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Category: education

Love Not Control

When I was an undergrad, I had a professor who encouraged us to use positive reinforcement for classroom management. He suggested to look for a student who was doing the right thing and say, “I like how Johnny is standing in line,” or “I like the way Johnny is sitting quietly,” or “Thank you, Johnny, for keeping your hands to yourself.” I piped up (it was before my filter was securely in place like it is most of the time now) and said, “Yeah and then everyone wants to beat… Read more Love Not Control

Teach Writers Like Nate Taught Swimmers

My husband’s and my friend Nate taught three of our four children how to swim. Nate was 20 when I scribbled these lessons in my notebook after our final swim lesson. Get in the pool. Nate was a competitive swimmer. He knows how to swim well, so he can teach in a richer way. As writing teachers, we need to put words on paper. It gives a deeper insight into how to teach writing well. Teach one thing. After watching a swimmer he gave one suggestion to make the stroke… Read more Teach Writers Like Nate Taught Swimmers

CELEBRATE This Week: XXXIII

I’m glad you are here to celebrate! Share a link to your blog post below and/or use #celebratelu to share celebrations on Twitter. ***** My friend Joe sent me an email and told me he was rereading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Strangely enough, I’m rereading it this week too. Joe asked me to read Chapter 7, “Your Best Life…Later” and then send him some thoughts. I like the way our thinking weaves around one another and gets to new ideas. ***** I had my year-end evaluation meeting on Friday… Read more CELEBRATE This Week: XXXIII