A General Education

On the Power of the Menial, the Boring, the Painstaking . . .

What happened when I embraced a very boring learning task. Or: When philomathy isn't quite so philo.

Sep 4 • 

James M. Lang

15

2

July 2025

Vending Machine Hemingway: Reflections on Place-Based Reading

What can we learn about reading from the books inspired by our travels?

Jul 22 • 

James M. Lang

14

2

June 2025

Books! The New Book (on Writing) and the Book-In-Progress (on Reading)

A break in our regularly-scheduled programming to celebrate the newly published book--and announce the next one.

Jun 13 • 

James M. Lang

12

1

April 2025

William Wordsworth On Writing through Imposter Syndrome

The power of "spots of time" to push us beyond our writing barriers and blocks when we are wrestling with big ideas.

Apr 17 • 

James M. Lang

6

1

March 2025

Eugene O'Neill on Convincing People

How I misinterpreted the point of classroom discussions when I was a student, and what I have learned since.

Mar 12 • 

James M. Lang

6

1

January 2025

Reflections on Brain Stories (a Dispatch from the Neurologist's Office)

A trip to the brain doctor reminded me of the power of choosing the path of more resistance.

Jan 24 • 

James M. Lang

17

1

December 2024

A Christmas Message from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

An end-of-year post inspired by one of the great Christmas classics.

Dec 24, 2024 • 

James M. Lang

7

2

November 2024

A Little Bit About the New Book . . .

Taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming for some behind-the-scenes glimpses into book production and promotion.

Nov 26, 2024 • 

James M. Lang

8

September 2024

Isabel Wilkerson's Caste and the Power of Metaphors

A nonfiction work that can help us see how metaphors can enhance our teaching, both on the page and in the classroom.

Sep 30, 2024 • 

James M. Lang

10

1

August 2024

Commonplace Books as Idea Generators

Inspired to take up Jillian Hess's challenge.

Aug 31, 2024 • 

James M. Lang

19

3

July 2024

Yinka Shonibare's Earth Kid (Boy) on Classroom Participation

Prompting the voices that matter the most.

Jul 30, 2024 • 

James M. Lang

3

June 2024

Malcolm X on a Life of Learning

Themes, Images, and Questions from The Autobiography.

Jun 13, 2024 • 

James M. Lang

5

1