Stay Connected

Please keep reading.....I know many of you saw the title and thought, "This is more about technology and more that we need to do with technology, or twitter, or blogging, or...."  I know we have been a bit overwhelmed with all the possibilities and ways to connect and use technology in the classroom and in our own professional growth.  It is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming.  Staying connected is critical and the use of social media allows us to connect  with so many professionals and educators, authors and colleagues outside our district, county and state.  Twitter, for example, allows us to share ideas and gain information from people we may never meet.  I know that we are all at different phases as Twitter users.  Some have not created an account.  Some are "egg heads".  Some are "lurkers".  Some of us have just begun posting our own "tweets".  Some are tweeting pros.  Facebook has allowed so many to stay connected and share photos and ideas.  Pinterest....I've heard many of you say you can spend hours on pinterest "pinning" ideas shared from others.

                           image cc licensed (BY SA) flickr photo by Quinn Dombrowski: http://flickr.com/photos/quinnanya/8107606569/

I believe in the importance of connecting and staying connected, however, I believe we need to have a balance so that we don't lose connection with those right in front of us.  I like having a PLN (Professional Learning Network), but I also believe most important is our PiLN (People I love Network)....I just made that up, but I like it. : )  It is very tempting to check our phones and ipads and get lost in the tweets and messages in social media.  The first link below is a blog I read this week, and it really made me think about the importance of truly connecting and not missing out on those moments with those right in front of us or beside us or looking up at us.

I go to my parents every week for dinner.  I found myself taking my ipad in and checking twitter or facebook to "stay connected."  My mom asked me one evening what in the world was so important.  I realized that nothing is more important than spending time with my family, just talking and "connecting" with them.  My connections through twitter as @susankhaney are important to my growth and learning in my professional life, but my connection as "Suzy" (yes, my mom still calls me Suzy) with my family is most important.

Each of us will need to figure out how to find that balance.  This will look different for all of us.  Though I encourage you to connect, I also encourage you to keep balance.  There are so many great things happening in schools all over this country, and thankfully, people are sharing those ideas.  We have so many amazing things happening at Parma Elementary, and I want us to share our story....it is an amazing story.  I read a quote a man wrote that his wife said to him, "“how many moments have you missed by trying to share that one?”.  Tell our story, but don't miss the moments in the process.  Sharing the moments can help us capture them.....if we keep balance.  I know we have all seen a table at a restaurant where both or all people are on their phones or devices instead of communicating.  We have seen the parent on the phone at the end of the school day as they lead their child to the car waiting to explain their school day.  It is awesome to "connect" with so many people all over the country, to create a PLN and share ideas.  I can't tell you how much I get from my PLN through twitter or from Pinterest.  Afterall, the idea for this blog came from someone I follow on Twitter.  Our students were able to enjoy an author from California through a connection on Twitter and blogging. (Thank you Colby) Make those connections and learn from as many people as we can.  Just don't forget to put it all away at times to truly connect with your PiLN and be there to just enjoy the moment.   

Links Worth Reading:

Why I took Facebook and Twitter off my phone - shared by @ChrisWejr

The use of Professional Learning Networks in Education - shared by @mattbgomez

How to Decode a Tweet - shared by @EdTechSandyK

20 most useful #Hashtags in Education - shared by @thomascmurray

5 Ways Twitter strengthens a school's learning community - shared by @joe_mazza

1,000 Education Apps organized by Subject - shared by @joe_mazza


Video Worth Watching:

Thailand commercial about staying "connected":  Please Watch!

If the dance floor is empty....change the song.

I attended a wedding this summer, and it is possible that I was the only person at the reception thinking about how the DJ and the Dance Floor could somehow be analogous to school.  As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure most of the other guests never even thought about teaching and learning while watching people do the Chicken Dance or the Electric Slide.  I'm not sure what is wrong with them, but I couldn't help thinking about students and teaching. : )


Early in the evening, the dance floor was empty while the DJ played songs that were not of interest to anyone.  I noticed that he had cases full of music, and I kept thinking that he needed to change the music to fit the styles of the different guests.  Like most weddings and receptions, the guests ranged in age and interests.  How could a DJ possibly please everyone and  keep everyone dancing.  There were those who would prefer a slow waltz or some golden oldies, while others could have kept the dance floor moving with swing music or line dancing.  The boot scootin' boogie brought out some while others wouldn't even try until Chubby Checker blared "The Twist". The young kids had fun with the Chicken Dance and The Cha Cha Slide.  Some wanted slow music while others wanted something a little faster.  I realized that the DJ had a challenge for the night.

I couldn't help think about how teachers are faced with a classroom full of diverse learners just like the DJ was faced with a dance floor of diverse dancers.  Like the cases full of music for the DJ, teachers have to have a variety of teaching strategies to meet the needs of all students.  The DJ can't expect everyone to want to dance to every type of music.  We know that not all students will learn with the same teaching strategy.  If they aren't "dancing", we have to try another "song".


Though the DJ plays many weddings year after year, this was the one wedding for my friends.  They wouldn't have another chance to have a different DJ for their wedding.  The DJ wouldn't have another chance to make their reception special.  Though you may teach 2nd grade, or 4th grade or 1st grade, etc, year after year, this is the only year you will have the opportunity to engage, educate and impact the students sitting in your room this year.  This is the only year you will have to connect with their parents and help them have the best 2nd grade, or 4th grade or 1st grade, etc. ever!  Click on this  blog about the impact a teacher has on a child and her parents.  The title is "Why I hate my Daughters First Grade Teacher."

I have used the song "Brave" in our assembly, and we have talked about being brave as learners and leaders.  I know that it takes different strategies to meet the needs of all students, but I also want our students to be brave and always  willing to try new ways to learn something new.

One last thought about dancing and learning, Djing and teaching.  At one point in the night, the DJ played the Love Train.  Everyone "got on board".  There was a train around the dance floor and the hall including, children and adults, grandparents, men and women.  I guess everyone responds to love!
I don't think I need to explain how that made me think about Parma and our students.


Articles and Links Worth Reading:

The minds of boys and girls - an article about the differences and how we can differentiate for both

Learning differences in boys

Technology in the Classroom - What is the Focus? - shared by @mattbgomez

Top 50 Wonderopolis for primary grades - shared by @mattbgomez

Home - Math Learning boxes - shared by @frankisibberson and @maryleehahn

Videos Worth Watching:

A fifth grade class created their class vision using the song "Brave".

"Kid President believes we're all teachers and we're all students. What are you teaching the world? Who are you learning from?"

 

Evolution of Dance

Keep them engaged.....help them Dance!

 

Love Well, Lead Well, Learn Well

Week one was nothing less than amazing!  I absolutely loved seeing our kids, and I loved watching you do what you do so well.  We are off to a great start helping our kids love well, lead well and learn well. At our assembly on Wednesday, I shared the music video "Roar" by Katy Perry (on last week's blog). Midway through the song, the kids were singing along and smiling.  After the song, we talked about how this applies to our school.  They talked about "Having the eye of a Tiger", and the line, "I am a champion".  We talked about how we "ROAR".  We discussed that our actions, the way we treat others, our words and our work ethic all "roar" who we are and what we stand for.  It is moments like Wednesday morning with our kids that make me so proud of what we do at Parma Elementary.  Call our answering machine at school.  You will hear Drew let anyone who calls us know that we are leaders, and that "We are champions, and you are going to hear us roar."

The following is a post I read early in the summer and have thought so much about how we teach these lessons to our students.  Please read the post and consider how we can encourage our students to consider whether or not they have loved well, led well and learned well every day.  How can we get our students to question this and be aware of how they have given to and cared for others as well as how they have learned and led?  Could we ask, "Did you love well this weekend"; "Were you a good leader at your sleepover"; "Were you a leader at your game, how did you treat your opponent?"; "How did you help your parents last night, did you do some chores without being asked?"; "Did you read, wonder, seek more information on something this week?" I want them to become aware of loving well, learning well, and leading well.  This can happen if we are asking the right questions and helping them think about it.

Why “Did You Have Fun?” is the Wrong Question

by LAURA on AUGUST 19, 2012

*************

Sweaty heads and dirty feet tumbled into the car after an evening last week at BHJ Girl’s Home in SE Asia.  And we waved goodbye out the window as the gate was closed behind us, and I asked my three kids in the backseat, “Well, did you have fun?”

And, immediately, my son started in– “I didn’t like the food.  And they wouldn’t play with me much.  And I didn’t get to play soccer. And thosedogs were there.”  {I assumed that was a “no.”}

Deflate Mother-Dreams-of-Kids-Serving-the-World Balloon.

But, then, I asked {well, fired-back} a different question, “Well, did you love well?”

Pause.

“Wellllll, not really,” admitted one.

“I think I did. I helped with the dishes and played with Yada a lot,” said another.

“I totally did,” claimed the 4-year-old who just figured that “yes” was a better answer.

Drop Parenting-Revelation-Bomb.

Because every time my kids have gotten in the car after soccer practice or a school day, a playdate with friends or even a night spent with impoverished girls in SE Asia, my default question has always been about their own personal fun.  I’m typically asking, first, about their good time, the friends they hung out with, the general awesomeness of the event itself.

And, ultimately, though subtly, I fear I’m communicating that their pleasure should be the focus of hours spent with others.  And is that, really, what I want to be teaching my kids–

That if their _____{insert activity here}_____  wasn’t “fun,” then it was a waste, a thing to complain about on the car ride home?

Cue Mom’s New Brilliant-Master-Plan.

My kids will be getting a different question from now on when they plop their taekwondo belts or their book bags or their soccer cleats into the backseat.  I’ll be asking first, “How’d you love?” {or some non-cheezy-version of the same type of ask}.

Because shouldn’t our default be more about what we gave, than what we got?

And if we really believe that, shouldn’t the questions we ask our kids reflect it?

*****************

What’s the default question you ask after an event?  How do you shift your kids from being self-focused to others-focused?  Uh, how do you shift yourself? 

Questions to consider every day:

Have you loved well today?

Have you learned well today?
Have you led well today?

Articles Worth Reading:

Super Powered Attention Getters - Love this idea for getting students' attention....Knock Knock....

Back to School with Ipads - shared by Miriam Sailers

Online Timers - shared by @mattbgomez

Reasoning about multiplication and division -

Math game for learning numbers - shared by @davidfifeVP

Free Educational Apps for Kids - shared by @quirkymommasite


Videos Worth Watching:


Have you LOVED Well Today?  Sweet Lorraine - Sure to make you smile and cry....go ahead, try not to!

Have you LEARNED well today?  Video on reasoning about multiplication and division

Math Video


Have you LED well today?  Creating Greatness Video

Have you laughed today?  Okay, this doesn't really fit our mission in any way, but this commercial makes me laugh out loud!

SHINE

As we wrapped up the 2012-13 school year, I met with our Student Lighthouse Team to discuss possible themes for the coming school year.  Our students selected "SHINE" for this year's theme.  I think it may have had something to do with the fact that we were sitting in the cafeteria where the newly painted mural of the Sun was staring at us.  I have thought a great deal about this theme, and I love it!  I want our students to SHINE!  I want them to let their greatness SHINE!  I want them to let their light SHINE with others!  I can imagine conversations with students this year and congratulating them for being a "shining" example of leadership.  I can also imagine asking students if they are letting their light shine for others in situations when maybe they haven't made a great choice.  Or even questioning whether or not they are letting their greatness shine when they have chosen poor behavior or lack of effort.  I want to remind our students throughout this school year that they ALL have the potential to shine in so many ways.  We are striving to be a "Lighthouse School" in our Leader in Me journey.  I believe that being an example for others and helping them find their way along this journey is only one way to accomplish this.  For the purpose of the grant, that qualifies us as a "Lighthouse School", but for me, we are only a Lighthouse School if we live day by day in a way that others can follow in our actions, our words, our deeds; the way we work together; the way we speak to our students and each other; the way we challenge each other and our students to be the best we can be; the way we celebrate success and overcome struggles; the way we plan, teach, provide intervention; the way our students act and treat each other....I want everyone in our building to SHINE, to be a lighthouse for others, not just on the Leader In Me journey, but in all ways, all days!

Of course once the theme was chosen, other great themes started popping up.  One that I loved was "Be Brave".  One of the blogs I follow is Matt Gomez.  He is a kindergarten teacher in Texas, and he wrote a blog this summer about the one rule in his classroom.  That rule is "Be Brave".  If you haven't already seen the post, I recommend reading it right now....just click this link:  Be Brave Blog.

What a great theme!  Then I thought about the fact that it takes being brave at times in order to SHINE. Can we encourage our kids to this year?  Be brave and shine.  I want our kids to shine....all days...all ways.  I want them to be brave.  My friend and former college roommate, who is the mother of 5 children,  posted this on facebook recently after hearing Sara Bareilles sing Brave (youtube video below):  "Wait. How is it possible that I JUST heard this song for the first time? Here's what it made me think: Yes. I want my kids to be smart. And get into college. And love their jobs. And have wonderful friends. These are all of the things I think about at the beginning of a new school year. But more than any of that, I want them to all stand. Stand tall. Stand up for good. Stand against bad. Stand in the gap. Stand strong. And to always know that their momma is standing to cheer them on."  
I want this for our kids as well.  Let them stand, shine and be brave.  

Oh my word, then I heard the song, "Roar".  This would be a great theme for the school year.  They just keep coming.  I love the message in the song, and I love how it can apply to our school and our kids.  I want them to feel like champions, and while they are being brave and shining.....I want them to ROAR!  
                                                              Roar - Katy Perry

Please take time to watch the following video.  It will make you smile....and think!

                                                                 Brave - Sara Bareillas

                                                                Shine - Newsboys

Have a great first few days back to school.  Enjoy getting to know your students and building relationships that foster a learning environment where our students can be BRAVE and learn to SHINE and feel confident enough to ROAR.  

Links worth checking out:

Why instilling a love of school should be your highest priority this year :  shared by @NMHS_PrincipalA

Back to School with Ipads : 5 steps for the first 5 days:  shared by @shannondegan

Videos for brain breaks, trasitions and indoor recess:  shared by @mattbgomez

6 ways to help kids become quality readers:  shared by @stevereifman

5 good Pinterest tools for teachers

Top 10 ways to turn your classroom into a hotbed of enthusiastic readers