Funding Rubber Chickens is Serious Business

In browsing through the many open projects that classroom teachers across the country in the U.S. are requesting funding for via DonorsChoose.org, I was surprised to come across one project in particular that seemed a bit odd at first glance.

I mean, how many teachers do you know that truly believe they could do a better job with their students if they only had…15 rubber chickens? Yes, rubber chickens. So, naturally, I had to take a closer look.

Of course, I quickly saw that this particular funding project did include an accompanying instructional activity guidebook, which made more sense. But, rubber chickens?!? What was that all about?

It’s Legit

This somewhat odd-sounding project was entitled, “Flicken Chicken.” The connection to Health & Sports, the category under which it was listed on DonorsChoose.org, was not immediately evident to me.

In its project description, according to the teacher,there certainly was enthusiasm for procurement of these rubber chickens, as the following quote demonstrates: “We currently have one chicken and my students have been begging for more.”

And, I checked it out on Amazon, too; Flicken Chicken is a real product. It turns out that these rubber chickens would be used for activities and games in a physical-education (phys-ed) class.

Apparently, what was so wonderful about these Rubber Chickens was that not only are they great for “throwing, catching and aiming at targets”, but, to quote directly: “Everyone from all athletic abilities can use the chicken and be successful.”

Not that I ever doubted that this project was legit, since I know that all DonorsChoose.org projects are always fully vetted, confirmed, validated and even the lowest possible pricing negotiated. Transparency and ensuring integrity are listed as key components of what DonorsChoose.org is all about.

Learning to Enjoy Getting Healthy

However you look at it, there is definitely something “fun” about Rubber Chickens. Why not use Rubber Chickens to get healthy?

Not everyone can or needs to do tons of studies and research on their own to learn that there are simple ways to get healthy, one of which is simply adding fun physical activity to your daily life.

I can’t believe it myself, but I am going to proceed with comparing the two here…

Strangely, it seems that the “Rubber Chickens and Noodle Games” activity book in the above-referenced DonorsChoose.org project may just cover some of the same principles as the 670+ page book, entitled The 4-Hour Chef by Tim Ferriss, self-described as being a “choose-your-own-adventure guide to the world of rapid learning”.

Dare I Compare the Two?

While I have not yet received my copy of the 4-Hour Chef book in the mail yet, however based on the book’s website alone, I am aware of how Tim’s book is organized into 5 main sections.

It really isn’t too far a stretch to imagine how the following 5 sections of Tim Ferriss’ The 4-Hour Chef book teaches what the Rubber Chicken activities in a Phys-Ed class might teach as well, namely:

Meta Learning: rapid learning by involvement and understanding

The Domestic: “learn to do the absolute most with the least”

The Wild: “question your limitations and beliefs”

The Scientist: “rediscover whimsy and wonder”

The Professional: “Self-Rule”

So there you have it. I just compared Tim Ferriss’ masterpiece, The 4-Hour Chef, with a Rubber Chicken activity book. I’m hoping Tim will understand that this comparison was made with the best of intentions. :)

If you’d like to help Mrs.Laut’s class get the Rubber Chickens that they so passionately want, please consider donating a few dollars today. You can find this Flicken Chicken project on my “The 4-Hour Chef Giveback Campaign” page here. Thank you in advance for taking a look here!