Attack of the Sitting DeadI attended a session by Steve Dembo and Adam Bellow at ISTE called Attack of the Sitting Dead. They discussed the day in the life of students. What do you think that might entail? You guess it lots and lots of sitting! This is more prevalent in the MS and HS setting where teachers see different groups for short amounts of time and don't see what students do the rest of the day. There have been blog posts circulating about teachers and admins following students throughout their day and seeing what students experience. I want to do this to help me understand the problem and better address what we can do to change our teaching to get kids moving and active. Back to the Sitting Dead session. The two amazing presenters identified the issue, gave some comedic relief, I have to say these two are very entertaining and provided ideas for change. Well let's go beyond that - they didn't just provide ideas they provided us opportunities to experience the activities. I know I won't be able to include all of the activities, but there were a couple that stood out. 1. The snowball fight- they had us write something on a paper crumble it up and then throw it at someone else I mean across the room. We were then instructed to pick up the paper, look at what was written and discuss with someone standing near us. Notice in this activity we were standing, throwing, moving to partner up. After discussing with the first person we crumpled up the paper and threw it again to repeat the process. I think they asked us something like what we dislike about PD, or what we would change about PD, and this sparked some good conversation. 2. The Walk About - I don't remember if this is what they called it, but that is what we did. They posed another question or topic and had us walk around bloggers cafe discussing the topic with the people around us. I went into the session not knowing anyone and grouped up with people I had never met. I like this activity because it takes an activity we normally do- think pair share, elbow partners, or other group discussion strategy, and forces movement. In your school you could have students walk around a prescribed path through the hallways and when they return to class they should be ready to share. For younger students this could be walk around within the classroom to help maintain their focus. Q1 How do you avoid the walking dead in your classroom or PD sessions? How do you incorporate movement? Q2 How do you generate discussion in your classroom - meaningful discussion not just answering questions? Q3 What are you going to commit to changing in your practice to provide movement and activity for students throughout their day? The Apocalypse has occurred!We have seen the threat of World War III depicted in movies for decades. Red Dawn has shown us the vision of both a Russian attack or in the revamped version North Korea. And of course the threat of the Zombie Apocalypse is more and more popular than ever. So what do these dooms day scenarios have in common? They all result in the loss of technology and communication tools that we have come to rely on. They force people to rethink what they have been doing in order to survive. I work with technology everyday and it is integral in my job, in fact it is part of my job title - Technology Integrator. Without technology I would just be an integrator, but an integrator of what? Hopefully of the ideas of Teach Like a Pirate, best practices that engage kids with or without technology. So the challenge in this section is to engage students without the use of technology. Q4 How would the lack of technology impact your PD learning and your classroom practice? How would you continue to engage ss? Q5 Take a unit or lesson that you infuse technology - your best example- and how would you have to re-envision that to still be awesome without tech? Q6 The power comes back on- what would be the first tech tool or tech activity you would go to? Why? Thanksgiving!Last week was Thanksgiving and we didn't have a chat- I hope you enjoyed time with family and friends. I normally by this time of year have done a Shareapalooza chat - yes I realized at this moment I have been remiss. So here is a chance to share about some of the awesomeness happening.
Q7. What is one example of a great lesson, activity or learning experience you have seen or been a part of this year? Q8. What is something you are thankful for right now? This could be personal or professional - Q9. Relationship building- what is one or some example(s) of positive relationships you have forged this year? The student who said thank you and beyond!
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I recently attended edcampgb and have been following the midwest google summit via Twitter #mwgs and have learned a number of things that I can instantly apply. I am currently listening to a podcast with Kevin Honeycutt, and many others like #kidsdeserveit recently that have provided a number of opportunities to learn. These experiences helped create this week's conversation on Personalized PD. PD meaning Professional Development.
Time is the biggest obstacle to creating change. One thing that I had to remind myself was that each and every one of us have the same number of hours, minutes, seconds of each day, week and month. The thing that is different is how we use that time. There are people who are doing amazing things with their time that are changing education and more importantly changing lives. I share this piece honestly that I do not feel I use my time effectively - there are more things I can learn, there are opportunities to connect with my kids that I miss and there are opportunities to work out and get healthy that I pass on too often. The first step is determining what are your individual goals and second create a plan to make those goals a reality. QUESTIONS What is the best PD you have ever experienced? Where do you Turn to Learn? What are you looking for in PD? Who in your PLN do you look to for PD? What aspects of PD do you dislike- what would you change in PD or better what is your vision for PD? Do you like choice in PD? Do you provide choice for your students? Does your classroom look like your ideal learning situation? What is one new way that you can/will do to connect to others to learn? Bonus Questions - If students in your class were asked each day would they be able to answer- What are you learning? If students in your class were asked each day would they be able to answer- Why are you learning it? I am at a loss for a topic this week. I have been on Twitter and see many chats continuing on as normal, but I have been struggling to come to terms with what I am seeing in the wake of the election. I went to a couple of my elementary schools yesterday and talked with teachers who shared the stories of how their students are upset with the results. Some have asked why America would elect someone who doesn't treat women and people nicely. Others have asked what will happen to them, will they have to move, or will their friends have to leave? This isn't isolated to immigrant children, there were African American students wondering if the new President would send them back to Africa. Our students and our children are confused, scared and anxious about what will happen when our new President takes office. I do not bring these ideas forward to make a political statement. I share this because this is the reality for our students. I am not looking to have a conversation about the candidates, but rather how do we proceed and nurture our students when there is so much uncertainty as to what will happen in the next 4 years. QuestionsQ1 What reaction or questions did your students bring up in class yesterday, and how did you address them? Did you take time to discuss? why/why not?
Q2 What were some memorable comments/actions made by students, colleagues, etc. that stuck with you about the election results? Q3 Polls vs. Reality -The polls lead us to believe 1 thing and the results were very different- how do you use this as an learning opportunity for students? Q4 Popular vs. Electoral vote - What lessons do you have to help ss understand these systems and why they didn't match up to elect the President? Q5 "One nation indivisible" - our nation is divided. How do we provide ss opportunities to engage in real life actions to create unity? Q6 Our politicians will not save our world- How can we not only heal, but solve some of the problems facing our world? This week we are looking at inspiration and moving us forward in our quest to become the Best Version of Ourselves. There are a few more questions than usual because I was inspired to learn more about what drives you. And on a personal note the topic comes from the fact that I need to find my inspiration to achieve my goals that I have been dangling out there but not moving towards for awhile. I am feeling the need for a jumpstart or a KICK to get off the fence and begin my journey. Questions1. What inspires you? 2 Where do you find inspiration in your personal life? (we will get to people later) 3. Where do you find inspiration in your professional life? 4. Who have been influential forces in your life? 5 What areas of life do you need to find inspiration or help to move forward? 6 What areas of your professional life are you seeking inspiration to reach your goals? 7 You are all amazing at something! What have you accomplished that you are most proud of? Maybe something that began as an inspiration by an outside force became your triumph! 8 Your best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today! - H. Jackson Brown Jr. - How do you apply this to your life? 9 Find and share your own inspirational quote and why you like it. 10 BVOS - Best Version Of Self - what does that look like, and how will you achieve this? How will you help students achieve their BVOS? |
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