Q & A with a Super Hero: Independent Teen Thinker
10/25/15
Recently, Jake's class has offered a new activity called, something along the lines of, Show and Tell, Bring and Brag to encourage the kids to talk, share, present and generally be more social and outgoing. This opportunity offers students the chance to bring in something to share with friends. It can be a favorite thing, a story about their weekend, or something they just want to talk about.
Here I thought Jake would enjoy this activity as he likes to talk, talk, and talk. But when I brought it up yesterday, I was met with huge and suprising opposition. Here's the conversation and insight which proves he's been listening to our harping about school and humility, the past 13 years. It's kind of cool to see the "fruits of our labor" now coming to fruition... however, these lessons being thrown back in my face, not so fun! HAHAH
It's also important to note, he's choosing to, not have friends, rather than have teachers 'telling' him how to be a friend. I thought that was very subtle yet important message.
Me: Do you know what Bring and Brag program is for school?
Jake: No.
Me: It’s where you bring in something you did over the weekend and share it with your friends.
Jake: I wouldn’t like to do it with a lot of friends at school because I’m there to learn and there's restrictions. I only like to make friends outside of school… I think Bring and Brag is being arrogant and that’s outside of my rules. I think that’s bragging and being arrogant.
But don’t you want to share exciting things with your friends?
No.
Why not?
Because you’re (I'm) there to learn.
Do you want to learn about exciting things your friends are doing?
No. We are there to learn.
What if the teacher asks you specifically what you did this weekend?
It’s kind of weird.
How?
Well because I think having friends inside of school is strange because I’m focused on learning. I’m not there to make friends. I want to use my good time learning math and reading. I want to learn and do testing wisely. Not wasting time talking with friends. In free time, I want to play beatboxing.
Where do you want to make friends?
Outside of school.
So your hockey team and your cycling team friends?
Yes.
I like people in all my sports. The capitals.
So do you understand that the class wants to know what you like to do and that it’s not bragging?
Yes.. it’s still being bragging and arrogant. That’s one of God’s rules.
I think I just want to have friends (from school or sports) at restaurants and have fun with friends there, outside of school… not inside of school where people are there telling me how to be a friend and make rules around being a friend. I don’t like rules about friends. It’s harder at school to have friends. I just want to learn and be teached.
10/25/15
Recently, Jake's class has offered a new activity called, something along the lines of, Show and Tell, Bring and Brag to encourage the kids to talk, share, present and generally be more social and outgoing. This opportunity offers students the chance to bring in something to share with friends. It can be a favorite thing, a story about their weekend, or something they just want to talk about.
Here I thought Jake would enjoy this activity as he likes to talk, talk, and talk. But when I brought it up yesterday, I was met with huge and suprising opposition. Here's the conversation and insight which proves he's been listening to our harping about school and humility, the past 13 years. It's kind of cool to see the "fruits of our labor" now coming to fruition... however, these lessons being thrown back in my face, not so fun! HAHAH
It's also important to note, he's choosing to, not have friends, rather than have teachers 'telling' him how to be a friend. I thought that was very subtle yet important message.
Me: Do you know what Bring and Brag program is for school?
Jake: No.
Me: It’s where you bring in something you did over the weekend and share it with your friends.
Jake: I wouldn’t like to do it with a lot of friends at school because I’m there to learn and there's restrictions. I only like to make friends outside of school… I think Bring and Brag is being arrogant and that’s outside of my rules. I think that’s bragging and being arrogant.
But don’t you want to share exciting things with your friends?
No.
Why not?
Because you’re (I'm) there to learn.
Do you want to learn about exciting things your friends are doing?
No. We are there to learn.
What if the teacher asks you specifically what you did this weekend?
It’s kind of weird.
How?
Well because I think having friends inside of school is strange because I’m focused on learning. I’m not there to make friends. I want to use my good time learning math and reading. I want to learn and do testing wisely. Not wasting time talking with friends. In free time, I want to play beatboxing.
Where do you want to make friends?
Outside of school.
So your hockey team and your cycling team friends?
Yes.
I like people in all my sports. The capitals.
So do you understand that the class wants to know what you like to do and that it’s not bragging?
Yes.. it’s still being bragging and arrogant. That’s one of God’s rules.
I think I just want to have friends (from school or sports) at restaurants and have fun with friends there, outside of school… not inside of school where people are there telling me how to be a friend and make rules around being a friend. I don’t like rules about friends. It’s harder at school to have friends. I just want to learn and be teached.
