2008 Holiday Classic- Harlem, USA

This year's Holiday Classic sponsored by the National Double Dutch League at the Apollo in Harlem yielded another Japanese team taking top honors.
I did not attend this year; me in the throws of winding down the first half of the year with my Oakland students- but Mr. Walker was heavy on my mind. I hope it went down well. Peace to Lauren Walker and her family. The legacy continues...
Oakland, be prepared. We're bring the heat with dj frank nio on the set this summer!

and Happy Holidays from an extremely gorgeous ice-laden Peoria, Illinois- pix to come.

Every day it gets a little easier with improvements...

Lesson Planner Checklist: (updated 11/20/08)

• state lesson objective in accessible language
• have manipulatives, visual, audible, and kinesthetic, and rhythmical components prepped in advance
• timing pace for each stage of lesson
• stick to the “10 and 2” rule of teacher to student talk time
  
• utilize ‘turn to your neighbor’ at least once a day for ‘think-pair-share’ strategy
• students who express extreme behavior will be incorporated into the lesson-covertly as possible and in a way that does not appear to be a blatant reward [T, S, J, A, R, D]
• consistent use of class card deck for random query
• post high level probing questions for students with GLAD color coding
• post student checklist for understanding: ”Did I meet my objective?” “How do I know I know?” poster checklist for key lessons to be used as conclusion review for all lessons
• highlight target areas for areas of general academic weakness (i.e. grammar and writing for this particular group at this time.

lesser objectives to establish a pleasant environment:

• consider at least 6 audio & 1 video supplements to academic standards in a biweekly period
• (i.e. lessons in rhyme, music, subject related material to enrich lessons)
• plant cuttings and vases around the room with a variety of flora
• scented candles to ward off unpleasant scents when students are out of the room

keep it movin'...

Small Piece of Change

November 5th, 2008
Something great big and important has occurred.
Barack Obama has been elected as the 44th President of the United States of America.
Not only is it historic because he's African American, but in light of the turbulent history towards people who have been considered minorities in terms of their social power, this is a feat that speaks to every American and person outside of our borders.

Personhood
Barack Obama being elected by the majority of this country’s diverse citizenry says to the world that WE CAN aspire towards an ideal. We as Americans can aspire towards greatness and can accomplish what humanity deserves: decency, humility and a commitment to come together to work towards peace and personhood. That’s right, personhood: sisterhood, brotherhood, partisan-hood, racial-hood, and cultural-hood. The very act of Obama becoming our 44th president shows the world unflinchingly that we are evolving towards loftier aspirations than what we have currently achieved in this country- for our world.

How Do You Spell OBAMA?
I could explain details of my take on how we got here... but I think I can best express how this nomination translates through an experience with my 2nd and 3rd grade combination class at a ground zero of financial and resource poverty in a distinctive part of Oakland. On Tuesday, November 4th, 2008- yesterday, I gave an assignment to my students. I had a training to attend for half a day so the assignment had to be completed while I was away. The activity required them to put their weekly vocabulary words in alphabetical order on a poster with a title and a nice border.
At the onset of the activity one of the first questions an eight-year-old asked another was, “How do you spell Obama?”

Allensworth
My substitute arrived soon after and I was out. As an aside, to my utter surprise, the arrival of my substitute presented none other than a distinguished 70’s-ish African-American gentle man of fair skin, blue eyes, straighter hair, whom was a member of the Allensworth historical organization. I immediately recognized him from from his visit to my classroom where he appeared in period costume to my class in January of this year. But at the time I was teaching in another school district altogether! For those of you who don’t know, Allensworth is the only town to be founded, financed and governed by African Americans on August 3, 1908. Colonel Allen Allensworth, the norther California community’s founder, was previously one of Kentucky’s delegates to the Republic national convention in 1880 and 1884. (see full details at: http://www.friendsofallensworth.com/allensworth/allensworth_history.html)

Digression
I don’t mean to digress, but as a firm believer that there are no accidents, but a mere unfolding of what is to be- I felt something freaky going on. Suffice to say, what and when things occur in our lives- truly shape who we are. You can either be present and take it all in- or die in ignorance.

100%
When I returned to my class, I returned to posters where the alphabetization was completely on point- albeit secondary to the messages about Barack Obama. All 20 of my students are African American with the exception of one: he is Latino.
“Go OBAMA”
“OBAMA!”
“WE LOVE YOU OBAMA!”
..are just a few of the banner inscriptions. And, there were Obama portraits that consumed more space than the alphabetized vocabulary- 100% accurate by every student.

Welcome to a Small Piece of Change.
More to come.

David Walker, 1942-2008

The founder of Competitive Jump Rope has passed.
Here is a report as noted from Jim Greene.



David Walker, 1942-2008
July 20, 2008

By Jim Greene of the Century Road Club Bicycling Association

David Walker (Det. Sgt. retired NYPD), who founded the annual Father’s Day Skyscraper Harlem Cycling Classic and who revived the sport of Double Dutch, passed away last night in St. Luke’s Hospital of kidney failure. Dave was 66 years old.

In 1973, Dave started a bicycle safety program for children. This bicycle safety program has become the Skyscraper, one of the largest cycling events in the country, often attracting world class, olympic cyclists. This year was the 35th Skyscraper Classic.

Also in 1973, aware that there were no intramural sports for girls in the schools, Dave held a Double Dutch demonstration at Harlem’s I.S. 10 for the NYC Board of Education. The Board of Ed loved it and from the late 1970s through the late 1980s, Double Dutch was an intramural sport in the NYC public schools, with the championships held in Lincoln Center. Today, the big event is the Holiday Double Dutch Classic at the Apollo Theatre which attracts teams from around the world. “Rhythm in the Ropes,” a documentary filmed at the 2004 Holiday Classic and shown on ESPN2, won the Emmy for most outstanding sports documentary.

as reported by
http://www.crca.net/2008/07/david-walker-1942-2008/

Now,
For my input; my experience.
Mr. Walker was an extremely kind and giving soul.
I was teaching at an elementary school in Berkeley in 2007 when I gave Mr. Walker a call one morning. I was frustrated...and elated.

I was frustrated because Chauncey Bailey had been assassinated in Oakland weeks before.
I was frustrated because I found very few people in Northern California willing to take time to elaborate on how to get involved, learn about, and eventually coach jump rope.
I was frustrated because the African American community in particular in the Bay Area is in crisis. More importantly, I wanted to take a seat at a table of leaders to harness the beautiful inspirations that are inherent to inner-city community and channel those energies through Double Dutch jump rope skills.

Yes, Double Dutch in particular. Jump rope is good for kids. We all know that. But there is something about Double Dutch that yields a completely different world of flavor.
Period.

So we talked for an hour.
The next day we talked for two hours about everything from literature to the particulars of coordinating groups of young people in sport.
This was in August of 2007.
By October I purchased a round-trip ticket to New York and was invited as David's personal to come and 'just observe' how the Winter Holiday Classic at the Apollo goes down. Well, it was a life changing experience for me.

I was convinced that I would have a lifelong affair with jump rope arts. But at that time, it wasn't clear to me how. But I come from a thoroughly hip-hop tradition.

One Satuday, December 1st 2007 I walked along 92nd avenue with David as he asked me, "So why are YOU interested in jump rope?"

From there I explained that I was an old school b-boy; choreography. I dig syncopation, rhythm, beats, and style. And I also cared about the fact that these are signature elements of African American soulful expression. I was convinced that these ingredients were key in reaching out and making a difference beyond teaching inner-city youth.

He chipped in about taking a group of dancers to France to perform in a dance festival when he came to a realization about the 'rhythm' of jump rope. He explained that it was,"...the Cuban drum, the rhythm..." that was critical in Double Dutch.

We talked soul.
David was a soulful brother.
And I feel blessed to have had my conversation and laughter with him.
I'm glad I had a chance to share 3D with him.
I'm glad he said it was beautiful.

And as much as I am saddened by his passing, I am encouraged by his legacy that Lauren, his daughter, continues as President of the National Double Dutch League.

True peace,

-Byron R. Delcomb

summer skip

so, as the days progress..
what are you up to?
b.d. here.

here's what's happening thus far...

July 11th through the 13th,
West Coast AAU Junior Olympic Games in Reno-Tahoe Nevada!!!
It's time to grab your ropes and head on over to 'Vada and take it in. The registration deadline was June 20th, but this should be a heck of an event to see how regulated skipping competition goes down.

Check it out:

The 2008 West Coast AAU Junior Olympic Games will consist of boys and girls’ basketball, baseball, diving, jump rope, karate, taekwondo, track & field, and wrestling. Young athletes between the ages of 5-18 are invited to participate, and may register by visiting the event website at www.wcaaujrogames.org. There are additional sports pending confirmation.

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. Founded in 1888, the AAU’s philosophy of “Sports for All, Forever” is shared by over half a million participants and volunteers.

Contacts: Amanda Stokes, AAU National Headquarters, 407-934-7200
Matt Williams, AAU Pacific District, 775-520-5446

THE RETURN OF DOUBLE DUTCHESS...
back in 2002, a bay area skipping crew called Double Dutchess took to the streets of SF with some mad freestyle skills and a quirky sense of humor. They held skipping classes at Cell Space in May of that year.
Well, 6 years later, they're back, holding open sessions, FOR FREE:

Classes are held Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons; there’s an open jump the first Saturday of every month. July’s is in Golden Gate Park — and it’s totally free.

They have also re-emerged as SFC Double Dutch, offering regular rope skipping classes in San Francisco.
For more information, you can check them out at http://www.sfcdoubledutch.com/home.htm

okie doke.
ciao for now.

keep fit.
do your reps.
practice a new move.

-bd

Destination September 08'

Mr.D here.
It's been awhile since I've posted new news, so let me get right to the point:
Double Dutch.
This summer 3D Double Dutch Jump Rope Arts is restructuring the organization in tandem with our music division: d'oiseaux recordings.
To make a long story short- we're getting things organized so that everything is fresh for September 2008. Thats' when the school year gets underway.

And, do we have a lot to bring!
So we've taken all the tracks offline.
Dj frank niao is remixing everything for an album of...
Fusion Routine Music entitled: This is East Bay Step- Music for Double Dutch
So there.

There will be an online Magazine called Birds Who Like Pomegranate that will feature wearable gear, lesson plans, rope skipping info, and much much more.

If it sounds like we're changing our focus- we are not.
What we realized is that what we have here is a solid rope skipping culture that is continually redefining itself. It begins with turning the ropes- and YOU'RE IN!
That's all there is to it. But there are sooooooo many wonderful influences that come into play with jump rope that we just wanted to put ourselves in a position to bring as much of it as possible with a clear and definite focus:
We Love And Support Double Dutch Skipping Culture!

Please Stay Tuned.
We were just in Seattle and caught wind of a crew there that was inspired by our own Bay Area's Double Dutchess: Andrea Gardner who is now doing the Northwest Double Dutch jump rope fitness classes.
We didn't get a chance to actually meet her, but imagine our suprize when the 3D crew was there on holiday at the Fairmount Olympic and in the fancy schmantzy mags that dot your hotel room features a local rope skipping crew?! There just wasn't enough time to connect and have a jam session.

But all that to say, rope skipping is definitely going down in your town!
Speaking of which, we're setting up shop to bring it full blast (back full blast, I should say, 'cause Oakland has some serious rope skipping history!) to OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
So we're based in Berkeley, but we'll set things off nicely in West Oakland- locations to be announced.
Classes? yep. Team? yep. Demo's? Yep.
Will we be back on staff at the Winter Holiday Classic next year at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem? If we can help it, heck yes.

For all of you who have been sooooooo patient, I thank you.
We've got big things coming. In the meantime
heres' a 101, ropeskipping tip:

practice what you want to do without the ropes at first...
get it down.

Then grab your ropes....
and turn on the music!
Go!

-BD

Slings and Arrows: Virtue of Honesty and Clarity

Merriam Webster attempts to define virtue in a collage of phrases, as I can best assemble as: a capacity to act with strength and courage for what is right.
As far as I can tell, honesty is something you are born with, lose, and can spend an unpredictable amount of time recovering various degrees of!
And clarity is something that is best revealed in hindsight.

I am a teacher. I am also a manager. I am paid to do both, within the formal education system. But long before this, I was employed by companies like Noah’s Bagels, Spinelli Coffee, and Real Food Company. The common thread between these occupations is that to be successful it is essential to have a focused objective. In the ‘for profit’ sector, the objective is to increase one’s profit margin. In the ‘social’ sector of education, the objective is to provide access to information so that people may tap into the greatest resource on Earth: themselves.

Epiphanies can be like an anus: every body has one. And what comes forth from one can appear to be a load of crap- but is undoubtably the product of complete ingestion.
Epiphanies are identifiable as random instances of clarity. And that randomness is unpredictable solely because as sentient beings we walk around with an abundance of experiences. Thus, when something occurs to bring those participations home to a catalyst in conscientiousness we say, “Ah ha!” Or something or another.

In other words, it’s all in you and you never know what you’ll go through to bring forth a huge understanding.

Well I suspect new classroom teachers have epiphanies all the time- if their the curious type. A problem is that there are certain teaching traits that don’t go well together: confidence and humility, happiness and sadness, anger and calm; there are others. And poor managers can misdiagnose a curious seeker, prone to regular epiphanies, as a misdirected fool.

Poor managers don’t take the time to put words and actions together by witnessing them with their own eyes. Poor managers are poor communicators. Poor managers aren’t humble. And poor managers never seem to understand that their constituency is their administration as well as those they are hired to administer. Equally. The skill that elevates the manager to virtuous status is...

communication.

Communication is simply the ability to convey meaning. But done well, it renders the hostility of unknowns that accompany management, tame. To communicate well, the first casualty towards excellence is ego. One must give up the notion that they are the ones who do it best or know it all; inherent to communication is facilitation. One must enable others within the act of engagement.

Trust: the great enabler.
With trust comes a freedom to amass the bounty of many a colloquialism:
happiness, togetherness, lovingness, foreverness
we can move mountains
to know is to love
yes, we can
change

If it is so easy to identify the elements of virtue:
trust
communication
clarity
humility- a clear force-field for self-consciousness
oath to service

then it is essential to reveal what is critical to access virtue fully:
safety.

Buddhism taught me safety in silence and space.
The capacity to accept that learning is a continuum has afforded me an understanding that what will be will be. As I am propelled to succeed, it must be true that my students can come to know success as well.

Now, as someone who never had much, I had to, as they say:
‘circumvent the paradigm.’

If I was poor, then I would be rich in spite of it.
If I was lacking education, I was destined to pursue it.
If I was to be banished, I would prove the naysayers as false prophets
and arrive.

If it was said that I ever taught poorly, I would shame them with student success.

Since I was never one with much and fate kept sparing my existence in the direst of life’s circumstances:
lost parentage,
13 elementary schools,
extreme poverty,
escaping tragedy,
and what have you
(or not)

I figured it must be destiny propelling me forth in a hot pursuit of virtue.
And why would I always wind up before the eyes of children-
these little beings that discover honesty on sight?

Believe me, there is no hiding before children. And contrary to popular belief, they are more discerning that most suspect. Lack of judgement based on inexperience is one thing, but keen sensitivity to honesty is another thing all together.
You can’t teach a child that doesn’t trust you.

Lucky for me I never met one I couldn’t teach.

I don’t have a master plan
(although I'm convinced one exists!) tee, hee...
But I have learned 5 key methods of practice along my path; particularly this year:

1. have a clear lesson objective
2. provide a model
3. supply manipulatives
4. allow for silence, regularly
5. differentiation can be as simple as teaching a child to tell you what they need to meet your objective

When these 5 ideas are used in unison, there is an incredible climate of success unleashed.

Some might think that this comes too little, too late.
But at the end of a challenging school year, I would say:
this is only the beginning
as I breathe into a new day

I am better prepared against what masquerades as slings and arrows by stepping closer to virtue with honesty and clarity

as a teacher.

Thanks to my community for yet another experience of a lifetime.

27 students, 5th grade 2006-07’
20 students, 3rd grade 2007-08’
Writer’s Club, 40+ students, 2nd -5th grade 2006-08’

And if they learned anything from me, it will have been how to shine
despite it all.

Sincerely,


yours.

Shakespeare, 3rd Grade Translation

My kids translated the 16th/17th century Queen's English.
Behold their work:

Queen’s English Version, Act 2 Scene 2

ROMEO Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--

JULIET O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

ROMEO What shall I swear by?

JULIET Do not swear at all;
Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I'll believe thee.

ROMEO If my heart's dear love--

JULIET Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract to-night:
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good night!
This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
Good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest
Come to thy heart as that within my breast!

ROMEO wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?

JULIET What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?

ROMEO The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.

JULIET I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:
And yet I would it were to give again.

Kid’s Language, Act 2 Scene 2

Romeo I swear to you by the moon that lights up everything.

Juliet Don;t swear by something that is going to change, unless your love will change...

Romeo What should I swear by?

Juliet Don’t swear by anything. If you must, swear to yourself and I’ll believe you.

Romeo Well, if you think so.

Juliet Don’t swear, even though I like you.
I don’t like our talk tonight.
It’s too fast.
It’s too sudden and intense.
Bye.
Our feelings may have grown stronger when we meet again.
Goodnight.
Let your feelings be like mine.

Romeo Why leave me so sad?

Juliet What do you want?

Romeo Tell me you love me.

Juliet I told you I loved you before, and I would tell you again.


Obrigado, my youg charges...
3rd Graders in Berkeley!

Just a little something to ease their minds as they lock into other parts of their brains for Standardized Testing.
Good luck to us and good luck to you out there in your neck of the woods

P.S.
Stay tuned for the JUMP ROPE RHYME VERSION OF THIS!!
It's bananas, but beautiful.

Shakespeare? Jump rope? Shakespeare? Jump rope?
Sure.
-b

National Poetry Month: Media

What are you doing for National Poetry Month?
We'll be taking a look at the bard who charred...
the man who slammed...
scorched word and stage...
whos' words still ring alive and well after 400 years...
Shakespeare.
but not just any Shakespeare...
but Romeo and Juliet.
excerpt from Scene 2, Act 2: and not, "Oh Romeo.."
although that was tempting.

My class is well versed in the language of defense.
So well are they equipped with this lyrical tendency, most unfit for common camaraderie, that it would be unjust not to grant them a gift of which to put in their linguistic bag of exposure.

If I wax poetic- please forgive me, for I am in shock at an incident I witnessed just yesterday, at the Smokehouse on Telegraph in Berkeley. O.K.

So 4 youth were rousing the cashiers with language most unkind, reflecting the underbelly of language. Products of their environment? Perhaps. What did I do? Observe. And hope.
I hoped that Id' have kids, as they were all no older than 10 years old only to burst forth language that would make a mother cry...(not in a good way), someday in my classroom.

To at least give them this, that my class and I will translate in our own language today:

ROMEO Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops--

JULIET O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

ROMEO What shall I swear by?

JULIET Do not swear at all;
Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I'll believe thee.

ROMEO If my heart's dear love--

JULIET Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract to-night:
It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be
Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good night!
This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
Good night, good night! as sweet repose and rest
Come to thy heart as that within my breast!

ROMEO O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?

JULIET What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?

ROMEO The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.

JULIET I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:
And yet I would it were to give again.

ROMEO Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?

JULIET But to be frank, and give it thee again.
And yet I wish but for the thing I have:
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.

Nurse calls within
I hear some noise within; dear love, adieu!
Anon, good nurse! Sweet Montague, be true.
Stay but a little, I will come again.

Exit, above

grade level: 3rd
teacher objective: present Shakespeare text to children to decode it in our own language as an introduction to Shakespeare text recital
student objective: students will read excerpts of Shakespeare, suggest translations, and write down collectively derived interpretations of text.
CA State 3rd Grade Content Standards: Comprehension
1.1 Retell, paraphrase, and explain what has been said by a speaker.
1.2 Connect and relate prior experiences, insights, and ideas to those of a speaker.

Berkeley Needs Good Teachers...but so does Oakland, Richmond, Fremont, Milpitas, San Jose, San Francisco....etc.

Don't just skip,...skip well. Mind. Body. Soul.

Keep bouncing.
Happy Mid-April, National Poetry Month
-BD

A Letter of Introduction

It's that time of year where new beginnings are on the horizon.
So for those intersted further in the founder, I present a letter of introduction...

"You have a marvelous rapport with children."
-Michele Lawrence, BUSD Superintendent

There is a common colloquialism in education of 'meeting children where they are.'
Since 1992 I have been living the adage. Whether I was volunteering at a children's story time, writing and implementing science curriculum for preschool, I have been genuine with children. And they are the first to recognize it; maybe along with a Superintendent who has been around schools for forty odd years.

Becoming a teacher has been a most natural and inevitable evolution. It's like the mouse and moose from, If You Give A Moose a Muffin, -if I were the moose, I'd take the muffin to m classroom and and ask my kids about it. Why? Because it is crucial for me to always ask myself, "How do I know what they know?" And that always begins with a question for my students. Experiencing and developing the thought processes of children has been a contiguous journey. The sojourn has been even more compelling as a registered coach with the United States of America Jump Rope organization. Double Dutch jump rope is a passion of mine. Kids seem to love it too. In 6 weeks I witnessed my classroom of 3rd graders, a chrysalis, emerge through a full 3 minute 'fusion' routine flawlessly for over five hundred people. We did it together. In addition jump rope has been a tremendous teaching tool when applied in science and mathematics.

As there are varied modalities that children access information, meeting children where they are requires adjuncts to kinesthetic and contemplative approaches. The desire to be understood is a commonality that we all share from our earliest beginnings. Writing is a most powerful and critical discipline for young people. In 2006-07' I started a before-school, voluntary writing club. The attendance hovered around eleven students. This year the class bloomed to fifty-plus students. With a range of attendees from second grade to fifth, students were investigating dialogue, grammar fundamentals, character and plot development, as well as developing nuances of finessing the reader.

My passion is teaching. The capacity of my enthusiasm is bound only by a student's imagination. The profession of teaching is in an age where mediocrity no longer suffices. And it has been my honor to continuously rise to the challenge of it.

In all truth,

brd

Teaching: the Cornerstone of Being

Here is "the thing wherein to catch the consciousness of the King..." or the Queens in each and every one of us:

no child comes to school to fail.

I don't think that anyone likes being awakened by pressing thoughts. At least I don't appreciate it much. But reflection can't be all bad- especially when prompted by Shakespeare and a basic social justice tenet from my graduate studies at San Francisco State.

I have yet to meet a child that has ever come to school to fail. So when some do, for whatever reason, my senses are heightened. The problem with education is: once you know something, you can't act like you don't know. Also one answer inevitably leads to another question!
One's life can be forever changed with what is often an uncomfortable consciousness. I say 'uncomfortable' because either one is (and I fully speak for myself here...) called to action or left with the sense of inaction.

And although there is a place for inaction in meditation, social justice holds the perverbialy inactive accountable.

One thing I have learned about elementary aged children is that they are more inclined to react than to act out of controlled consciousness. That's sort of the beautiful thing about kids. They are truly present in that way. Such presence and spontinaety brings a freshness that is as inspiring as it is compelling.

All this to say, when students fail, I ask, "Why?"
...not only to continuously inform and update my own teaching practice, but more so out of a sense of social justice.

Here's why.
We are all one degree away from the weakest member in society. Don't believe me? Consider this: in an instant, at any instance, your life- however privileged - can go from what it is... to being in complete jeapardy. Maybe even nonexistent. Well, eventually that happens too!

We are all arguably where we are today because of someone else. We all stand on the shoulders of those less fortunate than ourselves. Whether we like it or not, we are all products of assistance- or lack thereof. And as delicious as the idea seems, no one pulls themselves completely up by their own bootstraps. That's just a colloquialism for 'hard work.' For which there is no substitute. But hard work teamed with consciousness- now there's something!

And if we do not or did not get assistance in some way- we may be in dire need of some. So I liken teaching to living by the hand...of assistance. I teach multiple subject elementary subjects in the public sphere. And when others fail to receive or reflect my objective- I ask "why?"

Ah, the barriers
Along my path to formal instruction, it was impossible not to escape the reflections of Jonathan Kozol and others who have dedicated their lives to educating children and reflecting on the barriers that hinder achievement. I went Berkeley at the height of the Affirmative Action debate; circa 1992. It seems that every era has its suspicions or solutions regarding equity.

The fact is, for many children, from many paths and cultures, there are numerous barriers to education. And it often seems like the odds continued to stack up on those less economically inclined. As important as it is to note that financial well-being doesn't necessarily equate with hard work (we all know that you don't get 'rich' by working hard!) financial support can most certainly afford you focus in a way that is impossible without cash.

But what really sustains us? What sustains a student?

To concentrate and focus on the micro, there are all kinds of 'macro' that need paying for.
But with what type of capital?

I meditate on sustainability often because the essence of its concept is at the core of self- improvement. And I teach, so kids can get somewhere. The idea is that if we get what we need, we get where we need to go. And not every body gets what they need- so the onus is often placed upon teachers to provide equity at a fundamental level.

Young people are not numbers, not pieces that move over time from one grade to the next, nor are they foreign from being simply who they are: young people.

A teacher once shared this quote with me:
"Life is not fair, but people can be."

So we can't control what happens to us, but we can definitely make choices and control what we do as a result of what occurs.

I'm just trying to provide youth with a scientific awareness to feed their curiosity, consciousness and meditations so that they may grow to account for their direction. I attempt to meet students where they are so that they may infinitely go further.

My hope is that my students may eventually sustain themselves as global citizens: beyond race, beyond socioeconomic status, and beyond belief.

Best believe that.
3D is about making connections against the odds.

Jump rope.
Eat well.
Think and dream.

-bd

Back to Basics

3D started out as a proposal.
the objective was simple:
... to provide a fun way to learn and exercise by reinforcing academic skills in children between the ages of 7 to 13 through Double Dutch and project-based learning.

It was an idea that was born in Berkeley in September of 2007. The 3D program model required my meeting with a public school Superintendent, a Director of Health and Social Services, a director of a major local foundation promoting sustainable food culture, an internationally recognized chef, and long conversations with the man who founded the rules of competitive Double Dutch.

I am proud to say that I did all that- in 3 months. And in December I took my proposal, student work, and human resource to lend a hand in this past Winter Holiday Classic at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. It didn't take long...

but it was a long take.
My name is Byron, founder of 3D Double Dutch Jump Rope Arts.
My background is in urban art, dance, music, nutrition, and education.

Urban Art
My trip this past December to NY was not my first invitation by a major cultural figure (this being David Walker several months ago) My first invitation was dispatched by a pop artist by the name of Keith Haring. In 1988 I sent a letter to him on 'how a west coast graffiti artist perceives' his work. And it resulted in an invitation to visit the studio. That resulted in the premiere of my higher education at Wagner College on Staten Island.

Dance...Street Dance
But what preceded that meeting was my involvement in dance. I am delving into the archives of my experience because I feel it might lend some understanding of the depth of my belief in Double Dutch jump rope arts. Even my moniker: 'jump rope arts' suggests rope skipping as something more substantial; as it is. I was a break dancer in 1985. And before that, I popped and filled in with cousins in regional syncopated dance groups, circa 1977. What I'm spiraling towards is how my embodiment of the disciplines that comprise what we now understand to be hip-hop culture, is the cornerstone of my approach to jump rope.

Youth: 7 to 13
Although my father did his best to provide me with a thoroughly suburban experience, yet he could not wipe away the effect of navigating my survival of 13 different elementary schools and routine returns to the Contra Costa and Alameda counties public school experiences. My foundation is thoroughly East Bay- Oakland, Richmond, San Pablo...and South Bay- Milpitas and San Jose.

Music
Spoken word swept through San Franciso in it's recent incarnation in the mid 1990's giving birth to organizations like Youth Speaks. It was during this time that I founded Aphenomen Publishing, wrote and performed diatribes to anyone within earshot in cafes and nightclubs. I found the rhythm of the word most enchanting- inspiring lines like:
"Aerial views of natural setting painted meticulously bother one photographer
I know
This person thinks it's a waste of time to paint
Anything in likeness
just so
Without coming
Forward to the touch
It wouldn't show..."

That eventually resulting in musical investigations beyond vocals and syllabication. My imprint, d'oiseaux recordings was born in 2006. BPM's have everything to do with skipping rope- in every genre of music. You've been warned.

Nutrition
As one must work to support one's self, I did so by managing and receiving an education at some of the most respected specialty food services in the Bay Area: Berkeley Natural Food Company, Westbrae Natural Foods, Real Foods, Noah's Bagels, and Spinelli Coffee Company (eventually purchased by Tully's)

Education- The Formal Type
In 2004, I received my B.A. in Elementary Education from Cal State Hayward. I received my preliminary credential from San Francisco State University in 2006. Currently I am completing my 2nd year of instruction at a Berkeley public school. I taught preschool in 1991-1992 at Skytown and at Kensington Elementary School from 2002-2006.

So all this to say, I know a few things about a few things- no more, believe me! And that's a great place to begin, or should I say continue, along a path to greater understanding and the development of today's youth. Jump rope has it all. No, really. It does. It's the 'real deal' in a world that scrambles for solutions to acquiesce to an agenda of quick fixes. There are no substitutes for spending time performing real and relevant activities with children. There are no substitutes for investigations that challenge and inspire young people. There is no substitute for hard work.

My solution is simple,
I'm going back to basics:
add one part experienced, driven, and compassionate human being
add one part open call for assistants in support for our youth
add one part engagement and direction for self sustainability

and add one part watch them grow.

And I welcome you all along.

Sincerely,
-BD

stay tuned to the new website in progress for future organization offerings:
www.doubledutchjumpropearts.com

Sign O' The Times, But We'll Keep It Live!

Race

Barack Obama and I lead pretty separate lives. But on March 18, 2008, the stars aligned and our words on race hit the media. My piece, Architects and Heroes, showed up in Berkeley’s Daily Planet (Letters to the Editor):
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2008-03-18/article/29499

Albeit I am not running for the Presidency, but I am committed to bringing people together across ethnic lines under the aegis of Double Dutch jump rope arts. It just happens naturally with children and this sport.

But something that doesn’t happen as naturally is an awareness of racism. It’s pretty easy to recognize it when it occurs. However, it’s difficult to self-correct our own predispositions and perspectives on race that may incite harm on others.

“But wait, I’m not a racist” you might be quick to say, but I only say that we all have preconceived notions of race, based on the nature of our society, it’s structure, and history. And we all react to the unspoken guidelines regarding race on a daily basis. All I ask is that one try and be mindful when in contact with those who are not of an identical culture of one’s own. Being mindful can begin with respect- but being observant is probably what I most believe is required to truly accept someone where they are; how they are, as who they are.

It's remarkable how the ropes that turn are enticing enough to persuade even the most reluctant child to come closer and imagine what it's like to skip with others- and then do it.

Education

I guess the word is out that Berkeley public schools are ‘pink-slipping.’ If you don’t know what it is like to be told that you will be laid off in a couple of months- be glad. For those it has happened to, the teachers, be woeful. As a teacher who works alongside such committed and talented professionals, it is unfathomable that California is at the lower 50 of state spending per pupil. But day-in and day-out, we as the committed, the underpaid, the hard-working, public school teachers of our little city create sanctuaries and miracles with students. And this is how California’s budget thanks them. Actually it’s a little more tenuous than that. Check out: Student’s Needs, in the link above to the Daily Planet’s Editorial section. The piece is well spoken and informative. As Rakim says, “It ain’t where you from, it’s where you at.”

We are at a difficult venue with regards to public school education in Berkeley right now.

Sport

We at 3d are Double Dutch fanatics,...and jump rope enthusiasts. And as members of USAJR we truly believe in sharing the sport with any and all who want to ‘jump-in.’ What is quite remarkable is how a few guidelines made their way from Harlem to every continent on the planet in an organized fashion in approximately 25 years. Now, with organized jump rope being a little over 35 years old, we are proud to be one of the clubs who look to take jump rope to another level.

But someone who has taken the sport beyond the stratosphere for quite some time is Cindy Joy. Not only is she one of the coaches for the USAJR All-Stars, a founding board member for international rules and regulations, but she still competes in the 50s' up category! Simply put, she is as real as it gets. I met Ms. Joy at the Region 8 Nationals Jump Rope Qualification competition this past Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Santa Clara High school. Her club, Jumping for Joy, hosted and managed the event with world-class cadence. And what performances! I had my young charge with me, 3 year-old red-headed son, so I had to scoot back up to Berkeley before the final events took place. But what a superb happening!

It's an honor to be in such quality company. I am proud of our sport's global tendrils. I am proud of our sports street-side loyalties. I am proud of all the shades of our participants: children, organizers, coaches, parents, and supporters. It is an honor to ‘rock’ the rhymes and rhythms of jumprope. We regularly celebrate dance and music in fusion freestyle. It's amazing to witness the gymnastic element of our activity. These character traits of jump rope arts will keep things fresh and exciting for many, many years to come...for everyone. And we'll be there right along with it. Come rain, shine, and all together.

-BD

Jump! the documentary

okay. so here it is. Director, HELEN HOOD SCHEER does the dang thang.
Jump! is coming soon to add to the cannon of our rope skipping subculture,..

but I was in a high school play once, and a famous line from a classmate who went on to form a rap group called Red, Gold, and Green, and eventually open for BDP and Public Enemy once said, "But, what have you got for me?" -James played Hans of Hans & Gretel fame...

I got this:
you gotta google Elsie Piddock, for those who don't know
or After Hamelin,... like what?! You didn't know your pre-teen rope skipping lit'?!
Shame on you.

We at 3D Double Dutch Jump Rope Arts DO NOT SLEEP.

In the immortal words of A Tribe Called Quest..."keep bouncing!"

-BD

USAJR All-Star Team Member Billy Jackson Visits 203!

Billy Jackson is on the current USAJR All Star jumprope team. And in meeting him in person, you become introduced to a warm, kind, generous, skilled, honest, and generous ambassador of the sport of Jump Rope.

On Thursday, February 21st, Billy came by room 203 to share his rope skipping skills as well as words of wisdom with my students. It is not everyday that a world class athlete and role model just strolls into the room. What's more incredible was that Billy just happened to be in Berkeley visiting a relative. He was on the left coast just off the heels of performing and teaching at Santa Monica's All Star Workshop, February 16th. My 3rd graders couldn't help but show Billy a few moves of their own and gave a live in-class performance of their African American Heritage fusion routine. Accolades and constructive comments for improvement bubbled forth from our special guest about the kid's exhibition. He answered every question. He gave autographs, anecdotes about filming Jump In!, displayed the tools of his trade: Olympic style singles beaded ropes and wire speed ropes, a power routine, flips, triple unders, and ultimately amazed while nabbing the respect of my kids.

So Billy, you have now been officially indoctrinated into our hearts and minds as one of 3D Double Dutch Jump Rope Arts' official heroes and role models. USAJR knew what they were doing when they selected this incredible 19 year old as one of an elite twenty four, to travel the globe in the name of promoting Jump Rope.

We are grateful for having had such a shining example of personal excellence in our midsts.
-BD

Just News: End of January

February 7th is the annual African American Heritage Celebration.

203 will be performing their first fusion routine. Fusion is comprised of jump rope tricks and choreography set to mixed music.

As a pure enthusiast for all things jump rope, we try and remember that children are attracted to skipping because it's fun. To be precise, consistent, and have stamina it takes hard work and many, many, hours of practice.

With a wink and a nod, let's just say we have the fun part worked out. It has been a pure joy watching these children who range in ages 7 to 9 take to jump rope irregardless of skill, culture, or gender. When a cultural pool of 20 kids ranges from Southeast Asian, African American, Mexican, South American, Chinese, European American, German, Tibetan, British/Latino, this kind of diversity is simply worth mentioning. And the academic productivity is equally varied.

Even still, smiles light up at the very mention of Double Dutch.
And performing in front of 500 people for the first time is not a problem.

3D Double Dutch Jump Rope Arts Morning Summer Sessions!

3D is in the process of setting up a schedule for Summer Classes 2008 in Berkeley.
Classes will be in beginning and intermediate jump rope skills. Summer sessions will begin June 23rd and continue through July 31st.
Subjects of focus for kids 7-13 include:

• leadership
• problem solving
• rope skipping and turning techniques
• musicianship and jump rope arts
• health & nutrition
  
• skipping routines

3D actively combines the rhythmical arts of rope skipping with interdisciplinary studies to build ambassadors for a better tomorrow!
Contact doubledutchdelco@gmail.com for further information.

Other Details in the News...because nutrition is key...

January 14 Alice Waters Honored for Edible Schoolyard Project

Help Raise Healthy Children benefit special guest performers was a squad from the Bouncing Bulldogs International Jumprope Club from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. BTW the Bulldogs will be participating in the next Olympics. Event honoree was the Chez Panisse Foundation for it's creation of the Edible Schoolyards project in Berkeley schools.

The key idea behind the Edible Schoolyard project is to educate children about healthy food so as to offset the 'fast food nation' phenomenon where the culture of processed food with high fat and calorie content is contributing to childhood obesity.

It is interesting to note that Alice Waters happened upon sustainable farming in her quest to find the best tasting food. It just so happened that the ingredients that tasted the best came from organic farmers. It was not long after these times (circa 1970's) that the effects of our current eras 'fast food nation' began an alarming trend of childhood obesity.

video interview of Alice Waters on abc7 news from January 11, 2008 can be accessed at...
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=view_from_the_bay/health_fitness&id=5884184

Nutrition Comes First

Okay. The not so glamorous aspect of jump rope is the subject of food. There are so many misconceptions with young people about what's good for them to eat or why and what it does to their bodies, that it's time to be open.

In addition to our fabulous children, Chef Ann Cooper is currently one of Berkeley's treasures.

When it comes to knowledge of nutrition, sustainable food culture, and getting good grub to kids, to see her work is to see the REAL DEAL.

During my quest to connect with as many local resources for 3D as possible, I had a conversation with Chef Cooper. But before I get into that, you've gotta be aware and pick up what she's putting down:

http://www.lunchlessons.org/html_v2/lunch_lessons.html

At 3D we play but we don't joke.
We have tools and information to change a new generation of people by putting KNOWLEDGE IN ACTION.

So as we routinely work refining our rope skills, we educate our young people about food too.

But let's get back to the discussion I had with Ann.

I asked Chef Cooper:

"What do you think is the greatest obstacle for getting people of African American and Latino communities in touch with organic food culture and healthy eating?"

I pointed this question to her because...

1) I am intimately familiar with common culturally relevant foods and the culture surrounding food in this community.

2) Having worked from Harlem to Berkeley California, I strongly suspected that African American and Latino inner city culture would be nothing new to her.

And finally...

3) She is an extraordinarily knowledgeable and socially-conscious chef who is as unpretentious and 'can-do' as you will ever meet. Oh, and she was hand-picked by the Alice Water's Foundation to bring organic food culture to the Berkeley Unified School District.
Yes, she is ALL THAT and HOLD the chips.

In short, she hipped me to the fact that to begin to even answer this question, you need to look at food histories of people. You have to look at each community's diaspora- generations of people and their migration to where they are today. In looking at those migrations, you need to observe what people have regularly eaten with regards to what was available to them. Accessible foods, methods of preparation, and means of consumption have everything to do with peoples physiology- particularly over generations with prevalent practices.

In a nutshell, her answer was: access has to do with changing peoples mindset about eating by taking into account their cultural beliefs and practices regarding food. Equally important is to consider the physical activity in one's life. If you're going to ask a question about a culture of a people or their practices and you're talking food, it is necessary to observe what takes place around the tenets of a healthy and balanced lifestyle: sufficient rest, moderated food consumption, and sufficient physical activity.

We discussed how we have a history in this country where many African American's biological makeup can be traced to ancestors who did extreme physical labor and consumed certain kinds of foods available thus prepared those foods in specific ways. Over time, generationally, bodies adapt to being able to process foods BASED ON THEIR ACTIVITY among many, many, other factors outside of our control by birth.

But activity and eating habits ARE within our realm of control.

A key word is 'activity'. Now rather than tread into waters that got 'Jimmy the Greek' into so much hot water, let's be clear that:
we're talking about eating habits
we're talking about exercise
we're talking about paying attention to the biology that you were given
we're talking about taking into account your food culture and being aware

In a way we're even talking about talking to your doctor.

Because each and every one of us is different. Any information we can get about our body and what keeps it healthy is critical.

It's a shame that our California Governor, Arnold, is not so keen on making information accessible to those who need it most: public school kids!
See DEEP CUTS IN EDUCTION SPENDING,...
(see 1/11/08 SF Chronicle article...) http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2008/01/11/MNVIUD5V8.DTL&type=politics

people in African American and Latino communities are overwhelmingly impacted when costs are cut in education. And education is directly connected to health awareness. And poverty is directly connected to inaccessible health care.

So, as we are what we eat- we think about it. And do things about it. Hopefully more kids will too, with our efforts. And your efforts. Hey, Ann's doing her part!

3D can no longer leave our children without daily active advocacy. We do it with Double Dutch.
Think about what you eat. Chef Ann makes it easy with her Meal Wheel

http://www.lunchlessons.org/html_v2/meal_wheel.html

We're bringing what we know, as conscientious stewards of children's learning and well-being, to the 'table'.

And when it comes to nutritional awareness, we're glad to say that Ann Cooper is someone who is seated right along with us!

Ready your ropes...

-B

We Are Currently Skipping To...

At 3D we focus on Double Dutch Fusion. And yes, it is important to master basic single jump rope skills, but we emphasize 'fusion'-style Double Dutch skipping...for all sorts of reasons that are forthcoming in future postings.

What really contributes to our routines and practices is the music. In addition to over 25 years of choreography and education experience, we SURE ARE LUCKY to have a music producer in our crew. Their name is b.p. d'oiseaux and they make 'nu-skool' jazz and hip hop instrumentals.


You can check out a few tracks they have 'whipped up' for us in 07' at
http://www.musicv2.com/artist/b__p__d_oiseaux

More to come in 08' you'd better believe.

With new documentaries like Jump! and Doubletime, jump rope is experiencing a huge underground current at the moment. But what we at 3D will never forget are the musical roots for our sport. In the 1950's with the proliferation of radio and blues inspired rock & roll, the inner city youth of New York took to the streets and put the heat under their feet to tunes of the day. And there are too many to mention here. 3D will celebrate rhythm & blues' music rich past to provide an ongoing education of soulful music that compounds the rhythm of the street. This is where so much Double Dutch flavor comes from. 'Fusion' is really a reinterpretation of what jump rope has always been in the streets. Jump rope is becoming increasingly gymnastic and athletically 'extreme' but we aren't about to forget the 'soul' in the steps!

But even before music was allowed in competition, rope skipping teams exhumed the rhythm of the ropes in their style. So much so, that as good as teams have gotten in the recent decade, 1970's routines continue to inspire. Just regard the teams featured in the documentary of the 1979 Lincoln Center NYC Double Dutch competition , "Pick Up Your Feet" put out by the National Double Dutch League. Wow. Check it out for yourself by ordering a copy at: http://www.nationaldoubledutchleague.com/Store/products.htm

The viewing might inspire you to retool your entire idea of what is possible with jump rope skill.

Room 203 at the big 'C' in Berkeley is working on a routine. The music include a jump rope classic from Aretha Frankin's 70's classic titled,...

...well we'll just have to leave you wondering until performance time February 7th. That's when we'll unveil the fun at the African American Heritage celebration!

If you so happen to guess the song for our routine - go out and get it and start bouncing yourselves!

-Mr. D

3D Double Dutch Jump Rope Arts, Berkeley California

We usher in a new year with great anticipation to celebrate Double Dutch Jump Rope Arts right here in Berkeley, CA!

For 2008, it's now time
to be present, active, and celebratory in a fresh vision where fitness and education are one. This year's theme is: Keeping it simple. And just how might that be possible?

Everything happens one step at a time.
The key is to be aware of what's going on at the moment and participating fully in the task at hand. Attention to detail is essential. What's the rush?

Mind Body Connection in Parallel Spheres: Brain, Rope, Left, Right.
Right?

If anything was ever on our side, it would be time.
Proper form, patience, and an elevated quality of life is now the order of the day.
When you're at your best, everything and anything is possible. Trust me. It's possible.
In September of 2007, 3D Fitness & Education was born from passion and dreams. If it sounds a lot like love, its' because it is. Love of learning. Love of sport. Love of community. Loving knowing that the world will be a better place after love has been given. And if this smacks of retro Bay Area 'hippy',...nope.

This is the real deal where connections in 08' are coming together for a brighter future for youth.

And just think, all one need do is to stop and listen...
to the ropes.

Finite details on 3D's 2008 schedule of events coming by mid-January.

As an aside, I have been compiling an ongoing time line of significant jump rope arts events that begins in 1973 with the NYCPAL/ David A. Walker collaboration in sponsoring the first Double Dutch jump rope competition outside Lincoln Center. If you are interested in details or have any information to contribute, feel free to email doubledutchdelco@gmail.com!

Thanks.
3d Wishes Everyone A Fantastic New Year of Health, Awareness, And Fun Beyond Imagination!