For people who do not suffer from perfectionist tendencies, it can be hard to understand the crippling feeling a student feels when their work doesn’t match their expectations. Ira Glass, who you know from This American Life, has a fantastic quote that gets to the heart of this problem.
All AboutSocial Emotional
Has anyone ever taught them?
Any time we complain that a kid always or never does something, we should consider this same question: has anyone ever taught them how?
Our Brains and Understanding Fear
Understanding our body’s feelings is important, especially for gifted students whose powerful minds often overthink problems, which in turn leads to perseveration and nervousness.
Encourage Interests, Don’t Expect Passions
In my last article, I wrote about possible 21st century careers awaiting our students. When I speak about this topic, people respond by wanting to help kids “find their passions.” But I think the word “passion” is a problem. Here’s why. “Passion” Is Unreasonable When we call something a “passion,” it implies lifelong devotion and […]
Smart Kids and the Curse of the Kidney Table
What happens when a student never gets called over to work with the teacher?
The Burden of Being Called “Smart”
The “smart” label we give kids often really means “things are easy for you.” What are the ramifications of this dangerous praise?
What Does “Smart” Even Mean?
We praise kids for being “smart”, but what do we actually mean by it? What are we actually praising? It’s a surprisingly tricky word to figure out.
A Shopping List for Kids (and Adults) With Intensities
Here’s a list of interesting items to help intense students in a classroom setting. Fidgety tools, special sets, and even ear plugs!
Tennessee Keynote: So Much More Than Smart Kids
Here’s the last 20 minutes of my keynote from Tennessee’s 2015 state gifted conference. Live audio synced up with my slides.
I Thought You Were Smart
A great strip from Calvin and Hobbes for opening up a discussion about hard work, being “smart,” and mindsets in the classroom.