Today marks the return of Lucas. This is his fourth visit, third credited. Please enjoy.
Hi again, it’s Lucas. I’m just sitting here in class,
considering a conclusion that I didn’t want to pass.
I was diddling some doodles, on my paper with my pen
when I had a little insight that was altogether zen.
The thought was kind of large, at least larger than me,
but it shined a bit of light on the way that things should be.
You may think it silly, but I have some concern
about the way we get our answers and the way that we all learn.
The way our teachers teach us, well it’s based on an old system.
Now that times are changing, I think we should be changing with them.
The methods they use now reward all those who memorize the most.
Learn by rote, take the test and then they’re fit to boast.
But facts and figures fall to fruitless when you’re looking at your feet,
and find that they’re now bopping to a wholly different beat.
It blew in like a cyclone, this redefining shift.
We didn’t catch it quickly. Now we’ve found ourselves adrift.
You see, a system built on answers simply can not grow.
We need creative queries to bring us brand new things to know.
With the Internet inside our palm, answers lose their worth.
The techniques we use to learn deserve to have a brand new birth.
Questions have more value because they teach us how to think;
our thoughts and are behavior share an undisputed link.
Should we absorb the moment of that first shot in a war
or could there be some bigger issues that we could explore?
If we believe that answers shouldn’t come first anymore,
then we’ll develop questions that have not been thought before.
Let’s ponder this example: let’s bow our heads and think.
Take your time, take a breath. Okay, now go ahead and blink.
Let’s flip back in time a while to when Human Beings were new.
Before we had societies, in the dawn of our debut.
We were not committing answers then, with just one thing to solve.
The question we were asking was, “now, how can we evolve?”
First we worked with fire. Then we worked the land.
We had so many questions, and so much to understand.
We created language, art, religion and set Governments in place,
as the entire population spread across our planet’s face.
Now we have computers and answers oozing cheap.
It’s time for the entire race to take another giant leap.
Let’s ask ourselves about our future and discover what is next.
If we start out asking simply, we can soon grow more complex.
The next time that your teacher asks the answer to a question,
raise your hand and say “Excuse me, but I’ve got a suggestion.”
Say, “Answers were for yesterday. I’m looking toward our fate;
a future filled with such potential, I can hardly wait.
Perhaps tomorrow we’ll have a world where there isn’t any war;
no disease, hungry people, or violence any more.
If we start knowing what to ask, our future has no ceiling.
I know that I am just a kid, but listen to my feeling.”
You can be just like my teacher when I told her the word.
She said, “Lucas Bright, that is the smartest thing I’ve ever heard!”
Sean Platt is a dad, ghostwriter, and occassional potty training expert.
About Sean Platt
Bravo! Dr. Seuss would be pleased! : )
Bravo! Dr. Seuss would be pleased! : )
Lucas – this is brilliant! You are so smart, and I your message needs to go to every teacher and educational leaders. (I am excited to share!). You embody the Habitude of curiosity! Bravo!
Lucas – this is brilliant! You are so smart, and I your message needs to go to every teacher and educational leaders. (I am excited to share!). You embody the Habitude of curiosity! Bravo!
Rote memorization has been a bad learning model for far longer than the internet has been around. Unfortunately, it’s easier for the average teacher than being innovative and it’s hard to get past, “That’s the way that it’s always been done.”
Rote memorization has been a bad learning model for far longer than the internet has been around. Unfortunately, it’s easier for the average teacher than being innovative and it’s hard to get past, “That’s the way that it’s always been done.”
This is so true.
This is so true.
What a treat – never met Lucas before!Do you ever doze off at your desk and wake up wondering who of your many yous you are?
When I was teaching kids and teenagers, the ones who asked the ‘best’ questions always did better in all subject areas in the long run than those who just waited to get everything poured into their heads. Sadly, my kids stopped asking their teachers as many curious, challenging questions at school after one or two awful teachers told them they ought to know better than to question a teacher. And, yes…the school did get a visit the next day!!
Thought provoking post! Encouraging questions encourages discussion, thought and ownership of ideas. Whereas, the “old way” just seems like busy work quickly plowed through and more quickly forgotten.
Thought provoking post! Encouraging questions encourages discussion, thought and ownership of ideas. Whereas, the “old way” just seems like busy work quickly plowed through and more quickly forgotten.
This very struggle I’m facing with Monkey and what curriculum to teach her from in the fall. I don’t want to fill her head with useless facts that she’ll forget after she’s taken the test. I want her to experience her education and be challenged by it, and not just wade through it. It’s one of the hardest things I’m trying to do right now.
Thank you, Lucas, for sharing your insight!
This very struggle I’m facing with Monkey and what curriculum to teach her from in the fall. I don’t want to fill her head with useless facts that she’ll forget after she’s taken the test. I want her to experience her education and be challenged by it, and not just wade through it. It’s one of the hardest things I’m trying to do right now.
Thank you, Lucas, for sharing your insight!
I’m so happy to meet Lucas! I tried to buy Lucas Bright: I Know I’m Special from your site once, but it kept leading me to dead ends and wouldn’t let me proceed. Now I KNOW why Lucas is special.
I had a teacher once who told me, “Education isn’t about knowing all the answers. It’s about knowing where to FIND the answers when you have a question.”
Yesterday I came across a website that supports the Socratic method of teaching—teaching by asking questions instead of giving answers. The author said he taught binary language (by asking questions only) to a group of third graders and by the time he was done that day, all the kids understood it. Before he started, two teachers said that only a couple of the kids were capable of understanding. So keep asking those questions, Lucas! (And kudos to the teacher for rewarding him for asking the question instead of shutting him down.)
One of my son’s teachers once told me that my son was irritating to have in class because he asked too many questions. I love it when my students ask questions! If they can stump the teacher, I tell them that I don’t know the answer, but that if they can get on the internet that night and find the answer to present to the class next day, they get extra credit. They learn so much better than if I looked up the answer and spit it back to them the next day. I’ve yet to have a child who fails to get excited about the challenge.
I’m so happy to meet Lucas! I tried to buy Lucas Bright: I Know I’m Special from your site once, but it kept leading me to dead ends and wouldn’t let me proceed. Now I KNOW why Lucas is special.
I had a teacher once who told me, “Education isn’t about knowing all the answers. It’s about knowing where to FIND the answers when you have a question.”
Yesterday I came across a website that supports the Socratic method of teaching—teaching by asking questions instead of giving answers. The author said he taught binary language (by asking questions only) to a group of third graders and by the time he was done that day, all the kids understood it. Before he started, two teachers said that only a couple of the kids were capable of understanding. So keep asking those questions, Lucas! (And kudos to the teacher for rewarding him for asking the question instead of shutting him down.)
One of my son’s teachers once told me that my son was irritating to have in class because he asked too many questions. I love it when my students ask questions! If they can stump the teacher, I tell them that I don’t know the answer, but that if they can get on the internet that night and find the answer to present to the class next day, they get extra credit. They learn so much better than if I looked up the answer and spit it back to them the next day. I’ve yet to have a child who fails to get excited about the challenge.
NOTE: LUCAS IS ANSWERING COMMENTS TODAY
Shanel: Thanks, Mr. Giesel has always written in some of my favorite pentameter.
Angela: Thank you, Mrs. Maiers. I wish I had teachers like you. I think you’re terrific.
Mike: It stinks. Sometimes I just have to stare out the window and I get really really bored, but my teachers don’t care at all! I sure hope things change.
Hayden: I know!
Janice: That’s great that you stuck up for your kids! My parents stick up for me too. They always say, “Ask as many questions as you want to Lucas, there are always answers ready to be found.”
Dave: I do not like busy work. It bores me even more than baseball. Hey, thanks for taking my picture by the way. You made me look great!
Kool Aid: You’re welcome, don’t let school bore your monkey! Make them find ways to keep her busy in the right way.
Randi: Aw, shucks. Thanks for the support but my first adventure went off the market. I’ll send it out to you later today. Binary language is easy, as long as you ask the right questions!
NOTE: LUCAS IS ANSWERING COMMENTS TODAY
Shanel: Thanks, Mr. Giesel has always written in some of my favorite pentameter.
Angela: Thank you, Mrs. Maiers. I wish I had teachers like you. I think you’re terrific.
Mike: It stinks. Sometimes I just have to stare out the window and I get really really bored, but my teachers don’t care at all! I sure hope things change.
Hayden: I know!
Janice: That’s great that you stuck up for your kids! My parents stick up for me too. They always say, “Ask as many questions as you want to Lucas, there are always answers ready to be found.”
Dave: I do not like busy work. It bores me even more than baseball. Hey, thanks for taking my picture by the way. You made me look great!
Kool Aid: You’re welcome, don’t let school bore your monkey! Make them find ways to keep her busy in the right way.
Randi: Aw, shucks. Thanks for the support but my first adventure went off the market. I’ll send it out to you later today. Binary language is easy, as long as you ask the right questions!
Children say the greatest things, I wish more teachers/adults would appreciate the spirit rather than find it more hassle.
Children say the greatest things, I wish more teachers/adults would appreciate the spirit rather than find it more hassle.
Hey Lucas,
I challenge my students to be creative and not just memorize things.
Of course, that being said, memory is an important tool. I mean, you can use as a calculator but by the time you get it out and punch in the numbers, I can do the calculations in my head because I know my timetables and number facts.
Memorization is good in music and art as well.
Hi Sean,
I think the old system and way of doing things is still relevant. But we as teachers can’t be stale. There is a balance that we can strive for that doesn’t turn education into entertainment but still engages the child.
Hey Lucas,
I challenge my students to be creative and not just memorize things.
Of course, that being said, memory is an important tool. I mean, you can use as a calculator but by the time you get it out and punch in the numbers, I can do the calculations in my head because I know my timetables and number facts.
Memorization is good in music and art as well.
Hi Sean,
I think the old system and way of doing things is still relevant. But we as teachers can’t be stale. There is a balance that we can strive for that doesn’t turn education into entertainment but still engages the child.
Lucas,
I am soooo with you on this one. I think our education system sucks (and I am from a tiny country in Luxembourg). Creativity is the most important and unique thing every kid has, Yet it is drilled out of them after a few years of school. Everyone has to succeed, yet fit into a mold. When you ask a ‘stupid’ question, people sneer at you. Well, there are no stupid questions. And it is the people who ask the so-called stupid questions that made it big. Like Newton asking WHY the apple falls.
So be creative, paint, sing, write limericks and poems. Draw an your walls like my son did :-) don’t copy, don’t try to fit in. BE YOU.
Lucas,
I am soooo with you on this one. I think our education system sucks (and I am from a tiny country in Luxembourg). Creativity is the most important and unique thing every kid has, Yet it is drilled out of them after a few years of school. Everyone has to succeed, yet fit into a mold. When you ask a ‘stupid’ question, people sneer at you. Well, there are no stupid questions. And it is the people who ask the so-called stupid questions that made it big. Like Newton asking WHY the apple falls.
So be creative, paint, sing, write limericks and poems. Draw an your walls like my son did :-) don’t copy, don’t try to fit in. BE YOU.
Lucas,
Check out this: http://tinyurl.com/bkvovt. It’s a post about designers, developers, and bloggers all under age 18. Looks like they know how to ask and answer.
Lucas,
Check out this: http://tinyurl.com/bkvovt. It’s a post about designers, developers, and bloggers all under age 18. Looks like they know how to ask and answer.
As a science teacher you know I understand the value of good questions. What would ever be explored without wonder and curiosity? Without questions, there would be no learning.
As a science teacher you know I understand the value of good questions. What would ever be explored without wonder and curiosity? Without questions, there would be no learning.
I’d like to invite you (you are a talented writer) to be a columnist blogger over at http://www.icepop.com.
IcePop is a Community Blog where you can be a columnist and write about the latest Celebrity News and Film Reviews. You get Front page exposure, Your own bio, URL to your website, Profile picture and more! Please pass by and register and you too can be on front page! You even get a columnist banner for your website/blog! Thanks Leah
I’d like to invite you (you are a talented writer) to be a columnist blogger over at http://www.icepop.com.
IcePop is a Community Blog where you can be a columnist and write about the latest Celebrity News and Film Reviews. You get Front page exposure, Your own bio, URL to your website, Profile picture and more! Please pass by and register and you too can be on front page! You even get a columnist banner for your website/blog! Thanks Leah
Lucas…..keep at it…..because you ain’t got it. I suggest an education in the humanities….stay away from science….we question everything to come to answers…..we conquer diseases….you would make a great poet
Lucas…..keep at it…..because you ain’t got it. I suggest an education in the humanities….stay away from science….we question everything to come to answers…..we conquer diseases….you would make a great poet
You know, if Lucas got rid of the the private-school uniform, and put on a baseball cap, some baggy pants and a Pokémon T-shirt, the Cool Kids would stop beating him up! :-D
You know, if Lucas got rid of the the private-school uniform, and put on a baseball cap, some baggy pants and a Pokémon T-shirt, the Cool Kids would stop beating him up! :-D
Trina: Well said. I’ve spent more time in the hall than I can count!
Chase: Hi, Mr. March. You sound like a really great teacher. I like the project you had your kids do with the popsicle sticks. It looked really cool.
Hi Chase, I agree that there are many components that still have relevance in today’s world, but I do believe the structure needs to change. We are facing declining results in exponential times. Ignoring the truth, will only make it harder to catch up later.
Mimi: Thanks Mrs. Mindful. I have a friend that really likes to draw but she can’t do it in class. The teacher keeps telling her to stop drawing and start listening, even though she is a straight A student! Can you believe it?
Lori: Thank you, Lori. That was my favorite thing I read all weekend!
Laurie: That is exactly right!
Celebicepop: I think you want to talk to Writer Dad, and you should probably use email instead of comments if you want a response.
Timray: That is the point, Mr. Ray. The right questions preceding answers.
Friar: I’m not a dork, Mr. Blogger Dad just drew me that way!
Trina: Well said. I’ve spent more time in the hall than I can count!
Chase: Hi, Mr. March. You sound like a really great teacher. I like the project you had your kids do with the popsicle sticks. It looked really cool.
Hi Chase, I agree that there are many components that still have relevance in today’s world, but I do believe the structure needs to change. We are facing declining results in exponential times. Ignoring the truth, will only make it harder to catch up later.
Mimi: Thanks Mrs. Mindful. I have a friend that really likes to draw but she can’t do it in class. The teacher keeps telling her to stop drawing and start listening, even though she is a straight A student! Can you believe it?
Lori: Thank you, Lori. That was my favorite thing I read all weekend!
Laurie: That is exactly right!
Celebicepop: I think you want to talk to Writer Dad, and you should probably use email instead of comments if you want a response.
Timray: That is the point, Mr. Ray. The right questions preceding answers.
Friar: I’m not a dork, Mr. Blogger Dad just drew me that way!
@Lucas
Ask Mr. Blogger Dad to expand your wardrobe! (Would be interesting to see what he comes up with..!)
@Lucas
Ask Mr. Blogger Dad to expand your wardrobe! (Would be interesting to see what he comes up with..!)
What a treat – never met Lucas before!Do you ever doze off at your desk and wake up wondering who of your many yous you are?
When I was teaching kids and teenagers, the ones who asked the 'best' questions always did better in all subject areas in the long run than those who just waited to get everything poured into their heads. Sadly, my kids stopped asking their teachers as many curious, challenging questions at school after one or two awful teachers told them they ought to know better than to question a teacher. And, yes…the school did get a visit the next day!!