Luke Shepherd TC Chapter 7 Summary

Chapter Summary: Ignition doesn't always require that superstar emerges from your hometown neighborhood or that your brain is struck with lightning-rather it can happen from the ground up without any magical breakthrough. KIPP schools ignite young children from the ground up by surrounding them primal cues from every angle that sum up to "You belong to a group, your group is together in a strange and dangerous new world, and that new world is shaped like a mountain, with the paradise of college at the top." All signs lead to college and everything is set on that sight. They are bombarded with cues, even in the form of the word 'college' everywhere. The develop their own identity as "Kippsters" which gives them belonging and purpose. All of these things ignite and inspire these children to achieve. Their deep practice is the hours of hard work they put in, extra hours at school and extra hours at homework outside of school, and their primal cues are all around them at KIPP schools.

Key Concept: Primal cues can be as simple as the disciplined, attention to detail in our every day lives and when coupled with deep practice, in whatever field and whatever form, it results in success and great amounts of skill (myelin).

Key Terms: Signals

Cues

Making Connections: Those KIPP students develop identities and behaviors that are focused solely on a single goal. My focus can't be as broad and undisciplined as I've been in the past if I want to really succeed in my field. I need to constantly surround myself with thoughts and cues that will lead me to my highest of ambitions (musical director of a professional ensemble/professional singer and performer/etc.)