Summer Things
We're all in strung out shape
Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes—including you. - Anne Lamott
Greetings Starfighters,
Here I sit in the aftermath of year-end testing. It’s my least favorite part of the year, but it’s an unavoidable part of the year. Any forward motion ceases in schools, even though the company line for what should happen when students aren’t testing is “regular instruction,” we all know that is not the reality.
Sure, let’s see you try to do anything productive after sitting in the same place for several hours, completing tasks that no one should ever be asked to complete, remaining totally quiet, and having a teacher walk around the room watching everyone and everything that happens, ensuring that no testing allegations occur.
Testing fatigue is real and could be avoided, but we’re sick little puppies in the education world and we just want to prove our worth to the powers that be so they keep funding us, even if that funding isn’t nearly enough to do the job (no, I’m not talking about giving teachers a raise, although that would be nice) of educating kids.
Day after day of standardized testing is just the perfect way to end the school year. Right?
Anyways, we’re almost done with the madness. With its passing comes months of hand-wringing over the outcomes, waiting to see if we all meet some arbitrary minimum requirement of success. Meanwhile, in dark corners and shadows, some of us continue the work to reimagine our schools into places kids and adults race to join every day.
We’re a long way from that goal, but we press on toward that high calling.
It’s now time for me to remind you that, as summer approacheth, take time for yourself. Lazing around on your couch for a day or two is perfectly acceptable behavior. Reading a book on the back deck is also a recommended summer activity. Whatever restores your soul, take time in the coming months to embrace it.
Unplug. Detach. Avoid deadlines and headlines. Never mind the hustle, it will be waiting when you return from your sanctum sanctorum.
And now, a few things worth sharing with you this week…
What I’ve been reading lately… Joan Didion’s writing continues to haunt and inspire. I’m halfway through The Year of Magical Thinking after reading Slouching Towards Bethlehem late last year. Heidegger has me questioning some of my fundamental beliefs about technology (which is a good thing). I’m making my way back through the lessons of past masters with Robert Greene and doing my best to steal some ideas for next school year. Oh, and of course, Harlan.
Speaking of Harlan, my kiddo is working on a narrative piece in class that began as a single sentence suggestion from another student. My brain immediately went to this clip from the early 80s of Harlan Ellison writing “The Night of Black Glass” in the front window of B. Dalton booksellers. I love this clip because, as Harlan notes, it takes away the mystery of writing. As with any endeavor, nothing gets done until something gets done. It is this first step that stalls so many students and teachers when doing anything. Take the first step. Be prepared to fail and learn from it. Produce something.
People ask me why I don’t recommend more “education” books. It’s not because I don’t read them (I do) or like them (a few), it’s because they’re mostly all the same. If you’ve read one book on instructional coaching, you’ve read them all. Same for student engagement, assessment, lesson design, on and on ad infinitum. Also, most of them tend to reinforce existing ideas about our schools that I personally want to smash. Wanna read something different? Try Street Data. Remember your Zappa: “Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” But that’s just my two cents.
Speaking of the opinions of professionals (you know, like the MDs, PhDs, and other subject matter experts whose opinions any number of “do your own research” mongrels want to ignore), here’s this advice from Steven Pressfield. Use it as often as needed as a vaccine against those who have no informed opinion:
Stealing from another favorite, Ted Gioia published a list of 30 books to create an “anti-tech” canon. I’m certainly not anti-tech, but I insist on keeping a fair amount of skepticism about everything (always ask ‘why’ first when anything new shows up). Never blindly accept anything, especially when someone says, “This will revolutionize _____,” because they’re usually just trying to sell you something. I’d add Ursula Franklin’s Massey lectures to this list.
ICYMI, Kentucky’s Student Voice team is suing the state as they believe the state has failed its constitutional obligation to provide an “adequate and equitable” education. In my exploration of virtual schools in Kentucky (and other places), I’ve talked with several folks about what in the world a “common school” actually is (it’s certainly not defined well in the state Constitution), and I tend to agree with the Student Voice team on this one. However, this Tuesday, a small hearing primarily addressed the Kentucky attorney general’s request to throw out the suit as the state argues the students don’t have the right to bring the suit. Here’s my question: if the students don’t sue, who will?
Since I used articles from our local public media above, here’s your reminder that public media has been an integral part of our country for decades, has always been ‘woke,’ and has always been designed to educate at every level. Take a minute out of your day and support public media.
My 2025 archival playlist is now the longest I’ve put together yet. I’ve done more exploring this year and I think this eclectic mix shows that pretty well.
I’m a slacker, I know, but I finally read ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ last year. Loved it. Every page. I watched the movie this week, and it’s just as trippy as the book. I can’t recommend it more highly.
Finally, in a bit of a ‘what the…” moment, a copy of the Magna Carta owned by Harvard Law School turns out to be an original from the 1300s. Harvard bought it for less than $30, but it’s likely worth tens of millions. How’s that for an Antiques Roadshow moment?
That’s it for this week, true believers. Stay frosty.