false 1 4 2 true 6021165 read 0 true 5259279 currently-reading 2 true 5259278 to-read 0 false 6085693 the-philosopher-and-the-wolf http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/203707-three-cups-of-tea Don made a comment in the Alton High School group:

Jeff wrote: " I am into chapter 6. Mortenson is traveling to the Himalya with a $12,000 in an envelop. Jeez, that had to be as harrowing as getting lost on the way down from K2.
So far, and I know..."

Jeff wrote: " I am into chapter 6. Mortenson is traveling to the Himalya with a $12,000 in an envelop. Jeez, that had to be as harrowing as getting lost on the way down from K2.
So far, and I know..."

]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70461508 to: The Philosopher and the Wolf by Mark Rowlands
Generally speaking, philosophical writing is thick. The requirements of syllogisms, a basic philosophical writing technique, is intricate and redundant. Does not lend itself to casual or engrossing reading. Although syllogisms are routine in this book, sometimes they are reader friendly - understandable and symbiotic. The stories about the wolf are fascinating,and do what good writing does - make the reader compelled to get to the next story. Mark Rowlands makes the reader confront some profound issues like love, death, and happiness.
I learned I don't know much about living in the moment. A pit Bull grabs the wolf puppy by the throat and prepares to kill it. The wolf pup does not scream,or cry, or beg for mercy (whatever that is in wolf language) but growls a definitive "I am wolf and I will not submitt." And the superior pit bull lets him go. I think I understand, a little bit) what living in the moment means. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69495611 to: Hatchet (Hardcover) by Gary Paulsen
Although generally considered young adolescent literature, this book is an outstanding example of the fundamental principals of nature writing. I'm impressed by the levels of meaning captured by Gary Paulson with this book. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/69495679 The Choice (Hardcover) by Nicholas Sparks
bookshelves: to-read
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/21576-what-should-we-read-during-first-semester-these-are-not-our-only-choic Don voted on the poll: What should we read during first semester? These are not our only choices... just some I found with a quick search. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/151215-walking-on-water Don made a comment in the Alton High School group:

"Choices" My name is Don Hudson, yes, Jeff's dad. I have been following your discussions and would like to add a comment if that's OK.
When I started to look into my frustrations as a teacher, which meant reading outside the academy, I was told change will happen one classroom at a time (Dixie Goswami, Clemson University). And so, in the beginning, that became my mantra.
As you and Jeff and the others in your group and writing project have found, it is meaningless to work for change and then make it hermitically sealed in a room. In fact, if you make change, by definition, it cannot remain isolated. It will find its way out.
Which brings up the problem you are all talking around and about. When people become independent thinkers, successful problem solvers, open-minded "inclusionists", democratic behaviorists, completely tolerant and literate, interested and unfearfull of the unknown, flexible and changeable, and sensitive to their environment and all existence historically they are suspect, distrusted, and sometimes called dangerous. Patti, deep down your teacher companion knows this and probably is trying to protect her kids and herself by not asking the "so-what?" question. As more and more teachers accept and pursue the path of literate behavior for their students and themselves, the more often they will hit the wall of denial, or worse. I have found that when the pressure starts to build (in opposition) the most common action and advise is "Well, close your door!"
In one of Jensen's other books there is a hilarious example of this to the extreme called the "blackboard wars"; he gets into a silly power struggle with another teacher, over putting the chairs back into rows when he is done with class. Jensen and this teacher write messages to each other on the blackboard. The discourse quickly descends into name calling, personal insults and threats. My point is this is two college professors (one really since Jensen is just provoking the other) who get into a power struggle over putting chairs in rows or not. Imagine what happens when a student challenges the accuracy of information in a history text book, or the wisdom of a belief such as homosexuality is inherently wrong, or "God wants me to be in Iraq"?
I would argue, "do not go ahead with the pursuit of literate behavior, if you do not always ask "so-what?" and "what-if"?
There has to be better answers than, "close the door!"
Having said all this it would be dishonest of me to allow anyone to think I discovered acceptable alternatives. I did the "Jensen-thing", In the beginning I did it out of ignorance and stubbornness, later on I did it out of anger, and finally I did it because I could. None of those reasons are good enough.
It needs to be done because it is the right thing to do and the best thing to do. You guys need to find the best way/s to do it! Always, always ask the questions. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/18217.Alton_High_School Don joined the Alton High School group. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/60224440 Finding Beauty in a Broken World (Hardcover) by Terry Tempest Williams
bookshelves: to-read
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