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Alma OchoaAs disappointing as it is to know that my parents broke the law as a Daoist I accept things as they come. We must be independent and let things simply be without forcing them to be something they are not. We must be self-reliant and not let the greed of the world distract us because when we do we become consumed with worldly things and do things that are unlawful. I accept and make peace with my parents wrong doings and will let the sage of our village correct their wrong doings. They have the authority to reprimand and I trust that they will not over power or injury them but correct them and guide them to be better.
Alma OchoaElizabeth, I think it’s great that you do this activity. I think it’s important that students are given the opportunity to analyze, compare and contrast systems of justice and punishments of crimes. Their views will greatly be influenced and dependent on their beliefs and experiences and that of their families which would be very interesting to see discussed in the classroom.
Alma OchoaOne can question whether the Peach Blossom Spring is about an event that actually took place or if it was a dream that Wen had had. He had been drinking while fishing and was drifting in and out of a sleepy state when suddenly came upon an uncharted area finding a utopian village. A villager shared with Wen that centuries ago a group of people had fled the wars and found this secluded area where they have been living in peace away from any contact with the outside world. This is a way of living they wanted to continue. After enjoying his time in this beautiful area surrounded by peach trees he left and after promising never to tell others about this place. However, stories and rumors did start to trickle out and circulate about this mysterious place and explorers did go to try and find its location without success. Whether true or not I think the Peach Blossom Spring conveys a yearning for peace which is understandable. Living during a time of war, instability and uncertainty it makes total sense to want to escape and seek beauty and peace in nature.
Alma OchoaCynthia, I totally agree with you. I think it is extremely important for not only students but for everyone to ask questions and to want to find out the truth on both sides of any event that is a point of interest. As far as using social media it is very unfortunate that many do treat it as a primary source of information even though the way social media exposes and releases information now a days is more like propaganda rather than actual journalistic factual information. Seeking the truth on both sides of any story is extremely important not only to be able to learn how something happen but why.
Alma OchoaCynthia, I totally agree with your summary and as a math teacher I definitely could not have been able to summarize any better than you. The emperor’s ethical and moral values are something to strive for and certainly a breath of fresh air especially right now with everything going on in our nation.
Alma OchoaHilda, I agree with your last statement, “All in all, I truly believe that at the end the ones who are going to be successful are not the smarter ones or the stronger ones, but the ones who see the changes and adapt accordingly.” I do think education is important, I think it allows students the opportunity to see other possibilities besides the obvious of what they can see directly in front of them but I also think that drive, self-motivation and initiative to see changes and adapt is a huge factor in ones’ success.
Alma OchoaBillie, I absolutely agree with you. Reliability of the source is really important and as you mentioned getting multiple perspectives is extremely important because as Meghann mentioned historical figures are usually represented in a binary way and we know that that’s not the case. Great point ladies!
Alma OchoaMeghann, I love your great math ideas. I’m not as creative in coming up with lessons but I could definitely also do area and perimeter with my high school geometry classes. Which also gives me the idea of making a lesson where my students can build their own cities and learn about surface area and volume which we can then discuss like you mentioned their decision in city planning and material choices. Great ideas, thank you for sharing!
Alma OchoaBillie, I absolutely agree with you that students are more likely to remember something when they themselves do the research and are able to present and talk about it. As a math teacher I try to do a lot of discovery lessons to solve problems which then leads students to the math formulas and why formulas are what they are and why they work. I hope that makes sense, LOL
Alma OchoaWow, I LOVE your story!!! I remember my 8th grade principal once came to one of my classes and doing a similar exercise like the one you just described and I loved it! I often think about it and want to do something similar in my class especially before a test. However, I’ve tried looking for meditative spa type relaxing music and have not found something that I like and I also don’t know anything about doing breathing exercises. I would love if you could share the resources you or your aide have used or direct me to where I can find some. Again, thank you for sharing, I love this story!
Alma OchoaI too found it interesting to learned that there were differences among the Buddhism of Korea, Japan and China. I also had never seen the fasting Buddha. I was only aware and had only ever seen the fat happy Buddha. So I love your idea of breaking up your class into 3 groups and assigning each to research one of the three different Buddhist religion. It would be great for them to analyze their similarities and differences and do presentations.
Alma OchoaThank you for taking time in making the prerecorded lectures for us; it was fascinating to learn about Japan’s architecture. I loved the Shakkei technique the Japanese used in their Zen viewing gardens. I don’t know about you but I can’t imagine anything more Zen and beautiful than using mountains and nature as part of the surrounding elements and backdrop of a meditation garden. Learning about the tea ceremony was all very interesting. Was it always simply used when meditating or has it become a ritual for other things? When I think of the Japanese Tea Ceremony the scene from Karate Kid II in the mid 80’s between Ralph Macchio and Tamlyn Tomita always comes to mind.
As far as incorporating what I’ve learn about the architecture of East Asia into my class I would like to possible work on a lesson looking at the geometry in the different structures of their buildings. Looking at how the buildings in China have a base and as the structure grows laterally the building itself gets smaller and tapers. There’s a lot of images of buildings I can use and superimpose triangles to teach, review to reinforces trigonometric concepts. If anyone has any other ideas and suggestions in using this information in a high school Geometry and Algebra 2 class please share : )
Alma OchoaThank you for taking in making the prerecorded lectures for us; there was definitely a lot of information to digest.
The 5 Skandhas stood out to me because according to Anatman there is ‘no-self’ which is somewhat confusing because according to the 5 Skandhas one goes through the different forms from matter, feelings, processing, activities and to consciousness which seems to me that one must be very aware of one’s self to be able to reflect on how things work to understand the processing of the information one encounters in the world in order to take action.
I also found it very interesting how Buddhism in India it was widely accepted for the Sangha (this may be the wrong term) to wonder the world in search of enlightenment and live off of handouts because fasting and suffering was part of the transmigration process/journey. Whereas in China they were seen as parasites because they were living off society and not contributing which I found their solution of making the monasteries with land that could be cultivated a great solution and compromise to what they perceived to be an issue.
Alma OchoaI think that's a great idea, kind of like the projects that all my kids made in the 4th grade. Where they studied the Missions of California and then each one picked a Mission that they learned more about and then made a model of it. This would be more of a collaborative project were the students in the entire class build the town together instead of individually creating their own. Love this idea : )
Alma OchoaInteresting point! It would be interesting to compare and contrast women ruler’s ‘negative’ actions to male rulers who were in power before and right after a female ruler.
