Week 3 - Teachers' Reflections

"No, You can't have coffee...It stunts your growth" 

As a kid, I remember my mother frequently reminding me to stay away from coffee. Now, this idea of coffee stunting a person's growth is an old wives tale, but I sometimes wonder why my mom's vigilance was so attentive. I can only assume she knew that a kid doesn't need artificial energy, which would make her management of three boys all the tougher. 

Today, we see an array of beverage products (outside of coffee) that kick start our brains. Its not unusual for the modern student to carry with them an "Energy" drink in one hand and a smartphone in the other, thus making both hands ready for time-travel. Cognitively traveling across the school day, as if travelling 88 MPH, the modern student seems to be seeking a quicker path to finishing their adolescence. 

Now, it is not my intent to suggest that energy drinks be banned or smart phones be stricken, but when it comes to improving the skills of literacy, we must encourage students to slow down. Whats the hurry? Growing up and becoming an adult isn't all what's it cracked up to be. 

Last week, through researching political revolution (1789) and economic collapse (1929), we 

attempted to address the academic skills of reading and writing. Students were asked to read the works from historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Louis XVI, John Raskob, and Ben Bernanke. 

For our classes to improve literacy, we will encourage our students to read, reflect, and emphasize historical empathy. These encouragements (lessons) require consideration or "stunted' moments of deliberate thought. In other words, the history classes will continue to pursue higher understanding through collaborative reading. This pursuit of literacy sometimes calls for an unhurried moment, a leisurely stroll through investigation and curiosity. 

We will continue to address the art of literacy through collaborative investigation and reflection and maybe, just maybe, we can convince some students to enjoy their youthful moments - without the use of artificial sweeteners. 

This week, maybe we can "stunt the pace of thought" with the art of decaffeinated curiosity about the Results of the French Revolution and Economic Depression of 1930's.