Day 93- real life

Today a student exclaimed, "Finally!!!! I'm learning something I can actually use in real life!"  This is why I have incorporated this Budget Challenge simulation into my Economics class.  Its helpful that the new proposed CA Social Science standards include financial literacy in Economics now, allowing me to feel more secure on all fronts about really spending time doing this.  Of course, we know the truth- she has learned much of what she uses in real life in school, and plenty she will use in real life- but the point is, she doesn't think so- in her eyes most of her learning isn't applicable to her life.  Wouldn't it be powerful to have students feel " wow I can use this in real life", on many occasions? For students to have multiple opportunities to choose learning that they felt they could "actually use in real life?" I know I'm not saying anything new, but I think it deserves repeating over and over until there are some drastic changes in education- and to make sure I never forget.
The beginning of this simulation has taken a little more time than I first anticipated but, it is sooo worth it(10 weeks to go). Now that everyone is on the same page and realizes they have to check their emails to know when to pay bills, and they know how to log in their bank and use bill pay - and fill out their budget spreadsheet to make sure they have enough money to pay their bills next month- we won't need to spend much time at all in class with the simulation.  Next class we can just check in and see who in class has the highest credit score!

A-ha:  Many students feel completely disconnected from what they are learning in school.   (I have been in denial about the magnitude of this)

Reminder:  Some kids will resist thinking about real life and money. Their fear of the future is real and resistance is just a cover up. Don't give up on them.

Day 92: they just need some space to move.

Today I incorporated kahoot quizzes into my lecture.  This slide lecture only had  photographs and I wrote a few words on the wall. So the students had to listen and I had to be clear about what the most important points were as we were going through 6 major causes of the depression.  Each cause, has a photograph slide accompanied by my lecture points about how that cause helped lead to the Depression ( this is always a scary lecture because I swear, I see a lot of similarities between now and then). Sounds kinda, eh - at least for anyone who may not be interested in The Great Depression. Plus it can be quite a bit of information and I would like them to retain some of it. SOOO, I incorporated a kahoot for each slide.  Meaning one photograph and information in their organizers- then a crazy screaming 5 question kahoot- using their notes.  I thought this was a good idea, until we were there.  Again, it is so hard for me not to enjoy kids hollering at the screen and high fiving when they get a question right, or move to space number one- but....then calming them down for the next slide- then all over again! I do have some hyper kids in this class so I thought this was a great way to break up the direct instruction, plus we learn during the kahoot too.  Well, multiple kahoots , during a slide lecture, only fueled the hyperactivity in these students!   Now I know- just do the kahoot at the end of class for my US History students.  On the plus side, they all answered fairly well (retention 5 minutes after a slide is expected to be high), and getting the information again in the kahoot will probably help them still retain much of the learning throughout the unit. But if not, they have the notes...

A-ha: Wiley kids don't need kerosene poured on them, they just need some space to move.

Reminder: get earplugs for next kahoot

Day 91- first Friday

It was the first Friday of the second semester and many kids didn't even realize they were getting a three day weekend....the teachers, however were not as forgetful- myself included.  Its nice to ease in to coming back with a four day week, but at the same time I am conflicted with feeling I do not have enough time!  But here I am on Monday night of a three day weekend and I still haven't had enough time to do all the things around my house-- so maybe this is a personal problem and the truth is I do have plenty of time to teach my students what they need to know.
I like that, "the truth is I have plenty of time". Just saying that out loud feels good (or in this instance, to myself- in my head).  If I constantly feel like I don't have enough time, I can't be present and will race through things so fast no one is going to learn anything anyway!
SO- that settles it.  I am going to give my US History students a list of topics/units that I am expected to teach (not possible) and let them choose which they want to learn about the most.  I could learn a lot from this google form I will make.  When I do I will share it.

A-ha: Not enough time is me believing the wrong things and not being present.

Reminder: There is enough time.

Day 90- This week has been a success so far...

I wonder what the impact would be if I changed the time of my blogging to right after school.....
Maybe my perspective would be different, maybe I would sleep earlier, who knows?
I loved having two A days in a row!!! I need my first period 11th graders and I believe they need me as consecutively as often.  We just went right into our work today without skipping a beat and accomplished quite a bit.  Better yet, there was learning in all the doing.  I won't see them again until Tuesday and I must keep our momentum!!!
I have been working out every day since back to school, partly because I am completely out of an exercise routine and I am forcing myself to leave school by 5:15 the latest- everyday.  Its been good- I even left at 4 on our Wed. modified day.  I do prefer to do most of my work at school, but if I don't get out of thereby 515- I stay til at least 6 or later and never exercise or do other self care.  This week has been a success so far...

A-ha: Consistency creates its own two way street.

Reminder: Always ask for clarification- my mind can make up what I think people mean.

Day 89 - conversations in the hall

I think one of the reasons I couldn't quite relax this break was because of my feelings around the difficulties I have been having with a few students in my first period.  Today wasn't that different but it was fine.  Sure, I had two occasions of sending students out until I came to talk with them (conversations in the hall), but the lesson went well, the students stayed engaged and on track and big whoopee- I had to do some disciplining while I was teaching.  Its part of the job and it doesn't mean I'm a "bad" teacher.
I think I was wishing that during break their would be some personal breakthrough, teenager corner turning toward maturity and self control- but today I realized that didn't happen to the extent I had been hoping for.  That's okay.  They are still bright, creative students and I just have to be CONSISTENT like a drill sergeant - or better- a COACH.

A-ha:  Students need to practice and learn behavior, just like content and skills.  And I do have to scaffold that behavior learning.

Reminder:  Taking care of myself benefits my students and classroom.

Day 88 - First day of second semester

I am a sucker for most of my students and then there are those that when I see them - I  get all choked up and happy inside.  I forgot how much joy they bring to my life! I felt warm and fuzzy today- and strict and comfortable and tired and .....patient!  I don't know if it was because I forgot to drink my coffee or I just let this day be the best it could be without trying to choke hold it and shape it into what I wanted it to be.
First thing, I didn't have any students in my schedule, except for advisory.  We use two platforms and in neither did I have students.  Luckily most of my economics students found their way to me- including the new ones.
After saying hello, catching up getting giddy- re- enforcing/defining the class cell phone policy( more later)- we were to begin this great budget simulation I found for them- but.......the Internet was down!!!!! We stayed calm just spoke more about our vacations and discussed the importance of financial literacy. Eventually - the Internet returned and we got to register and delve into our budget simulation.
Everyone is assigned a salary (this is post college graduation budgeting) and gets to choose what 401k contribution they will choose if any- as the first step. It excites me to teach these things- because I honestly feel financial literacy will be one of the most important, lasting and useful tools that I can teach them.
This was a good way to start the first day as I ease them into the conceptual learning of ECONOMICS which they have been convincing themselves will be so hard.

A-ha: I listen better at lunch to my friends and colleagues when I don't bring my phone to the table.

Reminder: Everything always works out some way.

Day 87: 3 weeks ago...

The last Friday of classes, three weeks ago, was teaching day 87.  Last day of finals for the first semester and I was ready to be done thinking about my classes- couldn't even blog that day( or the subsequent days)!   My goal and promise to myself was to blog and reflect on each teaching day this year- so here I am before we start back tomorrow- reflecting on that last day and some of my time off.
I did feel worn down at the end of the semester- almost entirely opposite of how I felt in the beginning of the year. I am not quite refreshed yet either.  I am very open to the memories I have of how much easier second semester feels compared to first semester but I am not comfortable enough to sit in any expectations.
As usual, it feels like a lot is happening, and when that is the case- the chances of things not falling where I would like them to, increases.  Is there any job on the planet where you learn this much. all the time?

A-ha:  Its the learning (about ourselves, others, patterns, content, strategies, truths, lies,possibilities, failures, humanity) that wears us down, not the teaching.

Reminder: Everyday is a new day, every experience is a new experience.  Feel free to see with new eyes tomorrow.