Hi Reader,

I hope you are having a wonderful start to summer. I want to share something personal that I think you'll find useful in your classroom.

Some of the best lessons I've ever learned didn't happen in a classroom. My husband, Bob, and I recently reflected on a trip we took to Mexico a few years back with Habitat for Humanity. We were in Chiapas, Mexico and spent time with a community whose language has no word for love. It's not because they don't understand it, but because for them love was never something you say. It's only something you do.

I haven't stopped thinking about what that means for how I teach or how I live. Bob and I sat down and talked about the whole experience, the trip, the people, and the moment we learned this. We recorded it so you could be part of the conversation too. If you watch one thing this summer let it be this.

​Here's the link.

Bob and I write about our travels at Passport Inspiration. In this article, we mention this story.

I'd love to know if this changes anything about what or how you teach your students?

Bringing the Pantheon into Your Classroom

The Pantheon in Rome has stood for nearly 2,000 years, making it one of the best-preserved buildings from ancient times. I was just inside it recently and could not stop thinking about my future students while I was here. I know my class last year would have loved to learn about this this incredible building. There are so many interactive opportunities for kids while learning about the Pantheon. Students can learn about Roman engineering, architecture, and problem-solving by exploring how the massive dome was built without modern construction equipment. The famous opening at the top, called the oculus, provides light and ventilation while connecting the building to the sky.

Bring the lesson into your classroom by challenging students to become Roman architects. Provide paper, blocks, cups, or other building materials and have students design and test their own domes. Which shapes are strongest? How can they make a roof that lets in light without collapsing? This hands-on activity encourages creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking while helping students appreciate the incredible achievements of ancient Rome. Here are a few interesting facts about the Pantheon, in case you are interested.

I'll be back in two weeks to check in with you and share some more teachable moments for your upcoming year. In the meantime, I'd love to hear about something you've done (or will be doing) this summer! Ciao!

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