Beyond School

In my last post I neglected to pass the “5 Secrets of Success” meme on (partly out of the curmudgeonly mood).

But I want to use the meme to practice that “true edublog democracy” I kvetched about slightly in my last post. I want to “tag” a few of my ninth-grade bloggers whose personalities and minds scream success to me.

It’s high time their blogs were promoted, too. Give them a visit. Here they are (all with code names):

“Lane Euler“: meteoric growth in critical thinking and weblogging, and a person to trust to the grave–I can tell already.

“Fashion Freak“: a rare honesty and decency, a mind alive in this one. Somehow seems an “old soul” (in a good, mature way).

“Ace Husky Uno“: makes me think of Nestor’s injunction to the young in The Iliad: “Be a man of eloquence and action.” (He was telling Achilles not to be just a jock, but a literate man as well. If only our modern “he-men” valued the tongue as much as the bicep.) Husky Uno is an amazing basketball player and thinker. He handled Swift like he handles lay-ups. And macho peer pressure doesn’t keep him from talking in class. Too cool.

“Ha! Enjoy“: another one whose sincerity and ability to reflect and enjoy it makes me happy.

“Pick Man Track“: another athlete strong enough to lead instead of follow–a real role model who breaks the “thinking ain’t cool” mold for weaker young jocks around him.

“Just Yell“: a born writer and giant-killer.

Finally, I’d like to tag James Linzel, whose lunchtime conversations in Shanghai were literally some of the finest hours I spent there. He’s begun a science teacher’s blog recently, “Remove the Walls,” and I look forward to continuing the old conversations in this new way. (What is it about science teachers that make them such polymaths? James’ curiosities and explorations radiate in so many directions, and always with passion and a good heart. I love the guy.)

Here’s the meme:

“List the top 5 to 10 things that you do almost every day that help you to be successful. They can be anything at all, but they have to be things that you do at least 4 or 5 times every week. Anything less than that may be a hobby that helps you out, but we are after the real day in and day out habits that help you to be successful.”

I encourage all of you to break any arbitrary rules of this meme if your critical judgment so inclines. (And “students,” remember to pass it on by “tagging” those you think are admirable.