A True Story of Survival in Cambodia's Killing Fields

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick is the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, a survivor of the war in Cambodia, and one of the worst examples of genocide in world history, known as the Killing Fields. As a young boy, Arn enjoyed many things that were available in the country in 1975.  Rock and Roll music, American movies, and ice cream were the norm until the communist government called, the Khmer Rouge, took over the country, forcing everyone into violently run work camps, separating families, destroying villages, and eventually killing millions.

Through fate and Arn's will to survive, he falls into an opportunity to be one of the favored prisoners of the Khmer Rouge through his musical talents, even though he didn't know how to play a single note. Being faced with the option of either play or die, Arn chose to play, and to be the best.

Arn experiences many of the atrocities of war first hand while a prisoner and child soldier of the Khmer Rouge. During his fighting with against Vietnamese army, Arn is able to escape to Thailand where he is placed in a refugee camp.  While there, survival and Arn's drive to be the best gets him noticed by an American missionary who takes Arn and a couple of boys back to America.  Unfortunately Arn can not escape his violent past. As he tries to adjust to his strange new country, ghosts of his past keep him from settling into his new home peacefully. In the end, Arn learns to trust his new family and adapt to life in America while eventually becoming the spokesperson in America about the homeless children still suffering in Cambodia.

I was disturbed by this book at times, because of the amount of violence portrayed by the author.  I had to keep reminding myself that as bad as it appears, reality was probably worse. Some things can not be put into words, but Patricial McCormick certainly tried.  With this in mind, I'm not sure this book is appropriate for everyone.

Here is my dilemma.  How can I promote a book with such a serious story to be told, yet it might contain content too disheartening for my students?  What do you think I should do?

12 Months of School! Are You Kidding Me?

It's August.  Summer sports are over.  Your family already took that trip to the Dells, or maybe even some place far away.  Now what?  Are these what they call the dog days of summer?  One thing that is happening is forgetting; forgetting what you learned in school the previous year.  How many kids are picking up their books to review their subjects to they can start the year running?  My guess is very few. Hence, this is an issue with the traditional school calendar.

New scenario.  It's the middle of August. Your family did all of the things you usually do in the summer including sports and vacations.  The difference is that you are already in school.  You might need a little time to review last school year's concepts, but for the most part, you are fresh from your four weeks off of school, and you still remember what you learned last year. That is what is said can happen if districts decide to convert to a balanced year round schedule.

Year-round school has generated debate in districts around the country as a way to improve test scores and meet budget demands. The debate seems to be split down the middle. One thing that has to be clear.  Students do not go to school 12 straight months.  In year round school, the number of days students are in class will be very similar, it's just that vacations will be spread out over a consistent calendar

We have spent a lot of time on this topic.  It's time to put your voice to debate on our blog.  Assume Oshkosh is going to consider balanced scheduling for next year.  What do you think? Be sure to support your opinion with content from our lessons and the websites provided. Please feel free to respond to posted comments, but be sure to elaborate on your opinion with facts as well

Interesting Photo, Your Caption

Photo By STRINGER/REUTERS

Here we go again.  We did such a great job on the last photo of the snakes.  Your job is to submit what you think the caption or headline will be. My challenge for you is to be creative and fun with this interesting photo. Be original.  I'll start it.  You continue it.  Don't be afraid to praise creative comments as well. Keep the good thinking going.