Loving Mama D

Well, it's that time of the year.

August.

Back to school.

Reflection on the past school year, planning for the year ahead.  

As I opened up my laptop tonight, I found this letter I wrote to my amazing para, Deb.   This past school year was only my second year having a para, and my first year working closely with Deb.   She ended up retiring and I find myself missing her already even though we talk often.   It's just going to be weird without Mama D in 117 with us.   Seriously.   It's going to be weird.

Anywhoo... if you're up for the challenge and a tear-jerker, here is the letter I wrote for her and read to her at her retirement shin-dig.  :P

June 2018

Dearest Deb,

When you put a Philly Girl together with a Jersey Girl... there are bound to be moments.   And when you tell either of them that they are wrong about anything... it may not end well.  A few weeks ago, you had made a comment that you were not a teacher.   I beg to differ.    Just like you do not need biological children to be a parent, it is my belief that you do not need a degree to be a teacher.    The lessons that you taught these children beyond our curriculum are extensive.    You have made a true and lasting impact.

For starters, let's talk about Katie.   You gave her the affection and the dignity that it seems she so often lacks.   You cared for her as if she were your own flesh and blood and you treated her not only with compassion, but love.

For our students you taught them many lessons in addition to the curriculum.  Your standards were high and over time you went from being "Mrs. D." to "Mama D."   You loved them through it despite the many challenges and their many flaws.   I had the distinct pleasure and honor to watch these students grow from boys and girls into young men and young women.   You taught them with tough love, brutal honesty, and extreme grace.   You never once gave up on them nor did you let them get away with even attempting to get lazy.   To them, disappointing you or I was the ultimate offense.   

For three students in particular, you formed really tight bonds.   Let's start with our girl Cayla.   You taught Cayla what it means to be proud of herself and how to hold her head high despite her many challenges.   

Next up is our gal Eliza.   Eliza went from avoiding you to not being able to have a good day without checking in with you and giving you a hug.   You taught her how to be a lady, how to fight the good fight without throwing punches, and how to stand tall and proud with each accomplishment.  

Lastly, let's talk about our Wes.   He can without a doubt be difficult.   He can hold things in.   He used to suffer in silence.   As he got to know you, he blossomed into a stronger man and he learned that his feelings are valid, he truly does have worth, and he never has been and never will be a failure.    So when you say you are not a teacher... I beg to differ.    I'm from Philly and I will fight you on this.   

Deb, you have been an extreme blessing in my life not only as a colleague but as a friend.   Selfishly, I want you to stay.   But your retirement even teaches the students the importance of a vow and a covenant.   You need to dedicate your time to your husband even through these trying times and the kids picked up on it.   You have the biggest heart and most generous spirit.  I will miss you being with me every single day.   I'll probably have to bring up some of my former Catholic roots and have a Mama D shrine somewhere.    I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me, but especially these students.  

Love,

Leigh Anne

Feedback (part 1)

The school year is coming to a close and I'm super paranoid about forgetting to upload these photos - here are some amazing copies of student feedback about our year.   I'm going to try to do another post later.

Too funny!

My students crack me up!   Today, after days of state testing, I gave them a very simple bell ringer.  We're presently reading The Little Prince.    I said to them, "Draw Me A Sheep."    If you've read the book, you know how hilariously appropriate this is.   Well played, kids.   Well played.

The Power of Student Choice

This year, I made many Shifts to my teaching that greatly impacted my classroom environment.   For the most part, it was all positive.  Scary for me, yes.   But positive.   I made the decision that a risk I wanted to take was to give my students more control and more choice.   For the most part, students did extremely well.   Of course, I had a few goobers trying to push the limits, and they were appropriately disciplined.  

During Teacher Appreciation Week, the students are able to go to the main office and fill out a "Teacher Kudos" form.   Basically, they fill it out, it goes in a bucket for a drawing, and then when all is said and done every teacher gets their Kudo.  

This year, I received eleven awesome Kudos from my kiddos.    The one had said that they like me because my class is fun and I let them do whatever they want.    Agh.  That could totally be interpreted the wrong way.    I met with the student and first thanked them for thinking of me and told them I appreciated the Kudo.   I then asked them to clarify their statement.    They told me that they really liked being able to have choices in my room.    They liked being able to choose an article of their interest to apply their current reading strategy.   They liked being able to choose their seat.    They liked being able to work independently and call on me when they were stuck rather than me be all up in their bubble.

As I reflected on this I thought... time to ask all students what they thought about student choice.   The conversations that were had yesterday afternoon were simply amazing.    One student said, "You know we have some problems with our learning but you don't treat us like we can't do something."

Here are some images of their writings - these are the only ones I had permission to share.  

I would seriously love your thoughts on this!   Please send me a message/tweet or comment below!

Student Opinions

The Bloom Balls are officially hanging on display in my classroom which is a #ShiftThis Shift in and of itself as I've never ever hung anything from my ceilings before.   Mad love to my super awesome para for her help and for April (our custodian) for lending a ladder!

It's no secret to anyone that knows me that I value the opinions of others, especially the opinions of my students.    When students walked in today, they were shocked.   They spent time walking around the room looking at each ball, finding their creations, and just spent time completely immersed in the change.  Wow.  WOW.

This is the first time I've ever assigned a Bloom Ball.   It was also a first time for my students.  So... back to opinions...

Here are some (not all... I have videos of other feedback on my Twitter page) of the things my students have shared with me regarding the assignment:

• It was a lot of fun and better than worksheets.
• They liked that they had a choice between working solo or with a partner.
• It helped to see a blank bloom ball assembled.  
• Students loved being able to "bounce around" in regards to sides.
• After learning the hard way, several students noted that a rough draft is necessary.
• Progress chart hanging was super helpful.
• Having a chance to draw/sketch their understanding/comprehension was helpful.
• Even when working solo, students enjoyed checking out the progress of their peers.  
• Students valued conversations with peers.
• Students loved being able to "build" something.
• One student said, "It got my mind going like never before."

Ideas for next time:

• Student choice of the novel (my idea)
• Possibly create with a topic of non-fiction (student idea)
• More "free sides" (student idea)
• A list of 24-36 activities and students choose what they do (student idea)
• Non-Crayola Markers (student idea)
• Circles Pre-Cut (student idea)
• Printed on color paper (my idea)
• Done digitally (student idea... not so sure how I feel about this)

More Bloom Balls are coming in!

This is the template I used for the Bloom Ball.

And if you go on YouTube there are several links to how to assemble... which is awesome because my students learn visually and all work at a different pace.   This meant that once students were ready to assemble, they could do it and hit "pause" as many times as needed.

Please check my Twitter page to hear/see video of student reflections!  

Bloom Ball!

I am so proud of this student!

He has completed his Bloom Ball and I really enjoyed his feedback on the task.  

The project is not due until Friday.    I have a feeling we'll be doing this again next year.

I can't wait to see their completed works as well as hear their feedback considering this is a total first for me!

Update to last entry

In my last entry I had said the following...

I printed a variety of comics regarding cell phone usage and students were given the

task to analyze each image, describe it, reflect, and share.   Once we are done, we are going to transition into  finding a solution for our phone love without robbing them of their pleasure or education.

Below are the images students had to look at, analyze, describe and reflect on after I modeled the task with a separate image:

Students dove right in!   (Have I ever told you how much I love these kids?)

After completing the writing task students shared books and compared their thoughts.   We then had whole group discussion talking about each image.  

We ended the class talking about what students feel the rule should be regarding phones in our class.   It was pretty much a 100% agreement that phones should be a privilege and not a right.  Most students had said that they feel that they should only receive a consequence if they can not maintain their focus.    All students agreed that taking their phones to the bathroom was gross and kind of dangerous (one slip and a flush...)

We had a really meaningful discussion in all classes and I truly believe the students hadn't noticed how bad their "obsession" was getting.    One student made a VERY valid point in that cell phone rules are confusing because every teacher they have has a different policy.   

Students want to go back to my original rule of not abusing and asking for permission.   They also want to have me to continue to allow charging in class on the counters while students are receiving instruction.   

I'm really proud of the kids.   They took the assignment seriously and it was great hearing different perspectives.   I love listening to their conversations.   I'm nosy like that.    It's important to me that my students have a voice.   It's important to me that they know that I am listening and I do hear them.    

Our Job...

I saw this image floating around the Interwebz and it really made me pause for reflection.   If I had a color printer, I would have printed it out.

I'm 36 years old.   I don't feel "old."  I do not feel "out of touch" with teens today.    For the most part, I feel I understand my students and I feel quite blessed to be their safe adult to speak to (whether literally or in writing).  And... from what they tell me, I do and I am.

Right now, one of my biggest struggles with my students is technology.   I don't know what the criteria would be for a technology addiction but we definitely have an issue with phones.   At the start of the school year, I announced that I am not going to make them check on their phones.    I didn't feel comfortable doing that.   To me, it sent a message of, "Welcome to class, I don't trust you to stay focused, give me your phone."    That is just how I felt at that time.  Again, how I felt.  Me.  My perception.  

Plus, I was hearing from colleagues that phone collection was a waste because there were kids out there turning in dummy phones while still keeping their actual activated phone.    I wanted my students to learn the appropriate time to use their phones and to use their phones not just for entertainment but for education.    Right now the game Fortnight (spelling?) is taking over teens by storm as well as a game called Pub-G.    I've had to really buckle down on phone use and I hate it.    So upon further reflection and pondering of how to handle this love of the phones.... I decided I'm not going to solve this problem.    The kids are.    

Yep, you heard me.

I'm not going to solve this problem.    The kids are.  I printed a variety of comics regarding cell phone usage and students are going to be given the task to analyze each image, describe it, reflect, and share.   Once we are done, we are going to transition into finding a solution for our phone love without robbing them of their pleasure or education.

I'm curious as to how this will go.   I'll post updates later.

My point of this entry is that sometimes the way you used to do things isn't what the students need.  You need to meet your students where they are.   You need to include them.   If there is a problem, seriously, help/allow them be a part of the solution.   Me barking at them about how things were when I was a kid will do nothing.    Let them have a voice.   

What we're up to in #phs117

#phs117 is on a roll and I could not be more proud of the progress my students are making.   We are presently reading Nothing But the Truth by Avi and the students are super invested in this text.   It's amazing to hear them speak of the connections they are making with this particular book.   Their insight and perspectives are shared daily and even though it is becoming less foreign to me, having them lead the way and have the conversations is really neat.   

I must say I am surprised about their desire to draw and illustrate.   I've pulled a few students aside and they tell me that when they have time to draw or sketch after a read, it helps them answer their comprehension questions more accurately.   In the picture above, students are processing what they have read after taking an assessment.    They are then illustrating a key element of the plot in the novel thus far.    

Have I ever mentioned that my students are amazing?