Personal Narrative Journey

Today we'll start our month-long effort to learn about and write wonderful personal narratives.

As I watched Erin's self portrait poetry movie last month, I was reminded of the power of the story board.  Erin used thoughtful illustration after illustration to depict the story told in a poem that spoke to her.

Today, I'll ask students to do the same.

First, I'll model my thinking, listing and choosing a "small moment story" that I want to share with the world--a story so important to my life that I don't want to forget it, and a story that I want to tell others about.  It's got to be a topic I want to spend many hours recreating with words and images.

After I choose my topic, I'll model the story board process.  First, I'll show the story mountain model and tell students how most stories follow that pattern.  Then, I'll recreate my topic using a storyboard planner that provides space for pictures and words.

After that, I'll let students start their lists and story boards.  I circulate asking questions, answering questions and guiding student work.  This is the start of a new learning journey; one that will end with 25 wonderful personal narratives that tell stories with organization, craft and voice.  The mystery of this journey lies in what stories will unfold?  What stories will children choose to tell?  When will we laugh, and will some stories make us cry?  Will the class tales follow a similar theme, or will there be a great diversity of topic and time?

We've laid the path, and now we'll start the journey, the excitement and challenge lies in the mystery and surprise these young authors will reveal.

Meeting All Needs?

I think one of the greatest challenges classroom teachers face is meeting all the needs in the classroom.  Let's just start with the math: (approximately 300 minutes a day/25 students) X 180)/60=36 hours per child, per year.

Then let's consider the diversity from children that learn at a rapid speed to those who struggle with the required content and all the children in between.

After that, add in family diversity from families that are involved in every aspect of their child's life to those who are unable to support a child's positive growth and development.

Yet, we know that children are flexible--able to stretch and collaborate for tremendous learning in a group.  We know that teachers are capable of facilitating differentiated lessons that meet many needs at once.  We also know that schools employ the expertise of many specialists and events to service children's needs in targeted, specific ways.  And parents work tirelessly to care for their children, develop their passions and strengthen their academic foundations.

What we can do for children is limitless--there is always more we can do to help a child learn, find his/her passion and thrive.  But we are limited by time and resources, and therefore called to prioritize with the best of what we know and understand to be essential and integral.

And with that prioritization we have to ensure the following:

• The learning environment is a safe and caring place.
• There is room for everyone's voice.
• Essential skills will be developed for all so that children are able to communicate and work successfully in our world.
• Passions will be celebrated and honored, and whenever possible there will be a chance to showcase, develop and enrich those passions.
• The learning community will matter and all will play an important role--parents, students, educators, administrators and community members. 

As each parent, teacher, student and others reach for their piece of the educational pie, it's important to recognize both the limitations and potential.  It's also important for family members to realize that after the child, they, not the school, are the first teachers to a child--the ones with the greatest influence, time and resources to support and nurture a child towards his/her success and happiness in life.

So many needs, so little time, but with care, our every moment matters. 

Learning Design: Summer Study 2013

It's that time of year when teachers like me are really, really busy with the day-to-day life events at home and at school.  Hence, I'm starting a list of posts which I'll consider when I get a lengthy period of time for thought and reflections.  As the schedule stands now, that will probably occur next summer.  I'll return to this post each time I find a new post that I want to consider with depth at a later point.

Then this summer, I'll set aside a number of days alone or preferably with colleagues where we consider these posts with depth and with our current curriculum and school program.  I'll begin by rereading the posts and creating a list of essential questions.  Then I'll fill in the blanks to the essential questions determining where I can improve the curriculum program for students' benefit.  I will also create a side list of thoughts and suggestions related to change and growth for my school and school system.  This growing list of amazing posts by wonderful educators will serve to inspire and inform my inquiry. Please feel free to use these posts as well as you evaluate, revise and innovate the programs you facilitate and activate with student learning as the focus.

People, Posts and Blogs to Consider by Shira Leibowitz
A Space for Learning by Pam Moran
Forbes: Role of Social Learning
Science Standards and PD
New Tests
One Size Fits All? (Inquiry Based School)
Math 
George Couros: Leadership and Innovation
Four Critical Questions for Lesson Design
Three Professional Reads Worth Your Time
Learning Theories
Wiggins: Curriculum
School Program Design
Teaching Math
Weaving
Rainbow Igloo
Inspiration for Innovation
Digital Literacy
GROW Coaching
Components of a "Learner-Centered" Learning Environment
Coding
Tech Sharing 
Math Manipulatives
Tech Integration Strategies
What Every Classroom Needs
Mind Maps
Next Generation Schools
Leading
The Achievement Gap
Tech for Best Effect
Essential Ingredients
Brain Work
Coding
Academic Research
Educon: A PD Model
Multiple Search Engines
Leadership Report
Brain Study
Learning Maps
iPad Integration
Common Core/Student-Centered Learning
Inspiring Godin Post
TED Reimagine Schools
Leadership
Digital Literacy
Godin: Thoughts to apply to learning design.
Digital Pedagogy
Writing
Guided Inquiry
Guided Social Media
Teaching with the Common Core
Teaching Remix
Socrative
Don't Forget the 4 C's
21st C Literacy
Green Screen
TED for Kids 
Explore Live Binders
Math Problems 
Writing Fiction
content that matters
Lynn Cherry - environmental awareness
learning
Power My Learning
Brain Tips
Leadership
Composing Digital Poetry
21st Century Learning Design Infographic
Gaming Can Save the World
New Tools
PBL
Online Research
Essential Questions
Unstoppable Learning
Professional Learning
Tacit Knowledge
Design Thinking
Make Things
What Will Become Obsolete
How Big is the Ocean (Ted Talks that Matter to Learning Design--specific and general)
Social Media
PBL Rubrics
Skills Students Need
Pedagogy Wheel


Tools to Investigate:

• Tynker
• Keynote Animation
• Thinglink
• Evernote

Schedule/Structural Change Ideas

Addition of a Recording Room or Studio in School.

Program Change Ideas

• Creating a schedule of skill-based, small group pods and project base whole class teams and endeavor.
• Greater hands-on invention and creation including the tools and space to foster this growth.
• Change of grade-level rotations created with the collaboration of the grade-level team.
• Balance of passive, skill-based online learning and more invigorating game and/or project based online learning.
• Determining essential skills, best lessons for teaching those essential skills.
• Revisiting broad unit topics, refining topics and revising, refining guiding websites and resources. 

Summer Study Outline

• Put aside a few days to read and take notes.
• Create a form w/essential points for curriculum plan, revision and share.
• Share the points with PLN and school colleagues.
• Apply the form to 2013-2014 school year planning and design

Chart to Lead Reading and Research

Don't Knock It Before You Try It!

"Whatever we learn to do, we learn by actually doing it; men come to be builders, for instance, by building, and harp players by playing the harp. In the same way, by doing just acts we come to be just; by doing self-controlled acts, we come to be self-controlled; and by doing brave acts, we become brave." - Aristotle

How many times have you criticized an act, event or idea before due consideration or experience?  When have you put down a venue, style or strategy before trying it out yourself? For many, it is a natural reaction to judge before thinking or actually experiencing a new idea, event or method, and what do those quick judgements, critiques and conclusions do for our own mindset and the mindsets and experiences of those we teach?

As Aristotle notes in the quote above, we learn by doing?  And when we fully experience an event, idea or invention, we are better able to understand that novelty with depth and understanding.  Hence, unlike my attitude in years past, my mindset now prompts me to try it out (or read a lot about it) before passing judgement.  

This mindset applies to my teaching and professional development as well.  For example, in years past I looked at the Edublog Awards with some disdain as I'm generally not a fan of contests that put one in front of another. Yet, when I tried out the Award nomination process this year, I realized that while I still hate choosing some over others, the process actually provides one with a chance to honor some of the many who have contributed significantly to my professional growth over the past year.

The same is true for new tech tools and teaching methods.  I remember in the past when I joked and ridiculed the use of new inventions such as the answering machine, cell phones and email before trying those venues out.  Now each of those inventions are mainstays in households everywhere.  My new mindset leads me to try out new venues first, before judging.  I've had to defend my work a bit more with this mindset, but the rewards are substantial.

For example, in two weeks my students will present their YouTube Poetry Playlist, a series of short films that depict poems that speak to them. Students have worked tirelessly to learn and manage the synthesis of poetry, images, voice and music with tools and actions such as iMovie, PhotoBooth, Garageband, KidPix, Google Draw, Google Docs, Google Sites, analysis, reflective writing, illustration and more to produce these short films.  Students use of these venues has taught them to both utilize movies to present knowledge, opinion and understanding, and to navigate this venue for their own learning since movies will play an important role in their own research and storytelling this year and in the years to come.  Hence, rather than knocking the role of movies in the classroom, we embraced that venue, learned about it and now understand where it fits in and when it's best to choose another presentation vehicle.

So, to learn today, "don't knock it before you try it." Experience the many new processes, tools and ideas that continually arrive. Then utilize that invention to more fully live life and prepare your students for the world they'll encounter.  Agree?



Note: I tried to find the author of the quote, "Don't knock it before you try it," without success.  Let me know if you know the author's name. 

2012 Edublog Awards: A Great Way to Say Thank You!

I encourage all who profit from the great idea sharing on the web to take the time to nominate some of your favorite blogs, individuals, groups and educational events for the 2012 Edublog Awards.

Not only will the process give you a chance to say thank you to many who inform your practice and work, but the nomination process in itself is a chance to evaluate your own use of the Internet as a professional development vehicle.  As I nominated several, I was reminded of the many, many educators who support my work each and every day--so many more than I was able to nominate.

Like so many other educators, my students and I profit from the honest, thoughtful words of many educators and others who blog about their educational questions, ideas and practice.  And while I don't like to choose one blog over another, I do like the idea of taking the time to note wonderful blogs and give credit to some of the many educators who make the time to blog regularly to share information and develop our collective professional knowledge and work.

Hence, here are my nominations for 2012:

• Best individual blog: Between the By-Road and Main Road 

Mary Ann Reilly's blog, Between the By-Road and Main Road prompts me to think deeply about the work I do and why I do it.  Thanks Mary Ann!

• Best group blog: Connected Principals

Connected Principals  provides me with daily access to wonderful thought leaders in education.  

• Best new blog: David Culberhouse's blog

@DCulberhouse always challenges my thinking and leads me to new books, Ted talks, posts and other information that has made a dramatic difference in my work.  Thanks David. 

• Best class blog: Pine Glenn School

I'm nominating Pine Glenn School in Burlington, Massachusetts for their thought provoking, cutting edge blogs and website.  Pine Glenn is a leading ed-tech elementary school that's constantly innovating.  Take a look if you're interested in growing your school's digital presence and work. Thanks Dan, Laura and Pine Glenn!

• Best student blog: WSPN

I'm nominating my school systems' student website that includes many blogs: WSPN Thanks WSPN!

• Best ed tech / resource sharing blog: Cybraryman

Hands down, Cybraryman gets my vote for this category. I always refer to his resources when I'm looking for that just right chat or blog.  Thanks Jerry!

• Best teacher blog: From the Desk of Mr. Foteah

This was a tough one for me because I follow a lot of teacher's blogs.  This year I'm nominating Matt Ray's blog, From the Desk of Mr. Foteah becauseI like and grow from reading Matt's honest, caring posts depicting life in a New York City elementary school. Thanks Matt!

• Best administrator blog: Sharing or Blessings

Sharing or Blessings by Shira Leibowitz is the blog I'm nominating this year.  Shira continually pushes my thinking and practice with her intelligent, research posts about all aspects of education. Thanks Shira!

• Most influential blog post: Talker's Block

Talker's Block by Seth Godin has influenced by teaching and work related to all areas of the curriculum.  Terrific example of a post that says a lot in a few words. Thanks Seth!

• Best individual tweeter: @twhitford

Tom Whitford's tweets both encourage and challenge.  He keeps the conversation going at a quick, focused clip.  Thanks Tom!

• Best twitter hashtag: #edchat

I continue to find #edchat to be the place to go for educational thought, wisdom and links.  Thanks to all who started #edchat and continue to support its weekly chat and sharing.  Thanks #edchat!

• Best free web tool: Google sites

Google sites provides an awesome tool for creating websites that can serve students and teachers in so many positive ways. Thanks Google!

• Best educational use of audio / video / visual / podcast: http://www.futureofeducation.com/

I nominate the futureofeducation.com. Steve Hargadon's Thursday night interviews are a great use of audio/visual to learn about the big ideas in education.  I hope to partake of this venue more often in the year to come.  Thanks Steve!

• Best educational wiki

No nomination at this time. 

• Best open PD / unconference / webinar series:   #educoach summer book study

Kathy Perret , Shira Leibowitz and Jessica Johnson of #educoach led a great summer book study related to the book, Making Learning Visible, Maximizing Impact on Learning by John Hattie. This book chat fostered improved practice in countless classrooms at the start of the school year. Thanks #educoach!

• Best educational use of a social network: KidVote

Krissy Venosdale @ktvee did a great job mobilizing many elementary school students for KidsVote. Krissy's blogs is also one of the most graphically pleasing blogs on the web.  Thanks Krissy!

• Best mobile app

No nomination at this time. 

• Lifetime achievement: George Couros

George Couros always inspires me with his versatile, challenging posts and tweets.  He has committed himself to developing education so that we serve children well.  He gets my vote for a lifetime achievement award.  Thanks George!