Good Friday Morning!

1. Question – Are we recognizing our children for the wrong things?

2. Question – Are we recognizing our children for conspicuous achievement verses formative assessment?

3. Definition – Conspicuous – obvious to the eye or mind; attracting attention (GPA, top in class, best athlete…)

4. Definition – Formative – used to describe the time when someone or something is growing or being formed (Character, most honest, most respectful, best citizen…)

5. Thought – The substance of my remarks came from a growing concern about what I’ve been seeing over the last several years in my classroom, around school, across the culture, in my own household. Spurred by well meaning but all too often micromanaging parents with resources to expend, teenagers in great number are becoming ever more preoccupied with conspicuous achievement – often at the expense of important formative experiences. ​Many are suffering from (or, rather, enjoying) inflated notions of themselves and regard every opportunity as theirs for the asking, every accolade their due. “We’re not superior…,” which popular notions of equality and fairness inculcated since pre-K prohibit them from thinking. “…we’re just special.” Glowing successes, they assume, and therefore much happiness, will naturally follow. In this new cult of exceptionalism, to be average, just a regular kid – for most an unavoidable statistical fact – is to be thought inferior. To be ordinary is to be left behind. (You are NOT Special by David McCullough, Jr.)

Don’t text and drive, drink more H2O, relax and write a few letters!