I have long held to the belief that there’s folly in the “each-generation-is-worse” line of thinking. My parents were worse than than their parents, who were worse than theirs, and the list goes on. Of course, then, it goes without saying that I am worse than my parents, and now my own kids (Generation Z) are the “current worst.” But wait, another generation is coming. And like the generations before, in a world of constant change, they will reign as the new worst of the worse. I don’t buy it. Never have.

As a teacher, I often hear the remark, “Kids these days.” But also, as a teacher, my experiences have taught me that kids are kids. That doesn’t change. But days, they do change, and as we adapted to “our days,” these kids are just adapting to their days, which are drastically different from our own, which will be decidedly different from their own children’s days.

As one who has devoted now twenty-four years of my life working with “kids these days,” I have found hope in each as they make their way through their days, through their worlds. And I feel no less hope for the Gen Z kids who fill my desks right now. In fact, I want to help turn that hope into reality this spring with our “Broken to Better Project,” challenging the kids in these next eighty-eight days to find what’s broken in their inherited world and make it better. Of course, what this generation accomplishes remains to be seen, but I have high hopes for them to if not solve problems, then to mend what’s broken by coming together where past generations have struggled: between. As our generations further retreat to their “certain ends,” I plan to challenge my kids to find better between the ends.

As such, we will set the stage with this Essential Question:

How can we come together to build a better tomorrow?

This week our work will begin with this Guiding Question:

How does the world view me?

I want the kids to consider how the world views their generation. Next week, I will ask them how they view the world. But first, this week, we will begin by looking at Gen Z’s place in the world. Today, we will begin by watching Moses Lake High School teacher Kimber Lybbert’s TEDx Talk that took place right here in Spokane, “Dear Grown-ups…Sincerely, Gen Z.”

I stumbled across this last weekend as I was looking for some Gen Z resources. I am thrilled I found it. I am thrilled it was in Spokane. I am more thrilled it was by a fellow Washington teacher. But I am most thrilled that Kimber painted a perfect picture with her words. I am truly inspired by what she shares about this generation, about “these kids,” whom I have come to know and love. These kids. These kids will change the world.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting for the first time in our new semester classes with Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…considering our place in the world as “these kids.”

…viewing and analyzing “Dear Grown-ups…Sincerely, Gen Z.”

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Tuesday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.