Honor Role

Day 108:

Today I had the privelege of reading the names of 7th grade students that earned a 4.0 GPA for the Fall Semester during our Honor Roll Assembly. A treat indeed.

The experience took me back to when I got my first video game console.

I was in the 2nd grade and my parents sat me down and told me that due to my much improved report card, they were going to reward me with the original nintendo system. I wish I could write that in second grade I too earned a 4.0 - that it was academic merit that would enable the merriment I would find in fireballing bowzer. But alas, my parents gifted me the NES because my report card finally didn't say "Talks too much".

Needless to say, this phrase would follow me most of my academic career.

I've been blessed with lessons galore over the past few weeks. I'm tempted to share them here, but part of what I've learned is that the weight of hashing what has been can be a bit cumbersome - besides, moving forward is far more fun.

But one key lesson I've been learning over and over all week(s) long, the lesson that's connected to my 2nd grade greatness, is to LISTEN.

For the first time in a while I'm doing some deliberate deafening of the tongue while letting my ears ring freely.

At first glance, it may not seem so, but I assure you that it is.

I'm listening more to my body and refraining (although maybe not as much as I should) from consuming the negative nuggets that are no where as good as Mother's natural foods.
When it comes to the conversations I have with others I'm listening more to the words rather than trying to make my own meaning of them.
I'm listening more to my mind as I close in on the trails my thoughts journey along, trying to connect the consequence of how one thought leads to another, of how this thought leads to that.
I've been listening to the fact that I'm better than what I've been, and am trying to make it so.

Point blank, I'm simply listening.

The inspiration behind this lesson, behind these efforts, were the truthful words of this man.

Have a listen for yourself...





Now think about what you just heard, and then give listening a shot...after all, you may very well be pleasantly surprised by the sounds you stumble upon.

What have you been listening to lately?
What have you learned today?

Getting back on Track

Day 105:

My apologies for entering the realm of triple-digit-days without so much as a hello....it's been far too long since the last post.

Life has been not so usual.

The good news is the inspiration for this effort, and much more, has been rediscovered.

Today I learned that motivation really can be found behind the flip of a switch.
Today I learned how to look forward to tomorrow.


What are you looking forward to?
What have you learned today?

At the ready

Day 96:

While cruising at the Crew tonight a cute young couple strolled in with their even cuter young ones. The boy one of about 4 years needed the restroom, so mom handled that effort while dad stayed out on the floor (where all the merchandise is displayed) and played with the infant girl one in the mirror.

Watching this family getting on with their cuteness immediately made me want my own tiny tikes.

About 30 minutes later a child that was not shopping in our store began to cry uncontrollably just outside.

This had the opposite effect.

This also made me realize why I do not have kids.

Upon sharing this realization with my manager, she naturally asked, "When is anyone 'ready'?"

She's right.

Although I tried the, "Well, when you took the keys to your parents' car for the first time you knew you were 'ready' enough, right?", her point still stands.

A number of far wiser people than I, people whom happen to also be parents, have shared that when it comes to becoming a parent, you're never ready. According to them, there's never enough time, money, or books to make anyone ready for child rearing.

Aside from causing further apprehension, this tidbit of advice makes conjures up another question.

Are we ever ready for anything?

I know I'm never ready for those mornings when I sleep through my alarm.
I know I'm never ready for the days where the traffic far exceeds my allotment of time.
I know I wasn't ready to leave school today at 4pm to head to The Crew when I still hadn't finalized my sub-plans for tomorrow.
I know I wasn't ready when my grandmother had her stroke, or when my grandfather took a turn for the worst.
And I bet I probably won't be ready when the time comes to add the title of Father to the list of roles that I play.

Which means, whether I'm ready or not, the one thing I really CAN control is how I'll respond to the "I'm not quite ready for this" moments that will most certainly find their way into my reality.

Today I learned that maybe it's not about being ready as much as it is about being willing to welcome and grow from the experiences that show us that we're never really ready for anything.

Are you ready for what tomorrow may bring?
At the very least, are you ready to learn from it?

Speaking of learning, what have you learned today?

Idiosyncratic

Day 95:

Beginning today I'll be teaching an enrichment class on Mondays after school. The class is titled Speech and Communications, but I'll most definately be focusing on the Communications half of that set-up.

So like most first days we tended to some housekeeping and started the day with a defining of terms.

What is communication?

The students took a few minutes to jot down their defintions.

Meanwhile, I drafted the textbook definition I learned in college out on the board...

Communications is the process whereby symbols are manipulated, in order to construct meaning, so that a message can be created, delivered, and decoded.

Now when I throw something like this on the board, it is meant to convey the complexities of the topic at hand. I have every intention of providing an explanation using everyday words, of bridging the vernacular gap.

And then a student shares her answer, "Communication is the sharing of ideas."

Bingo.

Toay I re-learned words are a value commodity.
Today I learned that when it comes to words, we don't need an economic recession to practice the approach of Less is More.
Today I learned that this Speech and Communication is going to be a lot of fun.

What have you learn today?

What ideas have you shared?

Lunch

Day 93:

Today I learned that leaving your lunch at home is a bummer.
Today I learned that my bummers, by and large, make me look like a baby when compared to the harsh realities some of my students have had to face this year.
Today I learned to wake up and put things into proper perspective.

Far from Perfection...

Day 92:

Michelangelo, when painting the mural on the the Sistine chapel, was asked why he gave so much attention to the cornersm of the ceiling - afterall, very few would notice a hapharzard effort when they gazed upon the corners of the chapel.

His response was simple, "God will notice."

I present this story to state that unlike Michelangelo, I am far from a perfectionist.

However, ever since the Mrs. and I decided to remove the popcorn from our ceiling, I have found that I have morphed into a being that cares about the 'sky' above.

Both in high school and college I was satisfied with a B average. In fact, this point can be punctuated from the facts found in the following story, one that still stings....

During my Junior year I called my roommate to proudly announce to him that I had earned 1 of the only 2 A's in the most difficult college course of my college career. Upon hearing my celebratory news he responded by stating, "The hardest A you've earned? So that means you've got straight A's this semester right?"

I share the story of Michelangelo (and my own) to point out that when we put forth our efforts towards something that will directly impact us, we are satisfied with nothing but the best.

Tonight I resolved that I will be unable to produce a ceiling for my living room that would find itself in a do-it-yourself magazine. Even still, I am giving my best - if for no other reason so that the guests at my next gathering will appreciate the effort we put forth.

Today I learned that when you do it for yourself, you tend to care a little more.
Today I learned that perhaps I need to translate this lesson into my students' reality.
Today I learned that although I am not crafty, I am more handy than I may have given myself credit for....

What new skill/determination have you discovered lately?

Not so Settle

When I started this silly side project I was more gung ho for it than any undertaking I had endeavored to pursue in quite some time.

And yet here I am, caught in the middle of the beginning of 2010 and over on the right hand side it reads 13. To date I have posted a mere 13 entries (not including this one) this calendar year.

The last entry comes from day 87 and I regret to say that I had to reread it to recall its lesson.

Having done so, I will say that for as much as how day 87 felt like a downer, during day 88 I was living high.

For those that weren't living it with me, I'll recap following today's lessons.

Day 91:
Every once in a while my meager mind will manufacture a method of instruction that I all but guarantee to drive the point of the lesson home.

Today WAS NOT that day.

This is not to say that my methodology was lacking, so much as to say that my madness did not account for a birth of backfire .

Let me explain.

In addition to overcoming numerous natural disasters, the early settlers of Japan had to overcome the fact that only 15% of their land was farmable.

Today I decided to have my students live this out by removing upwards of 35% of the chairs in my classroom. Truthfully, I was hoping the lack of resources would generate some tension, maybe even conflict, over who would have access to them. But true to unpredictable fashion, my tweens resolved to fall into one of two categories: Steal or Settle.

Some stole from their table mates while most settled for their lot and resolved to endure the day atop their table.

The dramatic effect rated a whoppin' zero. But bless their hearts because each period, in one form or another, stated they were reluctant to bicker because they know my stance on bullying.

Needless to say....

Today I learned from my students that sometimes making a point is as easy as simply saying it.
Today I learned that grandiose does not always guarantee results.
Today I learned that failure can be good - because it generates an awareness of what does not work, which in a sense, moves us closer to that which does.


And here's a taste of the lessons from last week...

Day 88:
Ah, "By the Numbers: The Purpose of Middle School".
Hands down this is my favorite from-the-heart message I give to my students. I may not be able to answer their question of, "Why do we have to learn history", but I can definately, passionately explain why the most awkward, least desired point of our schooling career is necessary.

The great point(s) of gratification comes as students exit the class muttering their appreciation for the truths laid out during this lecture.

Because straight up, with out Middle School, we wouldn't have the chance to build upon the skills we learned in elementary school. Nor would we be afforded the opportunity to establish the new ones that will in turn create opportunities for high school and beyond.

This day I learned that I teach history because its content matter provides flexibility.
This day I learned that I teach history so that I may help students look towards their future.

DAY 89-90
These days contained lessons of their own, however I am lacking the time to adequately address them....more to come.