everybody is a genius...

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

 

One of my ongoing goals as an educator is to create course materials and lessons that are relateable and relevant to my students' own lives. 

Over the weekend I was looking for Psychology course materials for my upcoming group of students.  I am hoping what I teach can help them through the challenging course that is teenager-hood and catalyze the self-realization that seems to lately be occurring later and later in life.  

One interesting thought that popped up on my screen was Bucket Lists.  The idea of Bucket Lists led me to think of students and their goals, both in short-term and long-term capacities, as well as determining the feasibility of the goals.

I came across this video, of former Carnegie Mellon University professor Randy Pausch giving a speech about achieving dreams and offering valuable life lessons as he was given a grim health diagnoses.  Alex and I sat enthralled at the breakfast table on Saturday morning for the full hour and a half-long speech laughing and being inspired.  I knew that this speech would be something I used not only in teaching, but would share with people around me.  

The amount of wisdom and insight into everyday life and relationships resonated with me through the rest of the weekend.  It shows that all goals should be pursued and are attainable.  A message I very much want to pass along to all of my students.

I encourage you to take some time to listen and/or watch his speech.  I'll leave you with my favorite quote, and hope that you'll leave yours as a comment below as well.  

"And I think that that’s one of the best things you can give somebody – the chance to show them what it feels like to make other people get excited and happy."

Quote(s) of the Week

On Columbus Day, I was lucky to attend a couple of great inservice sessions at Harwood Union High School.  The first of the two was a talk by former TED Speaker, Kate Messner.  Author and teacher, her witty and light insights into teaching left an optimistic air for all teachers as we headed into breakout sessions, primarily focused on technology in the classroom.  I also left with a couple of fantastic quotes that not only apply to teaching, but to life.

Author Linda Urban wrote in Hound Dog True that "You can't have brave without scared", quoted from main character Mattie Breen.  How true.  How often to we try to escape the feeling of fear, but what a wonderful response to that fear is bravery and success?

Ms. Messner also shared to us a conversation she'd had with Bill Nye about being nervous prior to their impending TED Talks.  The Science Guy calmly stated, "If you weren't nervous, it wouldn't be worth doing"  How boring would life be if nothing challenged us?

Alternatives in Education : Project-Based Learning

How have hunting weapons changed over time?

How do I start my own photography business?

The history of Cosmetology.

A history of Logging in Vermont.

These are just a few of the topics my current students are researching.  The questions were self-created, along with three smaller questions that supported the information that would be found to answer the larger questions.  I then pose another three questions to ensure students are meeting the subject's requirement.  Students then create essays, posters, Prezis, business plans, surveys, their own books to display the information they gathered when answering their questions.  They work tirelessly, with dedication and eagerness.  Frequently, topics are related to a future career or goal they have.

This is Project-Based Learning and it writes the success stories for so many students who struggle in typical classroom settings.  At my current school, students see us for three hours a day.  They arrive on their own schedule, are able to listen to music while they work independently, present myself and my co-teacher with questions, come to us for guidance and typically succeed almost immediately.

Students gain confidence in their own learning styles.  They get to explore real-world questions that are important to them.  As I look around on a daily basis, I wonder why the education system in general isn't catching up to schools like ours, where success is almost inevitable and children begin to enjoy school.  This will be a question I will continue to explore, but in the interim, I've found some resources on the subject that I will continue to visit.

Edutopia
CNN Reports on PBL

To end the week on...

Thoughts for Thursday : Sometimes Things Need to Change

 In the midst of NECAP Testing, I find myself in a seemingly constant state of mental struggle.

I struggle with students who don't buy into them, and struggle when answering the question "Why do I have to take this?".

I struggle with the disruption and toll it takes on the flow of a month-old school year.

Lastly, I struggle with my own personal feelings regarding standardized testing. 

While I firmly believe that everyone not only learns differently, but tests differently as well, how accurate, necessary and appropriate are these exams?  On the other hand, what are the ways are teachers and the education system being tested on the work that we are doing?  We assess students with clear expectations and rubrics, but there are no such rubrics for teachers.  Are standardized tests really the only way teachers can be scored as well?

Photojournalism Wednesday : History Repeats Itself