Under the Dome, Stephen King
So I finished reading Under the Dome today. It took me a couple of weeks, but I did it. I have mixed feelings about it. Mostly, I was disappointed in the storyline overall. I’ve read The Stand, The Green Mile, The Shining, Salem’s Lot, The Dark Tower series, Misery, IT (who could forget IT…and are you scared of clowns now?) The Mist, The Secret Window (great movie with Johnny Depp), even Thinner (OK, a little silly but a quick enjoyable read…movie was silly). I don’t read the “horror” books of his like Cujo and Christine though. Those that I have read, I have found to be well-written and flowing.
This one, however, had unbelievable extremely sick characters and a storyline that was, well, ridiculous. But I kept reading. One thing I will say about Stephen King is that he develops some of his characters very well. So when the character dies, I either feel bad for them, I am saddened by their deaths or I am not so sorry. King has a clear evil and good, smart and not so smart, right and wrong. One thing for sure, though, I was never sure who was going to make it to the “dome lift” and who would die. I would be curious to see if he has some logic to his “death decisions”.
The scenes in this book are perfect for a classic King movie. I’m not sure which person King would be. Maybe one of the police lined up outside the dome? One of the “good guy” cops? Anyway, I’m glad I stuck with it, it will be a good movie, but certainly not one of the best.
Preparing for Ireland through movies and reading
In preparation for my trip to Ireland this summer, I have been learning a bit about Ireland through books and movies. I have thoroughly been enjoying it! In the process I’ve come to know a few actors better as well, such as Colin Ferrell and Cillian Murphy. I have listed a few of the highlights of my undertakings. Such fun. Great practice for the accents as well 
My next endeavor, besides actually going to Ireland, is Angela’s Ashes. It’s been recommended. I’ll read the book first.
1. The Wind that Shakes the Barley: a historical story with Cillian Murphy of the beginnings of the IRA, and the way it tore families apart after the “agreement” between Ireland and England as was worked out by Michael Collins, a national hero. Excellent movie, great acting. It sides more with the people that became the opposition to the agreement. There is a song with the same name about the war in Ireland, and I’ve been told that there is also a band with the same name as well!
2. Michael Collins: The story of how Michael Collins (of County Cork) played by Liam Neesen, became such an important figure in Ireland and in forming the Republic or Ireland. It offers a great viewpoint of the “other” side, the more peaceful and accepting side of the agreement and the way that people were split in their beliefs, friends suddenly becoming enemies. Extremely well done. Liam Neeson was born, by the way, in Northern Ireland.
3. Dracula (book): Written by a famous Irishman, Bram Stoker. Takes place in London and Transylvania, however. Good book. Different than the movie with Keanu Reeves and Wynona Ryder.
4. Ondine: Great movie with Colin Ferrell. Kind of a fantasy/fairy tale, but not really. Watch it. It has a mystical feel to it. I have truly come to love the movies that Collin Ferrell is in which bring out the cultural side of him, not so much the American films that he has been in. If you are interested, watch another film, Cassandra’s Dream directed by Woody Allen. Although it takes place in London, he and actor Ewen McGregor make this movie unforgettable. Very different for a Woody Allen film…and one that I love. Another is In Bruges…if you haven’t seen it…you are missing out.
5. Intermission: Another great one. Collin Ferrell and Cillian again, plus a host of others, also great. A funny yet serious look at lives intertwined in Dublin.
6. The Eclipse: Haven’t seen this one yet, but I plan to.
Catching Up or Leading the Way
Yong Zhao wrote a book called Catching Up or Leading the Way which discusses what American education is going through and decisions being made, versus what other countries, specifically China is doing/has done. We are moving more toward the Chinese model, and they (the Chinese) are working toward the American system. It is his theory that we are focusing too much on test scores and not enough on creativity (see also Daniel Pink’s theories…very interesting). I am also reading Diane Ravitch‘s book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education. Diane Ravitch helped to design our NCLB program, and now she is drastically opposed.
The subjects of accountability, measuring teacher/school success, teaching to the test, and the elimination or decrease of creativity opportunities in the teaching curriculum are addressed in both books. It seems to me that rather than look only at test scores in our country and others, we should look at all of the variables. It is not simple; it is not a “black and white” issue and it should not be treated as such. Many variables should be considered; not just math and reading/writing.
Education has been criticized and restructured for over 100 years. It’s a good thing, for it keeps the education system current and constantly growing and changing. This is partially how we got to be the innovators that we are today. Creativity, freedom to think and experiment, curiosity. All voices need to be heard and included in on the decision-making process: businesses, politicians, families, students, and teachers.
I continue to read, to think, to innovate in my classroom, to evaluate, and to see the big picture. It takes more than math and reading to make a well-rounded person. Let’s not forget about the whole person, and what makes America what it is.
To end, here are two of my favorite Albert Einstein quotes:
- Imagination is more important than knowledge. — Albert Einstein
- “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” (Sign hanging in Einstein’s office at Princeton)
Dracula, by Bram Stoker
What a fun read! Just finished my first fiction novel in a while. Happened to have it on my Kindle and was in the mood for a fun read. Very entertaining, tricky wording…very old style English. If I recall, very different from the movie. The book was comprised of journal entries by the characters involved. Dracula certainly has morphed since this book. No sparkling in the sunshine or compassionate vampires. This Dracula slept in the daytime (but he could be in the sun with a hat on?), traveled in dirt, no eating and plenty of drinking, no compassion, smart but predictable in the end, could not be in water…but traveled by water in a boat and boxes of dirt, and not overly romantic at all. I like the Ann Rice vampires the best – LeStat was wicked but handsome and somewhat sensitive. He even had a sense of family with Louis and Claudia. Twilight vampires are more loveable, if you like that in vampires. Vampires in The Historian are cruel and vicious. Bram Stoker’s Dracula is mean and soul-less.
Now I know that vampires are not real, but I find myself asking “Which is the REAL vampire?”
PS – In preparing for my upcoming trip to Ireland, I have been intent on reading Irish authors and watching Irish made films that take place in Ireland. I read Dracula not even knowing that Bram Stoker was born in Ireland (in Clontarf, Dublin)! I have only wanted to read the book for a while. Bonus!
Where did the year go?
Every year about this time, as the school year ends and summer “vacation” begins, I like to reflect on the year and what I learned as a high school teacher in a small city like Pittsburgh. And this year, I learned a lot! I am blessed to work in a great school district, but even more blessed to have met some of the students that I met this year. I am happy to report that I witnessed GROWTH in students.
Growth in the amount of curiosity-both eductional and life issues, the willingness to step outside their own comfort zone and get creative, the ability to express themselves on paper and (bonus) in presentation format, the ability to think ahead and plan for their future, the ability to become more than they were 10 months ago.
As a teacher, this is the biggest triumph (and goal) of all. To see growth. Yes, there was also growth in reading, writing, science, technology use, etc. But what good is that to a nation if what we also need is innovation, confidence, creativity, global thinking? The skills alone mean little if there is no ability or desire to USE them and learn more about them and to have a desire to contribute to the world.
We need to create life long learners. We need people who want to step outside of themselves and see the bigger picture, the global issues and applications, and make the world a different/better place for all…not just themselves.
So this year was a step closer to that feeling that we may just be OK in the future. There are young people out there who see beyond themselves, beyond their tweets and fb posts, beyond the fashion of the day and who is dating who. They see their future (and mine!).
As a teacher, I have learned more about what I need to do to foster the desire to learn. Through educational research? Yes, of course, and lots of it; but most effectively through experience with the students, trying new things (many research based), listening to (and discerning) the needs versus wants, breaking out of old patterns and being willing to change my methods…
Teaching high school for me, is a great profession, a great experience, and so rewarding/fulfilling. Here’s hoping that next year brings more of the same.
Intensity in Cairo captured in photo
I saw this photo on the Al Jezeera site and of all, it was the most strong photo, capturing the desperation and strength of the people in Egypt. I cannot make a political statement since I am not well versed enough in this area, but I was beginning to feel that people all over the world are ready to sit back and let things happen to them…it’s good to see them standing up for what they believe. Where it goes from here in unknown, but they clearly feel strongly as a majority.
January 21, 2011
I just watched an interesting movie on Netflix. It’s an English film called Exam. Eight people enter a room for a final 80 minutes interview session, and what unfolds is the most unusual job interview I’ve ever seen. Great way for a business to decide upon a crucial employee. It was well-acted, well-written, and engaging from start to finish. Since I am a business teacher, I noticed a great deal of excellent conversation about how to go about preparing for and conducting a job interview. I recommend this movie: watch it, enjoy it, and learn from it. This link takes you to a good trailer for the movie.
Leonardo does it again!
Wow. I just saw Inception at our local IMAX theatre. So intense…from the very first second to the last! I must say that it is the most exciting, confusing, action packed thriller, science fiction, drama (with a few tidbits of humor) movie that I have seen…ever. The plot was only the surface…the corporate espionage, basically. What showed up below the surface was deep and complex. Just as there were dreams within dreams, there is plot within plot. Leonardo DiCaprio is a great actor, and he was surrounded the same. The anti gravity fight scenes, the 3 levels of dream all happening at the same time, the van falling..so well done. I thought about the movie for the rest of the night, as did my husband. Not only the action and plot, but the way it was put together. It’s like The Matrix, but more real, more “everyday”. Going back and forth from dream to dream to reality (or were we ever truly there?) We were still talking about it this morning…wondering if we were in a dream still. And by the way, was Leonardo still dreaming @ the end? Did the spinner stop? Could this really happen some day in the future?
The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo who also Played with Fire
This girl Salander is pretty crazy, and definitely has some anger issues that get her in lots of trouble! Reading these novels is kind of like reading a Ludlum novel…not real deep, a lot of action, real movie material. Not the kind of movie, however, that I want to read subtitles for.
The first novel didn’t really end, it just said “to be continued” in effect. The second ended, but it was clear that there was more on the agenda. Number two was better than one, in my opinion. Overall, not totally impressed. These two novels didn’t make me think too much, but they did hold my interest I’ll give them that. Some of it, especially in #2, was a bit far fetched. Come on, a guy who is giantesque and feels no pain. And his burnt up master who holds power over others (and why are they afraid of him?…due to the big blonde dude).
I will read #3, but I’m taking a break reading some good old non-fiction. Then I’ll get back. Not sure if I just want to get it over with, or see what happens. Maybe a little of both….
Books that I’ve read, but have not blogged on, this summer
Current: Yo, by Ricky Martin! (en espanol, claro)
Drive, by Daniel Pink
Let the Great World Spin
Ender’s Game
Charming Billy
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
and now I am currently reading: The Woman with the Dragon Tatoo
Movies worth commenting on:
Ondine
Volver
True Grit
