Newbie plays catch up

I know, I know - the title almost feels like an oxymoron.

Truly, week 2 of this semester felt like an unfortunate combo of losing the excitement and drive of a new project, while being tipped into the sudden awareness of just how much there is to do.

Though this seems like it's a shared experience for many students at the start of their studies.

In terms of learning this week, here are my hot takes:

• More people struggle to grasp why inclusivity is necessary and vital to society than expected.

• Technology continues to amaze and frustrate me.

• Sibelius is still useful.

• Preparation and planning is the key.

• Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (1978, p. 86) is a great tool for planning lessons, particularly once you know your students.

• The prospect of being both teacher and student with your students is exciting and challenging to consider, from a practical perspective.

Speaking of playing catch up, I recently began The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec. It tells the stories of ancient Norse Gods from the witch Angrboda. Its a delight and I look forward to getting into bed to read it before sleep almost every night. On the nights I don't read due to tiredness, I treat myself to longer reading time the following night, to catch up. AND in an unbelievably tidy happenstance, Natalie Holt wrote this track Catch Up for the most recent marvel/disney Loki series - enjoy!

References

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.