CHANGEd: What if teachers wore advertising like pro athletes? 60-60-60 #40

I’ve joked about this idea for years. Picture teachers in NASCAR jumpsuits riddled with brand advertisements. Or think of teachers leading in classrooms like pro golfers walking the links with sponsors emblazoned on their hats and shirts. Or ponder master teachers doing endorsements like Michael Jordan or Mia Hamm. Seems crazy, doesn’t it?! But what [...]

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CHANGEd: What if we scaled “playing school?” 60-60-60 #39

In our vocabulary and parlance, we play sports and we play instruments, but we go to school. The action and agency of those verbs are very different. When young children simulate school, however, we say that they are playing school. Many times an older sibling wrangles younger siblings or neighbors to sit in rows and [...]

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CHANGEd: What if instead of counting the days, we made the days count? 60-60-60 #37

When my sons are engaged in something they love and I try to end it, they say, “Just 5 more minutes please!” One of my favorite moments in a classroom occurs when no one hears the bell because all are engrossed in what they are learning and doing. I cannot tell you how many people [...]

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CHANGEd: What if we amplified the bright spots of lunch, recess, and PE? 60-60-60 #36

As a child, I LOVED school. I still love school. Interestingly, though, I can remember often telling others that my favorite things about school were lunch, recess, and P.E. I still hear students repeat this refrain. My own first-grade son retells events from lunch, recess, and PE far more often than other details. Is it [...]

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CHANGEd: What if we ridiculously relegate playgrounds to “outside of school?” 60-60-60 #35

“Where are all the playgrounds?,” asked Mrs. Simpson as the admissions director toured her family around the school campus. “Oh, we’ve removed the play equipment due to safety concerns,” responded Mr. Cruse. “We trust that children can find time and place to play outside of school time. Without the equipment, there’s much less risk of [...]

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