Godin's Manifesto "Stop Stealing Dreams"Response

As I read through Seth Godin's manifesto, Stop Stealing Dreams, I believe this is someone who wants a change in our educational system. However, changing our educational system will take more than just realizing we are currently producing followers, test takers, and factory workers. We, as educators, must find a way to implement critical thinking skills into our everyday lessons. Here are a few elements that stood out to me:

12. Is it possible to teach attitudes?

Compliant, competitive zombies....this is what our children are turning into. They want to know exactly what it takes to get an A. How many points for this project? How many paragraphs do I need to write? Is this a grade on my report? As early as fourth grade, students are developing the attitude of what do I need to do to get a good grade? Our challenge is to change their desires to not only get a good grade, but to also want to learn more-think outside of the box, be creative, and innovative.

19. Dreams are difficult to build and easy to destroy  29. The other side of fear is passion. 33. Who will teach bravery?

As I read through these statements-dreams, passion, and bravery stood out to me. In order to have a dream, one must have a passion about something. As they become more and more passionate about their dream, it takes bravery to see their dreams come true. As teachers we can help students find mentors and resources to cultivate their passion. One needs to be a risk-taker to make their dreams come true. Parents, mentors, and teachers can make a difference in a students life. One may fail many times before succeed. It is bravery and self-reliance that keeps one working toward their dream and never giving up.

90. Reading and Writing

"Reading opens doors."

"Writing is the tool we use to spread ideas."

Teaching reading and writing is my passion. These are tools that we cannot live without. The stronger one's reading and writing skills, the more power they have in life to express their ideas. I loved the book, "The Book Whisper" by Donalyn Miller. She talks not only how to teach reading, but to LOVE reading. This past year my students were given a 30 Book Challenge. They were challenged to reading 30 books (must have a variety of genres). My students loved this! Not everyone completed the 30 Book Challenge but students were reading for the JOY of reading!