First Flight

Are you too old to try something new?  Are you too scared to go on an adventure?  The video here shows that you are never too old to have an adventure and if you can move past your fear you may just have the time of your life.  Too often we let our fear prevent us from trying new things. Nelson Mandela (among other people) is said to have learned that "courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it..."

Triumph over your fear and try something new today...

Sportsmanship

This past week two local baseball teams engaged in a brawl at home plate after a runner collided with the catcher.  Both benches cleared and the result is that both teams have suspended all players for the following game as well as from a day of school...

Does the punishment fit the crime?  Is sportsmanship really that important?  How big of a part did peer pressure play in this incident?  Who's responsible for teaching good sportsmanship?

Watch the video clip and let me know what you think...

The Time You Have Left

This video inspires us to make the most of the time we have!!

Free School

On "This American Life" (a public radio program) there was a segment about kid politics.  They report on a variety of situations where kids are put into political, and very adult, situations.  One of the segments visits the Brooklyn Free School, where students are in charge of making ALL of the decisions.  I think this is a fascinating experience, and the radio program seems to imply that it is working pretty well.  Are children and teens mature enough to make good decisions about their own education?  Do they have the self control and courage not only to monitor their own behavior, but also the behavior of their peers?  Click on the link above to hear the audio.  We'll see what my students think about a "free school".

Prank It Forward

We just recently celebrated April Fools Day.  The typical "prank" is generally designed to be funny, often at the expense of others...

Here some examples of the exact opposite...

 

These "pranks" are a classic example of "Paying it Forward".  Let's start a chain reaction.  Give someone a nice surprise today!

Pay it Forward

A young boy becomes an internet sensation when he gives a gift of $20 to a soldier that reminded him of his father... 

The video below is just part of the story.

 

A more complete video goes on to demonstrate the chain reaction sparked by this small act of kindness.

This just shows how a seemingly small act can create huge changes in peoples lives.  You never know how far your act of kindness will travel.