http://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Faith-Stephen-Mead/dp/1442162724/

Artist Statement:

“Our Book of Common Faith” is comprised of works done between 2000 & 2008. These mixed media pieces, usually start with a water-soluble oil pastel base and then branch out from there. Acrylics, glazes, glues, glitter, jewelry, spices, earth, collage material… I try to keep the wonder of a child going back into a garage sale treasure chest to explore what these mediums can do when set free to roam. Like ma… Continue

As a high school English teacher the biggest challenge I face is “normalizing” creative writing so that it is “cool.” Seventeen year old boys don’t want to write poetry. Poetry is “gay” as they would say (their word, not mine, but their choice of word illustrates how they feel about it). The affective domain, especially for boys, is the biggest obstacle I face. I am a young, strong, manly male myself, I bring in music, teach about songwriting, slam poetry, advertising, YouTube, etc. and do all s… Continue

Dead Soldier

I used to die more gracefully, more beautifully when I was a child
When I played soldier games in our backyard
I used to lie on the ground with my wooden gun,
And I used to stand up hastily upon hearing the voice of my mother
“Get up now, you naughty kid, your clothes getting dirty!”
I am on the ground again, mom
Please don’t be mad, just whisper my name

Sunay Akin
(Transleted and edited by Adem Bozoglu)

Hi everyone! I have taught 1st grade for four years now. Teaching 1st grade, I rarely encounter difficult topics in writing like educators of older students. However, this year was an eye opener. When I implement Writer's Workshop, I let my students choose what topic they would like to write about. Usually the story entails family activities like trips, holidays, and gatherings. I try not to intervene in the prewriting process because I want them to form their own ideas to inspire their writing.… Continue

I see a lot of people are already on here, posting very good concerns about teaching. I haven't officially taken over a class myself yet, so I don't have a lot of questions. One thing does spring to my mind though, how do I get students caring about the events in the world. I mean, it's hard for me to care sometimes - with so many negative reports I want to tune them completely out - how am I suppose to encourage them to sit down, watch the news, and find something to write about? Is this even t… Continue