T.G.I.F Newsletter - Sadness, Status Quo, and Battle Bots

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Hello Friends and T.G.I.F. 😁 Here are some things I thought were worth sharing this week. First, a big WELCOME to our new subscribers. In a few short months, we’ve gone from zero to over fifty. Stop by on Twitter -https://twitter.com/jeremyajorg and say hello.

The News

Here are some articles that grabbed my attention.

• I have no words, so I am using Steve Kerr’s. Our country is supposed to be better than this.
• How do students think schools could be better? In this podcast, you’ll find student proposals on rethinking schools.
• The pandemic has pushed many educators to question the status quo. There’s a tug of war between making up for Covid's learning loss and imagining how education can better serve students.
• I’ve seen firsthand how the pandemic has affected children. It will be a long time until we fully know the extent of its impact. As the data rolls in it points to a significant loss in learning. The challenge is figuring out how to intervene.
• Are new laws and educational policies fueling white nationalism?
• Students spend much of their day consuming information. My room is next door to a STEAM class which is often a noisy buzz of chaotic smiles. Making and creating is an important component of education. Explore the Maker Movement: A Learning Revolution.
• We had the Battle Bots showdown this week. It was epic.

Growth

Personal Development and Wellness Resources

• Explore six things that will help you get more sleep and boost your immune system. I’m a big fan of magnesium and I’m looking to try out blue-light-blocking glasses next school year.
• Although this article is mostly about running, you’ll find some useful information on the topic of motivation and how to build up your inner drive.

Inspiration

Here is a quote I’ve been revisiting this week:

Non-violence, which is the quality of the heart, cannot come by an appeal to the brain. - Mahatma Gandhi

Favorite Things

• Book - The Leaders of Their Own Learning Companion*. I’ve been revisiting chapter 7 while my 8th graders prepare for their Passage Portfolio Presentations. This is a great resource if you are interested in exploring Student Engaged Assessment.
• Tech Tool - Canva*. I started exploring Canva this week. It’s really great. I made the image at the bottom of this post with it. I can see many uses in the classroom or business setting.
• Family - What a gift. I can’t imagine a life without my family. If we could just agree that policies in our country should run through the lens of what is best for the health, wellbeing, and safety of families, I have to believe we would be better off.

P.S. Recommendation: Fabulous. Born at Duke University, Fabulous uses behavioral science to help people make smart changes and build healthy habits. It's helped me build a solid morning routine. Build self-discipline and create positive structures in your daily life. After answering a series of questions Fabulous will build a plan just for you. Start building new habits with Fabulous today.