This video is interesting. It's a smart kid who is a good speaker and he talks about school. I can't tell if I like him because it's a good video or if I like him because we're both fans of Sir Ken Robinson and Shane McConkey. Either way, it's centered on education, it's unique, and it's worth the watch. See what you can learn
INSPIRATIONAL SUMMER VIEWING: RACE TO NOWHERE "I'm afraid that our children are going to sue us for stealing their childhoods"
I have a theory about AP testing, though it is still mostly a question that has yet to be answered. I haven't, and don't plan to argue it with the cyber pedagogue pundits, but I have always wondered if the extent to which students sacrifice themselves for the sake of the almighty AP test is worth it. Feel free to comment as you wish if you are convinced one way or another.
Four good friends of mine have argued in favor of the AP slavery, but they also all were top-of-the-class ivy leaguers (a prereq for being my friend). I have yet to hear the testimonial of someone who regrets giving all they did for the sake of the AP, or the IB, or whatever, but I am convinced they are out there, and this highly recommended movie is what makes me so confident: RACE TO NOWHERE (I learned about this film from the book "How Children Succeed" buy Paul Tough, another must-read to be blogged later).
There is a related news segment from CNN on the topic and the movie itself, also worth 6 minutes of your time (especially if you don't watch the whole movie).
Or... if you have poor connection quality, give this article from the Washington Post a go.
How to see the actual film: I'm not totally sure of the answer to this question. They do have viewings occasionally and you can check the website for those. Otherwise, your options are to buy the dvd ($30) or buy a huge package containing rights and a dvd. (same link). I'll be honest, the version I watched was on loan and had Chinese subtitles at the bottom, which is unfortunate not only because I don't read Chinese, but because a film like this should be more readily available. You could show this blog to a couple teachers and get them together at your house then "pass the hat". I don't know, you'll think of something.
Also related: I believe this film also references the book, "The Case Against Homework" by Sarah Bennett and Nancy Kalish. I don't recommend this book because you get the point after reading the first few pages. You especially get the point, if you read this pdf file that sums up all the main points.
With most documentaries or books making an argument about something societal, there is a counterargument and twitter blows up with haters and experts etc.. In the case of this film and book, there is very minimal to say against it. The film/book never promotes a "no homework" or "hard work is overrated policy" at all. Instead, they promote being aware of why and how much and suggest that in recent years we have pushed the "AP mentality" all the way down to kindergarten, which is like adding plates to the weight bench before the kid has learned to lift the bar.
You could be the first hater! If so, leave it in the youtube comment section, not this one. If not, give it a try and see what you learn.
Dr. Rita Pierson, who passed away only one month after giving this Ted Talk, has some insightful and inspirational words to share with educators everywhere concerning a basic, yet often overlooked need in the classroom, "the value and importance of human connection; relationships".
Here is her eight minute Ted Talk. It's worth your time to see what you can learn.
This week is a bit of a personal favorite. It's another Tedtalk, and it is specifically of interest (probably) to English and/or writing teachers. It's a favorite to me not because I love texting or am a purist of American written language, but because I am a big fan of this guy, John McWhorter. I ran several miles with his linguistic lectures in my ears a few years ago. He's brilliant and funny and in this talk he gives a breath of fresh air to those of us who are afraid that texting is ruining written language. Watch and see if you agree or disagree and while you're at it, see what you can learn.
Of all the Tedtalks, this is one of the most famous. It is also one of the funniest, and most interesting. Lucky for our purposes, it happens to be about education. It's really good! Watch it, and see what you can learn.
INSPIRATIONAL SUMMER READING/VIEWING: DANIEL PINK'S "DRIVE"
First off, I apologize for today's Tuesdayedness, I opened my inbox to a barrage of angry emails asking if I knew it was Monday.
This week your recommendation is a strong one. I don't recommend books lightly because reading a book is an investment and you want to hope for the best. This book, "Drive", by Daniel Pink, is one of the best non-fiction I have ever read. I recently finished it for the second time a few weeks ago and it was just as good as the first. The book is about motivation, and what gets people motivated, and under what conditions people give their best performance. The most popular guess (which comes in a tone of "obviously, we all know the answer") is "money". However, the fact that so many people are confident in their wrong answer is largely what makes the book so fascinating. (It's not money)
If you're not actually interested in all the proofs and stories, then I found a really good summary of the "just the facts" version of the book.
If you're REALLY not feeling like reading anything, here's a very well done, condensed version of the entire thing done in a few minutes, with some great cartooning.
The principles in this book are interesting and enlightening. I promise you'll be surprised and there's plenty of evidence so show the proof in the pudding. The ideas you learn will be applicable to any individual, any group of co-workers, and definitely to a classroom. Try it out and see what you learn.
PS: I did forget to mention above, that one very big difference between the actual book and the other two things is that Pink provides a list of schools around the country who practice smarter methods of motivation. At least for me, that list was as interesting as the book itself and I spent lots of time looking up each of them reading their home pages and watching their project videos etc.. A lot to learn there as well.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Some Inspirational Summer Viewing: Geoffrey Canada TEDtalk
If you have not yet seen the documentary, Waiting for Superman, then you should put that on your list. Just to be sure, it will be featured on this blog some Monday this summer. In that film, there are interviews with a progressive educator, Geoffrey Canada. This is his TEDtalk. He is funny, interesting, and inspiring, just like a good teacher. And.... his voice sounds like Marge Simpson (another characteristic of a good teacher). Seventeen minutes of quality. Watch it and see what you can learn.
