Looking for Heroes: Dare to be a leader!

Something needs to change.  It's time to redefine heroes in our schools. Heroism does not need to refer to superpowers and incredible strength. Heroism is about courage, and the courage to lead.  Heroes try to do the right thing, and will stand up for what is right. Heroes attract the attention of the silent majority until evil stands alone either to conform or repulse; hopefully to conform.

I'm looking for somebody kids can look up to, and somebody to inspire them.  I want somebody who will amaze people with their effort, without expecting a reward. I want somebody who is brave, and will stand up for what they believe in, and avenge a wrong. I remember students like that. I have met students like that. Where are they now?  Where are our student heroes?

Interesting Photo, Your Caption

                      Photo by: Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal/AP Photo

In Readers Digest they have a feature where the magazine publishes an interesting photo, and the readers submit what they think the caption or headline will be. My challenge for you is to be creative and fun with this interesting photo. Be original.  I'll start it.  You continue it.  Don't be afraid to praise creative comments as well. 

Check out some of our past photos and comments: snake, house, teepee

Flipped Classroom Success Doesn't Happen Overnight

If you are looking for a blog to support your ideas of a flipped classroom, this may not the site. Flipped lessons are the new rage in changing education, motivating students, and improving student performance. Although I admit that I have a lot to learn when it comes to planning and implementing a true flipped lesson or unit, I can't  help but feel that I constantly run into the same roadblocks as the traditional classroom.  It is not easy to plan flipped lessons when we may be limited by resources at school and home.  Perhaps the promise of potential one to one technologies will lower some of the most obvious obstacles of my flipped lessons. I am still left with teaching conundrums such as planning, collaboration, assessment, and student management. Please continue reading.  The next paragraph contains some of the resources our class used to build our background knowledge of Flipped Classrooms.  My students were asked to leave their comments below as they discuss their experience with our Flipped Lessons. 

I WONDER Who the Next Amazing Character Will Be?

Wonder by R.J. Palacio - I can't help but wonder what I would have done if I would have met a character like August Pullman.  I have read a lot of books in the past few years, and I am happy to say that this isn't the first time I have been pulled into a character like I was as I read, Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I still wonder what happened with Donald Zinkoff in Jerry Spinelli's book, Loser.  I wonder how long the legacy of Petey Corbin stuck to the people who were able see inside his severely handicapped body in the book, Petey by Ben Mikaelsen. I wonder if Melody found her real voice in the book, Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. Finally, I can't leave out Kevin in Rodman Philbrick's book, Freak the Mighty. I am sure that I am missing other great characters and other great books.  I hope some of my readers get personally into the characters of their great books the way I was able to hang with August Pullman and his family.

August Pullman is severely deformed.  That might be an understatement. He has a severe case of what is called, Mandibulofacial Dysostosis. R.J. Palacio doesn't describe the extent of his handicap right away, leaving the reader to wonder, "How bad could it be?" Auggie is going to to middle school for the first time.  If there was anywhere that courage is tested, it would be in middle school, especially since up until this time, Auggie has been home schooled by his overprotective mother. Auggie has the love and support of his family to see him through this new adventure where potential bullies and friends mix together testing not only Auggie's courage, but the courage of his family, and anyone who dares to see through his severe deformities.  The unique style of Palacio depicting the effects of living with a brother and friend like Auggie, makes the reader reflect within, searching for their own empathy and wondering, "How would I react if I met Auggie for the first time? Could I be a friend like that?"

Same Gender Classes: A Cost Effective Way to Increase Test Scores

Same gender classes may be cost effective, but at what cost?  Recently there have been many different budget crunching unconventional alternatives in education that promise low cost opportunities that will increase student performance.  Online classes, flipped classes, home school academies, one-to-one technology initiatives, are a few different ways given as education innovations. All of them have their positives and negatives, and some may not be so cost effective.  Same gender classes  might be an option that, with some creative scheduling, may offer a learning option statistically supported to increase student performance and scores.

Separating girls and boys in the public school generates debate into how different students think, and some even wonder if it is discrimination. GreatSchools.org says that there are many factors that must be considered when discussing same gender classes.  The physical and mental development of the whole child needs to be examined to determine if a single gender class is the perfect set up before a move like this should be made. Professional development for teachers will also need consideration for teachers to understand the differences in male and female learners.

The idea of same gender classes is fascinating discussion, and it was presented to the sixth grade students at our school.  Each class was given some of the resources attached to this blog to build their background knowledge on what the pros and cons of same gender classes might be.  For one entire class period, our sixth graders were separated and taught in a single gender atmosphere.  The lesson involved three levels of learning, considering silent reading and responding individually, working in pairs to complete a task, and finally in small groups to end the hour and provide a summary to the lesson.  All of these parts may make up the lessons of a mixed gender class almost every day.

What were the results?  As part of this assignment, I am asking my sixth graders to express their thinking on the topic of same gender classes. As a participant of our activity, what did you think?  Did you change your mind about same gender classes?  What was the most powerful thing you noticed? Let the discussion begin.

Check out our November post from last year. See what kids had to say last year.

As a reader and observer of this post, check out the resources attached. Feel free to comment on what you think about same gender classes as a cost effective way for schools to improve student performance.

Cyber Bullying - A 21st Century Dilemma

Headlines: Half of teens 15 to 18 bullied someone in the last year!
It's almost hard to believe the data.  First of all, who would admit to being a bully? According to this headline, is anybody safe in our high schools?  Like a lot of articles, the headlines can be a little deceiving.  Many of us will admit that we didn't treat someone as nice as we should have, or we have been made to feel inadequate by someone else. That doesn't make a bully. Many of those same people are outstanding citizens. The problem comes with the definition of what a bully truly is. According to Stopbullying.gov:

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. 

I Am Number Four - This year's series for young readers

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore:  How about another exciting science fiction thriller series where all of your main characters have supper powers, and must overcome tremendous odds in order to stay alive, save the planet against some of the most ruthless beasts imaginable, and salvage relationships with potential allies and each other?  That sounds like a lot, but it is not unlike some of the most popular young adult series' on the shelves today.  Hunger Games by Susanne Collins, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Maximum Ride by James Patterson, and Dust Lands by Moira Young all share similarities in plot details. Earth may be in a post apocalyptic condition, environmentally or socially destroyed, with rogue governments seeking to rule or destroy it, but these teen characters are given the gifts needed to overcome all evil, and perhaps promise a future of peace and tranquility.

Interesting Photo, Your Caption

Created by Shamus Clisset

In Readers Digest they have a feature where the magazine publishes an interesting photo, and the readers submit what they think the caption or headline will be. My challenge for you is to be creative and fun with this interesting photo. Be original.  I'll start it.  You continue it.  Don't be afraid to praise creative comments as well.

Check out some of our past photos and comments: snake  and  house

More Political Cartoon Ponderings

Political cartoons are a fun way to get a new perspective on issues and current events.  Artists creatively use metaphors of language to make readers have to think beyond the literal.  It is a great visual activity to promote your thinking. Study the political cartoon.  How is the author using this cartoon of a teenager to send a message?  Be sure to explain  your thinking.  Can you think of another way the author could creatively display a similar message?