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Stuff

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  Teachers are notorious for using lots of stuff;  to my mind, too much stuff.  They use stuff for the sake of using stuff...  or Novelty Which reminds me that George Carlin has something to say about stuff.  It's a problem. If you don't believe me,   Google "Teacher too much Stuff" or "Classroom Clutter" Adding to the stuff on the walls and the stuff on the tables, desks, and shelves (some even add stuff on the floor) teachers and/or schools like to use a lot of stuff. Consider the following tale of truth from Melissa Willets (2023), author for Parent magazine and mother of four school age children. My elementary school-age kids ’ teachers use an app called ClassDojo that tracks class participation. Then there’s IXL for reinforcing math skills—but I need another app called Clever to access IXL, as well as a host of additional apps that tackle other subjects. I have to open another app altogether called Schoology to contact a teacher with questions a...
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Grit

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The three pictures below feature a common experience.  What do you think it is? Tethered Boom O Rang The Bottom Step Ballroom Dance Failure All of these images represent failed attempts to accomplish a desired end. The ribbon was intended to insure that the Boom O Rang came back. It didn't. The bottom stair is where six crawling babies learned that they could fall. This competitive ballroom dance team breaks the hearts of hopeful teens annually. ... and yet, these images also represent potential for achievement... He caught it! She did it! They nailed it! Every failed attempt is an opportunity to develop tenacity. How many times will a child try? What strategies will she develop?  Which muscles will be strengthened? In her 2013 TED Talk, embedded below, Doctor Duckworth explains her research revealed that grit is more important than talent or intelligence. “...grit grows as we ... learn to dust ourselves off after rejection and disappointment, and learn to tell the difference ...
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Spat

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  Tragic!   He's overly confident, assuming he can charm his way back into her heart.    Meanwhile, she's planning to rip his out and feed it to the wolves.  Is there any hope of reconciliation?  Can this relationship be saved?  Sadly, these misunderstandings are more common than necessary.  Scenes like this, and far worse, play out every day, maybe multiple times a day. It doesn't have to be this way.  Every interaction is an opportunity to connect, to strengthen, and to build.  Yet, many lack the skills. Conversation Connection Conflict Curiosity Compassion Contempt Criticism   My high school students are highly engaged in lessons and activities on this topic.  They genuinely want to learn, practice, and perfect these skills.   Until now, I have always woven these lessons throughout the usual  Social Studies and ELA content.  Encouraged by student interest and my desire to foster mutually beneficial ...
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Vend

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  The bustle of business fills the halls, foyers, and gymnasium. Almost any open space large enough to display wares is buzzing with exchange and rife with tantalizing aromas. From January through May, my Econ students operate businesses they have created. Pet Rocks, Italian Sodas, Love Letters, Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches, Freshly Baked Bread, Custom Key Chains, snacks for pet rocks, and so much more are available at the MicroMarket.  The ingenuity is impressive! Resources Supply and Demand Capital Investment Risk Competition Elasticity Inventory Factors of Production Profit and Loss Labor Price Exchange ROI Opportunity Cost Analysis Margin Interest Decision Systems Market/ Paradox Homo Economicus Advantage Optimization These terms leap off the pages of the text and into students’ everyday vocabulary.                                      Examples of Student Marketing   The Micr...
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