The list is getting long, so it's time to start sharing!
+First up, let's stop celebrating every mediocre achievement of the under-18 crowd. They then become adults who expect every, you guessed it, mediocre achievement to be celebrated.
As every smart teacher does, I have a prize box. I randomly pick kids, based on the behavior chart, to choose prizes. It never fails: if I give out prizes one day, the next day, the top point earners insist that they deserve a prize. PRIZES ARE NOT FOR EVERYDAY.
+The Capsule wardrobe. I fully intend on trying this for fall. Since I don't have much of anything in my closet right now and since I've never even seen my new closet in Colorado, I don't think I can make it work for summer. However, I believe in the fewer things that fit well theory, instead of novelty, pretty things that I'll never wear.
+Hashtag activism. Or should I say #hashtagactivism? I hate it. It doesn't work. Let it go. I'm pretty sure the terrorists aren't following you on Twitter. And this isn't just for one particular case (what the article is about). It's in general. Everything does not need a hashtag.
+A blog post on less. To me, I feel like I'm wasting time if I'm doing less. Do you ever feel that way? Tying in with the capsule wardrobe idea, let's all get rid of clothes that make us feel terrible, okay?
+Things you learn in your 30s. I'm not thirty yet. But I can attest to #2, #8, #9…
Plus, this cracked me up.
Also, #20 and #22.
+For teachers out there: Louis C.K. takes on Common Core.
+A yoga for flexibility routine. I love it and have done it a few times a week for the past couple of weeks. It's perfect for stretching out tight leg muscles.
+Things that happen when you get your first job. Or any new job in my case. I've discovered that, sometimes, I have more experience than my co-workers (because I'm old now) and I have advice to give. It's a whole new experience. #18 fits me well. I never thought I'd have appreciated my years in food service. Customer service skills will always serve you well.
OMG... My back ALWAYS hurts! In my 20's, it didn't. I felt like I was superwoman or something. But the moment I got in my 30's.... places I never knew existed started to ache.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to old.
I can't stand hashtags regardless. I feel stupid using them!
I do not understand why everyone now gets prizes, trophies, etc. In the real world everyone is not a winner. I'm afraid of what we're teaching kids.
ReplyDeleteI'm into hashtag activism. I think it's important for the conversation to be out there even if it has no solid effect on whatever it's for. Terrorists aren't following anyone on Twitter, but people in other countries are and they can join in the conversation.
Hashtags in general, no.
my back hurts ALL THE TIME and I'm not 30 yet either!! It kind of bugs me how everything needs an award these days. I woke up and put pants on--where's my cookie?
ReplyDeleteHashtags are not necessary for everything. Drives me crazy!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Your first one is totally true. I'm so over this mentality of everyone's special, everyone deserves an award, everyone deserves a prize. It's not how it works in the real world. I didn't get a single ounce of recognition for my teaching (except for a decent evaluation) until last year.
ReplyDeleteSorry! Can't you tell that drives me crazy??
OMG! Your first one is totally true. I'm so over this mentality of everyone's special, everyone deserves an award, everyone deserves a prize. It's not how it works in the real world. I didn't get a single ounce of recognition for my teaching (except for a decent evaluation) until last year.
ReplyDeleteSorry! Can't you tell that drives me crazy??
I read that Matt Walsh article the other day, and I LOVED it. My sister is in charge of her school's 9th grade "graduation" this year, and I'm having to bite my tongue left and right. Especially since I've now committed to helping with the dessert table. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThat list of things that happen in your 30's. YES to every single one of them. Literally.
Common Core...I'm not a teacher but I can't even think of it without getting pissed off.
I'm going to start working out. THIS WEEK. Running and yoga. Hold me to it.
Love that post about praising the mediocre achievements - I get the whole idea that we should make kids feel special and that encouragement is important, but we really need to focus on making sure they know what true accomplishment and working for something when it's hard actually looks like. Tucking that one away for when I have kids someday.
ReplyDeleteI don't always agree with Matt Walsh but I loved that article because it is totally true. Kids are convinced that they are owed things. That's not the real world.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, LOVING your new design! Angi is so talented! I do a similar thing to this, but I just always send myself emails... slow days at work, I get lots of email from myself haha.
ReplyDeleteLove the new look -- did you do it yourself?
ReplyDelete