What Works in the Elementary CAN Work in High School...

This year I have an opportunity to be involved in almost every phase of teaching (Pre-school through 12th). My week often includes visiting TK classrooms and Alternative classrooms, Pre-school classrooms and high school physics classrooms, 4th grade classrooms and high school Art classrooms. With these visits and interactions I also take time to reflect on the teaching dynamics that are going on. One thing I am noticing over and over again... students who are responsible for their own learning learn more. That being said I have been doing some research and came up with a book called 'the daily 5' written by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser. It is based on fostering literacy in the elementary grades. Interesting thing is by using the ideas in the book students become independent learners and it works. Now instead of going into every detail and example I jump to a larger thought of ... Could this work with junior high and high school students in core and elective classes? The idea used is to break learning into 7 to 10 minute teacher centered instruction and then let the students (through various independent learning activities) work for 30 minutes, coming back together to reteach or teach other concepts. If you are interested in details read the book, I hope you do. Then think how would this work in Algebra, Health, and Chemistry. I think many quality teachers are using this idea but I think more need to use it with older students. Well????

Educational Possibilities and Facilities

Time to think more than outside the box...

think inside the mind!

What should education look like in this time and space... and in the next 100 years.

Yes I said 100 years.

Do the same thinking and planning the people who built the buildings that today we are replacing.

Challenge ideas that dictate schedules, grades, staff, learning needs, buildings, transportation, budgets, and everything!!!

Video - Should kids be driving alone?

Video - Should kids be driving alone?

Alternative Schools an Alternative for What?

Alternative schools are about providing an alternative to the traditional high school environment. Do they really or do they just move students from one non-successful environment to another one that does not provide the rigid antiquated settings. Does the new alternative environment require a student to do more than breathe to get the diploma? When students are not required to attend as often, be on time (regular school hours), and do not complete the entire subject area studies, is that an alternative for what? Is it really helping students or just helping the schools graduation rates. Does life after graduation provide and alternative for students now adults who are not successful? Very rarely.... Instead of offering 'Alternative Schools' why don't we provide 'Alternative Teachers and Administrators'. Does that not make more sense?

Do you still really enjoy working with kids?

Do you still really enjoy working with kids? Teaching them new things, getting excited about things that excite them, listening to them, caring about their learning, caring about them, enjoying just being their teacher? I ask myself that everyday and yes I do. The day that I don't is the day I will find a new job. I will not stay for the insurance benefits, I will not stay for the paycheck, I will not stay just to have a job to go to. I hope that all educators continually review why they became a teacher and why they still teach. Students can tell if a teacher or administrator is not in it for them. I don't want my child to be stuck in a classroom with a teacher who does not want to be there. I don't want to be stuck in a school with educators who don't want to be there. So the question might also be how can an educator continue to keep that spark of enjoyment alive? It is not easy.... give me your ideas?

Public Relations and Public Schools

PR is used by politicians, celebrities, businesses, and almost everyone in the public eye or needs to be in the public eye. Do public schools need the same type of PR?

Advertisements at the local movie theaters in between shows.

Advertisements on bill boards on the highways.

Advertisements on local cable stations.

Advertisements on radio.

Advertisements at malls.

Advertisements on Face Book and Youtube

And if PR is needed where , when , how much, and who should be responsible for it?

Pay Attention

Teachers often ask students to 'Pay Attention'. Paying attention is an important part of learning. Segway to the world of the consumer ... when a company wants you to buy a product they pay for your attention by buying adds on TV, Facebook, newspapers, and many other sources. It works as indicted by how many adds we see in the world around us. Now take the concept of learning, paying attention, and paying for attention to the world of a secondary student. Studies show that students are engaged by technology. The first payment that can be made for the attention of the student is making a computer available . Computer use at school is limited as to the number of the available and scheduled times of use. To expand on the paying for student attention through technology 1 to 1 programs are the next step. Students can pay attention (be engaged) 24/7. Next to use the curriculum to promote learning by funneling the curriculum through the lap top. Staff will need to have time to learn the technology that needs to be used and then be given the time to adapt and create curriculum. So let's start paying attention to paying attention!!! Special thanks to Justin Tarte for the blog topic idea.