Education Emancipation Organization : The School that Laid An Egg

Saturday, October 19, 2019

The School that Laid An Egg

I got one more essay to add to my book of Winning Essays yesterday as I edited a recitation for a young man named Oscar from a middle school in Hu-Wei, Taiwan. Someone adapted the Crocodile and Hen folktale, relatives because they both lay eggs, and how the hen saves her life by reminding her predator to this fact of nature; they are brother and sister. The story was solid but it didn't flow or rhyme until I started editing it. There are only a few weeks left before the contest but if Oscar listens to the story as i read and recorded and mimics me, it is only his diction and body language that would get in the way of his winning.

Why, in the name of English gnomes, don't teachers realize that, no matter how well they did in Taiwan universities, it is imperative to have a native speaker review a work before committing it to a student to memorize? Here I am, at their service, free of charge whether or not they buy textbooks from the publishing agent that contacts me, but they wait until it is too late to do anything about it. They sabotage their students' chances of doing well, perhaps even winning a contest?
So, here it is, for anyone who wishes to share it with their charge, my edited version of "The Alligator and the Hen":

Good morning dear judges and fellow students. The story I will share with you is “Why a crocodile does not eat a Hen.” A long time ago, a hen went down to the bank of a river to look for food. A nearby crocodile noticed her. The crocodile decided to hunt the hen. Off he went in the river singing a song to himself. It went something like this:

“Chu-chun-chun-chun-chun

Chu chun-chun-chun-chun

I’m going on a hen hunt

I’m gonna catch a big one

What a beautiful day

I’m not afraid to say.”

He stuck his big head out of the water and opened his mouth wide to eat the hen, but the hen saw him and cried out, “Brother, please don’t eat me!”

The crocodile was so surprised that – SNAP! – he closed his big jaws shut. He was confused. He wondered to himself, “Why did the hen call me ‘brother’? She is not in my family. I am a crocodile and she is a hen.” As the hen waddled away, he promised himself, “Tomorrow I will be back to eat her.”

The next day the crocodile set off singing the song to himself:

“Chu-chun-chun-chun-chun

Chu chun-chun-chun-chun

I’m going on a hen hunt

I’m gonna catch a big one

On this beautiful day

I won’t be fooled this way.”

He stuck his big head out of the water looking for the hen. He saw her and said, “Hey hen, today I’m going to swallow you down in one gulp!” He opened his mouth wide but the hen spoke up again.

“Brother, please don’t eat me,” and waddled away. Once again – SNAP – the crocodile closed his big mouth. He was mad at himself. “Why did I let the hen go? She cannot be a member of my family! I’m going to find her right now and eat her up once and for all!”

The crocodile got out of the river looking for the hen. On the way, he met his friend, the lizard, who asked, “Crocodile, is something bothering you?”

“Listen, lizard. I have a problem. Every day a fat little hen comes down the riverbank for food. She looks sooooo delicious that my mouth starts to water but just when I open my mouth to gobble her up, she says, ‘Brother, don’t eat me!’ Why do you think she keeps calling me ‘brother’?”

“Oh, that’s easy,” said the lizard. “Ducks lay eggs. Turtles lay eggs. I lay eggs. You lay eggs. Hens lay eggs.” So in this way, we are all brothers and sisters.

“Hmmm, I didn’t realize that. Aw shucks!” He started to go back home but with a different song that went like this:

“Chu-chun-chun-chun-chun

Chu chun-chun-chun-chun

I’m not going on a hen hunt

I’m not gonna catch one

What a day!

I’m not glad today.”

To this day, even though the hen looks very delicious, when she comes down to the riverbank, the crocodile does not eat her.

Thanks you for listening. I hope you liked the story. Have a good day.

www.readingsandridings.jimdo.com

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Menu of Teachers' Union Activities

Teachers' Union chapters need to be more actively democratic and responsive to its members needs. It is important to achieve this by creating sub-committees that would address areas of interest to members and get many members involved. Each sub- committee would be comprised of teacher and para-professional volunteers and facilitated by an elected committee member. Sub-committee membership is the vehicle for any interested teacher or para-professional who would like to become more active in social or political issues affecting the teachers' union chapter,improve the flow of information to  members, and make improvements to  work

environment.

MENU OF UNION ACTIVITIES Listed below is each objective and a proposal for sub-committees that would be created to realize that objective. Maybe you have an idea for another sub-committee? Remember, the form and direction of each sub-committee takes shape through you.

OBJECTIVE -ACTIVITY “To cooperate to the fullest extent with the labor movement

and to work for a progressive labor philosophy to awaken in

all members a labor consciousness and sense of solidarity

with labor.”

1. Union Solidarity Committee: Discuss labor issues with

possible petition drives. Update and advise colleagues on

contract issues. Contact and keep up with labor issues in

other schools in the area and worldwide..

****************************************************************

“To protect the schools against unsound economy and against efforts at domination by political, economic, religious, or military group.”

2. Sweat-free School Committee: Help your school join the

movement against sweatshops by identifying violators and

using union-made items at school.

3. Tolerance Committee: Discuss and recommend ways for

helping students get along better and helping teachers

understand cultural diversity. Work with clubs and the

student organization to promote cross-cultural sensitivity.

**************************************************************

“To promote education as a social agency for developing

the capacities of the young, for enlightened adults, and for

working toward a society motivated by the ideal of service and democratic participation.”

4. Teachers’ Resource Committee: Organize and expand

the teachers’ library resources such as videos, text,

classroom activity manuals, and member services brochures.

This includes the maintenance of office equipment, such as

the copy machine, computer, printer, and television. ****************************************************************

“To make members aware of their political responsibilities.”

5. Bulletin Committee: Update, decorate, and maintain the

union message boards. Monitor and maintain our list-serve.

Consider creating a chapter newsletter.

****************************************************************

“To advance the economic and professional interests of

members.”

6. Financial Advisory Committee: Act as an adviser to both

new and old colleagues with their financial questions on 401K, tax deferred annuity, DA, pension, and payroll.

7. In-Service Training Committee: Act as an advisor assisting

colleagues on licensing requirements, degree fulfillment, as

well as available classes for professional development, and

credits toward salary steps. Have information on sabbaticals. *****************************************************************

“To establish the active participation of education employees

in the formulation of educational policies.”

8. Education Committee: Discuss trends in education,

standardized testing, and effective teaching methodologies.

Create and develop a bank of useful teaching methodologies,

materials and plans. Assist colleagues *****************************************************************

“To work for democratic administration and supervision.”

9. Union-Administration Consultation Committee: Form an

agenda from sub-committee suggestions and prepare for

consultation meetings with the principal as required of elected Committee members. Report to the rank and file.

10. School General Assembly Committee: Attend, present our

petitions, and report on G.A. Required of Committee Delegates. ******************************************************************

“To protect members whenever necessary.”

11. Safety Committee: Advise colleagues on strategies for

classroom management and violence prevention. Instruct on

the procedures established for dealing with disruptive students.

12. New Teacher Support Group: Help new teachers maneuver in your school and give advise on clerical matters. how to survive an observation, and how to file grievance reports. Review mentoring candidates and help with selection.

13. Health Committee: Advise on insurance plans and make

available listings of doctors, dentists, and labs. Make available

 information of stress management. Work toward making your

school a safer school. Meet with cafeteria personnel to discuss and develop healthier lunch menus.

*****************************************************************

I believe each sub-committee can work toward creating a new

union environment in our schools, one of action, inclusion, and service. Each person can contribute to their area of expertise. In these days of union entrenchment, we must be more active to protect the gains you have made and make sure we’re fairly represented.

Education Emancipation Organization

Saturday, October 19, 2019

The School that Laid An Egg

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