Comments by Ms. Sarah Stice Most recent public comments by Ms. Sarah Stice https://nowcomment.com/users/96583 Connection and depth https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214102 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214102 I do believe we have seen examples of this extremism as a culture and that has perhaps shaped some of the older generations into their mindset of these communities generally having a negative influence. In order to get past this, it may be necessary for us to begin to immerse ourselves a little bit to make sure we understand it is a safe community that supports growth and opportunity. I believe it's easier for us to see the positives with more traditional groups such as the arts and sports because many of us have experienced them ourselves growing up or have grown up watching them. However, not all of us in the "older" generations have experienced these online groups and therefore we do tend toward a negative mindset about them. Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:27:27 -0500 Good point https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214099 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214099 You bring up an excellent point, Kara. I do believe we are starting to see shifts this year which, if listened to, will point us in the general direction we need to go. However, we are talking about years and years of environmental and systemic racism, we are talking about the constant oppression of the working class which has been done so effectively in our nation. Therefore, I do think that the gap between low and high income households is going to get much worse before it gets better. We have to start with political and economic shifts, which we know take quite a while. It seems like the only hope we have at the moment would be for schools to continually employ very highly-qualified teachers in these low income areas. Thu, 26 Nov 2020 17:31:41 -0500 Great analogy https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214084 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214084 I find this analogy to be really important in terms of affinity-based learning. I remember being young and having specific hobbies that would come and go as they were reactivated. Throughout this book, I have been fearful that the communities they are discussing would not be interested in such participants, as the social structure seems a bit tough. Therefore, it is nice to see the authors recognize that interests are fleeting and often change. However, it's important to note that true passions return time and time again, and that a student does not gain any less by really intently pursuing one passion, even if they ultimately abandon it. There are still key creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills that are developed in these more short-term passions. Sun, 29 Nov 2020 18:04:39 -0500 Youtube https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214083 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214083 Kevin, I absolutely agree with you that there is so much knowledge on YouTube. Many of my students will say that Youtube is their "favorite show" to watch. There are videos for a wide variety of interests, many how-tos, and many educational videos. My concern with Youtube stems from nannying some younger children over the summer. Some of the more famous Youtubers for kids (like Stephen Sharer) seem to only promote consumerism. They'll have all these videos where they are literally just unboxing gifts and showing them off. To me, that's a very toxic side of Youtube that we need to make sure we monitor. Just like any other website or affinity network, moderating some of the content with younger students is a good idea. And, if they begin wanting to make and post their own videos, that should come with moderation as well. But, it would be very cool to see such a passion built within a student that they would want to make and share videos on their own as well. Tue, 01 Dec 2020 23:52:09 -0500 A question or two https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214082 https://nowcomment.com/documents/132976?scroll_to=2214082 This seems like such an interesting and well-thought-out idea. My only concern with this is in regard to how other schools might respond. For example, in my school, we have a policy that students cannot at all be on their computers for any other purpose than school-related activities. Even if they take their computers home, they are not supposed to use other resources or play games. If we are so quick at shutting down these types of exploration, are we missing out? How practical is it to incorporate more of these games and activities in a school that isn't fully designed around connected learning? Fri, 26 Nov 2021 15:29:14 -0500 Storytelling rhythm. https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202513 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202513 The rhythm with which this poem was written reminds me of a storyteller. It doesn't have the exact same rhythm all throughout the poem, but changes to emphasize important points. It almost makes the entire poem seem like it is a story being told by native people. Sun, 15 Nov 2020 19:41:19 -0500 Rhyme https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202509 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202509 River and critters do not rhyme precisely, but are close enough to add some interesting effects to the rhythm of this poem, making this section very lovely to read. Sun, 15 Nov 2020 19:37:50 -0500 Imagery https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202507 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202507 This poem is using the imagery of the river being buried underneath all the modern things in order to create this powerful image of something that was a truth and existed before we came along. Very cool. Sun, 15 Nov 2020 19:36:17 -0500 It was the native people. https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202506 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202506 This line connects to my previous comment in that it was the native people they were referring to. I love that the author said "showing thanks by barely leaving a trace," as this is a very deep-rooted philosophy for native people, and one we have lost in our highly developed world. Sun, 15 Nov 2020 19:33:52 -0500 First Nation people term. https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202504 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202504 This is the first time I have ever heard of native peoples being called "First Nation", and I am curious of where this term came from or if it merely fit the poem and rhythm at the time as to why it was used. I suppose I wonder if they truly are referring to native people or if they are referring to the first people of the United States (the settlers). Sun, 15 Nov 2020 19:32:28 -0500 Division happens as a natural occurrence. https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202501 https://nowcomment.com/documents/138956?scroll_to=2202501 This line and the previous really connect the ideas that we did not choose to be here, rather, where we are is a product of the natural process of life. In this instance, the river determined which side we would reside on. Sun, 15 Nov 2020 19:30:10 -0500