Brianna Skeen-Coyle-Chp 10 & Epilogue

 Chapter 10

Summary

- The $60 Million dollar question was which quarterback to sign on to the Raiders football team. Which player would be the number one player of the season. In order to answer that question they turned to a successful but retired football coach in almost the middle of nowhere and asked his opinion. He worked with one of the players and determined that this unknown would be the best. How did he know? Because he worked with the player and could determine this kid's work ethic, was he responsive? He works to connect with each kid he works with and give them instruction in a way that will connect with them. 

Application

- The best teachers and coaches often go unnoticed and unrecognized but their skill at building skills in others is incredible. I want to be able to connect with my students. My favorite part of this chapter was when Coach Marinez said that DeMarcus was going to need some help to become great. We can't achieve greatness on our own. It needs to be encouraged, nurtured, and guided by a great teacher or coach. I hope to be able to grow like that with my mentors and coaches and I hope to be able to do the same for my students both current and future. 

Epilogue

Summary

-The epilogue begins with a diagram depicting how ignition with master coaching inspires deep practice which results in talent. Basically the summary of the entire book in one sentence or picture. It goes on to explain how this knowledge of how myelin works in this equation can be used in virtually any scenario. It uses several examples from different areas in which this knowledge can be applied including education, business, phsycology, aging, and the authors own home life. In education it shows discusses the conflict of phonics vs. whole language. The author describes how the knowledge of deep practice, ignition, and myelin can resolve this conflict by understanding that the study of phonics is like the deep practice of breaking down a language, chunking it out, and practicing it a little at a time. Whole language on the other hand can provide the ignition in creating a fun and rich learning enviornment and inspiring the kids to read and write. Together these work to help kids build myelin for their reading and writing skills. In the business world the author describes how being good at businesss is also a skill that can be developed through the same process. For psychology, the author discusses the Shyness Clinic and how the knowledge of building skills through practice can help shy people become more outgoing by teaching them and helping them practice social skills. Finally the author finishes the book by sharing an example of a baseball team he helped coach in his home-town and how he applied all of the knowledge to the team practices. When the team went to tournament, they didn't end up winning but they did play better and had more fun doing it than they had ever done previously.  

Application

-The knowledge of deep practice, ignition, and myelin can be applied not just to my personal improvement of singing, but also to the students I will teach, the skill of teaching, and every other aspect of my life. If there is a skill I want to get better at, I can use the principles I learned in this book to improve.