eel ... its what's for Thanksgiving dinner!

http://youtu.be/haJzFXmmroo

The link above is an interview with Kenneth C. Davis (I Don't Know Much About ... series) on the CBS morning show yesterday. Morning show interviews tend to suck the life out of a subject but this one is okay (ignore Gail King and pretend its just Davis and Charlie Rose and it gets better). We start our school year talking about the Mayflower Compact, The truth about Plimoth Rock, the difference betweeen The Separatist Pilgrims and the Puritans as well as the complexities of the English-Native American relationships so we don't really spend any time on Thanksgiving at Thanksgiving, to be honest. But thought Davis' take was interesting.

The link below is Plimoth Plantation, the living history site devoted to the Pilgrims and Puritans. It has Bradford's journal entry on the event.

http://www.plimoth.org/learn/MRL/read/thanksgiving-history

The 149th Anniversary of Near Perfection

Lincoln at Gettysburg National Cemetery (Source: National Archives)

The Gettysburg Address

The sesquicentennial minus one of the Gettysburg Address is today. This blog was originally meant to process thoughts from my travels with the Presidential Academy a couple of years ago. One of the weeks was spent in Gettysburg and it had a profound effect on me. You can't wander the battlefield and remain unmoved. You can't wander the cemetery without feeling two emotions seemingly at odds with themselves: pround sadness and profound hope. The Gettysburg Address beutifully captures both in a way I don't think any other speech does.

This blog now serves as a gateway to my thoughts on oratory and so this post fits.

But I've also been waxing eloquent on Thanksgiving and I think it fits as a post to that as well. Lincoln hits the nail on the head when he reminds us that we can't consecrate what has already been consecrated. Our job is to pick up the plow and continue the work. Veteran's Day last Monday and Thanksgiving this Thursday are great bookends for that sense of gratitude and expectation Lincoln suggests. Gratitude at the work done for us. Expectation at our work ahead.

The link above is to Ken Burn's take on the Gettysburg Address.

The link below is my take on the national cemetery at Gettysburg.

Declaration Address and Dream-July 21, 2011

"If the Oscars were like that, I'd watch..."

Ok, day two of Thanksgivingpalooza. This clip is from The West Wing and an episode titled, "Shibboleth" and is an excellent example why The West Wing is possible the best television show ever made. Allison Janney is pitch perfect in this; as are Eric and Troy--the turkeys. Enjoy.

A message from President Washington

This week I thought I would offer primary documents and  art connected to Thanksgiving. (Yes, that means all my grading is done but I'm not interested in tackling the "to do list" either at home or in the classroom during my week holiday.)

In October 1789, Washington issued this proclamation. Enjoy.

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington

Teaching in 'Baby Steps' ....

The Ford's Theater team met last night and I was asked a question about how I felt I might be challenged by the National Oratory Fellowship. The facilitators referenced the Zone of Proximal Development and I have been thinking about off and on all day.

This video explains  the concept pretty well:

My takeaway from this is that my job is to capitalize on those moments when a student can 'nearly do it' and mentor them to success and away from quiting in frustration. I best serve my students when I earnestly fill my role as both a coach and a cheerleader.

I love it when a student tells me that they don't think they can master a skill (writing a thesis, explaining a historic event, reading a difficult text) but trusts the process and works through the frustration and now can.

I quote the  movie, What about Bob? and its Baby Steps Philosophy all the time. At the end of each year its fun to chart all the skills they'll have conquered and how ready they are for the next challenge (Upper School).

Its Friday and I have movies on my mind so here is something from What About Bob?

Give a guy a video camera and wind up toys ...

The Ford's Theater folks asked us to create a video telling them a little about our school. This is what we submitted. Because of time constraints, I did most of it, so the kids are working on a 2.0 version. I wanted to put it out there in the meantime though.

A little speechifying from across the pond ...

 

My Ford's Theater fellowship is being built for my Eighth grade classes. However, I found myself playing a speech for my Seventh grade European History class and wanted to share. We are in the throws of World War Two and how could I not play them a Winston Churchill speech. Think about it--a grouchy, doughy fella with a penchant for cigars and bow ties...hmmm. (And yes I do own a navy bow tie with white polka dots in honor of the prime minister, thank you very much.)

I also showed them this promo for a Churchill exhibit at the Morgan Library and Museum in NYC.

 

The note below is from King George VI to Mr. Churchill. Apparently, in a conversation the day before, Churchill announced that he would be going to France with the troops for the Normandy Invasion. The king's response is wonderful ... from the "My dear Winston" to the "...but in all seriousness, I would ask you reconsider your plan." It really helps show that these weren't cardboard cutouts but actual people. It also shows that what we see as inevitable in history is anything but.

Source: National Library of Scotland