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Browse published articles attributed to Florence Be ard, with full-archive search.
Yesterday we decided to go and watch Inception. The commercials worked and made me wonder about the whole thing, especially given that most of what I do involves looking at how people use their minds... The first thing I did was look the word up. I had read the synopsis online and it was kind of a key word! :-) I found a few definitions quite close to each other but the general idea is beginning, creation.
Have you ever wondered what use you were ever going to make of learning how to solve mathematical equations? I think we all have to admit that most of us don’t tend to use that knowledge on a daily basis… mmmm… What if we did? What if we used it in a very natural and practical way that doesn’t actually involve a pencil and an eraser and little numbers on a piece of paper? I remember learning the basic rule that would solve all the equations: + and + equals +, + and – equals – and, – and – equals +. You remember? We could equate this to three categories of people found in life.
Do you have any cool teacher stories? Someone who impacted your life in a positive way? Someone who told you one thing one time, in passing maybe, and who really made a difference? Teachers really give a lot for our kids. Talking from experience, I can tell you that knowing that you have made a difference in a kid’s life is the most rewarding feeling. Here’s a couple of my stories:
A couple of days ago, a man performed a miracle by crash landing his plane into the Hudson River and saved the lives of 154 people and his own. This is an awesome deed and I am wondering if, maybe, this happened to remind us about the GOOD things that happen in this world. It saddens me to see all the usual surrounding negativity and it is refreshing to be able to see such a great, positive event being reported on. Of course, the reality is that many great deeds happen every day but are never known to the world. But this is not my point today...
Something just came to my mind recently observing the cats I have in my house. It really struck me how relevant this would be to kids and parents, and how much it can impact people. Earl Nightingale has a chapter in one of his recordings called “Attitude”. I played it to my class a couple of years ago and was very interested hearing the comments it raised amongst a group of 13-year-olds.
The following is a re-ordered compilation of a few thoughts that randomly came to me while running this morning, listening to the great Zig Ziglar on my IPod. You'll find that it is more intended to parents who have teenagers and who want them to regain their motivation, but, in the process, I think there is something for everybody.
As we live in a world very negatively portrayed by the media, there are times where we have to stop and ponder on what we are teaching our kids. I have written and talked about this before but, as I was reading a message from the principal of a great Florida School, it struck me again that too many people are just stuck in this negativity and exaggeration... and total misconception of reality.
This will literally take 5 minutes. These 10 very simple tips about study skills will make all the difference in your life and, more importantly, in your kids' school life.
In my years working closely with kids and their struggles at school, I have found one big common denominator: Kids, especially teenagers, are always the victim of some kind of metaphysical injustice that gets them constantly in trouble… At least if you listen to them!
You want to know what 2009 is going to be like? Well, I am going to tell you, so read on! But first I want to tell you something else: 2009 is going to be the best year ever for me and all people surrounding who will be open enough to listen. Why, how? Because I know it. Because I can see it and feel it. Because it is my clearest, surest and most definite intention. Now I am going to tell you what 2009 is going to be like for you. There are two possibilities and I invite you to choose.r
Just a few Thanksgiving thoughts… It seems that there are not that many places that have a Thanksgiving celebration such as in the United States. Although I am sure many churches do give thanks in their services, the whole event of celebrating what we can be grateful for is, I think, a very good thing. And as it is an opportunity for families to get together, it makes it even better.
Isn’t that what everybody wants? Wouldn’t you just love to go home to find your kids doing their homework without your having to nag? Wouldn’t it just be great if you didn’t have to negotiate the priority of school work over their favorite TV show? Well, it can happen. You just have to build the right circumstances and conditions at home and teach your kids a very simple concept.
It’s May in my 8th grade class and I am giving the kids time to review for their up-coming French final. I am absolutely puzzled: Most kids are just sitting there, looking at their books, notes or old papers. They sit and swing on their chairs, spend one minute on each page and after ten minutes are at a loss as to what to do. They’re done! They’ve just read through the latest lessons and they’re ready.
You know what? I am sick and tired to hear criticism about teachers and the state of education. And some of the comments and articles I am reading about the latest events in Wisconsin really make me mad. So here comes my two cents. First of all, let’s get something clear. The vast majority of teachers work their tails off to give the best possible education in a system that is constantly sabotaged by their governments. Yes, sabotaged!