Why Kaleidoscope?

When I think about the conversation I would like to facilitate in this forum, the image of a kaleidoscope fits perfectly. I hope that together, we can:

• Magnify and expand that which is beautiful in education
• Find patterns
• Reflect; hold up mirrors
• Reorganize, reframe, reassemble
• Gather perspectives
• Shine light

I’d like to use this forum both to document my visits to schools, as well as to share my collected reflections and questions. Some of the interconnected topics I plan to explore in later posts include:

Standardized testing and curriculum: Children learn and express knowledge differently. Standardized testing penalizes and pathologizes difference. How can we create schools where all children feel valued and whole?

Reframing “Success”: Include the pursuit of happiness, pursuit of meaning, & pursuit of connectedness. We need to teach our children the skills to care for themselves in many ways, not just financially.    

Empathy & the Arts: Empathy is a performative act, requiring a well-developed imagination. We must nurture the development of children’s creative minds to build strong learning communities.

Social & Emotional Development: How can we support children in taking care of their mental and social health? How can we value feelings as well as thoughts?

Product versus Process: Learning is an invisible act. Attempting to externalize in order to quantify learning often confuses the point, and decreases intrinsic motivation.

Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Motivation: Rewarding children only for the learning product, as opposed to the process, devalues learning itself. How can we value the learning process and a child’s intrinsic drive to learn?

Student-directed versus teacher-directed learning: What is the appropriate balance? How do we give children time to "sit and wonder"?

Please check back often and add your voice to the conversation!