay folks, follow the link here to play R&J Jeopardy!