The Space Center is a magical place. Even in its current trimmed down incarnation, it does exactly what I designed it to do - inspire imagination and wonder in the hearts and minds of children. I saw that again today on the bridge of the USS Magellan.
For a few hours every day, I soar through the cosmos with a class of kids on a voyage of discovery. I see their imaginations ignite as our make believe space ship takes us from the here and now into a future of unlimited possibilities. It's amazing what we, as a Space Center community, have done.
The Pennou slave owner was angry. The Northridge Elementary Admiral and Ambassador refused to surrender the escaped slave. Even under the threat of death, this crew of sixth graders stuck to their beliefs.
"Surrender the slave or face the consequence!" the Pennou threatened, his voice - dark and deep.
"Never!" the Admiral shouted back. He looked at me white faced. His expression asked me if I agreed with his decision. I shrugged my shoulders. Panic flooded across his face. The lights went from white to red. The alarms sounded. The Pennou ship was firing.
"Fire Back!" the Admiral ordered. I rushed from one side of the bridge to the other keeping the crew together and focused. The ship took a direct hit by the circular plasma weapon.
The Admiral stood near the engineer. Another plasma weapon appeared on the tactical screen. "Back Up! Back Up!" he shouted across the bridge to his first officer manning the thrusters.
In a perfect Scottish accent, the young eleven year old boy shouted back. "I'm giving you all she's got Captain!" I stopped dead in my tracks and laughed. It was a young Mr. Scott right there on my bridge.
Friends, its magic. The Space Center is just plain magic. I still love my job after all these years. The kids never cease to amaze me.
Mr. W
30 Years at Central School. My Albums
This is my 30th year of teaching and my 30th year at Central School. I've decided to celebrate this milestone in my life by posted the pictures I've taken of my students over the years. This album is open for all to see. New pictures will be added every week. Right now I'm posting pictures from school year 1983-84. Enjoy, and thanks for the memories. Click here.
An Award Winning Short Video on the Effects of Bullying
To This Day Project is a project based on a spoken word poem written by Shane Koyczan called “To This Day”, to further explore the profound and lasting impact that bullying can have on an individual.
Schools and families are in desperate need of proper tools to confront this problem. We can give them a starting point… A message that will have a far reaching and long lasting effect in confronting bullying.
Animators and motion artists brought their unique styles to 20 second segments that will thread into one fluid voice.
This collaborative volunteer effort will demonstrate what a community of caring individuals are capable of when they come together.
To This Day Project is a project based on a spoken word poem written by Shane Koyczan called “To This Day”, to further explore the profound and lasting impact that bullying can have on an individual.
Schools and families are in desperate need of proper tools to confront this problem. We can give them a starting point… A message that will have a far reaching and long lasting effect in confronting bullying.
Animators and motion artists brought their unique styles to 20 second segments that will thread into one fluid voice.
This collaborative volunteer effort will demonstrate what a community of caring individuals are capable of when they come together.
The Imaginarium.
Always look for ways to make the ordinary, extraordinary
2 comments:
Hi! I was just looking at your blog and saw Mr. Thompson's class picture that you posted from Central. I couldn't tag it but I am in the center with a red checked shirt, and horribly fluffy hair! -Vanasa Oliver-Bennett
That movie makes me realize how it's not ok to just sit on the sideline when Kids are getting bullied, you need to stand up for them, tell them that they do matter, and that they are Important. Bullying is a big problem, and it needs to end now!
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