Today, rather than than going to class, my Futures Forum class went to a learning symposium. At this learning symposium there were many other Futures Forum classes, teachers as well as many important people from the WRDSB. 

At this symposium we were assigned tables with 1 or 2 other people from our class as well as teachers and/or board members. The point of this gathering was to initiate conversations between student stake holders and adult stake holders. In these conversations the hope was for everyone to have an understanding of what the other needs, as well as how we can integrate the teaching style of Futures Forum into other, regular class rooms.

I really enjoyed the event and am so happy that I got to have my input heard in a matter that matters so much to me! Being able to tell adults what I want from my school and what I want in my classroom in order to better my learning, was something I really enjoyed. Mr. Kemp always asks us to take charge of our learning, and this is a way I have really done that!

I know that none of the changes we suggested will be implemented over night, I am just glad that people are listening to what we want and that changes could potentially occur because of what I said.

For our culminating project Sarah and I are creating a documentary about body image.
We are going around asking women a set of questions to see how they really view themselves.
While out trying to find people to film we stumbled upon a roadblock: no one seems to want to be on video

All of the women were hesitant and shy about speaking about their bodies, how they viewed their bodies and especially if they thought they were beautiful! The funny thing, it that these women are insecure.. about being insecure. So this point raises and interesting question: why are we all so embarrassed of ourselves?

Most of the women were fine with answering questions but as soon as we brought up the fact that they were being filmed, all of them became shy and embarrassed, many even said they were too ugly to be on camera! 
That is what made us even more passionate about doing this documentary, we really wanted to show people how little self confidence women have, in hopes we can all be kinder.

     Today in class we had a poetry slam. 
I think that everyone did really well and that even if their poem or presentation weren't excellent, going up there and doing it is really what's important.
At the end of the poetry slam we were asked to pick 3 favourite poems. My 3 favourites were by Ethan, Nathan and Tyler&Nasir. 

     In Ethan's poem he talked about how creativity is an endangered species and that our thoughts are the one thing that are truly our own. I really liked his poem and he presented it quite well. One thing that I think he could do better if he presented again is to emphasize certain words or phrases to make his point more clear. As well as speaking more loudly and clearly to be understood and heard all over the classroom.

     Nathan's poem was amazing. Although he did stutter and lose his place a few times his delivery was amazing. He used an amazing tone of voice, punctuated and enunciated his words perfectly. In his poem he spoke about self confidence and also told the story of a girl who had a lack of self esteem. He told the story really well and you could hear genuine emotion in his voice. I think that if he presented again he should have his poem memorized, then his poem would be a 10/10.

     Tyler and Nasir collaborated on a poem. I originally thought that their poem was going to be poorly done and they would be under-prepared. But I was pleasantly surprised when their poem began. They told a story about 2 kids in foster care and through their lives things got progressively worse until they decided to rob a bank. After they robbed the bank both ended up being shot by the police and dying. 

     I think the poem was rally good and the story was amazingly written. If they went again I hope they would speak louder and more clearly because I had difficulty hearing and found that they were mumbling most of the time. Other than that their poem was amazing and they obviously put a lot of effort into the poem. 
     
     My poem was alright. It was about how I lost my faith and how I don't believe in god as well as why. I think that my presentation was mediocre. I stumbled over my words and lost my place on the page. I also didn't look up from the page once, even though I had my poem memorized. I was nervous and it felt better to hold the piece of paper in my hand. I think that the way I spoke and delivered my words was better than the other elements of my presentation. Overall I think that I did a good job.

The slam was a huge success and everyone who went was spectacular. I think that everyone showed so much courage by even standing up in front of the class and reading their poem because poetry is a very personal thing most times. Also the cookies and juice were a 10/10 and I think I would really like to have another poetry slam in the future.