In the final section of Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess, he talks about building a better pirate. "A rising tide lifts all ships." I love this quote from Dave Burgess. We need our students to know that no matter what, we are there to pick them up and help them learn and succeed.
For me, one of the quotes in the book, "...Stop looking for external validation." hit home. I find myself needing to be appreciated and wanting to hear that I am doing a great job. I need to work on seeing myself as a leader and not being confident when it comes to my role as an educator.
What a great passage when he talks about the fact that our society has an all or nothing mentality! We need to see how far some of these students have come in the years that we have them. We need to remember that even if they aren't there yet.
In conclusion, "...I think John Wooden said it best: 'Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.' He was a wise man."
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Teach Like a Pirate Part II: Engaging Lessons
Part II of Teach Like A Pirate by Dave Burgess is all about crafting engaging lessons.
One of the quotes that I've heard lately is "Would you want to sit in your own classes?" "Would you buy tickets for your lessons?"
These quotes really make me stop and think about each of the lessons that I'm teaching. Are they engaging enough? Should I add some pizzazz? Am I interactive enough? Do I let the kids be the leaders while I facilitate the classroom?
I find myself saying that this would be so hard to accomplish day in and day out. I agree with Dave Burgess when he says that if you do have a well-crafted lesson, it would be like going downhill on bike with great tires. I loved his talk about the perfect bbq! You think of your lesson as a well-seasoned, perfect steak that would keep them coming back for more! I do tend to have some cereal days in my classroom.
"Much of your success as an educator has to do with your attitude towards teaching and towards kids. The rest of your success is based on your willingness to relentlessly search for what engages students in the classroom and then having the guts to do it." - Dave Burgess, Teach Like a Pirate. I agree with this quote wholeheartedly! Sometimes it can be overwhelming and intimidating to try some of the lessons that are outside of the box. You worry about the classes behavior and their attitude toward the new ideas and plans. Some kids tend to need structure and don't adapt well to new ideas. As an educator, you need to just work them through the new experience until they can handle it. It is a life experience they need to learn.
Dave Burgess talks about several hooks in this part of his book. My favorite part is the 'What's in it for me?' hooks. I think those work the best for my students. They like to do projects and assignments that pertain to them, that they see the relevance in, that can excite them, and that they have a hand in developing. I had the opportunity to seeing Dave in person and he ABSOLUTELY follows his own advice. He demonstrates each and every one of these hooks all day long.
One of the quotes that I've heard lately is "Would you want to sit in your own classes?" "Would you buy tickets for your lessons?"
These quotes really make me stop and think about each of the lessons that I'm teaching. Are they engaging enough? Should I add some pizzazz? Am I interactive enough? Do I let the kids be the leaders while I facilitate the classroom?
I find myself saying that this would be so hard to accomplish day in and day out. I agree with Dave Burgess when he says that if you do have a well-crafted lesson, it would be like going downhill on bike with great tires. I loved his talk about the perfect bbq! You think of your lesson as a well-seasoned, perfect steak that would keep them coming back for more! I do tend to have some cereal days in my classroom.
"Much of your success as an educator has to do with your attitude towards teaching and towards kids. The rest of your success is based on your willingness to relentlessly search for what engages students in the classroom and then having the guts to do it." - Dave Burgess, Teach Like a Pirate. I agree with this quote wholeheartedly! Sometimes it can be overwhelming and intimidating to try some of the lessons that are outside of the box. You worry about the classes behavior and their attitude toward the new ideas and plans. Some kids tend to need structure and don't adapt well to new ideas. As an educator, you need to just work them through the new experience until they can handle it. It is a life experience they need to learn.
Dave Burgess talks about several hooks in this part of his book. My favorite part is the 'What's in it for me?' hooks. I think those work the best for my students. They like to do projects and assignments that pertain to them, that they see the relevance in, that can excite them, and that they have a hand in developing. I had the opportunity to seeing Dave in person and he ABSOLUTELY follows his own advice. He demonstrates each and every one of these hooks all day long.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Teach Like A Pirate Reflection: Part 1 PIRATE
Teach Like A Pirate by Dave Burgess is an excellent read for any teacher whether you are a newbie or veteran teacher. His classroom is one of excitement and learning. Once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down until it is over. If you get a chance, see Dave Burgess in person! In the book, Dave Burgess says, "Pirates are daring, adventurous, and willing to set forth into uncharted territories with no guarantee of success." This explains my job! Teaching and technology are that uncharted territory and we just need to keep being daring and trying new things!
PIRATE
P is for Passion
What is your content passion?
My passion is for Accounting and technology. I love that with Accounting, you get to start the students from scratch. They don't have any preconceived notions and I get to see the growth throughout the year. It is such a rewarding content to watch them go from not understanding debits and credits to being able to do advanced accounting techniques.
Technology by itself excites students and their learning. For me to be able to teach technology to the students is a reward in itself! I love to watch their codes become usable works, have them learn that a site can help them learn a new skill, and they are in control of their learning! My favorite course that I teach is Multimedia because the students have the floor and I simply watch their learning happen in front of my eyes. They collaborate, brainstorm, create, and problem solve all while making a creation that will be shared with the school.
What is your professional passion?
My professional passion is learning. Learning is such power! Why would anyone choose to not be a lifelong learner? I am always wanting to go to National conferences such as ISTE. ISTE allows me to be among my "people". It is such an exciting time to see people who live and breathe Google like I do. :) I am passionate about the students getting this material as well. I want to continue to learn and learn so I can always be sharing the latest and greatest techniques, sites, and apps!
What is your personal passion?
My personal passion is my family and technology. My family is first and foremost above all else but technology is my passion. In my free time, I am exploring Twitter feeds, reading articles, checking websites, learning on Coursera.org. I am always looking and learning about tech! I love any excuse to purchase the latest and greatest technology to "learn" it for my classroom. :)
I is for Immersion
How do you immerse yourself in each lesson?
This is one that is easy for me in several of my courses. I am a facilitator for 90% of my classes and 50% of the time, I like to do whatever the students are doing. During multimedia, we are always exploring and previewing and finding new resources. Web Design class, the students are coding and problem solving and if I find I need to immerse myself in the same topic so I can help guide them.
In some courses, it is harder to immerse yourself in the lesson. Keyboarding is one class that fits that category for me. The students need to practice those skills over and over again. I can find immersive lessons for keyboarding and make it more exciting and creative but 90% of the time, the kids just need to type to practice!
This is something I will continue to work on! I need to "jump into the water" instead of being a lifeguard!
R is for Rapport
Do you have rapport with your students? your fellow teachers? parents? community? How do you develop rapport?
I am very passionate about having a rapport with my students and parents. If your students don't respect you, it is very difficult to get them to be successful. If the parents don't know you, it is also very difficult to get their support. If the community is behind the school, it is such a rewarding experience for all.
I have found the easiest way to develop rapport with my students is through interactive conversations and caring. This quote by Theodore Roosevelt explains it all!
A is for Ask and Analyze
"Creative ideas don't come out of the blue; they come from engaging in the creative process. That critical process starts when you ask the right types of questions and then actively seek the answers." - Dave Burgess
It is a constant try, try, try. Ask, Ask, Ask! I am always analyzing my lessons and my plans each and every day.
T is for Transformation
Being creative in your lesson designs is crucial to keeping your "audience" engaged and active. You need to always ask yourself if you would want to be a student in your room. Would you buy a ticket? Each of those questions really make me stop and reflect on my lessons.
Interestingly enough, most of my creative lessons happen in the shower or while I am lying in bed at night. I have had several lessons that I thought would be so exciting and engaging, flop right before my eyes. Other lessons that I'm hesitant to try, the kids LOVE!
I need to make sure I am constantly re-framing my lesson into something the students will love! I need to change that heart bracelet lesson into PIRATE treasure daily.
E is for Enthusiasm
Had a bad day? Not impressed with life? You have to be "ON" everyday as a teacher. Students have enough going on in their everyday life and they don't need your concerns and worries added to it. "...and yet people allow themselves to be dragged down into the muck of negativity. This job is tough enough without having to fight through self-imposed negativity." - Dave Burgess
I work hard every day to not be negative. I'm not going to lie and say I am 100% successful with the fight. I do find myself being a downer! I will continue to try to follow these words of wisdom!
Stay tuned for Part II - Coming soon!
PIRATE
P is for Passion
What is your content passion?
My passion is for Accounting and technology. I love that with Accounting, you get to start the students from scratch. They don't have any preconceived notions and I get to see the growth throughout the year. It is such a rewarding content to watch them go from not understanding debits and credits to being able to do advanced accounting techniques.
Technology by itself excites students and their learning. For me to be able to teach technology to the students is a reward in itself! I love to watch their codes become usable works, have them learn that a site can help them learn a new skill, and they are in control of their learning! My favorite course that I teach is Multimedia because the students have the floor and I simply watch their learning happen in front of my eyes. They collaborate, brainstorm, create, and problem solve all while making a creation that will be shared with the school.
What is your professional passion?
My professional passion is learning. Learning is such power! Why would anyone choose to not be a lifelong learner? I am always wanting to go to National conferences such as ISTE. ISTE allows me to be among my "people". It is such an exciting time to see people who live and breathe Google like I do. :) I am passionate about the students getting this material as well. I want to continue to learn and learn so I can always be sharing the latest and greatest techniques, sites, and apps!
What is your personal passion?
My personal passion is my family and technology. My family is first and foremost above all else but technology is my passion. In my free time, I am exploring Twitter feeds, reading articles, checking websites, learning on Coursera.org. I am always looking and learning about tech! I love any excuse to purchase the latest and greatest technology to "learn" it for my classroom. :)
I is for Immersion
How do you immerse yourself in each lesson?
This is one that is easy for me in several of my courses. I am a facilitator for 90% of my classes and 50% of the time, I like to do whatever the students are doing. During multimedia, we are always exploring and previewing and finding new resources. Web Design class, the students are coding and problem solving and if I find I need to immerse myself in the same topic so I can help guide them.
In some courses, it is harder to immerse yourself in the lesson. Keyboarding is one class that fits that category for me. The students need to practice those skills over and over again. I can find immersive lessons for keyboarding and make it more exciting and creative but 90% of the time, the kids just need to type to practice!
This is something I will continue to work on! I need to "jump into the water" instead of being a lifeguard!
R is for Rapport
Do you have rapport with your students? your fellow teachers? parents? community? How do you develop rapport?I am very passionate about having a rapport with my students and parents. If your students don't respect you, it is very difficult to get them to be successful. If the parents don't know you, it is also very difficult to get their support. If the community is behind the school, it is such a rewarding experience for all.
I have found the easiest way to develop rapport with my students is through interactive conversations and caring. This quote by Theodore Roosevelt explains it all!
A is for Ask and Analyze"Creative ideas don't come out of the blue; they come from engaging in the creative process. That critical process starts when you ask the right types of questions and then actively seek the answers." - Dave Burgess
It is a constant try, try, try. Ask, Ask, Ask! I am always analyzing my lessons and my plans each and every day.
T is for Transformation
Being creative in your lesson designs is crucial to keeping your "audience" engaged and active. You need to always ask yourself if you would want to be a student in your room. Would you buy a ticket? Each of those questions really make me stop and reflect on my lessons.Interestingly enough, most of my creative lessons happen in the shower or while I am lying in bed at night. I have had several lessons that I thought would be so exciting and engaging, flop right before my eyes. Other lessons that I'm hesitant to try, the kids LOVE!
I need to make sure I am constantly re-framing my lesson into something the students will love! I need to change that heart bracelet lesson into PIRATE treasure daily.
E is for Enthusiasm
Had a bad day? Not impressed with life? You have to be "ON" everyday as a teacher. Students have enough going on in their everyday life and they don't need your concerns and worries added to it. "...and yet people allow themselves to be dragged down into the muck of negativity. This job is tough enough without having to fight through self-imposed negativity." - Dave Burgess
I work hard every day to not be negative. I'm not going to lie and say I am 100% successful with the fight. I do find myself being a downer! I will continue to try to follow these words of wisdom!
Stay tuned for Part II - Coming soon!
Monday, August 24, 2015
School started!
My 20th yr of teaching! I cant believe it. It has flown by just like everything else. What sites am I using this year?
Typingclub.com
Abcya.com
Teachyourmonstertoread.com
Aplia.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Iste
My mind is blown away by all the amazing connections and knowledge I have received in four days at Iste! Look for several posts coming out soon about what Ive learned! If you can make it, start saving for Denver next year.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Teach your monster to read
Teacher your monster to read has now come out with a third level for kids. My classroom kiddos are going to be so excited!
http://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com
Long time, no post
Sorry I haven't been active on here. I'm still learning, using Twitter and spending most of my time gathering resources from Twitter I need to start sharing them again. I've been spending a lot of time updating myself on Google and Google tools. I'm excited about Google classroom and all the cool things that I can do with it.