NO Rules

I moderated a wonderful spark chat this morning #BFC530. The topic was based on a video about a school in New Zealand. It takes a bit of time to watch, but presses hard at the boundaries that adults have towards our kids and their play. 

This principal has taken the risk research and pushed the boundaries to an extreme that makes many uncomfortable. But isn't that where change happens? Where we are uncomfortable? This idea that we just continue to "molly coddle" our children and develop these helpless beings who need to be told what to do, and how to solve problems scares me for the future of our world. 

One of the participants in this mornings chat was Abner Oakes (@aoakes4) and he proposed this article from about a year ago in The Atlantic (@TheAtlanticEDU). Called 

The Overprotected Kid

Then another participant, William Green (@7wgreen7)  posted his blog 

 Depth of Engagement.

This topic is one that was so intriguing to me that I proposed it to my students. They (of course) had an opinion too! So I encouraged them to blog about it, and they were pretty insightful. 

Kidblog

During our class discussion, one of them said "I would love to see this happen Mrs. Boyce, but it never will at our school, because Parents wouldn't let it."   She used the word "Parents" like it was the giant from the Jack and the Beanstalk story. This entity which dictates how we teach. 

Oh wait, it does. 

Between fitting in curriculum between testing, worrying about how the scores are panning out, and how that is impacting our profession, in addition to trying to stay on top of what the legislature is doing at the local and federal level, we are losing the whole reason we are employed. 

The kids. 

As a teacher I am always trying to stay on top of what is best for kids. Isn't play what is best for them. I mean, curriculum is helpful, but doesn't play teach too? I think lessons learned from peers and play are some of the best teachers. What are we doing by taking away more and more play time, so we can assess? Is this right? What do you think? I would love to hear from you.

Powerups by letting go.

Kids are living in a video game culture. They like the idea of "power ups". The question before us today is about powering up our classrooms. How to build a more powerful classroom by letting go? Letting go of what? Control? Schedule? Curriculum? This idea leads down a dangerous precipice that can quickly go awry. I believe there is great freedom in giving up some of the control to the students about their learning and their timeline.

This idea is the basic principal behind
"genius hour" suggested by Don Wettrick's
book Pure Genius. This innovation education
allows the students the freedom to choose

what they are learning about.


We are always asking student to put on their creative hats on and
"think outside the box" but often educators are asking them to
do this within the constraints of curriculum or within boundaries
set by the teacher. This can be open ended, but more often than not, it is restricting for the students to have to try their hand at creative
thinking within the confines of the teachers expectations.


This is one reason I love blogging. When I began this process a year ago, I wanted to structure it so that I was always telling them
what to write about and when to write. I quickly learned this is the fastest way to shut down the writings. Since then, I give a suggested topic, but allow for freedom in the writing. I still expect them to write, but there is freedom in choice.

I like to give them an interesting photo

and ask them to ponder and comment,
or write their thoughts. Here is an
example of one of the pictures I offer
as a suggestion...

If a person were to look at this elephant from the top down, it gives a different perspective than if you start at the feet and work your way up. I may pose this drawing with this question...How can this change in perspective apply to your life?

So I feel like this is pretty random. But in general it begs the question, what do you let go of to inspire your students to have greater power in your classroom?

I love my school because

I love my school because we are a great big family. It is a place that I can call home. It has wonderful smiling faces that promote a positive environment, even in the face of all the testing, curricular demands, and stubborn learners. We encourage, enlighten, inspire, and promote each day. Not everyone participates each day, but the helping hands along the way, make it a place I want to come back to each morning. We stretch each other and make them grow, improve, or seek. We teach and learn honor, integrity, and the power of a hand up, not a hand out. I love my school because we are a family.

Social Media Challenge

Today's blog challenge was interesting, and timed perfectly. It was "How has social media changed your classroom?  Personally? Professionally? With students? Families?"

WELL, allow me to enlighten you as to the brass tacks of my students and their relationship with me! Last week we were having another discussion about digital citizenship and I was sharing my twitter (@boycem3)  page with them so they could see it. (a few of them did not even know what Twitter was) and one of my darlings said, "Hey Mrs. Boyce, I saw that you had an instagram account."  

I replied with "why yes, I do. (also boycem3) "   His quick fire response was..."and you only have one picture and it was taken 17 MONTHS ago!!" (obviously a cardinal sin...) 

He then proceeded to challenge me to make it a class account and then further extended the challenge to take at least one picture a day until the end of school.  Talk about being shown up by a ten year old. Well, not me. I immediately accepted the challenge and we hashed out the requirements as a class. 

1. Must take one picture every day until the end of school 
2. Must be about school or for the students in class. 
3. Multiple pictures in one day will not count toward upcoming days 
            (tried to negotiate this one today since I took like 40 pictures of our field trip) 
4. Must tag children in it if they have an account. 
5. Must save all pictures taken to our shared google drive account for any students who do not have access to instagram (about half of my students) 


Their job...sit back and hold me accountable. 


As you all know, when trying to take on something new...it is tough. So blogging once a day AND getting photos into Instagram has been daunting (good thing I am in the DAUNTLESS faction!) 
So my job for the last 27 days of school? BLOG, and CLICK!! BLOG and CLICK!! BLOG and CLICK!!  Here are a few from the last two days.

This is a shot of them yesterday listening to make a list of sounds they could hear outside our classroom door. They are in the process of writing a poetry book, and sound poems (or list poems) are one of them.

The caption on Instagram said "they are like Easter Eggs on hidden in the grass." Aren't they sweet looking?


We also ended up writing a haiku poem to this...

Like eggs in the grass
Hidden on Easter morning
Each student listens






Here are a few of today's field trip and their captions....

Roasting Marshmallows for our "No Fire- No S'More" activity

Getting ready to kayak, learning how to paddle

A view from the kayak...No one went swimming! :)

#WhyITeach

I was presented with the question "Why do you teach?"

It made me pause. Why do I teach? Well, I... so many reasons come gushing to the surface, I need to take a moment and sort them into some coherent thoughts.

1. Because God created me to teach. I know it sounds arrogant, but it is one of my spiritual gifts. I entered the world as a teacher. That is the first and most important reason.

2. Because I want to make a difference. I know it is cliche. But I do. I have always been a relational person and I want to affect people in a positive way. It has taken me years to focus and build up my skills to encourage, inspire, and work hard for the good of others, but it is vitally important to me that people believe in themselves and aspire to do more for the greater good.

3. To see the learning. There is no feeling like watching someone "click" into what is happening. I do not get to see it from every student every day, but usually at least one. It is so fulfilling watching a kiddo "get it" and know that you have opened another door for them and their future.

4. And selfishly, I teach because it opens opportunities for me to learn. I know there are some people who are "forced to learn" but because of my field, I "get to" learn. Like that hotel commercial.  It is incredible what my mind can grasp and adapt to. I am excited and passionate to find new things. (in my comfort zone, and directly outside of it, of course) I won't be cutting anyone open to find out something new, or dropping myself in a new country, alone, to learn a new language, but the idea is intriguing. (of the travel, not the surgery)

It is so funny, the answer to the question comes easily but requires explanation. Why do I teach? Because I am.

To read or not to read...that is the question!

Today's idea is reading. What am I reading you ask? As usual this time of year, I am reading material that my student read. I am always trying to stay a book or two ahead of them, but between that and technology, I am struggling to keep up! My current book is called SteelHeart by Brandon Sanderson.

Sitting on my nightstand is a few Lee Childs books, and a couple christian reads. Also two J.D. Robb books. All selfish pleasure reading. As soon as summer starts.

 

 


Reading is such a guilty pleasure for me. It takes me to places I cannot really go. It entertains my mind and fills my heart. I am one of those readers that zone out. I usually have a book with me in my purse, in my car, next to my bed. Reading is something I love!  Mostly fiction, science fiction, relational and faith growing books. I am not a fan of non-fiction. What sorts of books are you reading now days? Which ones are your favorites?

Right....What's Left?

Well, with 29 days left in the school year, we reflect about how the year has gone, excitedly look forward to the summer days that are quickly approaching, and then PANIC. There is so much to do before those treasured days arrive.

There is the Math cram that happens this time of year, the field trips that are being gleefully attended, last minute learning before the almighty State testing, and what about that glowing orb in the sky? It has been so long since these kids have seen warm sunshine, that recess is mandatory! I need the vitamin D and the fresh air. So do they.

Also this time of year is the time when our school has assemblies, field day, movie day, spring concerts, bounce house reward day, and the list goes on and on and on. So that 29 days left really is about 18 days of traditional teaching time. AHHHHHHH!!!

For myself this year is really busy and bittersweet. I have my youngest graduating and so there is the planning for that and for family in town that weekend. And there are the connected relationships with my colleagues. That cannot just be left undone. There are parties to attend, dinners and picnics, and many summer afternoon activities. Life is so busy. It makes my quiet moments to myself even more vital. Many ways exist to take those quiet moments, some pray, read the bible, watch their favorite tv show, listen to music, drink coffee, run, social media, exercise, or lock themselves in the bathroom. Some take this time in the morning, middle of the day, or just before bed. Whatever and whenever that time occurs for you, make sure you take it in this busy BUSY time of year. Happy Relaxing.