My Life Is an Open Book — And You’re Welcome to Read It

AI-Generated Graphic for my new Facebook Group

This morning's Prompt

Come to think of it, my life is an open book figuratively and metaphorically. The pictures from CAP Notebooks are from my life. My ideas and beliefs are reflected in the design of CAP Notes, which seamlessly integrate into the WAY Game in schools and homes. The videos are from my fifth-grade classes, made ten years ago. My YouTube channel features over one hundred videos, both long and short form. My Blog posts contain stories, training and advice for teachers, students and parents. My site templates are free, I strive to automate SWAY that results in an Evergreen site for self-directed use. Create a Blog post with these ideas in mind in a warm and friendly tone. List the pros and cons of this approach.

My Life Is an Open Book — And You’re Welcome to Read It

By Brian McCarthy, Creator of SWAY and The WAY Game

If you’ve ever visited thewaygame.ca, watched a video on my YouTube channel, or opened one of our free lesson planning templates, you’ve already stepped into the story of my life.

And I mean that literally — and figuratively.

My ideas, experiences, and beliefs are all woven into SWAY, the SMART WAY to Learn, Earn, and Play. From the grade five classroom where it all began, to the hundreds of videos I’ve created, to the templates, CAP Notes, and blog posts I continue to share… this is my life’s work, and it’s meant to be passed on — not locked away.

Why My Life Is an Open Book

You’ll see my former students in many of the videos — acting out lessons, creating Game Cards, learning how to ask better questions, and yes, having fun. Some of these videos go back ten years or more, but their energy and purpose are timeless. SWAY is built around that spark: students discovering who they are and what they’re capable of.

The CAP Notes system I designed reflects how I’ve come to see learning: as something personal, visual, layered, and worth sharing. Each page is a bridge between curriculum content, personal connection, and creative expression. When students turn their notes into Game Cards, they not only learn the material, but they also take ownership of it. Then, they play the WAY Game.

Through blog posts, videos, templates, and now self-directed online tools, I’ve tried to make SWAY as accessible and evergreen as possible — something teachers, parents, and students can use anytime, anywhere, on their own terms.

Why I Built SWAY as a Self-Guided, Open System

 Pros

• It’s always available

  Teachers don’t have to wait for a PD day or training workshop. Everything is online — now.

• It honours autonomy

  Educators and parents can choose what works best, adapt to their needs, and progress at their own pace.

• It’s practical and real

  All the ideas come from actual classroom experience — not theory, but tested, refined, and lived.

• It’s affordable

  Most resources are free. CAP Notebooks and Game Cards can be used as fundraisers to support your class.

• It builds community

  The system encourages teamwork among students, families at home, and schools with their communities.

 Cons

• It requires initiative

  Self-guided systems need someone to take the first step — watch a video, print a Game Card, try something new.

• It’s not “plug and play.”

  You won’t find rigid scripts. SWAY offers a balance of structure and flexibility, which can take time to understand and adapt.

• It doesn’t market itself

  Because it’s not a big corporation or polished curriculum publisher, it relies on word-of-mouth and grassroots energy (that means you!).

 What You Can Do

• My Friends, please "Pass the Play"

• Try a CAP Notebook on your coffee table or at the cottage

• Capture and share what you did. Make and share Game Cards

• Watch my videos on YouTube @a smart way to learn

• Read a blog post and leave a comment

• Play a round of The WAY Game at home or in class

• Volunteer in school and start a classroom fundraiser using CAP Notebooks to raise money for supplies or student projects

 Final Thoughts

This isn’t just a program — it’s my story, and now, it can be part of your story too. SWAY is meant to be shared, adapted, played with, and built upon. It grows with the people who use and play with it.

So yes — my life is an open book. And every chapter I’ve lived is meant to help someone else write theirs.

Thanks for reading. I’m glad you’re here. Please "Pass the Play."

– Brian McCarthy

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