If we are to expect and nurture the best from our students, it is important that each child feels a strong sense of self. Without a healthy sense of self, children tend to mimic and become what they see in others. With a solid grasp of one’s own individuality comes a genuine confidence and belief…
Snowflakes—every single one of them different from another. You have likely pondered this concept for a lifetime. Not one single snowflake like another…all those mountains of snow…worldwide…winter after winter? As a child, you studied them, examined them on your mitten. As thoughtful humans, we find this concept perplexing and fascinating. We give snowflakes more credit…
I have a theory about time and processing capacity. It is an interesting look at our use of time in an educational setting. Orsch’s motto is not one wasted moment. Living up to this model and offering only valuable time to students takes effort and strategy. To adhere to this motto, it helps to consider…
A toddler is constantly bumbling around from engaging activity to engaging activity, often choosing activity over food or sleep, sometimes getting herself into trouble. A toddler is frustrated when she is bored. She will demand interaction. She is not in the mood to waste her moments – ever. She soaks up every new stimulating lesson…
For decades we have been trying to push a cart with the nose of a horse. The Horse The horse is strength, freedom, individuality, and desire to run unfettered—to take an idea and explore it to its logical end, to self-direct, to be free to empower your own discovery, and, as such, your own…
Educational Reform – a term widely used and rarely accomplished, partly because it’s the way it’s always been done. Status quo. Entrenched thinking limits us. We must be comfortable inventing new systems to educate and assess children. We must be comfortable questioning the methods we currently have in place. We must be comfortable embarking on…
Creativity and autonomy become motivators in no time.
Today is April 8, 2020. Covid restrictions have descended upon us and schools are closing their doors for the remainder of the school year. Isolation is taking its toll on kids, parents, and teachers. Offering a standardized approach to their current education will not produce desired results. Engagement wins. Engagement should be paramount. This is…