I Choose a Life of Learning

I was inspired to write this post after reading two other posts this week on the same topic: Testing. The 27th Line: http://bentaylorblogs.com/2014/03/31/the-27th-line/ and Why I Cried Today: http://teacheratheart.weebly.com/blog.html.  

This also being the week we received our teacher value added data that is a part of our OTES (Ohio Teacher Evaluation System) score, my colleagues and I had much discussion on the same topic.  I see amazing teachers who put their whole lives into their jobs questioning themselves. The whole thing is simply unproductive. I thought to myself, “How do I really learn?”  My husband's thoughts also resonated with me. He says he makes all of his decisions as an educator by asking himself, "Would this be good enough for my own children?" Of course. “What do I really want to focus on for my own children?”  I came to the conclusion that I choose to live a life of learning; below (right) is how I believe learning, growth, and success should be measured in the real world that we live in each day.  That is SO very different from living a test-based life (left) that I hope no one chooses to live in each day. To both teachers and students-you are WAY more than a score.  

Living a Test-based Life How tests measure learning, growth, and success: One moment’s time- a snapshot Multiple choice, short answer, extended response One try, you’re out No questions allowed Fixed mindset: “I can or can’t do this.”  “I’m not good at this... or I am.  That’s it.” Answers that might “trick” you (distractors) Prescribed content Everyone fits, or needs to squeeze to fit, into the same mold.

Living a Life of Learning How we really (should) measure learning, growth, and success in the real world: Application of content in an authentic way Discussion with others, time to collaborate and reflect When failure occurs, pick yourself back up and try again-learn from your mistakes, and adapt accordingly. Persevere. Questioning is encouraged and momentum is gained through inquiry Status quo is challenged through questioning; change for the better happens! Growth mindset: “I need to work hard to pursue my goals.” “I can’t do this...yet.”  “I will get better the more I work and the harder I try.” Creativity in problem solving rewarded; realization that there are multiple solutions and strategies to arrive at answers Content that is driven by choice and passions Individuality is celebrated

If you are a fellow educator, parent, or even student;

What life do YOU choose to live?  Where will you focus YOUR energy?

Living Kind

One of the many reasons I love my job and value what I do is because I get to help teach my students not only about language arts, math, science, and social studies, but more importantly, about life; how to work well with others, how to create and develop a positive mindset, how to problem solve, how to persist, and how life is all about your perspective and your attitude.

I absolutely love our school's motto: "Live Kind.  Choose Happiness.  Unleash Learning."  How true that the first two need to take place before learning can happen!  To have an administrator that not only believes that, but inspires teachers and students to live that every day, is truly a blessing.

We have a student leadership team, and one of its subgroups has set out to spread kindness.  With the help of our art teacher, we decided to make our own living art piece.  Students set out to spread the word about kindness by making videos for our school news and visiting classrooms to talk about kindness.  They read the book Plant a Kiss by Amy Rosenthal.  If you don't own it, it's a must have in all classrooms!  Although it's simply put, it's great for all age groups!  It led to some great discussions.  See the trailer below.

The students were so excited to then have ribbons to hand out once they "caught" random acts of kindness.  Our teachers participate as well, and it has turned into an amazing piece of ever changing art.  Check out the before and after pictures!

If we could all strive to continually ask ourselves, "How are my actions showing kindness?" then I believe we can all make a difference in making this world a better place.

What's YOUR New Year's Revolution?

As my grand daughter was trying to get the last few drops of sweet juice from the bottom of her snow cone cup by using the little spoon at the end of her straw, I told her it would be much easier if she just picked up the paper cone and drank the rest.  She matter-of-factly replied, “But Grandma, I don’t want to waste my enjoying!”  I can’t tell you how many times those simple words (out of the mouth of a 6 year old) have come back to me.  How many times during a typical day do I waste my enjoying?  Am I truly engaged in what I am doing, or merely involved?  Is my passion coming through?  Am I allowing myself the joy in the task, or just trying to check another thing off the list?  Even more importantly, are we teaching our students the JOY of engagement in a meaningful task? Reading and writing are meaningful, purposeful, and engaging activities.  Are we being intentional about personalizing activities so that students can follow their passions and interests?

So what is your New Year’s Revolution?  At the top of MY list?  One thing I know for sure…I’m not going to waste my enjoying.  Thank you for your wisdom, Ava.  I learn from you everyday.

“Pay less attention to what you do than how you do it.” Shunryu Suzuki

From Ordinary Tablet to Extraordinary Book Club

"Mom, I really want an ipod!" was pretty much all I heard from my 3rd grade daughter Ava for the few months leading up to Christmas.  "Please, please, pretty please!!!" #1 on the list.  Written nice and big.

I was hesitant, along with her dad, to think about entering the world of pictures, texting, music, and so much more.  Was she responsible enough to handle all that comes along with "being connected"?  We weren't so sure.  Both of our girls, ages five and eight, easily navigate our iphones and ipads, but it's just different having your own.  

Well, they both ended up with tablets, gifts from grandma and grandpa.  Our thinking was that they could read books on the larger screen, and we would do our best to monitor their time playing games and use these years to help to teach them about the responsibilities that come along with this technology.

Not thinking texting would be an issue, I should have known that Ava would quickly find a way around this.  She had Google Hangout downloaded on her device before the presents were finished being opened Christmas day.  The rest of the family also had to download it as well if it wasn't already on their devices.  We all started to get several messages a day...sorry aunt Susie and my cousin's girlfriend Maddie!!  They were of course adorned with pretty Emoji Art though!

Never did I anticipate what evolved over our extended winter break due to the freezing temperatures.  The Google Hangout calls to grandma turned into discussing books and what the girls had been reading.  Then, grandma decided to form a book club-genius!  Rather than pointless late night chats, now grandma and granddaughter chat about what she has been reading.  She's already an avid reader, but it has helped her to also want to spend more of her free time reading so she can tell grandma all about it!  I'm also hoping that this will motivate Ally, my five-year-old, to want to read more too!!

That got me thinking about my own 2nd grade students.  Wouldn't it be awesome to put something like that in place for them at home?  Could we get a tablet for all students so they could have their own nighttime hangout book club sessions?  What a way to help foster home/school connections and to build relationships with parents as well.  The students could even choose the clubs in which they would like to participate depending on which books interest them!    

Below is a short clip from last night's chat before bed about the Ivie and Bean series by Annie Barrows.  Thanks for the books Amy!