Success

We live in a world of 140 character tweets, 6.5 second vine clips, and emoticons. Everything we think or feel and want to share with the world must be distilled down to its purest form - its essence - so that our followers, viewers, and friends will know what we are experiencing the instant they view our post.

Within this instantaneous world, I am working with students toward success - their success as well as my own success. I am working on both because they are inextricably intertwined.  I measure my own success in challenging questions a student is finally acting bold enough to ask, connections between concepts that students uncover on their own, and "aha" moments when a student's eyes light up with sudden and deep understanding.

Ready? Set... Back to School!

Ready?

The end of summer approaches, and the beginning of the new school year is almost here. Back to school clothes and supplies have been purchased, and everyone is starting to get nervous and excited. What could we be forgetting?

Set...

Here is a list of five items to address that you may not have done yet:

The Bag

Your student may have a new bag this year, but perhaps the bag from last school year is just fine? Don't worry about replacing it for the start of the school year, worry about cleaning it! Schedule time with your young child (or assign it to your your older student) to clean the bag for the school year. Empty it completely, wash it in the washing machine or with the hose outside (I recommend this method - wear your bathing suit and bring water balloons!), and restock it with the usual supplies. Don't forget a fully charged calculator! (Keep your eye out for backpacks on sale in late September and early October. Grab one or two for backup.)

Summer Work

Make sure your scholar has completed the assignment(s), saved a copy on the home computer and in remote storage if it is a writing assignment, and placed a protected hard copy in a folder in the clean bag. Name, assignment details, and date should appear at the top of the pages or where the directions indicate.