Chance Needs to Be There

"It's important for me to have some element of chance or surprise when I'm doing (my art)."

- Josh Brand from an episode of Arts & Minds

I completely agree with this thought. I don't like to plan out every single detail of any endeavor, whether it be writing, teaching a lesson, or a vacation. I need to let things unfold as they will. I am often surprised at how things work out, for the best.

Of course, I do have a plan before I set out. Sometimes, however, it is only the bare bones of one so that element of chance or surprise can perform its wonders.

Windows of Opportunity for Readers

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"This window of opportunity also explains why one of the strongest predictors of a child's reading ability in school os the amount of one-to-one conversation between caregiver and child in the first three years of life.

The ability to differentiate sounds is the first crucial step to the path to associating sounds with letters. Kids who don't learn to distinguish sounds during that time usually have trouble learning to read later on.

Reading's first lessons don't happens in school: They happen in the crib during that important window of opportunity."

- David Walsh, PhD. No: Why Kids - of all Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. Free Press, Toronto. 2007. pg 45

An Idea Can Power a Light

"The brain is basically an electrical system. In fact, right now your brain is, on average, generating enough equivalent power to light a twenty-five-watt light bulb. It turns out that the old cartoon image of a light bulb appearing over the head to signify an idea was a lot more accurate than anyone imagined."

- David Walsh, PhD. No: Why Kids - of all Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. Free Press, Toronto. 2007. pg 41

I like the idea behind this quote but at the same time it doesn't give the original artist enough credit. There is usually a lot more going on in a piece of art than is possible to see upon a casual glance or even repeated viewings.

You Can Set it Down

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"Everyone has a part of themselves they don't like, Joan. You carry it around like a weight. The lucky ones realize that when it becomes too heavy. you can choose to set it down. That's when you can see things the way they really are."

- God in an episode of Joan of Arcadia

Music is Magic

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"Music is the strongest form of magic."

- Marilyn Manson

Emotions are Winning Out Over Reason

"There's nothing wrong with selling stuff, just as there is nothing wrong with buying stuff. But what has happened over time is that advertisers have become more sophisticated and more effective at bypassing the simple, straightforward type of message they used to deliver, which generally appealed to reason or common sense.

Advertisers have learned that it is more effective to bypass the rational part of the brain and instead target the emotions, crafting messages that appeal to pleasure, or give you a feeling of need you never knew you had, or take advantage of your weakness for convenience and instant gratification."

- David Walsh, PhD. No: Why Kids - of all Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. Free Press, Toronto. 2007. pg 26-27

We Need To Manage Ourselves

Here's a great quote to start your week. It comes courtesy of John Bates from his Twitter account.

"The challenge is not to manage time, but to manage ourselves."

- Steven Covey.

The Duck Song

One of my students wanted to play this during music class today.

I was reluctant to play it since I didn't know exactly what to expect from it.

But it's clean and kind of funny.

Enjoy!



- The Duck Song by Bryant Oden

Music Hits You Without Pain

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“One good thing about music, when it hits- you feel no pain”

- Bob Marley

I stumbled upon this site - http://www.copiousquotes.com/bob-marley-quotes.html

and was surprised to see that Bob Marley said this quote. I thought it was Dead Prez. See, it's good to know your history.

The Future Belongs to the Hungry

"It is clear that the economic future will belong to hungry kids, not entitled kids. It will belong to kids who know how to work hard, delay gratification, make sacrifices, and discipline themselves."

- David Walsh, PhD. No: Why Kids - of all Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. Free Press, Toronto. 2007. pg 18.