I’m Mrs. VanEtten, a seventh grade English Language Arts teacher from Depew Middle School in New York State. My classes have recently begun a research-based unit focusing on adversity and what it means to make a difference. Together, we’re learning more about the unique needs of our own community, what it means to be a good citizen, and how the web can help us learn more about how to give back to others in ways that are meaningful to us.
Blogging is a brand new experience for all of us. We plan to use our blog to document parts of our journey and share all that we are doing to give back in small ways. We’re excited to be a part of the Working Together 2 Make a Difference Community too!
Please visit often and share your thoughts and suggestions. For more information about our work, please contact me at svanetten(at)depew.wnyric.org
Thanks!
November 13, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Good idea.
November 13, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I think it is important that we learn about adversity in school.
November 14, 2008 at 2:31 am
After we know that adversity is not just faceless people but a person with a life. As seen in the short story “homeless”when the lady pulls out a picture of the house she used to have. The author relizes that we turn people’s struggles into nouns rather then themselves.Ex: not a person without a home,the homeless.
November 14, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I think we should do a unit entirely dedicated to helping out.
November 18, 2008 at 12:20 am
It was a pleasure listening to Laura speak about her project and the concept of good citizenship, especially the part of internet safety.
The messages to the class we important, as we all need to give back a bit more.
I think the risk taking, beginning with Mrs. Van Etten, is very meaningful and shows the students that despite our discomfort risk-taking is a good thing. I look forward to following this project, and the work that the seventh graders in Mrs. Van Etten’s class plans and carries out.
I am proud of all of them.
February 13, 2009 at 12:56 am
I enjoyed the unit on adversity very much and I think that we should continue to learn about different types of adversity throughout the schoolyear and the rest of our lives.