Hi Bill Something IS going on in their lives. You just have to find it. One powerful access point is the Spoken Word. Poetry made to be performed. Find a young poet with a boom box and a contemporary issue and they will create a spark. A poet who can help them find their voice. There are probably all sorts of issues within your room - issues of drugs, abuse, poverty, and power - that have kept these students down. Even affluence has major stuff going down - status, video violence, and, once again, drugs.
Not everyone is comfortable with the Arts but the students have to find a passion or they will sink out of sight. It can be scary for the teacher but what power you give them. Administrative support is another issue because you would be open to criticism. But if it's a choice between saving some lives and playing it safe... We have an amazing Spoken Word poet in Tacoma named Luke Smiraldo. He deals with many contemporary issues, networks with other "cutting edge" poets, and really connects to kids. I wish everyone could see him work in the classroom. He's also done some site specific performances at the Museum of Glass and Tacoma Art Museum. The Arts Save Lives Anyone interested in Luke's ideas? I could try to get him to respond if the listserve is interested. Alan H _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
