World Poetry Day, Smash Brothers, and Jeff Dunham

This might be a bit of a shock for most people who know me, but I've never really considered myself to be much of fan of poetry.  I certainly haven't gone out of my way to read it and never really made it a priority in my life, instead choosing to focus on things that I felt mattered just a little bit more than words on a page. 

When I was first given the assignment to teach Grade 8 Humanities, I immediately felt inadequate and unprepared for the challenges that would surely lie ahead.  I had spent 5 years up to that point focusing on Social Studies and on helping students to tangibly understand their place in a rapidly changing world.  I've never doubted the value of good literature in our history and society.  I just didn't really think that I was the right one to properly convey that understanding to students.  Three years on and I'm still figuring things out 

Realizing that today was World Poetry Day gave me an opportunity to steal a colleague's idea (Thanks, Jen...).  In short, students would be given an opportunity to reflect on one poem that they like and to write a brief blog entry explaining what exactly they like about it.  The recognition that poetry is a much broader form of communication than originally thought definitely makes the assignment a little bit easier.  I'm also hoping to take advantage of some of the sharing that blogging makes possible.

I did, however, start thinking about my own experience with poetry, limited as it is.  While perhaps not the most profound example and one that is even somewhat cliche, I've long enjoyed 'Invictus' by William Ernest Henley reproduced below


Out of the night that covers me,
  Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be 
  For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
  I have not winced nor cried alout.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
  My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of weatch and tears
  Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
  Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
  How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
  I am the captain of my soul.

I remember coming across this poem as a high school student and thinking it was neat and promptly moving on.  However, a film on the end of Apartheid in South Africa (coupled with some darn good rugby) brought the poem back into my attention a few years ago.

I've long been a believer that individuals are in charge of their own destiny.  Age and experience has reinforced the knowedge that if I want to get something done for myself I need to get to work and get it done.  I can't hope to rely on the good graces of others so that I can craft my own life, for "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  This poem is a call to stand up in spite of adversity and the challenges that get in our way.  Life is not easy and we cannot let the "fell clutch of circumstance' keep us from our potential or break us.  

I'll read this to myself every now and then or when I'm feeling a little down.  Maybe I'm struggling with something professionally or personally, or I'm questioning why things are turning out the way they are.  If I really want a quick turnaround, I'll even listen to the narration of Morgan Freeman.  Even if I'm roughed up and 'bloodied' by the journey of life, I can press on because I, and I alone, can determine the direction of my life.  

CHHS eSports Smash Tournament

Look how excited everyone is!!

This past Friday saw the first Smash Brothers Tournament hosted by the CHHS eSports Club!  All in all, I was very happy with the turnout and excitement that made the event such a huge success.  We had 22 students who made their way through a double-elimination bracket.  At times, the matches were pretty intense and the competition fierce, but I was impressed by the level of sportmanship that prevailed before and after matches, and the efforts by all those in attendance to help the even run smoothly.  We brought in pop and pizza for those in attendance, and had prizes for the top 3 finishers.

We are already planning our next event.

Jeff Dunham: Perfectly Unbalanced

Even with the 40 minute wait to leave the parking lot, the show was enjoyable.  I particularly enjoyed the efforts to discuss local matters, such as the legend for the name of Medicine Hat.

Mr and Mrs. T waiting to see Jeff Dunham

~Mr.T

CHHS eSports is Live!

We had our first play session today and I am just thrilled with the turnout.  All in all, we had almost 40 students show up in the library.  In fact, most of them were waiting for me to arrive.

After some delays (my bad) in having everything up and running, we got right to it and most people were pretty good about taking turns and letting other switch in.  Many even came prepared with 3DS's to use as controllers which allowed us to have larger battles.

Here are a few pictures of the event:

It took about 2 minutes to get our first memorable quote of the day: "I believe in you, Pikachu!"

Lots of energy and excitement.  It was definitely a plus to be able to play in front of a crowd.

All in all, I'm very happy with our humble beginning.  The goal is for this to be as student driven as possible.  I already have some students who are putting together a tournament for later.

~Mr.T

Shout-out to my Fitbit!

So... I'm kind of a big guy.  I certainly wasn't always that way but I certainly fell out of the good habits that I had while growing up.  And I ate way too much junk.  Probably still do, if I'm being honest.  

About a year-and-a-half ago, I got a Fitbit for my birthday.  I had heard about them from some friends and colleagues and, though I thought the gift 'cool,' I wasn't initially sure just what kind of an impact it would have on my personal fitness.  I certainly wasn't expecting miracles and I was wary of being just one more bandwagon cheerleader who would temporarily espouse the virtues of said product-of-the-day.  So I tried it, quickly getting used to the feel of around my wrist and enjoying how much fun my boys had figuring out whether or not I had reached my daily step goals.

Yesterday, I got my first summary for the full year, which I've posted below:

It's worth noting that I am still not what would be considered a fitness buff.  Let's just say that I'm still not at the point where I would be eager to take up competitive swimming anytime soon (Speedo!).  However, what my Fitbit has done for me perhaps more than anything else is to give me a better idea about how much, or how little, I'm actually doing.  There are many days when I go to work and I feel like it's non-stop from the moment I arrive until the moment I pack up to leave.  And then I check my Fitbit.  More often than not, I will feel the need to press pause on my departure and tell myself that I can do little bit more before heading home.  Or, if I'm not quite at that point where my daily goals are done, it might affect the choices that I make later in the day.  I might be more willing to realize that if I couldn't be bothered to head into the fitness centre and do my run I probably should dive into that bag of chips or simply park myself onto the couch.  It's for that and other reasons that I continue to wear mine with pride, as long as plastic on the bracelet holds up.

So, here's to you, Fitbit.  One more example of how knowledge can be power.

Semester Break

As a teacher, I have come to appreciate and value to role of structure and routine.  However, there are times when I sit at my desk and I realize that I'm going to be spending a lot more time in my classroom teaching, answering many of the same questions, and working around a lot of the same material without too much variation.  That can be a little overwhelming and maybe even a bit disheartening, hence the push to keep things as fresh as possible and avoid falling into a rut or becoming complacent.

I do look forward to the semester break at our school because it gives me an opportunity to shake things up with some new faces and a new classroom dynamic that can be difficult to achieve in a year-long course, like my Grade 8 Humanities courses.  Now, this isn't to say that I prefer one course or grade level over the others.  I am merely pointing out that something as simple as a class change can be a good way to get a much needed shot in the arm that helps to push me forward for at least the next few weeks.  It's like when my wife is gone for a few days and I'll rearrange some of the furniture for her.  It isn't anything too groundbreaking but it's enough of a change to bring in some enthusiasm.

I'm Starting an eSports Club!

Just before Christmas Break, I organized a meeting for those students who were interested in setting up and running an eSports Club.  Those not necessarily versed in gamer-speak are usually a little confused by the term so I dug up this little video which might explain the concept a little bit more.

When I met with my principal to explain the concept, he shared a couple of what I felt to be pretty valid concerns, mainly focused on the fact that there are many teachers and parents who feel that kids don't need more time playing games.  I told him that I understood and for that reason, the focus of the Club would be to promote friendly competition amongst a demographic that has not always been typically included or targeted in extracurricular activities.  Furthermore, our eSports Club would promote socialization and peer building through gaming that can't happen when students are by themselves.

I had over 30 students across all grades show up at this meeting and it was awesome!  There was an energy and an excitement that I hadn't fully anticipated and I couldn't have been happier with the response.  The challenge, now, is to build everything from the ground up.  While I've already been able to secure a few resources that will allow us to have something that we can call our own, we'll have a lot of work to do if we want this to become something truly memorable.

I'll report on our progress here, including our first intended event which will be a Smash Brothers tournament.  If there's anyone who has questions, feedback, or other suggestions, please send an email to chhs.esports@gmail.com.

Further resources worth looking into, especially from a parent perspective and the issue of students and gaming, can be found here.

~Mr.T