What every teacher ought to do... before it is too late

They've already decided. The decision is made. If someone is in danger, they'll be there. They'll put out the fire. Whether it is the kind of fire that crackles in flame or in the heated sparks of human emotion, it is their job. 9/11 or not, they're always where things run hot.

Once a week in the fall when my son steps out on the football field, I worry if he'll be OK as he plays the game.

An Every Day Worry

Every day of every year of every season, the loved ones of firefighters and first responders wonder if they'll come home that night.

Does anyone understand?

Do any of us really understand what it would be like to live life like that? Do we have a clue?

Even more, do we even say thank you?

Not the generic 'thank you for all you do" but the more powerful:

• Thank you for your service.
• Thank you for keeping us safe.
• Thank you for responding even when it is scary or hard or upsetting.

There are public servants everywhere but few are paid as little and expected to do so much.

The Surprising truth about the offices of first responders

Yesterday as my students delivered and set up an appreciation for local law enforcement, they were met with gratitude. In two separate places they were told:

"People don't really want to come down here for good things, it is always the tough things we deal with."

What every teacher ought to do at least once this year...

Many of you have been sharing on Twitter how you've had students create cards and do things to say "thank you." Wherever you live, whoever you are, if you teach - make sure you've scheduled one day and one activity this year to thank these heroes of our community.

Too often we feel gratitude when their ears are cold and crisp uniforms are donned to lie in rest.

I have one fine police officer in mind who gave his life in pursuit of a thief and was fatally shot.

Did anyone ever come by before he died and say thank you? Did he feel the gratitude of a grateful community?

Even more, did I say "thank you for your service?" I saw him the week before it happened and I know I didn't. I'm guilty. I didn't tell him thank you, even when he came in his dress blues to pick up his son from school. I knew he had a hard job working a tough part of town and I didn't say thank you.

I can't go back -- but in his honor, I can say - never again. I will be grateful and lead students to be also. In his honor, I can ask all of you to do the same.

We best honor our fallen heroes by thanking their living brothers and sisters who carry on in the hard work at hand. You can do nothing about 9/11 and the heroes but use your sadness to inspire gratitude for the living.

Gratitude can be taught and encouraged

In such a high burnout, low paying, highly emotional profession (sounds like teaching doesn't it?) - we should show our gratitude and inspire it in our students.

In the US, September 21 is "National Thank a Police Officer Day" - while you shouldn't need an excuse - if 9/11 isn't enough then let that be your excuse.

Whatever your country, you have people keeping you safe. Thank them. They deserve it.

Thank You Hymn

There are heroes among us serving every day in a quiet way.

But if trouble is there, they are too, any time we ask - there's the blue

If the worst happens and there's a fire - the thin red line will attack the pire

Let's not wait to give their due, let's say thanks from me and you.

Make a date to appreciate

Will you get out your planner right now and plan something?

And remember - gratitude is something we all impart. Whether it is being thankful for those in the community who serve or the lunchroom staff or janitors, or front office or teachers or parents or grandparents - being grateful for what is done for us daily is something we should impart to this generation. (We should be grateful for these precious children, they are a gift to our lives and our future.)

Maybe some feel this generation are ungrateful because we're not teaching and fostering an environment of gratitude.

Thank you to all the heroes among us, but as I continue to ponder in the afterglow of 9/11, I'm thankful because I know that there are many men and women here in Mitchell County and beyond who step in and do a hard job any time duty calls.

Remember your noble calling, teacher. Whether or not this generation will be grateful is largely up to us.

 

This post is written in honor of Lieutenant Cliff Rouse, a local hero who raised a fine young man to carry his name and died too soon. May this world show your profession the gratitude it deserves.

 

Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad

Read More

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/10/2013

• Wolfram Technology for STEM Education: Virtual Conference for Education 2013

  This September 17, Wolfram Alpha has a Virtual Learning Education Conference. I suggest that math teachers everywhere should take advantage of this free conference. They have 2 tracks - one where you learn how to use their technologies in the classroom and the other is emerging methods of using it in STEM education. All of this is online and free.

  tags: education math news wolfram alpha teachers

• Sparkup – The Magical Book Reader

  What a cute idea. Is Grandma or Uncle far away? You can record reading them a book and they can hear your voice as they read the book. This is very cool. What a treasure.

  tags: education news app reading literacy

• Dislecksia: The Movie | A Film by Harvey Hubbell V #spedchat

  A new movie is coming out on OCtober 4 that is a documentary seeking to counter popular misconceptions about Dyslexia. With Dyslexic celebrities like Billy Bob Thornton, Richard Branson and others Barbara Corcoran, and Sir Richard Branson along with Dyslexic director Harvey Hubbel. For special ed teachers and parents, you'll want to keep up with this and help debunk common myths. As a Mom of a dyslexic myself, I want to help people realize that many with this become very successful.

  tags: education dyslexia news movies spedchat tumblr

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Read More

Key tips to get along with angry colleagues

I sit here at 7:11 watching Shadow and Krispy, the cats, eye each other in a circle wondering who will attack first. Oops. There they go. Krispy delivers a paw to the chest and Shadow lands a clean blow on the head. Now they are taking a moment to lick and they'll be back at it before the clock clicks another minute.

I wonder why they fight. Shadow was saved from the jaws of four of the dogs at the farm almost a year a go. I'm not sure why people put unloved, unwanted pets out at Aunt Nan's house because she has some pretty scary looking dogs out there.

Shadow just looks innocent laying here in my arms one night. He's always ready to start a fight. ;-)

We couldn't resist. Shadow was a baby kitten and had no where to go and we know that Boots and Krispy are getting on up there in age. We bought them home on Easter weekend when my son who is at college was 8 or 9. So, although they look great, I guess these cats are getting on up there. Maybe even as old as me. I turned 44 this year.

I always accuse Krispy of being "sorry." He does little but sleep. But he's been part of our family a long time and even though he's not so smart, we do care about him.

I'm not one of those women who is ashamed of her age. Maybe I should be. My students don't really know how old I am - maybe it is because I'm a bit out there. I feel 18 most of the time except when I kneel beside them on my left knee and feel it crack.

Shadow is lucky but Shadow is the new cat on the block competing for the same cushion and the favorite place on Kip's lap. Yet, here I am watching Shadow and Krispy and I wonder why they will always fight.

I'll tell you why they always fight. They fight because Shadow starts it. Every single time.

Now. You might be a catologist and know all about why cats really fight, but go with me here.

There are many colleagues like Shadow. Innocent when the boss man is around but causing trouble as soon as his back is turned. We need to have a peace environment for the sake of the children.

There are some animals who fight as a way of life. There are also some humans who do it too. A good rick rolling temper-flaring red-seeing fight is what they do. They are like Shadow, always circling someone ready to pounce. Some for entertainment and others because they saw it at home and a thousand other reasons that psychologists will lecture you about. Why people fight is not a simple thing.

Just don't let this be you. You can' do anything about the other guy but you can control yourself.

Don't let it be in front of students.I hate it when adults tie up in front of kids. Whether it is a parent jumping on a teacher (which is not ever a good thing) or two teachers disagreeing - it should go outside or away.

Kids are very black and white. I "like you" or I "don't like you." How many times do they come up to you and say "so and so isn't my friend any more."

 

They don't understand how adults can have a heated professional disagreement over a subject at work yet still enjoy eating lunch together. It isn't in what they do.

Avoid them if you can. I've just learned that some people are like Shadow and they are best avoided. I don't know why Slingshot Sally or Buckshot Bill are always armed and ready to go but you don't have to engage them. You don't have to ruin your day and take them on.

Learn to be wise when dealing with difficult people. It is frustrating that certain people can be so tough to deal with but there are reasons. Early in my career I listened to a tape series "Dealing with difficult people" and the cover of the book had two people shaking hands. One of the person's hands were green and barbed like the skin of a cactus.

The day shadow joined us (shown here on my leg) we had no idea we were adopting such a firecracker. He picks on the other cats relentlessly. There are some in schools who do this too.

This is a great picture for me because it reminds me that some people are just naturally difficult to shake hands with. If I want to be the person who enjoys this life, if I can learn to be firm but kind. If I can be wise about how I use my voice (Did you know if you lower your voice and make it quieter as you pause, that you can deescalate a conversation?)

Treat it like a game. I admit, I've done this before. I've seen how many days in a row I can go getting along with certain people. Realize that "getting along" and "giving in" are two different things. You have to stand up and be professional. I've just found that I have to realize my part in the whole matter. It doesn't escalate unless I let it escalate. I even cut a deal with my husband "If I don't tie up with so and so all week - I get a prize." Sounds silly but it works and lowers my blood pressure.

 

Because we love kids we want them to have a good learning environment, not a toxic one.

 

Stand up when it is necessary. If you're ALWAYS arguing with a difficult person, they won't ever know when it is little stuff or big stuff. There are times you will need to get angry. Some angry people are bullies. Sadly, I've found that many bullies only understand one thing: someone standing up to them in the way they are accustomed. There are times -- not as many as you might think -- when you need to stand up. When you need to stick up for yourself or something is going to be done in a way that isn't good for a child. I hate losing my temper and do it rarely but there are times to go in a private place and deal with it.

 

Make sure it isn't you. It is also important to evaluate the circumstance. I give it the spouse test. If there is someone at work I'm always going home and mentioning to Kip - and he knows I'm struggling - then I have a problem. I ask myself if that person is "tying up" with other people. If they are known to be argumentative, then I relax and start working on strategies to get along. If they don't argue with many people but do with me -- then it is time to look at my own actions and behaviors. What am I doing to cause this?

Power and personality differences are often two components in this. Some even have triggers because someone reminds them of someone else. Sad but true.

Why is keeping the peace so important?

We aren't a Fortune 500 business. We aren't Wall Street or the Capitol Building or a back street. We work in schools. We work with tomorrow's leaders.

Sometimes kids don't hear what we say because our actions are yelling too loud.

Think of their circumstances. Every year they are thrown together with 30 people they don't know. Hopefully there are a few they love but there are always kids they can't stand. They can't leave. They can't ask for a transfer (not usually.) They have no say over whether they'll be at that school or in that class. Absolutely none at all. They have to get along.

All these kids have is a budding psyche that is just learning to get along with others and the examples they see every day. They are watching us. How do we get along? How do we argue? Is our school a good place to be? Do people smile at each other? Do they ever laugh? Do some teachers enjoy being together? Do we have interests outside school?

Toxic environment, Toxic school

When the environment is toxic, people know it but more importantly the kids know it. Sadly, they know it.

When times get tough, many people struggle with staying positive. This spills over into work relationships and into family. We have among us some great people who might just be dealing with a raw deal.

But we have among us an opportunity. I'm going to tell you what many of you tell the kids: "Why can't we just all get along?"

The rule at our school is if kids get in a fight - they both go to the office. We can't have kids fighting in schools.

Yet in some schools (so I hear) disagreements between colleagues, administration, and even parents and teachers is pretty toxic. We have a double standard. Kids fight and go to the office but two colleagues disagree publicly and often the principal is the last to know. Some principals even make the mistake of passing judgement before they hear both sides in adult arguments when they would never do so with kids.

If your school or your building is toxic due to one or more people, I'm just asking you - for the love of kids - take steps to deal with the problem. Many relationships are not as simple as the advice I've given here. Toxic environments are bad for everyone. Toxic often starts at the top. If more school boards and administrators and teachers would realize that it is all about relationships then many schools would be better off.

When school boards argue and force people to take sides on nonessential issues, it is not good for the school system. Some issues are important to take sides on but we need to realize that we should all be on the same side when it comes to the school itself. There are times to make decisions and move forward. It is always time to stand together and get along for the good of the school and the kids.

If there is an adult who can't hold his or her temper and is always spouting off at people - perhaps that person is in a job ill suited to their temperament.

My Aunt Chandra answered phones at the local public high school for more than 30 years - she never gets angry at anyone. She was a gift to that school because she was a soft first hello for anyone who called. They missed her when she left. When I was a manager in the business world, I made sure that the first voice people heard was pleasant, helpful, and informed -- it prevented having people yell at me as they traveled up the line. Just a kind, warm person greeting callers makes a huge difference.

Let's love the kids. Let's think of them. Let's do what it takes to work together and get along - the future is counting on us. Not all schools have these problems but enough do that it is worth writing about. These are tough times for schools, teachers, and administrators but we have to cope how we can deal with tough issues without being tough hearted and argumentative. We have to be functional in how we disagree and to understand that when we're struggling to get along that it is often signs of deeper issues that need to be handled.

OK, the cats are asleep and it is time to clean the kitchen. I guess even fussy kitties get tired sometimes.

 

Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad

Read More

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/05/2013

• Start a New Habit with Chains.cc

  Building habits takes time. There are apps like "Don't break the chain" and "lift" but this new one mentioned by ProfHacker called "chains" is worth a look just because it is so visual - you could use this to build habits in your classroom as well.

  tags: news habits productivity

• Common Core Math: Best Resources for High School Educators

  Common Core high school math resources from Edutopia.

  tags: common core math news education

• Try Azendoo to Organize Group Projects

  Richard Byrne recommends using Azendoo to organize group projects. While I use Trello, I do recommend finding something to help you manage #geniushour if you're going to take that approach in your classroom - Azendoo may just work.

  tags: news geniushour pbl apps

• Common Core in Action: Math in the Middle School Classroom

  Looks like some great resources for Common Core middle school math teachers on the Edutopia website.

  tags: news math edutopia common core

• Skype for Windows Phone 8 now supports video messaging

  If Mystery Skypes are too hard to set up - TRY THIS! The new skype lets you leave Video MESSAGES. So you can Mystery Skype in a whole new way. This is GREAT news and takes much of the complexity out of setting up a mystery skype. While synchronous skyping is always great, if it isn't possible, this works.

  tags: news education skype mystery skype tumblr

• Resources: Lesson plans – Google Apps for Education

  Lots of free lesson plans by some reputable teachers using Google products. These are on the Google website and looks like many fellow Google Certified Teachers have prepared the plans. Awesome! Pass it along.

  tags: news lesson plans google tumblr education

• MyOpenID To Shut Down In February

  If you use the MyOpenId service on your website or for anything, they've announced that they will stop the service on February 1, 2014. So many are starting to use Google sign in or Facebook that myOpenId may not be the problem it would have been several years back, but it is worth a mention.

  tags: news

• Langwitches Blog | The Magic of Learning

  Will you help Silvia Tolisano's students by letting them know what screencasts you want them to record? Thank you for taking a moment. This is a great project she's doing for these 6th graders. She does such a wonderful job of helping students develop an authentic audience.

  tags: education news authentic audience flatclass edtech pbl digital storytelling bestpractices all_teachers

• DLN - Webcast | NASA

  If you want to take the NASA Challenge - they are scheduling a webcast that will explain more about the challenge and how to do the radiation activity on October 18th, 2013 starting at 3:00 pm CT. This is the channel where it can be seen, so mark your calendars now and plan to see it.

  tags: education news science nasa

• Central Nervous System-emaze-amazing presentations in minutes

  Here's a sample presentation from eMaze. If you look at it, you'll see elements of Prezi and Haiku deck. These simple presentation makers add variety. I prefer to have multiple types of presentation programs to keep our work fresh and interesting.

  tags: education news

• Exploration Design Challenge | NASA

  All students and educators participating in the challeng will have their name flown on the Exploration Flight Test-I mission as a member of the virtual crew. This mission will be unmanned and will launch in late 2014. So, kids can be a "virtual explorer." There are 4 challenges, age appropriate, to help design protective radiation protection for astronauts. We need to get students interest in space travel for a variety of reasons. This is a lovely real world project for students to join or could be a project for one of your #geniushour teams. "The goal of the Exploration Design Challenge is for students to research and design ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. NASA and Lockheed Martin are developing the Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and on to an asteroid or Mars. Protecting astronauts from radiation on these distant travels is an important -- and very real -- problem that needs solving. NASA would like your help!"

  tags: education news tumblr science techintegrator projects

• coolcatteacher - Skype in the classroom

  If you have older kids and want to Mystery Skype - I'd like to start setting some up - tweet me through this Skype profile or via Twitter. I have students at a variety of times -- 5 classes. ;-) Join in and find others!!!! This is for you. Set a goal of how many mystery skype's you'd like to do in your classes. I'd like to do once a month eventually but for now, if I can just get for each class, I'm going to take it from there.

  tags: education news Skype

• #MysterySkype - Skype in the classroom

  You can now plan a Mystery Skype by registering on Skype. They've got information on how to do it and a system to help you pair with classes your age. I'm all in this!

  tags: education news flatclass skype mysteryskype

• Mystery Skype hasthtag on Twitter

  If you want to Mystery Skype, the hashtag on Twitter is #mysteryskype. There's also a new place on Skype for this as well.

  tags: education news flatclass

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Read More

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/04/2013

• Free Technology for Teachers: A Teacher's Guide to Classroom Backchannels & Informal Assessment Tools

  An ebook about classroom backchannels from Richard Byrne.

  tags: education news backchannel

• How to Make a Class Backchannel | Democratizing Knowledge

  Mike Gwaltney shares how he uses Twitter to make a backchannel.

  tags: education news backchannel bestpractices

• Back-Channeling with Socrative | Socrative Garden

  Socrative has class backchannel capabilities.

  tags: backchannel education news

• MAKE | How to Build CoffeeBots

  As my classes pursue inventions during our genius hour each week, I keep coming back to the makezine website for fantastic ideas. Here is something inexpensive that beginners can do using coffee cans and the Aurdino - it does require some soldering so you might want to reserve that part for an adult unless you have older kids capable of it.

  tags: news education invention geniushour maker_projects steam

• 9/11 Day of Service

  Next week on 9/11 is the 9/11 day of service that many are commemorating. You can go to www.911day.org to see what others are doing and join in. This is a great activity and focus on others but more importantly - it is a remembrance - it isn't enough but it is a remembrance. Some of us still feel like it was yesterday.

  tags: news education events

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Read More

Are you an educator in Atlanta talking about Common Core? Join us this Friday.

There are going to be some exciting discussions about teaching and education that you won't want to miss in Atlanta this Friday.  Here's information on the taping of the 4 episodes this Friday at the NPR studios in Atlanta. If you're interested, please respond soon as space is limited. I'll be there! Join us!

SEPTEMBER 6 – THE IGNITE SHOW LIVE AUDIENCE INVITATION

Please join us as we raise awareness and respect for education with The Ignite Show – and

help us create the live audience we need for high energy when we are in studio!!

RSVP to: mail@theigniteshow.com

8:15-9:10 – One full show with Special guests:

- Heather McGovern / Kentucky Educator

- Sharon Whitworth and Cheri Dimar  /Project Team Leads for Jefferson County

The Kentucky PTA Story – The First State to Implement Common Core State Standards shares their story

9:15-10:10 – Four Tech Times with Cool Cat Teacher (Vicki Davis) (http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/)

Watch as nationally known educator shares technology tips and insights for the K-12 classroom!

10:15-11:15 -- One full show with Special guests:

Carlos Contreras - Intel, Corp. - Education Manager

Otha Thorton, General Dynamics - Senior Operations Analyst

Learn of the Corporate Support to the Common Core State Standards – nationally!

12:30-1:15 – One full show with Special guests:

-Delia Pompa Vice President for Education at NCLR (National Council of La Raza),the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States -PTA President Otha Thorton

Hear the Parent Story in terms of the Common Core State Standards

1:45-2:45 – One Full show with Special guests:

- Moderator: Carlos Contreras/ Education Manager at Intel Corporation.

- Mike Wiernicki/ Math Coach at Henry County Board of Education

- Elijah Newsome - HS student (11th gr) from Henry County

- Chauncey Newsome

- Lauren Baucom / NC - HS Algebra Teacher

Listen to variety of voices talk about the  impact of the math Common Core State Standards on Student Success!

BACKGROUND/PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Teachers Ignite was recently contracted by The National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) in partnership with The Hunt Institute to produce four Special Episodes of The Ignite Show  (www.theigniteshow.com ) focusing on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). This is work is also in collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Education Association (NEA), and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).  These web-based shows will launch in the Fall of 2013 and will be accompanied by teacher resources to assist in implementation of the standards as well as other information for parents and general public to become more familiar with the standards.  There will be distribution of these shows to all constituents of these organizations.

The Ignite Show works to raise awareness and respect for education and educatorsthrough the voices of teachers, parents and students. All that we do focuses on inspiring student centered classrooms.

Read More

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/01/2013

• moonlyt

  This is an online tutoring site. There are many ways you can tutor now and online is one of them.

  tags: education news tutorinig. edu_newapp edu_news

• MobyMax: Complete K-8 Curriculum

  I got this notice from Moby Max. There are a proliferation of websites that let you check and have kids working in online spaces like this. Remember that these can be helpful, but you should and must have students programming and inventing with computers. These can be very helpful but are only one use of the computer. Below is what they sent me about the service. Please let me know if you're using this (educators only, please). "MobyMax has just released the easiest way to get your students motivated and start the year off right—a free 119 prize school contest. Within the first ten minutes of releasing the free 119 prize contest on Monday with no announcement, 22 schools signed up! Not only are the contest and 119 prizes free, but MobyMax curriculum is free as well. (You may remember that teachers can upgrade to the Pro version for just $79 per year, but the prizes, contest, and curriculum are completely free whether you upgrade or not!) We are also proud to announce our students’ results from the last school year. The results from over 600,000 students showed that those who used MobyMax for 40 hours averaged more than a 1.4 grade level increase in math and a 1.5 grade level increase in language. Students answered over 1 million problems in MobyMax’s new reading module released this summer."

  tags: education news assessment

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Read More