How to be a Millionaire

Do you have a scarcity mentality?  Do you have to sit in the circle when you're playing musical chairs?  We talked about the difference between it and having an abundance mentality.  I was thinking about it after class and it occurred to me that it's kind of like the ways a mom's love often changes from when she just has one child, to when she has more children.  When you have a baby, the love you have for that child is immense, but wrapped up so fully in that one sweet child.  It's hard to imagine that you could love another baby quite as much.  There's only so much love to go around, right?  Your heart is only so big.  And then angels #2, 3, or more come and you realize that love doesn't divide, it multiplies.  As much as you were smitten with one, how could there be that much love for another?  But there is, and even more.

It's possible to learn to have that kind of abundance mentality about everything in life: that we can have enough love, time, money, resources, peace, space, and more.  It may not all be at once, but it can come.  If you do a quick search for scarcity vs. abundance mentality, there are lots of articles and blog posts to better understand it.  I liked this one, because it also gives steps to change our mindset from one to the other.

We had kind of a long discussion about the language of money.  Expenses, Revenue, Assets, Liabilities, Net Worth, and Investments.  Understanding these and other terms will better help you plan and manage your own finances and fortune.

HOMEWORK:

• Start reading Whatever Happened to Penny Candy. We'll be discussing it Jan 7th, but there's only 1 class before then.
• Do your personal Ninja Training Mission for 7 days.
• Have your weekly Parent Mentor Meeting
• Practice your timed math facts, so you improve over the course of this unit
• Sign up (after talking to your parents about it, if that's your family rule) for www.ninjaprogram.com and complete the White level.  

This is the last unit of this semester.  Remember that Ninja is a 2 semester class.  But there are different awards for each semester.  This one, you get to choose from a throwing star (rubber practice one, or actual metal one, depending on the preference of your parents), nunchuks, or a pocket watch. BUT ONLY if all the requirements are met.  Our deadline for meeting all requirements is absolutely Jan 14th.  The list above (and the Yellow level of ninjaprogram.com) are all requirements.

Brainstorm!

Are you loving The Hobbit?  Remember that our book discussion is Oct 8th.  What parts of the Hero Cycle have you noticed, as you've been reading it?

How is your typing speed?  Anyone going to beat me?  And how are your hero training missions going?  I was very excited to hear about the variety of ways you're all working to stretch and grow!!

Have you all been planning your boardgame?  How has it gone as you worked with each other over email to make a plan for your game?  What fun ideas have you come up with?

From our brainstorming time in class, here are some of the fun, random ideas thrown out there...
3D Columns
Chess-like
Magnetic
Candyland-style
Needs strategy
Ninjas vs. Samurai
Have a goal: steal something, get past guards, fight samurai, unlock weapons, etc.

Role play the hero cycle
Maybe like Monopoly, but going round and round the hero cycle

Have obstacles, maybe even real ones, like a mousetrap

Figures: Old board game pieces, Legos, Copper-wire shaped into figures, clay/sculpey ninjas

It's sure to be fun!!!

Where have all the heroes gone? Teen Ninja Scholar Skills Class!

Hey my Ninja Heroes!  I wish I had some kind of cool ninja signal (like Batman) to shine in the sky and tell you you're needed!  

Are you feeling heroic?  I'm super excited to see what you've come with for your Vision Board/I Am page.  I know you're heroes, I want to know that you know it, too!

Have you been working on your typing?  Are you getting faster and more accurate?  It's a skill that will really make life easier for you!

And how are your training missions going?  I'm looking forward to hearing about what each of you have chosen to work on... DAILY!

Don't forget to meet with your parents for a quick mentor meeting about what you want and need to accomplish for this class, and what you've worked on so far.  Remember that's a requirement.

Oh, and did you start The Hobbit?  It's such a fun book!  I'd suggest reading it with a pencil in hand... to write in the book if it's yours or OK with your parents, or in a notebook if not.  Look for things that inspire you to be more heroic.  Pay attention to The Hero Cycle and note when Bilbo fits into the different points on that circle.  I'm looking forward to our book discussion on October 8th!

***Lastly, please respond to this post on the blog, so I know you're getting it!  Thanks!!  I'm also emailing it, but I'd like to know that everyone has subscribed to the blog, so I only have to send it one place.***

See you Thursday!

Teacher Diannalynn 

Hey Ninja Scholar Skills class!  I'm super excited about this class!  Mrs. Prestegard and I are planning some great things for your Ninja year!  

The class is divided into units and as mentors, we're taking turns teaching them.  Each unit is about 4 weeks long and has fun requirements and some homework.  There will be some writing.  Most of the 6 units also have a book that your student will need.  If they complete all the requirements, they can earn fun Ninja weapons or tools.

Our booklist for the Scholar level Ninja Scholar Skills class:

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, readily available and most of you probably have it.

The Elements of Style (4th Edition) by Strunk & White.  This is a great resource for writing.  I found a copy at Half Price Books and there was another on the shelf when I bought mine. 

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy by Richard Maybury.  Available on Amazon used books, and in some library systems.  Great book to simply explain economics.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey.  Such a good book!  ***I have an extra copy that someone is welcome to buy for me for $3.

Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks by Arthur Benjamin.  Available on Amazon or fairly readily in local libraries.

We're going to have fun!

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