Earth, Wind, and Fire

Tomorrow night, Mary and I are going to see Earth, Wind, and Fire at the Chicago Theater.  For you younger folks, this is not a date to observe planets, measure temperature variances in the atmosphere, or to learn about combustion.  Earth, Wind, and Fire, sometimes referred to as “The Mighty Elements” by some die-hard fans is a music group that began in 1969 with an interesting mix of pop, jazz, funk, disco, R & B, soul, and rock. They play a little something for everybody.  This is not going to be a dull show.  Their combination of music is a rarity and sure beats the lounge singer at the Holiday Inn. (For those of you not getting that reference, please refer to a character that Bill Murray played on Saturday Night Live)  Earth, Wind, and Fire have won six Grammy Awards with hits such as September, Shining Star (Mary’s favorite), Getaway, After the Love is Gone, and yes, Boogie Wonderland.  My beautiful Mrs. is a big fan of Earth, Wind, and Fire.  I am going because I am a big fan of her. This group plays so many different genres of music that everyone finds some relevance. Everyone’s musical needs are met.  Earth, Wind, and Fire is a group that truly differentiates their music.

How about you?  What do you do about differentiating instruction in your room to meet the needs of your students?  Do all of the kids find relevance in your lessons?  Find those high-yield strategies that you have been exposed to on Wednesday mornings. Stay away from strategies that do not provide a high yield.  Use methods that havehigh effect sizes.  Present several learning options. Match tasks with interests and learning preferences.  Get to know your kids.  Get to know your kids. Get to know your kids.  Make developing a rapport with your students a high priority.  Plan to make this happen.  Use a variety of assessment strategies.  Balance teacher-assigned and student-selected projects.  Remember that kids learn best when they make connections between the curriculum and their own interests and experiences. If there is no connection, that’s on us as educators. Be a teacher that differentiates their instruction. Have an interesting mix.  Be an “Earth, Wind, and Fire Teacher”.  Perhaps you will produce several shining stars.

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The Browns play the Minnesota Vikings up North this Sunday.  We’re 0-2, they were just beaten in the last 10 seconds by the Bears and are fired up, they are at home, Adrian Peterson is a beast…looks like the perfect storm…then, we trade perhaps our best player yesterday for future draft picks and decide to start our 3^rd strong quarterback – we are perhaps at the threshold of Hades… nonetheless, I will watch, hope, and do it again the next week.