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In a message dated 7/18/02 10:04:45 AM, jmeans@... writes:

<< sandra,

is that what you would recommend for any child who is healing from the school
experience? what a great idea! it seems particularly good for older kids.
>>

Some of our best conversations and discoveries and jumping-off places have
been movies. Videos, much better, because you can rewind and watch again and
pause to discuss. Someone can watch it all again after the group is done.
Conversations and comparisons will come up for years.

I've been watching all Sam Rockwell's movies. I'm not in a big hurry, but
it's a project. Some I'm getting on DVD from Netflix. They're not all
things I'm keen to share with kids, but I do show them some good parts.
Jerry and Tom is about violence and stupidity, but the scene changes are
really artsy, and some of the scenes (although violent and stupid) are
interesting, and funny. And the acting is good. So that's just for me, not
for me-and-kids. But I did show my husband one scene in which Ted Danson has
a dramatic monolog, and there's a movie showing (made as part of the
production, so that the scenes fit in with the dialog) and that was fun.

Other ways to get kids relaxed and talking are just games, toys, puzzles you
can work with them. Riding in a car.

Here's an essay I wrote a few years ago which was lost (sort of) for a while,
but it on line now. I call it "Leaning on a Truck" but that's not its real
name:

http://sandradodd.com/truck

Sandra