We be not wizards

Only muggles

Left to our

Own self-struggles

Morning, all. Short post today. Had myself a rare sleep-in this morning. Sorry.

Talked with my kiddos about struggle yesterday. But first the day before, last period of the day.

“What would you do at home if you were struggling with the poem’s meaning?” I asked.

“Google it.” Nodding heads around the table.

“So, google it.” Questioning glances from around the table.

I repeated, “Google it.” And continued, “I figure one of two things is gonna happen when you hit the land of struggle: give up or google it. I’d rather you google it than give up on it. Of course, I would prefer you kept walking through the struggle on your own, but if all else fails, and you’re tempted to quit, use a resource.”

And then I went home and reflected. And I panicked. Did I just give them an easy route around the struggle?

So yesterday, I had the very same conversation with all my classes, but this time I dealt even more reality as I sought to level with my kiddos.

“Here’s the deal, chicos. Though I do allow resources on performances (tests), I do not allow you to use the internet. So while Google is available to you in “practice situations,” it will not be there for the ‘”game.” So, I worry that if you don’t first struggle, you will be ill-prepared come the performance, so only use Google after the struggle, as a means to fill in the gaps, not as a cheap shortcut.”

Will my earnest advice fall on some deaf ears? Likely. Who doesn’t like a shortcut? But I choose to level with my kids about such things. I cannot control what they do outside my class, nor do I want to. My only hope is that I reach them on some level that gets them to internalize and consider their ownership of their learning. Why not avoid the whole Google thing?  Why even suggest it in the first place? Why not, instead, warn them of the grave consequences of taking shortcuts? I don’t know. Maybe it’s my desire to be real. Maybe the consequences aren’t all that grave. Maybe.

We ended our day in our Journey Journals by writing a recipe for a “struggle cake.” Kids had to consider the factors of struggle, present them as ingredients in specified amounts, and then provide a procedure for mixing and baking the cake. They were funny. They were sad. They were insightful. I think my kids will be okay. Google won’t ruin their lives.

Here’s the Sappy Sy that ended our day.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will…

…begin with Smiles and Frowns.

…hear our Mindset Mantra.

…continue the struggle (and maybe the Google) with the texts for the performance on Monday.

…reflect in our Journey Journals.

…end with a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Friday, muggles.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.