"Intellectual distinction is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for election to a Rhodes Scholarship. Selection committees are charged to seek excellence in qualities of mind and in qualities of person which, in combination, offer the promise of effective service to the world in the decades ahead. The Rhodes Scholarships, in short, are investments in individuals rather than in project proposals..."

Monday, January 25, 2010

Strengths Explorer for Kids

I am a huge fan of the books First, Break All the Rules and Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham. The intent is to help someone identify their strengths and develop them (instead of focusing on their weaknesses). What a wonderful Positive approach!

I recently found they have an online assessment tool for kids aged 10 and up called Strength Explorers created by his co-author of the second book. We had our kids take their evaluations today and found it useful.

Here are the possible 10 strengths:

Presence: Youths especially talented in the Presence theme like to tell stories and be at the center of attention.
Confidence: Youths especially talented in the Confidence theme believe in themselves and their ability to be successful in their endeavors.
Competing: Youths especially talented in the Competing theme enjoy measuring their performance against that of others and have a great desire to win.
Relating: Youths especially talented in the Relating theme are good at establishing meaningful friendships and maintaining them.
Achieving: Youths especially talented in the Achieving theme like to accomplish things and have a great deal of energy.
Future Thinker: Youths especially talented in the Future Thinker theme tend to think about what’s possible beyond the present time, even beyond their lifetime.
Caring: Youths especially talented in the Caring theme enjoy helping others.
Discoverer: Youths especially talented in the Discoverer theme tend to be very curious and like to ask “Why?” and “How?”
Organizer: Youths especially talented in the Organizer theme are good at scheduling, planning, and organizing.
Dependability: Youths especially talented in the Dependability theme keep their promises and show a high level of responsibility.


#1 child scored: Presence, Relating, Discoverer

#2 child scored: Presence, Caring, Future Thinker


This week we will use the workbooks that go with the test to help both of them realize and work on their strengths.


Monday, January 18, 2010

New Idea - Good or Bad?

We just finished our boy's Science club. At the last session, my son did a presentation on how the pyramids were build using simple machines. We watched a Nova episode called "This Old Pyramid." The boys loved it and it sparked several great discussions. So, I thought it might be fun to do this with regularity.

Here's my rub. I would rather they be reading books than watching a video. Now, two of the four moms do these clubs for the social aspect more than anything else. So, I solicit your advice. Do I do a video club or not? Here's the plan. Let me know what you think:

Nova Science and History Workshops

Wright Brothers' Flying Machine (SCIENCE)

Lesson Plan:

Video:

Activity: See Lesson Plan – make paper airplane and observe effects of wing warping

Infinite Secrets (MATH)

Lesson Plan:

Video:

Activity: See Lesson Plan – Archimedes Recipe for pi

Lincoln's Secret Weapon (HISTORY/SCIENCE)

Lesson Plan:

Video:

Activity: See Lesson Plan: Dive! Dive! Dive!

Lost at Sea! (HISTORY/SCIENCE)

Lesson Plan:

Video: County Library

Activity: See Lesson Plan: Voyage Around the World

Medieval Siege (HISTORY/SCIENCE)

Lesson Plan:

Video: County Library

Activity: See Lesson Plan: FLING IT!