Will you take the challenge?Every year I challenge my class; I challenge them to turn off their TVs sets, video games, and all gaming systems along with abstaining from attending movies - oh yes, and YouTube videos as well. In the place of these things I challenge them to spend more time with their families, playing outside, reading, writing, and enjoying the company of their friends.
I call this the “Turn off the TV and Get a Life” challenge—an idea I picked up a few years ago from John Bytheway. This will be the 9th year of my class taking this challenge, and I’d like to know if you’d take part in it with us. It'll start from the time you get up on Monday the 9th for one week from that moment.
Would you do it? Could you do it?
I'll be honest…there are a few days when I come home from school, beaten and tired and want nothing more than to pop in a movie or an episode of The Office, but for this week - no matter how badly I want to watch a program - I won’t.
Those students who are successful with this endeavor will celebrate their accomplishment on Tuesday, November 17th with a pajama day and afternoon party. So, what IS the party? Well, I call it, “Saturday Morning Cartoons.”
Remember the days before cable television when one of the only times cartoons were even on were Saturday mornings? Remember getting up at the crack of dawn so you didn’t miss a single one?
Yeah, so do I.
The kids, like I said before, are permitted to wear pajamas, bring pillows and blankets, and are allowed to bring their favorite box of sugar-encrusted cereal to share.
If you are successful, you are more than welcome to join my class and me in our celebration, whether it be with us physically in our classroom—or from afar in spirit.
Print the poster above if you'd like, challenge your friends, take it on, see if you really can do it. I will make you a promise if you do...this will be one week you'll never forget.
So, will you do it?
25 comments:
Awwww, I got this one whipped! We don't have TV (we watch videos) and no video games allowed during the week so Ya! I'll take on this challenge. :D
I'm never one to turn down a challenge. So, game on! It's worth it just to eat a box full of crap-cereal as a reward.
When I saw your poster, it made me remember the time Cole was 3 and his older brothers and sister were teasing him about a little girl becoming his wife and his response was, "I don't have a life and I don't want one!" I think he meant "wife". :)
As for the challenge, I could handle it but my family is a different story. Maybe next year when Max is in your class. :) (At least I hope he'll be in your class!)
Once again, you and your challenges. Tempting, really it is, but considering I am on "vacation" and these three weeks are my only to actually catch up on movies I am going to have to seriously contemplate this challenge over the next day. Does it count for something that I usually participate in this challenge the other 51 weeks of the year?
OH, to get out of my morning routine and not turn on the morning news just so I can see what happen in the world the day before? Truth be told, I only watch tv in the mornings before work. Now the challenge is getting the others who live in this house to agree to it. Which I already know that they won't. Not this time of year when you can find a football game on a channel somewhere!
R - I knew I could count on you do do a challenge! Rock on...come and join us for our celebration on Tuesday if you make it, also if 'the Native' of whom we both know can convince his teacher, he is welcome to join us as well.
G - The more the merrier, Gerb. I just don't know if you can get away from YouTube for a whole week. ;) However, if you do, come celebrate with us. The sugar buzz is sickening.
C - Maybe you and Max could start 'training' by taking on a day or two to get into 'tvicular' shape for next year.
L - You do what you can; also if you never watch TV anytime else, maybe this is your week to actually watch TV...wait, don't you live in the Boomerang Zone where everything is in reverse?
B - Remember, this is an invitation to join us, not an expectation. If you can't do it at this time, we'll do it again next year...
YES! For once I can grace the school halls with my jammies on and it will be ON PURPOSE! Time of party please? And I will ask a certain teacher if a certain child can cross the hall for a bit.
Thank heaven for the DVR so that the next week can be "All TV All the Time Week!"
Challenge accepted! I'm looking forward to a whole box of Lucky Charms to myself!
I have been thinking about this since you told me about it a couple weeks ago. I love this! and I have talked to my girls about it and they seem excited. BUT I don't think its going to sink and not be so great.
Me on the other hand, I have already started a list of things I am going to accomplish and enjoy this whole week. I can't wait to get started.
PS. Apparently I need to preview my comments before I submit.
It was suppose to say...
BUT I think It's going to sink in and not be so great.
Sounds great! :D Our habits are similar to Rachel's, but I still think it will be a bit of a challenge to get the kids to reign back further (I hope they will!). I'm excited for the challenge. Thanks! :D Wish every mother of teenagers good luck!
O- BTY I may just have to alter that "reward" for myself... ;D (Sugar cereal doesn't appeal to me - maybe a Jumbo Jack from Jack in the Box as I watch morning cartoons :D). TTFN!
I wish I could get away with doing this... How in the world do you guys still get to do this kind of stuff with NCLB in place? Sigh. Makes me want to move to Utah:)
I don't think I could for a whole week. We have a turn-the-TV-off day of the week every week.
Awesome--I actually watch very little TV, so I feel up to the challenge. Good one!
I am so in!
If by Boomerang Zone you mean Aussie Land, no. I am currently in AK where the sun rarely rises these days. I am currently catching up on documentaries and I plan to watch UP on Tuesday or else I would be completely down for the challenge for a week.
Does facebook count? Am I allowed to still go on facebook? I pledge to not watch anything on the television, play video games, or watch anything on youtube!
Does facebook count? Can I still use facebook? I will take the challenge!
R - Tuesday. 11:25. I look forward to seeing you then!
S - LOL. I take it that you're up for then challenge then?
N - Rock on!
D - You do what you can; I look forward to hearing about your success!
C - I say, if there is a certain 'reward' that works for you...go for it.
B - We work hard all the time...we'll also cram as much in as we can during the morning. Just know, we don't do this every day.
M - I think that that is a great idea!
L - Glad to have you doing this with us, Linn!
S - Great, Shelly! Get that box of Captain Crunch ready...
L - We'll do it again next year. Life is good.
A - As long as you aren't playing the games on it (like Farmtown or whatever the current thing is). Glad to have you on board!
Well since I didn't get to this post in time I'm not in.
I might also have a rebellion on my hands from my son whose birthday is this week and he asked for a video as one of the presents.
I did this one a week early. Husband out of town - single mother of 4 - took on a huge home remodel project all by my self. It was very rewarding.
THis week being sick - I REALLLLLLY need to the TV.
Great idea. I am always telling my 13 yr old he needs to get off the computer and get a life. But I'm glad you said blogging doesn't count.
Jason,
You are such an awesome teacher! If my kids lived in your boundaries, I'd probably even take a sabbatical from homeschooling so they could be in your class for the year!
ps I'm too chicken for the challenge. We don't have TV, but I'm a little to addicted to putting my kids in front of library videos so I can shower/make dinner.
Oh. DARN. I missed it.
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