How's It Going?

Our bellringer today consisted of this quote:

"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There is no courage unless you're scared. 

- Eddie Rickenbacker (1890-1973)

I have to admit the best part of our bellringers is challenging the students not to use the same words that are found in our quotes. We brainstormed words that could replace courage and they came up with bravery, strength, perseverance, but the best one of all, fortitude. 

Fortitude: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage.

We then refreshed our memories about the exact meaning of interpret.

Interpret: to conceive in the light of individual belief, judgment, or circumstance.

Here are 3 samples of the responses that I received.

"I think that Eddie Rickenbacker's message from this quote is telling you not to be discouraged when you find that you are afraid, but instead, this is an opportunity to practice having fortitude. I like this quote because it gives you encouragement in fearful moments."

- Morgan J.

"Fear is not something to regret or be ashamed of. Fear is a gift that tells you when something is wrong. But where there is fear, there is a conscience that tells you to do something about it. This is also a gift and its name is fortitude. In a time of need fear is a warning but fortitude becomes your most valuable ally."

- Rachael R.

"Darkness is not the opposite of light, but the absence of it. Subtraction is not the absence of addition but the opposite of it. Bravery is neither the opposite of fear nor the absence of it but bravery cannot exist without fear because bravery will stand up to fear and face it, even if weaker, but bravery will always win victoriously."

- Nick K.

I can tell you that I had some of the best interpretations of any quote so far this year. On a more interesting note however, it helped me to demonstrate how the use of technology in the classroom is a VERY SCARY endeavor. Especially in light of the circumstance of trying to implement an idea that seems so simple, especially when you know the technology works, but becomes quite complex when the technology doesn't work the way you had anticipated and planned. 

For two days, I have told the students that I am more scared now, than ever before, about implementing an idea. Especially in light of the fact that I have 120 students with all different abilities and little to no technology background. I think I have stated, "my idea is CRAZY, I KNOW, and WHO KNOWS IF THIS WILL WORK, but LET'S JUST GO WITH IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS!"

What I have come to understand in a matter of two short days is that fortitude, flexibility, a Plan B, and a "my idea is CRAZY, I KNOW, and WHO KNOWS IF THIS WILL WORK, but LET'S JUST GO WITH IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS!" attitude just may turn out to be a more productive, effective, and FUN way to teach than I ever dreamed of.

Thank you for sharing your children with me. And in the final analysis, it just doesn't matter what their Webquests look, sound or feel like, I am enjoying the pleasure of growing and learning with your child. Seeing your children going through this process has encouraged me to seek new and different ways of reaching, teaching and mentoring your child. There is no better job in the world!