[love is more thicker than forget] - e.e. Cummings

The first days of school and the final days of school breathe nostalgia.  As such, I am in a poetry kind of mood.  Usually I post inspirational quotes or "would you rather" questions on my whiteboards, attempting to kindle thought and conversation.  Today we breathe poetry.

[love is more thicker than forget] -- e.e. Cummings

love is more thicker than forget
more thinner than recall
more seldom than a wave is wet
more frequent than to fail

it is most mad and moonly
and less it shall unbe
than all the sea which only
is deeper than the sea

love is less always than to win
less never than alive
less bigger than the least begin
less littler than forgive

it is most sane and sunly
and more it cannot die
than all the sky which only
is higher than the sky


What are you left wondering?
What patterns do you notice?
Which language usage rules does Cummings break?
What does this poem imply?
What connections do you see?
What parallel structure does Cummings use?
What types of comparisons, similes, and/or metaphors does Cummings use?
What effects do these things have on the meaning of the poem?

Not A Drummer

“If you want to build a ship, 
don't drum up people together to collect wood 
and don't assign them tasks and work, 
but rather teach them to 
long for the endless immensity of the sea.” 

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, 1948

How does an average public middle school teacher build ships?  
I have no idea, but I try every day. 
This is the somewhat true story of a series of utter failures and a few successes.  

My Mission Impossible?  

In a classroom without walls (not without boundaries, limits, and parameters), 

I want to effectively motivate students...

- to develop a passion for learning and a purpose in life,

- to assume responsibility,

- to take ownership in the classroom/workplace,

- to study and communicate with colleagues/teachers,

- to maintain grit in the face of rigor and doubt,

- to ask good questions

- and to work alongside a team to creatively solve 21st century obstacles/problems.