Think To Question
Great article! Encourage questioning – and empower teachers to allow discussion, be strong enough to listen and take on board their pupils’ thoughts and opinions and admit when they get it wrong. One of the strongest tools to gaining respect from pupils is,
“Oops, my mistake. Well done – you were right!”
It’s right to listen to teachers
When they tell a new fact to you,
But still you can keep an open mind
To consider if it’s true.
They say it is because they think it is,
But sometimes they’re mistaken.
Someone told them a long time ago
And they didn’t think to question.
When Will Africa Unite?
Down below the ground come the voices of the great heroes
The pillars of Africa in those days……..
From the west come the cries of grief
From the horizon flows the blood of Africa
Children with tattered clothes roam about the the streets
Innocent people are neglected at the mercy of death
Under the African sun, nations are fighting nations
While tribes are also fighting each other for leadership
Seemingly superior and mighty ones look down on the
seemingly inferior
Brothers bury their own relatives out of hatred and jealousy,
not to talk about chieftainship
Favoritism and nepotism is the order of the day…….
Gone are the days when the forefathers were around
Those days when they were the pillars of Africa
Theirs was a plethora of sacrifice, the kind Africa is lacking now
Africa whose hope and glory is vanishing into thin air
Africa whose own people are against each other
When will Africa unite to fulfill the promise of long ago?
When will Africa learn to love and desist from hatred?
When will Africa stop and repair the destruction caused by the ignorance of her own people
Be united and defend yourself
And know that ‘Together we stand; Divided we fall’.
– Bartholomew Arkoh Boamah Sarbah
http://www.aromaticcoffees.co.uk
At Cross Road
In the spirit of tolerance and peace, this poem…
Never but at cross road,
Are we at cross road?
Is there any load?
Why not we meet?
Even at cross road.
Are we blood thirsty?
And care for no one,
who may come but none?
Doesn’t concern everyone?
Even at cross road.
Can we not share?
Misery and poverty,
happiness and unhappiness,
hunger and roofless human,
even at cross road.
Why do we cut?
Burn the green forest,
and big trees,
do we want disaster?
Even at cross road.
Rain is scarce,
food also less,
nature is finished,
no bloom for ever,
even at cross road.
Why do we cut throat?
Merely for greed,
does the religion preach?
Priests or heads just teach
Even at cross road.
I may not survive,
peace may not revive,
nobody will also survive,
we will soon be extinct,
even at cross road.
Time is running out,
Still human race is not out,
We may still be in,
Kindness may be over,
Even at cross road,
Life is worth to live in,
forget not but just be in,
embrace but not embarrass them,
help but not reject them
Even at cross road.
We May still not adopt,
remain at large but not still opt,
is the nature so cruel?
Kill and get also killed?
Even at cross road
– Hamukh Amathalal
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10 Yeah But’s I hear in Education with Possible Solutions!
The excuses that you have listed are typical. And I totally agree that they can be overcome. Even the concern about funding and technology can be overcome with smart thinking and community involvement. Tech is part of the lives of our pupils – so why should we be resisting it when it comes to their schooling?
“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” By George Bernard Shaw
Over the years, I have heard a lot of what I call “Yeah but’s”….these are the excuses/arguments educators make that usually have a fixed mindset verse a growth mindset. As a leader (you don’t need to be in a leadership position, to be a leader) you need to be able to navigate around the yeah but’s; here are a few I have heard with some possible solutions.
1. “Yeah But…I don’t have the time to integrate ________ (fill in the blank technology, PBL’s, data analysis etc.)” Solution: Try to find a way to make it so they are saving time, see the value in it and how it connects to the curriculum. For example: start slow by offering to create a Project or Problem Based Learning (PBL) for them that…
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Abraham Lincoln
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Some may question why I, as a naturalised Brit with a South African upbringing, think I can comment on this iconic figure in US history.
However, Abraham Lincoln is so much more than an American president. His humble roots, his legendary oratory skill and most importantly his statesmanship are a lesson to us all. His contribution to the freedom of man is well documented, and he led the “winners” in a civil war that was both bloody and tragic.
It is his understanding and commitment to conciliation and rebuilding that, for me, stand out and put him “up there” as a true hero of mankind. How easy it would have been for him to work towards the complete destruction of his enemies in the South.
But even before the American Civil War was completely won, Lincoln is quoted as saying this to the South,
“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in: to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.”
A man with vision, a man who saw the need to rebuild the nation, bring together her people and move forward. One cannot help but draw a comparison with Nelson Mandela – a man who was above revenge and settling scores, putting his people and his nation before all else.
RIP Abraham Lincoln – statesman and national leader extraordinaire.
The Owl and the Pussycat
One of my favourite children’s poems. Brings back memories. Thank you!
Different Countries, But Still Children
Different countries, but still children from the soil
Lord creator of heaven and earth
Thank you for the beauty of our land
This is for sure Africa is in Your hands
Open spaces far a field, pureness of thee eye
Countries shape like a puzzle on your belly
Rich in diamonds, gold and iron
We love this nature, we love this land
Pink, green, blue and yellow
colours from thee flowers
All created by YOUR hands all in shape none out of place
We are the children from this land
Mother Africa, we are the children from your soil
Like tears rolling down my eyes
So does God, pouring out blessings of rain down from the sky
Wetting the core of thee earth and depths of her heart
Mother Africa, we are the children from your soil
She brings forth food with love from her soil
Providing for the needs of all
Mama Africa we are the soil from your belly
Children of Africa
Blessings to our God
Blessings to our King
We as the off spring of Africa
Thank you Lord for everything
For the beautiness of this land
Africa and all is in your hand
Countries far away divided by oceans and borders of shame
We are the children from your soil
Mama Africa, oh Africa
– Karel Maans
http://www.aromaticcoffees.co.uk
We are the children from the soil
AFRICA, AFRICA
Peace and Harmony
Well said. Thank you!
Everybody wants peace these days. The truth is…only a few are willing to do something to get it. We must do our part. Our part is turning our backs on wrongdoers. Our part is calling out wrongdoers in a loving manner when they attack others rather than waiting until they attack us. Our part is being courageous because only courage can face down hate. No matter how haters dress up hate we must recognize its stench. I would rather be called a loudmouth agitator for speaking out against hate than be silent and thought of as a supporter. If you want peace and harmony know that peace and hate – no matter where it hails – cannot coexist amicably.
Be Encouraged!
Nyah Lynn
To Those Back At School…
To all of you who are back at school now after your Easter break…
Whether you are a school pupil or a university student (and everyone in between), remember…
Education is a huge privilege and one of the finest gifts that society can give you. It open your mind, and teaches you about the world around you. Through education, you make friends and build networks. You learn how to think and analyse the world around you, and come out of the darkness of ignorance. You might think that you are just learning “boring stuff”, but it is so much more than that. Open you mind and imagination – apply what you are taught.
There are those who are refused education due to constraints of their societies, financial difficulties, gender and religion. Imagine the hurdles that they have to overcome to lead successful lives!
Embrace your opportunities – please!
In the words of that famous and wise statesman,
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” (Nelson Mandela)
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