Saturday, October 26, 2013

Let's Embrace our Differences and Wander

My daughters gave me this sign a few years ago for my birthday. I'm not quite sure what they were trying to tell me! However, I do know, that I love this little sign and have it sitting above my kitchen sink where I see it every day.  It reminds me that, as human beings, we sometimes loose our focus and wander off the most straight and direct route in life.  Life is sometimes a little messy.

This can also be true for us as students.  We learn and take in information.  We try to make meaning from that information for us personally.  As learners we don't always do that in the same manner or pay attention to the same information.  October has been ADHD month.  I've been thinking a lot about that acronym.  It gets thrown around the education arena very often.  What is it.... what does it mean to you, your loved ones, and the ones you teach?  I haven't come to any hard and fast conclusions.  As always, I know that there is no such thing as a one size fits all solution.   But, I did find some excellent ideas and thoughts on the subject that I wanted to share with everyone!  Check out this wonderful article on ADHD and a little bit more about wandering.   That's the scientific view, now here is wonderfully creative article from a teacher perspective.      Enjoy the rest of this beautiful fall season and allow yourself to wander, explore and enjoy all that's around you!


Sunday, October 13, 2013

Stress affects learning...

Do you or someone you know suffer from test anxiety?  Does your heart start to race and your thoughts aren't able to focus when presented with a high stakes test? Our students today are tested to the point that they are having stomach aches and trouble sleeping.  Check out this article that gives some insight and tips for avoiding stress.