Lynn Rubright’s Weblog

I always love it when you come to my class (to teach Mama’s Window and discuss your film, “Oh Freedom After While”) …such energy, wisdom, expertise and love for life!

Dr. Ted Green
Associate Professor, Social Studies
School of Education
Webster University
St. Louis, Missouri

Lynn will be giving a workshop at Saint Louis University on Sept. 10, 2008. The workshop is called Bringing Lectures to Life Through Stories and Anecdotes,
A Conversational, Interactive Approach to Teaching Content.

It is sponsored by the Center for Teaching Excellence at Saint Louis University. For more information call 977-3944.

Mama’s Window - a reflection by Dr. Diane Chakraborty, Psy D, Psychology Fellow, University of Minnesota

You have created a wonderful story and characters who inspire. I really identified with Sugar’s fighting spirit and sense of justice/injustice. Itís very interesting to think about what this may have looked like in the young Owen Whitfield (upon whom you modeled Sugar). When I think about some of the lessons of the book, I feel that one of the most important is about the transforming nature of grief and loss. Sugar moves from grief to integrating the loss of his mother into a loving and active memory. I also love the lessons around confronting oneís fears and/or traumas. It’s nice to see Sugar evolve in (his relation to) nature, to watch the impact of his being immersed in the swamp.

The relationship between Stewie and Sugar was important in that, obviously, so many of us, and kids, deal with serious bullying. The Pearsons’ reaction to Sugar’s fighting Stewie was a nice hook in the story. Sugar’s sense of injustice was very engaging. The story to me- was also about integrity, being true to oneself — honesty, and hard work. The central characters in Sugarís life ñ his mother and uncle ñ personify these characteristics. This is a story that really stays with you.

James Earle Martin, known as Sugar, is having a rough time. His mother has died, and he is living with his Uncle Free on a swamp filled with snakes, bugs, and leeches. Because of a railroading accident, Uncle Free can barely walk and uses only one arm. The women from Sweet Kingdom Church disapprove of his mother’s choice for his guardian. Young Stewie Pearson calls Sugar ’swamp rat’ and detects the smell of fish. Just when things couldn’t get much worse, Sugar learns that the trustees of Sweet Kingdom have reallocated the money his mother donated for a stained-glass window featuring black angels. After the years she spent saving money in turn-of-the-century Mississippi her dream and her memorial will not be represented when the new church building is dedicated. Young readers will root for Sugar as he learns to fight for his mother’s dream and to enlist others. Of equal importance, this short novel values Uncle Free’s self-sufficiency, the bonds of extended family, and the challenges of community. Mama’s Window slyly creates outsiders and insiders who ultimately prove indistinguishable from one another. —Lisa Woolley

Jackie
Your description of the characters and their surroundings put us right there in Mississippi. I yelled out loud when Sugar lost his pole and oars. Papa thought something was wrong with me. Actually, I yelled out a “bad” word. I laughed out loud when Sugar whacked Stewie across the face with the fish. Finally, he stood up to him. Uncle Free turned out to be a soft-touch. Mama did know just what she was doing. After three months or so with Uncle Free, Sugar finally felt like the swamp was home.

Papa
I’ve always been a city boy, but after reading your book, I felt like I was down South in the country. Each page painted a picture. I could see the island the night of the storm. I could see the construction on the church and the stained glass window. You are truly a wonderful storyteller, author, and human being. Keep up the good work!

Warm regards,
Jackie and Papa

The descriptive language and colorful characters made “Mama’s Window”
an excellent read-a-loud choice for my fourth grade class. The students
were begging to hear more about Sugar and the swamp and when it was
finished, they were requesting the sequel. The story provided
springboards of discussion on a wide range of topics from the medicinal
uses of leeches to the importance of creating memorials; from the
scientific study of Cypress trees to debates on how to face your fears.

Jean Turney, 4th grade teacher, St. John the Baptist School, St. Louis, MO

I plan to use Mama’s Window with children who grow up with grandparents, uncles and unrelated (distant) relatives, and children of divorce who must spend a designated period of time shifting from home to school and 2nd home leaving old friends and unable to make “new” friends. There are many instances of courage especially for young boys in MAMAs book. I love it.
Caroline Penberthy, MSW, St. Louis, MO

Comments on Mama’s Window by 4th graders at St. John the Baptist School. St. Louis, MO

Mrs. Rubright - In Mama’s Window I liked the part where Sugar hit the snag and the boat smashed into pieces and Sugar was trapped, because I like mysterious books and war books. Mama’s Window was mysterious and adventurous and it brought out nature. It kinda meant if you’re disabled you can still work. Andy!

Thank you Mrs. Rubright. I appreciate your coming. I love the book (mama’s Window) so much I decided to make my own book. It will be called Might Mom. I love to make stories. Sincerely, Ariel

I like how your story all fits together and I also like the ending. Sincerely, Shane

Just finished reading Mama’s Window to my class. They want to know if there is MORE. They love it. We are playing around with it now. I loved this book when I read it last summer, but watching the faces and enjoying it with the kids as I read it to them was incredible. They always like to hear good stories, but they just begged for the next chapter. it is so rich with detail and description, they were there in searching for snags in Sun lake, smelling te catfish frying and living every moment.
Jean Turney, 4th grade teacher, St. John the baptist School, St. Louis, MO.

(Note from Lynn) Jean received a National Geographic grant to have me come work with her students in a storytelling workshop, which will include my program on the development of Mama’s Window. The children have been researching trees in Forest Park, St. Louis, and some of the children, inspsired by the setting in Mama’s Window, have chosen to study cypress trees growing there in a simulated swamp in the aviary of the St. Louis zoo.

Masters of Teaching (MAT) Student comments on week long Storytelling Institute, Summer 2005, Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri

- Great class. Great teacher.
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- The actual course was great and Lynn was inspiring.
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- I truly believe this course was the most beneficial one I have taken at Webster.
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- I feel like I left with practical information and strategies I can use in my teaching position.
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- Lynn’s accomplishments are great and I was definitely impressed by her wide range of her experience. The “Oh Freedom After While” experience was quite moving!
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- Great professor! Neat ideas.
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- Excellent course in every way.
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- I am already preparing ways to incorporate storytelling with greater frequency into my curriculum!
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- It was awesome!