February Challenge

I hate February, more than any other month by far. Not just because of Valentine's Day (and really, who doesn't have at least one horror story from that holiday?). I hate it because it should be full of hope and getting ready for spring, but it so often is just 28 (or if we're really lucky 29) days of cold bleak winter. Two years ago on this blog I challenged myself and anyone reading to comment daily on something good about each day in February (as another aside, I hate it so much I can't even spell it correctly without the aid of spell-check). Last year I forgot, but this year I am bringing it back. The goal is to have by the end of the month a list of great happenings and hopefully a slightly better attitude towards this month. Or at least a list of reasons why we can make it through another February.

Everyday Leadership

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."
So, so powerful. . . Now I need to think about who I need to thank.

The Power of Yet

I love the idea of instead of giving an F to a student, we simply say "not yet." It is a small change, but I think an important one. I truly believe the only failure in life is to not learn from your mistakes. If you are learning and growing, then you are on the right track.


 

Slow TV

I am not sure if this would work anywhere but Norway. Fun to watch.

Being Wrong

This is amazing for so many reasons.  I think it is a great model for what education is at its best.  I love when she said that we not only need to be wrong, we celebrate it.  Our stories depend on wrongness, without them they are boring and flat.  That and the quote from St. Augustine "Fallor ergo sum."  Very deep.

Music on the road and in the air

"The young ones, they don't question their own opinion."  I love this quote.  It is so true that young children listen to music they like, and don't feel like they need to justify their taste.  They like what they like. While it may be incredibly unfashionable to say you like to listen to Barney the big purple dinosaur - not a single pre-schooler watching Barney would care.  They listen to music because it makes them happy and it is an awesome thing to watch someone make music.  So I invite you to listen as if you were 8 years old again.

Prime Numbers

Prime numbers are such a huge part of theoretical math.  They have an enormous impact on our lives every day however.  Internet security is dependent on monster prime numbers.  I love how enthused this guy is about it.  I promise, he isn't quite as geeky as the title would make him see.