Here’s the million-dollar question, “What do principals do when school is closed because of inclement weather?” I’ve heard of some really daring principals doing some cool things like snowboarding, sledding and skiing! I’ve even heard of a very talented principal making a rap song for his students. There are also some principals who enjoy the day relaxing and catching up on favorite television shows. Well, this principal hasn’t fallen into either of the before mentioned categories. I have contemplated boiling a pot of water, going outside, tossing the water into the air, and recording how quickly it freezes. Note, “contemplated.” I haven’t done this because, I am the only person at home; therefore, there is no one to take a picture. Plus, I am sure that someone will think that I am truly “crazy” since the windchill factor is currently -22! This principal has used her “school-closed day”shampooing the carpet, catching up on school work, and reading a book that I started during the summer. I know, I don’t sound COOL~ but I do sound COMMITTED! I know that you are not interested in my housekeeping skills or how I created a meticulous schedule, so by default, I must tell you about the book that I’m reading. Don’t frown! I am not getting theoretical, although the book is researched based, it’s an easy read. If you take out the fluff and acknowledgements, it’s only 124 pages of type 12 font. You can handle it! I ordered the book after reading a tweet from a principal who accredited the book for changing the dynamics of his school. So, before I even knew that I was inheriting a blue-ribbon bound school, I ordered the book. While I am not trying to increase sales of “The 7 Mindsets” by Scott Shickler and Jeff Waller, I must admit, I love what these guys have written.
I fell in love with the book, “The 7 Mindsets”, after reading the introduction. Shickler and Waller emphasized ensuring that children see the value in what they have done as opposed to waiting for affirmation from someone else. The authors further emphasized that adults speak a different language than children. Whether using a parent’s voice, teacher’s voice, or principal’s voice, adults are not making connections with kids because they are not speaking their language. The writers highlighted a few common memes often used by adults to motivate kids. Adults have used these memes because the memes have been inherited! That’s right, more likely than not, these memes have been used to motivate us at some point in our lives. These “hand-me-down” memes have the opposite impact on “new generation kids” because “they” interpret the memes differently. For example, an adult may say, “don’t make the same mistake twice” hoping that the child whom he/she is speaking with should learn from his/her mistake and move forward. Shickler and Waller surmised that children digest the meme to mean, “Mistakes are bad and because mistakes are bad, don’t try things that are difficult.” The authors have interviewed people that kids know and admire. The book is filled with historical connections related to current curriculum. There are motivational quotes from noted people whose contributions are known by kids. Each chapter highlights 1 of 7 mindsets that will lead to ultimate success.
I am not going to write another sentence about the book…. JUST READ It!
I will be visiting my kids when the weather warms and our doors open. We will be discussing the first mindset, “Everything Is Possible!”
BLUE RIBBON here We Come!
