Raising Real Humans

Podcast and book recs + two quick stories from the week

Good morning everyone,

Thanks for all of the kind messages in response to last week’s Star Wars story. I’m excited to return to the “regularly scheduled programming” (the back-to-school updates full of Read and WRAP prompts, AoW texts and topics, grammar and vocabulary resources, lesson and unit ideas, etc.) shortly, but in the meantime, I wanted to share a few things that have been ruminating this week:

1. Here’s one podcast episode I think you’ll appreciate: “Creative anxiety, self-doubt, and procrastination with Fredrik Backman.” My goodness, Mr. Backman is an absolute treasure. I listened to this episode as my two boys napped in the backseat (after an awesome morning at the zoo) and found myself getting choked up in parts (the same thing tends to happens while reading his books). Once you give it a listen, I would love to hear your thoughts! (Also, would love to know your favorite Backman book. Mine? It’s gotta be Beartown.)

2. Here’s one new book that I think you’ll enjoy: Human Raised by Dana Suskind. Only 50 pages in, I’ve already run out of sticky notes. Happy to facilitate a virtual book club if folks are interested in reading and discussing together? Let me know!

3. Here’s a quick story for you: Last Saturday, I took my four-year-old to pick out his first real bike. As soon as the wonderful guys put it together for us, he’s been riding it nonstop. (Training wheels still on, to be sure.) It took him a few minutes to get the hang of it, but with each passing day, he’s getting more comfortable and confident. We’ve gone up and down hills and all the way down to the local tennis court. He’s able to brake and navigate obstacles such as garbage cans and leashed dogs. The point I’ve been thinking about all week and will try to articulate here is a simple one: While Lucca has driven faster, shinier, “more efficient” vehicles in the past (such as a ride-on tractor for his second birthday, and more recently, a Jeep), nothing compared to the thrill of doing something on his own. Overcoming a fear. The sense of pride and accomplishment. The burn in his legs. The joy in his face. I could go on, but you already know where I’m going . . . Just because AI is here doesn’t mean we need to use it. Let’s continue to ensure that the young people in our lives and classrooms can ride real bikes (and get real scrapes and bruises) and read real books (and cry real tears) and write real stories and have real conversations.

4. Lastly, I wanted to pass along some wisdom and encouragement: On a walk over to the zoo earlier today, we stumbled upon a beautiful collection of kindness rocks. (I’m definitely going to bring some version of this to our classroom in the fall.)

   

   In the meantime, sharing many of my favorites here (as I typed them out, it started to feel like a poem). Hope you enjoy:

• Keep it SIMPLE.

• Be A Force of Good.

• Create Art.

• Love Deeply.

• Rise Above It.

• Peace is Power.

• Keep Going.

• Embrace The Journey.

• Your Best Days Are Ahead.

• You Are Cool.

• Drink Enough Water.

• Never Give Up.

• Be Kind.

• Be Happy.

• Be You.

• Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.

• Don’t Hate.

• Root for the Underdog.

• Progress Not Perfection.

• Less is More.

• Run Your Race.

• Face Your Fears.

• Break the Mold.

• Love this Earth.

• Win the day.

• Flow with life.

• Keep the Faith.

• Protect the Weak.

• Live free.

• Let it be.

• Stay Bright.

• Live Simply.

• Plant Something.

• Leave It Better.

• Put Down Your Phone.

• Learn Something NEW.

• And yes, ENJOY A BOOK.

Cheers,
Jarred