The Force

Need summer reading ideas for nerds? Look no further!

Are you a nerd looking for a good read? This is a quick post about the reading I’ve been lucky enough to squeeze in this summer, maybe your nerdy side will enjoy some of it too.

It’s been a great summer of family time at home, trips to see friends and family afar, outdoor activity, research, writing, teaching – and – having a little bit of extra time each week to read purely for the sake of pleasure!

Here’s a quick list of some of the books I had a chance to read for fun since the spring semester wound down along with a silly synopsis of my take on each of them.*

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Obi-Wan your teaching, Episode XXXVII

PRELUDE

What does it mean… to Obi-Wan your teaching?

Definition: To seek wisdom about teaching, to keep a cool head when negotiating good and bad ideas, to have a sense of humor about teaching, to be present when you’re needed (e.g., you may be their only hope), to commit to nurturing the next generation of whatever

Why is this episode thirty seven?

To leave room for prequels (since that’s the way it’s done – obviously)

Episode XXXVII: Listen

Listen to your students like Obi-Wan listens to R2-D2…

    • Be patient and listen very carefully to what your students have to say
    • Even if it’s hard for others to understand, you might be the only one around who can translate what it is they’re trying to say
    • Even when they’re precocious your students can be helpful in ways you can’t imagine
    • Recognize that they’re an integral part of the “team” and “process” when it comes to your teaching

For your listening pleasure…

A link to nothing but R2-D2s sounds

Obi-Wan your teaching, Episode XXXVI

PRELUDE

What does it mean… to Obi-Wan your teaching?

[Verb: I Obi-Wan, You Obi-Wan, She/He Obi-Wans, We Obi-Wan, You (plural) Obi-Wan, They Obi-Wan]

Definition: To seek wisdom about teaching, to keep a cool head when negotiating good and bad ideas, to have a sense of humor about teaching, to be present when you’re needed (e.g., you may be their only hope), to commit to nurturing the next generation of whatever

Why is this episode thirty six?

To leave room for prequels (since that’s the way it’s done – obviously)

Episode XXXVI: Obi-Wan is dead, Long live Obi-Wan

When you’re teaching, be like Obi-Wan when he was a ghost…

    • By that I mean, step back once in a while and recognize your place within a larger force
    • Trust your sense of wisdom and be present with your students when it counts
    • Aim to be the voice your students hear when they most need to trust themselves

When you’re teaching, be like Obi-Wan when he was alive…

    • Be patient and trust in your idea(s) and do everything you can to nurture it(them)
    • If, after trying as hard as you can, it’s ultimately going down the wrong path then chop it up and let it go
    • It’s ok, you can’t lose… …if you try a bad idea and it doesn’t work out you’ve still learned a lot and you’ll win in the end