How do you plan for your strategic use of time? In a culture that seems to take some kind of pride in talking about how busy we all are, it seems even…
Author: Bo Adams
Some describe four “Cs” of essential skills for this 21st century – traits such as: Critical thinking, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity. Some list five or six “Cs.” Five: Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Character. Six: the list above plus cultural competency.…
Read More Could there actually be one "C" to rule them all?!
Many – maybe all – schools send teachers to conferences. This practice seems important (otherwise, why do we do it, right?). It’s like collecting pollen for the hive. Curious, ambitious…
Read More How’s your honeycomb? Collecting pollen and making honey #professionallearning
There has been an explosion of interest in and writing about innovation. By no means have I read all of the latest works on innovation, but I have read quite…
Read More Book Review: Bringing Innovation to School @SuzieBoss @SolutionTree
If school is meant to prepare students for real life, then why doesn’t school look more like real life? This is the primary question that has kept me research-busy for…
In 1976, I can remember going to the movie theatre with my mom to see Freaky Friday. It starred Jody Foster. Jody’s character, Annabel, and her mother are struggling to understand…
Read More Freaky Friday – just an idea for a student-teacher switch
When information enters the mind, it self-organizes into patterns and ruts much like the hot water on butter. New information automatically flows into the preformed grooves. After a while, the…
I am a synergist. I love to work at the intersection and collision of ideas, disciplines, and departments. Of course, like anything, I have to practice this skill, and I…
Read More A future of synergists and dot connectors…for enhanced customer experience
Preface “Birds of a feather flock together.” How is it that various flocks of birds fly together in non-linear formation? How exactly do they communicate with each other to cut…
At the opening Junior High School faculty meeting, I shared that I would be referring to us (internally) as “JH 2.11.” Like version software, such as OS 10.6 or Windows…
There was a single note on the teacher’s desk. Turning the envelope, she slid her curious finger under the seal, anxious to read what awaited her. Just the crackle and…
Moments ago, I sent the following e-mail to the faculty with whom I have the privilege to work and learn everyday – the Junior High faculty at Westminster. I am…
Minutes ago, I sent the following email to the Junior High School faculty and administration at The Westminster Schools. Dear Junior High Faculty and Administration: As has become my practice,…
Safety is paramount! Safety is really rule #1. As a parent and as a professional educator, I believe fervently that safety is critically important. Safety, precaution, and care come in…
This week, my family and I saw Cars 2, the sequel to the fabulous, animated story of Lightening McQueen and his learnings of humility with his new-found family in Radiator…
Do you have 27 minutes to devote to both educational reform and world peace? Do you? Just 27 minutes of your life. Twenty minutes is for watching the TED talk…
Read More Can you spare 27 minutes for learning and world peace?
What’s in a grade? This is a question that I ask myself almost everyday, if not actually everyday. Recently, my learning partner, Synergy co-teacher, PLC co-director, and fellow faculty member…
Read More Calling all thinkers: “Revision, Redemption, and Grades?”
Parents and schools (teachers, administrators, staff, etc.) are members of the same team – partners – striving together for the same goal. The goal, I hope and trust, is to…