my version of transparent, collaborative leadership...with a Teamann twist

What the #EduLounge was…and wasn’t…

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cfSaturday was the kickoff for the Classflow #EduLounge tour. Besides the fact that I got to hang out with educational rockstars like Tom Whitby, Steven Anderson, and Nick Provazano, I was able to be a part of something designed to be different. Taking a spin from the success of edcamps, which is a nontraditional way to go about PD, the Educators Lounge wants to make you think about learning different.

 

 

What Saturday was:

  • Casual- No formal attire needed here, it was more about what you hearing than you were wearing. It was supposed to be a come as you are, learn as you want- type of day. You were able to come and go as you pleased, and there were snacks and drinks available. Held at the Lakewood Theater in Dallas, the entire vibe was casual and comfortable.
  • Inspirational- Listening to Arvin Ross was incredible. This young man has overcome more in his 22 years than many of us see in a lifetime. He spoke about unlocking your creative genius, but that isn’t want I took away. He made the statement that his life was changed when his teachers took him out for coffee, and let him know that their biggest priority wasn’t him getting an A in their class. He reminded me that if you can make a connection with a child, if you unleash his passion for learning, you’ll never have to force them to lean anything.
  • Reaffirming- Doing things differently is ok. Sticking your head in the sand and pretending that status quo is going to grow a generation of innovative thinker isn’t ok. There was an underlying message that encouraged taking risks, working through your failures, and taking chances in your classroom. A high schooler who had his phone taken away and was reprimanded shrugged and went on to become the CEO of the iSchool initiative, which  is introducing  a students-teaching-teachers approach to professional development to share a new perspective with teachers and administrators. Their mission:  revolutionize the American education system through technology and promote a culture of lifelong learning.

 

What Saturday wasn’t:

  • About an app, a device, or a tool: I had the realization on the drive home that not one time were any of the speakers promoting an app or a tool as a way to change the world. Rarely in eduland these days do you find that to be true! While, thankfully, the student consumer push is fading, it still was impressive to think back through the day and realize the speakers didn’t focus on a “silver bullet”, but rather a way of thinking.
  • Increasing your stress level There was no pressure. There were no expectations. Being able to mingle in the crowd and have follow up conversations with the speakers allowed everyone to connect and dial down to what mattered to them. Nick walked a teacher through creating a “genius hour” mindset in his middle school classroom, despite lack of funds or technology. Tech specialists from Rockwall connected with the iSchool Initiative team about bringing them out. I don’t know about you, but typically at a conference, I don’t get to have follow up time with the folks that presented that interested me.
  • A financial drain. This event was free. From the light snacks to the heavier horderves, to the motivating speakers…there was no cost. The vent was also live streamed, so those not around in Dallas were able to watch as well. I know several people who had commitments but streamed it and benefited as well. In a day of budget cuts and extremely fiscally conscious districts, conferences that cost an arm and a leg just aren’t attainable for most people.The Educators Lounge is giving you access to the Godfather of Twitter and the closing Keynote of #ISTE13…for free!

 

I am so thankful to have been a part of this day. If you missed it and are interested in the stream, it has been archived and is available. I encourage you to check out the website, The Educators Lounge, and see when a Classflow event is coming your way!

 

classflow

 

A Proud lounger,

Amber

Not how…but WILL you be remembered?

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I had gathered up all of my things one day last week and was walking out the door when my phone rang. To further avoid my dentist appointment, I answered it abruptly, “Teamann”.  A sweet little voice said, “Hi Mrs. Teamann, I’m sure you don’t remember me but….”

It was a former Beaver student that I had taught calling to invite me to an academic banquet that he was being recognized at, and he wanted me to be his guest. That little voice turned out to be a practically grown student whom I did in fact remember. In fact, I tore apart my picture closet that night trying to find the picture I had of he and I had a baseball game of his that I went too. I can even remember what I was wearing, and that we were both squinting at the sun in the picture. (Random, I know.)

The fact that this student, whose full name I so enjoyed calling him by, took the time to hunt me down and invite me just warmed my heart. Now a senior, about to go off to college, practically done with his Garland ISD experience, took the time to make contact with me…it made me happier than any award or prize that I could have gotten this year.

An additional funny…sweet Mason brought me his invitation the day that we were under a tornado threat. He walked in, smiled at me, and I promptly ushered him into the clinic bathroom with the rest of the office staff to duck and cover.

When you are beaten down by testing stress, buried underneath initiatives & changes, or exhausted by paperwork and deadlines…please remember that you don’t do this job for hours or the paychecks. You do this job because you have the opportunity to be the one of the BEST parts of these children’s lives. To be remembered and respected for the impact that you made on their impressionable lives. Never take that lightly. Mason probably doesn’t remember a single assignment or test I gave him that year…but he remembered me.

I will be honored to join Mason and his family next week.

 

honored,

Amber

Vocab Rehab, an ASCD arias…& a give away!

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vocab rehab

Last week we met with grade level teams to discuss our most recent benchmark data. Resoundingly, there was an understanding that while students may know the concept or skill, what was most lacking, in grades 3-5, science, reading, and math…was vocabulary. More specifically, lack of vocabulary mastery. Each grade level mentioned it, and some discussed specific vocabulary words that were embedded within the test that weren’t at all related to the content being taught. How as a teacher can you find time to teach “one more thing”?

Imagine my delight when I remembered I’d grabbed a recent ASCD arias, titled “Vocab Rehab”, by Marilee Sprenger. Knowing it would be a quick read (all arais’s are designed to be short & sweet!) I intentionally got to a restaurant 30 minutes before a dinner date to meet a friend. That was all it took to blow my mind!

Ms. Sprenger began the book with research to illustrate the importance of a vocabulary enriched classroom. She specifically mentions needing to “teach up”, not watering down academic vocabulary within instruction. Vocabulary acquisition is cumulative,meaning students with high vocabularies learn new words faster than students with more limited vocabularies (Referenced from a study by Hart & Risley, 2003).

She gives multiple 10 minute lessons that can help increase vocabulary instruction that can apply to any subject at any grade level. The list of ways “not” to teach vocabulary rang a bell…assignments like “use the word in a sentences, find and define, write and draw a picture”, all assignments given BEFORE a student truly understands a word. By using the integrated strategies Ms. Sprenger shares will ensure students KNOW the words, vs just being able to recognize a definition. The ability to read & understand a word within context require more than just a “look it up”!

My two favorite activities? Let’s say you have 10-15 words you want to teach. Give each student a lanyard with either a vocabulary word or a synonym for one of the new words. Have students line up by “like” terms, or antonyms throughout the week. Call by like meanings, or opposites.

I also like the idea of giving student a lanyard with a new vocabulary word, it’s definition, synonyms, and antonyms to wear each day. They can partner quiz at restroom breaks, in the lunch line, etc. Once a word is mastered or used successfully in class, they can switch lanyards. Easy!

There are so many gems of greatness is this book, I highly recommend it to anyone who recognizes how valuable vocabulary instruction should be. It focuses on easy ways to form strong connections in the brain over a short period of time…every teachers goal!

I happen to have an extra copy of the ASCD arias “Vocab Rehab”, if you’re interested! Enter to win by with your information below!

 

[gravityform id=”4″ name=”Win your own of Marilee Sprenger’s “Vocab Rehab”!”]

(This giveaway will end in one week, on April 12th!)

 

Vocab rehabbed,

Amber

Let’s talk data, shall we? (wait, come back!)

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Data meetings are always fun and exciting. Teachers love when that lil’data appointment pops up in their email box. It’s a hard conversation to have because amazing teachers are already well aware of their students strengths and weaknesses. It’s still a reality in our classes. A necessary evil, if you will. My principal had a great analogy. We want to apply the data effectively because if you go to the doctor when your stomach hurts, you don’t want him giving you headache medicine.

While it may seem like “busy work”, ultimately, it benefits you most of all.

If you’re already aware of the in’s and out’s of student performance, how can looking at data help you? Think of it this way, you may have a general awareness that you need to lose weight. But that favorite dress/suit? when it’s tight you know its time to trim the carbs. Looking at specific data can heighten your awareness of certain topics/concepts.

What if the results are overwhelming? Break it down, bit by bit. Take one question a week. Focus on the vocabulary within the question. Anyone can eat the elephant, just one bite at a time. Need help with question stems? Try this site.

How do I spiral this into my already action packed plans based on existing curriculum? Make cards that you can use during bathroom breaks or at lunch. Have your students answer and talk it through with a student partner. Use it as a bell ringer that first 10 minutes of class while students are filing in and getting situated. Cut a couple of assignments a week down by half. Use that time to focus on lower scored skills.

How can I teach it differently, when I’ve already taught it the best I could? Within your textbooks, there are scaffolding lessons available. Think of iStation, Study Island, Think Through Math, Ten Marks…there are a variety of sites that offer teacher lesson support. If you’re on twitter, find educators who teach similar subjects and ask to share. Check Pinterest. Check for Facebook groups. Look at Teacher Pay Teachers for ideas…get creative!

Stay FOCUSED. Don’t let yourself get lost on the tangents of “poor questions”, “bad data”, “these students”, and “overall passing percentages”. Even if 88% of your students passed, what if it was just 1 TEK or strand that could bump the rest of your kids up?

One teacher mentioned that she has her students go back over their most recent assessments and decide which areas/TEKS they struggled with the most. Students are completing different assignments, prescriptive tasks, based on where they were struggling. When you can transfer the ownership to the students, how much more powerful is that?

Be intentional with your material…there’s just not enough time in your day to miss a minute. Especially when we’re doing so many great things.  I’m a big believer in a whole child focus, but there’s a time and place for data as well!

Data dug,

Amber

Are your thoughts tweet worthy?

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I will always remember the first conversation I had with a professional colleague about Twitter. I’d attended BLC and been swept away in a Twitter tidal wave by Liz Davis and Lisa Thumann. (This also, coincidentally enough, was where the @8amber8 moniker came from…who knew this tool would become my go to PD reference and I’d have to explain that bad boy all the time!)

It came up in conversation that no one wanted to know what I’d had for lunch that day, that Twitter was pointless. This thought has now gone by the way side, 🙂 and there are 243 million monthly active users. While some may still talk about their lunch, it has become a place to share and be shared with. Twitter is an outstanding communication tool for three main reasons:

  • Twitter enables you to release brief, 140 character, gems of greatness to the world.
  • Twitter encourages conversations outside of your silo.
  • Twitter is word of mouth “genius sharing”. Great ideas get shared, and seen, and built upon.

Are you worried you don’t have anything to say? Wonder if your ideas are tweet worthy?

Here are 5 things you can tweet about….

1. Edu Wins: Share the good things happening on your campus. Break down the walls of and allow others to see what is happening. Tell your story. There are GREAT things happening every day in our schools, we should want to invite everyone to know how amazing our students and teachers are. An elephant can be eaten, one bite at a time, and some of our tweets may be those bites that show others just what we do.

2. Great ideas: My favorite event we’ve done this year has been “Tacos & Technology”, an idea I learned about from Sam LeDeaux, a principal in Chicago. While I love both tacos & technology, I’d never thought about putting them together for a parent night until he shared what is campus had done.

3. Support: A PLN becomes your educational support system. Need to ask a question and not feel judged? Need affirmation that what you are thinking or doing is what’s best for kids? There are people there to support you…and vice versa. Support others!

4. Questions: If you’ve ever read a thought-provoking article and wanted to discuss it with someone, here’s your chance. Tweet the link and start a conversation. Wonder how to make genius hour work? This space allows you have dialogue with other educators, other practitioners, who have tried it. Learn from them!

5. Who are you? George Couros has written about the difficulty in keeping your personal and professional life separate. Educators are persuaders. So much of our professional life is inspired by the personal connections we have. It’s impossible to keep those separate and yet simultaneously woven into the relationships we develop. You can’t know my heart if you don’t know a little of whats inside of it.

4 things that you shouldn’t ever tweet about, 🙂

1. Negativity: There are enough negative people in the world. We don’t need anymore like that. Any donkey can knock down a building, but it takes a special donkey to build one up.

2. Rants: Same as above. Ranting and raving will not solve anything. This isn’t that kind of space, and it undermines our goals in education: to lift up, inspire, and to teach.

3. Profane or inappropriate thoughts, images, jokes: The best (and safest) social media advice I’ve ever been given came from our communications coordinator. If it isn’t something you’d be ok with on the headline of the newspaper or happening in your school lobby, don’t post it. He didn’t say don’t DO IT, he said don’t post it, anywhere. There’s enough that can happen in life that we don’t, as an educational system, need to be sharing publicly things that could damage our professional image or efficacy. That’s a lesson to learn the hard way. Just ask her, her, or her... (Three cases have gone to the Supreme Court involving educators and free speech, and all three lost, by the way.)

4. Remember your purpose! If you’re on Twitter to learn, to share, and to grow professionally, as defined by your intent and bio, then do that.

 

What of your reasons have I missed? Not jumped into the Twitterverse? What’s holding you back?

 

Tweetly,

Amber