What happens when life gives you a box of mismatched puzzle pieces?
Life, in some ways, has presented me with this amazing challenge--one that requires new thinking and a different approach.
The first step is to back away from the master puzzle makers who simply are shouting advice from the sidelines. Rather than lots of helpful comments, I need skilled hands-on help instead and simply the time and space to make sense of this puzzle.
The next step is continued focus on what matters including relationship building, just-right activities/coaching, and a good routine. This puzzle requires a different mindset and approach than past puzzles.
What will work?
- straight talk: in many ways, straight talk works in this situation.
- less talk: fewer words are better here.
- time-on-task: there's lots of work to do, and focusing on doing that work helps
- less extraneous talk and inferring: what matters here is action
- focus on the most essential goals: the essential goal here is learning and teaching
What efforts will take main stage?
- completing the initial stage of student portfolios
- completing the math introductory unit
- prepping for upcoming field studies
- completing the introductory science and STEAM lessons
- preparing for a few worthy professional learning events
- care and attention to each piece of the puzzle
What is left behind?
- unnecessary conjecture and conversation
- efforts aimed nowhere
- tasks outside of the main focus
I generally am a fan of puzzles. I like to think deeply about how to solve problems and make better. Similar to way I teach students, I know that a positive mindset and good effort results in positive gain. Onward.
