I work in a place where everyone seems stressed. My students will often talk about or show their stress during the course of the day. Now that I teach mostly seniors, the stress is added with such things as college essays, applications and the entire college process. Teachers are stressed with the changes that are put upon them without any input into them.
I have told my students that stress is good for you. The problem with stress is when you think it is your enemy. This weekend I have done a lot of research on stress and am going to do a seminar after school on "Making Stress your friend"
Hopefully in getting both teachers and students educated on stress will help both of these key players in the educational process more productive. Stress is really a true ally in our being productive.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Monday, November 23, 2015
Slay Economics
I have been reading a lot and thinking a lot about gaming. It always amazes me how much time students will spend on games while they could not imagine putting that same time into school work. What makes great gamers? They are creative in solutions to problems, they are resilient, gritty, and often in some games work well with others.
So can we start a new game called Slay economics. The goal of the game is up to each player to set for themselves. Once you set this goal the first thing you should do is find some allies. Do you have friends in economics class that will help you reach that goal. Some people who will give you positive feedback as you move toward the desired goal Allies are the type of people who will help explain concepts to you. Second identify the bad guys. These are the obstacles that prevent you from accomplishing your economics goals. Make sure your allies no of these bad guys so that they can help you overcome them. Third, we need some power packs. These are things we can go to when we are not feeling so good about economics. My suggestion is that you master two graphs, perfect competition and monopoly graphs. Become an expert in these graphs and on days that you are feeling bad about economics just draw these graphs and dazzle yourself with your economics skill. The power packs just help give you a positive lift when you are feeling better about the game.
If you are struggling with motivation about economics I suggest you start this game.
Okay, who is ready to play? Any suggestions from the gamers out their for our game?
So can we start a new game called Slay economics. The goal of the game is up to each player to set for themselves. Once you set this goal the first thing you should do is find some allies. Do you have friends in economics class that will help you reach that goal. Some people who will give you positive feedback as you move toward the desired goal Allies are the type of people who will help explain concepts to you. Second identify the bad guys. These are the obstacles that prevent you from accomplishing your economics goals. Make sure your allies no of these bad guys so that they can help you overcome them. Third, we need some power packs. These are things we can go to when we are not feeling so good about economics. My suggestion is that you master two graphs, perfect competition and monopoly graphs. Become an expert in these graphs and on days that you are feeling bad about economics just draw these graphs and dazzle yourself with your economics skill. The power packs just help give you a positive lift when you are feeling better about the game.
If you are struggling with motivation about economics I suggest you start this game.
Okay, who is ready to play? Any suggestions from the gamers out their for our game?
Saturday, November 21, 2015
grades
Our district is thinking about changing their grading system and there are so many rumors going around that it is hard to keep up with them. Here are some of the controversial points that are sure to bring teachers, parents or students screaming.
1. No grades for homework. Homework should be done to support knowledge but not used as proof of knowledge so students should not get a grade for it.
2. No zero's. Students lowest grade should be 50%.
3. Students should be allowed to retest if they do not do well on the original assessment. They might be given an alternative assessment than the original one. Meaning if the failed a multiple choice test that they can be given an oral presentation to substitute.
4. Students will be graded on their knowledge of each standard. Not really sure how that works but that theoretically you can not continue forward for new knowledge until you show mastery knowledge of the previous standards.
5. Class room work can be collected but not used as a grade. Students would then more likely read the teachers feedback without worrying about the grades.
6. No extra credit for bringing in tissues going to the school play etc.
So what do you think of these ideas. I would love your feedback and try to pass it along to the powers that be. Secondly what might you change in the grading system.
1. No grades for homework. Homework should be done to support knowledge but not used as proof of knowledge so students should not get a grade for it.
2. No zero's. Students lowest grade should be 50%.
3. Students should be allowed to retest if they do not do well on the original assessment. They might be given an alternative assessment than the original one. Meaning if the failed a multiple choice test that they can be given an oral presentation to substitute.
4. Students will be graded on their knowledge of each standard. Not really sure how that works but that theoretically you can not continue forward for new knowledge until you show mastery knowledge of the previous standards.
5. Class room work can be collected but not used as a grade. Students would then more likely read the teachers feedback without worrying about the grades.
6. No extra credit for bringing in tissues going to the school play etc.
So what do you think of these ideas. I would love your feedback and try to pass it along to the powers that be. Secondly what might you change in the grading system.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Mental well being
Today I collected to me both my favorite assignment as well as the most important assignment. My students handed in their gratitude visit. In one of my classes a student asked me did any of this years assignments bring tears to my eyes which brought up a rant by me about the importance of mental well being in our school house.
If the goal for school is to prepare you for the world after high school, should we not be giving you the tools to make you a happy person. It would seem to me that being happy is more important than being smart. Yet, you never hear our leaders talking about making our students better men or women but rather much more about increasing test scores. One of the things that always impresses me as a parent about the private school sales pitch is their concern about making my children better people which is important to me.
When I reflect back on notes I get from students who have went on to the next level, what they really enjoyed three good things or gratitude assignments. The chance to reflect on the prior day or the chance to reflect on people who have really made a difference in our life. Whenever I read these assignments many of them start with I do not often express my emotions. My question is why not? One of my favorite psychologist told me, "that the most reflective people need to reflect more" That reflection is a great way to make a successful journey.
When I listen to the talk in the hallways, you can constantly hear students complaining about teachers, other students, and parents. Rarely if ever do you hear "wow, my mom is an amazing women, or man that teacher realty cares about me"
It has been shown that great organizations have four positives (at least) to every negative. Imagine the type of creative and intellectual energy we could generate in our building if we were more positive about the things that are good. Not phony positive but truly focused on the good things that are going on.
I am blessed to teach so many students who I know will make the world a better place. Never before have I learned more from students than I have this year. Each day I am amazed by their generosity of their time to make our school and their friends the best that they can be.
So what do you think, do we as teachers get caught too much on our curriculum that we often miss the more important message?
If the goal for school is to prepare you for the world after high school, should we not be giving you the tools to make you a happy person. It would seem to me that being happy is more important than being smart. Yet, you never hear our leaders talking about making our students better men or women but rather much more about increasing test scores. One of the things that always impresses me as a parent about the private school sales pitch is their concern about making my children better people which is important to me.
When I reflect back on notes I get from students who have went on to the next level, what they really enjoyed three good things or gratitude assignments. The chance to reflect on the prior day or the chance to reflect on people who have really made a difference in our life. Whenever I read these assignments many of them start with I do not often express my emotions. My question is why not? One of my favorite psychologist told me, "that the most reflective people need to reflect more" That reflection is a great way to make a successful journey.
When I listen to the talk in the hallways, you can constantly hear students complaining about teachers, other students, and parents. Rarely if ever do you hear "wow, my mom is an amazing women, or man that teacher realty cares about me"
It has been shown that great organizations have four positives (at least) to every negative. Imagine the type of creative and intellectual energy we could generate in our building if we were more positive about the things that are good. Not phony positive but truly focused on the good things that are going on.
I am blessed to teach so many students who I know will make the world a better place. Never before have I learned more from students than I have this year. Each day I am amazed by their generosity of their time to make our school and their friends the best that they can be.
So what do you think, do we as teachers get caught too much on our curriculum that we often miss the more important message?
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Nuggets from Buck
I often kid people that I am voting for Buck for President because if he can fix the Orioles he certainly can fix the nation. I had the opportunity to hear Buck speak last night and he did not disappoint me.
He started the talk discussing how his father taught him to stand up for what is right. That as a principal of a school in the south his father supported desegregation at a time that this was an unpopular stance. People told Buck's dad that he would never run a school again if he took that stance but that did not deter him. Instead one Sunday he brought his whole family to a black church. Buck talked about having chills go down his spine as he walked to the pew because he was so proud of his dad. That his father walked the talk really made an impression on his young son.
He asks himself at the end of each day did he treat people right. He often wonders did he give people the right amount of time or did he seem rushed when he talked with them. You really get the impression that being a good person is extremely important to him.
He talked about the disease of me. People who are just so centered upon themselves that they do not think about others. One of the things he thinks about when putting a team together is getting people that actually enjoy helping each other. Players who wants the new players to have it easier than they did, who help teach them the tricks of the trade so to speak. When I think of students who have really impressed me over the years it is not the smart students which we have plenty of, but those who go out of their way to help others.
He then hit home on something that I think teachers often forget. He talked about how managers forget quickly how hard it is to play the game at a high level for 162 times a year. That once you become a manager you often forget the grind that the season is. I think that happens often to teachers, we often forget how hard it is to be prepared every day. How hard it is to focus every class and balance your school work, extra activities and life. This was a great reminder to me.
Then he asked another question that he asks himself each day. What did you bring today? I think a great question for both teachers and students alike to ask? What did I bring today that helped make our class, school or someone better. As he said, there is a lot of accountability to that statement.
He then talked about how you find out your true character when you face adversity. Do you buckle to the pressure and cut corners. When he scouts players he does not watch what they do when they are on the field but rather tries to watch what they do when the players do not think anyone is watching. To me I always hope that students would not cheat even if I left the room.
Any thoughts or comments of course are always appreciated.
He started the talk discussing how his father taught him to stand up for what is right. That as a principal of a school in the south his father supported desegregation at a time that this was an unpopular stance. People told Buck's dad that he would never run a school again if he took that stance but that did not deter him. Instead one Sunday he brought his whole family to a black church. Buck talked about having chills go down his spine as he walked to the pew because he was so proud of his dad. That his father walked the talk really made an impression on his young son.
He asks himself at the end of each day did he treat people right. He often wonders did he give people the right amount of time or did he seem rushed when he talked with them. You really get the impression that being a good person is extremely important to him.
He talked about the disease of me. People who are just so centered upon themselves that they do not think about others. One of the things he thinks about when putting a team together is getting people that actually enjoy helping each other. Players who wants the new players to have it easier than they did, who help teach them the tricks of the trade so to speak. When I think of students who have really impressed me over the years it is not the smart students which we have plenty of, but those who go out of their way to help others.
He then hit home on something that I think teachers often forget. He talked about how managers forget quickly how hard it is to play the game at a high level for 162 times a year. That once you become a manager you often forget the grind that the season is. I think that happens often to teachers, we often forget how hard it is to be prepared every day. How hard it is to focus every class and balance your school work, extra activities and life. This was a great reminder to me.
Then he asked another question that he asks himself each day. What did you bring today? I think a great question for both teachers and students alike to ask? What did I bring today that helped make our class, school or someone better. As he said, there is a lot of accountability to that statement.
He then talked about how you find out your true character when you face adversity. Do you buckle to the pressure and cut corners. When he scouts players he does not watch what they do when they are on the field but rather tries to watch what they do when the players do not think anyone is watching. To me I always hope that students would not cheat even if I left the room.
Any thoughts or comments of course are always appreciated.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
are we ready?
I was just going over some quiz surveys in which I noticed that many students did not feel prepared for the quiz. What was surprising is that many of them had put in hours of work and some of them actually did well on the quiz. Which prompted me to think are they really not prepared or do they lack confidence. So some thoughts on how to get rid of those nagging self doubt issues.
1. Do not compare yourself to others. It is a losing battle as you can continue to find people that might appear better than you. It amazes me how many students tell me that they did not do well on their SAT's. Usually when I hear there actual score it is quite impressive, would probably get them into the college they would like to attend but might not hold up against a couple of their friends. Let it go and just compare yourself to yourself not to others.
2. Have a growth mindset, see quizzes, tests etc. as just temporary assessments telling you where you are at the moment. Do not worry about the grade as much as what you can learn from the assessment and how that will help you move forward. Remember if you are struggling, working hard you are growing your economic brain muscle (in my class, different muscles in different classes). See it as an opportunity to learn.
3. Know that you belong. Often students wonder do I belong in this college? Do I belong in this class? 99% of the time the answer is yes. To get into the class your teachers recommended you, counselors sign off on it and you yourself registered for it. It is highly unusual that all three of these parties made a mistake. There are many students who failed the first test, first quiz and first quarter but still crushed the course as a whole.
4. Set goals within your reach. You should not set a goal for an A on the next quarter if you failed the first quarter. Set a goal that will make you happy and that will show that you improved over a period of time. Think of the obstacles that have faced you and how you can overcome them. I usually set three sets of goals. My stretch goal which would be it was an exceptional year, another goal for a good year, and then a third goal which if I did not achieve would mean I really have to rethink what I am doing.
5. Self reflect. Ask yourselves each day did you do your best to engage in the class? Did you do your best to focus on the homework? Have I tried different strategies to make myself successful? If you keep reflecting on your own performance you will improve.
Coming into any exam thinking you are prepared is a huge advantage so try to get into that mindset. You should come into the exam thinking I can teach this material and it is probably a good exercise to stand before a mirror and attempt to teach it. Develop a list of questions that students might ask and make sure you can answer it.
Just some thoughts that entered my mind while I read my students reflections. As always love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this subject.
1. Do not compare yourself to others. It is a losing battle as you can continue to find people that might appear better than you. It amazes me how many students tell me that they did not do well on their SAT's. Usually when I hear there actual score it is quite impressive, would probably get them into the college they would like to attend but might not hold up against a couple of their friends. Let it go and just compare yourself to yourself not to others.
2. Have a growth mindset, see quizzes, tests etc. as just temporary assessments telling you where you are at the moment. Do not worry about the grade as much as what you can learn from the assessment and how that will help you move forward. Remember if you are struggling, working hard you are growing your economic brain muscle (in my class, different muscles in different classes). See it as an opportunity to learn.
3. Know that you belong. Often students wonder do I belong in this college? Do I belong in this class? 99% of the time the answer is yes. To get into the class your teachers recommended you, counselors sign off on it and you yourself registered for it. It is highly unusual that all three of these parties made a mistake. There are many students who failed the first test, first quiz and first quarter but still crushed the course as a whole.
4. Set goals within your reach. You should not set a goal for an A on the next quarter if you failed the first quarter. Set a goal that will make you happy and that will show that you improved over a period of time. Think of the obstacles that have faced you and how you can overcome them. I usually set three sets of goals. My stretch goal which would be it was an exceptional year, another goal for a good year, and then a third goal which if I did not achieve would mean I really have to rethink what I am doing.
5. Self reflect. Ask yourselves each day did you do your best to engage in the class? Did you do your best to focus on the homework? Have I tried different strategies to make myself successful? If you keep reflecting on your own performance you will improve.
Coming into any exam thinking you are prepared is a huge advantage so try to get into that mindset. You should come into the exam thinking I can teach this material and it is probably a good exercise to stand before a mirror and attempt to teach it. Develop a list of questions that students might ask and make sure you can answer it.
Just some thoughts that entered my mind while I read my students reflections. As always love to hear your thoughts and feedback on this subject.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Why
I am asked this question often so I should have a quick reply by now but I do not. Today a friend of mine asked me "why do you still teach" I wonder does anyone ask doctors why they still do their job but I am asked this at least once a month. What is somewhat disturbing is that I am asked this by my colleagues.
Anyhow the first thing that always pops into my mind is because I love it. At this time in my life their is not another job that I would want rather than teaching. I have had a chance to be department chair fairly often in the past, offered teacher mentor program but none of these really motivate me more than being a teacher.
Why, because when I think of teaching a rush of students names go through my head. When Clinton won his first presidential election the theme was "It is about economy stupid" I find it the same way about education, It is about students stupid.
Now sometimes they (anyone above a teacher) might make working with students harder but the truth is that no matter who I have worked for in education it has not hindered me from helping students learn and achieve. There is nothing more rewarding than see the lightbulb go off in a students brain and to know they get it. Watching kids who swore to me that they could not compete with this top students now competing and often beating some of the top. Watching a kid who I was told would not graduate enter an AP class and be successful. Watching students succeed is like a drug to me and it is highly addictive.
The last few years I have come to realize that mental health is much more important than academic well being. Three good things and the gratitude visit are all part of that mental well being. Again hearing from past students that they still do three good things, or that they have written gratitude visits on their own make me feel that you can make a difference. It inspires me to try to become a better teacher so that I can help more people feel this way.
The challenge is great since no two classes are alike as well as no two students. So to try to get the most out of everyone is a challenge that keeps me up at night and allows me to wake up early. I know many of my friends earn more money than I do but most of them dread going to work. I actual love going to work.
Like any job, this job has its down days. When that happens I try to talk with students. They are the ones that pick up my spirit. I have been lucky to teach amazing students who wake up early to attend reviews, study with me during their lunch and often stay after school. The other day I was working with one student, then another joined us, then a third and finally a fourth. It was just an impromptu meeting but it was great watching some of our schools brightest students working at mastering the material.
So after my rant my friend just looked at me and said, "that is what I thought you would say" Feel free to comment or leave any thoughts to the blog.
Anyhow the first thing that always pops into my mind is because I love it. At this time in my life their is not another job that I would want rather than teaching. I have had a chance to be department chair fairly often in the past, offered teacher mentor program but none of these really motivate me more than being a teacher.
Why, because when I think of teaching a rush of students names go through my head. When Clinton won his first presidential election the theme was "It is about economy stupid" I find it the same way about education, It is about students stupid.
Now sometimes they (anyone above a teacher) might make working with students harder but the truth is that no matter who I have worked for in education it has not hindered me from helping students learn and achieve. There is nothing more rewarding than see the lightbulb go off in a students brain and to know they get it. Watching kids who swore to me that they could not compete with this top students now competing and often beating some of the top. Watching a kid who I was told would not graduate enter an AP class and be successful. Watching students succeed is like a drug to me and it is highly addictive.
The last few years I have come to realize that mental health is much more important than academic well being. Three good things and the gratitude visit are all part of that mental well being. Again hearing from past students that they still do three good things, or that they have written gratitude visits on their own make me feel that you can make a difference. It inspires me to try to become a better teacher so that I can help more people feel this way.
The challenge is great since no two classes are alike as well as no two students. So to try to get the most out of everyone is a challenge that keeps me up at night and allows me to wake up early. I know many of my friends earn more money than I do but most of them dread going to work. I actual love going to work.
Like any job, this job has its down days. When that happens I try to talk with students. They are the ones that pick up my spirit. I have been lucky to teach amazing students who wake up early to attend reviews, study with me during their lunch and often stay after school. The other day I was working with one student, then another joined us, then a third and finally a fourth. It was just an impromptu meeting but it was great watching some of our schools brightest students working at mastering the material.
So after my rant my friend just looked at me and said, "that is what I thought you would say" Feel free to comment or leave any thoughts to the blog.
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