Today's Reads, Views, and Links

In the NFL this week, the world has been flipped upside down. An openly gay player will enter the draft this spring.

You can debate whether or not Michael Sam should have waited to declare this fact or not. I think it's a good move. The barrier had to be broken down sooner or later. In fact, there have been numerous gay players in the NFL (the Houston Oilers purportedly had a few gay players in the early 1990's).  They just never openly declared it so.  Now I'm all for keeping one's sexuality to one's self.  But it is what it is.

The Huffington Post Tweeted a link to some of the ugly backlash from some folks who disagreed with Sam's choice.  It was really ugly stuff.  I'm sure it was the same sentiment that Jackie Robinson faced when he was the first African American baseball player in the majors.

Let's hope Sam has the same kind of success.

One has to wonder if my Bengals might draft Sam. Our captain, Andrew Witworth has already stated that a gay player would be welcomed in their locker room.  Furthermore, the Bengals' owner's father, Paul Brown, was the first coach in the NFL to bring African American players in to the league.

Maybe his son will be the first to break down another barrier.

****

The title of this article says it all: 10 Ways Your Awkward Teenage Years Prepared You To Kick Ass in the Real World.

So millennials, there is indeed hope!  Take that Bauerlein!

*****

Still think not going to college is a good idea? Not after you read this: Earnings Gap Between College and High School Grads reaches Highest Point in 48 Years.

But it also is good to keep in mind that "university for all" isn't necessarily the perfect fix either.




****

An interesting read here - 10 Ways Teacher Planning Should Adjust to the Google Generation

I love their first tip - make content Google Proof.  They don't mean simply that you can't just Google the answer. Instead the mean craft your lesson so that Google can supplement what you learn, not supplant it.

Instead, anchor learning experiences around new kinds of thinking that force the synthesis of disparate ideas, media, and communities. Scenario-based learning, challenge-based learning, project-based learning, learning simulations, and so on.

 I believe wholeheartedly in their third tip: Actually make social networks and media channels part of curriculum.

I can't begin to explain how it has transformed my teaching. I don't know what anyone is hesitant for!

Maybe my favorite tip is #9: Discourage use of traditional units.

This is one reason I'm secretly pulling for the death of the textbook.

The author's reasoning?

Among other sins, units encourage illusions of “coverage” for the sake of content packaging. Why not instead emphasize that learning is a marathon, not a series of artificially-divided sprints.

I couldn't agree more!

****

I just got word that the anthology, What Teaching Means, is now available on Amazon.  Yes, an essay of mine is available on Amazon and can be downloaded to a Kindle!  Amazing.

I can't believe I can actually see my name under the "Look Inside" tab on Amazon

****

And this is exactly what ever teacher wants to know, especially if you're an English teacher, Why Students Don't Read What is Assigned in Class.




****

Yesterday in Common Prep, our principal shared this with us at the end of his presentation.  It's awesome. The power of staying positive.