Ready to roll! August 18, 2009

This week I begin my student teaching semesters at Riverside Elementary School.  I have spent the summer relaxing, enjoying the brief respite from school and recovering from two crazy years of go, go, go!  The excitement I feel is palpable and I feel more than ready to take on this new challenge.  To add to that excitement, my first conversation with my mentor teacher was upbeat, friendly and positive…an excellent start to a new relationship, don’t you think?  Those little ducks are all gettin’ in line.

I’ve also recently decided to join LinkedIn and trim down my facebook activity; given the job situation for new teachers locally, I could use all the positive  exposure I can get.  Since these blog posts are also listed there, I plan to keep posting things related to classroom experiences, whether personal, professional or curricular.  Please also check out the Teaching Links tab on this blog.  I’m sure everyone can find something that interests them about education on that page and it will continue to grow.   I’ll also be sharing my teaching reflections here.  I hope people will comment if they find something interesting!  I love hearing what others have to say about my thoughts.

So, I’m reaching out for new experiences, personal growth, professional development and daily inspiration to guide my journey to a great teaching position in a great school.  I know it’s out there for me!  Come on Universe, send something my way!

Flash Mobbing! July 20, 2009

A while ago, I watched that video of the flash mob in Grand Central Station.  You know, the one where a bunch of people froze at exactly the same moment and freaked everybody out.  Well, long story short, there is a flash mob group here in Boise who are staging some fun little mobs, so I joined their facebook group.  I’m sad that I haven’t had a chance to participate in one yet, but I know the time is coming!  Bummed I missed the squirt gun battle…

This weekend was all about the Volkswagens though, and the Bus Pilots Association put on their own little flash mob on Friday night. Although not technically show-stopping, it was still fun stuff!  By far the best event of the weekend, in my opinion!

We must be doing something right… July 9, 2009

Sunbathing Together

I had a proud parent moment this afternoon.  One of several in the last few days.  One of those moments when you are redeemed for the times you’ve lost it, forgotten something important or didn’t follow through with something you said you were going to do.  Ironically, it didn’t have anything to do with me at all!  It was so simple, but so heartwarming.  Basically, Cameron, who is 10 and most of the time can’t stand his sister, spent the entire afternoon hanging out with Samantha, 5.  Now, this really isn’t as rare as I’m making this out to be, but I guess today it really felt like he was enjoying her company, not just tolerating her.

In The Fort

Samantha and I made chalk drawings on the porch while Cam enjoyed a few minutes of DS Time.  Then she decided to change into her swimsuit and get all wet on the tramp.  Cam finished up and she invited him to play right away.  He was so enthusiastic that he just stripped down to his shorts right there on the porch.  Ahh, I love summer!  Anyways, they played together on the trampoline for an hour, then retrieved some towels and warmed up in the sun.  A good 15 minutes later or so, they’re upstairs putting together the Fort.  Cam builds it and makes Sammie all cozy inside; books, blankets, pillows. (I can hear them right now sneaking food out of the kitchen! :O)

When I told them they could sleep in there tonight, they got so excited they broke the fort!  Long story short, they are up there right now, still friends, being together without effort or fighting for their way.  I’m so proud of them.  Now, let’s hope the same thing happens tomorrow.

The end of a good thing. Or a beginning? July 9, 2009

So, today was the last day of one of the best classes I have had, EVER!  I am really quite serious.  I’m glad that I get to have my life back, but I’m sad that we students don’t experience more classes like this one was.  It was a Social Studies methods class, but the teacher (props to AJ Zenkert) took a strong Inquiry stance. For those of you that are unfamiliar with this idea, the (very) basic idea is that while students are learning they formulate questions that lead them to in-depth projects and research related to what they have an interest in.  Another way to look at it might be that the teacher may allow students to choose the direction of learning, but he or she guides them onto the most appropriate path and toward the learning goals.

A lot of the students in class were pretty nervous about operating this way in their own classrooms.  I understood their fears to be around accountability and keeping “control” of learning.  I would argue that the best way to keep control of learning is to engage students and that inquiry is a truly authentic method of doing so.  Anyone familiar with Montessori philosophy will recognize the nuggets of “Follow the Child” in there and see the value in this.  Unschoolers will as well.  My hope is that teachers always keep the child in mind and engage a new idea with an open mind and a willingness to see what might be successful about it.  AJ did a great job of letting us experience that, sticking to a more ambiguous approach when questions like “What EXACTLY do you expect from us?” and the like.  I know he planted some seeds that hopefully will continue to be watered.

So, I’m grateful for the experience and very, very excited to do more of it.  Really, how else do people learn (besides formal schooling) if not by having an interest in something and then wondering how to do, make, try and/or accomplish it?  Most people with curiosity will follow that lead and make it happen. Inquiry is just asking kids to do the same thing in the classroom.  I asked for a few resources to begin to understand how to implement this in the classroom and was given these websites.  I haven’t delved too deeply into them, but I thought it appropriate to share.

Youth Learn

:

Responsive Classroom

:

As a new teacher, I would love to hear about experiences others have had in the classroom that really excite them.  What are your stories?  How do you make this work in your classroom?  What pitfalls have you experienced and how did you overcome them? (See? This is INQUIRY!! )

Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story by Julius Lester July 5, 2009

Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story by Julius Lester

Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story

by Julius Lester

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Dial Books (1998)

Keywords: mustang, horses, cowboys, African American

The true story of Bob Lemmons, a former slave turned cowboy, Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story is alive with metaphor and movement.  The reader travels with Bob as he tracks and is accepted into a herd of wild mustangs.  Bob challenges the stallion and wins control of the herd, eventually driving them back to the ranch and into the corral without incident.  The reader is quickly drawn in to Lester’s visual language and waits with baited breath to see what happens when Bob attempts to join the herd and when a colt is bitten by a rattlesnake.  Herds of wild mustangs gallop through the clouds near the end of the book as Bob enjoys a last ride through the open plains toward the ranch.

Teachers can use this book as an excellent example of using metaphor and simile in writing as almost every page contains at least one example of these literary devices.  The metaphorical prose teeters on the edge of overuse, but lends a tone of respect and reverence for Lemmons and his way of life.  The role of black and hispanic cowboys in the expansion of the west is little known and this book can provide an additional perspective to help children understand the diversity of pioneers who populated the western United States.  Children with an interest in horses will find this a unique addition to the reading repertoire.  So, while the book does little to explore Lemmons’ life outside of this one experience, it does present a perspective on Western life that is certainly underexposed.

Molly Bannaky by Alice McGill July 5, 2009

Molly Bannaky by Alice McGill

Molly Bannaky

by Alice McGill

Illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet

Houghton Mifflin Company (1999)

Winner: Jane Addams Children’s Book Award

Keywords: indentured servant, slavery, colonial America, interracial marriage, Benjamin Banneker

A swift read, Molly Bannaky tells how a cow kicks over the milk that Molly has just collected, which inevitably leads to a conviction of stealing the Lord’s milk and seven years of indentured servitude in the New World.  Molly is spared death because she can read and this ability enables her, when released, to purchase a slave named Bannaky.  Bannaky helps Molly run the homestead she has claimed and the two eventually fall in love.  Molly signs Bannaky’s freedom papers,then they are married, breaking colonial law.  The story concludes showing Molly teaching her grandson, noted African American mathematician Benjamin Banneker, to read.

Soentpiet’s soft, light-filled paintings sometimes do not match well with the text but do provide depth in the way they inform the reader of the emotion of the moment.  However, because the text is spare it would be useful to discuss with children the implications of the events in Molly and Bannaky’s lives.  To help the reader along with this, the author includes a historical note that explains more about 17th century England, the ocean crossing, the changes in the spelling of Bannaky as well as a bit about Benjamin Banneker.

Using Molly Bannaky in the classroom, outside of enriching discussion about Benjamin Banneker, would mean that teachers would need to be ready to talk about the inconsistencies it presents.  As an example, the book clearly states that Molly and Bannaky were breaking colonial law by marrying, but does not discuss why or how doing so effected their lives and their children’s lives.  There are, however, several connections to be made throughout the curriculum that can stand alone.  It can be used as a discussion point when talking about colonial life, indentured servants, slavery and race relations.  I believe the book to stand out for the same reason that it won the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award; its focus on how Molly and Bannaky defy the social norms of the times to find love and build a family.  Children will understand the message of being loved for who you are as a person, rather than being ignored because of your race.

Greatest Food Websites Ever. July 4, 2009

For those of us who LOVE to eat!  Send me your favorite food websites too, because all I really need is another excuse to stuff my face.

This is why you’re fat..

Food Gawker.

TED: Ideas worth spreading July 3, 2009

TED: Ideas worth spreading.

If you have not experienced TED Talks yet, prepare to be impressed.  There is plenty here worth the 15 minutes it takes to watch each talk.  Don’t forget to sleep!

Everyone’s a critic. July 3, 2009

Here are a few sites I found or were recommended to find literary criticism.  Who cares, you might wonder?  Well, if you are a teacher or a parent, you should!  I’m sure those of us who regularly read to children have had the unfortunate experience of being bored to death by a book, finding something offensive or derogatory while reading, or have been utterly disappointed with the quality of the story or illustrations. It is good to know that there are people out there (yay for librarians!) who read tons of books looking for exactly those things that make a book awful (or some degree thereof). Hopefully teachers are thoughtful about what they read in class and take the time to look at the available criticism before or after they read the book for themselves.  There are so many incredibly wonderful books out there, it would be a shame to waste precious time reading incredibly bad ones.

Here are the sites:

The Internet Public Library

-  The IPL has a great page for conducting successful literary searches.

Oyate – Native American Criticism

-  Books to avoid as well as recommended books related to the Native American culture.

Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database

**-  Themed reviews available for free.

**This is a subscription site, but may be accessible through a university or public library.

I will add more as I come across other resources.

Ode Magazine : And now for the good news… July 3, 2009

During class on Thursday, we talked a bit about why teachers use war instead of other positive things going on in the world as the basis for discussing Social Studies.  Besides the familiarity (among all the other reasons) we have with wars, another factor could be that we just don’t hear about all the good things going on right now.  This kind of information just does not fall into our laps; we have to seek it out.  Maybe I can make the job of doing that a little easier for those of you who are  interested.

Ode Magazine does a fantastic job of finding this news and conveying it right to your Inbox.  The link above will take you right to the “Good News” page on their site.  I subscribe to the magazine and would recommend it to everyone.  But, there is a caveat…reading this magazine can sometimes make me feel like I’m a horrible, polluting, whale-killing jerk who hasn’t done anything good for the world, ever.  On the other hand, reading this magazine has also helped me formulate ideas for how I want to shape my life now and in the future and is definitely inspiring on an existential level.  The magazine’s slogan is “For Intelligent Optimists,” and though sometimes I am not always intelligent nor optimistic, I certainly aspire to be both as often as I can.

So, if you like a little good news and real-life inspiration that goes far beyond how to create a “green” table centerpiece for your next dinner party, check it out.