I think most shocking to many of us were the mistruths we’re fed from the commercial tea industry about what is caffinated and what isn’t.  I highly recommend you visit their blog and online store, and their brick and mortar store in Northampton MA if you’re in the area.

A great evening of interesting people having fascinating conversations!

“Learning results from what the student does and thinks and only from what the student does and thinks.  The teacher can advance learning only by influencing what the student does to learn.”   Herbert A. Simon  (One of the founders of the field of Cognitive Science and Nobel Laureate)

I think I’ve mentioned at least, if not twice, the open classroom visits that recently happened on my campus.  Just a few days ago, one of the professors that visited my 101 level introduction to early childhood education class thanked me for my hospitality and noted that he was interested in the fact that I “only” had 10 minutes of direct instruction.

Although I’ve never timed myself, I wouldn’t doubt that number at all.  I work hard to create an hour of learning that is doing.  The quote I found fascinates me because I’m sure that the more I provide time for students to do, the more they learn; and the more I talk or lecture at them, the less they learn.  I create opportunities for thinking about what they already know about a subject, what they still want to know, asking others what they know and comparing that knowledge, and thinking about ways to learn what they still want to know.

Thank you Dr. Simon for reassuring me that doing is a good thing in learning, a very good thing.

Today was Advising Day at the community college where I work – a day to sit with your Advisor (for those students who choose to, of course), and talk about your goals, where your studies are going, how they are going, what you want to be when you “grow-up.”   I asked each student as they entered my office to pull up a chair and talk to me about how things were going.  A student who took a semester off stopped by with her two-week old infant to introduce him to me and proudly let me know that she’s registered for next semester – as is her husband.  (Bravo to them!)  I wish I could get each student to pull up a chair – these little half hour talks are so enlightening for me in terms of how to best support that student on their journey – whether as their Advisor or their teacher as well.

While sitting in a classroom with a few students during an Hour Open Session, the President of the College stopped in as he toured an important guest of his around — and he nicely informed the guest that if he wanted to know how Mr. Rogers related to life and learning, he should seek me out!

And so, today I’m thinking of an article written by Mr. Rogers support staff about pulling up a chair and the value and importance of that moment to forming a relationship that creates an environment for deep learning.

“When we sit, we’re also saying “I’m settling in here to be with you because I care about you, your thoughts, feelings and ideas.”  That’s what “Mister Rogers” did at the beginning of each program, when he put on his sweater and sneakers.  He let children see that he was putting aside other concerns and settling in for a “visit” with them (sort of like “pulling up a chair”).  ”

Today I’m thinking about the importance of relationship to learning.

“Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society…but for me, education means making creators…you have to make inventors, innovators, not conformists.”  Jean Piaget

I’ve just purchased the newly published Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson  (although it will have to wait until I finish the biography of Einstein by this same author).

I’m looking forward to the read for many reasons; but mostly I want to see if the book covers Job’s childhood.  In flipping pages, I did come across a statement that Job’s biological mother insisted that Steve was to be adopted by college educated people.   When the world calls him a visionary, what part of that can we relate to his early childhood?  I’m interested.  Research tells us the early years make all the difference – so did the difference Jobs make come from his early years?  Today I’m thinking about how to support pre-service teachers in learning how to make space and time and energy to allow children to continue to be the inventors and innovators they are when they arrive.

The President of my college and work place says it eloquently on my behalf today:

Today, at the community college where I work, I had the great fortune to spend the day in a workshop with Barbara Walvoord.    It was an excellent workshop about Curriculum Mapping.  The overarching task I’m not so fond of — each department/division/program at the school – is being asked to curriculum map their program and create a connection to the college’s larger general education competencies.  I don’t disagree with the need for the task, just that it’s another large task on top of so many others.

Like so many institutions, each of us is already doing two jobs, so it’s challenging to find time to add another item to the in-pile.  This aside, I find her a great teacher — our Dean, in introducing her, called her “a teacher’s teacher” — and she is indeed.  To attend an all day workshop at the end of a week where I put in three 12-hour days was not something I looked forward to doing.  I really learned a good deal, I’m excited by the task, even if I don’t see any way around the challenge of finding the time to complete it.

Assessment gets a dirty rap — presented the way Dr. Walvoord presents it wipes it off and shows it for the useful tool, done authentically, that it can be for a teacher to support a learner’s journey to learning well.  Today I’m thinking about Assessment.

Become a Big.  Do you want to make a difference in the world?  Yes, you could donate some money, bring some cans to the food bank, donate your old clothes, your old car, and put coins in the red bucket during the holidays.  These are good things; but I’m telling you being a Big Sister or Big Brother makes a donation that will last a lifetime – someone else’s.

Tonight I spent a few hours carving out pumpkins with my Little at the local chapter office of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. We talked about school on the drive there, and while we carved, we talked about Halloween, cats, pumpkin whoppie pies, pizza, cool friends, and the rock climbing opportunity her elementary school was giving her tomorrow.  We’ve been a match for two years: getting together twice a month for two years isn’t really a lot; just like the cans, or the old car or the coins aren’t a whole lot.

But I know that my Little is getting a glimpse at something different, at a possibility of other choices when she’s older, and at a different way to interact with life:  helping her learn to say please and thank you and eat with a napkin may be a small thing, but it lasts a lifetime.  Teaching and learning at its finest, at its sweetist, at its finest.  I wish every adult would find a Little: today I’m thinking about the power of mentoring.

Supposing is good, but finding out is better.
- Mark Twain in Eruption; Mark Twain’s Autobiography

That’s all I have to say today.  It’s been a day of deep learning, excitement over the transformation that learning brings, and the thrill of the hunt of new learning possibilities.  Thank you Mark Twain for summing it up so nicely.

Yes, that is right.  Today I’m thinking about Einstein.  I’m reading his biography.  I really enjoy biographies.  It’s a really great way to learn so much about a lot of things; not just the person the book is written about.  Of course, this assumes, a well-written biography.  My hubbie has been reading one about Sir Richard Frances Burton written by his niece — he has been reading it for about ten years!  Apparently it’s very poorly written.  I have less patience for the poorly written biography.

This is a brilliant book about a brilliant man.  The challenge is that the math and science that is absolutely necessary to cover in the book has me totally baffled!  I’m reminded how poor my math and science education was:  when I was a young girl the only science I needed to know was the biology of babies; and we won’t even consider the math I was(n’t) taught.    It’s not often I find a book that has me in my dictionary this often.  And,  I’m not sure how I’m going to figure out how to understand the science involved.  I keep reading and try to understand the jist of the subject matter.  Einstein was an interesting person – well worth the challenge.

It’s a great read.  Add it to your list.  Be baffled.  Be amazed.