Let the trumpets sound!

I am a new blogger - and let me tell you, the opportunities and information are so endless it is a little overwhelming. But it's really exciting to join a community of educators who are blogging about serious issues, innovative strategies and well, SHARING IT!

I have worked in 4 high schools and 1 middle school, and often teachers are reluctant to share materials. I feel the opposite. Let the sharing begin! The more we can share with one another, the better. If something works, share it. If something fails, share it. There is so much debate about education in this country I think it's not just going to be fixed because someone created a website (although I think the former chancellor has some great ideas). It is going to be fixed because people are willing to learn from one another and share what works.

As the LITT (Lead Instructional Technology Teacher) at my school...(by the way, I am feeling my way through this new found position) I have something EXCITING to share because I can barely keep it in. My school district UNBLOCKED SKYPE!

Sound the trumpets. Many of the teachers in my school are unaware of what Skype is, but I really feel they are willing to learn and open their classrooms to what can happen. Our school is full of great teachers who may not have knowledge of all the technology available to them, but if someone is willing to teach them I think they'll take the plunge.

Optimism. One step at a time. Let the trumpets sound.

Transcendentalism Facebook

I was thinking about the best way to assess what my students have learned about Transcendentalism - and found a teacher who did a Facebook page about Hamlet as a final assessment. Great idea!

So, as my final assessment for Transcendentalism, I am going to allow the students to use the essays by Thoreau and Emerson, the notes we've taken and the basic ideas of Transcendentalism to create a Facebook page for someone who would adhere to Transcendentalist qualities. I borrowed the Facebook templates from a teacher's blog, which I will include on the American Literature resource page. We are jumping into this tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes and what kind of response I get.

Kick the BUCKET!

As the semester comes to a close, I begin thinking about research upon our return. Last year, I was sitting on my mother's plaid couch on break and I found an intriguing video online. MTV was getting ready to launch their new show, "The Buried Life." And it hit me - since research is always like pulling students' teeth, I wondered if perhaps they would be more inspired by researching the things they want to do before they die.

I was right. They loved it. I created a multi-genre research project that gives students the opportunity to research eight goals they would like to complete in their lifetimes. Students researched anything from a tour of Europe to driving a lambourghini. For each particular bucket list item, students had to create a multigenre writing item - whether it be a postcard, a letter, an itinerary, etc.

Students still had to create a Works Cited page, cite their sources and learn the research process, but they were pretty motivated to do it because these were goals they actually wanted to complete. I am working on revising the project for second semester, but for now it is available on TeachersPayTeachers at this link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bucket-List-Research-Project

I am definitely anxious to add the addition of a Smartboard presentation and some other interactive technology and then I'll update it on TeachersPayTeachers.

Until then, here are some items on my bucket list:

1. Finish and publish a novel
2. Start a small business benefiting teachers - giving them more time for creativity and technology
3. Mush a dog sled
4. See Aerosmith in concert (CHECK THAT BABY OFF!!! Did this in Dallas last summer)
5. Go on an African Safari
6. Learn to shoot a gun
7. Visit New Orleans
8. Get a Fund for Teachers project accepted and complete
9. National Board Certification
10. Get my doctorate
11. Get a tattoo
12. Keep working on my bucket list, continuing to add more goals!

For teachers...something inspired by an Italian restaurant??

I recently attended the World Creativity Forum in Oklahoma City. Oh, did I learn MUCH. And there is more to be said about that conference in the future.

BUT - that being said, I'd like to give a big, fat thank you to Zios Italian restaurant for giving me a great creative idea for the classroom.

I sat at the small, cozy table with my principal and fellow teacher, doodling on the table with crayons when it hit me. Wouldn't my junior American Lit students LOVE to just write and write and write on their desks during class?

So, early the morning of my return, I was furiously cutting butcher paper and taping it to each desk. We were learning about Transcendentalism, and I thought - what better way to identify the components of Trans... by having the students DRAW each element and then leave it for the next hour to guess and add their own?

It went splendiferically, and I added another notch to my creative tool belt.

Today, one of my students walked into class and said...(as the class was yet again reconfigured) "You're always trying to keep us guessing with the unexpected, aren't you Mrs. Wisehart?"

Yes, Philip, I am.

A tirade about teachers

Important thought.

There are teachers who actually work really hard to educate your students.

There are teachers who care.

There are teachers who have passion for educating - but not only that, passion for continuing to learn.

Lately, all I hear about are the bad teachers.

Maybe if we praised the good teachers, the bad ones would work harder.

I don't have to wait for superman. I see him everyday at my school...working hard to educate your students.

But they aren't just educating.

They are parenting, guiding, loving, leading, caring, growing, fostering...do I have to continue?

And I might add they are doing all these things for a meager salary.

My tribute:

Here's to Mr. Amm, who taught me how to find my passion.

Here's to an English teacher who let us stand on desks and sing. Thanks, Mr. Adrian.

Here's to my Brit Lit professor, Dr. Cook, who taught me that women can be independent and strong.

The list goes on and on.

And on.

Thanks to the teachers, who despite all criticism and hardship and testing...still teach.

I believe this, too.

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."


— Apple Inc.

If you really knew me...

Well, after a week of aphorisms, inferences and works cited, I am finally sitting down to do some thinking about this week's classes. On my way to pick up my always perky 5 year old from school, I picked up a folder of student writing.

We did a writing assignment in class akin to the MTV show - I do have to say that I have been using this particular writing assignment for several years, so maybe MTV owes me some money. :) The writing assignment is "If you really knew me..." and then students fill in the rest.

I required the students to write one page. They could use bullet points if they wanted, but they had to fill a page. I picked up the pile of papers expecting lots of "If you really knew me you would know I have a really cute boyfriend," and I actually got quite the opposite.

For the sake of privacy, I am not going to quote these papers, but let's just say many of the topics included suicide, loneliness, divorce, low self esteem, racism, missing lost parents, failed friendships/relationships...and the list goes on and on and on...

I tell my students (as I make a big circle with my arms) that I wish I could wrap my arms around the entire classroom like a lasso and take them all home.

In order to be a better teacher, I have to be willing to listen and learn from those I teach.

I'm learning, guys. And I'm listening.