Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Parallel poem
Based on the first "found poem" below. I took its first line and imitated its structure to produce my own poem. This time I supplied the words.
People looked at me
while I stood in line
waiting to use the drinking fountain
behind the boy whose ear
asked to be licked.
I mean . . .
it was right there
right in front of me
right when I bent forward
right when my tongue leapt out
right when the teacher pulled me out of line.
And I don’t think
she understood.
People looked at me
while I stood in line
waiting to use the drinking fountain
behind the boy whose ear
asked to be licked.
I mean . . .
it was right there
right in front of me
right when I bent forward
right when my tongue leapt out
right when the teacher pulled me out of line.
And I don’t think
she understood.
Found poems
SOURCE:
"A Child's View of Attention Deficit," New York Times, Feb. 8, 2008
1.
People looked at me
differently, like,
oh, she
has a disability,
oh, she’s
stupid,
she’s retarded.
I mean…
I just don’t get
things as easily as others.
And I don’t think
they understood that.
2.
What does it feel like to have . . .
feelings of isolation . . .
People looked at me differently,
like, oh, she has a disability,
oh, she’s stupid, she’s retarded.
Not only do I have a tendency to interrupt…
they’ll say it makes them feel
uncomfortable. . . and I’ll have it
the rest of my life.
struggles with homework
ability to make friends
coping strategies
“Report to the special ed office”
focus when you’re zoned out
get a friend who understands
I just don’t get things as easily
as others. And I don’t think
they understood that.
What does it feel like to have
Attention Deficit Disorder?
"A Child's View of Attention Deficit," New York Times, Feb. 8, 2008
1.
People looked at me
differently, like,
oh, she
has a disability,
oh, she’s
stupid,
she’s retarded.
I mean…
I just don’t get
things as easily as others.
And I don’t think
they understood that.
2.
What does it feel like to have . . .
feelings of isolation . . .
People looked at me differently,
like, oh, she has a disability,
oh, she’s stupid, she’s retarded.
Not only do I have a tendency to interrupt…
they’ll say it makes them feel
uncomfortable. . . and I’ll have it
the rest of my life.
struggles with homework
ability to make friends
coping strategies
“Report to the special ed office”
focus when you’re zoned out
get a friend who understands
I just don’t get things as easily
as others. And I don’t think
they understood that.
What does it feel like to have
Attention Deficit Disorder?
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Dialogue on ADHD (formatted three ways)
Version 1
"What did you find out?"
"The school counselor told us we should have her checked out to see if she's ADHD."
"Really? I think ADHD is overdiagnosed."
"Well, it fits with what every teacher she's ever had has told us."
"I just think that kids today have so many distractions--TV and video games and computers--that they just can't pay attention to anything for very long. Doctors and schools are too quick to stick a label on kids and give them all drugs."
"Well . . . if we have her evaluated, it doesn't mean we have to do anything about it. We wouldn't necessarily have to medicate."
"That's true. Let me know what you find out."
Version 2
Friend: What did you find out?
Me: The school counselor told us we should have her checked out to see if she's ADHD.
Friend: Really? I think ADHD is overdiagnosed.
Me: Well, it fits with what every teacher she's ever had has told us.
Friend: I just think that kids today have so many distractions--TV and video games and computers--that they just can't pay attention to anything for very long. Doctors and schools are too quick to stick a label on kids and give them all drugs.
Me: Well . . . if we have her evaluated, it doesn't mean we have to do anything about it. We wouldn't necessarily have to medicate.
Friend: That's true. Let me know what you find out.
Version 3
"What did you find out?" Jane asked me.
"The school counselor told us we should have her checked out to see if she's ADHD."
"Really? I think ADHD is overdiagnosed."
"Well, it fits with what every teacher she's ever had has told us." I felt the blood rising in my face. Why did I feel so defensive? Her first and second-grade teachers had both said Elizabeth was a delightful girl, but she was immature. She never could stay in her seat and frequently got notes sent home for talking in the hallway or playing around in the bathroom.
"I just think that kids today have so many distractions--TV and video games and computers--that they just can't pay attention to anything for very long. Doctors and schools are too quick to stick a label on kids and give them all drugs."
"Well," I paused, not knowing what to say. I didn't know that much myself about ADHD. What if Jane was right? "If we have her evaluated, it doesn't mean we have to do anything about it. We wouldn't necessarily have to medicate."
"That's true. Let me know what you find out."
"What did you find out?"
"The school counselor told us we should have her checked out to see if she's ADHD."
"Really? I think ADHD is overdiagnosed."
"Well, it fits with what every teacher she's ever had has told us."
"I just think that kids today have so many distractions--TV and video games and computers--that they just can't pay attention to anything for very long. Doctors and schools are too quick to stick a label on kids and give them all drugs."
"Well . . . if we have her evaluated, it doesn't mean we have to do anything about it. We wouldn't necessarily have to medicate."
"That's true. Let me know what you find out."
Version 2
Friend: What did you find out?
Me: The school counselor told us we should have her checked out to see if she's ADHD.
Friend: Really? I think ADHD is overdiagnosed.
Me: Well, it fits with what every teacher she's ever had has told us.
Friend: I just think that kids today have so many distractions--TV and video games and computers--that they just can't pay attention to anything for very long. Doctors and schools are too quick to stick a label on kids and give them all drugs.
Me: Well . . . if we have her evaluated, it doesn't mean we have to do anything about it. We wouldn't necessarily have to medicate.
Friend: That's true. Let me know what you find out.
Version 3
"What did you find out?" Jane asked me.
"The school counselor told us we should have her checked out to see if she's ADHD."
"Really? I think ADHD is overdiagnosed."
"Well, it fits with what every teacher she's ever had has told us." I felt the blood rising in my face. Why did I feel so defensive? Her first and second-grade teachers had both said Elizabeth was a delightful girl, but she was immature. She never could stay in her seat and frequently got notes sent home for talking in the hallway or playing around in the bathroom.
"I just think that kids today have so many distractions--TV and video games and computers--that they just can't pay attention to anything for very long. Doctors and schools are too quick to stick a label on kids and give them all drugs."
"Well," I paused, not knowing what to say. I didn't know that much myself about ADHD. What if Jane was right? "If we have her evaluated, it doesn't mean we have to do anything about it. We wouldn't necessarily have to medicate."
"That's true. Let me know what you find out."
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