[bon-sahy, -zahy, bohn-, bon-sahy, -zahy, bohn-]
1.
a tree or shrub that has been dwarfed, as by pruning the roots andpinching, and is grown in a pot or other container and trained toproduce a desired shape or effect.
2.
the art or hobby of developing and growing such a plant or plants.
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| bonsai |
Ok. So I chose the word bonsai for the word that will inspire me in 2015. You are probably wondering, why did he choose a word that automatically makes me think of Karate Kid? Obviously not part 2 or 3 because as we all know, those were, well...lame. My intentions were not to make you think of this classic 80's film, but rather it is a word that is intended to inspire me when it comes to my students. Each day my 34 6th graders enter my dojo (see what I did there?) ready to be shaped and molded into who they are to become. Naturally I want to say that I alone will be the one that shapes my students, but I primarily chose the word bonsai as a reminder that my students are the ones that are to do the main pruning and training with their learning. Obviously I am the one that assists them in giving them the "pruning sheers" so-to-speak, but ultimately I want my students to own their education and how and why they are creating their own "shape or effect."
So as I begin 2015, I shall enter in with the wise words of the late Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi), "BONSAI! Daniel-san. BONSAI!"
P.S. I was even inspired to buy my own bonsai tree to put in my classroom!
