When Being Wrong Is Right
Wrong answer. You’re out. Game over. F. You failed. You do not get a gold star. So many times, being wrong is associated with the endpoint for learning. But why? It’s not really an endpoint. It’s more of a beginning. The path to a new idea, a better thought, and improved way of thinking. When we have a truly collaborative learning environment, we not only embrace each other’s wrong ideas, we embrace our own. The next time someone openly admits, “I was wrong,” maybe we should stop seeing it as a sign of weakness, and realize that admitting your wrong? It’s built on the kind of strength necessary for authentic learning.
Thanks, Ginger Lewman, for the inspiration!
Giving Back Is Worth More Than Anything
One of the most asked questions I’ve been getting in my email and message box lately is “Where can I buy ____ poster?” I always say the same thing… you can’t. You can download it and print it yourself, or even upload it to your favorite photo place to print it huge if you’d like. The files are free. Every single thing I create here on this blog is licensed under Creative Commons… you know, “Share and share alike!”
Since I started August’s “Posterpalooza,” I’ve been enjoying the quote suggestions and this weekend, I got the best tweet which contained a photo of “Embrace the Struggle” on the wall of a new professional development center in a school. That right there? It’s payment enough. Just knowing that even one poster went on a wall and might make someone reflect, think, or challenge a thought they’ve had? It’s better than a sale. Now, the important thing is that we not only hang posters on our walls, but we become living examples of what we believe in education and learning. Share it forward. Give back. That? It’s worth more than anything.
Trouble printing? Questions? Please read “Printing Tips & FAQ’s”
August’s Entire “Posterpalooza” Poster Collection is right here.
Our Kids Will Change the World
We can all make a difference. Whether we’re a child, trying to plan a way to raise money for our favorite charity, whether we’re a twelve year old trying to give our time to a food pantry on a Saturday, or whether we’re a teacher faced with the challenges of starting a new school year. This quote makes me smile because we’ve all had that experience where the mosquito just doesn’t give up. Persistence. Courage. Resiliency. He returns, in spite of a hand that swats at him, in spite of the bug zapper looming dangerously near. He doesn’t give up. So small, yet he makes a difference. Just like one student, one teacher, one person. We can make a difference and we need to help our kids believe they can to. If we can provide them the resources, the space, the support, they will show us more than we ever realized. Only the end result will be far more powerful than a scratchy little bug bite. Our kids will change the world.
(Two posters… because I couldn’t decide on colors. 🙂 Printing tips here: http://venspired.com/?page_id=5398)
All We Have Is Today
Today? It’s now. When I look around, I see kids. Kids in the here and now. I realize how important every single moment really is. The brief conversation with a student on the way to lunch. The book you hand a reluctant reader. The feedback you provide on a writing project. The parent you collaborate with to come up with ideas to help a child. It all matters. It’s all now. Later exists, but it’s now that matters. It might be the moment a kid discovers his biggest passion. She might find her purpose within the walls of your classroom. We might fill in boxes with lesson plans, but it’s the energy we fill our room with that truly matters. Those lessons lay the foundation for learning experiences. Experiences that lay the foundation for life. Today.
The Launch Pad Virtual Tour
Currently an Innovation Coordinator at The Kinkaid School. I get to play, innovate, and support teachers and kids in learning. Know that saying, "Do what you love"? Yep.
