On Reading, Thinking, Teaching, and Overarching

I feel tired and disjointed today, so this entry will be the same. Random thoughts on a random chilly day in downtown Denver, Colorado.

I just read the book BLINK, and I have to tell you that I now spend more time pondering metacognitively than ever before. If you haven't read the book, it is worth picking up if you enjoy a little pop psychology mixed with business and life implications. If you have ever wondered about intuition or that "sixth sense" and just KNEW there had to be an explanation, this book is for you.

This notion of absolute knowledge, absolute right, and absolute wrong that seems to be permiating the public mindset as of late is interesting to me. Polarization is the name of the game, and if you dare sit in the middle then coward is your label. Beyond that is this idea that any of us KNOWS anything. Statements like "public schools are terrible" or "the government is corrupt" and the like amuse me. In most instances (and I know not all) these are things we "know" only because others tell us they are true. Am I the only one to whom this seems silly?

There is this trend in education that I really enjoy. It is particular to English but is gaining popularity in all subjects. The idea is to base all units on "overarching questions." As part of my last education methods course we have to design a literature lesson around one question. The answer will come from books, newspapers, song lyrics, poetry, art, and anything else we can think of. I just wanted to share some of the ones Ive seen only because I think that at times we forget on what a high level kids reall can think if you set the bar high for them:

What is ugly?
What is pretty?
What is a monster?
Is there such thing as justifiable war? (this one is mine and is of particular interest to me in teaching a sort of Socratic teaching method along with the literature)
What is revolution?
What is darkness?

This is such a fascinating concept to me. I great way to engage students, whether they are elemetary students or college students.

That is all I really have for now, so if you will excuse me I have to go buy toothpicks to keep my peepers peepin' until the end of class!