Reflections on Peace

On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, we celebrated the International Day of Peace. Besides creating and planting pinwheels for this celebration, the students also created some works of art and poetry inspired by peace. For these poems, students were asked to think about peace in a variety of different ways. The first line of the poem required students to think of how peace feels. The second line describes where they are when they feel peace. The third line describes what they are doing when they feel peace. The last line is reasons for being peaceful. This is a pretty simple format for any of you to follow just in case you would like to take a minute and think about peace in your life. Enjoy!

Peace Out,
Mr. Fletcher

Quiet, nice, relaxing
In bed, outside, home
Drawing, watching t.v. playing video games
Be calm, relax, be silent
By Cody


Calm, quiet, happy
In the woods, at a waterfall, at home
Swimming, writing, reading
For family, for animals, for friends
By Jessica


Great, nice, calm
At school, at home, not at home
Skateboarding, snowboarding, doing math
To help people, make people happy,
By Lee


Happy, nice, relaxed
Home, outside, with toys
Sleeping, playing my flute, drawing
By Abby


Calm, peaceful, relaxed
At home, at the farm, at Grandma’s
Playing with my cats, riding horses, coloring
For friendship, for the environment, for the nation
By Heather


Relaxed, calm quiet
In classroom, near water, with family
Playing with dog, with friends, hiking
For friendship, working together, for animals
By Avery


Nice, happy, peaceful
Outside in my front yard, with my dad
Having a catch, playing baseball, playing with my dog
For friendship, for citizenship for the Earth
By Chris


Nice, quiet, calm
With my friends, home, outside
Playing with my friends, being with animals, being with family
For animals, for family, for friends
By Aurora


Happy, nice, peaceful
Home, school, in bed
Playing, drawing, listening
For people, for friendship, for peace
By Rory


Relaxed, nice, happy
Home, outside, my grandparents’ house
Playing football, playing Monopoly, laying on my bed
For family, for friends, for cooperation
By Jeremy


Quiet, relaxed, calm
Outside, home, in my fort
Being outside, playing with my cats, being with family
For the environment, for animals, for friends
By Kamryn


Happy, grateful, relaxed
With my family, at friends house, in my bedroom
With Justin, drawing a picture, reading a book
For caring, for friendship, for feeling
By Logan


Quiet, calm, nice, relaxed
Snowboarding, BMXing, skateboarding
Playing football, playing video games, swimming
By Hunter


Calm, relaxed, fun
At home, outside, living room
Dancing, watching t.v., being with animals
For friendship, for caring, for thankfulness
By Riley

Let's Get This Show on the Road!

So, here it is. Today I am officially letting my little blog grow up and releasing it into the world. When I first created it last year, I had intended it only to be a small, low key place for the kids to share work and ideas. What I'm realizing is that if I am to convince the kids that their writing and their words do have power, then I need to provide an audience for them. That's why today I am officially launching my campaign to get 100 followers on my blog...currently we are up to ten (welcome to Logan and her family!!!). What a great place for the kids to have their work read by people from all over the world! I encourage you to sign up and become a follower, if you enjoy reading and participating....SPREAD THE WORD AND SHARE THE SITE WITH OTHERS!
All the security measures I have in place will stay the same. No one will be able to post anything or comment on anything without my approval. This may seem like a violation of free speech, but I am looking out for the best interests of my past, present, and future students. I will do my best to approve any comments that are made, but I will not allow anything that is disrespectful, harmful, or mean spirited to be read by the students. This isn't the place for that. What this is the place for is to encourage young minds to share their thoughts and give feedback that will help them to grow and become good people.
A blog is nothing without comments so please leave some. They are what start conversations and creative thinking.

To my faithful followers who jumped on at the beginning....a big Thank You and prepare yourself for some company!

Here we go.....ten and counting,

Mr. Fletcher

Will They Stand Their Ground?

This year and throughout your life you will make new friends. Making new friends is one of the best feelings in the world....for most people. Take some time to think about who you are as a person. Are you the same person you always are around a new friend, or do you find that your personality takes on that of the person you are around? If that is the case, why do you think that is? Making new friends is a wonderful opportunity to be introduced to new things, people, and ideas. What is important to consider is that through out this process you need to remember not to lose yourself. Is a new friend really worth losing your own identity? If someone is your friend because of something they think you are...is it worth having them as a friend? What if you are in a group of friends...is it hard to keep track of which "version" of yourself you need to be? Let people get to know the real you...the ones who stick around will be the ones that will appreciate you the most.

You should look as good as your outlook,
Mr. Fletcher

Truth and Beauty

Today I was introduced to these two amazing videos. Please watch them in order and then feel free to share your thoughts! I will warn you ahead of time that each video does show some graphic images of what is unfortunately a part of everyday life for many people.

Just Sayin....

(you can click on the image to see more clearly in another screen!)

Food for thought,

Mr. Fletcher

Ode to Francine

A special date is fast approaching. Almost a year ago, in a small shop in downtown Boston, I looked up and laid eyes on one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Her name is Francine and I love her deeply. For the past year, Francine has been my constant companion and source of hydration. Some people have taken to teasing me about Francine because of her pinkish hue and flowers. I say those are the things that make her special. It's true that I could have chosen a more masculine looking bottle, but none of them spoke to me like Francine did. There is something about that skeletal face that makes me smile. To the teasers, I simply reply with the age old saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Luckily for me, public opinion is no longer a concern of mine (See last blog posting)!

What is so great about Francine is that thanks to her, I have gone an entire year without purchasing a plastic water bottle. Before I leave the house, Francine visits the ice dispenser on the refrigerator and is then filled with some delicious water straight from the well. I have even attached a clip in the car....a car seat of sorts...just for her.

Happy Anniversary Francine. I look forward to a long life together!

Dear Francine,

Thank you for keeping me hydrated and healthy. Because of you I am taking a small step to do my part to protect this planet while looking good and feeling great at the same time. Hopefully your presence with me has inspired others to follow our lead. I am deeply sorry about the number of dents you have received. Rather than dents ...let's call them scars, for each one has a story of how it was inflicted and just adds to what makes you the delightful soul you are. I think they make you look tough.

Find your own Francine,

Mr. Fletcher

Clear Blue Morning

Yesterday I went into Jacob's bedroom and was greeted with, "Good Morning Daddy! It's a beautiful day!" The day outside was anything but beautiful...dark clouds and humid, what you might call a dreary day. What that made me realize was that Jacob wasn't talking about the weather, but rather what the possibilities were for the day. It seems all too often that we base our description of the day based on the weather, rather than what lies in store.

A wise man once said, "Don't ever let your mind stop you from having a good time." These are words I am currently trying my best to live by. We've all heard people say that famous quote that goes "I don't care what anyone else says/thinks of me!" What I've come to realize is that people who make that statement tend to care what others think more than anyone else. I know this because I used to be this way. I constantly found myself missing out on some incredibly fun opportunities because I was more concerned with what people around me might say or think of me. What a waste! I now try to approach life like my three year old son does. When a good song comes on....get up and dance with everything you've got. Even if you are in the middle of an aisle at Wal Mart. Who cares? Have fun and enjoy every minute of it.

I will admit that this journey of mine is not an easy one. I'm still quite uncomfortable doing a lot of things in public (singing) but I realize it is going to take a lot of time to reprogram myself inorder to get back to a simpler, more care free existence.

Laugh as much as possible. Be able to laugh at yourself. Laugh with others, but not at the expense of someone else. Don't be the reason that someone let's go of their spirit and becomes worried about the reaction of others.

Dear Jacob,
Thank you for helping me to see the world in a whole new light everyday. Thank you for being an awesome big brother and showing Chase how to enjoy life. You make me smile and proud to be your dad. Be sure to always dance in the aisles and encourage others to do so as well. Should people ever laugh at you.....think about who is having more fun...and dance harder. I love you.


Leap and the net will appear,
Mr. Fletcher