I have been involved in a grant project through Western Illinois University for the last year. We are finishing the last part of it this summer with a 2-week wrap-up session of trainings. I wanted to give props to the WIU professors who have been presenting the last 2 days. So often I attend trainings where the presenter does just that - presents. These two gentlemen, Dr. Olsen and Dr. Mann, have done a great job at having us be active participants in the training. This is so much more effective for me than just attending a sit-and-get workshop.
I believe I do a decent job in my classroom of keeping the students involved, but this summer I am focusing on finding hands-on activities and ideas of things to do in my classroom to keep improving. This is a great active-learning training for me to be attending. I've read Ron Clark's The End of Molasses Classes and am in the middle of Dave Burgess's Teach Like a Pirate. Pinterest amazes me, not to mention sucks all of the time out of the day, and I am getting more involved in Learnist. I swore I'd contribute to Twitter more often instead of just creeping around and absorbing everyone else's knowledge. I've also been listening to podcasts while I workout, mow, and do household chores. The summer is a time for me to reflect and make goals for next year. So, thank you to everyone who's been helping me with that this summer!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Can I really change the world?
I can't learn enough this summer! I have been listening to podcasts while doing all of the jobs that I put off during the school year and reading tons of blogs every night. Last week I was listening to Larry Jacobs on Education Talk Radio, or perhaps it was when I was creeping on the Teach Like A Pirate chat on Twitter (#tlap), when someone mentioned that Ron Clark's book The End of Molasses Classes changed his life. I went straight to the local university's library to order it and Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess (@burgessdave) through an interlibrary loan. I picked up The End of Molasses Classes today and I can't put it down.
I read the first 20 solutions that Mr. Clark offers and decided I should call it a night, but I wanted to tweet about how much I love it and how it reminds me that I have so much growing to do as a teacher. I have 11 years under my belt, but there is always room for improvement. I got into teaching to change the world...so, am I?
Then....I got sucked into Twitter (I hadn't been on there all day!). I saw that Dan Meyer had posted about Kate Nowak (@k8nowak) writing something, so I immediately read it as I do most anything he suggests. I totally agreed with everything she said so I automatically became her newest follower. Then, I scrolled down a little farther and he had tweeted about the Gathering of the High Council of the Math Teacher Bloggers. My first thought was "how does one get into that group?" And then I thought "one would probably have to keep their blog up to date, Lisa!" I read his post and it was like he was talking right to me. I need to contribute more to my PLN because that's what I want my community to be. I am on Twitter daily. I read hundreds of educational blogs every week, but reply to very few. I haven't updated my own since April. I have valuable things to contribute, but I don't. I rarely tweet. I lurk around several chats on Twitter, but rarely participate.
Why? I am not sure about this. I know I have things I can contribute and I feel completely comfortable with the people in the chats. Everyone is so kind and encouraging. When I do participate, I walk away feeling great about myself and giving back to the educational community. I simply need to actively participate more. That's it. Participate the way I would want others, or students in my classroom, to participate. Be kind. Be gracious. Be honest. SHARE!!
Thank you to Kate Nowak and Dan Meyer for the inspiration to start doing more online! Thank you to Ron Clark for reminding me to MAKE IT HAPPEN! The combination of your writings fit perfectly together for me tonight; I will change the world!!
I read the first 20 solutions that Mr. Clark offers and decided I should call it a night, but I wanted to tweet about how much I love it and how it reminds me that I have so much growing to do as a teacher. I have 11 years under my belt, but there is always room for improvement. I got into teaching to change the world...so, am I?
Then....I got sucked into Twitter (I hadn't been on there all day!). I saw that Dan Meyer had posted about Kate Nowak (@k8nowak) writing something, so I immediately read it as I do most anything he suggests. I totally agreed with everything she said so I automatically became her newest follower. Then, I scrolled down a little farther and he had tweeted about the Gathering of the High Council of the Math Teacher Bloggers. My first thought was "how does one get into that group?" And then I thought "one would probably have to keep their blog up to date, Lisa!" I read his post and it was like he was talking right to me. I need to contribute more to my PLN because that's what I want my community to be. I am on Twitter daily. I read hundreds of educational blogs every week, but reply to very few. I haven't updated my own since April. I have valuable things to contribute, but I don't. I rarely tweet. I lurk around several chats on Twitter, but rarely participate.
Why? I am not sure about this. I know I have things I can contribute and I feel completely comfortable with the people in the chats. Everyone is so kind and encouraging. When I do participate, I walk away feeling great about myself and giving back to the educational community. I simply need to actively participate more. That's it. Participate the way I would want others, or students in my classroom, to participate. Be kind. Be gracious. Be honest. SHARE!!
Thank you to Kate Nowak and Dan Meyer for the inspiration to start doing more online! Thank you to Ron Clark for reminding me to MAKE IT HAPPEN! The combination of your writings fit perfectly together for me tonight; I will change the world!!
Monday, April 15, 2013
What a team!
Today was a great day to be working at Central! Our active learning professional development after school was great. We focused on professional learning networks and what they can do for our careers as a means of individualilzed professional development. More specifically we focused on Twitter.
It was a small group and I felt like everyone was engaged and contributed to the professional development. I had a co-presenter today, but it didn't feel like we were the ones presenting. Some of the other people were new to Twitter and others already had an account. They were all asking good questions and helping each other. We were all on the same page and working together really well.
Central Junior High is full of supportive educators and administrators who are there for the right reasons. They encourage each other and support each other. They offer positive feedback on things that are happening in classrooms. When someone has an idea, they listen and brainstorm with each other. Overall, it is an amazing place to spend the days. When tragedy strikes, like it did in Boston today, it makes me take a look around and realize how incredibly fortunate I am in my life. I am grateful for the team of teachers and principal I work with in the junior high.
It was a small group and I felt like everyone was engaged and contributed to the professional development. I had a co-presenter today, but it didn't feel like we were the ones presenting. Some of the other people were new to Twitter and others already had an account. They were all asking good questions and helping each other. We were all on the same page and working together really well.
Central Junior High is full of supportive educators and administrators who are there for the right reasons. They encourage each other and support each other. They offer positive feedback on things that are happening in classrooms. When someone has an idea, they listen and brainstorm with each other. Overall, it is an amazing place to spend the days. When tragedy strikes, like it did in Boston today, it makes me take a look around and realize how incredibly fortunate I am in my life. I am grateful for the team of teachers and principal I work with in the junior high.
Monday, April 1, 2013
A great compliment
Our eighth grade students were paired up with juniors or seniors and went to their classes with them for two periods for the "Freshmen Experience." When talking with one of my students after his experience, he told me that he went to the Pre-Calc/Trig class in the high school. I asked how it was and if he thought he'd enjoy that class when he gets to high school; he likes math and is very good at it, so I figured he'd say he loved it and can't wait to get there. He told me that the teacher was talking about all of this crazy stuff he's never heard of before and asked if anyone had any questions. My student raised his hand and said "When are they going to use this in life?" The teacher answered with "they're probably not going to." My student said, "then why are you teaching it to them?"
I know what you're thinking because I was thinking the same thing, but don't judge my student yet. Wait until the end of the story!
The teacher responded with "I'm sure that Mrs. Litchfield teaches you things in your math class that you're never going to use either." Listen to the amazing compliment that my student gave me; he said "No. Everything we do has a real-life application. We don't ever just do problems to be doing them. They're always connected to something." I wanted to hug him when he said this! That was one of my goals this year and I have worked so hard to make it a reality. It was so nice of him to notice and have enough courage to share it with others. I have been telling them all year that it's ok to ask questions about what/why you're learning something. It's ok to ask for more out of your education than just a lecture and 25 problems of homework. These kids learn in a totally different way than I did and it's time we recognize this and step up to give them what they deserve. How wonderful that he noticed!
My student did not mean for his questions to be rude. He's a very kind, caring, curious, and probably the hardest working young man I know. He just wanted to know when this could be used in life. In my classroom, asking when we're going to use this is a perfectly acceptable question. Matter of fact, I encourage it. I talked to the other teacher to make sure he didn't get the wrong impression of this student. He said he liked having someone in his class that was interested and wanted to know what the purpose of the math is. I told him he was going to love having this student! He's incredible and, lucky for me, I get to have him next year too!!
I know what you're thinking because I was thinking the same thing, but don't judge my student yet. Wait until the end of the story!
The teacher responded with "I'm sure that Mrs. Litchfield teaches you things in your math class that you're never going to use either." Listen to the amazing compliment that my student gave me; he said "No. Everything we do has a real-life application. We don't ever just do problems to be doing them. They're always connected to something." I wanted to hug him when he said this! That was one of my goals this year and I have worked so hard to make it a reality. It was so nice of him to notice and have enough courage to share it with others. I have been telling them all year that it's ok to ask questions about what/why you're learning something. It's ok to ask for more out of your education than just a lecture and 25 problems of homework. These kids learn in a totally different way than I did and it's time we recognize this and step up to give them what they deserve. How wonderful that he noticed!
My student did not mean for his questions to be rude. He's a very kind, caring, curious, and probably the hardest working young man I know. He just wanted to know when this could be used in life. In my classroom, asking when we're going to use this is a perfectly acceptable question. Matter of fact, I encourage it. I talked to the other teacher to make sure he didn't get the wrong impression of this student. He said he liked having someone in his class that was interested and wanted to know what the purpose of the math is. I told him he was going to love having this student! He's incredible and, lucky for me, I get to have him next year too!!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Out of the Rut!
Last week I had a meeting with my high school math department. I like each of the people in our department and am sure they are good teachers, but I left the meeting feeling like I am not on the same page as any of them when it comes to teaching. Who am I kidding, I'm not even in the same book!
Then, I second guessed myself all week. Is my teaching style preparing my students for the teachers they'll get in high school? Probably not. Is my teaching style compatible with most of my students way of learning? I think so. They're doing fine anyway. Maybe I'm too "out there." Maybe I should talk more instead of letting the students discover the information they need to use as a class or in small groups. (This doesn't even sound like something I would ever say) Are they learning the skills they are going to need to be successful in their future endeavors? Yes if we're not talking about sitting in a classroom and expecting to be spoon fed. I just felt like I was in a funk and started to doubt myself.
Thursday night and Friday we had Parent-Teacher conferences, except I did student-lead conferences so the students were doing all of the talking. Who knows their education better than they do? Again, I was breaking the mold in my school. However, by the time conferences were over on Friday, I had my mo-jo back. Students and parents both appreciate that my class isn't a "traditional" classroom. They like sitting at tables instead of desks because it's more comfortable and allows for a better "working" environment. I even had one student tell me that she's learned more this year than any other year she can remember. She said, "I'm learning so much more than math when I'm in here. Mom, I'm learning how to work with people and talk to them when I don't agree with them. I've learned how to use an iPad, Edmodo, and Todays Meet and I can't wait to use these really sweet calculators Mrs. Litchfield has!" Of course we had to show her mom everything she was talking about and how we're using them for education.
I have to remind myself that I don't teach "outside the box" to make other teachers in my school happy. I teach how I believe the students learn the best. I do what I think is best for them (not what's easiest for me). They're involved. They're "doing." They're discussing. They're analyzing. They're creating. They're engaged. They're excited to be in my class and I am excited to be their teacher!
Then, I second guessed myself all week. Is my teaching style preparing my students for the teachers they'll get in high school? Probably not. Is my teaching style compatible with most of my students way of learning? I think so. They're doing fine anyway. Maybe I'm too "out there." Maybe I should talk more instead of letting the students discover the information they need to use as a class or in small groups. (This doesn't even sound like something I would ever say) Are they learning the skills they are going to need to be successful in their future endeavors? Yes if we're not talking about sitting in a classroom and expecting to be spoon fed. I just felt like I was in a funk and started to doubt myself.
Thursday night and Friday we had Parent-Teacher conferences, except I did student-lead conferences so the students were doing all of the talking. Who knows their education better than they do? Again, I was breaking the mold in my school. However, by the time conferences were over on Friday, I had my mo-jo back. Students and parents both appreciate that my class isn't a "traditional" classroom. They like sitting at tables instead of desks because it's more comfortable and allows for a better "working" environment. I even had one student tell me that she's learned more this year than any other year she can remember. She said, "I'm learning so much more than math when I'm in here. Mom, I'm learning how to work with people and talk to them when I don't agree with them. I've learned how to use an iPad, Edmodo, and Todays Meet and I can't wait to use these really sweet calculators Mrs. Litchfield has!" Of course we had to show her mom everything she was talking about and how we're using them for education.
I have to remind myself that I don't teach "outside the box" to make other teachers in my school happy. I teach how I believe the students learn the best. I do what I think is best for them (not what's easiest for me). They're involved. They're "doing." They're discussing. They're analyzing. They're creating. They're engaged. They're excited to be in my class and I am excited to be their teacher!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Best day yet!
What an amazing day!
Our school recenlty acquired a mobile lab of 30 iPad 2's and today I tested them in my classroom. It went so well that it was almost unbelievable! Our technology director did an amazing job getting the iPads ready for the roll-out. He and I are giving a professional development to the rest of the district's teachers, so he stayed in my classroom all morning watching the students interact with the iPads and talking to them about some of the possibilities of what's to come.
The students' excitement over realizing they were going to be able to use iPads in their classes was incredible. At first, they thought the iPads were just for my classsroom and they were going to use them every day. When I told them that it was a mobile lab that any teacher would be able to check out for the hour/day, you could see the wheels turning and they couldn't contain their curiosity. They had a million questions and just can't wait. The news spread to the other students in the building (I have the luxury of working in a rural 5-12 building) and I had students of all ages telling me all day that they wished they were in my math class. I assured them that their teacher would be able to check out the mobile lab and that they would be using the iPads in no time. The entire building seemed to be in a buzz about the iPads (and the first snowfall of the season).
I can't wait to get the iPads into the rest of the classrooms. Our students DESERVE this and they deserve to be excited about their education and the possibilities that their future offers. Our teachers deserve it too! I hope everyone's first day using the iPads in their classrooms goes as well as mine did!
Our school recenlty acquired a mobile lab of 30 iPad 2's and today I tested them in my classroom. It went so well that it was almost unbelievable! Our technology director did an amazing job getting the iPads ready for the roll-out. He and I are giving a professional development to the rest of the district's teachers, so he stayed in my classroom all morning watching the students interact with the iPads and talking to them about some of the possibilities of what's to come.
The students' excitement over realizing they were going to be able to use iPads in their classes was incredible. At first, they thought the iPads were just for my classsroom and they were going to use them every day. When I told them that it was a mobile lab that any teacher would be able to check out for the hour/day, you could see the wheels turning and they couldn't contain their curiosity. They had a million questions and just can't wait. The news spread to the other students in the building (I have the luxury of working in a rural 5-12 building) and I had students of all ages telling me all day that they wished they were in my math class. I assured them that their teacher would be able to check out the mobile lab and that they would be using the iPads in no time. The entire building seemed to be in a buzz about the iPads (and the first snowfall of the season).
I can't wait to get the iPads into the rest of the classrooms. Our students DESERVE this and they deserve to be excited about their education and the possibilities that their future offers. Our teachers deserve it too! I hope everyone's first day using the iPads in their classrooms goes as well as mine did!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
First (successful) Flip
This summer I had big dreams of flipping my classroom. I stood infront of a room full of other educators and told them all I was going to flip my classroom. Well, one semester into it and I've only tried it twice. The first time didn't go as well as I hoped, but this time was awesome! There were a few things I did differently that I think helped make it easier for the students to watch the videos. I posted the video a few days before they had to watch it, let them know it was up there, and had designated times that the videos would be playing in my classroom.
While most students had watched the videos before they got to class, I'm not sure if they would do it every night. I am going to try flipping once a week for a few weeks, and then bump it up to twice a week. I think flipping is a great idea and works well with my philosphy, so I'm willing to give it all I've got to see where this can take our classroom. I think the possibilities are endless!
While most students had watched the videos before they got to class, I'm not sure if they would do it every night. I am going to try flipping once a week for a few weeks, and then bump it up to twice a week. I think flipping is a great idea and works well with my philosphy, so I'm willing to give it all I've got to see where this can take our classroom. I think the possibilities are endless!
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