The Importance of Interaction

I've been thinking alot lately about interaction.  The simple human to human interaction we have every day.

I firmly believe that in every human interaction we have the choice and ability to EMPOWER, INSPIRE others.

I know that sounds silly, but I feel like it's true.  We bring energy into every space we enter.  That energy is felt by others and then transmitted throughout their world.  In other words, our simple interaction with have with another human is like a pebble in a pond which create a ripple.

So what does that have to do with learning and schools.  Well, imagine this, every interaction we have with our students matters.  Check out this video:

Every opportunity, every interaction, every word that is uttered, it either adds to, multiples, or takes away and divides.

I was recently at a school and some of the words and phrases I overheard were:

• Don't Touch my things...
• Pick your lab partner because I don't like to change seating charts. 
• Can you come back in 5 minutes this is the boring part.
• I will eventually get to know kids. I can't get behind the pacing guide.
• If you can't get the work done we will help you..
• You know it's (blank) and then (blank)....

I also saw a poster like this hanging in a classroom:

Think about those words and phrases listed above.  Do they inspire something better for others?

What we do each day matters, and more importantly every interaction (face to face, through email, over the phone, etc.) matters.  

Embrace each day as a choice to either ADD TO, Multiply, Create, EMPOWER, Inspire:

Fill buckets, post 'UP' arrows, whatever you need to do to remind yourself about the impact you're making.

Or Belittle, Subtract, Divide, Quiet, Hush, Make less, Post down arrows.  Just be careful you never know the ramifications of your actions:

Jerry Seinfeld once had a portion of a stand up routine around the difference between Up and Down:

He states "When you're little your whole life is up" as adults we're always trying to put others (kids especially) down.

I ask you choose differently today, tomorrow, and every minute of every day.

Choose Possibility, creativity, and wonder.....

The Silence Is So So Loud

As a teacher we have all experienced it. Silence.

That moment you ask a question to a room and nothing happens.

Over the years that silence has grown into more than just a "wait time" moment. It means something. The silence is so so telling.

Sure there are many reasons that silence could happen.  It may be nothing.  What I've found more often than not is that silence is a signal.

That silence is evidence of a lack of relationship. A lack of trust. A lack of willingness to take risks. That silence can be deafening.

As a coach without a classroom now I see (and hear) this silence in classrooms and workshops across the globe.  Teachers talking to fill the air and to share their views while students sit passively by in rows in their metal desks with the plastic seats.  Don't our students today deserve more?

Learn more here

The silence we hear speaks loudly. It's truly deafening and is a part of the core as to why students across the globe are disenfranchised with the current (and outdated) concept of school.

So let's do something different.  Let's ignore the pacing guide for a little bit.  Get to genuinely know your students.  Share a little bit about you.  It's time to invest in kids so they will in turn invest in others. Put the person first and genuinely care about them. Their needs, interests, values must be authentically heard.

The content, curriculum and pacing guide will be there, it always will, but the relationships make the school a place where kids want to be.

Only when there is a meaningful relationship built will we ever get past the silence.

Can I be defined by a number?

My colleagues and I were having a great conversation around Data, Data-drive decision making, and numbers.  It was riveting and got me thinking.

Is there a number, any number really, that I would want to define me?

Credit Score

Test Score

BMI

Reading Level

AimsWeb Benchmark

IQ

Driving test score

Often I'm in meetings when we talk about kids, then list numbers associated with that kid.  Do we spend enough time on the qualitative descriptions of students than we do the test scores that they achieve.

What if we started discussing:

Likes/Dislikes

Family History

Home life

Favorite colors/foods/songs/movies

I'm not asking to eliminate ALL data from conversations with students, I'm just asking us to not LEAD with data.  Let's lead with the things that make a student special, unique, individual and real.

I'll be honest and say there is NO, I repeat NO, number I want to define me.  Please don't let numbers define the kids in your schools.

The "Power of Habit" and working in schools

Every day we react.  We react in the way we were taught, programmed, advised, mentored, parented, etc.

Our reactions have become a habit.

I recently was reading this:

 Then again came across this podcast about habit.  Learn more about habit here.

But do we ever analyze the way we react?

Have we even thought about whether we'd react the same way if we were given new opportunities?

Imagine this:

A kid is misbehaving in class.

The kids misbehaving are the stimulus.  The black box, being the thought process happening in our brain based on habit.  This leads to a response

That stimulus typically leads to a response from the teacher.  The teacher can:

• discipline the student
• reteach expectations
• redirect the students
• ignore the stimulus
• send the student out of the class
• etc.

But what if........

What if we imagined a different school?  What if we projected how they might behave, what their responses might be?  What if we taught differently? What if we thought differently...

Imagine the staff of "THE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE" (I know cheesy).

But how would the teachers at that school respond to stimulus?

If we can examine the habits we have, we may be able to analyze possible solutions and the adjacent possible solutions that impact our kids.

What we do an how quick we react impacts students.

Take some time to list stimuli that happen today, how did you react to it?  Would the staff of this fictional school react differently?

Time to form some new habits....

Stop saying you're busy.

Stop it, just stop it right now.  Eliminate the phrase "I'm Busy," from your mind.

Imagine this.

You're walking down the hallway and someone asks you how you're doing.  You reply without even thinking, "I'm busy."

Stop it.  Stop it right now.

When you say you're busy here's what you're really saying...

I'm working really hard.  I have too much on my plate right now.  I planned poorly and can't stop to talk to you.  I'm prioritizing what I'm going to over building a relationship with you.  I'm also REALLY important and you should think about that when you say "Hi" to me in the hallway.

Imagine this too.

You get a phone call from a colleague/friend asking you if you can do this task to help them out.  You reply, "I could but I'm really busy right now."

When you say you're busy here's what you're really saying...

I poorly planned my own projects or I don't even like you enough to help you out.  I'l help you with your task but I'll reach back out after all of my other work is complete.

Finally, imagine this...

You're on the phone checking you're voicemail and your get one from your grandmother.  She just wants to check in and she says it, "I know you're busy."

When she says you're busy here's what she's really saying...

I haven't heard from you in a while, I miss you, I don't feel like a priority.  

Stop it, Just Stop it. Stop it this instance.

How to combat "Busy"

Saying your busy implies you're misguided, frantic, walking hard, but not towards a goal.  You have a lot to do, we all do.  But you know what successful people do?  They do this:

1. Set yearly goals in all aspects of their life. (See seeking balance)
2. Prioritize tasks

When a new "to do" list item is presented.  

Successful people check: 

1.  Does this get me closer to my goals?  If Yes, it goes on the list, if no, it gets omitted/deleted.  NOTE: some things like going to the grocery store or folding laundry do make it on the list of "life maintenance."

2.  How will it get prioritized?  Will it become more important or less important than the tasks that are already there? NOTE:  If the item takes less than 2 minutes to complete, do it now.

When you're doing busy work, you're working on things that are misaligned with your mission.  The items are NOT moving you closer to your professional or personal goals.  Keep focused.

Stop saying you're busy, focus on your goals and work to achieve them.

Resources:

http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2014/03/brigid_schulte_s_overwhelmed_and_our_epidemic_of_busyness.html

http://www.fastcompany.com/3029294/work-smart/why-you-need-to-stop-bragging-about-how-busy-you-are

http://lifehacker.com/stop-telling-yourself-youre-too-busy-1562989296

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

http://www.chicagonow.com/social-butterfly-mom/2013/12/stop-saying-im-busy/

Resources for Union R-XI Staff Development

Slides:

Connected Educator - Keynote Union School District from cmcgee200

General Resources

• Horizon Report 2013 Emerging Technologies - http://goo.gl/iTM15 
• Professional Learning in the Learning Profession - http://goo.gl/0rBhc8 
• Crab Mentality - http://goo.gl/C7yS
• Average of the 5 people you spend time with - http://goo.gl/t4hbE
• Types of PLNs - http://goo.gl/8HMWiu

Consuming - Phase 1 of Connecting

Subscribe to blogs/websites with a RSS reader, here are two options:

• Feedly - http://feedly.com/
• Flipboard - https://flipboard.com/

Email Subscriptions via newsletter, options:

• Farnam Street - http://www.farnamstreetblog.com/
• EdSurge - https://www.edsurge.com/
• Marshall Memo - http://www.marshallmemo.com/
• Dan Pink - http://goo.gl/iKg6cx
• 21st Century Fluency Project - http://fluency21.com/blog/

Podcasts - For iPhone, iPad, and iTunes, some options:

• CNet - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-cnet-video-podcasts-sd/id264659389?mt=2
• Freakanomics - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519?mt=2
• Dan Pink Office Hours - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-pinks-office-hours/id447440893?mt=2
• Coaching for Leaders - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/coaching-for-leaders-people/id458827716?mt=2
• TED talks - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tedtalks-hd/id281315460?mt=2 
• 60-Second Mind - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/60-second-mind/id262750202?mt=2
• EntreLeadership - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-entreleadership-podcast/id435836905?mt=2
• Accidental Creative - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/accidental-creative-creativity/id93424211?mt=2
• Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneurial-thought-leaders/id80867514?mt=2
• This Is Your Life - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-your-life-michael/id502414581?mt=2
• Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/andy-stanley-leadership-podcast/id290055666?mt=2
• RadioLab - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab-from-wnyc/id152249110?mt=2

Lurking - Phase 2 of Connecting

Definition of Lurking: “Lurking is a slang term for when an individual reads a message board without posting or engaging with the community. Lurking is sometimes encouraged by forum moderators as a way for new members to get a sense of the community and etiquette before participating. Lurking also may occur if a user simply wants to get some information without adding to the discussion.” via http://goo.gl/0YOsAi

Actually Connecting - Phase 3

Remember: Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook - GIVE, GIVE, GIVE, then Ask.

14 quotes from the book - http://goo.gl/XnmDHU

Twitter - #MoEdchat 9pm Thursdays

Maximizing your PLN document - http://goo.gl/rdbTr

Complete exhaustive list of hashtags - http://goo.gl/YPElr

When is a twitter chat happening - http://goo.gl/xTkQt

Twitter 101 - http://goo.gl/VORdQ

Facebook

Edchat - http://goo.gl/KoQzA

edReach.us - http://goo.gl/55wDZ

Other Connected Sites

Educators PLN - http://goo.gl/DkAB

Classroom 2.0 - http://www.classroom20.com/

Edmodo - https://www.edmodo.com/

Flipped Learning Network - http://goo.gl/XaH8U

Kagan discussion board - http://goo.gl/RfZOH9

Google Plus

Beginners Guide - http://goo.gl/x090dk

LiveBinder for educators - http://goo.gl/wYFYFV

Tips for teachers - http://goo.gl/OvNZm

Communities

• Connected Classrooms
• Digital Leadership
• EdReach
• Edcamp
• Educational Leadership
• Minecraft in Education
• Google docs and drive
• Google Apps
• Connected Learning
• Discovery Education
• EdcampSTL

Pinterest

How to use it for educators - http://goo.gl/hrIH4

Tips for teachers - http://goo.gl/wjx1p7

Using for education - http://goo.gl/ZVpg1T

Events - for a little Face-to-Face (F2F)

Meet Up - http://www.meetup.com/

Edcamp - http://edcampstl.wikispaces.com/

CLstl - http://www.connectedlearningstl.org/

3/29 ShareFair - http://goo.gl/z90ZRF

Things I'm excited about trying

• TeachADE - http://www.teachade.com/
• Diipo - http://www.diipo.com/
• LORE - http://lore.com/
• Teaching Channel - https://www.teachingchannel.org
• EduClipper - https://educlipper.net/
• Twiducate - http://www.twiducate.com/

Who are the 5 people that do your job better than you? Connect with them.

EdcampSTL and Things you can't do with kids in the building

So I organize and lead a team of educators to create an event called #edcampSTL.  Please follow along with the hashtag and participate.  This year it will be on 2/8/2014.

One of the things we like to do is get creative.  To get creative we need people to get our of their shells.  The whole day is pretty uncomfortable for those that have never attended an edcamp.  This event really pushes them over the edge.

After lunch, typically there is a lull.  It's not anyone's fault, it just happens.  Blame it on circadian rhythms, the ebb and flow of the day, the lack of coffee, or the cycles of the moon, regardless, there's a lull.

To combat this lull, to build community, to meet new people, we needed an activity.  We came up with an activity we affectionately call "Things you can't do with kids in the building."  I know, long name.

We gave every person a sign off sheet (see below) and a MAP of the school:

The idea is get people up, moving, doing things they normally wouldn't in their "professional day."  The ideas below are accompanied by images if we were able to catch them.  These images are from over the last two years of EdcampSTL.  The stations we used included:

• Running in the halls - Super easy station and fun for everyone!  Gets the blood pumping!

• Screaming in the library - Wish I had a video of this.  People had a blast since they never get a chance to do it.  We really wanted to get a person in a white wig and bifocals (old-school librarian style) shhhhing people after they screamed.  That would have been great!
• Sliding down the rails - We all want to do it, it's great to give people permission to play!

• Bouncing balls in the hall - How many times have you said for students to not bounce the balls in the hallway, it's freeing to let go of that!

• Throwing food in the cafeteria - The one station people talk about every year.  It's a classic.  Both years we used mashed potatoes.  We forgot about having people wipe their hands after throwing them, oops!  We got smart and picked up an apparatus from the dollar spot to keep people's hands clean!

• Throwing paper airplanes - Toby is the king.  People came up with creative airplanes and we learned who's a perfectionist. :-)  

• Texting in school - Really easy station.  We used poll everywhere to gather information to show teachers how they can use student's devices in the classroom.
• Rolling chairs in the hallway - Awesome!  Be careful though, we broke two chairs and had to replace them :-)

• Playing with bouncey balls - I forgot the name of the game.  We had cups and the bouncey balls had to make it into the cup.  The only trick was there were directions of different tasks on cards.  It was awesome.  I do remember we purchased the game at urban outfitters. No it wasn't beer pong!
• Book Bowling - This was awesome!  We built "pins" out of shoeboxes and then used books to knock them down.  Very fun!  I wanted to do a station called "Angry Books"  Which we built a structure and then flung the books like angry birds, it just took too long to set up each time.
• Bullying in the stairwell - Fun one!  We came up with insults (see planning documents below) and people picked them out of a hat and read them to each other.  It was all in good fun!  Even the team from Mentor Mob appreciated it!

• Dance walking -   Interesting.  I really wanted video taken of this and then made into a promo for EdcampSTL.  I'm not sure what happened to the video.  Anyway, this was our inspiration:

• Acting up - We had a room where people could do anything they wanted.  Most just stood on the table.  That's a big thing for people.  I guess they wanted to reenact the scene in Dead Poets Society:

Here's the planning document we used from last year: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xRFvhkvrB569MM4GlbJGhlhcGdGFgXVK0NfEaYSqrys/edit

And some brainstorming done here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bWXmmsKaS6JG2PicoaNmWE_J00XqCMmAaEWJKvIF9ns/edit

 At each station is a volunteer that signs off on their form, these submissions are used to win a prize, yet another incentive to get people moving.  Here's the form for 2012:

This is the one we used in 2013: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bwz1J6fj2c9rUUlMQXFpUllKYl9neHlZN0tvNGlIUTFLWjZj/edit

Steal this idea!  Bring play, unprofessionalism and creativity to your school or team.  With play and creativity we can accomplish anything!

What stations could we have in the future?  

Add your thoughts of things you can't do with kids in the building to the comments!

More Homework Meme

My blog has been neglected.  My job has shifted into curriculum creation which has afforded me the opportunity to write a TON.  I have authored curriculum for kindergarten through 8th grade in both science and social studies.

Luckily I keep track every day of the work I do and record it here: http://wgsdsciss.blogspot.com/

Thanks to my good friend, colleague, mentor, guide and general inspirer of all things awesome Josh Stumpenhorst.  He inspired me to write this post and I thank him for getting me back to my blog!

Here's his post calling me out: http://stumpteacher.blogspot.com/2013/12/more-homework-meme.html

For starters, here are 11 random facts about me many people may not know.

1. I'm scared of heights, closed in spaces, and being underwater.  Yes I'm a BIG scaredy-cat but I'm overcoming my fears every day.  I owe that mostly to my amazing wife who constantly pushes me to overcome my fears.
2. While in high school I thought it was a good idea to have a mullet.  It was not a good idea.
   
3. I'm against stinky cheeses.
4. I'm the one in charge of cooking and doing the laundry in our house.  On top of that I fold my t-shirts using a folding board I was given from when I worked at The Gap.
5. As a baby/toddler I was entered into a beauty pageant, and won.
   
6. My mom LOVED halloween.  She made the best costumes of any kid I knew.  She made this Voltron costume.  Pretty awesome!
   
7. I'm a "Friends" nut.  I've seen every episode and can quote almost every line.  I also own the "Friends: Scene it" game, no one will play with me.
8. My favorite color is blue.
9. When I was in High School I worked at Pizza Hut and was a "Production Leader." Fancy!
10. I am committed to having fun, no matter the age.  I do understand this comes with a trade off of not always being taken seriously.  I accept those consequences.

     11. My dad and I once got into a fight about grades.  He said I wasn't applying myself. I disagreed.          I ended up running away only to return because I was cold.  I'm such a wuss.

Here are Josh's questions for me:

1.     What was your favorite children’s book as a child or favorite to read as a parent?
A. As a parent I have not had much of an opportunity to read to my daughter (she's only a couple months).  When I was younger I loved this book about cars and trucks (seen here with my dad purchasing the same one for our daughter.

2.     If you had won that insane lottery jackpot, what is the first thing you would buy?
A. Google Glasses.  They are ridiculous but I think they're so cool.  I'm sure I'd also get a GoPro Camera and a new house.

3.     Can you touch your tongue to your nose?
A. No, but I can touch my nose and tongue simultaneously.  Does that count?

4.     If I were to meet you up at a bar, what drink would I buy for you?
A. Scotch on the rocks....

5.     When was the last time you laughed so hard it hurt, and what was it that made that happen?
A.  Between my wife and I this happens often.  Most of the time for no apparent reason.  Also any time we are with good friends of ours that live in Chicago.  We always end up laughing until our cheeks hurt.

6.     What is that one movie that shows up on TV that even though you have seen it a hundred times you still leave it on and watch?
A. Pretty Woman.  It's so emasculating to admit that.

7.     If you could sit down and interview one person, living or dead, who would it be?
A. Martin Luther King Jr.  How cool would that be?

8.     Paper or plastic?
A. Neither, reusable bags.  That way we can ring the bell at Trader Joe's.

9.     What is something you have always wanted to do but continue to procrastinate and make excuses as to why you have not done it yet?
A. Skydive.  See the random facts number 1 listed above.

10. Have you been able to unlock the code and figure out what a fox says?
A. I'm sure it has something to do with the "one thing."

11. If you could pack it all up today and move, where would you land?
A. That's tough.  I love vacations in paradise, on a beach with a cold beverage, but I couldn't imagine living there.  Spain was amazing, Madrid was beautiful, but if you live there does it all become noise?  I'm happy where I am, I say I'd stay right here. Lame but true.

Here are 11 bloggers I want to answer this next:

1. Justin Tarte
2. Robert Dillon
3. Steven Weber
4. Kyle Pace
5. Rebecca Morrison
6. Greg Lawrence
7. John Simpson
8. Josh Mika
9. Tim Brown
10. Krissy Venosdale
11. Dan Pink

Here are 11 questions for them to answer:

1. Does the toilet paper go over the top or under the bottom?  NOTE: there is only one right answer for this.
2. If you were a superhero, which one would you be?
3. What was your favorite project when you were in school?
4. Which color Starburst/Skittle/Jelly Belly is your favorite?
5. What quote inspires you every day?
6. What's your favorite sandwich, ever?
7. What is the most played song on your iPod?
8. What's your favorite sound?
9. If you could invite anyone over for dinner, living or dead, who would sit at your table?
10. What celebrity do you often get mistaken for?
11. What is the best gift you've ever given/received?

Here’s how it works:

• Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
• Share 11 random facts about yourself.
• Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
• List 11 bloggers.
• Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer, and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated. Don’t nominate a blogger who has nominated you.

WAR, What is it good for? Absolutely EVERYTHING?

W.A.R. in baseball stands for "Wins above replacement."  It's a baseball statistic described by wikipedia as: 

Wins Above Replacement, commonly known as WAR, is a non-standardized sabermetric baseball statistic that is used to show how many more wins a player would give a team as opposed to a "replacement level", or minor league/bench player at that position.  
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wins_above_replacement


Edwin Star believes has his own belief about War.  He asks "War, what is it good for?"  
He claims "Absolutely nothing."

I could not disagree more!

When we think of WAR, wins above replacement this makes me think of education.  Wins above replacement (a sub).  When I walk into a class are you providing a learning experience unlike any other.  What is your WAR?

When I first started teaching I always strived for a classroom that "ran itself."  When I work with teachers and talk about "flipteaching"  teachers always ask "Well, what will they need me for then?"  

If you think a video can replace you, then it should!

The environment you provide, the relationship you create with a student, the desire to learn you grow, collaborating and connecting with students families and the community impact your WAR.

When you think about what you provide every day for students.  Are you providing an environment, an experience, a lesson that is statistically better than a replacement could give?  What added benefits are you bringing to the table?  

Challenge yourself every day in your school to provide a unique opportunity that is special.  Build lasting, compassionate relationships with students and families.  Ensure that your connection and experience you provide is without replacement.

They always say:

That may be true for the next warm body to fill the space.  But I guarantee their WAR won't be as high as mine.

So you ask, "WAR, good God y'all, What is it good for?"  Possibly EVERYTHING?!

Mad props to @mrsenorhill, @ideaguy42, @ahintofcinnamon, and @desertdiver for the idea for this post.

Reading Levels for Everyone!

So I was discussing with a group of teachers how easy it is these days to take ANYthing you come across and determine it's reading level.  Differentiating for even the most struggling readers has never been this easy.

First of all, let's talk about finding resources:

To find great resources.

Did you know that you can use Google search to search by reading level for a student, Here's how:

GREAT!

Now, what if you already have something and want to evaluate it's reading level.  Not that hard either.

1.  Copy and paste the document or website into microsoft word.
Click Tools, Grammer and Spelling, Options

Then Click "show readability statistics"

Nice!

What about resources for Online.  

Online Resources:

Book title, Author or ISBN number into: http://lexile.com/

Also Lexile has an analyzer that's pretty good but you have to register: http://lexile.com/analyzer/

Copy and paste the web address, paste text, or embed this into your webpage of something you find here: http://www.read-able.com/

Test a book using Scholastic Book wizard: http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/

Enter text or copy and paste: http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp

DIY Method

At Home Method from: http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/readinglevel.htm

CAUTION: Math involved!

You can use a formula to calculate Flesch-Kincaid reading level on your own. This is a good tool to determine whether a book is going to challenge you.

1. Select a few paragraphs to use as your base.
2. Calculate the average number of words per sentence. Multiply the result by 0.39
3. Calculate the average number of syllables in words (count and divide). Multiply the result by 11.8
4. Add the two results together
5. Subtract 15.59

The result will be a number that equates to a grade level. For example, a 6.5 is a sixth grade reading level result.

Mad props and thanks to great educators on twitter:

I love having  Professional Learning Network (PLN) to rely on!

The Incomparable Michelle

Cherie

PantherFan

Shervette

and of course

Mike

Have any other resources you love?  Add them in the comments section: