3-2-1 TUESDAYS WITH MS NIV

Issue #220, 24th September 2024

“How are you feeling today?” “What was the best part of your day so far?” “Is there anything that’s been worrying you lately?” “What made you smile or laugh recently?” “If you could change one thing about your day/week, what would it be?” “Who’s someone you really look up to, and why?” “What’s something you’re really proud of?” “When do you feel most like yourself?” “What’s a dream or goal you have for the future?” “Can you tell me about a time when you felt really happy/excited/scared?”

Some questions that you can ask your students and/or your own child as a teacher/parent more often. Questions that are more about emotions than about facts like what happened in school today? what did you do? what did you study? what did you do during lunch today?

More connected conversations happen when the conversation starts with emotion then followed by a practical one. Try it.

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Three images of the week

Two Thoughts of the Week

“If you’re yelling you’re the one who’s lost control of the conversation.” Taylor Swift

“Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words.” Deborah Bull

One Video of the Week

In a world of increasing complexity but decreasing free time, the role of the trusted ‘explainer’ has never been more important. Charles Duhigg is a literal prizewinner in the field and won the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for his team’s series of articles in the New York Times explaining the (not always wonderful) impact of Apple and big tech on the global economy. He’s also the author of the massive bestseller, The Power of Habit. Charles joined us in Manchester to discuss his latest research and book on Supercommunicators which strikes us as the perfect ‘meta’ topic for a TEDx event. We can all appreciate the incredible power of communication. But while we’re all trying to communicate, some of us clearly do it better than others. Why? According to Charles’ latest work, supercommunicators understand that whenever we speak, we’re actually participating in one of three conversations: practical (What’s this really about?), emotional (How do we feel?), and social (Who are we?). If you don’t know what kind of conversation you’re having, you’re unlikely to connect. “Supercommunicators” know the importance of recognizing—and then matching—each kind of conversation and how to hear the complex emotions, subtle negotiations, and deeply held beliefs that color so much of what we say and how we listen. He says that our experiences, our values, our emotional lives—and how we see ourselves and others—shape every discussion, from who will pick up the kids to how we want to be treated at work. Learn why some people are able to make themselves heard, and to hear others, so clearly. Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and the author of the international bestsellers The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better. His works have been translated into over 45 languages. He is a former journalist for the Los Angeles Times and New York Times and currently writes for The New Yorker magazine. He is a winner of the National Academies of Sciences, National Journalism, and George Polk awards. A graduate of Harvard Business School and Yale College, he lives in California with his wife and two children.

Reading with Ms. Meenu: Tip of the week

Avid readers with engaged text: An engaging book can do wonders and that’s when an avid reader is born. What should we see when we are selecting a book? 

·         Engaging, characters

·         Rich language

·         Fascinating Illustrations

·         Thought-provoking Themes

·         Kid-Appealing Content

·         Unique perspective

·         Broadening Subjects

Sometimes we read to laugh, other times we read to learn and many times we read to ponder. We should try to choose books that address thought-provoking topics and are told from a child’s perspective. Select books that will broaden your student’s horizons because you know about your learners’ backgrounds, interests, and cultures. With this information in mind, we should choose texts that extend the learning beyond the classroom walls. 

Keep Reading!

Meenu Gera

Consulting home and school librarian and reading guide.

Career guidance and placement strategies:

Navigating Between Law and Medicine, Batch of 2029

Student X approached us in Grade 10, seeking guidance on choosing between a career in law or medicine. Through a comprehensive career assessment and counseling session, we identified that she had the potential to excel in both fields.

We guided her through a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of each career path. This helped her make an informed decision. A key consideration was her mother’s established medical practice, which provides a significant advantage if she pursues medicine. At the same time, the student demonstrated strong critical thinking and analytical skills, making law a viable option as well.

Her parents recognized her academic drive and passion for learning. They decided to transition her from an international curriculum to a national curriculum in grade 6. Given her motivation and academic inclination, the national curriculum proved to be a better fit. 

With our facilitation and guidance, the student ultimately chose to pursue a career in medicine. She performed exceptionally well in the NEET exam and is now beginning her journey at Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences.

Case study provided by:Team Fermata, www.fermataco.com

Dear reader,
I have been a research scientist, a journalist, and an educator for over 3 decades. I read and, I write. With this weekly newsletter, I share what I read, learn, and, experience. I am an advisor and mentor with students, parents, and teams of teachers. They are from K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and ed-tech organizations.

3-2-1 Tuesdays with Ms. Niv is a newsletter you can subscribe to and enjoy your learning journey with me.

And Finally…