Innovator's Mindset - Forward and Intro Reflection

At 47 minutes I really got hooked when I'm hearing to find someone to support you - even if it is not someone in the school building.  

The prompt for this week for Innovator's Mindset is "What do you see as the purpose of education?   Why might innovation be crucial in education?"

This question made me think of that old quote where it says something like if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.

Truly, think about it.   How old are you?   How is school different for your students compared to how it was for you when you were their age?   Innovation and change aren't bad things.   They can be scary, yes.   I've said this before and I'll say it again - most things in my life that were totally worth it, started off as ridiculously scary and anxiety packed.

"Change is an opportunity to do something amazing."

Seriously.   Take a look at me.  I'm stepping completely out of my comfort zone making shifts left and right personally and professionally.    My students are with me along the ride and they're inspiring me.  Our conversations are more open, I'm learning more about them and how they learn - more so than I ever imagined.  

It's okay for it to feel a little uncomfortable.   That's how you know it's going to be worth it.

On the school shooting(s)...

This post has been in my drafts for quite a while now and it's still so hard to articulate how I feel regarding the recent school shooting in Florida.   It's pretty simple.   I'm heartbroken, yet hopeful.

When I was a little girl, I loved to play school.   I enjoyed making lessons.   I've always loved learning.   I've always loved to read and to write.   For a while, I wasn't sure if I was going to be a journalist or a teacher.   Teaching though, it somehow has been my calling for as long as I can remember.   Even when I considered journalism, I would think, "Maybe I'll teach writing..."

NEVER in all of that time did I ever imagine being unsafe at my work.   I wasn't signing up to be a police officer.   I wasn't signing up to work for the F.B.I.    I wasn't signing up to be a sniper.   Teaching and violence were two schools of thought that never ever went together.   

And now here we are.... 2018.... and the sad thing is when someone talks about a school shooting, we hear someone say something like, "Which one?"  Or "Was that the shooting where..." or "Oh you mean the one that was in Pennsylvania or are you talking about the one out over in...."

I hate that we have to have these drills, but I know they're necessary.

I hate that I've had to sit down with my six year old and explain to him that sometimes people just want to hurt people for no reason.   

When I first heard the news of what had happened in our most recent school shooting (seriously, how sad is it that I need to word it as 'our most recent') my first reaction was what it normally is.   To pray. God and I have been having many talks lately as I pray for not only the victims but also the shooter.  I don't know why he did what he did, but I do know how.   I don't know how this community is ever going to recover, but I have faith that God is going to work through their hurt with them.   As I follow the story, I see God at work.   

The topic of arming teachers seems to be circulating and I can't pretend to know the answer to this.  I'm a firm believer in bringing a solution when you present a problem.   I personally would not be able to do it.   You're talking to the girl who will put a mug over a spider and usher it outside before smashing it on the floor.   For me to even consider having a weapon, let alone in my classroom... no.  I can't.   It's not me.   I know I sound naive but I prefer to believe in God's purpose and plan and I'd rather put my energy in my faith and my prayer than my weapon.   Does this mean I wouldn't fight to save my students if need be?   No.   God forbid anything ever were to happen in our building, I'd be in front of my kids protecting them.   

As the stories keep unfolding in the news and across social media I see a wide variety of solutions being presented that really do catch my interest.   What's sad is how everything has a price tag.   What's sad to me is how this is even a conversation.   What's sad to me is how there is a lot of talk but not much action from the people in charge.    

What inspires me though is these young souls in Florida are taking the action.

It's my belief that we need to have a conversation.    As a country.   A true conversation.   I'm talking being able to speak and not just listened to but heard.   The students can lead the way.   Seriously.   Support them.   Have faith.    There's a lot of good coming from our youth.    Support them.   

Our students are our future.    Watch them.   Don't underestimate their power.   Talk with a teen you know.   Have the conversations.   The tough conversations usually prove to be the most rewarding.   Do not underestimate them because they are young.   Because if you ask me... the teens in Florida would make Timothy quite proud...

My sincerest thoughts and prayers to all those involved with this terrible tragedy.   May God be with you and yours as you move towards healing and understanding.

  

Filling up....

It's hard to tell... but my top bulletin board area (which is normally empty) is filling up with Sketchnotes.    Talk about awesome!

Tupac is bringing reading to life!

Remember that time I wrote about Tupac?

I am so excited to announce that the poetry book is never on my shelf.   It's constantly being borrowed and I'm "catching" kids talking about it.    Talk about a smile file moment!  

What's also awesome is how my students are embracing the "weird" and diving into children's books.
Find their passion, folks.   And build from there!

Smile file!

I started this blog because I was so inspired by Joy Kirr and her book, Shift This.   As I keep learning more about my students and myself this school year, I have found that taking a risk is really only scary in my head.

I continue to grow as an educator with the help of the awesome people in my PLN.   One such awesome person I've written about before is Carrie.   I was inspired by one of her more recent videos
(seriously... click that link) to try GROUP sketchnoting.

So let's set the stage, shall we?

We're getting ready to launch into our class novel.   Nothing But the Truth by Avi.    So I decided to make a handy-dandy powerpoint and tell my kiddos a story.   Yep, we're in high school and I had story time.   #winning

I tell the kids that Avi was an awesome reader.   (*Insert students rolling eyes here*)
He was.   He is.  

But... he hated writing.   (*Insert shocked facial expressions throughout the room*)
True story. Could my students relate?   Um... yes!  

As the story unfolds my students learn that Avi struggled sooooo much in writing that he flunked out of his first high school and was then sent to a second "special" high school which helped low readers and writers.   (*Ummmm welcome to our world!   My room is that 'special place')

In addition to this struggle, he needed ADDITIONAL help from a writing tutor.   This writing tutor is the one who lit the fire under Avi and helped him figure himself out.   Years later (so sad!) Avi discovers he has a learning disability, dysgraphia.   (*minds blown*)

After story time, I explained to students that it's time to make another Shift and take a risk at the same time.   We were going to attempt group sketchnoting.   I didn't follow it exactly as Carrie explains it but we did the best we could with what we have.

Two of my students, in particular, took an even better risk.   Even after explaining more than once that this would be a joint effort, they asked to work on their own as they prefer to do.   Both students are incredibly artistic and extremely introverted when it comes to projects.   I explained to them that part of the risk in this task is to work together.   They looked at one another, shrugged their shoulders and dove right in!   I was shocked!   There were three other adults in the room (roomie, para, and TSS) and the conversations we witnessed were amazing.   They completely exceeded my expectations.  I am beyond proud!   They stepped out of their comfort zone and took information from story time and made this masterpiece.  

And THEN.... they let me take their picture!   When they were looking!  
(Yes, I have their permission to show you.)

Have I ever mentioned that I love what I do?

PHS Traits of an Effective Classroom used in this lesson:   student-centered, high levels of engagement, authentic learning, creativity, risk-taking

February #IdeaFlood is underway

I love that the topic for Carrie's IdeaFlood this month is FRIENDSHIP!!

Our class is getting ready to launch into Avi and this is a PURRRRRFECT Fit!

Students began drafting some ideas today and I made a quick note via PowerPoint.

Getting ready to launch...

Have I ever mentioned how much I love what I do?

Seriously.    My students are amazing!

We are getting ready to launch into our class novel (Nothing But The Truth) and students were given a very unstructured task (deliberate risk... scary Shift!).

Students were told to find a quote or quotes about honesty/integrity/being a good person etc...

I am so proud of how these turned out.

Sketchnoting for the win!

Sketchnoting fun!

With the help and love of the amazing Carrie Baughcum, I was able to teach my students the art of sketchnoting!   Here are some samples of their work.   They really enjoyed it and we even dove right in to complete sketchnotes on our current unit of study.   I'm so excited to see this take off!