The title of today’s "Weekly Update" is a palindrome. We discover Sadge Merrall’s fascination with rats “the size of houses” as he goes to explore the Unknown Regions. A palindrome, as we discussed in class, is a word, phrase, or sentence that reads the same backwards and forwards.
We started our week watching what could be considered a palindrome poem, called “Lost Generation.” The first time I saw this clip, I was blown away. As I gazed around the room during the first 49 seconds of playing this during class on Monday, I saw your faces turn serious and confused—and with good reason!
The poem begins:
I am part of a lost generation…
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world.
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within.”
Is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy…”
How hopeless! The speaker then assures us that "all of this will come true...unless we choose to reverse it." At this point, the poem does reverse, and instead of being filled with negativity, “Lost Generation” becomes a powerful poem of optimism. Read backwards, a new meaning appears:
“Money will make me happy…”
Is a lie, and
“Happiness comes from within.”
I realize this may be a shock but
I can change the world.
And I refuse to believe that
I am part of a lost generation…
Watching your reactions once the poem reversed was the highlight of my week. Looking at your faces, I could see that you “got it.” When we read, there is usually more than meets the eye at first glance. In the same way that you experienced a sense of wonder as the words of “Lost Generation” scrolled across the screen, you will likely experience that same awe as you continue The City of Ember. I look forward to reading chapters with you because I enjoy those moments when the pieces of the puzzle seem to come together and fit. The predictions that you are making are important, because even if they are totally off-base, you are thinking about what you’re reading. We become not only readers but also detectives. Isn't that we what we did yesterday when we tried to piece together the message full of holes? Doon’s father, after getting hit in the head with a shoe heel, tells Doon, “Pay close attention to everything. Notice what no one else notices. Then you’ll notice what no one else knows, and that’s always useful” (51). This is true for you too, both in this class and in the real world.
Remember the following quote for Monday because I will ask you about it: Mitch Albom, a famous author, once wrote, “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” Remember when Clary gives Lina the bean seed? That was symbolic. In doing so, Lina receives the message that something even as small as a bean seed is alive. That bean seed has a purpose. So do you! Never walk through life—or the hallways—“half-asleep.” If you do, you just might miss out on what’s most important.
-Ms. Sanford
We started our week watching what could be considered a palindrome poem, called “Lost Generation.” The first time I saw this clip, I was blown away. As I gazed around the room during the first 49 seconds of playing this during class on Monday, I saw your faces turn serious and confused—and with good reason!
The poem begins:
I am part of a lost generation…
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world.
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within.”
Is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy…”
How hopeless! The speaker then assures us that "all of this will come true...unless we choose to reverse it." At this point, the poem does reverse, and instead of being filled with negativity, “Lost Generation” becomes a powerful poem of optimism. Read backwards, a new meaning appears:
“Money will make me happy…”
Is a lie, and
“Happiness comes from within.”
I realize this may be a shock but
I can change the world.
And I refuse to believe that
I am part of a lost generation…
Watching your reactions once the poem reversed was the highlight of my week. Looking at your faces, I could see that you “got it.” When we read, there is usually more than meets the eye at first glance. In the same way that you experienced a sense of wonder as the words of “Lost Generation” scrolled across the screen, you will likely experience that same awe as you continue The City of Ember. I look forward to reading chapters with you because I enjoy those moments when the pieces of the puzzle seem to come together and fit. The predictions that you are making are important, because even if they are totally off-base, you are thinking about what you’re reading. We become not only readers but also detectives. Isn't that we what we did yesterday when we tried to piece together the message full of holes? Doon’s father, after getting hit in the head with a shoe heel, tells Doon, “Pay close attention to everything. Notice what no one else notices. Then you’ll notice what no one else knows, and that’s always useful” (51). This is true for you too, both in this class and in the real world.
Remember the following quote for Monday because I will ask you about it: Mitch Albom, a famous author, once wrote, “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” Remember when Clary gives Lina the bean seed? That was symbolic. In doing so, Lina receives the message that something even as small as a bean seed is alive. That bean seed has a purpose. So do you! Never walk through life—or the hallways—“half-asleep.” If you do, you just might miss out on what’s most important.
-Ms. Sanford