Between the Lines

Random reflections from the youth in a juvenile correctional facility.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Shouting from the rooftops!

Communication is an expression of feelings, thoughts, ideas, viewpoints, and opinions. Choose your favorite way in which you communicate and explain WHAT it is that you communicate in this way.

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My favorite way to communicate is to use humor in what I say. It makes me feel like I can come in touch with people and I get to know the person. I also build a good relationship that way. CH

I like to communicate by playing my guitar. It helps me by expressing my feelings. I express my self by creating different types of songs to go with different moods I have. I play heavy metal for anger and Bob Dylan or Jim Croce when I am happy, feeling glad, or just want to play because it is soothing for me. It calms me down and it is a big help. BA

My favorite way to communicate is by talking, I communicate feelings by telling them to people. I like to communicate what my opinions and feelings are to people who I have a relationship with. NB

I communicate by letting people know how I’m feeling. I talk and my looks. JT

I communicate with other people. I communicate for different factors like talking, expressing my ideas and sentiments through letters and art. LC

Talking because they can see who I am and to know more about me. AF

I talk because to let people know how I feel about them. AR

My favorite way of communicating is talking. I talk so I can let other people know how I am and what I’m about. DE

How I communicate is to dance cause it makes me happy and it makes you communicate cause touching each other. EL

I want other people to know about me about my past and how they can help me. I communicate by singing. TM

My favorite way to communicate is by talking. I like to verbally express myself. The best way for me to express myself is through many methods but for the most part my mouth. I communicate how I feel, ideas, thoughts, opinions, facts, and viewpoints. I like to tell how I’m doing and I really like to talk to and meet new people. NC

My favorite way to communicate is writing a letter and what I communicate is things about what I am going through and sometimes I like to communicate to people with my words and tlak to them about life or things that’s going wrong with me or them. And they listen to me and that’s how I communicate. AW

Shaking someone
S hand is my way of communicating. The reason why I shake someone’s hand is because it makes them feel good. Also, it shows them my self-respect for me and others when I shake someone’s hand I let it come from my heart. That’s why I hand shake. TR

My favorite way to communicate is talking. I usually express my feelings and find out information. I also communicate ideas for my thinking. I also like face to face so I can look people in their eye just so they know I am keeping eye contact and so we both know we are being respectful to each other. GD

My favorite way to communicate is face to face. It lets you see how you affected that person. You can’t see any of that thing with out seeing. I love to communicate with my family, friends, girls, staff, counselor and etc. So I guess it’s just that I like to talk. TB

My favorite way to communicate is by texting. In text messaging I tell the latest news of what’s happening or what is the objective for the day. I text message people on my phone to communicate. I also use body language to girls when I see them. I talk to them by expressing myself, introducing and tell them my feelings. That is my favorite ways to communicate. SR

When I am happy. That feeling makes me feel good inside and I can do a lot of good things. And I would be a good person inside. I show people when I’m happy. I sing a lot. GB

My favorite way to communicate is by singing. When I am happy I like to sing good songs. When I am depressed I listen to slow songs, and when I am angry I listen to loud music. GY

My favorite way to communicate is to rap. I rap when I am angry or about to fight someone. I sing when I am sad or depressed about something. I communicate that people will respect me and if they don’t there will be consequences. MA

My favorite ways to communicate is to use humor in what I say. It makes me feel like I can come in touch with people and I get to know the person. I also build good relationships that way. CH

My favorite way to communicate is with my non-verbals. The reason why is because my face expression can tell a person if I’m mad or not. I do like to say more than I have to and that might be why I like to use non-verbals. I communicate my feelings and my attitude and if I feel like playing or not. JA

My favorite way to communicate is by talking and showing body language. Expression. I like to express my thoughts and I like to show my communication by me dancing, listening and eye contact. I just show feelings and thoughts along with ideas and opinions. That’s all what I like to say. They’re my way of expressions. SB

My best way of communicating is talking about football. I like talking to my social worker about football. But, when I am mad, I do not talk to NO BODY. That is how I communicate with people. I like to communicate with my Dad and we talk about football and ball. JF

My favorite way to communicate is over the phone because it is easier for me to express my feeling to my girl and I communicate about a lot of stuff how my day went, what I did, and where I went. It is a lot of stuff I communicate about. MR

The way I communicate is talking, singing, dancing, writing poems down that I come up with saying words like “I love you, I need you, or you’re my world”. RA

Internet. I communicate my feelings my thoughts my ideas and my opin ions to my family and my friends. JS

I like to communicate by words. The reason that I like to communicate by words is because it helps to improve your vocab and shows respect to the others. When talking by words you express your opinions, thoughts, and also your ideas and feelings. JL

The way I like to communicate is by art because I can show the mood of the community by different colors or what not. Or I can show what people will wear in the time period, what they eat, drive, and what they do for fun. JP

My favorite way to communicate is to talk. That is the only way to fully get your point across. Another way I like to communicate is by showing. I communicate my feelings and what I am thinking, because I don’t like to hide my feelings. MD

My favorite way to communicate is talk. I talk about my feelings cause it makes me feel better. Also I talk about my opinions cause it makes me happy to escape myself. DR

My favorite way to communicate is talking. I like talking because I think it’s the best way to get a point across and express yourself. You can do that by talking to other person about what you think is right to you, or express yourself by yelling. JS

My favorite way to communicate is talking because it is easier to express my self to the people I want to understand me better that way than any other. VN

My favorite way to communicate is to rap, because when I do this I feel better and can relax more and it relieves a lot of pressure on me. SB

My favorite way to communicate is by talking. I express the way I feel and what I think about things. CW

I communicate with people by talking with them. I like to communicate when I’m playing sports. I talk about how good he or she is. And then I talk about how good he or she thinks how good I am. I would ask them was that a good shot or not. I would say good pass, good shot, stuff like that. AP

I communicate when I’m playing basketball. I try to tell people how to play as a team and pass the ball. Give everybody a chance to shoot and make baskets. KL

My favorite way of communicating is talking. So it can go to a person direct so they know how I really feel inside. And I also like communicating by writing people if they are far away from me. When I’m locked up that is a second way of getting in contact with them, the first way is calling them. DL

I communicate by words because I like to talk. I use it whenever there is an appropriate place. I also enjoy it because it is a gift. I use to communicate with other words of feelings, thoughts and concerns. AS

My favorite way to communicate is by rapping to who sometimes my girls or family such as talking about sports and other special things. KJ

I like to communicate face to face so that I can bring my thoughts out to them face to face so they don’t think that I’m lying of trying to mess with them. If you won’t show your feelings and emotions especially to females you can’t do it on the phone or a text message. You have to tell them face to face. No games. DM

My favorite way of communicating is my thoughts and my ideas. They are good ways to hold a conversation. You get stuff done faster when you express your ideas. Your thoughts are part of your personality. TR

My favorite way to communicate is writing raps. I communicate the struggle in my life, what I want to accomplish, and where I want to be in life. GG

I like to communicate by talking to my boy about my problems. TG

My favorite way to communicate is talk and write. When I talk it’s the truth. When I write I express myself. Writing is easy. When I talk I sometimes bend stuff to make it fit. KW

My way of communicating is talking to people because that’s how you communicate. DD

I communicate by talking and moving my body. The way I move my body people know what I am trying to say. When I am about to fight people know because the way I move and talk. People know how my feelings are because I get sad and my voice change and my eyes get big and my face gets red. JS

I communicate by talking and shaking people’s hands so I can greet people in the proper way and make friends. CL

I like talking to people face to face because I want to get my point across when I don’t like something so talking face to face I can do that so that’s why I like it better than cell phones and all that. DA

How I like to communicate is to be friendly because I treat people how I want to be treated plus when I am not with my family I want them to be respected too. I also communicate with feeling like be a gentleman, say hello, thank you and please. JM

My favorite way to communicate is by talking. I think if you talk to a person you can find out a lot about them. Talking also solves a lot of problems. I think it’s the best way to communicate. BP

My favorite way to communicate is by computer, cell phone, because I like talking to people or write to them on a computer cause I can espress myself out and not say it out loud. JT

I communicate through music. I like to play my electric guitar and when I do it it gets my feeling out. I make my own music. I learn new power cords and notes. JK

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

My North Star

I've given the assignment of writing an acrostic using My North Star. The example given follows.

My
Youth is swallowed up by the
Needs and
Objectives found as signs on the path that
Relentlessly
Twists and winds
Homeward. My
Star
Twinkles brightly
Above, giving my journey
Resolution.

Look for student submissions soon!

BJB


Never
Overthrow
Rights
That I
Have.

Special
Things
Are always
Remembered.

NC
=====

Maybe
You’re

Not
Out
Running
The
Hood,

Starting
To
Act
Responsibly. JA

=====

No
One
Really
Thinks
Hard.

Special people
Think
About what is
Right. SB

=====

May
Your

North Star be an
Opportunity to
Reminisce on the
Time you
Had freedom.

Stand
Tall
And
Rejoice. CW

=====

My Mom sometimes be happy. She respects me. I trust her a lot. She is a thorough and nice to me. I love her to death. GB

=====

Sometimes I never open my real things. I hide them to myself. I stay and keep my feelings on the low. I realized that my stuff is something that I have to deal with. DR

=====

Mom
You

Never abandoned
Our
Relationship even
Though we
Had our bad times.

Sustaining our love and care for each other
There wouldn’t be a soul that can divide
And destroy our
Relationship. DL

=====

Never
Obey
Rivals
Through
However

Secretly
They treat us
As
Rivals. GD

=====

I am a mighty young man.
I am tough and healthy and very original.
Sometimes I could be remedial,
Sometimes nice, but I am alright.
I am good at school and very smart.
I hate fishsticks but am very artistic.
I have a loud voice and yes, I am rejoiced.
I am beautiful and also very truthful. AS

=====

Mistakes
You

Need
Or
Right
Thoughts
Heed:

Seeing,
Thinking,
Attitudes,
Reflecting… MD

=====

Make it through the
Year

Nevertheless
On top of the
River
That
Hands out

Special
Treats
And
Recipes. CR

=====

Many miles
You have to

Negotiate
Over
Rough
Terrain through
Hours of hard work.

Struggling
Through the entire journey.
Afterwards you are
Rewarded greatly for your effort! BA

===

Maybe
You’re

Nobody
Or
Really
The
Handyman

So
Try
All
Routes. JS

=====

Meaning
Youth

Never
Order
Routine
Truth
Heart

Soul
Tumor
Authority
Rot. SS

=====

Memories
You

Never
Order tell you to
Return
To
Home.

Start now
To
Activate that
Return. DR

=====

My mom
Younger

Never
Obtained
Restlessness
Tough
Help

Succeed
Throughout
All
Rigidness. NC

=====

Mine
Yours

No
One
Really
Thought
How

Some
Times
Art
Really works! TR

=====
Never give up
Overcome
Respect
The memories
Home

Stay free
The freedom
Apple
Rough times. TR

=====

My
Year was good.

Now
Other
Rappers
Think they’re
Hot,

So I do my best to
Try
And
Regain my composure. GG

=====

My
Youth

Numbs
Other parts of my life
Rather than the
Things I
Hate,

Starting from
The Actual
Roots of my
Ancestors. LF

=====

Maybe I will in the
Year 2008

Never doubt
Or
Regret
The
Hard work

So
That
All
Remember. DM

=====

Meditate
Yearly

Nice
Or in
Rage
The
Healthier persons

Satisfy your
Temptations
Against
Rage. RG

=====

My
Youthful experiences

Name
Original
Remnants of
The past that target and
Help

Significantly identify
The
Attributes of my life
Relentlessly repeating in my mind. NB

=====

Makes
You

Never
Obey
Right
Thoughts
However

Still
They’re
Arriving
Ready for action. TG

=====

Music
Yams

North Philly
Onions
Rock star
Thorough
Hard

Shorties
Tall
Aim
Rockets. RA

=====

My Mom
Younger siblings
Siblings
Richmond
Oregon
North America
Toronto
Haw??
Area of Land
Tropical
South America
Reptiles. KS

=====

My family
Your love

Never cry but when
One at a time it
Runs through
Trust and life
Hours and minutes.

Sorry
That I
Am in a
Rough life. JT

=====

Mom,
You’re

Now
On the
Road
That
Helps

Start our relationship
Together
As we
Ride for a new life. JS

====

My
Youngest child, who is my North Star,

Not
Only
Runs
The
House, but

Stays
To
Apply the
Rules. SB

=====

Mom
You

Now
Other
Resident
Tell
Him what

Started
The
Agreement so they can
Relive. DA

=====

My life of love has come true and for years I been writing for you. Our love is too strong. Right now the only thing I could do is wait for you to come back home to me and the love that I have for you. Special love comes once in a lifetime. That’s what I believe. After love I wouldn’t know what to do. Right now the only thing I could do is sit and wait for you, my love. JL

=====

My life is to be a good father
You’re my son and I love you with all my heart.

No one could say I haven’t been there cause I have
Or say I never seen cause I have, but
Right now I can’t because you are far away and
The truth is my son I had to go do things right.
How and why is because I did something I should of never done, but

Since now your father is locked up and
The day will come for me to see you
Again after I’m done doing my time, but
Right now, Jaden, I love you my son and never forget that. RA

=====

Misunderstandings are something that happens to
You every
Now and then.
Respect for people
Turns into hatred.
Sometimes people even turn against their own relatives.
Then life goes Bad. JB
=====

Thursday, January 17, 2008

THE NORTH STAR PERSONAL CONSTELLATION

Before each class read Reynold's The North Star, we discussed the keywords of journey, constellation and signs. After we read the story (online using an LCD projector), I projected the Constellation Map Maker and students filled out a worksheet with the questions on the map maker. I then compiled the responses.

Next week we will be taking the information and writing poems. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!


The North Star by Patrick H. Reynolds
http://www.fablevision.com/northstar/thestory/thenorthstar_boy.php?p=0&lang=eng

The North Star Personal Constellation Map Maker
http://www.fablevision.com/northstar/map.html

Follow the Drinking Gourd: A Cultural History
http://www.followthedrinkinggourd.org/



What special things have shaped your life? Imagine each one is a star…


1. What is something important to you?
Family, my son, daughter, freedom, relationships, my girl, music, life, brother, sister, my kid, getting locked up, my dog,
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2. What special talent do you have?
Reading, drawing, skateboarding, sports, intelligence, play guitar, living, listening to music, I’m fast, music, pretty boy, basketball, poetry, making music, creative and imaginative, creative, athleticism, welding, writing, artistic skills, fighting, rapping, fixing motorcycles, eager, working on cars, ride dirt bike, make friends, computers, building, bowling, talking to people
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3. What place has special meaning to you?
Home, Army/Navy, Maryland, a concert, my grandma’s house, listen to TV, my town, Harrisburg, New York, my heart, funerals, Pittsburgh, Dorney Park, beach, daughter’s grave site, peach mountain, my thoughts, Pottstown, Dominican Republic
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4. Who has helped you find your way?
Me, mom, counselor, family, parents, a band, my grandma, my friend, nobody, friends, staff and school, God and parents, my father, staff, the north star, placement, people in the world, girlfriend,
=================
5. What do you hope to do someday?
Chef, work, live in Florida, be a father to my daughter, own a carpet store, have a business with my brother, anything, people’s music, be successful, barber, play ball, fly a plane, go on a cruise, get a shop, artist, go to a party, go to the NFL, become a lawyer, be successful, be in the NBA, work and have a family, plumber, businessman, computer graphic designer, go to Mecca, support broke family, become someone to support my family, go to college, zoology, find the star, move, be a famous rap artist, have a family and kids, small engine mechanic, go to trade school, police officer, work for Disney, be rich, sing, working on cars, computer technician, carpenter, fly a jetpack, counselor, work with kids, herpetologist
=================
6. What do you need to be more happy?
Freedom, college, a good job, my family to get along together and be happy, her, listen to explicit music, money, family, respect, friends, music, nothing, get out, life, my cousin, a father, grandpop, love, peace, to see the star, have a career, make friends, my (deceased) daughter back, make a living, to not let little things bother me so much