I imagine that, as a teacher, you come across all kinds of learners. There are the eager beavers—the kids who just soak up everything around them and can’t wait to dive into their workbooks and always keep their pencils nice and sharp. Then there are the kids who are very smart but also very lazy; […]
Today, you walked down our driveway to catch the bus on the first day of school. Watching you climb the steps with your backpack slung casually over one shoulder, it occurred to me that you only have four more first days of school. Oh sure, there will hopefully be first days of college and jobs […]
God made the grass and the sky and the mountains and the sea. He made soft, silky flowers, and buzzing bumblebees, and tall, tall trees outstretched in the forest. He made rainstorms so we would know wind. He made droughts so we would know thirst. He made deep, dark night so we would know the […]
It’s August now. The days are still long and hot and humid, but there is a tinge of autumn in the air, especially at night. Most of you are starting to think about school again. You are reading over your supply list for seventh grade and wondering if your new teacher is nice or strict. […]
Today, I love you. I can’t say I love you every minute of every day. But today, I do. I love you even thought you made me really, really mad this morning. You remember, when our 12-year old son Jack was screaming and running through the kitchen. He was furious because he didn’t want to […]
This is Jack. He is twelve, and he just finished sixth grade. He has three brothers, and one sister, and a small dog named Wolfie. Jack’s father is a dentist, and his mother is a mom, and they all live together in a house with black shutters and a front porch and a long driveway. […]
Dear Carrie, I know things—things you think I cannot possibly know. I know whether or not Trump becomes President, and who won the 2025 World Series, and how many children Prince William has with Kate Middleton. I know which team won the Super Bowl in 2036, although I didn’t pay too much attention to the […]
“Let me just tell you, I really enjoyed working with Jack. He was incredibly cooperative, and I think we got some really good information during the testing.” I leaned forward eagerly in my chair. “First, I’d like to talk about his working memory.” I nodded. I had an idea of what working memory was. “Well,” […]
Last Wednesday, Joe and I took the kids to this pool club in our town. It’s a casual place with a playground and gas grills and tennis and volleyball. All day long kids run in packs which dissolve and regroup as families come and go. They beg to try each other’s snacks and toss baseballs […]
