Windows/Mirrors

    This window and mirror curriculum concept is something I have never really considered. Maybe I thought about the idea, but didn't articulate it into potential practices. Without exaggeration, this may be one of the most impactful concepts of student learning. Being able to see both other people's perspectives and relate to one's own experiences is something, I believe, that could make or break a student's interest in learning. Especially in history, my chosen subject, without perspective, it is difficult to understand historical events and decisions, and it is hard to be intrigued by history if there is no relation to what's happening in our current atmosphere.

    In my current season of life, my favorite yet most difficult so far, my family lives on a golf course. I have always enjoyed golf, but I have never played as much as I do now. Golf is a very difficult sport and a challenge to master. I am certain the majority of students I will be teaching will have never played golf before, but I am equally certain they will face challenges related to the challenges of playing golf. 

    If you are unfamiliar with golf, on an eighteen-hole course, the object is to complete the round in approximately 72 shots. However, in the United States, very few people can consistently shoot par or better. For example, in 2024, roughly 47 million people played golf in the U.S. Of those, around 60,000 were "scratch" golfers, meaning they consistently shoot par or better. That number is around 1%. Based on those numbers, you can see how difficult golf is, even for those who play often. 

I think the reason many men like golf is that, if you think about it, it is a bunch of small problems that need solving. Each individual shot is unique and requires its own analysis and solution. Because it is just a game, it teaches you to deal with failure and find gratification through perseverance in a consequence free way. 

    Every student faces challenges. I know for me personally, middle school was one of the most difficult times of my life. Students face new challenges in and out of the classroom that they have never had to deal with before. The new problems these students face can be overwhelming, especially when they pile up. Much like golf, these problems can be frustrating and demoralizing when you let them overwhelm your thinking. Even for us adults, it can become overwhelming sometimes. 

    Thinking about the idea of a mirror, students face many individual challenges, much like a round of golf, daily that can be difficult to handle without the right mindset. Thinking in terms of a window, students can view a golfer's mindset as a lens for understanding how to deal with problems and stay focused on accomplishing goals.