Finland has gotten a lot of good press in recent years because of the success of their schools. All their schools. That is, across the board Finnish school seem to be thriving. In fact, although Finnish students start later and spend less time at school than most developed nations,...
Mark 2:23-28
posted by DJL
One Sabbath he was going through the cornfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his...
Learning and Passion
posted by DJL
I titled the category for these recent posts “Teaching,” but I could just as easily titled it “Learning,” as how we teach is greatly shaped by how we believe people learn. In recent years, significant research has demonstrated that we do our best learning when our deepest passion and sense of calling is engages. Among other things, this research argues against employing a model of education shaped by standardized testing – which has little to nothing to do with unique gifts and interests – toward a more personalized, student-centered approach to learning. Of course, attention to the question of how we...
The Mom Song
posted by DJL
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re looking for a way to say thanks to your mom for all the times she pushed and cajoled you to do what you knew you were supposed to do, or if you want to send an encouraging word to a mom who is still having to do that and wonders...
Mark 2:18-22
posted by DJL
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus said to them, “The wedding-guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As...
Education Revolution
posted by DJL
Here is the second post on the problems with our schools, problems that arise not from our teachers or students but the larger system in which our teachers and students live. Ken Robinson was invited to address the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce...
Mark 2:13-17
posted by DJL
Jesus went out again beside the lake; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house,...
The Origin of School...
posted by DJL
I believe that because we love both our children (and grandchildren) we should give our greatest respect, encouragement, and support to their teachers. In many ways I think they need that respect and encouragement as much as ever. In recent years a lot of folks have blamed teachers for many of...
Mark 2:5-12
posted by DJL
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus perceived in his...
What Teachers Make
posted by DJL
It’s National Teacher Recognition Week and so all week I’ll be posting on teachers, teaching practices, and education more generally. Why? Because I don’t think there is anything more important for our future than how we are educating our children (and ourselves) right now. Which means that teachers are incredibly important. But you wouldn’t necessarily know that from the kind of attention given teachers in the media and from politicians in recent years. Politicians, in particular, have heaped all kind of blame on our teachers for the state of our kids’ education even as they have been slashing school budgets, laying siege to...
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