An Attitude Adjustment What’s the Big Idea? An Attitude Adjustment

Anecdote Some stonecutters were cutting stone in a quarry. I asked each what he was doing.

The first said, “I’m cutting a stone.”

The second said, “I am cutting this block of stone to make sure that it’s square, and its dimensions are uniform, so that it will fit exactly in its place in a wall."

“I am building a cathedral." The third said, “I am building a cathedral." Montmartre, France

Wells Cathedral, England Cathedrals are incredible testaments to human endeavor.

Their grandeur and splendor took centuries to create. Ulm Cathedral, Germany Their grandeur and splendor took centuries to create.

Those who designed them, those who built the foundations, knew for certain that they would never see the finished masterpiece. Sagrada Familia, Spain

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, New York They knew only that they were creating something glorious which would speak for centuries to humanity.

Le Temps de Cathedrale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L24vaxNH91w

So What? Connection to me as a student? Is school work simply a means of earning a grade? Am I too focused on my individual performance or achievements? (Top ten %?) Do I have a sense of the bigger picture in what I do and why? How am I building the future?

So What? Connection to me as their teacher? Am I teaching texts or skills? Am I giving students tools that will help them solve problems and become productive members of society? Do I have a sense of the bigger picture in what I do and why? Am I helping students to form a solid foundation on which they will build the future ?

So What? Skills taught/learned in this class are the foundation of education! Analyze Compare/Contrast Argue/Persuade Synthesize

So What? Language is the foundation of civilization! WRITE READ SPEAK VIEW