As I have written before, little satisfies me more than working with my writers. And as I have written before, nothing stretches me more than working with my writers. It is the most gratifying but demanding thing I do.

Of course, the work is more than getting kids to put pen to paper. It also involves getting kids to think about writing differently. It’s hard for them to learn and hard for me to teach that which they find little value in. And when they find little value in something so hard, it creates dispositions that get in the way of our work. So, I address those dispositions.

Oh, not all my kids hate writing. In fact, some love it. More like it. Some are neutral. Many hate it. Too many. And like a lot of things in school, they learned their dispositions from us. Well, mostly from us. We can’t shoulder all the blame, I suppose. But we have to own our share, for it is here in the hallowed halls of our institution where we have created largely artificial, transactional experiences for kids, and when they experience such inauthenticity year after year, they wisen to the game, and many simply learn to game the game, or they just won’t play it anymore.

So, with this reality in my face each year, I try to find ways to get kids to think about and experience writing differently. Yesterday, I made an effort to get kids to see it in its simplest form, and to check their most important asset–their attitude. They do or do not by their belief.

I suppose some see it as a cheap, cheesy sell, and I imagine some of my kids saw it as such, but I believe in belief; I believe in them. And if I continue to talk and walk that, maybe–just maybe–they will buy what I am selling. I haven’t always believed in the things I have sold over the years, and I am sorry now that I even tried, but I do believe in this. I just hope my kids come to believe it, too.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…writing as an art, writing as way of being.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Thursday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.