Photographs are a wonderful way to tell a story. Arnold just brought home a set of photos of a trip we made to Yosemite. As I looked through them, I thought of the possibility of telling you a story about us that might help you understand why sometimes I don't get everything done that you and I would like me to. You already know about King Tut and Cleopatra, and our neighbor's cat, Racer. But there's Arnold, too. And sometimes he's as demanding as the cats.

Why does this lived experience story matter? Especially to my classroom teaching. Shouldn't I just teach objectively and neutrally, and you could care less about my lived experience? Not really. Not anymore than I should care less about your lived experience. Lived experience is part of the measurement of our lives that makes us unique and humane. It's the part we miss with numbers and demographics. The very first and most important part of teaching is caring about your students and their learning.

So what can you tell from my picture story? Check out the discussion questions.

OOPS! That's not Arnold. That's a deer that was out climbing Yosemite with him. Photo 1.

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Yep! Yosemite Photo 2.

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Gearing up to go play with his deer friends. Photo 3.

Hang on, I'm coming! Photo 4.

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Wow! What a View! Photo 5.

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OOPS! Wrong View Photo 6.

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Don't Go Near the Edge! Photo 7.

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Arnold's Deer Friends Photo 8.

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The Lion King! It's a Sign!!! Photo 9.

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Discussion Questions

1. Do you think that Arnold and I play together?

   Consider that I'm not in these photos. I was at the Ahwahnee, nowhere near this scene. But look at the titles of the first photo and the sixth photo.

2. Do you think that play matters in an adult relationship?

   Consider the tensions and stress of living in the fast track. Play is an innovative, creative activity. No schedules, demands, need to prove anything. And it has to be shared. Would those titles have worked if Arnold didn't share the fun? Mead speaks of the importance of play for children. Consider how the same might apply to adults.

3. Do you think that Arnold is gentle?

   Consider the eighth photo. Are the deer running? Or do they seem calm and unafraid. I think they're lying there quite contentedly, from what I can see.

   This file took a long time to do. I can't do dozens like this. But do you think that you could e-mail two or three pictures of a story about you or your family? Don't make me do all the work. Tell me the story you're trying to tell by the pictures. We'll work together on it until we can put it up as a Lived Experience story. jeanne