DYS Homeroom

Quotes for the week: "The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed." - Carl Jung “If you look for the best in people, you will find it. If you look for the worst in people, you will find it.” - based on a quote from Abraham Lincoln Mini-Lesson Summary: This week's mini-lesson involved building satisfying friendships. We processed this information through the eyes of two characters. Alex changed himself to fit in with others while Henry stopped trying to have friends because he felt so different. We discussed why people are wired to desire friendship and genuine community, and as a result, both Henry and Alex's approaches wouldn't be sustainable. Students were prompted to ask, "What could these two people have done differently?" Epic Metaphors for Discussion: We processed how people who are gifted are like onions with many layers! Some layers are very vulnerable to share w...

Strange as it may sound, some people fear success and fear their dreams coming true. There are several reasons for this, depending on a person’s internal qualities and outer environment.  Some students who are gifted are not surrounded by other people who are gifted. As a consequence, they may resort to hiding themselves and their talents in order to fit in. Another possible reason involves success leading to higher expectations from others. High expectations can be intimidating. As a quick strategy of avoidance, a young person doesn't show what they are truly capable of. Internally, some people feel a need to “top themselves” while simultaneously unsure if their last successful experience was a fluke (aka imposter syndrome). Planned or not, extreme success can lead to stress and possibly isolate someone from others. Given many young people are social creatures, they are savvy to what impacts their social standing and may hide their gifts from themselves and/or peers, parents, and...