Fall Down Seven Times Stand Up Eight

WOW Dozen: Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight

By Michele Ebersole and Avis Masuda, University of Hawaii at Hilo

A proverb, or a noteworthy saying, is often used to teach important lessons and can help children connect to human experiences in simple, yet profound ways. This WOW Dozen is centered around the Japanese proverb, “Fall down seven times, get up eight”, another way to convey the message “never give up”. This theme of hard work, perseverance or persistence is reflected through different means – whether overcoming small challenges, dealing with human relationships, standing up for oneself to make a significant change in laws to fight for the rights of others, inventing something new that builds confidence or creating an innovation that makes a big impact in the world. This blog post introduces biographies of meaningful people who have overcome big challenges as well as fictional stories that are fun and whimsical. Reading aloud these books may inspire children to see themselves as capable and resilient beings in the world. Continue reading →

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37 Words: The Hope of Title IX’s Athletic Promise for Girls

by Karen Matis and Charlene Klassen Endrizzi

A Japanese American woman with short black hair in a red dress stands before the white house holding papers in her hands.Thirty-seven words offered in 1972 began a slow moving shift toward greater equity between female, male and nonbinary athletes.

Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act provides: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Last year, educators along with sports enthusiasts paused to commemorate Title IX’s 50 years of change, and consider the struggles and achievements of women and nonbinary athletes gaining a greater promise of equity. Continue reading →