Level Three: Build

Once Upon A Time… There were Three Little Pigs.

You know the story. (If you need a refresher, here is an elementary school teacher’s adorable lesson. The 3 Little Pigs characters and setting.)

You probably have your own take on characters and settings and moral do’s and don’ts. Just so we are on the same page here in I.School, let us compare.

I.Video

I.Version. Ok, we've got three tiny weenie sweenies with questionable building materials and a curious defiance for chin-hair. Oh, and A- not just big, not just bad, but a scary, yet polite- (I mean, he did knock) Wolf.  A big bad wolf. 

Now, What do those Three Little Pigs teach us?

Let’s see what Autumn from Quora says-

“Three Little Pigs teaches that if you do a job well, you’ll be rewarded. If you build your house out of straw, it’s done quickly, but not safe. Building out of bricks takes longer and takes more work, but you’re safe inside when it’s done.”

Thank you Autumn. Well put. In I.School, Intrinsic metaphors are used often. And how can they serve us? Let’s break it down:

Pigs: (Were not the original cast of characters, but that is another story. I.School II). Ok, so anyway, “pigs” represent our desires. Consume quickly. The perception of more play time- that actually turns into a nightmare over time, due to badly laid plans. With the exception of pig #3 and the brick house. (I perceive the third pig as a bit grumpy, Is that just me?) I digress…..

Now, where were we? Oh, yea, Week 3. (Skipped week #2) Friday the 13th. 2024. Let’s review.

First, this is I.School, an imaginary school of thought, created by me I.Newson. 

My audience is directed to HS students. Because that is what I taught for 30 years, and because  I think they are the smartest people I know. 

You. Right now, sitting in Algebra, Chemistry, History, approximate grades 9th to 12th. You- the ones in the front lines. I’m not there with you, but I have some ideas. And I’d like to help if you’ll let me. 

Next, this is a silent school  of….thought.. (hence the name) not school of talk… lol The silence is absolutely necessary- and it will be self-evident as we go along. 

Here is the deal. I see two simple problems. 1. People don’t have time to talk. 2. When there is time to talk, we don’t know what to say. (Long pause). 

So, I.School, that is going to be our first goal. Time Then- Talk- conversation. 

Take a look at your goals. Long term- What Do You Want? Goals. 

Question- is there anything on your wish list that can be achieved to your satisfaction, without More time? Committed time. (Am I making sense? You can’t do anything without taking time to do it- and I do mean Taking your TIME. It will be a quiet fight- but I can warn you it WILL be a fight. Now,

If you do not have any goals, or goals that you perceive are out of your control- blocked by other peoples values? well that is no problem. Time becomes insignificant. Right? Time is no value, when you don’t know what you really value.  Now for you students with some very low bar goals, lets get started- 

0- Shut Up.  I’ll explain later.

  1. You are ultimately alone, in you own thoughts all the time. You sitting in algebra, Chemistry, History, whatever- (ummmm) It’s not that there aren’t people out there trying? Trying to ‘save our schools’..It’s just that,  its not working. No one is going to save you. Good! Now we can get something done. You. With your own thoughts wondering in and out of consciousness in class- Goal #1. Is to be more comfortable, more of the time in your own head. That’s it. 

  2. Watch your language. What are you talking about, anyway? #2. Stop yourself twice a day, same time and ask yourself 2 questions 1. What am I talking about? (Pause) And 2. Is this conversation helping me with my goals and values? 

  3. Today, is story time. The story of the three little Pigs.

Once, Upon a Time… in

I.School 

What are you building? What is being built for you? 

What are your personal Straws Sticks and Bricks? 

What do you fear? How do you know?  

Let’s break it down. Literally, and Metaphorically. 

Pig- a young domesticated animal, (lets just keep it simple. (disputed-ly, the origin-  not pigs- it was pixie-small woodland fairies- but that’s another story) Webster (slang- pig-‘an immoral woman’)

Straw- hallow, shallow, easily manipulated, 

Webster says of straw:(noun), “something of small worth or significance; something too insubstantial to provide support or help in a desperate situation.”

Sticks- woody material, weapon. De-fence. 

Webster says- “something used to force compliance; a dull, inert, stiff, spiritless person.”

Bricks- rectangular, made of moist clay hardened by heat. 

Webster “a good-hearted person”; or “semisoft cheese”

Wolf- Threatening. Fear. Predatory- dissonance, unequal temperament; 

Webster: rapacious or destructive person; “one who cloaks a hostile intention with a friendly manner-“ and words.

I.School   Where- you use the system, more than the system uses you! 

A,B,C’s.

A. Read it. B. Interpret it. C. Re- perspecti-fy it to fit your I.Goals.

  1. You are alone. How can you re-arange, hide secret messages to yourself in your metaphoric material straw-house? Deep thoughts reside in caves. (Laugh, that was just bs) 

  2. Now you are two. Defend yourself. Study. Learn how to argue a point by using your time to build your own defense of yourself. What do you want to argue? Learn anything and everything you can about that topic. Quietly. But when you are ready- know what you are talking about. 

  3. Now the Bricks.

One at a time. Starting at Zero. I can’t, and won’t tell you what to do. I can tell you how I would teach my own class, and tell you what I did- for my own school.  My 10 in 10 Plan.

0. 1. Start with a Philosophical Foundation. (I.School 2021 1-10 example); Next, understand the Why? Who is behind the fear- who is the Wolf? (1-5-1= 10)  20222

Then, phase three- Put it to the test. Build a life I want. Brick by brick. (Health. Mind. A life I wanted to get excited about.) Travel School- Monthly Field Trips. Year 4? Now? 2023

Now I’m ready. Your Probationary-Substitute- Teacher.  2024

Ok, so between you and me- the past years of my web page inewson.org might look disheveled, disorganized. Good. I want you to do the same thing with your I.School. Be cryptic. Be mysterious. Make up your own coded language- you probably already do it. This is just for you- as long as you follow I.School rule Zero and One. Say Nothing, to a Yes. (See? Cryptic.) 

So far, I have built 3 years of 10’s. Foundation. Research- BMs. Build (Travel van) 

Oh, I’ve created my own world. How would you like to-

  • Be able to shut the world out if only for a few minutes? 

  • Be ok with your own thoughts?  Under any circumstance? 

  • Create and express yourself (more) appropriately?

  • Mature in a kiddish fashion?

    Me too! I am ready for I.School. are you?

Remember- LOW Expectations. WIDE imagination.

Repeat.

10:56-11:11 am

I’m thinking about you students. Those sitting in Algebra, Chemistry, any class really. You, and only you. Wondering, what you are thinking about. Talking about? How you are doing. Really ‘doing’. In the trenches of the unknown students.

If you feel lost, don’t know what do do. Maybe I.School is for you. It’s free, it’s strange and it will take oodles of time but what else do you have to do? How is your time being spent? Right now?

Level Two: What are you talking about?

Review: It is a matter of time. Taking your time back. Week One- Using mental and physical cues to ‘trick’ your brain into a perception of greater self-control. Am/pm self-talk; “stop and reflect” one to three times a day, every day for as long as you wish. We will inflate those time bubbles later. So that you have time to live the life of your I.School wishes. 

In the Mean Time.  What do you do with your time? What are you talking about? 

Space- What to talk about. (Except I.School)

Time is time, but space can be tricky to define. Head space, physical environment? thoughts, feelings become multi-dimensional. So, for the purpose of I.School, how about we focus on conversations? 

Those three times a day? What is being said?

Are these conversations that you want? 

Do they match your I.School wants? 

Activity: 

In your notebook, write down possible future conversation starters that would be interesting to you to talk about. Is it possible for you to change the topic? Or be Interested? What do you Want? turns into What do you want to talk about?

Why?

Thoughts (Alone Time), become words, words become actions, actions become habit.

What Habits are being formed now? What DO you talk about?

If thoughts change then habits change too.

So Change the Conversation.

Example: I. Conversations (Camping, On a Plane, Solicitors)

Review-

0: silence (I.School rule)

1: Time alone with your thoughts. What are they?

2: Space Time- What are you Talking about?

“You are what you are seeking.” Francis of Assisi

“What you seek is seeking you.” Rumi

What do you want? Start with what you are talking about.

*Watch the power of Words, Authority and Influencers. (Previous lesson)

Stop. Listen. Decide whether or not this is what you want to talk about?

Two seemingly simple, yet problematic issues I have encountered with education are- 1. people do not have time. and 2. People do not know what to say if, or when they do have time.

Solution: Change your perception of Time (tricks to autonomy); and Change the subject.

Seem easy? Try it.

What do you WANT to talk about? Is it aligned with your personal goals and values?

What are you slowly building day by day?

Influences lesson

Magic for Humans

Is a show on Netflix that I watched and could see myself teaching this quick lesson in class.

Teacher inspiration never fades. (I have a feeling many teachers are using this clip. Unsure of school and copyright legislation.)

Magic for Humans. Season 3 “Power Trip” Three clips would be fun to discuss in I.School. Power of Words, Authority, and Influencers. 

Power of Words 7:15 to 11:00 minutes. Netflix.

Middle School Lesson on the magic of words.Cute.

Power of Authority

Similar to old Psychological experiments, demonstrating the power of a lab coat and lies.

7 minutes. *The Power of Influencers starting at 16:40 minutes.

My personal favorite. I wonder what a class of students would say about this.

Question and follow up conversations:

How do Words, Authority, and Influencers affect your education? (Examples)

Honestly, I think the lesson speaks for itself. One hour of classroom discussion would be enlightening. For me. :)

Application: The Power of Words, Authority and Influencers.

Word. Evil. "extreme moral wickedness; something that brings sorrow, distress, or calamity.”

Authority figure on another school shooting: “What happened today is pure evil.”

I Question? Which is evil, a 14 year old, or school?

Influencers: Media focus on gun control, parents, blame.

Students? Need to report back to school immediately.

Repeat.

Level One: Alone

0: Silence 

Video. Check. Don’t speak. About I.School. It’s personal.

One: Alone. Yes.

Ultimately, you are alone.

You. I School is Your class. You ARE the class- student, teacher and subject. You are #1. 

You are always alone with yourself (your thoghts), right? 24-7. With or without others around you.

Now, what do you want? Have you written anything down yet? Just a question, but can you get what you want? Without spending time getting it? Know what I mean? These things take time. First experiment is to try to get a sense of time. Oh, this will take time. What else are doing?

The goal: What you may want, is this: To be alone and Ok with aloneness. Being Ok, with yourself. More of the time. In more situations; for more of your life.

Activity: AM/PM self-talk.

Eyes closed, First thing in the morning. Before, or after an alarm. 

Ask: How do I feel? This is very important. The more you can simply identify how you feel- you can help yourself already by avoiding traps. Say you wake up sad or angry. Pause. before you talk to someone, you might start a fight unknowingly because you don’t quite know how grumpy you are, say.

BONUS- say “good morning” how did you sleep? did you dream? (if so, write it down- for later I.School),  what is one thing you can do for yourself today? (Glass of cold water- put hand lotion on, wear special shoes… something super simple and easy). 

PM, I’ve been thinking about that one. How about, “What is one thing you learned today?” But my head starts spinning by night. I would need to ask myself that an hour or so before bed. I like to go to bed with stories. And hopefully dream tonight. 

Tip: Reading Mythology helps dreams.

Activity option Part B: Make your bed.

Every. Single. Day. AND, Think about how you want to feel about yourself when you get back into that same bed tonight. Pause.  

Part C- Self-Check

I’m also curious as to whether this one would work but here is my idea: at least once a day. Or Three? The same times every day, stop and make an observation of yourself. Say 10:30 am. Every day. Like a self-check. 

And do something physical every day at the same time. Like- sit up straight- first observe your posture and then adjust. 

If you are in class, talking to someone, looking at your phone/ screen.  10:30 am- take a mental note of what the topic is at that particular time. Note how you feel perhaps. Sit or stand up straight- real slow and cool like. No one will even notice. But do it consistently throughout the school year. Same time every day 5-7 days a week. 

No daily alarms, ideally; no technology to remind you, and become more dependent on. Pick a time, and then trust yourself. Repeat.

Other ideas, 3 times daily- do something physical. Sit up, pull shoulders back, make a fist with your toes, face the palms of your hands up on your lap (like in class)? Go get that drink of water, put on that hand lotion, if these are an option. *be warned, what you condition yourself to do you will start to do automatically. So, make it realistically simple. And not to worry, if you can condition yourself, you can re-condition the condition, again. (Grin)

Why?

Here is my rational: What I hear from students- is a loss of control. A feeling of having no control over their environment. So, I’m thinking this might be a way to re-condition your brain/body connection by giving it a sense of internal or intrinsic control. With you, the I, in command. Like tricking your brain into doing what it probably wants to do in the first place. Have some time and autonomy. Not control, but Self-control,  in what our body and brain is doing and thinking. A philosophy of “Command yourself, or be Commanded” sort of notion.

Also, It may reduce some anxiety, because you will be more predictable to yourself. Something you can always count on. You pick the times. You decide what to do or not do physically and mentally for less than 30 seconds a day. 10 seconds each time. 

Conclusion: 

Thoughts and or activities Week One.

  1. AM/PM self- talk.

  2. I.Notebook Ideas. Write down wants.

  3. Pause Three times a day. Same time. 10 seconds (?) for self-check in. Sit up.

Notebook Questions:

What do you want? (From intro, week one) 

Are your actions matching that? When you are alone?

What is stopping you from getting what you want? 

Who are your influences? (Are you sure?) 

*My past years of videos and blogs are not easily followed, sort of messy. And that is exactly what I recommend for you. Your I school does not have to make sense! It only needs to make sense to YOU. Be cryptic, mysterious, say YES. 

Prep for week 2: What are you Talking About?

Seriously. What consumes most of your conversations? Is that what you want?

Levels of Development

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Learning: Recap.

Observation: One can not really feel safe unless the red, physiological needs are met; and one can not really establish intimate friends and relationships until basic needs are met and so on. The top is assumably the goal Ah, “Self Actualization.” Achieving one’s full potential including creative activities.

I.School critique: Maslow’s simple 5 tier design makes sense. Almost like common sense. It’s logical, colorful and easily digested. Basic needs lead to psychological needs and then and only then can you pursue higher, self-fulfillment. Here is my issue- the shape. Yes, the shape. I have seen this triangle for over 30 years in education. It has been upside down.

Basic, physiological needs like air, food and water, are at the least, most minimum of needs. If you do not have access to water and shelter, that is a problem. I’d say there is no advancement if one does not have water. Game over. The triangle leads my brain to believe water is the biggest achievement. The most work. In the red.

While smug purple sits at the top taunting me. If only you felt safe, have love and friendship, then you will have access to creativity. Wrong! Backwards. At the most minimum water and food and shelter- sure. But I thing it takes creativity to work these things out.

Smug purple’s “self-actualization” triangle comes to an end. Finite. When in actuality, once water and creative self-expression mix, it would look like an open angle. Infinite possibilities. Once basic and proficiency are met, the sky is the limit. Limitless possibilities.

It is simple geometry. Just a thought. And not just mine-

Professional Development I.School

It’s August. Time for back to school Professional Development.

Funny, when I used to sit in Professional Development days, I would imagine and dream about what I would be doing when I was not sitting in a professional development day. Now, post-teaching, I imagine and dream about what I would have done differently in professional development times. Therefore,

What I would do differently. By I.Newson,

In my school, I.School, here is how today would go:

10:30-11:00 am Staff Meeting. No food nor beverages will be provided, provided you take the morning to eat your favorite foods, exercise, organize, spend time with someone, if desired. At school, I would like to focus on school and learning. You know, kids. Period. Do what ever you need to do to come to the meeting relaxed and refreshed. Then and only then can we proceed.

During that 30 minutes, we would chat, and get all pertinent information addressed and then staff would chose between three Levels of development.

  1. New teachers will find guidance on the basics each school would need to know.

  2. Teacher’s Years 3 to Ancient, will have groups to facilitate conversations that will be helpful to kids and you. Trust that teachers will use the time to their advantage. Proficiency.

  3. Level III group would be the I.School teachers that are past the first three years of planning thus have time to talk philosophy. My group. Advanced. (Specifics later)

11:00-2:30 Time block is all yours. You know what you need to do.

2:30- 3:15 Take a break from school. Leave. Talk about other things. Do something else. Most teachers will be thinking about school outside of school, most days for the remaining school year. Get in the habit of exploring topics outside education. Develop a clean hobby.

Oh, la dee dah. Wouldn’t that be nice.

Never going to happen.

I used to fantasize about driving around the country in a van when I left education. I also created an imaginary “Philosophical Hot Dog Truck.”

The first one came true. I have spent the past two years traveling the country in a van, with a man. (not as creepy as it sounds). I did not pursue my PHdT, (philosophical hot dog truck) which is probably a good thing. On the plus side, it was educational (and a pleasant distraction from NAEP data points) for me thinking about what a certain philosopher might have as toppings, which led me to think deeper about each philosopher. (A Zen dog with everything; A Nietzsche dog with nothing; A Pavlov “I’ll have what she’s having” dog. The Ethics dog… Well, Ironically, learning certain philosophies created an aversion to hot dogs.

My point is that it is helpful to fantasize while in Professional Development. Prepare for your imaginary future. Plan your retirement. What will you be doing? Today ____, from now?

Funny, I also used to play the “I’d Rather…” game. You know, I’d rather be (sleeping, eating, anything else), instead of, sitting here, in another PD meeting. Now, post-teaching, I go through the day thinking, “at least I’m not at a ….PD meeting” and, I would rather be doing what I am doing right now. Hole heartedly and Appreciatively.

Good Morning!!! Enjoy your day! (or not)

I.School PD '24 Intro

Intro: Levels of Professional Development

Question: What is Professional Development?

Answer: “Professional development is the process of gaining new skills and knowledge to improve job performance and career prospects. It can include any activity that helps you get better at your job, outside of your normal day-to-day tasks”. AI

In other words, develop skills for a job. Get better at a job, even outside the job.

Interpretation: An Educators job is to get students to get a job.

“It is a way for people to assess their own skills and abilities, consider their aims in life, and set goals in order to realise and maximise their true potential.” Upskillist (cut and pasted, with spelling).

Okay. Is that what is happening with your Professional Development time today? Recognizing personal growth and goals in order to realize your TRUE potential?

Sounds GREAT!

What do educators have to say about Professional Development? Examples:

Teachers Off Duty Podcast “The Absolute Worst Professional Development….” 44:35 min. (I only watched a few examples. But, 8:02 to 9:02 min:sec; “The old and worn, official ready to retire Old Dude” says to a new teacher,

‘hey can you punch me in the face as hard as you can’?

Requesting a ‘punch in the face’ during a PD (professional development) session, about sums up what many ‘old teachers’ “jokingly” want from PD. To be unconscious for the duration.

Less negatively, most all teachers simply want TIME. Time to plan; time to develop skills to be a better teacher; time to genuinely collaborate with colleagues.

As an old and warn pre-retired teacher, I can honestly say this: More time to develop will Never, Ever, ever happen. NO one is going to say, “hey, looks like you could use some rest. You need time to _______.” Nope. Never. In fact, the more you do (the more time you put in), the more time you will do.

Okay, so what to do?

I’m working on it.

I Thank You.

Thank you birthday well wishers and those interested in I.School.

I forget that friends and family outside of “my classroom head” read my blogs or watch my videos. It is so weird to me to have those worlds intertwined. Know what I mean? Like when you have your work family, your actual family and close friends merge. It’s a test of character. Who are you really in those moments? Like a game show: Will the real I please stand up? It has made me realize how I think the best version of myself is and has been in front of my classrooms/students- over the years. That is a beautiful realization. And awkward, because my teacher self is, well, just different. It’s my teacher self making the videos.

and I try not to get influenced through praise or criticism. Therefore, I seldom respond or take time to engage in social media. Must. Stay. Focused. And as I see it, like two birds with one stone (that is such an odd saying..) sort of philosophy. I’m still here. and This I.School IS my life. Incredibly so. But don’t look for me too much outside this project.

I figure it would take some time to get started with a school. Trust is a cornerstone foundation for my I.School. So, four years in the making, thus far. (FOUR years!) Trusting my own process regardless of what anyone said, has only been possible through the trust students have givin me.

Thank you for trusting me!

now, let me get back to “work” :)

III. Solutions

Those brave students willing to join in I.School. Experimental experience. Here is a summer school project:

  1. Get a notebook. Small. Compact. (oh, and a wiring utensil.)

  2. Open tiny notebook to the back pages. On the top of one side write- “Legacy A.” On the top of the other side write “Legacy B.”

  3. Turn to the first few pages of your I.book. One the top of one side write “Ideal Schedule.” On the other side write “Schedule Now” and todays date.

    ~anyone wanting to advance, can turn the page and write “Wants”, on opposite sides. Turn another page and write “Needs.” I’d go with. a Then and Now theme, but hey, this is your life, your book.

    YOU are the subject of I.School! Let’s get started.

    See where we are going here?

    Oh, and I also recommend keeping your notebook to yourself. No need to talk about it. It’s no one else’s bees wax but your own!

    Why? it will take too much of your time and space explaining this concept to others. Time and energy better used for you and your own I.School.

    Proceed. with caution. Bon Voyage I.School travelers!

II.Problems

After four years of self-confinement and I.School, I see only two problems with students-patrons in public education.

One: A problem of Time.

A non-monetary unit of measurement. Most precious commodity in I.School.

Two: A problem of Space.

I define space as simply the conversations in your head/space. What occupies your mind, your words, thus your daily actions?

Any other problems, beyond those two problems of time and space absolutely cannot- be addressed for solving- unless you have some time and the ability to talk about the things you want to talk about . Articulate.

As part of my experiment, I often ask, “is that what you want to talk about?” or “Is that really the question you want to ask me?” or I’ll say, “then ask me a better question…” Yea, it’s a risky business saying those things, but effective. I have only used it on trusted ‘students.’ And yes, it really pisses people off.

You can pause the game anytime (ie- just stop yourself as many times a day as necessary and ask, ‘is this really what I want to talk about?’ Is this how you want to use your precious time? occupy your space?)

*See solutions.

I.School Explanation

Ingrid here,

I believe I owe an explanation now, June 2024. The past four years I have been building my own idea of a school. Blog posts up to today have been a jumble of rants and non-sequiturs. Seemingly.

Think of I.School as a Game. There are many many layers. This is just the beginning. A starting point for students of I.School (a pretend faux school). Step by stem guide to building a self-preserved foundation. This is what I have so far:

2022- Step 1. “Know thyself”

*See Blogs A-F 1-10. Pick one, any one. Just build a philosophy. I have provided some examples.

“Know Thyself,” is inscribed upon the Temple of Apollo in the ancient Greek precinct of Delphi. The best-known of the Delphic maxims, it has been quoted and analyzed by numerous authors throughout history, and has been applied in many ways.”

2023- Step 2. “Know the enemy”

*blogs in this year address the nature of education, the NAEP and business plans for you.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

―Sun Tzu,The Art of War

2024- Step 3. “Mind the Gap”

*Current position in the game of I. Finishing my “senior” project with interruptions. ;)

Create a bridge between you/I and controlling entities. From Cognitive dissonance to Consonance. (Self-hypocrisy to more clarity.)

Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort a person feels when their behavior does not align with their values or beliefs. (Sew, What ARE your values and beliefs? How do you know?)

Consonance: orchestration between balance and symmetry to acquire greater sense of harmony.

2025- Coming Soon!

But keep expectations low.

Homework Assignment. *Idea. Video former student’s reactions to a message from an old teacher. Ask “did you ever have Mrs. Newson?” Tell me a very short story; and I wonder what you would think of my I.School so far. Oh, and “Hello!”

May Flowers

III. May

Intro: April showers bring May flowers. Mother May I? What other sayings or phrases do you think of in May?

History: April showers bring May flowers.  In 1620 the Mayflower was an English sailing ship of approximately 400 “pilgrims.” Dissatisfied with the failure, excesses and abuses of the current government of England; the desire to travel was considered audacious and risky. However, compared to the increasingly difficult life of forced labor and menial jobs affecting individual health  and general civil unrest, the departure of the younger and stronger was inevitable. The trip from Northern England to Southhampton in 1620 took three days. After 10 weeks at sea, less than half survived the first winter. The Mayflower, the Plymouth Colony was an experiment. It was not organized by the government. In order to survive, it depended on the consent of the colonists themselves. Necessity bound a community together. Revolution by chance. 

Mystery: What happened to the original Mayflower; The ship?  According to Brittanica, “The true fate of the vessel is unknown.” 

Some historians argue that the Mayflower was scrapped for its timber, which was then used in the construction of barn.” 

Who were the Pilgrims? And why were they ready to face dire conditions in order to have more order. A Compact. Who were the others aboard the Mayflower?

"The others, were considered common folk and included merchants, craftsmen, indentured servants and orphaned children. They were referred to by the Pilgrims as ‘strangers’.”

Math, Reading:

The Three Little Pigs. (Paused for a latter day).

Basic: forming an essential foundation. A starting point; Fundamental.

Proficient: pure ability that comes with training and practice to make progress.

Advanced: Going beyond progress. From deficient to efficient.  

Being beyond the elementary; greatly developed beyond basic ideas. Far on in time or course. 

“Once up on a Time…”  there were three little pigs. 

Final Word: *Graduation* 

It’s my birthday, so I’m stealing-A Song For you. By Donny Hathaway.

I've been so many places in my life and time

I've sung a lot of songs

I've made some bad rhymes

I've acted out my life in stages

With ten thousand people watching

But we're alone now

And I'm singing this song to you

I love you in a place

Where there's no space or time

I love you for my life

You're a friends of mine

And when my life is over

Remember when we were together

We were alone

And I was singing this song to you.”

*May you build a house. Set sail. Flower.

Grad Speech #3 2024

Rest in Peace.

May 21, 2024

“Rest in peace" is an idiom that expresses the hope that someone's spirit has found peace after death.” Cambridge Dictionary.

Your job. Career, what ever you consider vocation. Occupation.

Today is my birthday. 🥳 I am retired from my job, career, vocation, occupation: Teacher

Retire: To withdraw from danger, retreat. MW. Hey, I like that. I like Re-Treat way better than Re-Tire. Ew, tire. Tired.

Treat v. Tire. I chose Treat.

Teaching kids and learning with them has been a treat. Let me tell you why. In my retreat 😉 I have time to ponder my occupational career choice as discussed with my high school counselor in 1985. Who, discouraging me from a profession of want and destitution, aka, teaching. I did not take his advice. I got this instead.

  • An abundance of memories. Memories of laughing with students. Crying with them too. Singing with them. Dancing with students. A mix bundle of…. life. Real. Joy. Every day. I think of them. Well after their ‘finals’.

  • Dreams. I dream of students all the time. Like our own action movies. Fun.

  • The courage to be afraid to stand up to those who are hurting students. My students.

  • The creativity to invent my own crazy pretend world. I.School, which ironically is more real to me than this facade.

People just don’t know or understand the incredibly powerful relationship, the bond that formed with me and many of my students and many of my classes. I’m sure some others of you, out there can relate! It’s parental. Even now, as I try to explain I.School to anyone, they don’t get it, not really. But my students would. They got me. They understood me. And I listed to them.
One thing missing is selfish of me. I always had students helping me. Organizing stuff. Telling me what and what not to say- lingo. Technology. “You got to do it like this, Newson.” They were and are still my greatest teachers.

And I, most days, did not regret choosing my profession of “want and destitution.” It was a struggle to not have money, that is no lie. I spent my time with kids instead. And now I am retired. Sorry ‘Re treated’ 😀 to a life of not awful memories; restful dream-filled sleep; and a school project that gets me up every morning. A true passion past my prime number. My retirement age. 😉 Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m still crazy and have my own issues. It’s just that I have time to rest. And I am at peace with my crazy.

So, as my gift to you students, on my birthday, cuz make up my own rules-

I wish you rest in peace.

What you want?

What do you want? Pop Quiz.

  1. Really think about what you want, and consider your answers. Are your answers:

A. About someone else. Example- “I want what that person has.” And what is that perceived desire exactly? What do you think, that person has?

B. A negative. Example- “I don’t want to feel like this anymore.” Good answer but it still begs the question.

C. Double negative. Example- “What’s the point, I’ll never get what I want anyway.” Two negatives equals a positive. If that is what you think, you will be positively right.

D. “Funny.” Example- “I want a billion dollars.” Funny. Now what?

2. What do you think the definition of WANT is? (Merriam-Webster)

A. To be needy or destitute

B. To suffer from the lack of

C. Grave deprivation of ones necessities of life

D. All of the above * 👆 is the correct answer. Of course, there are more coveted meanings of the word want. But would A,B and C change your answer to the first question?

3. Want? What would your little I say? The young lad, weee one that you once were?

A. I have felt

B. I have needed to be

C. Looking back, I wish I had ________ this if given a choice:

D. Finish A,B and C with Wanted.

May 24 faux grad speech #1

Senior graduation speech 2024

Oh hello,

My name is I.Newson and this is my classroom. My school. I call it- I.School.

What is it? (Pause) That is a difficult question to answer…

Ok, so recently I was contacted by a former student who wanted to continue a philosophical conversation we had in class 5 or 6 years ago. We walked and talked for hours and he said: “Newson, we need I.School, like now.” I told him about my current senior/ final project and he said it was time for me to share it on social media. I said I’m not ready yet.

He said- “Newson, just be you.” So I thought, it’s May. What sort of mock-Graduation speech would I give?

Ok. Here it is.

What do you Want? (Long intense pause- look into camera)

Simple question. Repeat. What do you want? -travel and asking folks. Is it-

You don’t really know do you? Most people don’t yet, common responses are:

Money?

Me: No you don’t. 

You want what money gives you. What is that?

Happiness?

Nope. Too vague and spaciously undefined. Manic and easily faked. 

Love?

Ditto. No, I take that back. Yes, it is vague, cliché curiously defined for us, but what is love? Love can be awful. Love is power and not always reciprocated the in the manor we expect, which hurts. Because we are all too human. Love reaches all human emotion. 

Power, fame? Lots of folks seek fame. So, you desire attention and affection from strangers- many famous people are famous for pretending to be someone or something else so people will like them. Scripted. Fake. Many of them are also sad because what they really want is- what? 

To be real? And respected for being themselves which- many are not- have we learned nothing from child actors and nepotism?

Power, control? No you don’t. Too much work and people are notoriously difficult to work with and it is very time consuming to try to control others especially when you don’t even know what You want to your own core.

So, Now what?  What DO you Want?

May I offer some suggestions? I.School style. 

How about sleep? Night after night. Restful, dream filled sleep. 

Imagine Waking up most mornings with a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. Not just completing the next task- for someone else- people telling you what you want-  money, happiness, love, fame, power and control. 

How about Peace of mind? A sense of purpose. 

Authenticity. Truth. Freedom. All sound good- 

That is what I want. And am succeeding. See, I’ve been working on my own school, and my thought was- how can I start a school that I would actually WANT to attend? So I did. A faux four year “college” of my own creation. 

Four years ago- in this very spot- I had an awkward beginning. An idea. 

Four years later, I am nearly ready to start my school. After I finish my senior project which got interrupted by former students telling me to speed it up and use the social media accounts which were set up for me By former students wanting to connect. I’m old. I don’t get the new timey ways… 

But I can tell you it is nice to be old. I’m 55, I hope I look 55, act 55, and I hope to be a cool, wise old lady.

I did not choose a career chasing money. I am a teacher. And I would like to continue teaching my class, in my school my way in my time- when and wherever I feel like it.  

What I want is to continue my purposely cryptic inewson.org web page. Finish my senior project and then give step by step lessons and instructions as to how to create your own class. 

What I will teach you is how to reclaim some of your time;

By giving you other things to do- and think about with your time- other than school and screens. Off topic topics to interrupt your otherwise scheduled school-life.

I.School is for anyone, anywhere, anytime. At least that is what my former student came up with on our long walk last week.

“-anywhere anytime.” Newson. 

I may not be with you in a classroom. In fact I am selling my house and traveling. A traveling philosophy class built just for you…. and me. You know, The I  in I.School.

Most people don’t know me. But students do. So Hi out there former students. Newson here. Still teaching. Id like to expand my classroom. I.School. Let’s build a philosophy class! Continue conversations started a long time ago- 

Follow, Subscribe, Like, Comment… Um, fewer than 10 words… if at all. I have SO many lessons and ideas spinning around in my brain case. 

Anyway, I’m I.Newson and this is my classroom. My school. My. ISchool senior project that Id like to get back to, thank you very much… after this mock graduation speech. 2024.  

“We need I.School now” “just be you” Newson.

Ok. I’m on it! Let’s get started with a story.  The story of the Three Little Pigs.

Oh, my time is up for today. Ok. Insert Graduation cliches finishes:

Follow your dreams…  Oh, that’s a whole other I.lesson. 

OK- insert your own ending. I’m just getting started!!!

Ciao for now. 

Second April

II. April

Intro: “April Showers bring May Flowers. ” “April fools.”

I. Dream- Black and White Door. Ocean- ride the wave, into a Tree. Relax, you are going to meet a queen.

History:  April was the second month of the earliest Roman calendar,before Ianuarius and Februarius were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC.

New year, Valentines Love, Grounded (Referring to the later added Groundhog Day).  All derived from changes made to to the calendar dating back to (X). “Unknown origin”.

Aprilis, verb meaning ‘to Open’. “The derivation of ‘Aprilis’ is unknown.” 

Mystery: 

Fools- ‘scholars’ dressed up in costumes making fun of the Roman leaders after changing calendars (Sort of messed up gardening and festivities when April was moved to January ). What do you think happened to those who, not only questioned authority, but made fun of Roman leaders? *Origin Unknown.

Knock knock. 

 “Open Sesame.” Bzzzzz.  Wrong, that is incorrect. What is the correct answer to an ancient riddle about a genie and the secret words needed to open the cave of knowledge? 

Genie’s open doors. So do Genres in literature as I found out. 

Math and Reading: NAEP

I learned about genres when researching the NAEP Reading Framework. “Genres and types of tests to be assessed.” “

Types of text refers to the idealized norms of a genre (Fludernik 2000), not the source of the stimulus material per se.”

 Page 17.  NAEP Reading assessment framework. 

What are ‘idealized norms of a genre’? ‘Per se’, what now? Questions led me to contacting Fludernik, as she is referenced to standardized literary testing in the US, NAEP nations report card. She lives in Germany. Nice chat. She knew not of her being referenced. Nein. But she sent me a link to her books, as I could not find any in the US. 

The NAEP is making changes to an old education system, of unknown origin. 

Two things are certain- Numbers and language are the driving force of the NAEP nations report card. Compulsory: required by law. 

Now what? Distraction. 

Final Word: Reflection

5: Shower, love, dream, fool, doors. 

So what‽ 

So, What if I were to tell you this: 

One of those five is a mathematical equation. (wink)

One is found in the sky, in April. 

One is “a boundary, the difference between feeling one state to another, like __x__ (depression) to __y__ (not).

One is not what you think it is, contrary to what you’ve been taught;

And one or two, if held up to a mirror, is another equation doubled as language. 

Not an April fools prank. Reflect. 

Answers found in I.School 2025.