Perfect PD {#SOL16 Day 20}

The wonderful Kathleen Sokolowski has asked us teachers to share their ideas about professional development.  After thinking about this for awhile, I realized that  my "Perfect PD" already exists:

Here's why...

* Choice:  For me, EdCamps are the perfect PD option because I can choose the topics that are most meaningful to me and my teaching.  What works for one person, might not work for another.  Having the flexibility to choose what I want to learn is a definite plus.  It also honors me and my experience and knowledge as a professional.

* Teachers Teaching Teachers:  School districts are filled with experts on many different topics -- on their own payroll.  Why not tap into that knowledge by having them share what they know with a larger audience within their own school or district?

* Relevance:  It's frustrating to have to sit and listen to a speaker when the topic has little relevance to your teaching or its something you already know a lot about.  That's one of the reasons I like the "rule of two feet" at an EdCamp.  If you are in a session and it is not meeting your needs, you get up and go find one that does.

* Timing:  Many EdCamps take place over the summer or in the winter or spring, once the craziness of the beginning of the school year has begun to settle.  For me, it is difficult to sit still and focus in a PD session in August when I am itching to get my classroom set up and be ready for my students.

Other non-EdCamp thoughts on PD:
* I learn best by doing.  Sitting and listening or by following along in a manual doesn't always work for me.  Just as I like to change things up in my classroom to keep the kids moving and learning in different ways, I appreciate the same.  Hands on, take-this-back-and use-it right-away PD is a bonus!

* I want there to be a follow up plan.  How will the PD topic work in my classroom/school/district? I need to see the connection. Like Kathleen said, "not 'one and done' where the topic is never brought up again."  If you are going to bring in a speaker to talk about makerspaces, I sure hope that means that we will be developing makerspaces in our schools in the near future.

We have recently held three EdCamps in my school and district as professional development.  All three were positively received by staff.  I highly recommend that you be the driving force behind bringing an EdCamp to your school or district.  It is so worth it!

Growth Mindset: How the Packers' Loss Turned into Our Learning Win

I sat and watched in disbelief as the game ended...

My beloved Green Bay Packers had just blown a 12 point lead to lose the final playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks.  Whereas I had already started planning the green and gold appetizers I would serve at my Super Bowl party, I was now it total...utter...shock.

How did this happen?

According to NBC Sports, the statistics were definitely in the Packers' favor to win when they were ahead.  The Seahawks only stood a 1.8% chance of coming back from the 12 point deficit with 10 minutes left in the game to beat the Packers and earn their trip to the Super Bowl.

1.8%.

That's IT.

Returning to school the next day, my good friend Bridget and I were talking about the game and she asked, "How can we turn this loss into a learning moment for our students?"  Surely, our young southeastern Wisconsin students would be majorly bummed that the Packers blew it.

This got me thinking.

This past year, I have been learning a lot about growth mindset and implementing it in my classroom. I have written about how a growth mindset has helped us in math and how the word "YET" is now a part of our daily classroom vocabulary.  The Packers' loss -- or rather, the Seahawks victory -- was a perfect way to talk about growth mindset.

When my 4th graders arrived and we we had our "Thirty Second Share" about our weekends, I took the time to address the football game.

I asked my students how many of them thought the Packers were going to win.  Almost every hand went up.

Then I shared the statistic with them.  I explained (in very 4th grade words) what probability was and that some experts had predicted that the Seahawks only stood a l.8% chance of coming back and winning the game.  To make it even more concrete, I explained that that was like less than two pennies out of a dollar.

"Ohhhh...."

"But they did it," I said.  "The Seahawks worked hard and put forth a great effort and won the game.  They didn't care if they only stood a 1.8% chance of winning.  They just did what they had to do and the rest took care of itself."

Then I asked students to think about someone in the room who they felt was an awesome reader.  You know the ones -- they always have a book in their hands,  talk about books, seek out new books, actually read during silent reading time. How do we think they became that way?

It wasn't by sitting back and doing nothing.

Sure, maybe they were born with some talent, but if they didn't nurture it with effort, nothing would come of it. What about someone in our classroom who is good at math?  Did math just come easy to them?  Nope, they put in a lot of hard work and effort to get to where they are today.

I then asked my students to think of something in school that is giving them some trouble and to consider the amount of effort they were making in that area.  Were they able to see that maybe, just maybe, they were having trouble because they weren't putting in their best effort? That a little extra effort could be the difference between success and staying the same? Between being that awesome reader and one who just gets by? Between understanding fractions and failing at them?

So the word "EFFORT" has now joined the word "YET" as a regular part of our classroom vocabulary.  It's right there, on the front board, as a constant reminder of what's important to help us learn.

2015: Here I Come! {OLW & Nerdlution)

On the eve of this new year, I am looking forward to the experiences, challenges, and opportunities that are ahead.  2014 was a wonderful year -- my best yet! -- and I know 2015 will be even more amazing!

I used to be one for making lots of new year's resolutions...lose weight, watch less TV, be kinder, blah, blah, blah....You know how that goes.  Come January 15, I have completely forgotten (or chosen to ignore) my resolutions and I'm back to my old ways.

Then last year, I discovered the power of adopting just one word to guide my entire year, instead of making a million resolutions.  This one word is so powerful, so easy to follow, and it took me to amazing places last year.

For 2015, I have a new word:

If you'd like to use my button for your own OLW, here it is.  Feel free to copy it and use it.

Now, while I no longer make resolutions, I cannot resist being a part of #Nerdlution2015, thanks to Colby Sharp and the amazing people at the Nerdy Book Club.

I'll admit it, this past year one of my most exciting discoveries was that I, indeed, was a nerd.  Nerds have over-the-top passion and excitement for something.  For me, that turned out to be books and teaching my 4th graders. (I am not alone though...I am finding many "nerd friends" that have been hiding out at my school, just waiting to share their nerdiness with others.  :)

As part of #Nerdlution2015, I pledge to write every day for the next 50 days.  This may be working on a story, writing in my journal, or blogging, but I will produce some kind of writing every day.

There.

I've said it.

What will you be nerdy about in 2015?  Join the #Nerdlution!

I've Moved Forward {SOL 12-30-14}

Thank you to the ladies at Two Writing Teachers for hosting this weekly Slice of Life gathering.  It is an amazing opportunity for reflection and connection!

2014 was the year I gave up making resolutions.  Thanks to the book, One Word That Will Change Your Life by Jon Gordon, and various friends around the blogosphere who were doing the same, I chose just one little word as my guiding mantra for 2014 -- FORWARD.

As 2014 draws to a close, I reflect on my OLW and how much it has helped me move forward.

Here are some ways I moved forward in 2014:

* I moved my writing forward.  I wrote on a more regular basis which, while it's not yet where I want it to be, is farther than it's ever been.

* I moved my teaching forward.  My classroom is now a place where questions are asked, mistakes are made, and risks are taken.  We embrace a growth mindset and find power in the word YET. This teaching style is so foreign to me, yet so fun! I'm excited to see where it takes us.

* I moved my learning forward.  Whether it be learning about Genius Hour, the growth mindset, or improving my reading and writing instruction, I learned a lot this year!  Twitter has really helped with this too.

* I moved my health forward.  I began exercising on a (somewhat) regular basis.

* I took steps out of my comfort zone.  Attending All Write 14 in Indiana all by myself, driving four hours alone, knowing no one, was a big step for me.  It was worth it and I am looking forward to going back again (but this time I won't be alone because of all the wonderful people I met there).

2014 was a wonderful year!

The Light Goes On -- #ReflectiveTeacher Blog Challenge Day 8

Today's Topic:  Share a memorable moment in the classroom and how it reminded you about why you love what you do.

Unsettled.

That's how I've felt in my classroom for the past several years.

I taught what I needed to teach.  I covered the curriculum.  I assessed what students were supposed to learn.

Notice all the"I's" in that last paragraph?

That's what I felt so unsettled about...My classroom was a top-down, teacher-directed, you-must-learn-this place.

Students had very little voice, very little investment in pushing themselves forward as learners, very little control of their learning day.

But that is changing.

Now, we talk a lot about growth mindset, metacognition and learning choices.  These are big words for 4th graders, but they get it.

Why?

Because my students are being given the opportunity to take control of their learning in ways they (or I) have never done before.

We now are constantly thinking about our thinking (metacognition) and recognizing when we "get it" and when we don't.  And when we don't get it, we do something about it.  We ask for help, We go back and work the problem out again.

We don't give up.

Yesterday, I gave a math test in my classroom.  We have been studying multiplication for the past four weeks and we were at the point that it was time to take the paper assessment and move on.

I handed out the test.  Forty-five minutes later, many of my students were still working. They were taking their time.  They were checking their work.  They were making sure that they demonstrated their learning in the best way they could on this paper assessment.

Three weeks ago, this probably wouldn't have happened.

Three weeks ago, the students would be answering this test for me, not for themselves.

Three weeks ago, these students would probably look at their test scores, shrug their shoulders if they didn't receive a high grade, and stuff their paper in their desk.

But not now.

Turning the tests back, there was a flood of "YES!es" as they saw their scores.  There was celebration in the demonstration of learning. These cheers ere well deserved because my students had worked hard.  They thought about what they knew, what confused them, what they didn't know...and they did something about it to make sure they understood.  They asked questions. They came to me or a peer for help.

They were interested in their own learning.  They were taking this test for themselves, not for me.

For the few students who did not quite demonstrate mastery, they got their pencils out and began to rework their problems to find their errors.

I did not ask them to do this.

Three weeks ago, this wouldn't have happened.

This is one of the reasons I love teaching.

Let's Write -- #RefectiveTeacher Blog Challenge Day 7

Today's Topic:  What new learning has inspired you in your career?

Two summers ago, I was able to participate in the National Writing Project's Summer Institute at the UW-Milwaukee UWMWP).  Let me just say -- it changed my life!

When I went back to school to earn my teaching certification, there were certain methods courses I had to take -- reading, math, social studies, science, art...but no writing.

So as a result, when I began teaching, I had no clue how to teach writing.

My first year of teaching, we did two writing projects, both around conference time so I could show parents.  That was it.

I thought this was teaching writing.

Now....

We write every day.
We publish some writing.
We share our writing with others.
We write for fun.
We write for reflection.
We call ourselves writers.
We read our writing out loud.
We revise, revise, revise.
We read with a writer's eye.
We use mentor texts when we write.

The three weeks I spent with UWMWP turned me into a WRITING teacher.

And I am now a writer myself.

Quotables -- #ReflectiveTeacher Challenge Day 6

Today's Topic:  Share a quote or verse that has inspired you and explain why.

I am a quotation junkie.  My Pinterest board for Inspirations is approaching 900 pins.  Here is one of my favorites.

It was shared with me by one of my favorite professors when I went back to school to get my teaching certification.  I think it is an important message to share with of our students because it reinforces how important a growth mindset can be in determining our success:

(By the way, if you like the papers and clip art I used on this quote and the one at the top of this page, they came from Sweet Shoppe Designs.  The fonts are from KG Fonts.  Visit their sites!  You'll love what you see.)

Grateful Strengths -- #ReflectiveTeacher Challenge Day 5

Today's Topic:  What are my strengths?  Which am I most grateful for?

These are two strengths that I am most grateful for:

1.  Management:  This is something I never really struggled with, but I'm not sure why.  In teacher prep courses, I read Harry Wong and a hoard of other management books and those tips and tricks seeped their way into my management plan without me even knowing it. Management is only an issue for the first few days of school until my new group of students and I come together as a cohesive group.

2.  Relationship Building:  I take time to get to know my students.  My students know I care about them as a person and as a student.  (Perhaps this makes the management issue easier.) I also share my life with them.  They enjoy hearing funny stories about my weekend or about something my own children did.  It makes me human to them as well.

For Me? -- #Reflective Teacher Challenge Day 4

Today's Topic:  What was the nicest gift you have received from a student/parent/colleague?

A few years ago, one of my students came up to me on a Monday morning and handed me a paper plate covered in foil.

"We made these yesterday.  My mom wanted you to have these," he said through broken English.

Peeling back the foil, I saw six corn husk rolls lined up on the plate.

""They are tamales," he added.

I smiled and told my student how much I love tamales, but had never had homemade ones.

"My aunt comes every Sunday to make them with my mom."

As someone who loves to bake, I will often share my goodies with others as a way of saying thank you or to let them know how much I appreciate them.

Looking down, I realized that I was not just holding a plate of tamales.  I was holding a tremendous gift.

Proud Moments -- #ReflectiveTeacher Challenge Day 3

Today’s Topic:  What are you most proud of in your teaching career?

One of my goals as a teacher is to help my students become lifelong learners.  Ironically, when I became a teacher, I turned myself into a lifelong learner.

I am proud of the fact that I earned my master's degree.  That makes me not only the first person in my family to graduate from college, but the first to earn a master's.

I am proud of all the books I have read that help me be a better teacher.

I am proud of the writing that I now do on a {almost} daily basis.

I am proud to be able to use my learning to help others.

I walk the walk AND talk the talk.  

I would have never imagined....

Small Delights - #ReflectiveTeacher Challenge Day 2

I’m participating in the November Blogging Challenge  -- Attitude of Gratitude -- at @TeachThoughtOnline. 

Today’s Topic:  What is one small delight in my day that I look forward to?

This one is easy...

Every morning (even weekends), I get up at 4:30 am.  No one else is awake, even the dogs. Many people tell me I am crazy for getting up this early and at a younger age, I would have agreed with them.  Now, I wouldn't give this time up for anything.

I spend the first hour of my day reading.  Sometimes I read my emails, sometimes my Twitter feed, but most often I read a book.  Here are some of my favorite reads as of late:

When 5:30 am rolls around, it is time to get ready to go.  My hour of peace and quiet is over and I look forward to its return again tomorrow.

Best Aspects of Being a Teacher -- #ReflectiveTeacher Day 1

I’m participating in the November Blogging Challenge  -- Attitude of Gratitude -- at @TeachThoughtOnline. 

  

Today’s Topic:  What are the best aspects of being a teacher?

I remember growing up, I had two aunts who were teachers.  They would quickly tell me that the three best things about being a teacher were June, July, and August. 

As a child, I found this pretty funny. 

Now that I am a teacher, I am quick to admit that I do enjoy my summers.  

But here are some other things that I enjoy about teaching:

• Seeing the "aha" moments in a student's eyes when they "get it".
• Making a connection with a student who needs an adult to believe in them.
• Learning and growing from the teachers around me.
• Being a lifelong learner myself.
• When a student accidentally calls me "mom".  Some teachers may get offended by this, but I take it as the highest compliment and a sign that I have made a connection with that child.
• When a kindergartner passes me in the hallway and tells me they want me to be their 4th grade teacher.
• When former students come back to say hello and share how awesome they are doing in middle and high school.

I could go on and on...

What are some things you enjoy about teaching?  Consider joining the November Attitude of Gratitude Challenge.