Rooted in comics…

Greetings Starfighters,

Comic-Con is upon us, that time of year when thousands of geeks descend upon San Diego and enjoy some quality time together. Sadly, I have never been. However, one of my very good friends is actually presenting some of his research on using comics in education for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Be sure to check it out if you’re there.

You should try going if you’ve never been to a “Con” of any variety. I usually attend the Cincinnati version in the fall and love seeing the cosplay and just hanging around some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

Trying to decide if they’re worth attending?

Although Comic-Con is rooted in comics, the convention is using its growing popularity and global recognition to support and further social progress. In 2017, Comic-Con conventions in various cities and countries featured mental health panels. These panels are still going strong as attendees are looking for ways that pop culture can help them deal with current issues (like Covid-19-related stresses). Regarding diversity, for the first time in history, a woman won the Best Writer Eisner Award – the top award for comic book writing – at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con, around the same time it was announced that the first transgender superhero in television history would be joining the characters of “Supergirl.” And, the first-ever Indigenous Comic-Con, which began in 2016 and has slowly taken off in America and in Australia, celebrates Indigenous creators and artists and their contributions to pop culture. Its success has since spawned a mini-Indigenous-Comic-Con with pop-up events in various cities. Comic-Con unlocks people’s imaginations and addresses serious cultural and societal issues.

Quote of the Day

“Our children should study what’s important to learn, not what’s easy for you to test.” (Ted Dintersmith, What School Could Be)

Musical Interlude

Sultans of Swing is one of my all-time favorite songs. It’s just… perfect. And here’s a great cover from this past April by Umphrey’s McGee

Long Read of the Day

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) was first introduced in 2023; over a year later, with the August recess looming, the Senate is poised to vote on the bill. With 70 cosponsors, the bill appears likely to pass.

Proponents of the bill believe that the law is necessary to safeguard children from harm that could result from the platforms’ relentless quest for user attention. Critics argue that KOSA not only erodes internet freedoms but could also prevent minors — particularly LGBTQ minors — from accessing potentially lifesaving information.

Video of the Day

“The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. As we got farther and farther away, it diminished in size. Finally, it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine.” – James Irwin, Apollo 15

Several years ago, a small group took those words to heart and built a scale model of our universe in the desert. To know how small the scale was to create the model and for it still to take up as much space as it did is a reminder to all of us how big our universe is and how small we are.

I showed this film to my math students when we discussed scale drawings, and it never ceased to give them lots to think about beyond scale drawings.

Final Thoughts

I just started Jim Harrison’s “Legends of the Fall”—yes, that one—this week. I’ll let you know if I like it better than I like the film.

“I followed all the rules – man’s and God’s. And you… followed none of them and they all loved you more”

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All the nonsense that’s fit to print, brother

madness — Photo by Thiébaud Faix on Unsplash

Greetings Starfighters,

It’s Friday in America, and Hulk Hogan showed up last night at the Republican National Convention.

If you haven’t seen his appearance, it’s everything you think it could be and so much more. I didn’t watch it live (trust me, there are far better things to do) but I’ve seen plenty of clips this morning.

What in the actual nonsense is going on?

Anyways, on to other topics. As I said, it’s Friday, and my dog is sleeping next to my desk in his favorite sunspot, warming up after a moderately chilly morning jaunt. I say moderately chilly since it’s below 70 in Kentucky for the first morning in a couple of weeks (thank the gods).

Right now, I long for the day when I can walk outside, feel that first bite in the morning air, and say, “It smells like marching band…”

I’m still waiting for those 76 trombones to catch the morning sun and have no desire to hear just how loud 110 cornets would be (although this is probably pretty close to the awesome it might be)

Fall will be here soon enough and, along with it, far more bearable temperatures and breathable air. At least, if we don’t all melt from the effects of another record-breaking hot year.

Quote of the Day

Because there’s a large portion of the population who needs to use their brain…

“You have a mind? —Yes. Well, why not use it? Isn’t that all you want—for it to do its job?” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations)

Musical Interlude

I’m a shameless Oasis fan, and I’m also a shameless Noel Gallagher fan. (Liam is, by far, the more evil brother. I mean, they’re both evil. I’ve just accepted Noel’s evil to enjoy his music.)

Here’s a live performance from 2023 of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.

Long Read of the Day

Madeline Dore has some great thoughts on finding things that make time pass unnoticed. This essentially comes down to doing things you love and getting into a flow.

Of course, my thoughts turn to, “How do we make schools a place where kids can find the things they love and help them experience enough of them to decide what they want to keep pursuing?”

Video of the Day

Folks, Papa Elf left us yesterday. Bob Newhart was one of the funniest “straight men” in comic history. Growing up in the 80s, I watched his magic on “Newhart” and reruns of “The Bob Newhart Show.” He was hilarious.

Here’s a short documentary from Judd Apatow on the lifelong friendship of Newhart and Don Rickles (another one of the funniest comedians ever).

Final Thoughts

If you didn’t know, last week, the NY Times published their list of the 100 best books of the 21st century so far (yes, even though we’re not technically 25 years in yet), and there have been any number of hot takes on the validity of the list. Here’s Ted Gioia’s take on the top 10.

But, never fear, true believers. The Times published the reader’s list of the top 100 books yesterday.

Maybe that list is more your speed. If not, try this one from Lit Hub.

Or, just make your own. You do you, booboo.

Power comes from authenticity

Greetings Starfighters,

I’m certain that the only way we can change our schools is to focus on creating authentic student learning experiences. The more I read and watch in the education world only solidifies that belief.

If we’re not focused on authentic learning, we betray the sacred trust given to us by families when they give us their very best every day. They want more for their kids.

They want more than scripted learning stuck in an industrial design that stifles creativity and individuality.

They want their kids to be their authentic selves. And that must be our commitment, our moral and ethical duty as educators.

If it’s not, we’re wasting our time.

Quote of the Day

“Habit is a mighty ally, my young friend. The habit of fear and anger, or the habit of self-composure and courage.” (Steven Pressfield, Gates of Fire)

Musical Interlude

Foxes and Fossils, one of my favorite YouTube cover bands, published a cover of Paul Simon’s “America,” and it is everything.

Have I mentioned that Paul Simon is one of my favorite musicians? No?

Long Read of the Day

I’m going to guess that most of us aren’t too worried about having clean clothes to wear when we leave the house (we’re not going to talk about summertime teacher lounging around the house wear…). However, clean clothes are a luxury for some students, and not having them can keep them away from school.

For most students, having clean clothes to wear to school is not a problem.

But for many families at 112th St. S.T.E.A.M. Academy in Watts, a pair of clean pants and a shirt is such a struggle that it has become one of the main contributors to chronic absenteeism, which is when students miss 15 or more days or classes…

In May, the school received a new washing machine and [dryer from the Rams NFL football team](https://abc7.com/post/la-rams-donate-washers-dryers-schools-resourced-communities/14867499/#:~:text=The Rams and Pacsun will,to 20 under-resourced schools.) and the Think Watts Foundation; along with $2 million in clothing to schools serving low income students. Earlier this year, LAUSD also announced a mobile laundry service for homeless students as part of the district’s attempt to combat chronic absenteeism.

Hernandez hopes the machines will ease the pressure on parents and make it easier for students to return to school.

Video of the Day

In this webinar, experts discussed what whole child design looks like and what it means for broader systems change. Local education leaders provided lessons learned from their whole child design efforts and discussed how state policy can accelerate or impede these efforts.

Final Thoughts

I talk about authentic learning experiences all the time—maybe too much, but it’s kind of my thing. We don’t have enough authentic learning experiences in our schools, but what is more concerning is that we don’t let our students be their authentic selves very much.

We put them in boxes of grade levels, achievement, lunch groups, pathways, etc., and fully expect them to thrive. There’s nothing authentic or personal about much of what we deem important in education.

Before we can see better outcomes for our students, we have to let them be authentic to what is inside them. I’m stuck on Steven Pressfield’s idea that the artistic journey is the “passage by which we re-invent ourselves as ourselves.”

We need to give our students a passage to reinvent themselves by discovering who they really are. It wouldn’t hurt to give our teachers the same experience, either.

The End of the Experiment

Greetings Starfighters,

It’s mid-July, and the sun is beating down on my old Kentucky home with an intensity that I don’t have the words to describe. The new school year is coming, and already, the calendar fills with meetings, conferences, and all the usual trappings.

The past weekend provided what may prove to be the turning point in the 2024 US presidential election.

I still don’t know how to describe my religious upbringing. While I’m not sure it was a full-blown cult, it certainly echoed many of the telltale signs of Christian cults. And those groups have only grown in size and number in the past twenty years, especially since a black man was elected president.

I am disturbed by the growing number of people who are assigning former President Trump almost godlike status, emphasizing that he is untouchable and ordained to lead.

It sounds an awful lot like what good Christians are supposed to be on watch for to know the arrival of the Antichrist, if you believe such things.

All I know is that, after this weekend’s assassination attempt, I’m inclined to agree with John Naughton’s assessment that the American experiment with democracy is ending.

A dark cloud hangs over this country, and my mind turns to my daughter and all the students I serve. What will happen next, and how will it affect their future?

Quote of the Day

“But most of the terrible things that happen in this land don’t happen because of evil men, not really. They happen because of people who just don’t know any better.” (Sebastien de Castell, Traitor’s Blade)

Musical Interlude

This summer’s Dave Matthews Band tour has seen the resurrection of several older songs from the band’s catalog. One of those making regular appearances is one of my favorites, The Last Stop.

Here’s a live version from this past May:

Long Read of the Day

Last week at a conference, an interesting session asked two teachers to dribble a basketball for 30 seconds without stopping. When they failed, the only feedback given was “try harder.”

How many times have we heard that? How many times have we been the ones telling students that? Does it really work? Can’t they just be more resilient and try harder?

They can, but trying harder doesn’t always accomplish the goal, and, more often than not, it just frustrates you. Resiliency isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Soraya Chemaly talks more about The Resilience Myth…

Over years I had really absorbed the idea that resilience was 9/10th the ability to persevere, be gritty, try to stay optimistic, etc. and 1/10th having a supportive social circle. When my family was thrown into the deep end of a crisis, it became clear that nothing I could do as an individual could compare to what we all needed, which was a combination of love, friendship, compassionate listeners, and actual material resources, such as access to good health care and medicine.

Video of the Day

Can AI create a documentary film? Maybe…

Artistic legend Brian Eno is featured in a unique documentary that changes every time it’s watched. The film uses special software to create countless versions of Eno’s story, a story that the producers are constantly adding more content to. I’m sure it’s a trip, as most anything associated with Eno always has been. But, the ideas behind the film’s creation echo much of Eno’s own ideas about the constantly changing nature of the world around us.

Final Thoughts

Maybe we should rethink our facts of life…

Jukebox heroes and $20 fiddles

boy wearing black shirt on teal machine — Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Greetings Starfighters,

Faster than the fleetest hoof ever struck the pavement or a wheel ever turned upon an axle, the magnificence of Spring Break lies upon us in the Bluegrass State. There is, perhaps, no better time for a break than right now, as many of our schools haven’t had a long break since January 2, baseball makes its annual return from the doldrums of winter, and the sun shines ever brighter each day.

I digress…

Yes, I’m in a good mood, partially because I’m off work for a few days and have a chance to catch up on my doctoral work (which never seems to end), but also to spend a few days with my kiddo (my apologies to all spouses who don’t get a break when their teacher partners do), do some reading (I’m so far behind on my yearly challenge), do some housework, and overall get ready to wrap up another school year with gusto.

Also, my virtual learning academy students just finished recording season one of their podcast, which I’ll be sharing very soon. They did a great job, even if they were freaking out the entire time they recorded.

So now, dear travelers, I present you with 10 things I thought were worth sharing with you this week…

10 Things Worth Sharing

I see more reasons to keep arts programs in our schools every day. When we involve students in the arts, we give them a chance to tap into the creative realm and expand their imagination. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll get a $20 violin that will take them everywhere…
I read Ron Berger’s excellent An Ethic of Excellence this week after staring at it on my bookshelf since last summer. I should have read it sooner. Hat tip to good friend Scott McCleod for the recommendation. Here’s a video of Ron from PBLWorks a few years ago. He starts with his philosophy that “we vastly underestimate the capacity of kids to do beautiful work.”
When you have ideas, put them down on paper. Share them. Get them out in the open and let them breathe. Get feedback from others and then, get to work on those ideas. If you let them, ideas rot.
Admittedly, I’m a huge Carl Sagan fan. I mean, why shouldn’t I be? His Cosmos TV series was an instrumental part of my childhood-yes, I was raised on public television-and his ideas still grip my brain today. However, I’m not sure I could handle his undergrad reading list from the 50s. It’s pretty stacked.
I love movies. Always have, always will. However, I will admit that I have not always taken the time to view artistic and important films. Yes, friends, I have been a populist movie watcher and enjoyed every minute of it. But, I’m doing my best to expand my horizons and, as such, have apparently become part of the cult of Criterion.
I’ve heard of some school districts adding student members to their school boards but I’d love to see more of it. Students need someone to speak directly about their experiences in schools and stop relying solely on the opinions of us old folk to make decisions.
Can art help people? I hope so…
Radiohead’s Creep serves as an anthem for anyone who has ever felt self-conscious or suffered from imposter syndrome. Or maybe that’s just how the song makes me feel. Regardless, I shed a tear or two every time I hear Creep, and if I’m alone in my car, I’ll likely scream much of the lyrics as I weep. Maybe you do, too. I’m not sure, but perhaps there are a few folks in this crowd of 1,600 doing the same as they sing Creep together.
Oklahoma is adding more virtual charter schools for the coming school year, even as some in the state believe that virtual schools have reached a ‘saturation point.’ Working with and researching virtual schools, I’m interested anytime news like this shows up as I hope that we are able to maintain virtual learning as an option for many students who haven’t found success in the traditional classroom.
Finally, did you know that KOOP radio in Austin, TX, has a Sunday afternoon Joystick Jukebox show? And that they have an archive online? Yes, you, too, can enjoy an hour of video game music spanning over 50 years of the genre every Sunday. It’s wicked cool and, you know, for kids!

PS: Next week, I’ll talk about the importance of this book and my thoughts about the stories inside.

Presenting the Presentations…

woman in black suit — Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com

Greetings Starfighters,

Normally in this space, you’d find 10 things I found this week that I think are awesome.

This week, I’m at the KySTE Conference in Louisville, KY, leaving me with a shortened list of things to share. Next week, I’ll be back with a full set of 10.

If you’re interested, I’m giving two presentations at KySTE, one on some ideas for integrating the science of learning and development in a virtual academy and another on how we started a Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) in our virtual academy this year (the themes in this one are specific to KY, but I’m sure there’s a version you can implement where you are).

You can find the slides and resources for both those sessions right here.

Yesterday, during my session, I looked at my watch and remembered that four years prior, I was at the same conference in a meeting to figure out how we would get learning materials to kids since we were closing in-person schooling due to COVID-19.

Of course, that was only supposed to be for two weeks…

In other news:

Adobe is getting into the digital badging game. This seems like a late move, with so many edtech providers offering badges and “ambassador” programs for years now. As someone who once chased these credentials, I always worry that the mindset is more about becoming an unpaid salesman for a company rather than focusing on great outcomes for kids. Still, there is value in earning these badges.
From the “We Can’t Avoid It, So We’ll Embrace It” Department – Pearson is expanding AI within its Pearson+ e-textbooks in the coming school year.
If you work in education (or really any industry) and share your thoughts and work online as I do, Christy Tucker has some great advice on setting realistic boundaries for sharing freely (face it, folks, we gotta get paid somehow).
In other news involving money, Accenture is buying Udacity to build a learning platform for AI.
Educators are increasingly adopting the concept of play theory, which argues that play and learning are fundamentally intertwined and that children benefit from a healthy balance of both.

OK, that’s 5 awesome things to share. Have a great weekend, gang. Mine will be spent watching T-Swift on repeat with my pre-teen daughter. I’d appreciate your thoughts and prayers 😉

Does A Machine Like Yourself Ever Experience Fear?

It’s rainy here in the Bluegrass State as another Friday rolls around. Spring Break is right around the corner for many of us, but not before we complete the last barrage of testing leading up to our end-of-year assessments—and my, aren’t those fun?

Still, there are so many things happening and more cool stuff than ever to share, so here are 10 Things worth sharing with you this week.

10 Things Worth Sharing

Based upon recent reading, I’m thinking a lot about the shared assumptions within each school building and how they affect teachers, students, and the outcomes we want for everyone.
Ever wondered how airplanes are able to fly? This interactive explainer does a better job than I’ve ever seen of explaining and visualizing that concept.
I’m happy to see so many people focusing on the science of reading with our students and supporting that work with great professional development. Here’s a success story from Texas on what is possible.
I’m diversifying my movie intake these days—partly by watching 52 Criterion Collection films this year—but also moving toward more human stories. When I saw the trailer for Sing Sing, I couldn’t wait to learn more about the film and the story. This looks like it will be amazing.
Steve Jobs wanted Apple to focus on a handful of products. Here’s why saying “no” more often can lead to success in whatever you do.
Teachers and students need more resources to use as they create products and demonstrate their learning. I was excited to learn about the Getty Museum’s over 88,000 art images freely available online.
Sometimes, you need to find a new perspective to improve your work, especially in education. Author Jennifer Croft uses photography as a writing tool to bring that new perspective.
Jisc, a technology organization in the UK, has compiled a selection of resources to support different stages of AI maturity in schools. Their aim is to provide a web-based hub of resources, growing over time to meet the needs of schools.
With the growing number of news outlets closing and a general public distrust of news sites, can we say that journalism is disappearing? I certainly hope not!
RIP Akira Toriyama. The creator of Dragon Ball passed away a few days ago, and the tributes are pouring in. The world lost a creative mind who influenced millions but whose work will live on for generations.

Winter breaks…

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
-Percy Bysshe Shelley

There are only a few days left before Winter Break for most schools here in the US, and the holiday feelings are already very strong. I’m wrapping up a couple of projects (and another semester of doctoral work) before settling in for a long winter’s nap.

At least, I hope I’m able to get a few naps in 😉

Anyway, here are 10 things I think you might enjoy…

10 Things Worth Sharing

A new study discusses whether or not reading print materials is more beneficial for comprehension than reading digital materials.
Here’s a list of self-care habits for kids that we should all probably use at home and at work
As crappy as this sounds, many teachers would rather come to work sick than prepare sub plans. They’re a drag, for sure. However, we can make the job a little easier. Try using AI to create sub plans in 15 minutes.
From the Department of Cool Maps – here’s the world map that introduced scientific mapmaking to the medieval Islamic world around 1154 AD (with a decent measure of the earth’s circumference because they already knew in 1154 that the earth was round…)
As we continue to discuss AI usage in schools, here are some reflections shared by teachers actively involved in AI experiments in the classroom.
Guiding students through inquiry-based learning
Something I need to work on is saying “no” to things. Like you, I’m a pretty busy person. Every time I say “yes” to something, I must say “no” to something else. Sometimes what I say no to is far more important and dear to me than the yes. Ryan Holiday gives us a reminder from Harry Truman to say NO.
I’ve always felt there was a certain danger to keep mementos of any past glories around you. I always think about the men in “Friday Night Lights” who just can’t seem to move beyond that state football championship they won all those years before and haven’t really accomplished much since. Those relics might be mocking you (the term is the “Ozymandias problem”). Maybe it’s time we consider moving on, letting the past crumble, and toss out some of those old trophies.
Gem Prep Learning Societies, a rural Idaho microschooling experiment, offers an alternative to traditional schools and homeschooling. Students learn online and in small, in-person groups for six hours daily, guided by educators. The program combines traditional schooling with online learning. Gem Prep Online’s curriculum is used for both modalities, and students progress with earned autonomy. The program’s first year provided valuable lessons for future expansion.
For those of you who celebrate Christmas and need a playlist for your parties, look no further than Matthew Perpetua’s “At the Holiday Party”

That’s all, folks. Thanks again for hanging out with me on another Friday. I hope you continue to find value in this weekly newsletter.