A Question of Passion

  Watched an unapologetic romance movie Saturday morning.  Out of this predictable storyline comes a moment of deep thoughts.

"The Ancient Greeks didn't write obituaries, all they asked was, 'Did he have passion?'" - from the movie, Serendipity.

This simple line got me thinking about my passions and the passions we all carry inside of us.  I have reflected on this rather simple question.  My challenge to you is to do the same.

Contemplate a few questions -
- How would others answer this question about your life?
- Are your passions (the subjects that consume your thoughts and time) good only for you or others? 
- If you were not restricted by time, money, or obligations, what would you most love to do with your life?  (Hopefully, this question will bring your deepest passion to light)
- Is your current passion fleeting or will it endure throughout your lifetime?

Humans are passionate.  The only question now is - Where are your passions taking you?

photo from flickr Buck Forester

 

Definition of Community - A Teacher's Perspective

My 5th Graders gave me a very important lesson on Community yesterday.  We were listening to a popular radio station as they worked on their projects in Art.  A positive pop song came on and each started simultaneously humming or softly singing to it.  Before long, every student was happily singing outloud while working on their artwork.

 

 

So  - what does this have to do with a sense of Community since each one was working alone?

They weren't:
    - bored
    - conducting the everly-lovely "it's mine" dance with one another over the tools
    - off task
    - being too silly or talkative
    - looking around to see who was watching them sing

They all felt comfortable enough with one another to be their own individual selves and enjoy the moment while creatively engaging in conent.  I don't know if that was a moment for any of them, but is sure was a big one for me. 

I'd love to hear examples from you in which comfort, community, and  content collide. 

photo on flickr by  D'Arcy Norman

Social and Emotional Education

Students need certain things in place for learning to be optimum. As we can see from Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a healthy sense of belonging and esteem should have a foundation for true learning to be meaningful.

This video shows us how schools are implementing social and emotional teaching strategies as a way of building both academic success and a sense of community. 

Enjoy!

Student Engagement at its Finest

This is the third time I've watched this video. Along with the high energy this teacher creates, the lesson allows students to reach a metacognitive level of understanding the content.  If you haven't seen "Power Teaching Critical Thinking AMAZING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT!

This lesson includes student participation at multiple levels:

- while receiving direction instruction
- while teaching the content to a partner
- while listenting to the partner

Every student is physically interacting with the material three times.  I love the body language associations the teacher creates.  It ensures content to get into long-term memory.

This is a great lesson in many ways, but the aspect of it that I find fascinating is the higher order thinking skills he builds to use at a cross-curricular level. 

If you haven't seen this before, take a look.  It is inspiring!  If you have, it is worth another look.  

An Example of Unbridled Passion.

I am outside a coffeehouse in Kansas City.  It is 64 degrees and everyone is out enjoying the day.  Around me, people are eating and mingling.

At first, I thought a young man was hitting on two ladies, but it was outside my ear shot.  When I listened closer (yes, I was eaves-dropping) to what the man was saying, I found his passion.  He was quoting scriptures and telling the ladies all about God and Jesus.

As he monopolized the conversation, his passion rose up to almost to a fever.  He spoke from his heart with a confident conviction even as judmental eyes surrounded him.   After seeing his passion manifested to the outside, I don't remember one thing he said because I was too busy soaking up the remnants of this passion flinging in all directions.

I find myself simply admiring this unswerving act of obedience for all to soak in.  I think I finally understand how people may be drawn to someone with an unbridled passion.  I will put that in my bonnet for later.

Until then - I am looking for moments of creativity and inspiration to bathe on.

When writing is uninspired!

Just Write!  Right!  At the onset, it sounds like solid advice, but what happens when one just can't write?  It feels like my hand is literally blocked from expelling that thoughts I have rambling around in my head.  I will go crazy if I don't Do Something. 

                            I choose not to write!

Instead of writing, I will focus on switching my focus to more of an "inward" writing attempt.

I will read and chew on others' writings.  At least, in my current literary dry time, I can focus on the inspirations that are happening for those in a wellspring of thought. 

So to all those feeling inspired to write, just write.  I am waiting to be inspired. 

photo on flickr by snorrrlax