Trauma and Life Goes On

Simple Machines

We started to study simple machines. We are reading Kid's book of Simple Machines. It has very kid friendly language, pictures and activities. In addition we are watching the following series, and making the experiments. We are mainly interested in verifying that larger force translates to smaller distance and vice versa i.e the trade off everyone talks about.
Pulleys Demo
Inclined Plane
Levers
Wedge
Wheel and Axel








Gender and Racial Equality

Children have to be aware of this existing injustice. Otherwise there is no hope that this ill be once and for all uprooted from the legacy of human history. Towards this end we are reading some fine books related to the approaching presidential election.

Belva Lockwood was the first woman who ran legitimately a presidential campaign. She did not have the right to vote, but she had the right to be heard. Heard she was. Men voted for her. Officially she had 4,100 votes, but voter fraud is not to be overlooked.

Elizabeth led the way for women's right to vote. An uphill battle, against prejudice and stigma, but as a woman I am grateful for this woman's courage and persitence.

Elizabeth Blackwell-the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. Many women followed her steps. She began her practice with women and children in need. A book every young girl shuold read. There is no reason not to reach what you desire.

I am excited to be reading the story of the black female computers who hlped put NASA on the world stage and white men on the Moon.



My Readings

The tragic life of a genius who saved humanity from hunger, and who contributed to the chemical weapons in WWI and the poisounous gases used in the gas chambers of WWII. Much more tragic in my mind made by the unfortunate similarity between my brother's life circumstances and this man's.

Roller girl is a nice, quick, comics-style book about a middle school girl, learning about life. It is sweet narration about growing up, finding friends, learning about friendships and your own strengths. I would have recommended it to my niece had the current events not happened.

Sadness

This has been the best book I have found which presents the notion of suicides to young readers. It is a painful narration but a simple and understandable.

Someone I loved died by Suicide is wonderful. It uses precise and careful language so as to introduce the subject, the concerns, the answers in unstigmatised, open way.

I have not read this book yet and cannot comment but it was highly recommended to me.

After a oarent's suicide is extremely useful resource. I had concerns about my niece and nephew's lack of response, but from reading it appears to not be unexpected. Everyone grieves in his/her own way, and we should accept it. Be vigilent but let them mourn in peace, at their own pace and time.

Since my sister-in-law's passing left behind two young children, I was compelled to learn more about the way children perceive and deal with death. It is a heavy subject. It causes me a lot of sadness and stress, but I am glad these resources exist. I am sad that they exist because someone before me was the data point.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Risk, Signs, Ways to Help

I learned that if you notice that someone appears suicidal, you have to ask them directly if they are. You are also to let them know that confidentiality will be disregarded because there is help for them.

May peace be with you