Subjectivity

I am taking a literature analysis class right now. One of the assignments deals with subjectivity. We all have subjectivities. This is natural. For this assignment we are asked to analyze a work and attempt to discover the authors subjectivities. We then think of our own subjectivities and apply it to the role of a teacher. What if I am required to teach something contrary to my subjectivity or if my subjectivity differs from a student in my class, how would I handle that? I certainly do not want to alienate a students or create an us verses them atmosphere is the class. So how would I go about mediating my role as teacher and my subjectivity.

The underlying premise in this line of thinking is that it is unacceptable for a teacher to expose or talk about his or her personal world view. I disagree with this assumption. Granted, I would not want to ridicule or belittle anyone just because he or she thinks differently than I do. I do not have to push my view on others, but do I really need to deny that I have any? It does not seem right to be forced to divorce myself from my worldview for a few hours each day. To do so for the years of my career, at some level would I not become divided? If I deny my beliefs, then I am separating my job from my passion. If I attempt to teach without my passion, then I cannot share my passion for learning with my students. If I cannot share my passion and love of learning with my students, then I cannot inspire them to find their own passion. No wonder students often feel that their teachers do not really care about what they are teaching. Yes, I suppose I could parrot the curriculum. But that is not why I want to teach. I want to share my love of learning with others; that requires passion.

Why are we so afraid of offending others? Yes, I disagree with others about religion or politics, but we usually have more in common than not. I believe it is certainly possible to be diplomatic; to acknowledge that there are many points of view. To even discuss those differences. I don't have to insist that Snape (Harry Potter character) really is a bad guy and alienate you just because you think he was a good guy. We could discuss it and we both might learn something new.

To take it one step further, Steven pointed out that after lessons at church his teacher usually bares her testimony about the topic of the lesson. Then she encourages the students to pray and find out if it is true. What if a teacher could bare testimony about the math principle just taught? Truth is truth after all. OK, maybe math is a little too much. But what about other topics? What about evolution, or climate change, or civil rights, or repealing the 17th amendment or...?

Maybe I am thinking too hard.

Or not hard enough.

C.S. Lewis would have been able to think this through much better than I did. I am amazed at his ability to take a line of reasoning through several steps to its logical conclusion. I am not that good of a thinker. I can follow him for about two steps. Then I just sit there with my mouth open, amazed at how well he continues for another 5 or 8 steps, long past the point of my brain getting muddled. The man was a genius. Anyway, I'll work on it. Maybe in another few decades I will be able to come back to this topic and do it right.

Some Joshua Pictures

Just for fun

OK, so he is teething and slobbery...

And rather blurry,

But he is still pretty cute.

Ivy Lee Berg my mother

Ivy Lee Berg, Born Terri Lee Volkman



12 April 1949 - 18 October 2010.

She leads me, she guides me, she walks beside me. She is my friend. She is my cheer leader. She is my teacher.

This life was not easy for her. She struggled with bipolar and insecurities. There was much that she could not do, but she did the most important; she shared her testimony with her children. She taught me about the Savior and I felt His love for me. Her earthly test is now over and she did great. I am so proud of her.

I Love My Mom. She is such an amazing woman. I will miss her so much.

Although "thank you" will never convey everything, Thank you Mom, I will always honor you.

Pumpkin Patch

Last Thursday we went to Stoney Ridge Farm outside of Bellingham for their pumpkin patch and corn maze


They have an apple orchard so we bought 2 boxes of apples. Oh, are they good. I was asked, "what are you going to do with two boxes?" Eat them of course. If I was planning on canning them I would have gotten more. I doubt they will last the winter they are just too yummy.



I was hoping to see the apple pressing too, but we missed that. At least we got some cider.



We lost Rebecca in the Maze. Actually, we were the lost ones. She made it out and was waiting for us while we were still inside looking for her. I told those boys to stay together. ARGGG




They have Christmas trees too (in the background) and lots of animals to see.

I loved their pumpkin tree. There are fun scarecrows all over the place. It was just a fun place to visit. They also sell ice cream, cider doughnuts, and fresh baked pies. It was a drive to get there, but the experience was just fun. I am bummed that we are not closer. The owner even said that if any of the kids wanted a job to let her know. Steven really wanted to volunteer and I would love to have him gain that experience of working on a farm. Well, maybe another opportunity will arise that is not an hour away.

Family Reading

Over the last couple of months we have done much better with bed time reading. We read Charlotte's Web, The Wizard of Oz, How to Eat Fried Worms, and are now finishing up Pinocchio. I was not planning on How to Eat Fried Worms, but Jonny got the movie from Netflix, so I thought we would read it first and then watch it. I remember my teacher reading it when I was in about fourth grade. I really didn't like it then and that hasn't changed much. But it was interesting to compare with the movie. The book was about accepting dares and how that almost ruined the friendships of the boys. The movie changed the premise to all about bullying. Reading about worms before bed turned out to not be such a great idea. We had to finish that one during day light hours.

We watched the Wizard of Oz after reading that book too. Isaac has always loved the scarecrow and now Rebecca has to carry around her oil can.

I love Pinocchio. We read it about 4 years ago too. I was so impressed with how undisney it was. Every time Pinocchio made a mistake it was bigger than the last and it took that much longer to recover and pull himself back. By the time he finally becomes a real boy, he has truly had a change of heart. Jonny doesn't sit and listen, but he does overhear sometimes. He laughed when the cricket told Pinocchio that "boys who do not obey their parents and listen to bad companions all turn into little donkeys." We would have finished it last week, but I got a cold and would lose my voice after a half a page.

I wonder what we should read next.

Happy Birthday Isaac

Isaac had a birthday on Sunday. He is now 9.
We went to Shoreline between Conference sessions and had a little party.

Isaac really wanted a pinata

So we managed to find one. They are not so easy to find when you are looking for them.

Next time we will just make it.

Steven beheaded it. His trophy.


Uncle Hyrum climbed the tree to get a better view.

It was simple and fun.

Another School Report

Well, I took my first objective assessment last Saturday. Instead of going to a proctored testing site they are starting something new. I use a wide lens web cam and take the test from home. I need to set up the camera so that they can see my work area and my face. It was kind of freaky knowing someone was watching me through that thing. I guess they have someone watching 10 people or so and then if he/she sees a problem with one of the testers, that tester is sent to someone watching 3 people. If that person sees something suspicious then it is sent to someone watching just the one and he/she can stop the test. It apparently works pretty well. I will probably get use to it though. I did have to kick the rest of the family out of the house though. I am not suppose to have anyone else in the room. Probably because they could conceivable be feeding me answers. They would distract me anyway. If the computer was in its own room we probably wouldn't need to do that, but we have the computer in the living room.

So I passed my health and wellness test. As I was looking at the vast amount of resources for the constitution/government class, I was impressed. Students can choose from not just the text but more than 30 hours of video lectures and other resources. I decided that I wanted to focus my study energies and asked my mentor if I could take the pre-test to see where I was at. I passed that with a 92% with out studying. Hey, it pays to be a nerd sometimes. So I am ready to take that test too. I will do that tomorrow. Good thing I didn't spend $50 for the book.

Then I looked at my next class. It is a math class, but wait. This test requires the same text that I used in my UoP math class two years ago. So I decided to take that pre-test also. I passed it too - barely though. But at least I know what I need to study. I like math, but if I am not using it all the time I forget it. Even on the problems I couldn't answer, I was just staring at them knowing I knew how to do it, but it wasn't coming to me. As soon as I look it over it will come back. So I think I will take that test in the next 10 days or so too.

That will complete my scheduled 12 credits for this term. The term isn't over until the end of January so I will be able to squeeze in a couple more. You pay a flat rate per term and you can do as many classes as you want to in that time.