1. We began class by reading aloud some of the paragraphs the students posted on the blog in response to an essay and poems we read recently. Their task was to compare and contrast the perspective of the parents from the literature. We discussed a few of the paragraphs, which were very thorough and insightful.
2. We talked about the inevitability that each of these students will one day surpass their parents in an intellectual way. That does not mean they will become ‘smarter’ than their parents, but they will learn about some area of study in their future studies that their parents will likely be unaware of. Each student will choose a future profession that will very possibly be different from the one of their parents, thereby causing a slight separation between the two mentally. 
3. This discussion was an intro to the story we were to read next titled “The Broken Globe” about a man who grew up in Alberta with a father who was raised to believe what his religion told him and nothing more. In school, this boy learned that the world was round and the earth rotated around the sun, which was directly contrary to what the father was raised to believe and held firmly to. This separation between the two in understanding and beliefs led to a greater distance between the two emotionally as well. We were able to finish the story, discuss it briefly, and began questions when the bell interrupted us. Students are to have those questions finished for next class.
4. I will not be in class on Monday when students have two classes in the afternoon. They will be watching a video titled The Emperor’s Club  with Kevin Klein in it. They will soon do an assignment with the movie as the base. I’m sure they’ll enjoy it.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/FGmK59lqRWo" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]The boy in the clip who exits the bathroom is the son of the man who is confronting his former teacher. He talks about worrying about what contribution he’ll give to the world “later” after he’s done what’s necessary to accomplish much in life. Except his son has just heard him confess to being a liar and a cheat. Consider from this what encompassed the idea of a “contribution” from individuals – it is not simply their actions or accomplishments, it is also the potential they pass on for the future. (I really like this movie because I relate a lot to Klein’s character and his purpose in teaching.)