Together these make a beautiful bed of tulips, but do you see the individuality of each?
So is life. We each have an important role to play in the big scheme of things on earth!
And so...I wondered what the Internet has to say about being an individual. Believe or not, there is a wiki how-to-do manual with an article on How to Be an Individual. Anyone can join and edit this article, as most wikis allow! You might want to read this article or even add your two cents worth: http://www.wikihow.com/Be-an-Individual
In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.”
A book worth the read on this topic is The Element : How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Dr. Ken Robinson. Our school library book review share that this is a breakthrough book about talent, passion, and achievement The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. Check your local public or school library for this insightful read!
If you work with students, how do you help them realize their individuality? Feel free to leave a comment on this blog to share with others. Or how have others helped you accentuate your potential?
Mrs. Vanhook-
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such a wonderful post. The Element is a must read for every educator and parent. Check out these links for even more inspiration from the fabulous Sir Ken!
http://tinyurl.com/dbsfcq
http://tinyurl.com/cv9jtd
You can even follow him on Twitter! @sirkenrobinson Enjoy!
Mrs. Vanhook,
ReplyDeleteSir Ken Robinson has been a motivational and inspirational highlight for me for some time. I have a few other links to add to Angela's suggestions and can be found here http://joevans.pbworks.com/Sir-Ken-Robinson
The Element is a recommended read for anyone who works with children!
Cheers
John
Recognition of diversity and allowance for all students to 'shine' in their own particular way is a lofty, but critical goal for our 'standardized' educational systems. Differentiated instruction helps to bridge that gap, but sometimes the 'mind-set' for individuality is hard to translate from philosophy to practice.
ReplyDeleteMy role as a Media Specialist allows me to see snippets of potentially every student on campus. Even though there won't be the same depth of relationship that is available in a classroom, I attempt to discover something unique about each one as a way to 'connect' with them. That rapport often leads to a informal mentoring process that lives much longer than the high school tenure...and the benefits are much more rewarding for me than for the students!
When I give my students their composition assignments, I encourage them to express their individuality through their writing. If the students have more ownership of their writing, then they are more likely to write well.
ReplyDeleteJulene Felice