We have four class periods at GSE. My first and fourth class is my Area I (English). This class is taught by Chuck Sullivan every Monday through Friday. Saturday I have first period Area I and a third period class. Each class lasts for an hour and fifteen minutes. My second period is a free period which means I can do whatever I want. My third period is either Area II or Area III- these classes alter every other day. As previously mentioned, these classes discuss life lessons, philosophical viewpoints, life, existence, etc. Whenever we have a convocation, we will either have the opportunity to hear a speaker or watch a movie. Our opportunity to discuss the convocations occurs in Area II or Area III. Sunday, we watched John Malkovitch and yesterday we had a Holocaust survivor come and speak to us. I was so honored to be in his presence and to hear his life story. He lost most of his family and he never went to the concentration camp (somehow he escaped the transportation to the concentration camp) but he stayed in a ghetto. He was discussing how he felt about the Darfur genocide in Sudan and other countries reaction to it. The message he asked us to take from the presentation that "Everyone is our neighbor...every country." He also felt like he was here solely so he could tell and share his story and make sure it never happens again.
Most of the discussions we have in class are student-based. In Area III, our teacher will walk out of the room and re-enter during the last five minutes to evaluate our discussions. It's very interesting to be able to share insight and debate topics with your peers. Everyone has their own ideas and beliefs but the main goal is to stay open-minded and listen. We are also doing Community Service Projects in this course. Our project is called: Back to Your Roots....3 hours of peace, love, and culture. We are going to have a festival on alumni day to promote sustainability and offer relief to starving musicians. There is a program that sponsors them and we're hoping they could sing for us if we paid for their groceries, rent, etc. I am involved with the sustainability aspect- we are going to pick-up litter around downtown Raleigh and also have a black-out for 60 seconds at Meredith College. I joined because I wanted to not only teach others how to help the environment and our future living conditions but also to learn for myself.
At the beginning of Area II class we have a state of the moment or snapshot, like a warm-up. Basically we journal our present moment in the aspects of physical, emotional, mental, thoughts, and associations. We also have to describe details of factual, descriptions, and evidence of what occurred during the week. Our teacher recommended that every night we write a five things list of things we appreciate or are grateful for. Our teacher, toaster, gave us all kitchen appliances for names. I am refrigerator a.k.a fridge and the list goes on forever. Of course she won't reveal the reason behind this- but unless you've met your classmate outside of class...you'd never know their real name.
In Area III we have been discussing metaphysics and we talk about Plato's Allegory of the Cave a lot. Our teacher likes to discuss youtube videos and see how they correlate to life and everyday situations.
Every morning in Area I we have ten minutes to discuss quotes. Chuck's favorite one is... "Once you understand that God knows everything- you are free." Baba Ram Dass. He assigned all of us days to bring our favorite quotes and share them with the class. We discuss all of the quotes. He says that the homework is optional because he never checks it. I have written like three or four poems but I'm waiting until the right moment to read them at one of the poetry slams. I'm definitely out of element with poetry but I'm slowly starting to come in my comfort zone. Most of the time Chuck just likes to talk, read his poems and others he likes, and just share his insight. He is an amazing poet and he makes everyone feel so comfortable. Sometimes, we lay on the floor and discuss life or we sit outside and write poetry. It's great...I'm so glad I get to spend my summer here.
We're going to see Toy Story 3 on Saturday, a discussion on String Theory Thursday, and an Art Walk today.
Until then,
Chelsea Gardner
