Our Dreams...Where Did They Go?

I was inspired for this post by one of my fellow co-workers/teachers. We were introducing a goal setting action research project to our students yesterday and trying to get them motivated about setting short and long term goals along with LIFE goals (DREAMS). He made this BOLD statement that stuck with my students and me for the entire day,
                             "Why is it when we are little our dreams are so BIG, and then we become big people our dreams become so much smaller?"
               
So... I asked my students about this questions at the end of the day and they were eager to respond. They said anything from, society, to their parents not believing in them, reality, and FEAR! Fear....are we so afraid of failing that we give up on what our dreams were as children. Why is it when we were young we were not scared of failing and could only picture SUCCESS? Is there a way to get our students and ourselves back to that place of, DREAM BIG? The SKY is the LIMIT? Why is it when we grow older we trade in our hopes and dreams for safe and smart goals? Why do we stop taking risks and become paralyzed  by our fears? How can we teach our students to DREAM BIG if we are not doing it ourselves? I don't know if anyone changed the world by setting SMART goals?

Just a fruit for thought on this beautiful Tuesday!

Big smiles,

Ms. Leigh

Have Students Take Ownership of Their Classroom!!!

This is what some of my classes worked on the first few days of school. They are image boards and personality foldables. I use it as my door decoration for the beginning of the year. They love it because it creates a sense of ownership for their classroom. It is a great way for them to express themselves. #education #educationrocks#inspire #diversity #bethechange 

Journal EVERYDAY!

For my students it is imperative that they journal. At first they don't enjoy it, but then once I respond back to them every week they begin to really LOVE it. They think it is great way for them to reflect on events in their life and be able to express themselves on a daily basis! 
I give them the option of using the prompt, free write, or just respond back to me. It is a great tool to use to get to know your students and build quality relationships with them. 

I feel that once you build safe, honest, and positive relationships with your students, the sky is the limit. I find that they will open up, let go of their fears, and are willing to explore the unknown with you and their classmates. 


Here are my journal prompts for the 1st week of school:

Monday:
Why do you hate school? Do you remember the day or the grade that you started disliking school? Give me details:)

Tuesday:
If you could create "THE PERFECT SCHOOL" what would it be like? )Please give examples because this will be used as brainstorming tool for your creative write this week) 

Wednesday:
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why?

Thursday:
Tell me about your favorite teacher of all time. What made them so special to you? What did you learn in their class?

Friday:
If you witnessed someone doing something wrong, what would you do? Maybe give me an example when you have been put into this situation. p.s. HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! You made it ALL week long!!!! 

A video captured by my students. It was a project, but they edited and gave it to me. I was pretty impressed! Check it out!
https://plus.google.com/107290095525364561875/posts/ZSou2xsDtys

Meditation and Siesta...A Beautiful Collaboration!

So I tried something NEW today! Very exciting, I know!

After lunch my students are toast. They are exhausted and unmotivated. I thought to myself, what can I do to re energize them? Taking them for a walk didn't work and listening to different genres of music was a total bust. Although most would say that since my students are "at risk" that is just their "normal" behavior to want to get out of doing their work, but that is not the case for these students. They constantly complained about being tired and that they were having trouble focusing on their independent assignments. I had to come up with a plan of attack and then it morphed into this extraordinary movement. 

 I had talked to them multiple times about how I meditate in my personal practice and how it helps me calm my mind and my thoughts, because I am EXTREMELY energetic and go 90 miles an hour. They started begging me to allow them to meditate. I was hesitant at first, thinking it was a ploy to trick me into letting them sleep, but I thought, "what do I have to lose?" NOTHING...If is works, GREAT, if not, then come up with a plan B.

And then I happen to mention.....

SPAIN....this is how the idea was presented from one of my students....
I was explaining how I believe in a nontraditional approach to my  educational practices and I want to do whatever I can to insure that ALL of my students are successful. With that being said, I started talking about how in Spain they take a siesta in the middle of the day to increase productivity and how I think it is a brilliant idea. One of my students said to me, "Ms. Leigh, if you believe in being different and in us being successful, why can't we just try it after lunch and see if it works?" I laughed really hard because I have taught them to constantly ask questions and question the "why" of EVERYTHING. After that conversation I decided that we could at least try it out, what's the worst that could happen....it wouldn't work, big deal!

Yesterday we did it! We participated in 15 minutes of mediation/quiet time/turn your brain off or whatever else you want to call it. The students and even my building principal ALL participated in the study. Not going to lie, it was one of the most rewarding things I have done in education career. My students took it so serious and when they awoke from their silent time, they were rejuvenated and ready to work. I had them circle where they started after the meditation and then circle where they finished at the end of class. It was CRAZY!!!!! 100% of them did at LEAST double the work that they did the day before. Let's be honest, that is not quality data, but it is a start. I am going to start collecting data daily after mediation and see if the results continue to improve.

I don't know if it truly is making a difference, but I do know that they will not STOP talking about it. Even students that are not in my class keep dropping by and asking if they can meditate. I know it has only been one day, but I am going to continue practicing with them to see if they do indeed improve.

If something makes our students more successful, why don't we do it. It my be unconventional, but it could also turn out to be brilliant!

Can Students Learn Outside of the Classroom?

If kids are out of the classroom are they learning? I have been asked this question THOUSANDS of times. My response is short and simple, "OF COURSE THEY DO!!!!" I think that "real world" lessons are taught outside of our classrooms. My students volunteer at the local Elk's Lodge with multiple fundraisers and charity events throughout the year. To me it is the most inspiring moments of my career. They are able to apply all of the everyday skills that we teach them everyday in the classroom with people in the public. They practice teamwork, etiquette, manners, and communication skills. These are all valuable lessons that my students need to be exposed to so that they are prepared to be successful citizens in society. To me they LEARN just as much if not more. I came up with this conclusion from the hundreds of reflections that I have read over the past five years. I will provide more details later...

My next post will give a brief description of my program, my students, and myself....I tend to get the cart before the horse sometimes haha :)

It's just a checker...

I am currently teaching a Service Learning Class, which is by far my favorite class because of the flexibility and freedom that it allows myself and my students to have. With that being said, I think that it is extremely important for my students to 'think outside of the box' and continue to explore their interests. It is my belief that through investigation and imagination is when LEARNING really takes place. 

So the lesson.....

I gave my students a checker, you know just the red or black game piece. I didn't give them any directions or instructions, but I asked them what they were holding. Of course, they one at a time starting responding with the obvious answer...."it's a checker Ms. Leigh". I just continued asking them and then it started....
a plastic game piece?  a mini hockey puck? A record? an eye patch? a way to tell time? an earring?

They finally GOT IT!!!!! They were laughing at all of their creativity and how off the wall they were thinking. It was awesome, they weren't afraid of intimidated to be silly and have FUN with the project. I explained to them the importance of using their imagination and not thinking there is always a RIGHT and WRONG answer. I understand that this is some silly for them to do, but it encouraged them to think. Days after they were still talking about all of the things that they thought of once they got home.

The PURPOSE was for them to THINK...Plain and simple, I want my kids to constantly be thinking! When they are thinking, they are learning and they have the desire to learn!

Another inspiring day in the education world. Love it!

1st Day of School....What an amazing feeling!!!

WOW!!!! What an AWESOME  first day of school. I am so excited to see what this year brings. I asked the students today how THEY were going to make a difference in the world, the responses that I received were truly heartfelt, attainable and honest. I love that I work in an educational environment that allows me to be open and creative with my students. At the end of the day we had a moving open discussion about the violence that is taking place near our community and how that violence and hate hinder our growth as humans. Let's take a moment and consider what we are doing to promote LOVE and PEACE around us and in the world!


I am going to TRY (try being the key word) to blog EVERYDAY!!!! I think this will keep my sharp in my craft and make me a better leader to ALL of the people around me! 
 #bethechange #loveeducation #inspire #makeadifference #teachingrocks