Ms. Carr's Reading Class
Having taught for the past 15 years, I have cultivated my profession, making my classroom enjoyable as well as educational. I am dedicated, enthusiastic, and energized to educate our youth. I'm an "out of the box" type of teacher in that I do not teach entirely from a book. My curriculum is guided by the world around us. While Reading strategies are the basis of my class, I take it a step further and create a hands-on learning environment through collaborative activities, discussions, projects and presentations.
About
I have a degree in Communication and Journalism as well as a degree in English Literature. For several years, I was a newspaper reporter for the Miami Herald and the Free Press in North Carolina. While writing is my passion, teaching is what I was meant to do in life. Sometimes the direction we take in life leads us down another road. Perhaps it is better said in a poem by by Robert Frost.
The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost, 1874 - 1963
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Poetry is not limited to literary greats. Indeed, poetry can be found in all genreas of music. One of the most profound musical artists of the 20th century was also a poet. Although his words were turned into iconic songs, the words of John Lennon can be examined further to be that of poetry. In fact, his most popular song, Imagine, will be our introduction to poetry. The following poem/song has been taught in my classes throughout my career. Again, it's the simpelest message that is the most profound.
Imagine
Song by John Lennon
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
