Inservice...Oh Happy Day!

     This week has been quite an adventure!  I say that...tongue in cheek!  So far we teachers have attended a Common Core cavalcade, a RTTT definition briefing.  I have met with my fellow ELA teachers all of yesterday and today constructing Learning Maps, evaluating assessments, designing unit tests, and tweaking Reading comprehension tests.  Normally this kind of thing would drive me crazy!  Having to deal with a plethora of multi-dimensional personalities, whines about this and that, and the fact that I am anywhere else than in my own classroom is usually enough to get me in a bad-leaning towards wicked mood.  Either I am mellowing in my old age, or some forest sprite has flown up my ass, because I have enjoyed spending time with my colleagues these last two days.
     I have never had a problem working with any one person, or any group, as long as there is some consistency...some camaraderie among the ranks, and a willingness to complete all tasks to an agreed upon end.  This rarely happens...or has rarely happened when it comes to inservice gatherings.  Usually it starts out OK, then ends in a whine and cheese session, or a book club discussion, or the separation of cliques into little chattering pods.  I have gone against my first and foremost lesson in my classroom...never ASSUME!  I teach my students to NEVER assume...because it makes an ASS out of U and ME!
     These last two days have been awesome!  We gathered our data, we sat together, and began to hatch a plan.  We talked about what we needed, what the big-picture was, and came up with ideas about how we were going to get there.  Of course all of this had to do with our new Common Core program, and the types of lessons involved...basically it all had to do with our kids.  Challenging our kids, guiding them deeper down the path of enlightenment.  A group of educated, intelligent individuals were actually able to tackle the task at hand, and not get drawn out on tangents!  It was wonderful!
     This was new for me...like a breath of fresh air!  Maybe over the years my eyes have been closed.  Maybe I spent way too much time, and energy expecting the worst from people.  Maybe this is how it has always been...intelligent, thought provoking, dedicated...and I just never gave it a chance.  Nahhh...these past two days have been a fluke at best!  I have hope, though!  I do have a new perspective on the whole department meeting thing, and my hope is that this fluke progresses.  I thoroughly enjoy spending time with people who...without any thought of themselves, or their own personal trials and tribulations....are dedicated to the betterment of others...especially our kids!

The End Isn't Final!

     Today my kids had their last hurrah in the Wolf Den.  We gathered in the classroom at first bell, then went to the gymnasium and watched quite a few JBM teachers sing, dance, perform in drag, and exhibit fun filled skits for the entire student body.  It was awesome! 
     We returned to the classroom with just enough time to talk a bit, then it was So Long time.  I kept the funny/lighthearted conversation going right up to the end, because I knew that as soon as I began to say..."Well, the time has come to say...."  I would have become a bit more emotional than I would have liked.  It is not that I am afraid to show emotion...I teach to the contrary, it was just...well, I am not really sure why I did that.  Last year I was a blubbering idiot...guess I didn't want to revisit that.
     Once the buses, filled to capacity with kids off to begin their summer vacations, left the grounds, I did a quick clean-up of my classroom, then made my way to the High School for the annual end of the year luncheon. 
     My God!  The place was filled to the brim with educators, administrators, custodians, secretaries, paras, and cafeteria workers.  As I walked through the place, saying hello to this person and that, I got into the food line (I was hungry).  The line moved fairly quickly...I got my plate, and found my seat (Saved by my BFF, and favorite teacher), sat and ate.  The food was delicious.  As I cleaned my plate, I scanned the vicinity and saw so many faces from my past.  Teachers that had once taught me, still going strong.  Educators who taught my son, and were still going strong.  So many who had the same day as I...saying goodbye to our kids.
     One of the highlights was sitting across from the District Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Augustus.  She is an outstanding Math/Science/Social Studies teacher at JBM.  It is customary that the District TOY make a speech at the end of the year luncheon, as well as lead the entire congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance.  I could see that Mrs. Augustus was a tad bit nervous...she had a bit of stage-fright.  I could also see the strength within her overriding this fear.  Finally she did her duty.  Her Pledge was inspiring, and her speech was flawless.  It pertained to teachers being likened to super heroes, and it was spot on!  I was very proud of our own Mrs. Augustus.
     The ultimate highlight of the luncheon (Of the day!) was when one of my son's teachers came over to me.  She had his folder that contained his report card (He did not attend the last day of school to get his report card...the Middle School kids got out at 9:30...he stayed home).  Inside the folder I first found his promotion document...he will be a freshman in high school next year!  Tears welled seeing that.  Then his report card (Which was awesome) followed by his Honor Roll certificate!  I was so proud I couldn't stand it!
     Back to the luncheon.  The procession of speakers commenced, and the customary introductions of this educator and that, of this academic accomplishment and that.  We celebrated those who are retiring, and those who have 3 decades in!  We celebrated our ARTS Departments as Hometown Heroes.  We even celebrated those with perfect attendance.  Our own Principal, Mr. Prillaman, was honored for having 12 years of perfect attendance...amazing!  I have never done anything perfect for 12 minutes, let alone 12 years!
     By 2:15 it was all over.  I returned to JBM and my empty classroom.  I began the tasks of closing out the year (Paperwork, chair stacking, etc.).  Sitting there, I realized (As I do every year) that this day is the end of the 2010-2011 school year, but that doesn't mean finality, or over-and-done.  The end of every school year marks the beginning of a new one!  A new year of frightened young people into the Wolf's Den.  A new year of learning, and unlearning.  A new year of mistakes, and good choices.  A new year of growth, and progress.  A new chance to once again open my heart to 30 young minds.  A new chance to hope that I am able to make a difference to at least one of them.

My Kids This Year...Sure Am Going To Miss Them!

     Just two more days, and I will have to say so long to my 30 cubs!  Below is a list of my kids, and their amazing strengths! 
     Love you guys, and remember...I will always be here for you should any of you ever need me.

James - Kind, generous, thoughtful
Heather G - Sweet, quiet, organized
Josh - Confident, giving, caring
Tiffany (Tiff) - Mature, compassionate, dedicated
Nate - Good-hearted, empathetic, responsible
Paul - Funny, good natured, intelligent
Hailey - Strong, loving, honest
Kristen (furball)- Tough, dedicated, strong willed
Matthew T - Compassionate, dedicated, generous
Jamie - Mature, funny, loving
Alex (Pappy)- Brilliant, hilarious, respectful
Ryan - Talented, strong, compassionate
ShiAnn (Shi)- Kind, generous, responsible
RJ - Talented, considerate, kindhearted
Angela (Smitty)- Confident, sweet, willing-and-able
Markel - Bright, funny, dedicated
Jadyn - Brilliant, full-of-life, compassionate, energetic
Shane - Generous, insightful, mature
Heather S. - Quiet, funny, goodhearted
Brian (Crossbow)- Respectful, good natured, kind
Sydney - Mature, responsible, dedicated
Matthew B (The Rhino) - Intelligent, imaginative, thoughtful
Chris - Funny, persevering, kindhearted
Bryan - Brilliant, mature, insightful
Tyler - Compassionate, dedicated, respectful
Janae (Swany) - Funny, talented, confident
Justin (Fish) - Loving, sensitive, strong
Dylan - Ingenious, thoughtful, dedicated
Dakota (Dak) - dedicated, loving, Brilliant
Jewel - Talented, old-soul, sensitive

It's A Paradox!

     What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?  The easy answer is that each destroys the other.  That is on the surface, and doesn't take much thought.
     Scientifically (In the real world) there are no unstoppable, or irresistible forces, which also means that any object is movable.  An immovable object would have to have infinite mass (An object with this kind of mass would simply collapse under its own weight).  Since our universe is finite...this could never happen.
     Philosophically...there is no force that can move everything, because force is a PART of everything.
     OK...enough of that!  Let's take the unstoppable force, and immovable object paradox into the classroom.  Let's go right-brain on this, let's keep it poetic, and artsy-fartsy.
     Let's say there is an imaginary classroom filled with students.  There is a teacher, and amongst the students is a kid who came in with a very popular, and talked about reputation.  A reputation in the negative.  This kid spent more time in the Principal's office than the classroom.   This kid has no problem showing his attitude, nor is he inhibited regarding his anger.  When he is told to stop talking, or to sit at his desk, or to stop bullying someone...he responds with high demonstrations of pissed off! 
     If we apply the paradox to the imaginary scene above...who is the unstoppable force, and who is the immovable object?  One scenario might dictate that it doesn't matter...the kid and the teacher will butt heads, and either destroy one another, or simply go nowhere.  I believe this happens more often than not.
     I have seen...both as a student and as an educator...kids who have taken the position of an immovable object, or an unstoppable force.  I have witnessed these kids thrown out of class, or moved entirely to another class.  In my youth I saw immovable objects paddled, and as an adult I have seen unstoppable forces fall through the cracks.
     Even in an imaginary classroom the paradox doesn't work.  The kid suffers, the teacher suffers.  So what are we to do?  The reality is that any given number of classrooms will have at least one aggressively demonstrative kid at any given time.  One kid who seems immovable.  One kid who seems unstoppable.  If anyone does read this blog of mine...I know that you could list each one of your kids throughout the years who fit the bill. 
     As teachers we must be dominant in the classroom.  As educators we must be able to stand our ground, and address what needs addressing always.  We must be the lion!  We must be the unstoppable force AND the immovable object...but NOT in the same sense as in the paradox.
     No one is omnipotent...that position is reserved for whatever God you believe in.   Only in an omnipotent being can both the unstoppable force, and the immovable object coexist.  Yet, I stated that teachers must be both...remember, I said I was going artsy-fartsy, and right-brain with this.
     An unstoppable force denotes movement...something moving until it is stopped by something else.  An educator doesn't have to crash into a student in order to make a point.  Unstoppable here means to never give up!  Never shut-down, nor shut-out.  There may be some roaring, and/or ugliness in the beginning, but NOTHING ever starts out perfect...does it?  Find that kid, and I don't mean physically find him.  Never stop looking under the layers.  Be unstoppable.  If a kid realizes that you are unstoppable...he/she will eventually let you in.
     An immovable object denotes something fixed, motionless.  Here this means an educator who will not move aside and let any student stray.  It also means that each student has their own paths, each with many tiny tributaries to trouble, or mischief, or the unknown.   We MUST remain on our path, leading our kids towards enlightenment.  We may even have to go out into the dark forest to find one or more of our kids, and guide them back to the path.  Some will come kicking and screaming, but they will come.  Our path is ground zero...it is the epicenter.  We must show our kids that we are on the path for them, and that we will not let them get lost, or ever get lost again.
     I could no more give up on my students than I could give up on my own son.  I know that there are others capable of doing this out there...giving up on their students.  I am not intelligent enough to state how they became capable...I just don't know?
     Through the years I have had students transferred into my classroom from other classrooms in my school.  It seemed that the paradox was alive and well in the latter classroom.  Not my artsy-fartsy view of the paradox...the head-butting version of it.  These kids, these strays who were abandoned and found their way to me helped to make my classroom that much more AWESOME!  These strays who quickly became mine...are etched fondly in my memories.  I am the one who benefited the most from these kids, and I am eternally grateful, and honored to have once been their teacher.

Accelerated Math

     I really love AM...it keeps the kids' juices flowing in math, and the kids (And I) see immediate results!  We do AM every Tuesday, and Thursday and spend anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes doing it.
     The whole collaborative pair, and the teacher as more of a guide thing works well here.  I also only do exercises, and tests.  I can't get into the practice, after practice then test ordeal.  The AM exercises/tests I print out are, for the most part, geared towards what we are covering in class (Regarding math).  In the beginning of the year, though, the exercises/tests are basic skills stuff.  I get all of the operations work out of the way.  This is also another way that lets me see who knows their stuff, and who doesn't.
     At the beginning I establish Math Helpers.  These are kids who excel in math.  As the year progresses, I appoint more math helpers.  I sit at my computer, the AM Assignment Book is up on the screen.  My primary job is pumping out work.  If any of my students need help, they raise their hands and a Math Helper goes to them.  When a kid is ready to scan, he/she raises their hand and I send them over to do it.  They staple their TOPS to their work, and place it in the intake bin.  If they scan and get a score lower than an 80% (Test or exercise)...they are to show me right away.  If there score is lower than an 80%, they are to fix what went wrong.  I send them back to their seat with a Math Helper.  When the work is corrected, I check it, and re-score the AM by hand in the computer.
     At any given time during our AM sessions, I have everyone working, and four to five Math Helpers moving around doing their job.  The kids help each other!  I usually give the Math Helpers the opportunity to do their AM on an off day (Mondays, or Wednesdays) during silent reading so they can keep up with their goals (Objectives).  This has been very successful.  By the end of the marking period the kids have made theirgoals, and they are each above 90%!
     Most of the time, if a kid is to reach concept attainment, they can do it faster and more efficiently when a peer helps them, or teaches them.
     We also keep a running chart.  For every objective met and mastered...a circle goes up on the chart next to the kid's name.  It usually becomes an in class math competition...who can make their goal the fastest.
     As I stated, if a kid scores lower than an 80% on an exercise or test they are to show me right away, then fix the mistakes, and I will rescore.  BUT, any of my students have the option of correcting their mistakes...especially considering that MOST of the mistakes are the result of carelessness, or not bubbling in correctly.  I hold on to the TOPS report while the kid fixes, I evaluate, then rescore in the computer!  Love AM!
   

Honesty Is The Best Policy!

     This post has everything to do with education, however I need to set it up a bit...bear with me! 
     I am sure that most of you can identify with, and be able to answer "Yes" to the following...have you ever known someone who says only the things they think you want to hear?  Or...someone who validates you face to face, then talks dirt behind your back?  Talks out both sides of their mouth?  You can recognize these animals by their two faces.  I am sure you know at least one.
     I am sure that if I asked a room full of one hundred people "Who in here knows a liar?"  One hundred hands would shoot up!  Equally, if I asked the same room full of people "Who has ever told a lie?"  One hundred hands...straight up!
     What about that other person you know (We all know at least one) who smiles on the surface, and speaks in sugary tones, yet writhes with contempt underneath.  You know?  The phony.  You can usually recognize this animal by their sickeningly sweet demeanor.  This is not to say that all sweet people are phonies...just the ones who wield their charms to get what they want.
     How about the "Holier than thou" clan?  Bet you know some like this also.  These are the animals who rate themselves superior to everyone else.  These are the pompous ones who speak, but rarely listen.  You can recognize these animals by their constant expounding on professionalism, or their tenured status.  These animals believe that they are all that AND a bag of chips.  They also believe that because they have been a teacher for more than a decade or two, they are a better teacher than anyone who has less time in.  What these animals don't realize is that length of stay is not definitive proof of how good someone is at something, it only really proves that a person has it going on in the longevity department, or that they have excellent staying power!  Of course, it could also mean that these animals are at least intelligent enough to know that they can't do anything else.
     the animals above are not exclusive to education...they are everywhere.  It takes all kinds to make a world, right?  However...a wolf in sheep's clothing does not a good educator make (How's that for grammar?)
     I mentioned this already in another post, but I feel it is important enough to mention again.  We educators must be honest.  Not just the kind of honesty associated with NOT telling a lie.  We must be honest in all things.  We must be able and willing to not only say what is just and true, but also to say what isn't.  For instance, if an educator administers a test, and half of the students fail it...that educator should be able to say to the class...
     You didn't fail, I failed you!  Now lets get rid of that test, and begin again. 
     Blaming the kids for failing is not an option...not in my classroom! 
     Educators must also be able and willing to open themselves to their students.  If we want our students to open up to us, we must be willing to do the same. 
     Regarding the kid who chronically fidgets, or blurts, or talks during a lesson...talking dirt behind that kid's back to anyone willing to listen does nothing, but bother the listener, and make an ass out of you!  No matter how frustrated an educator might get, suck it up!  Remember...they are YOUR kids.  Your students should each believe that you "Got their backs!"
     Finally, there are educators out there who treat their kids like serfs.  "Do as I say and not as I do!"  They command from on high, demand only the highest grades at any cost, and punish simply because they know they can.  Hey, I believe in consequences too, but...incentives are mountain movers.  Praise and privledge promises productivity!
     I am certainly not perfect.  Over the years I have made my fair share of mistakes as an educator.  In the future, I will make many more.  I am a human animal too.   Within the walls of my classroom, however is a safe haven.  A place where mistakes are shared, and triumphs celebrated.  I hide nothing from my kids.  They see that I am unafraid to admit when I am wrong, or have made a mistake.  This allows my students to follow suit. 
     With me...what you see is what you get.  Kids know a phony...maybe not consciously, but they know.  Your students will know that you are Real, and the genuine article if you are honest. 
     Lastly (For real), you must lead by example.  This isn't a bogus, over used statement...it is truth!  If you want your kids to follow the rules, you must follow them also.  I will never forget what happened a few years ago when I shared recess duty with a fellow teacher.  We were monitoring our kids while they played, and talking about this, that, and the other.  She was chewing gum...she always chewed gum!  Anyway, she blew her whistle, and her kids began to line up.  As one of her kids ran by she noticed he was chewing gum.  She stopped him, told him to spit it out, and then stated that she was going to take his recess away the next day.  I stood there thinking...are you freaking kidding me?