A New Summer Brings New Adventures

Image found here.

The summer break has brought rain in abundance.  The smell in the air is wonderful and very much welcomed.  It brings on the encouragement of something new.  It suggests change.  It makes you want to get outside and enjoy life.  It is the spring weather I usually miss out on inside the walls of a classroom... so I truly am enjoying the cool, fresh, clean air as I breathe in and embark on summer adventures:

1.  Adventure #1- Extreme Sports: My husband has been encouraging me to participate in some of his favorite hobbies, which have allowed me to experience feeling like a kid again.  Driving a Toyota through a MUD BOG or riding in the back of a monster truck are thrilling moments everyone should experience at least once in their life.  The mud, dust, and minor bruises are completely worth it.  But there is nothing more exhilarating than riding a Drift Trike (oversized customized tricycle with PVC on the back tires) down a long hill at 30 MPH.  Definitely brought me back to my days, as a kid, riding my motorcycle though the mountain air... These adventures are surely just the start of an exciting summer!

2.  Adventure #2- Feet to the Pavement:  My daughter is now old enough and has the stamina to run with me.  Running/walking, listening to music and chatting is the perfect adventure to experience alongside her as we both mentally and emotionally prepare for her journey as a middle schooler. ;)

3.  Adventure #3- Grant Award:  Ann and I spent time recently planning for the expenditure of our technology grant, awarded to us at the end of May.  We wrote the grant over a year and a half ago, so the celebratory assembly was truly a surprise.  Planning for the "Multiage Minutes University" has been an inspiring process.  This will definitely be an adventure that helps us to enhance, and in some ways recreate, our learning environment.  

4.  Adventure #4- New MAC BOOK!!: Tonight has brought forth a big adventure... digging my way through a new device.  One that has been well worth the wait.  First came the iPhones, next an iPod for my daughter.  I was hooked.  An iFanatic!  Then my iPad followed (along with iPads in use in the classroom).  Now I am the proud owner of a Mac Book.  A perfect addition to the iFamily :)

5.  Adventure #5- GLAD Training:  I have wanted to experience GLAD Training for several years, and recently Ann and I were able to jump at the opportunity to commit to training this summer.  Many visitors/observers to our classroom have made comments assuming we are, so we definitely feel as though the GLAD strategies will fit our brain-based philosophy and style as teachers.  This adventure is sure to provide new inspiration as we move into the new school year, much like Arts Impact did for us this past year.

Adventures are not moments that are necessarily planned out, but should be welcomed with arms wide open.  You can never pinpoint what to expect exactly, but what fun would unfold if you could?  Embracing the change, chance and risk within each new adventure sparks growth to an exponential power.  The benefits may appear immediately or have a longterm affect; irregardless they are each worthy in their own way. Allow yourself a moment to be free and seek out the adventures that await you.

~Celina

Wow, April?

It is shocking and amazing to realize that we are well into April. The longer days, warmer weather and upcoming testing remind us that we are well into Spring! Our students are a bit more chatty and restless, yet we are also seeing the work we have done over the year expand the capabilities and processes within our classroom. 

We've been working on debating issues about the environment for this month's Passion Project. We've discussed endangered biomes, water use and even the #1 most endangered river the Colorado River. Students are backing up their opinions and assertions with evidence, seeking reliable websites for resources, and even discussing point of view and bias. What I love is they just get more thoughtful, excited and engaged. One student, who is traveling to Colorado this summer, told her dad all about the endangered Colorado river, which had him checking out the websites too.

At the same time, Celina's work with CCSS ELA has our kids doing close readings of songs, poems and informational excerpts on math concepts. Students are making connections back to culture, discrimination and personal acceptance. They are marking their texts with their thinking and wonderings. I love that when I come back to school after a meeting I am greeted by a student who is gleefully telling me about the Text Talk song they listened to! So much delight over connecting words, feelings, thoughts and ideas.

Today was our first day of the "testing season" with a measure of reading skills. Our students were so focused and on target, it was inspiring to me to see their determination and perseverance with this assessment. It reminds me of all the hard work they are capable of, renewing in me that sense of pushing through in my own goals and matching their drive!

Our theme this year is "Learning is Growing" and our students are certainly coming into their own as we wind down. It makes for an exciting time of year, there is much to celebrate!

Welcome Spring!  ~Ann
 

 

(The photo above is of a card my dad picked up for me this week at Trader Joe's (by Angela Duncan) to tell me that he and my mom are super proud of me! It was fitting that a line came up in the book I am reading called Point of No Retreat by Colleen Hoover that fits this card to a T --"Sometimes it feels good to have your biggest fears discounted with a simple compliment.")

#brainspins

Today kicked off one of the best forms of Professional Development I have ever experienced, thus resulting in major #brainspins. (Thank you, Google Hangout!)

My INSPIRATION List 2012

What an amazing year it had been! It seems as though it flew by ever so quickly, though... Anyone else have that feeling?

Maybe it's because it was jam packed with events, goals, moments to treasure, and endless reading. (I must take this moment to personally thank Apple for helping me truly organize my life at my fingertips! ...2012 was a year of getting to know all the potential in my devices!) Simply put, my iPad was FULL of books to pack everywhere I went. My iPhone Notepad was consistently crammed with goal lists & my Calendar was full of family events and professional meetings; both apps thankfully keeping me be responsible and focused through the busy weeks. My iPhone camera kept track of all the priceless moments, as I greatly enjoyed my inspirational journey through the year. And my extensive apps and music kept my mind challenged, relaxed, and entertained. :)

As I look back on the year and my own professional growth, I continue to be reminded of and inspired by Seth Godin's "Shipping List". When I consider my highlights of 2012, I think again of the moments that have given me the inspiration to keep up my momentum. And I ponder the professional successes that will carry over into 2012 as encouragement.

So... here is my 2nd annual INSPIRATION LIST:
- Beginning a successful 2nd year of our Multiage Pilot with Ann.
- Becoming a Whole Child Blogger for ASCD.
- Presenting with Ann at the WSASCD conference in Seattle.
(Empower Students: 5 Powerful Strategies)
- Introducing Brain Books to other educators
- Chatting with my PLN regarding inspiring educational ideas
(#21stedchat, #gtie, #5thchat, #4thchat, #gtchat)
- Connecting w/ like minded educators around the globe often
(@KLirenman, @cherylsteighner, @ktvee, @Kkht6912- Thank you for our frequent conversations!)
- Researching best practices amidst dynamic changes
- Facilitating local professional development opportunities
- Reading a variety of text to enhance my own personal growth
- Conversing, communicating, and collaborating with Ann
(I think we share a brain some days!)

Big things are on the horizon. I sense exciting moments, engaging conversations, thoughtful goals, and intense reflection around the corner in 2013. INSPIRE will send me into the new year, BELIEVE will be waiting to guide me on my 365 day journey. I can't wait...

~Celina

Thriving on Collaboration

Ann and I thrive on collaboration. Do you???

We could not imagine our daily work without the inspiration acquired from:

• Conversations on the fly
• Lunches with people who share moments of support and laughter
• Emails that make us think deeply, smile, and share jokes
• Recommendations for books, and conversations through book clubs
• Twitter #chats (#21stedchat, #5thchat, #4thchat, and #gtie chatters- we always enjoy the collaborative spirit!)
• Connections made with other educators
• Formal collaborations, meetings, and trainings driven by conversation and learner needs, not agendas ;)
• Blogs we follow, and comment conversations that lead to new ideas
• Conferences, emails, and conversations with parents
• Connecting with students, getting excited about books, concepts, themes, and laughs

As we approach the Thanksgiving Break, we just wanted to say THANK YOU to those who support us, celebrate with us, and encourage us to grow.  Your inspiration helps us to be courageous, but also humbles us in your presence, support, and conversations.  You matter.

~Celina and Ann

Intentional Inspiration in a Concrete Way

 How do we make Intentional Inspiration a reality in our classroom?  Read on:

1.        Engage- Find a meaningful way to reach your learners.  Identify colors, symbols, and a motto that supports the yearlong learning theme.  Allow this inspirational concept to reach learners from all avenues.  Use this theme to connect learners’ thinking and experiences across the content areas.  Infusing a foundational concept that motivates students to rise to the occasion will make an incredible difference and establish the tone within your learning community.

 For example, we have chosen to use trees as a metaphor for our students’ growth this year. We have decorated our classroom with blue, green, and brown tones to create a calm and homey feel. Our classroom motto of “Work Hard, Be Courageous, Celebrate Growth” is a direct link to our collective growth mindset. There is also a large banner on the wall outside our classroom that states: “Learning is Growing!” Working with this idea, as we each measure our own growth toward our personal goals this year, we will constantly make connections to our self as a seed planted into our classroom environment, being nurtured each and every day during the learning process. Our students are not only focused on their own personal achievement, but rather the entire forest of learners.

2.       Connect- Meet your students where they are.   Take the time to get to know each individual.  An understanding of their academic strengths and challenges should be balanced with a knowledge base regarding their personalities and interests.  Consider specific entry points that will capture their attention and allow them to make authentic personal connections to the classroom community’s learning theme.  Establish a daily routine with significant rituals that build camaraderie and celebrate the diversity within the Student Learning Community.

 Each morning we meet our students in the CC, the Community Center, of our classroom.  This is the space where students come together as learners to partake in daily rituals.  Each morning starts with a Brain Breakfast. As each child enters the CC and meets with their peers, they are focusing their brains on thinking critically and creatively with a prompt that varies from quotes to poems, to songs or pieces of art, but always links in some way to our process of learning, communication and infusion of information.  Here, students take time to reflect and connect to the prompt, then turn to discuss with a partner before sharing with the whole group. This ritual is so natural and welcoming to our students that they often suggest quotes and create art to inspire future Brain Breakfast prompts.  Each discussion allows the students the opportunity to share their creative thinking, to make connections to like and unlike concepts, and also to be heard, appreciated and supported by the community.

3.       Personalize- Allow the environment to rise up and greet your students each day.  This space should be their home away from home, truly providing a comfort in resources that will meet their personal needs.  A foundation should be established for the development of independence by way of individual goals.  Each child should have a personal map to guide them along the path of their learning journey.  Daily experiences should motivate them to celebrate their strengths and attack challenges.   Above all, your students should deeply feel and believe in your promise of providing them a personalized learning experience. 

Celina and I believe in a Students First approach, where the classroom goals and expectations are centered on meeting students where they are, providing what they need to move forward with success.  This means we have created a classroom that celebrates individual strengths and differences, which develops a disposition within our students of self-direction with their learning.  Students set goals around their own needs and access a variety of resources suited to their own learning style and level of understanding in order to build on their knowledge base. While goals may be similar between students, the ways in which they need to gain that information are entirely unique to each child. Large and lofty standards and essential questions are often posted to expand the sense of direction and possibility within our classroom, and to connect student learning to the larger purpose of collective understanding. Daily experiences within our classroom encourage students to share and relate to their peers, learning from them and teaching as necessary. Around our classroom displays of their artwork add color to our room, rather than commercial posters or pre-printed materials, so that students see they are valued.  They are the reason we are here!

4.       Empower-  Embed the 5 strategies of choice, reflection, self-assessment, students as teachers, and voice in all aspects our your daily routine.  Inspire students by allowing dependable rituals to exist, but ones in which their thinking is stretched and enlightened by engaging processes.  Provide unlimited opportunities for students to take charge of their own learning and design plans and activities that help them reach their own goals. 

Students must feel that they direct the learning process, which is essential to independence.  Celina and I guide rather than direct.  We know that the best learning comes from finding the information on one’s own, connecting to prior knowledge (which is different for each child) and being actively engaged from the beginning to the end.  By enabling our students to choose their resources, goals and learning path, they are empowered to "own" the learning. Routine reflection helps our students to learn from each other and be critical thinkers of their own process. Self-assessment keeps students accountable to their personal goals and active in their responsibility as a learner within our community. Students take a dynamic and engaged role when they have the chance to teach their peers and community members about what they are learning.  They use their voice in positive ways to expand the knowledge of others and to be recognized and included in the community. Lifelong learning is a process of empowerment, but the seeds of it start now with the learning experiences students experience when they are young.

5.       Believe-  Take a step back, genuinely let go, and believe.  They will ultimately rise to the occasion when they have been inspired to be themselves, and when a solid platform has been built to allow them to stand strong.  A real sense of trust develops when you have provided a variety of resources, and then you allow those options to be accessed with their own discretion during the learning process.  A huge part of trust is when students know you are there to catch them when they fall.  So step out of their way, but do so with your arms wide open. 

It is often said that high expectations provide top-notch results and elementary classrooms are no exception.  When children feel that their unique needs and styles are allowed and appreciated they can begin to find their own true voice and move forward with confidence.  This required Celina and I to step away from the traditional model of teaching we had used in the past.  No longer are we the fount of knowledge within our room.  We became the “active guides at the sides”, encouraging and cheering our students on to greater levels of trust within themselves as learners. Our classroom is often a busy hive of chatter as our students are continually communicating and challenging each other to grow. Students are thinking critically about what they are learning, their approaches to accessing information, and their direction in terms of the overarching standards and essential questions. They think creatively in ways to solve problems, connect their understanding and showcase what they know. They collaborate constantly, from teaching each other, working in groups, creating team projects or supporting each other in learning. 

 Intentional Inspiration is possible in all classrooms, and essential for the future of our students. Learning is not a passive activity but one of true engagement.  We do our students a disservice if we ignore or snuff out their genuine curiosity about themselves and their world.  Why work against the tide?  Why not create an environment that generates excitement, ownership, enthusiasm and ideas?  The world of their future will not need a herd of drones who can only recite but not think. Why not engage in students being teachers, reflecting, sharing their voice, assessing their own level of understanding and making choices about their learning?  Information in today's world is constantly evolving, and students must be adaptable, reflective and motivated to keep up with the everchanging world around them. Why not develop students who feel connected, valued, appreciated and heard?  Don't we want that for ourselves as well? Isn't that the true measure of community? Why not build confidence and self-direction, passion for learning and capacity for self-determination?  The students of today will experience a world we cannot begin to imagine and we fail them if we do not help them to be critical thinkers, reflective observers and active participants in gaining knowledge. Why not inspire them now?  ~Ann

 

 

 

 

Inspire the Whole Child

Establishing a thriving learning environment is instrumental in students obtaining personal success.  We must be strategic in how we develop our classroom communities at the beginning of a new school year.   The setting must support the whole child, adapting to the needs of the group as everyone settles in for the yearlong learning journey.    The environment must specifically be designed to support the health and safety of our students, strengthening the emotional well-being of each individual.  While providing an atmosphere that supports learning endeavors from every angle, students can be offered many opportunities to be truly engaged and challenged. 

But how do we guarantee that we WILL develop a solid foundation that supports the whole child?

I recommend intentional inspiration:

Opening Minds Chap. 1-3

July is half way through and I am reveling in the long days and hot temperatures that have me finding a quiet place to keep on reading.  This week I tackled chapters 1-3 of Opening Minds by Peter H. Johnston. This book has been on my “To Be Read Pile” for a couple of months, so the #cyberPD was just the prodding I needed.  I have to say though now that I have started this is a book that is not easy to put down.

My take-away thoughts:

·         Using “Already”: that one little word suggests that what a student knows has the potential to be ahead of what is being assessed, and at the same time establishes that there is “nothing permanent about what is known and not known.” (pg. 2)

·         Mistakes happen at the edge of what we can do, when we are learning! So helping students to be comfortable with accepting mistakes as part of the learning process is essential.

·         MINDSET keeps coming at me from so many different directions! (Carol Dweck’s book Mindset is waiting for me on my Kindle ap.) I was fascinated by the idea that fixed mindsets tend to choose performance goals and dynamic mindsets tend to choose learning goals.(pg. 12) 

·         Influence: as a teacher I can contribute to my students developing a dynamic mindset in the ways I use feedback and praise, the way I frame activities, and lastly in continuing to teach students about how the brain works. (pg. 18) While I work hard with the last one, the first two are definitely areas I can grow and improve.

·         The Power of “YET”: “I am not very good at my multiplication tables, YET!”  Helping students to understand that they can achieve it, that they can grow and learn. (pg. 27)

Next steps:

·         I feel like I want to list some phrases to refer to for easy access until I have them imprinted on my brain. 

·         I am going to add the charts on pages 17 and 23 to our work with growth and fixed mindsets with our students.  While last year Celina and I worked this into some groups we saw struggling with challenging themselves, this year I feel like it will be essential information for all of our learners.  I also want to talk to our class about what they think it means to be smart.

·         Spend more time focusing on causal processes (pg. 31) “Causal process comments are the most effective way of promoting the belief that the important information is how someone did (or could do) something, because that’s what we learn from.”  I am going to try this one out on my own kids this summer! (Action-based research!)

·         Ah, and now to blog hop the others reading this book and then on to chapters 4-6!

~ Ann

Reflective Again

Image found at Photobucket

Ann and I began our blog in November of 2011 as a way to be reflective about our practice and document our experiences as Multiage Teachers.  Within the first 2 months of the school year we were quickly inspired by the wisdom of our 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th graders as we embarked on our learning journey together.  They were thoughtful in their day to day work as we empowered them within our learning community.  As their insight unfolded we soon recognized how many incredible moments were passing us by undocumented, and thus Work Hard, Be Courageous, Celebrate Growth was born.

My Mother, My Teacher

Image found at Photobucket

In light of Mother’s Day falling at the end of Teacher Appreciation Week, I found myself reflecting on my own amazing mother through a different lens this year.  As I celebrate her in my mind, I think of all she has taught me over the years.  For many of us our mothers were our first teachers, and mine did a fabulous job preparing me for the world in which I have anchored myself within. 

Discovering Inspiration

Sometimes you hit a rough patch; a moment in time when everything seems off and out of place.  Sometimes you know why, other times you don’t.  Either way it can throw you…far.  Far away from your routine, your sensible state of mind, your happiness, and your future goals.  When this moment in time occurs it is hard to find your way back to the place you were once before when all was right in your world, on your path to your destiny.

Incredible Us

Image found here

As we returned to school yesterday from our spring break, we dove into our third and final theme:  SOAR.  Our students began the year working hard building their own unique STRUCTURE for learning and developing a plan of relevant personal goals.  In the winter, they were courageous as they began to BLOOM.  Students were excelling in their goals, and continued to raise the bar for themselves.  Now they are ready to celebrate their growth and SOAR.

Yesterday we began decorating our classroom with inspiration to encourage us all to SOAR.  They worked individually to decorate a star that represented their personal goals and aspirations for the remainder of the school year.  In teams they developed banners for the windows to inspire others in our school community to SOAR.  We reestablished routines and rituals to help us SOAR to success.  And above all, students reevaluated their personal goals to SOAR to new achievements. 

Today our school Social Worker and her amazing Intern came in and shared a beautiful story, “Incredible You”, written by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.  They share in our desire for students to believe they can SOAR to new heights and celebrate their amazing achievements.  The book explains 10 ways to let your greatness shine through, which was a perfect tie-in to our theme.  As I thought about each of these, I connected them with the overarching philosophies that Ann and I remind each other of daily; the words of wisdom we truly live by.

1.       Share the Good:  Attempt to inspire others, and seek out inspiration around us.

2.       Find What You Love:  Be passionate and never allow fear to guide us. 

3.       You are Filled with Love:  Extend our compassion and empathy to others.

4.       Find a Quiet Place Inside:  Be mindful and find ways to calm our thoughts to process clearly.

5.       Make Today Great:  Live in the moment and treasure the day we are standing in.

6.       Change Your Thoughts to Good:  Recognize the good and presume the best.

7.       Take Care of Yourself:  We must be healthy and happy to support others.

8.       Picture What You Want:  Honor our vision.

9.       Everyone is Special, Especially You:  Take time to celebrate ourselves and our students.

10.   Good Thoughts Give You Energy:  Thrive on positivity, novelty, and humor.

Ann and I model our Building Blocks to Success (Work Hard, Be Courageous, Celebrate Growth) for our students every day, and these 10 ways allowed me to reflect on how even as adults we must allow our greatness to shine through.  As we work hard, courage is necessary to help us celebrate our own personal growth.  We must soak up our moments of greatness and be careful to not minimize the work we have accomplished.  Every goal reached is a stepping stone on our personal journey, and valuing our own personal successes gives us the momentum to keep going through the ups and the downs. 

Ann and I attribute our incredibility to our students.  They inspire us often and give us the courage to keep going each and every day.  They help us believe.   Incredible Me… Incredible You… Incredible Us… 

~Celina

Sometimes We Need to Breathe

Everyone in my life who truly knows me for me would tell you I never slow down, but they also accept my drive and passion and resist their criticism. Infact they treasure me for me, as I feel their unconditional support. They know me well enough to know I love my daily work. They know me well enough to know I will prioritize appropriately. They know me well enough to know I will take a break when my body and mind requires it.

Spring Break has been that time for me, when life literally came to a screeching halt- it doesn't happen often, but giving in to the exhaustion allowed me a time of rejuvenation. A chance to breathe and let go negative energy and stress.

As I disconnected a bit to engage in a little personal therapy, I fell back on the things that inspire me: exercise, books, coffee, music, and sunshine. We all need "me-time" once in awhile, and all of these things helped me to breathe deep and gain perspective.

I downloaded new books to my NOOK and hibernated a bit. But I also loaded my iPhone with variety of new music, laced up my Nikes often, and soaked up every little bit of sunshine the Pacific Northwest has had to offer. I have been exercising daily again, which has brightened my spirit. And coffee has been warming my heart as usual- but enjoyably so.

My mind is clear, my soul is calm, and my heart is full of hope. I am ready to resume my routine and push forward towards my personal goals. My breath of fresh air has sent me on the persuit of inspiration again.
~Celina

And the Rockstar Award Goes to...

Photo via Photobucket

What a week!  I had a lot of so called “downtime” due to the circumstances at home, but seriously there was NO mental break.  I am ending the week actually more tired than most and I only made it to work 1.5 days out of 5.  So that is why my AMAZING, GENUINE, INSPIRATIONAL teaching partner is receiving the Rockstar Award!  Ann totally rocked the week:

·         She faced each day with resilience

·         She was calm in the face of unpredictability

·         She juggled 50 students, the needs of colleagues, and parent concerns with care

·         She welcomed 3 guest teachers into our classroom (2 of which had never subbed for us before)

·         She maintained her humor amidst the changes in routine

·         She attended 2 trainings, finding inspiration and courage

·         She assisted me in preparing for our first observation of several in the days to come

·         She put into practice a new routine to meet students social/emotional needs

·         She mentored our university student and a new teacher throughout the week

·         She mothered my daughter through the stress she was facing

·         She lesson planned on her own, creating engaging lessons and activities to meet students’ needs

…but most of all, with all of this on her plate she maintained her contact with me through texts, photos, emails, tweets, and phone conversations.  She kept me up to date, but also was a dear friend showing empathy for my personal situations. 

I am so very thankful...Everyone give her a shout out please!  She deserves it.

~Celina

Counting Blessings

A few days ago I posted regarding my busy calendar.  And then the very next morning some unforseen circumstances occured and I suddenly had a free calendar in order to deal with the situations that became priority.  I have now had a few days to think about, consider, and reflect upon the blessings surrounding me. 

Everyone is okay, that was the first blessing I could count.  Life just hit a rocky road with a cloudy future.  I am a very organized person, and luckily fairly flexible, however this giant jolt has made me pause faster than I usually do.  This bumpy path I am now on has allowed me to drive a bit slower and pay attention to what is directly in front of me.  The freeway driving has ceased for a bit as I detour to handle the situations at hand.   

I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so many strong, caring, resilient individuals.  They step in and take over, immediately reacting without question or request.  I could not find success without them by my side and will always treasure the relationships I have with them.  It is difficult to find honest, trustworthy people who lift you up with constant inspiration.  But I have truly been blessed, as I have several in my life.

So, in essence, I put a question out into cyberspace regarding how to handle the incredibly overflowing plate I had before me.  In return, I was provided with time to increase my energy level and focus on the moment.  The decision I made to clear my calendar would not have happened for my own personal needs, but as I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, I am slowly learning through the week why the universe provided me with extra time.  And so I am counting my blessings and I am thankful for the opportunity to gather my thoughts.

~Celina

Observation Brings Inspiration

Ann and I had the luxury of spending time in the classrooms of a few colleagues outside of our building. With our busy schedules and limited financial resources it is a challenge to get out and about. But today we found a way to make it happen and we jumped at the opportunity!

We made many connections today regarding the ways our teaching practices/programs are similar. We found the following key elements refreshing:

*meet students where they are
*think outside of the box
*offer choice
*use a project-based approach
*connect with parents often
*teach with variety
*allow for exploration
*enjoy every moment of your job
*build positive relationships
*smile, laugh, joke :)

We appreciated our time away, valuing an opportunity to pursue our own personal growth. Moments like these offer insight into new perspectives and promote potential growth in ourselves.

~Celina

Inspiring Process

Student-Led Conferencing is...

...an inspiring process.

...a celebration.

...smiles and laughter.

...honest reflection.

...sharing highlights and pride in learning.

...a time to spend with family.

...a special moment in time to shine.

...a way to express personal growth and future goals.

...the beautiful, colorful horizon after the perfect storm.

...inspiration.

~Celina

Keep it Positive

Have you had a week like mine?  One where you feel like you have packed so much into 5 days that it feels like 14?  I left my classroom yesterday afternoon so happy to have a 3-day weekend that it makes me feel bad in reflection: guilty even at looking forward to a break from the emotional drain of a long week and the endless bustling energy that comes from a classroom of 50 excited and busy learners.  After a quiet car ride home and a day off, I am reminded of my favorite line from Susan Scott in Fierce Conversations (2002), “Be responsible for your emotional wake.” It reminds me to keep my positive perspective, “to be responsible for the energy you bring into a space” (from one of Oprah’s last shows).  It was just what I needed, that chance to regroup and reflect on all the positives in my week. So after being reminded of that, I am bringing my TOP 5 positive moments:

Superpowers

Yesterday we began with a Brain Breakfast asking the questions:  Who is your Superhero?  What is your Superpower?  (As we were both, of course, dressed in our Wonder Woman tee-shirts…)  

Brain Breakfast

Our students last year helped us refine the way we began our morning routine.  As we were starting to feel our “Entry Task” becoming mundane, we were in search of a better way to establish our mornings.  Ann and I have spent a lot of time researching about the brain and how to teach so students will retain the information.  We absolutely knew we wanted to begin the day in an inviting, engaging way.  Thus, our students helped us in developing the Brain Breakfast.  We began implementing cognitive activities that would expand on the knowledge we were exploring, but also motivate our creative juices.