Week 5

Chapters 11 and 12 focus on communication and pacing as we, as educators, strive to positively impact the lives of students in our school and shift away from the “game of school.” As you read these chapters, consider the ideas Juliani puts forth and how these shifts apply to your classroom, school or district.

Read: Chapters 11 & 12

Reflect: Post your response to the prompt below by Monday morning.

Choose one question below to answer and share.

Chapter 11 pointed out 10 simple reminders for teachers and leaders that can lead to deeper conversations, better relationships, and a stronger influence on students’ learning. Juliani gives a call to action: Stop waiting. Do something right now. You may fail. You may succeed. Either way you will learn and set a great example. Taking the ideas shared in this chapter, describe what you are doing right now (or plan to in the near future) to positively influence the learners and people in your life.

OR

In chapter 12, Juliani suggests that teaching our kids to play the “game of school” will not help them in life. School should be more like a maze than a marathon. He explains three shifts we need to make in the way we teach in order to move away from the game of school. Describe one way you see these shifts happening in your classroom or school and one next step forward you could champion in your classroom or school as you move the school setting away from playing the game.

Interact: On Monday, read your colleagues' reflections and respond to at least one other post by sharing a comment, insight, or interesting possibility by next Thursday.