Cabot Learning Federation’s Post

I will gradually publish a series of articles on sub stack themed "Living Deliberately" - inspired in part by Henry David Thoreau's famous quote - "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." In due course, it will examine ideas about identity, purpose, making a difference, how we view and relate to others and all manner of connected ideas. Please read, subscribe, share

This December, celebrate the legacy of Jane Austen, a literary pioneer whose works remain relevant centuries later. Explore her fascinating background, themes, and contributions to modern fiction through Gale In Context: Literature. Discover how Austen’s ordinary life left an extraordinary mark on the world of literature. #JaneAusten #Literature #Education https://bit.ly/48erxp9

My new column: In this new year, help them sense the power of reading stamina, creative imagination, critical thinking...and constructive action!

IF IT DOESN’T EXIST, CREATE IT If you wait to be given an opportunity, or invited to create it, you’ll be waiting a long time… Most of my education projects are pretty unique. 🌎 Primary School Geography Bee (pictured, last week) 🖊️ Residential Poetry Retreats for KS2 ⚡️ Iliad and Greek Mythology Project, fusing drama, philosophical enquiry and classics In the areas that I work, if I didn’t run these projects they wouldn’t exist. Certainly not in the inter-school way I do it. There’s not a queue of social-learning-focused drama-and-music-based Greek mythology and writing teachers waiting in the wings… 😂 Sometimes we have to bold enough to be the ones to create the opportunities we want for our kids to have. Connecting with educators worldwide who choose to do things differently is one of my biggest pleasures on LinkedIn. Teachers … if you can see a way things can be done differently, take the risk of trying it out. Things only stay the same if we choose not to change them. Every teacher has agency - some more than others, yes - and we can do remarkable stuff when we make use of it. Be the hand to seize the fire! 🔥 Here’s some of the many educators I know who do things in innovative ways, teaching beyond convention, in new settings and in new ways. Adisa Stephen-Ezeocha Portia Roy Ricardo Sierra Maria (C)Hnaraki Follow them too, and see the cool stuff they are working on. It’s inspiring.

𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 "𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲" "Dead Poets Society" is a powerful film that explores the impact of unconventional education and the profound influence a passionate teacher can have on their students. The movie emphasizes the importance of free thought, creativity, and individuality, with its famous call to "seize the day" (𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐦). One of the film's most iconic moments is when the students stand on their desks, saluting their teacher with the heartfelt line, "𝐎 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐌𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧", symbolizing their deep respect and the impact Keating had on their lives. The teacher John Keating, played by Robin Williams, inspires his students to view life from different perspectives, teaching them that education is not just about rote learning but about finding one's voice and passion. "𝑊𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑐𝑢𝑡𝑒. 𝑊𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒." This film reminds us how critical it is for education to foster 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Much like what Cornelius Castoriadis said about passion in education, true learning happens when both teachers and students are deeply engaged with the material. 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬—𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬. Let's remember to approach each day with curiosity, to teach and learn with passion, and to embrace the moments that define our individuality. #CarpeDiem #DeadPoetsSociety

A recent longitudinal study found that “Children who start to read early,sheerly for the pleasure of it, develop brain structure in such a way that they improve their thinking skills, mental health, and conduct.” This should light our 🔥s! #literacyforall #scienceofreading #socialandemotionallearning #mmplaybook

Teaching Shakespeare: Making A Midsummer Night's Dream Engaging for Students. I still remember introducing A Midsummer Night’s Dream to my class. The confusion on their faces was real—"Fairies? Old English? What’s happening?" Instead of diving right into the text, I had them reenact the quarrel between Oberon and Titania using modern slang. The room was filled with laughter, but soon, they started understanding the character dynamics and themes of love and jealousy. Here’s how to make Shakespeare fun: 1. Simplify the language and explain key themes with relatable examples. 2. Use dramatic readings and performances to bring the scenes to life. 3. Connect the play’s themes (love, magic, conflict) to modern-day situations. 4. Encourage group discussions, character analysis, and creative projects. 5. Leverage audio and visual materials to deepen their understanding. By the end, my students were excited to dive into the magic of Shakespeare. My name is Adeola Adetoye, a Royal teacher specializing in literature and guiding students on their self-discovery journey. #TeachingLiterature #Shakespeare #AMidsummerNightsDream #StudentEngagement #EducationTips #StorytellingInEducation

I woke up with my heart filled with gratitude today reflecting on a video from 2016. I’m still in awe of the unapologetic authenticity of my students. In that moment, I invited a nationally recognized poet into our classroom who went Live after the lesson to capture the students reactions-a figure who not only resembled them but also spoke their language, understood their struggles, and celebrated their uniqueness. It was during our Poetry Unit, and what unfolded was nothing short of magical. Watching them speak, unfiltered and raw, still takes my breath away. Their words cut through the air with a ruthless honesty that resonated deeply. It was a testament to the power of representation and understanding in education. In that space, they were not just students-they were empowered individuals, fully seen and heard. It’s moments like these that remind me of the transformative potential of classrooms that reflect the diversity of our communities. It’s not just about teaching content; it’s about validating identities, nurturing confidence, and fostering authentic self-expression. As educators, it’s our duty to create environments where every student feels valued and empowered to be themselves. This video serves as a reminder of what’s possible when we prioritize authenticity and inclusivity in education. Here’s to many more moments of empowerment and self-discovery in the classroom. 📚✨ Poet: @trojuan_ #EmpoweredClassrooms #AuthenticEducation #RepresentationMatters

Finding Resonance in Reading on National Read A Book Day Imagine the joy of striking the right note on a stringed instrument, witnessing the strings come alive with energy. Similarly, readers are like strings at rest, waiting for the perfect book to set us in motion. The joy of reading, the spark that ignites that resonance, is a unique experience for each of us, shaped by our diverse and vibrant lives. But the enchantment of reading is ever-changing. A book that feels like a chore today might captivate us a decade later. I remember feeling defeated in graduate school as I struggled to stay awake through a literature masterpiece. Sometimes, I return to those books that once left me cold, pluck one from the shelf, and start anew—wondering how I missed its brilliance the first time. If a book doesn't resonate, that's okay. Set it aside. Keep searching for the story that will match your frequency. At age nine, Amy Carter understood the joy of getting lost in a good book. While United States Marine Band violinists performed during a 1977 State Dinner hosted by U.S. President Jimmy Carter honoring Mexico's President José López Portillo, Amy was engrossed in "The Mystery of the Screaming Clock," a detective novel by Robert Arthur Jr. Portillo later described Amy as a "lovely and intelligent child." That image of a young reader amidst the event's formality is a powerful reminder of literature's ability to transport us beyond our surroundings. National Read a Book Day, observed every September 6, invites us to do more than grab a book and spend the day reading. It's a call to action—a reminder that millions worldwide still lack basic literacy skills. As we celebrate the joys of reading, we must advocate for more significant investment in education, literacy programs, and book access. Literacy is not just a personal triumph; it's a collective responsibility requiring the commitment of parents, educators, and communities. We must ensure that everyone has the opportunity to unlock the transformative power of reading. Books broaden our horizons and create bonds. Some of my closest friendships began with a single shared book. Literature transcends cultural and language barriers, bringing people together in ways that are nothing short of magical. #Books #Politics #Reading #Literacy

🌟 Discover the Magic of The Three Character Classic at Language Garden Montessori! 🌟 At Language Garden Montessori, we believe in the power of timeless wisdom and early childhood education. Introducing The Three Character Classic in our preschool curriculum brings a multitude of benefits to our little learners: **Cultural Appreciation: By exploring this ancient text, children gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture and history. **Language Skills: Learning the concise and rhythmic lines helps enhance memory, vocabulary, and pronunciation, laying a strong foundation for language development. **Moral Lessons: The classic is rich with valuable life lessons about kindness, respect, and perseverance, helping shape the moral compass of our young students. **Cognitive Development: The memorization and recitation of the text boost cognitive skills such as concentration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. **Confidence Building: Mastering the verses instills a sense of achievement and boosts self-esteem, encouraging a love for learning. Join us at Language Garden Montessori, where tradition meets innovation, and watch your child thrive in an environment that nurtures curiosity and growth! 🌿📚✨ #languagegardenmagic #languagegardenmontessori #EarlyEducation #CulturalAppreciation #MontessoriMethod