CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 2

Stacie's MAC Blog -

ALWAYS CONTRIBUTE

There is deep pain derived from judging ourselves against one another.That’s why I love the chapter on being a contribution. The game of contributing is a profound idea to a culture that measures everyone to one another. For those who don’t feel they add up, which probably defines most of us, they can always contribute. Success and failure no longer play a role, but our own standard of contributing to the world around us is now the driving force behind our actions and motivations. While I would like to say I am going to turn a corner and no longer compare myself to others, I realize the reality is that this concept will take time to master, possibly the rest of my life. However, as an educator, I realize that I can begin speaking to students early on about being a contribution instead comparing themselves to one another. This could possibly save them from the stress of impressing others or succumbing to the pressures of our culture’s standards of success.

As far as my career, I have specific ideas that follow the practice of contributing.

ms.stacey said...

Sometimes we tend to forget that we all offer a gift whether we see it or not. Making sure that what you do offers a chance and can make a difference is why I think it makes most of us become educators. We give others opportunities and many times without judgement.

Stacie I think that those students you meet in your classroom are gaining so much from you just being there!

CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 2

Quinn Brown writes:

Using My Contributions to Learn from Any Chair while Remembering Rule Number 6

Success and failure is hard concept that not even I have mastered. I am far from it. As a student in school I knew the feeling of success and I stressed myself out to remain successful. I should have seen my success and my accomplishments as a chance to think outside of the box or take a risk. However, I saw it as a trap. I think that students are not able to escape the rules that have been set for the game of failure and success. In school students often see success and failure in a black and white perspective. They never see it in shades of grey, which they should. They don’t see the room they have to improve. They box themselves up in a failure or successful category. Zander & Zander (2000) mention contribution in Chapter 1. In the classroom students should contribute what they can to the overall learning experience. Contribution will turn into growth and growth will eventually turn into success.

ms. stacey

I believe the biggest issue that most people have is we are, are own worst critics. We tend to be harder on ourselves that others so when we are not where we think we should be or doing what we think we should be doing we get stuck and thinking outside the box becomes a struggle. But it is clear that without those struggles, failures and trys we don't grow and keep striving for success. I do think through those experiences you build a better you and you a success because you made the effort. As an educator I believe it is important the we give our students the chance to fail without penalty so they will continue to learn and try, we should provide them with the grey area in some instances. The beauty is that we give them opportunities to improve as individuals!

bring it... week 4 publishing/leadership project

Because I would love to present to other educators about building curriculum with media and technology I am interested in presenting at one of the following conferences:

OCTELA - Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts

Georgia Educational Technology Conference

and maybe even Alabama Educational Conference

publishing or presenting...week 4

Publishing or presenting, hmmm...

After having gone to so many different conferences and watched others speak my choice would be to present. I think that with these two choices I would have to say I am okay with presenting my information. I have no issues speaking in front of large or small groups especially if it is something I am passionate about. Also, if it means bringing more educators on board with merging current curriculum and technology I am willing! I think that because I have been through the experience as an educator and a student I can give both sides of the coin. I am firm believer that other teachers have a wealth of knowledge to share and we don't have to go to all these different conferences to gain the knowledge, we should be looking in halls and classrooms.

I think that each time that I have been asked to present information to others it has gotten a little easier. So I will be trying to find different places, both in the neighborhood schools, libraries and conferences to spread the word that we need to add to our focus of moving students to the 21st century! Our classrooms are the places to begin merging media and technology with curriculum!

the JOURNEY of making the difference...

"Choosing the being the board approach opens the possibility of a graceful journey, one that quickly reinstates us on the path we chose before the fateful collision intervened." After reading this I realized that most of us in the program realized that we needed to take some type of "journey" in education to make possibilities happen in our schools or even bigger the educational system. That fact that we are willing to take courses and provide this information to others proves that our "JOURNEY" is to make a difference - being the board.

We are not blaming others or ourselves for the issues in the classrooms, the homes our students come from or even the lack of materials (especially the lack of technology), but we are taking a positive action to being the board! The "JOURNEY" you take may not be a straight line, but twists and curves which allow for various experiences to open your mind and see that there is a world bigger than just your small vantage point. This practice of being the board is about making a difference and a continuing journey to offer and give others possibilities...

The Art of Possibility is a great book to experience especially for those entering or exiting a phase in your life. Zander and Zander offer a great way to think about your life and life experiences. Thanks for giving this to me!!!

CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 4

CEDRIC SAYS...

“Certain things in life are better done in person.” When you want to get a feel for the other person or you want to use your personal powers of persuasion, there is nothing like being face to face with your target audience. Why do people pay so much to see motivational speakers in person? It is because they want to feel the energy of the speaker and that can only done in person. Sure, movies and videos can convey emotions such as happiness or sadness but they cannot take the place of an in person appearance. When you think about almost any type of negations it is done face to face. From government officials of one country to another negotiate climate change or union negotiators negotiating with management over contract issues. Face to face meetings are powerful.

ms. stacey says...

After reading your comment I must agree with "certain things in life are better done in person", it is part of being educated. After this experience and especially these last few classes I must say that I needed to be in person to ask questions and get a feel of what was required of me. I am read the words by our professor and I become very confused and uncertain on how to complete certain task. Perhaps if I were able to negotiate and discuss with the professors face to face I may not have been so easy to get frustrated and give up. By emailing and having to wit for a response I got stuck and had no where to turn so I reached my saturation point and couldn't give anymore. So yes I agree some things are better left to personal meetings... I think of others not so personal, a break up, firing from a job and message to let someone know that you are proud of them are great reasons to be face to face!

ClASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 4

MAC Wk 4 - To Publish or Not to Publish?

That is the question. Well, that's not really the question. The question is: To Publish or to Present?

Well, I really don't like giving presentations. I get really bad stage fright.

Even sitting here typing this post is kind of making me nervous.

Yet, despite all this, I would rather present my work than publish it.

I would really like the personal connection that I won't be able to get if

I simply publish my work. If I were to present it, I might make a connection

with an educator that wouldn't necessarily have time to read certain publications.

I can tell stories, I can make it more personal, I can make it real. When you

publish this type of academic work, you don't necessarily get that opportunity.

ms.stacey said...

I think the best presenter are those who have been through the experience.

Then tend to have the best at giving a wealth of knowledge and you are

probably outstanding. The fact that you have something to give

others is a start to being an effective presenter. We have all been to

conferences and realized that this person is only basing their information off

research and not necessarily from personal experience and we as educators

find ourselves tuning them out! I think you are probably a great presenter and

if you present more you will be fabulous... But publishing you work is great

too, so just go for it either way, make sure you get the information out there!

By the way I love the title!

The Final...

The final actions seem to be the hardest to get to after the process. When you get close to the finish line those last few steps are harder than when you began. When the curtain looks like it is about to close the director and all the others lead you to the stage to take your bow. When the reach the finish line and complete the sun it's that breaking the tape that lets you know you have completed the race. All these analogies are what I am feeling as I near the end of this process of completing EMDT program. I want to so many times just say I can't finish, but it is the encouraging words of others that push me (professors messages and videos, friends, family and even a neighbor) saying that you can do it, it can be done.

Today I am feeling all the pressures and today I am feeling that quit, but today I am going work through all those fears and negative self talk because I know that today's struggles will lead to something greater and more accomplished me.

week 3 reading

Does It Gotta Be or Not Be? That is the Question...

Wow chapter 7, The Way Things Are made me really stop! Sometimes settling for the way things are is a lowering of expectations, sometimes it's finding a starting point so that one can make things better. Where am I on this continuum? Well I must say that I am not at either end, I am somewhere in the middle. I like things to be easy for all, but that is not always the case which doesn't mean you have to always take an action one way or the other as the book states be a resistance. "It simply means, being present without resistance: being present to what is happening and present to you reactions, no mater how intense." (Zander & Zander, page 100)

I keep thinking about the movie "Bridget Jones", where the co-star told her "he liked her just the way she was", but instead of being who she reacted to those words and strive to be someone so she wasn't all to have a man. We tend to forget that things may be the way they are and that sometimes an adjust is necessary, but other times they are not. The challenge I believe comes from understanding not fighting so that all possibilities are open.

This chapter also addressed MISTAKES. We all make them and many times dwell on them way too long. Mistakes like everything else in life are just experiences that e must use to push forward and not stop us from knocking or building walls for progress. Mistakes are just mini lessons in the cycle and we must take each one are an learning experience to be better. I like the paragraph - Mistakes can be like ice. If we resist them, we may keep on slipping into a posture of defeat. If we include mistakes in our definition of performance, we are likely to glide through them and appreciate the beauty of the longer run.

The last point I want to touch on from this chapter is the way things are should allow us to dream and visualize the possibilities that out there. It will allow us to develop who we are and want to be in the universe. It should allow us to open doors with an open heart and mind. The way things are is in itself another avenue to the "Art of Possibility." (no pun intended)

ClASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 3

Keith Lay says...

MAC wk3 The Way Things Are Give Way to Passion

Benjamin Zander discusses "The Way Things Are" in Chapter 7 and "Giving Way to Passion" in The Art of Possibility. This is the core of Buddhist teachings as well, as well as a large body of counseling/psychiatric practices.

After working lots a factory line and retail jobs through my early 20s, getting paid to do things that I really loved was such a joy. I became one of those people who find themselves on an upward trajectory for many decades. I taught college in my 20s and was lucky to be in teaching situations which invited new ideas. After a successful stage in commercial music production, I came to Full Sail at age 32 to teach Synclavier Digital Music system. I had a lot to say about how we could improve the curriculum. Again, I was taken seriously. Moving to Music History and Introduction to the Media arts, i poured ideas and love into very successful courses. Allowing Course Directors to create their curriculum invites ownership and passion. Such passion danced in step with growing notoriety in the field of classical composition and a healthy beautiful family.

But what goes up always comes down. A great boss means everything, I found, because not all of them welcome creativity. I moved up in the company carrying the assumption that I was to do what I'd done in the past - find creative solutions. I felt called to bring heart and a feeling of overall community to an unrecognized and neglected faculty and staff. Instead, I was to be a yes man, not allowed to push back. I was so naive to not know this! Crashing has such a hard won wisdom.

Accepting the way things are requires meditation and honesty. Such processing is helpful with a trusted spouse or friend. The pain involved might be something like what a tree feels when being pruned. It is necessary for health - and absolutely painful. Understanding your own part in things that go awry, uncovering unwholesome desires for status and access - Leaving something of yourself is like dying. Rebirth follows. Anyone who holds onto their spark has to get good at this process. I struggle with this daily.

The way through is holding out for our passion. But, passion can be confused with desire which leads back to disillusionment; which must be pruned off. And patience. Sometimes you know you're in the wrong place, but must wait for the time to leave to ripen. That's where leading from where you are becomes a powerful practice. Finding possibility in the narrow places. Crashes and the pruning have reshaped me. My passion for teaching is stronger, my artistic and scientific directions clearer. Top Gun Keith has died - and, as hard as it has been for me to accept this, my life is again full of sparkling possibilities without those beautiful folks flying the DC3 in the clouds (so far from reality).

ms. stacey comments

I think is great that you have not allowed others to discourage what you know is correct. Your passion and desire may be what allow you to move forward and make what you think could be impossible possible. After reading your entry you made me think of a quote that I sometimes forget, but I believe it can apply to you as well... Without struggle there is no progress (F.Douglas) Keep your passion alive because when one door closes you are ready when the next one opens.

CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 3

MY PASSION FOR CREATIVITY

LORI PICKERING says...

LORI PICKERING SAYS...

CHAPTER 8. GIVING WAY TO PASSION: CONTROL SAYS THAT THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRUSTRATION IS TO NOT CARE AT ALL. NO HITS, NO RUNS, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, NO ERRORS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN YOUR DAILY LIFE THAT EXPRESSES YOUR PASSION OR THE THINGS YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT?

“DEAR MR. ZANDER,

I GOT MY A BECAUSE I AM SUCH A SPECIAL AND BRIGHT ARTIST. A REAL ARTIST OF HUMAN LIFE. THE MOST PRECIOUS TREASURE OF WHOLE MY BODY IS THE ENDLESS PASSION OF LIFE. SHE FEN”

THIS COMMENT STILLS MY HEARTBEAT. MY PASSION IS TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR CREATIVE GENIUS TO BLOOM. I FIND THAT IN MY OWN LIFE, I MAKE ART IN SOME WAY EVERYDAY THAT I BREATHE. I DRAW, SEW, PAINT,KNIT, BEAD, SCULPT, COLOR,TAKE PHOTOS..........

I CANNOT TURN IT OFF IN MYSELF. I THINK THAT I SERVE AS A ROLE MODEL FOR MY STUDENTS. WHEN THEY SEE THAT CREATIVITY CAN FLOW AS EFFORTLESSLY AS BREATHING. I SHOW THEM HOW TRANSFORMING ART CAN BE FOR EACH OF US. I WANT THEM TO FEEL THE MAGIC IN LOSING YOURSELF IN THE ACT OF CREATING.

I GET A CHALLENGE OUT OF THE NUMEROUS POSSIBILITIES TO EVERY QUESTION IN ART.

I LOVE TO MAKE STUFF IN THE STUDIO WITH MY KIDS. I SEE THE SMILES AND SATISFACTION IN THEM AND I KNOW THAT MY PASSION HAS BEEN STRENGTHEN BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SHARED.

MS. STACEY

I LOVE THAT YOU ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT ART AND IT IS CONVEYED THROUGH YOUR WORDS AND MOST DEFINITELY THROUGH YOUR SITE. YOU USE COLOR AND INTERESTING FONTS SO THAT YOUR PAGE IS FUN TO NOT ONLY READ BUT TO LOOK AT. YOU MENTION THAT YOUR PASSION IS TO OPEN DOORS AND THAT HAS IS A GREAT FEELING TO WANT TO INSPIRE OTHERS WITH SOMETHING YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT. WITH SUCH A TRYING WORLD SOMETIMES WE LOSE THAT MAGIC AND IT IS GREAT YOU STILL SEE AND FEEL THE CREATIVE NATURE OF ALL. THROUGH YOUR PASSION IN ART I FEEL THE POSSIBILITIES! THANK YOU.

what do you write about when you have nothing...

With so much going on in the world, and in my life right now I would think that I would have something to share, but I have nothing! I am sitting here just wishing the words would come, but what I am realizing is that I have reached my saturation point. So I decided I would talk to some friends to get some help. I have spoke to two friends tonight to get some suggestions, but they to could give me nothing interesting. For once in life I have nothing to write about, so when you have nothing to write I see no point in forcing it because I am sure it will get ugly! So tonight I will be still, breathe and appreciate life!

So tonight I am going to leave my blog with a quote...

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill

keep striving for the possibilities!!!

CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 2

WK 2 - Making a contribution by leading from any chair

LOURIA ANN MACON

I think my principal is a fine example of that. He is always open to listen to his teachers and give them the opportunity to put their ideas into action. When a teacher shows innovation in the classroom he is the first one to send an e-mail to the staff about the great work they are doing. This inspires our staff to want to do more.he is the first administrator I have had that I actually feel free to discuss my "crazy" ideas.(We actually purchased Wii's for the classroom).

ms.stacey said...

Ok I must first comment on the fact that you believe you don't like reading... I truly understand the ugly taste that 6th grade teacher left in your life, but look at who you've become in spite of her negative tongue!!! I would beg to differ on your thoughts of reading. Not all classics are great stories and you like what you like. You couldn't have gotten this far without liking something about reading even if it is to increase your knowledge, which by the way is a great reason... I am an English teacher and I know that you really love reading!!!

I can appreciate your warm thoughts about your principal because before I left the classroom I had that same great experience with my principal. Making difficult times a little bit easier! Not only was she open to my ideas, but would embrace them so that at least the students we touched would be impacted. It is good to know that there are higher ups who really make a contribution and are not just a title!!!

Keep reading and loving it!!!

CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT... week 2

Wk 2 - Reading Activity - Chapter 6 - On Transformation and Rule #6 - Joan's Blog...

“A transformation is a shift in how we experience the world, and these shifts happen continually, often just beyond our notice. As soon as a person sets out on an adventure, or falls in love, or starts a new job, she is likely to find herself feeling and thinking and talking like a new person, curious as to how she could have felt the way she had just days earlier.” (Zander)

As I read chapters 4 – 6, I shared several of the passages with my spouse and how transformations had an impact on who we are and how we got there. I have been blessed with many transformational experiences in my life.

MS. STACEY responds...

It is amazing that when you are going through a transformation that you are unaware of the transformation, but when you have transformed you are awaken to a new self. Each of life's experiences are to not to be just experiences, but impacting who you are and you benefited in some way or another.

Rule #6 is sometimes difficult for me because when I am into something I struggle with not taking it serious because I believe what I am dong is serious! Not to say I don't have fun while doing it, but need and want it to make a difference in education, relationships or whatever. I am going to have to work on the idea of not taking things not so seriously!!!

week 2 reading

transformers... more than meets the eye!

Declare yourself to be a contribution.

Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference, accepting that you may not understand how or why.

I declare myself a contribution! Those are very strong words to let come from your thoughts of who you are, but it is important that you (I) make a difference whether it is small or big, but that it is a contribution. I must state that I never thought that the word or act of contribution as a game or a gift, but after reading, it is a game the game of life and being someone who believes in a higher being it is synonymous with the idea of having a purpose to contributing to others. "In the game of "contribution" you wake up each day and bask in the notion that you are a gift to others." (page 59) It would seem that most people who enter a career of service, teacher, nurse, doctor, firefighter, attorney, etc. search for this feeling of declaring him/herself as a contribution. The purpose to make a difference/contribution is not for a self reward, but for a greater impact that is seen or not!

Seventeen years ago I declared myself a contribution without even knowing that was what I had done. I knew that I wanted to have impact and make a difference in the lives of youth and it was easy then to accept that I didn't understand the why or how. The possibilities were great, but with time, experiences and others pessimistic views I allowed "my game" to be tainted. The success of my students was always the biggest picture, but all of that transformed me negatively, not realizing until now that all of that time, experience and others were (are) part of the "contribution" game. That part of the game pushed me to move to different possibility for touching the lives of others. "The contribution game appears to have remarkable powers for transforming conflicts into rewarding experiences." (page 59) I declare myself a contribution!

"Naming oneself and others as a contribution produces a shift away from self-concern and engages us in relationship with others that is an arena for making a difference. Rewards in the contribution game are of deep and enduring kind, though less predictable than the trio of money, fame and power that accrue to be the winner in the success game. You never know what they will be or from whence the will come." (page 63) As I ponder on that paragraph it took me back to my life the last three years, wow! I would have never believed that enduring those dreadful collaborations every Tuesday could be a contribution to me and me looking for a "NEW" more rewarding possibility. The relationship with most of those educators was like a bad arranged marriage, that only now do I see the positivity it offered and it was those transformers that rearranged and helped to release my disguise. With that experience I am able to re-declare myself to the game of contribution and know my gifts are opportunities for the "NEW POSSIBILITIES!" It is with that I was (am) able to shift and transform myself to make a difference in the lives of others just on new path!

My passion and commitment to continue to make a difference will leave a mark somewhere in the universe. I declare myself a contribution!

References

image retrieved from http://www.dandare.org/FreeFun/Images/CartoonsMoviesTV/TransformersWallpaper21024.jpg

Zander, B., & Zander-Stone, R., (2000) The art of possibilities: Transforming professional and

personal life. London: Penguin Books.

the journey of possibilities...

As I thought about what to add to my blog today was very difficult because as we all know life happens and many times when we need it to be still. As I watch my mother transform due to alzheimers I am glad that I didn't always take her advice. She was a woman who believed/believes in education owning a daycare, but would have not thought it was a good idea for me to pursue a master's degree online. She is from an era where tradition and stability is important and computers are to uncertain. Being able to see that Full Sail offered me a possibility I stepped out and took the chance!

As I have gone through the process of furthering my education I am happy that I was able to step out of my comfort zone and experience online learning. I not only did I gain a lot of knowledge, but I learned that I was more self-motivated than I ever imagined. I love the fact that I was able to reach out to people and experiences that the classroom don't offer. Being able to interact with people in the corporate world, across the globe, other teachers from different states and the virtual world was adventure that would only be in a reading for me. Being able to live an experience gives me the opportunity to understand the pros and cons and I believe that life experiences should teach you something no mater how big or small.

Online learning although, has been a great experience, I still value being in the classroom. I like the fact that you build relationships and get to feel and see the reactions of the people surrounding you. On my next journey it will be important for me to combine both styles of learning because I miss the classroom while at the same time I appreciate the convenience of online learning. I am tremendously happy that I took the chance because I see nothing but opportunities from my experience!

week 1 reading

SUCCESS IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER...

"You are more likely to be successful, overall, if you participate joyfully with projects and goals and do not think your life depends on achieving the mark because then you will be better able to connect to people all around you." (Zander and Zander, page 21) I like this comment because we are always measuring who we are by others and not what we deem as successful. There are a world of people that we don't even experience and we guide our lives and possibilities by what others in our small circle judge as success. The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander is a read that allows the reader to be open and vulnerable in thinking beyond what is normal.

It is amazing, as well as, interesting that this would be the book we are reading. Last year the idea of "POSSIBILITY" was so easy for me to envision, but the closer I get to completing school the box opportunity seems to get smaller. I find myself restricting myself and losing sight of a purpose. My thoughts and actions are becoming limited which is moving my passion to uncomfortable. The chance to step into the "Universe of Possibility" that I designed and visualized is becoming challenging and my fear is not allowing me to continue in my transformation. The idea that I must continually question, "how my thoughts and actions, in this moment, reflections of the measurement world?", forces me to acknowledge that there will be struggles and fears, but there are possibilities in the transformation.

As I continue to read and then write about the ideas presented in the first few chapters I am realizing the it is difficult to separate the chapters. Each concept builds on the next. In the beginning of the book they discussed how, Our minds are designed to string the events into story lines, whether or not there is a connection between the parts."(Zander and Zander page 12) Which made me think about the dash (-) that is in the middle of the birth and death and what we contribute, what opportunities we take advantage of or not take of advantage of, how we value our experiences/relationships and what story they will eventually tell. While living we use excuses and experiences to restrict our possibilities, close boxes and fail ourselves figuratively and literally preventing a transformation in who we can be! "In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold." (page 21) Thinking and acting universally we open so many boxes and then our limitations are limited!

Great idea that we end with thinking of POSSIBILITIES... media and technology offer so many POSSIBILITIES!!!

CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT..

Cedric says...

Chapter 1 – It’s all invented

Opportunities are all around us it is like we invent our opportunities. A couple of clichés come to mind. “One person sees the glass as half empty while another person sees the glass as half full” and “one man’s trash is a another man’s is another treasure.” If two people look at the same situation and one person sees no possibilities and the other person sees unlimited opportunities. I think that this is a direct reflection of an individual’s perspective and experience in life. That is why education is so important. Education allows individuals the opportunity to broaden their horizon or view of life in the same way as a person that takes the time to learn about other cultures. The more a person knows about the world in which we live in the greater the possibility that the person will have the ability to see opportunities when others see none...

Chapter 2 – Stepping into a University of Possibility

When we think about the universe we think about “infinity”, a place that is incomprehensible in its totality and discoveries. So are the possibilities of opportunities. The only restrictions of opportunities are the restrictions that we conceive for our selves. Stepping into a universe of possibilities sounds like a good idea but it is not as easy as it sounds. When we think of the universe we also think about the unknown...

Chapter 3 – Giving an A

This chapter brings up a good point about grades. If a student receives an “A” for work preformed, is it because the student is adapt at meeting the requirements to receive an “A” or is it because the truly understands the material? This chapter suggests that grades are a tool to measure one student against another. This adds an element of competition among students that may cause them to lead a solitary academic life.

stacey robinson

Cedric so many of us never look at the possibilities and become trapped in the condition we are in and stifle ourselves. I must agree the education does allow opportunities as well as information, but this comes from so many experiences in life, (school, the streets, relationships) the list goes on and we forget to look outside the box to see where this can take us. Learning and restricting our views are the biggest reason that many of us seem to fail. It brings me to the thought that we must sometimes fail before we see or feel success and that it is mind over matter.
We sometimes forget that we can ONLY measure our successes by what we believe is success and not what the universe deems as success.

I like that this book offers the opportunity to see that we all have possibilities and are capable to reach whatever if we take the risk.

CLASSMATES SPEAK ABOUT IT..

ISABEL’S EDM613 BLOG

This chapter really got me thinking about past relationships from my earliest childhood friend to my first love. I started to look back on them and wonder what grade I had given them and why. That of course led me to wonder what would happen if I were to reevaluate the relationships and regrade them- toss out the old rubric and come up with a new one. I found that just the thought of reevaluating my relationship to others made me feel lighthearted and I realized that this idea of giving others an “A” is more about giving yourself an “A”. This idea got me thinking about what the grades we give as teachers say about us....

STACEY ROBINSON

This is interesting that you would think back to something as personal as your relationships with friends and loves and thought about them in terms of giving a grade. I know that I always think that relationships whether they are gone or still existing as chance to learn about you and others, but never did I equate them as some type of measurements.
I like that fact that this book gives us an opportunity to look beyond media and technology, but a chance to look at self. You really connected by actually thinking about what the grades really say. The grades actually send a message and many students believe we are giving them the grade , not that they are earning them. Grades especially an "A+" over an "A" say so much and just those few points can mean the world.