Comfortable shoes -- There's nothing else like them. They are like the perfect pillow for sleeping or the hoodie we throw on to keep warm during a cold winter night.
At the end of a long day, no one is lacing up a pair of dress shoes to relax. Instead, we often go for a warm pair of slippers or a pair of old running shoes that you can easily slip on without untying them.
I've been having some issues running lately where the muscle around my shin tenses up. It's not something that makes me have to stop running, it's just annoying and it slows me down a little. I sound like a car that has a flat tire as my tensed leg strikes the ground with a flat "slap" on the pavement.
I've tried different stretches, paces and routes trying to find a solution. I decided to go back to an old pair of running shoes to see if maybe my new ones were the issue.
I laced up my old Sauconys and they felt great -- Why did I ever stop wearing them?
After about a mile and a half into a run in my old shoes, my feet and knees started hurting. Instead of going for a 6 mile run, I ended early. What was I thinking? I stopped wearing these shoes when I started getting injured -- Why was I going back to them?
Instead of going the distance in my old comfortable shoes, I ran less than normal.
I share this because in the midst of change, we sometimes are tempted to go back to our old ways, putting on "comfortable shoes", rather than face the challenge.
Our project is hard work and we have miles to go. If we are going to keep moving forward and increase the depth and authenticity of the learning experiences we help create with kids, we should build off of what we do well.
Let's commit to strategically increasing our distance and pace and avoid seeking out comfortable solutions.
Have a GREAT week!
-Herb
Articles Worth Reading --
The Links Between Teaching Reading And Math http://www.heinemann.com/blog/oconnell-reading-math-11-30/
How to Guide Students Towards Learning Ownership https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/guide-students-towards-learning-ownership
The Active Learning Classroom: 8 Essential Elements https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/active-learning-classroom-8-essential-elements
Video Worth Watching --
Upcoming Dates --
Dec 7 - PTO Meeting, 7PM
Dec 8 - 3rd Grade ELA State Assessment; Steering Committee Meeting, 3:45 - ADE Media Center
Dec 9 - 3rd Grade ELA State Assessment; Ed Team Meeting, 12:30; IAT Meeting, 3:45
Dec 10 - PD Series by Donna - "Dealing with Challenging Children", 3:45 ADE Media Center
Dec 11 - KG Toys for Tots Fire Station Visit
Dec 16 - ADCC Staff Meeting, 3:40 - ADE Media Center
Dec 18 - 5th Grade Talent Show, 1:15ish; Holiday Parties, 2:30ish
Dec 21-Jan 3 -- Winter Break
.jpg)