The San Francisco School Perspectives Project
Several months ago, Perspectives editor Mark Trautwein received a package containing 31 Perspectives, the work of a sixth grade Humanities class at The San Francisco School, an independent, private school. The Perspectives impressed him; many were deeply personal and revealed the struggle of young people starting to form their own opinions of the world. Trautwein worked with the teacher of the class, Ruth Corley, to present the pieces as web-exclusive Perspectives.
The San Francisco School Perspectives
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:55 PM
Two Moms and a Donor
It wasn't easy for Abigail to understand the difference between a father and donor when she was just five years old. But now that she's 12, she couldn't be happier with her unusual family.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:50 PM
Saying Goodbye
Saying goodbye to her college-bound brothers is tough for Aimee, but living at home without them is even tougher.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:30 PM
Tata
Andrés experiences the death of his grandfather, his family's grief, and his own memories of a man he dearly loved.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:20 PM
My Dog
Antonio's new puppy has a little bit of every family member's personality, and when Antonio needs a friend she makes the lonely feeling go away.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:10 PM
Transferring Middle Schools
Transferring schools puts a huge dent in Arun's childhood.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:00 PM
One Room for Me
Crystal longs for a room that is truly her own.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:50 PM
The Best Team
A new soccer team is both an athletic and a social challenge.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:40 PM
What I Like About Soccer
Whether he's scoring or passing, doing the 'snake' or the 'hocus pocus,' soccer has taught Eric that practice really does make perfect.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:30 PM
I Hate Video Games
Eytan has better things to do than being a couch potato and killing things, and that doesn't make him too popular with other boys.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:20 PM
Spend More Time With Them
An accident makes Gabriel aware of his grandparents' mortality, and he vows to spend as much time with them as he can. He'll even pretend he likes going to museums.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:10 PM
Having Divorced Parents
It's been hard for Isaiah to live in two houses and cope with two families since his parents divorced, but he doesn't expect or want anyone's sympathy.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:00 PM
My Mixed Emotions and My Adoption
Jackson knows the story of how he was given up by his birth mother and adopted by his parents. And he wonders if the whole world is a ball of mixed emotions like his own.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 9:50 PM
The Jump
Going from fifth to sixth grade was a big jump for Jordan, who worries that maybe she's growing up too fast.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 9:40 PM
My Happy, Excited Attitude Makes Me Different
A good attitude can take you far in life, and Kobi takes a funny, happy approach that makes for a better world around him.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:50 AM
Missing My Dad
With a father in Los Angeles, Lauro is haunted that he is growing up without his dad.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:40 AM
We Are All Our Own Selves
Amara keeps a lot of her thoughts to herself but one thing she knows for certain: you were born an original, don't be a copy.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:40 AM
Bernie's Death
The death of a favorite uncle is Lily's introduction to mortality, mourning and a lesson in never taking anyone for granted.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:30 AM
My Parents
For Lucy, her parents' split offered benefits from the mundane -- double the living space -- to the sublime -- a happy mom and dad.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:20 AM
Chocolates
Luis adores chocolate and was thrilled to discover San Francisco's famed Joseph Schmidt chocolate store -- one month before it closed forever.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:10 AM
The Best Baseball Game Ever
Mark comes to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh inning of his Little League championship game.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 11:00 AM
Jealous Or Not, Here He Comes
A new baby brother enters the family, and jealousy is part of the package.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:50 AM
Cliques
Naomi's world is a mosaic of social cliques, but she's unwilling to pay the price of admission to any of them -- giving up her own identity.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:40 AM
My Grandparents and Me
When she goes to her grandparents' house, instead of being taken care of, Nina takes care of them.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:30 AM
The Environment
The way adults waste resources and pollute the environment, one thing is crystal clear to Niza -- The Earth is an important place.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:20 AM
Letting It Go
As a dancer, Noa had to deal with criticism and rejection, and often she felt hurt. But she learned an important skill -- letting it go.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:10 AM
Relationships With Siblings are Complicated
When Raul was told he would soon have a baby sister he knew life was about to get complicated, starting with the room he would now share.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 10:00 AM
The Little Stranger
After eight years as an only child, the arrival of a baby sister brings a lot of drama and a new friend to Sam's life.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 9:50 AM
Moving Schools is Hard
Shane was frightened to change schools in the fourth grade, but by the end of the first day his new school was his school.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 9:40 AM
Friends
Friends are good to have. Good friends are even better.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 9:30 AM
The Hard Things About Moving
Tessa has moved a lot -- 17 times, in fact -- and while it's been hard it's also preparation for life.
Perspectives | Tuesday, Mar 02, 2010, 9:20 AM
Breast Cancer
It was hard for Yma to see her mother undergo breast cancer treatment, but the good that came of the experience changed her forever.
