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.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.
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.
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?
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.
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)
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.
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.