Some of America’s top schools no longer require SAT or ACT test scores for admission, because the correlation between test scores/IQ and success in college is very poor. (Grades are a much better indicator.) Some suggest a new measure called the EF Index, for “Executive Function.” The EF Index provides a mesaure of 1) Ability to complete tasks. 2) Being able to see the “big picture.” 3) Being able to deal with a multiplicity of factors and challenges.
Looking at the EF indicatores, a highly competent person probably has high intelligence in their field, but also has social intelligence (“plays will with others”) and emotional intelligence (self-control), along with organizational and time management skills, such as the Essential Learning Skills taught at Rainbow Mountain.
“If you want Santa Claus to be real, then you have to be like Santa Claus.”
Many of you who have told the Santa Claus story to your children, have been concerned about how to handle their disappointment when they realize the myth isn’t real. Although it sounds very cliche (but we are talking about Santa Claus here!), the myth is about having generosity and love in our hearts. Yes, Mom and/or Dad have been providing gifts in Santa’s name all these years, but that is because we want you to feel that love and generosity are real and universal. Love can travel the length of the globe in one night. It really is magic.
“I’m totally surprised and have never been more honored in my entire life…” Those were my words as I proudly accepted the PEACE PRIZE. The Fourth/Fifth grade “Fantastics” are studying twelve different Peace Prize Laureates from all parts of the world through the Peace Jam Curriculum. They learn the biography of each Laureate, his/her region’s geography, history, culture, and political landscape. Most importantly, they learn about virtue and character by studying what makes each laureate a hero, and talking about how they desire to help create a peaceful world as children and as they grow up. After designing and making their own Peace Prize medals, they each nominated someone for a prize and wrote an essay explaining why their nominee deserves the prize. To receive such high regard from these peace-loving children was an achievement that I was honored to receive.
Executive Director, Renee Owen are volunteering to present the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium at Rainbow Mountain Saturday, November 6, from 10am to 5pm. FREE! Bring a pot luck dish. Students are welcome, but content is recommended for 7th grade and up. There is childcare for only $10/day for younger students.
Q: Why should I attend Awakening the Dreamer?
A: Because it will change your life.
If the last election gave you the blues, this will inspire you and give you hope. Visit http://awakeningthedreamer.org/content/view/115/135/ to learn more
Here is a terrific lecture with animation that talks about where public education is today; how it got there, and what needs to change.
Interestingly, all of the solutions are exactly what we already do at Rainbow Community School!
(This is an 11 minute video. If you want the whole 55 minutes lecture, you can find it on YouTube under “Sir Ken Robinson; Changing Paradigms.”)
When I dropped by our second grade classroom this morning, I was invited to stay for Centering. For a moment, I hesitated to accept the teacher’s invitation, then did. Slipping off my shoes and sitting down between two children, I noticed the wall clock read 2:00, not the appropriate 8:45. “I’ll have to bring her some batteries,” I thought.
But as we closed our eyes and took our first slow breath together, I found myself offering an appreciation for that little clock. “Oh good,” I thought. “Since I won’t know the time, I won’t feel rushed to get back to the office. I’ll be able to relax and enjoy this!” Inhaling and exhaling together for the second time, I smiled to myself, realizing I’d just been given a gentle reminder. A reminder to stop, breathe, and be – existing totally in the present moment.
On our third in and out breath, my appreciation shifted from the clock to our teachers – my own son’s teachers. Over the past eight years, their ability to be present to him and to all our children has been one of the things I have been most grateful for – something I’m sure doesn’t appear on any of their resumes. “I need to tell them this,” I reminded myself as I became present to the teacher’s words.
Slipping my shoes back on and hugging a few children goodbye as I left their classroom, I found myself wanting to leave that little clock just as it is. ~ Carole
