Who am I

I know, it's been a while, but I have been concentrating so much on my other blogs that this one has gone to the wayside. However, I have found a quote that just may get me back on track with this blog. Who knows, I may rekindle this fire.

Today's quote comes from a person named Haim Ginott. I will write about it here in a few days time, but until then, here's the quote:

"It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather...I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether the crisis will be escalated or deescalated and a child humanized or dehumanized."

Unfortunately I can't find any information on this person (nor picture) anywhere; but this quote is now hanging in my office area and every center I work out will have this posted in their staff area. This is a great reminder to teachers of what we do.

Children and cement

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls in them makes an impression." as quoted by Dr. Haim Ginott

Children and the old beliefs

"Children are guilty of unpardonable rudeness when they spit in the face of a companion; neither are they excusable who spit from windows or on walls or furniture." as quoted by St John Baptist de La Salle, a late 17th early 18th century French priest who dedicated his life to educating the children of the poor. He also stated this quote:

"To touch the hearts of your pupils is the greatest miracle you can perform"

Reading is fun!

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him." as quoted by Maya Angelou, great American poet.

Roses and thistles

Contrary to popular belief, it was not Ben Weatherstaff in "The Secret Garden" who stated this quote. In the movie, yes he is the one who says it. In the book, it is written as part of the narrative, it is not a quote of any character. I thought perhaps this quote came from some other source in which Frances Hodgson Burnett then used the quote in her infamous book; however I have not found an earlier source than "The Secret Garden". It is, however, one of my favorites:

"Where you tend a rose, a thistle cannot grow" as quoted by Frances Hodgson Burnett in "The Secret Garden"

Quotes from the candidates-John Edwards

"It was incredibly time consuming to find anything made in the United States, particularly among the highly advertised toys on so many children's lists." as quoted by John Edwards Democratic candidate for the presidency.