Being the Change
Contents:
Conversations that honor diversity can sometimes create a discomfort, but that doesn't mean that we should shy away from them - we can talk through the discomfort to bring about real change and acceptance. In today's current political climate, this book is so relevant! Jul 30, Sunday Cummins rated it it was amazing Shelves: As I read this, I found myself questioning my own way of being in the world. I created an identity web. I created a four column chart with notes about "what's in my heart," "my thinking," "my identity," "my ideas for action.
I noticed my bias in action. Each of these personal thinking experiences served as a catalyst for deeper reflection.
The remainder of the book discusses the ways in which the author has made changes to his own life to significantly reduce his carbon footprint and live a more peaceful existence in connection and harmony with the rest of the biosphere. It's a great read and call to personal action. It connects gardening to population growth, bicycling to flying in a plane. There are a lot of great examples of how to take action now, as individuals, and some guidance on collective action. Aug 12, Sheryl rated it it was amazing. There are so many practical and powerful lessons in this book for both the entire school community modeled at staff meetings and extended into the classroom.
Sara Ahmed's easy-to-do suggestions for instruction have inspired me As I read this, I found myself questioning my own way of being in the world. Sara Ahmed's easy-to-do suggestions for instruction have inspired me to observe even more carefully as I work with students. LOVE her approach to helping students discover and explore without our direct instruction bias, microaggressions, how to be candid, our "universe of obligation" and intent vs. These "simple" suggestions, though, do require us to be savvy observers--of the world and the students in our classrooms and authentic listeners, committed to a learning stance.
She provides thoughtful suggestions for what we can do when tension surfaces, when we observe students struggling and so forth. More importantly, she provides tips on how to sustain the conversation over time, through current news, as part of tragedies or a crisis that we or our students may face. A few quotes from the book that I underlined as I read: Our goal is to make the process of active listening automatic in their thinking and writing, and to treat listening to someone as an active of love.
In order to discuss, comment on, or write about a topic that I care deeply about but may not know a lot about, I must first admit that I have an uninformed opinion. They don't avoid discussions of identity. Transformative progress is their goal and everyone is a solution. Jul 19, Paula rated it it was amazing Shelves: I think this is a book every teacher who cares about their students' social and emotional well-being and cares about our world should buy and read.
Ahmed shares some easy to implement lessons that tackle some of our hardest issues today: She offers ideas for creating conditions where kids can feel safe to ask questions and examine their beliefs without being judged or preached to. Sh I think this is a book every teacher who cares about their students' social and emotional well-being and cares about our world should buy and read. She encourages us to recognize that we ALL have biases and rather than denying or guilting ourselves, we can use that awareness to be more empathetic and understanding. Ignoring these issues doesn't make them go away-find out how you can be part of the solution in your classroom and beyond.
Aug 25, Mr. A collection of lessons to teach social comprehension. Ahmed refrains from proselytizing, meets students where they're at, and respects their thinking. She also advocates for the classroom to be a place where difficult conversations occur, and where students discuss and explore their differences rather than suppress them.
Unlike the description, the book does not address specific topics like gender, sexuality, religion, or politics; instead, it asks students to think about their identity, and ho A collection of lessons to teach social comprehension. Unlike the description, the book does not address specific topics like gender, sexuality, religion, or politics; instead, it asks students to think about their identity, and how their identity shapes the way they interact with world.
The individual lessons are probably best suited for MS students, but are certainly adaptable for HS. Could work in ELA, social science, or advisory. Jul 17, Ashleigh Rose rated it it was amazing. Go read this book before the year starts with kids. This is the perfect guide to starting truly inclusive, anti-bias communities in classrooms that go beyond surface level or one-time activities.
Ahmed gives a strong call to action followed by practical ideas for conversations, activities, and lessons meant to be ongoing throughout the year, whether to be proactive in making introductions, establishing norms, making connections, in teachable moments, when considering actions and choices of Wow. Ahmed gives a strong call to action followed by practical ideas for conversations, activities, and lessons meant to be ongoing throughout the year, whether to be proactive in making introductions, establishing norms, making connections, in teachable moments, when considering actions and choices of historical, contemporary, or fictional choices made by upstanders and bystanders.
You need this in your life no matter where or what you teach. Aug 21, Mjjohnson rated it it was amazing. This book is an absolute game changer and I highly recommend it for any educator to quickly grab a copy. So many of us struggle with having a skill set that helps guide students through conversations that are challenging or social comprehension. You can find a Wakelet of these conversations here https: I sure w This book is an absolute game changer and I highly recommend it for any educator to quickly grab a copy.
I sure wish I would have been aware of the resources and strategies in this book when I began in education 40 years ago. May 08, Julie Esanu rated it really liked it Shelves: A great book that can be used with students at any age level, but primarily upper elementary and above. Ahmed tackles a sensitive, but incredibly important, subject and provides teachers with clear steps for action to help students explore identity and social comprehension. Meghan Fatouros and I created a Picture Books as Powerful Portals padlet that explores themes such as identity, perspectives, and taking action that would support the work of this book https: May 28, Joy Kirr rated it it was amazing Shelves: I have already incorporated one of the lessons from this book, and I'm excited to incorporate more next year at the start of the school year.
Our classes will then be able to have tough conversations about identity and how it affects our views, reactions, and feelings as we listen to the news, as we read books, as we write. I will be able to talk about "intent" vs. I feel my middle school students need me to take more time to listen to the n I have already incorporated one of the lessons from this book, and I'm excited to incorporate more next year at the start of the school year.
I feel my middle school students need me to take more time to listen to the news they have in their minds, and help them process it looking through the lens of identity. Sep 16, Niki rated it really liked it Shelves: Being the Change is a fantastic resource for educators to teach social awareness, empathy, and humanity. In my opinion, this resource is best suited for classroom teachers in middle school, but all educators could likely find inspiration and useful ideas for their own practice.
I didn't love the scripted conversations, as it felt too prescribed and somewhat demeaning to me as an educator. However, the lessons and activities themselves were very worthwhile. Jul 20, T rated it really liked it Shelves: A readable, motivating, inspiring professional book to help teachers and schools build classrooms and environments where students feel comfortable sharing their real selves, develop their genuine voices, cultivate empathy and social awareness. Timely, pertinent, and full of useful ideas to implement immediately.
Worth reading for any SS or LA teacher, administrator, and counselor. I'll be sharing with my colleagues! Aug 15, Janice rated it really liked it. This is a simple but important book about how to start teaching social comprehension. It offers some very doable scripted ways to start something that, without the script, could be really scary for some teachers.
It includes ideas such as identity webs, universe of obligation, my news, how to start talking about bias, the difference between intent and impact and how to be a compassionate observer of the world. I highly recommend this for my teacher colleagues.
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Jul 24, Denese Anderson rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book almost makes me wish I was back in the classroom. The author presents several lessons, with step-by-step instructions, for teaching topics such as identity, biases, and building empathy. More importantly, the author gives tools that educators can use to address difficult conversations and teach students the skills that they need to be empathetic citizens. Jul 25, Lorie Barber rated it it was amazing. Ahmed breaks down social comprehension into bite-sized, easily-digestible lessons that students will understand and from which they have enormous potential to change themselves and make the world a better place.
Jul 26, Sarah rated it it was amazing. I am sorry I put off reading this book! Sara's writing is like having a conversation with a friend who nudges your thinking. Be sure to a look at the ancillary materials provided on the Heinemann website and the responses by other readers on this summer's cyberpd Twitter exchange, and don't miss her other book, Upstanders, written with Smokey Daniels. Sep 03, Brittany rated it it was amazing Shelves: Love learning more from Sara Ahmed, such a needed book in my professional life and in our world.
Great suggestions and tips from a veteran educator on building a class community that is a safe, social, coherent community for learners. And how to not just "get to" SEL, but use empathy to reposition ourselves within and beyond our content. Jun 22, Sarah Peddicord rated it it was amazing. Being the Change outlines specific lessons and norms for teaching social comprehension.
It is filled with steps to introduce and deepen learning through the year. It is a fantastic resource for any teacher. While admirable, I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony when the author mentioned that he met this friend as the friend was catching up on emails at the public library That did not sit well with me. The author describes many of his personal practices, including but not limited to bicycling more often than not, mediation, growing his own food, freeganism, rejecting airplanes, composting humanure, drying clothes on a clothesline, ditching the heating and air conditioning systems, and keeping bees.
Again, while these are all wonderful practices, and I would love to do many of the same kinds of things minus the beekeeping , the author lives in southern California, where the growing season is year-round, the air temperature is rarely too hot or too cold, and there are both mountain and beach escapes within a stone's throw. Not everyone lives in such a place, and I doubt he would suggest that we all move to southern California to further deplete the limited resources there. Don't get me wrong; he does state from the outset of the book that we should all do what we can, no matter how small, but then so often I felt there was a tad too much preaching and sanctimony going on.
A recurring theme throughout the book is to stop flying on airplanes, immediately. As a person who in recent years has made some serious steps in what I think is the right direction to reduce my own carbon footprint, I am fully aware of the toll that flying in airplanes takes on the biosphere, and I am guilty as charged.
However, my family's situation, and my husband's career as a diplomat, requires us to live overseas and we get there by flying and yes, we take additional trips by flying. This got me thinking There would be no diplomacy, no humanitarian aid, etc. I don't know whether that is more valuable that is more valuable than slowing the rate of global warming. It seems to me that we can't have it both ways, at least not until there is a fossil-fuel-free alternative to flying. These thoughts don't sit well with me, as my head says I should stop flying, but my heart says that seeing the way other cultures and people live is so important to understanding and promoting community, which is something the author also holds dear.
I don't know the right answer on that. No matter how much we think we are doing to be good stewards of the environment or, more preferably, the biosphere, which the author uses and which I like , we can always, always, always do more. This book provides a lot of inspiration and ideas that everyone can try But, we can all do something, and for that reason, I would recommend reading this book and trying to keep your guilt at bay while doing so and then changing that guilt into something productive. Climate change is the challenge of our times.
Barring nuclear war, it's the thing that will most affect our children and their children in turn.
Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution – Excerpts
But it feels overwhelming. What can I do about it? This wonderful book courageously tackles this difficult question. The author, a climate scientist, speaks from his personal experience, describing how it came to feel wrong to burn fossil fuels he sees the suffering it's causing, e. Harvey and giving specific detail as to how he cut back his emission Climate change is the challenge of our times. Harvey and giving specific detail as to how he cut back his emissions. He argues that this is a good step that anyone can take and that it helps create a cultural shift.
Maybe this is part of why we're doing so little about it as a society?
Being the Change is based on the idea that people can develop skills and habits to serve them in the comprehension of social issues. Sara K. Ahmed identifies. Ships from and sold by www.farmersmarketmusic.com Being the Change: Lessons and Strategies to Teach Social Comprehension Paperback – March 22, Sara K. Ahmed is currently a literacy coach at NIST International School in Bangkok, Thailand.
Far too many climate books come off as preachy or try to make readers feel guilty. This book is unique in that it does neither. I've been feeling anxious about climate change for a long time; this book helped. Oct 04, Erin rated it it was amazing. This book may not inspire everyone to cut back on fossil fuels but it will inspire some to take action. It will inspire more people to ride bikes, to garden and compost, to consume less. And those people will in turn inspire others. What Kalmus says is true, it is not enough to wait and hope that governments will mandate an end to fossil fuels.
We have been waiting and meanwhile emissions have been increasing. We have to begin with ourselves. And when we do take action we will feel happier. In a This book may not inspire everyone to cut back on fossil fuels but it will inspire some to take action. In a decision that was as much economical as environmental, my family no longer owns a car. And yes riding a bike instead has made me happier.
Growing some of my own food instead of feeling guilty for buying vegetables that have been shipped from another country has made me happier. Kalmus has other ideas for living low carbon and although some of these ideas sound extreme, he doesn't come across as radical. He presents low carbon living as a great adventure.
This book is well worth reading even if you already are trying to Be the Change. It's rare to find a book that is written with compassion but it also honest and realistic, this is one. The author's scientific background informs a climate perspective and action plans that are realistic and can make a meaningful difference in the face of such a large problem. Also one of those few books that realize solving our current crisis will require the end of the growth economy and the end of the idea that humans are separate from the world around us.
In the first third of the book, Being the Change offers a sweeping survey of current climate science, before moving on to explore how individuals can effect real change on a personal level, while elevating that change to a pilgrimage of spirit. Jan 29, Linda rated it really liked it Shelves: Reading Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution will show you that you can hugely reduce your fossil fuel use and have a good time doing it. I read the back cover and flipped through the book. I think many people are fearful of life with Reading Being the Change: I think many people are fearful of life without fossil fuels because they are worried that it will be all about struggle and deprivation.
I liked the upbeat tone of the book so I bought it. Read my review at https: Dec 11, Chris Anderson rated it really liked it.
See a Problem?
Being the Change is a rare combination of Buddhist philosophy and climate activism which provides a fresh look at this important issue. There are a lot of great examples of how to take action now, as individuals, and some guidance on collective action. However, one major downside of books like this is their implicit assumption of relative wealth and privilege.
Climate activists must also Being the Change is a rare combination of Buddhist philosophy and climate activism which provides a fresh look at this important issue. Climate activists must also address income inequality, the real differences between regions in terms of weather, and the difference between rural and urban areas. Nov 27, Marie rated it it was amazing Shelves: Our society is built around chasing happiness through consumption.
May 13, Ellen rated it really liked it Shelves: We shall see how our future progresses. Sep 17, Luca rated it really liked it Shelves: At times dismaying, but often inspiring, Being the Change is a friendly introduction to transitioning to a more sustainable, more connected, and happier lifestyle. Kalmus' s insights are accessible and relatable, while never shying away from the full truth. Rather than leaving me feeling depressed and hopeless, this book left me feeling empowered to take steps, however gradual, to change my own life, and the conversation with those around me.
Jan 18, Terry rated it it was amazing. I liked this book so much here is a copy of the thank you email I sent the author. I want to send a quick thank you for writing and sharing it. It is by far the most balanced, intelligent, heart centered, and common sense climate change related material I've read. Thanks for making it personal and I hope your outreach inspires others as much as it has inspired me.
I feel empowered and transformed. Dec 04, Betsy rated it it was amazing Shelves: It takes a unique mind to encompass the science of temperature trajectories due to rising atmospheric CO2 and the equanimity achieved through meditation. Being the Change demonstrates Peter Kalmus' skills and passion in both these areas and gently encourages us to take specific actions and, more importantly, change our mindset from one of sacrifice and despair to joy and peace.
Apr 06, Ryan Hebert rated it really liked it. Honestly if it wasn't for all the bits about meditation I would give this book 5 stars. It's a great read and call to personal action. Sep 16, Annie Cheng rated it it was amazing. Refreshingly honest and easy to follow. This book gave me much to ponder in terms of considering my own way of life and hypocrisies, and how it contributes to global warming.
Peter Kalmus has written a profound book about the science of global warming, and a profound book about love: C Peter Kalmus has written a profound book about the science of global warming, and a profound book about love: Can we convince people that a high-energy lifestyle is unnecessary and destructive, when we act as if our lives depend on that lifestyle? Can we be happily productive agents of change, while we are caught up in the high-energy whirl of consumptive capitalism?
Andrew rated it it was amazing Nov 21,