Best Practice

Is the concept "Best Practice" a phrase people use as a cop out for not wanting to try something new or going back to what works in the classroom? It seems more often than not, when I hear those two words it is from the mouth of someone who is unwilling to try something. It could also be how I am interpreting the situation but more often than not, some teachers do not want to change and use the phrase as a way to justify their style (or lack of). 

This attitude can be applied to discipline issues in which the phrase could mean "be flexible and adapt"rather than automatic consequences (please read this article) work with the student and try to come to an understanding. Not everything is "black and white" and there are times where repercussions are needed but you do catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Another issue in which this attitude is applied is in the classroom. Just because the newest educational model or article says a certain method does not work does not mean it should be dismissed. An example would be a teacher who never liked teaching a certain topic in class using the argument "best practice" to totally dismiss it. Old school ways of teaching still work for some individuals and yet, we seem to want to always change everything in one fell swoop. Almost like we are shooting for the next flavor of the month. Please read this blog to see what is being discussed. 

The last place this attitude or concept seems to be applied is in the office. It seems like political correctness and a lack of humor have infiltrated work places and campuses. When did asking simple questions turn into hurting people's feelings which led to being insensitive and possible racist? With the world the way it is right now (look at this article about recent events in Paris) shouldn't we be working to teach students how to overcome rather than to expect?

In conclusion, I have gone off on a tangent from "best practice" to "terrorism" but there are a lot of connections, even if I cannot express them in a cogent manner. Please leave comments and tell me what you think!

How to Blog Demonstration Video

This little "How to" video will either make you want to blog or use other methods. My voice is neither lively nor enthusiastic but blogging is pretty simple!

10 Conditions For Self-Sustaining & Self-Directed Learning In The Classroom

The work is sufficiently self-sustaining if the teacher can formatively assess and provide personalized feedback and advice to each student. It seems like the following conditions have to be met to ensure that the work we give students is self-sustaining and worthy work:

1. Rich, challenging, and meaningful problems/issues/tasks that require core content
2. No single, obvious, or superficial solution path – yet, the task is doable.
3. Clear performance goals and criteria for judging progress and knowing when the work is “done to standard”
4. Access to appropriate and varied resources
5. Familiar routines/protocols that help students organize the process (with varying degrees of transfer expected, via scaffolding/explicitness provided by the teacher; depending upon level of student skill and autonomy)
6. Sufficient choice/personalization to enable students play to strengths/interests
7. Self-assessment and self-adjustment guides via models and rubrics
8. Benchmarks, checkpoints and other formal and informal formative assessments, to ensure students are on course and on time.
9. Explicit norms of mutual respect and personal responsibility, preferably built with student input and sign-off.
10. Teacher respect for reasonable non-disruptive student “down time.”

When Students Take Ownership

For the past three years officers in our  class council have been taking on a variety of responsibilities and activities. One of the things we did when we first started was to groom the students and help them prepare for becoming responsible for various things. A shining example would be one of the class projects which has been going on since fall 2013. The project revolves around local area veterans and their stories. These stories are collected, filmed, and submitted to the Library of Congress. What is neat about this project is that it was student generated and now is student run. The person in charge of the activity books a veteran every month for an interview, signs out the equipment, and assigns the interview to a fellow student. What started on shaky ground is now a solid, student driven, activity which has produced fourteen videos.

The project has really come into its own as evidenced by this article http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20151106/news/151109233/

What are some things you are doing in your class room or activities where you put the onus on the students to produce?

How Raking Leaves Connects To Teaching

The past weekend I spent my Saturday morning raking which gave me an opportunity to do some deep thinking. While I fought a futile battle against the oaks and maples, I thought about connections between what I was doing and the classroom. It was not only interesting but it was very therapeutic.

Here are some of the things that came to my mind while raking.

1. Have a well organized plan. It seems that when you have a plan for your class or for your yard things tend to work better.

2. Technology is  nice but it has limitations. A windy day in the yard and the leaf blower does not work so well. In fact, I have to work twice as hard to pick up leaves. Just like a presentation via Google does not work as well without having some knowledge and some personality to help sell the lesson.

3. Do not expect people helping you rake to read your mind and automatically do the job the way you want it. Unless you explain your ideas, they will not take shape the way you want them to and this holds true in the class. If you do not explain what you want your students to do with an assignment or a lesson, you cannot be angry or disappointed with the results.

4. Stick to the task and do not get sidetracked. Focus on your plan and things will get done. When you start to multi-task, whether it be in your yard or classroom, things tend to blow up on you. Instead of making a point in the class or having the yard finished, you have a half ass product.

5. Take into account the differences you may have with others in your yard or class and make adjustments. I find you can catch more flies with honey rather than vinegar. The more flexible you are, the better the results.

So there you have it, raking and the classroom have many connections. You can learn a lot when you are outside the classroom!

What Teachers Can Learn From America's Past Military Leaders

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” –Confucius

Sometimes I like to do random searches for help with my teaching. Past searches have included: "connections between monkeys and education," "mistakes made by teachers," and "how to create a lesson that makes sense." As a person who loves military history, I wondered if there is anything on the web in terms of our military that could help me as an educator?

Teachers are not only in the classroom but they are constantly filing paperwork, keeping records, dealing with discipline issues, and learning new skills. Not only do we have to do those tasks but we also have to interact with colleagues, students, and parents (for better or for worse). Along those lines, teachers should be looking to learn and get advice from people outside the profession. In this case an educator can learn lessons from our past military leaders. 

Here are ten military leaders who had a knack for getting the most out of their troops. Please focus on the lesson you can learn and think about how it fits in your career. The common thing among all these dudes is a sense of selflessness and doing what is right for others. Does this theme sound familiar? Aren't we teaching because of the students? Isn't that what education is about rather than buzz words, committees, and data collection? In any event, your comments are appreciated.

George Washington

1732-1799

Rank: General

Military branch: Continental Army

Lesson: Trust your core team.

The Continental Army never numbered more than 35,000 men, and Washington never had more than a third of it under his personal command, yet he and his men managed to subdue Great Britain’s professional army.

Quote: “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those few be well-tried before you give them your confidence.”  

Winfield Scott

1786-1866

Rank: General-in-Chief

Military branch: U.S. Army

Lesson: Never compromise.

Scott's insistence on military appearance and discipline earned him the nickname “Old Fuss and Feathers.” During the Civil War, his Anaconda Plan for strangling the South by keeping it from its sources of supply was first sneered at by Union generals. But the plan was later adopted by Lincoln and turned out to be the overriding strategy that eventually won the war.

Even if some people don’t believe in your vision, it’s important to keep focused on the long-term goal. If you’re confident, don’t be derailed by naysayers.

Quote: “Peace won by compromise is usually a short-lived achievement.” 

Robert E. Lee

1807-1870

Rank: General

Military branch: U.S. Army

Lesson: Respect your team.

Lee was widely adored by his men. In victory and defeat, they witnessed his great strength of character, his high sense of duty, his humility and selflessness. Even Northerners accepted Lee as the greatest general of the Civil War.

When you respect your students and colleagues, they will respect you. A happy team is a productive team, and when people believe in their teacher, they’ll do anything for that individual.

Quote: “The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman.”

Ulysses S. Grant

1822-1885

Rank: General

Military branch: U.S. Army

Lesson: Don’t give up.

Grant made mistakes and learned from them. His drive and resolution made him a first-class general. During the Civil War, President Lincoln rewarded Grant with a promotion to lieutenant general and made him general-in-chief of the armies. Instead of establishing an office in Washington, he took the field with the struggling Army of the Potomac.

As a teacher, you will make mistakes, but it’s how you learn from them that will define your success as an educator.

Quote: "One of my superstitions has always been when I start to go anywhere or do anything, not to turn back, or stop until the thing intended was accomplished.” 

George S. Patton

1885-1945

Rank: General

Military branch: U.S. Army

Lesson: Help your team achieve greatness.

Patton earned the reputation of having a uniquely gifted military mind, immense energy and a penchant for being blunt. During the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, when the German Ardennes Offensive threatened to swallow up a surrounded American division at Bastogne, Patton pushed his men through mud and snow and relieved Bastogne on Dec. 26, 1944.

Good educators help their students achieve greatness, even during hardships. It’s important to push your students to meet their goals and advance their career.

Quote: "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." 

Lewis B. 'Chesty' Puller

1898-1971

Rank: Lieutenant General

Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps

Lesson: Stay positive.

The most decorated marine in history, Puller’s service spanned four decades. He led marines in 19 campaigns and some of the most critical battles of the 20th century. Puller is most remembered by his fellow marines for his quick-witted encouragement in the midst of combat.

In the face of adversity, you have to stay calm and positive. If you lose it, your class will follow suit -- tenfold.

Quote: "All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us...they can't get away this time."

Dwight D. Eisenhower

1890-1969

Rank: General

Military branch: U.S. Army

Lesson: Create a cooperative culture.

Eisenhower had a way of saying the right thing to gain people’s cooperation, and his strong personality and good nature inspired trust, according to the U.S. Army of Military History. He was regarded as a natural leader who looked for ways to smooth over disputes and organize his men’s efforts toward a common goal.

When your colleagues are all on the same page, working together, your school's students will reap the benefits.

Quote: “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.”

Dudley 'Mush' Morton

1907-1943

Rank: Lieutenant Commander

Military branch: U.S. Navy

Lesson: Keep everyone motivated.

Morton’s feisty and daring nature led him to command one the U.S. Navy’s most fierce war ships of all time, the USS Wahoo. Former Wahoo sailor, Chief Yeoman Forrest Sterling said, “When I first met Commander Morton it only took me one minute to realize that I would follow that man to the bottom of the ocean if necessary. Mush was a true leader of men and knew his business inside and out.”

If your students don’t believe in you and your vision, you’ll have a tough road ahead. Make sure everyone knows what’s in it for him or her in the long run.

Quote: “Tenacity, Dick, stay with the bastard ‘til he's on the bottom.” --Mush Morton to fellow sub commander Dick O'Kane

Eugene B. Fluckey

1913-2007

Rank: Rear Admiral

Military branch: U.S. Navy

Lesson: Recognize your hard workers.

Fluckey thought very highly of his men and was known as one of America’s most daring submarine commanders of World War II. As the skipper of the submarine Barb in the Pacific from April 1944 to August 1945, he was known for inventive tactics. He was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross four times for his heroism.

Once you find a good team, be sure to dole out credit and tout their achievements. A little recognition goes a long way.

Quote: “What wordy praise can one give such men as these; men who…follow unhesitatingly when in the vicinity of minefields so long as there is the possibility of targets…Men who will fight to the last bullet and then start throwing the empty shell cases. These are submariners.”  

H. Norman Schwarzkopf

1934-

Rank: General

Military branch: U.S. Army

Lesson: Get in the trenches.

Schwarzkopf had a reputation as an officer who would risk anything for the soldiers under his command. When he heard word that some of his men had encountered a minefield in Vietnam, Schwarzkopf rushed to the scene in his helicopter. After being wounded himself by an explosion, he eventually led his surviving soldiers to safety.

As an educator you have to dig in on the front lines, right alongside your students. You will get the best work from your kids if you’re willing to stick out your neck for them.

Quote: “It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” 

Things You Learn Watching Students Work on Computers

I had my U.S. History classes in the LRC today to work on a simple research and report activity. The research was conducted today and the reporting out will be tomorrow. Throughout the periods I walked around, answered questions, and kept students on task (for the most part). I also discovered via peripherals that my students look at some cool sites, have great conversations, and play games that many teachers can enjoy as much as their students!

Here are the top 10 things I observed today and some have links for you to enjoy!

1. Is Tupac Dead or Alive? This one had the student researching (even if it was not about U.S. sectionalism, it is still research). 
2. Although there are many sites, pictures work best! This site is a step by step"how to" on surviving a zombie apocalypse.
3. Pandora, Spotify, or Snapchat which are all easily accessible by phone. Although access to these features are not by computer they are still a distraction that students enjoy as much as sugar laden food.
4. Urban Dictionary was a popular one today. I do not know if what I was saying was being translated or what I may have been thinking but a few students were using this valuable tool as much as our school administrators do!
5. As always, yoga pants fashion is always a must see! The most popular one today was Abercrombie and Fitch. By the way, is there such a thing as male yoga pants?
6. Living the hip hop life is tough, especially in an affluent suburb, so this site was a popular one for some students today!
7. Simple e-mail messages like "Help, I have no food! PLZ order Jimmy Johns for me!" or my personal favorite "Mom, I don't feel too good- please order me a BMT from Subway!" 
8. Games with cartoon characters were en vogue today! Although these are high school kids, Cartoon Network classics like "Regular Show" and "Pokemon" were on the minds of a few children in American Studies this afternoon.  This link is just a small sampling of what some male students were trying to play today.
9. Line of the day, "I'm telling you dude, McDonald's is either controlled by or is a part of the Illuminati! My step-uncle gave me a book to read (unintelligible title) and that is in chapter 1." Remember, the key is research skills, even if it is a conspiracy theory, there is value in questioning.
10. Last but not least is a link to a site that not only has a funny web address (http://iloveyoulikeafatladylovesapples.com/)but challenges your hand-eye coordination skills! I personally like this site and will use it for a future lesson plan about 19th Century Victorian manners and culture.