Parents-
We're almost through our week here at Kemp (and everywhere else too). The kids are really into the new units. I'm glad to see them enthusiastic about learning. I know they're really enthusiastic about trying to blow up a mini light bulb, but they're learning while they're doing that. I've tried to incorporate a decent bit of humor into the Science unit and engaging projects in the Social Studies. The bad part of all this is I've included a lot of good instructional videos to enhance the unit. Due to firewall restrictions that seem to change weekly and Apple's decision to hate Flash programs, several of our videos aren't showing up at school. I've asked the kids to check them out at home if they're able. I'm covering the material in my "talks" with them and it's covered through multiple resources that are working. However, they're great resources so I'd encourage them to watch them in their free time sometime before the unit ends.
I'm attaching a newsletter from "Love and Logic." For those unfamiliar, they encourage parents and educators to use love and logic to guide our kids/students. I've been to trainings and seminars for this and listened to most of their CDs (I won the set at my first seminar). Great stuff, even if it does sound hokey. There are good snippets in most of their newsletters and this week's had a couple I really like. They encourage: "loving kids enough to let them make affordable mistakes, rather than trying to micromanage them into success…loving kids enough to place most of our emphasis on teaching character, compassion, and problem solving rather than teaching to the test…loving kids enough to hold them accountable for their choices…loving them enough to build them up in their areas of strength, so that they have the energy to face their areas of weakness." Too often we, as parents and educators, get caught up in making sure the kids get the right answers. How many times have we gotten frustrated sitting with our own kids, wondering why they won't just write something like we're telling them or "just add those together!" Kids don't learn by being told what to do, they have to experience it, they have to try. There will be failure to some degree, but we want those moments to be learning opportunities – for them to learn how to bounce back, how to solve a problem. The kids won't learn unless we give them the opportunity. It's tough to watch our kids struggle. If you don't believe I understand, try sitting with Slade doing homework or even worse – learning to ride a bike. It tests my patience and as much as I wish he'd take my wisdom – he has to experience it and struggle. The learning will be more meaningful and their sense of accomplishment so much greater.
So, jump on this bandwagon, keep your arms and legs in at all times, enjoy the ride – bumps and all. Your kids are amazing and I hope you're seeing as much growth as I am.
Thanks,
Shane Brazile
PS – Don't forget school's out next Monday!
From: Love and Logic Institute, Inc. [mailto:reply@loveandlogicnews.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 12:30 PM
To: Shane Brazile
Subject: [MARKETING] A Controversial Approach to Education
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