I have been reading Toni’s blog, Wifely Steps for about two years now. I’ve always enjoyed the easy, natural way she writes, I always feel like I’m talking to her instead of just reading her posts on the Internet. It helps that she writes about things that interest me, from books, food and Twilight!
This May, she’s celebrating not only her wedding annivesary but her blog’s anniversary as well. She’s giving away journals to 5 bloggers, and me, not wanting to miss out on this (because I love journals!), will write about two of my favorite posts.
They’re actually related, well to me anyway. I loved her Ode to Dead Poets Society . One, because it’s one of my favorite movies ever. Being an English teacher, I try to find ways to make students appreciate literature more. I showed this movie to my students and I believe they did appreciate it. Reading Toni’s entry, I became reminded of this movie I so love. And yes, at the end of the movie I was looking for a table to stand up on as well. I’ve never had a teacher like Mr. Keating, no one to actually challenge me to “seize the day”. But my hope is that I’ll be like him, that I can encourage timid students to stand up and find their voice, and to unleash whatever is hinding in side of them.
The other post is related because again, it has something to do with Literature, she wrote about her sister doing this activity with her students for the poem Invictus. This poem, which literally means “Unconquered”, is my favorite poem of all time. It reminds me that no matter what circumstances happen in life, I don’t have to bow down to the weight of problems that keep putting me down. And I loved Toni’s sister’s technique to make the poem more real for them. I wish that I could come up with those kinds of learning experiences for my students as well.
So there it is, I could actually write more, because there really are so many of her entries that have become favorites of mine over the years. But I wrote about these because I feel more connected to them somehow.
To Toni, Happy 5th Anniversary and looking forward to reading more from you in the years to come!God bless you!
Hi Aubrey! It is very nice to meet you. Thank you for joining my little contest, for the anniversary greetings and for this lovely piece.
Dead Poets continues to be one of my favorite films of all-time! And I am certain my little sister will be flattered that you also chose the entry that I wrote about her technique.
Happy blogging!