Recommending Hunger Games

If you know any middle school students, then you have probably heard the buzz about Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It is the first book in a futuristic trilogy. It has so many powerful themes. I think it would be a great book club choice--for teens or adults. If you wonder how much more we can blur the line between reality and reality media, than this is a great choice for you.

Fun Decorations

Have you ever seen the floating eyeball watching you? There are 26 floating eyeballs hanging from the ceiling of my classroom. I don't even remember where I saw this idea, but I can't take credit for it. 4th graders love anything gross or disgusting. That makes this an ideal decoration for our Fall Party.

It's very simple to create, so it doesn't take much class time. Kids can just pull them down and take them home after the party, too. Here's what to do:

• Blow up white balloons


• Use a compass to make 2 circles for the iris and pupil


• Tape the paper circles onto the balloon


• Use a permanent red marker to add bloodshot veins


• Attach yarn or string and hang from the ceiling

What simple party decorating ideas do you have?

Respectfully Asking

“There’s nothing more generous than asking for help and accepting it freely.” There’s great strength, courage and kindness in asking for help.

I read this quote as part of the Dream Lab course I'm doing. It struck me right between the eyes. I'm terrible at asking for help. (Sometimes I'm good at faking it, or I only ask when I don't really need it.) Often I don't even know exactly what I need or exactly how to ask so I sit in isolated fear.

One thing I know for sure right now is that I need help! I don't know exactly who or what. So today I'm going to have the courage to just put it out there and say I'm not doing that great. I need help! I'm anxious. I'm off balance. My focus is off. I'm trying to do too much. I have almost no time to just be. I feel stale in my spirit and lonely for accepting companions.

So I'm respectfully asking and freely accepting the response.

Any suggestions?

Surprised by Inspiration

I find myself surprised by what inspires me. I really should not be surprised because I have a strong intuitive sense that leads me to what I want and need. Sometimes I resist or get wrapped up in lesser pursuits. Sometimes what I'm doing is just not right for me at the time, but I'm often led to what I most need--even if I'm kicking and screaming the whole way.

The Dream Lab I'm participating in is focused on tribe, generosity, and courage. I can see how much those are all interconnected. I'm really inspired to investigate those three, but at the same time I fear it. I'm feeling a deficit in all three, but I'm moving forward. . .ever so slowly.

The Power of Generosity

My book recommendation for today is POWER-FULL! It is 29 Gifts by Cami Walker. It is an amazing story of the healing power of generosity. I don't mean receiving it. I mean giving. Cami Walker was in her early 30s and diagnosed with MS. One of her spiritual advisers challenged her to give 29 gifts in 29 days. This memoir chronicles the journey. I cannot recommend this book too much. A whole movement of generosity has been spawned by this book and the author's experience. Click here to see the author on the Today Show.

If you read it, tell me what you think.

Respectful Work

A couple days ago I started thinking about what it means to provide respectful work for students to do. This means so many different things to me. . .

**It's high quality.
**It's stretching, but not too frustrating.
**It's motivational.
**It's consistent yet fresh.
**It's attainable.
**Success can be measured.
**Workers are enthusiastic.
**Workers strive to do their best.
**It helps them learn about life, not just school.
**They know it's valued by authority figures.

I'm sure my list can just keep going.

Then I started to think about what respectful work looks like to me. This got pretty depressing very quickly. It got me thinking about how much of what I do is because of someone else's agenda. I am a realistic idealist. My beliefs are often devalued and cast aside. That has stuck with me, and it continues to lead me to question what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I remember leaving a job because I believed I was doing more harm then good. I wonder where that line is drawn in the sand for me. I wonder where this will lead me. I want to do respectful work, and I want to empower others to do respectful work.

What does respectful work look like to you?

Inspirational Flip

I'm about a day behind with my inspiration post. It can be explained by the fact that I've been playing with a new little tech toy--my inspiration--the Flip. I took a 3 hour class that showed by how to use it. The possibilities are endless. It's so fast and easy to make videos with this little baby. Did I mention I'm seriously challenged around technology? Did I mention how little this thing is?

I can't even begin to imagine all the applications for the classroom. It's fun to just daydream about all the ways kids could use this. It's also fun to daydream about all the ways teachers could use this!

If you have used a Flip professionally, how did you use it? If you're interested in acquiring some for your classroom or school digitalwish.com is a great way to go.