Author: Sweat to Inspire

Educator and Parent

Give yourself permission to do nothing!

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As I sit here up at my family’s lakeside cottage I ask myself, Is doing nothing, something? When my 3 children woke up this morning I asked them what they wanted to do today? My wife response was quicker than the kids, “Nothing!!” Since we spent yesterday cleaning up our property, chipping wood, this was an appropriate answer.

But can you really ever do nothing? If you are sitting on the couch you are still doing something! In fact as I am writing this post, my wife and kids are enjoying the lake. As I reflect back to the school year, my students often responded to the question, What did you do over the weekend? “Nothing”  Is nothing just the quick response by someone who doesn’t want to be held down by plans or just the quick response that requires no thinking?

For me nothing is reflection, unplanned learning and freedom. Nothing allows us to fill our minds and use imagination to do what ever we want! If we set out to do something: say build a dog house or read a book. Well then we have to complete that task or we feel we did not accomplish our “goal” for the day. Nothing gives us permission to do anything or not. No feeling of missing out or lack of accomplishment.

Just remember that when you are done doing “nothing!” to reflect on what you actually did accomplish doing IT!

Looking for Middle School Advisory Resources

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middleschooladvisory101.blogspot.com

My project this summer is to help improve my schools advisory program. I am research resources to use with our middle school students. If you happen to have any great resources you use to help build relationships with your students I would love to hear from you. Currently, many of our teachers use Wonderopolis to help engage students in questioning and CNN Student News to keep students up to date on current events.  Otherwise each grade has worked on developing lessons to teach learning skills and help students grow socially, emotionally, and physically.  I hope to create a website that will give our staff adequate resources allow for choices to fit our students needs. If you can help out please fill in the form below.

#AMLE Institute for Middle Level Leadership

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Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE)

While many teachers are enjoying the first weeks of summer break and the relaxation that comes after a successful school year, many school teachers and leaders are actively learning. AMLE holds an Institute for Middle Level Leadership twice during the summer. The institute helps leaders reflect on their practices and collaborate with others leaders. Many of the activities revolve around “unpacking” This We Believe:  Keys to Educating Young Adolescents, the AMLE landmark position paper. I have been following the event on twitter. Have been observing great ideas emerge from the conference. I hope some day to be able to attend.  Below is the link to an archive of tweets.

[View the story “#AMLELI13 Tweets from Leadership Conference” on Storify]

#ISTE13 from a far

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ISTE officially kicks off today after a few days of kick of pre-events. I have mixed emotions about the event. Part of me would love to be in San Antonio, hearing about the latest and greatest ways to infuse technology into my instruction. The other part of me still asks the question I asked a year ago “Should there be an ISTE?” I will be following ISTE 2013, from my home. I could not find it in my personal budget to travel to San Antonio and wife and three children miss me enough during the school year. My district was kind enough to pay for me to attend out states equivalent to ISTE, MACUL, so I am feeling up to date and connected.

WHAT I Will Miss:

  1. Personal Connections: I value personally meeting educators I follow on twitter, and authors whose books I read. The following connection because real. I value all these relationships. For me this was the most powerful part of attending MACUL and meeting my #michED PLN. Whether it is seeing them present, a passing conversation in the hallway or a reflective meal, these face to face meetings are the most powerful.
  2. Presentations on TEACHING: I always benefit from hearing from other teachers about how they teach. It is valuable to hear how teachers use tools in their classrooms, especially when they discuss the pitfalls and learning moments they experienced in their instruction.
  3. Time to reflect: For me the most valuable time at any conference is the time it gives me to actively reflect on my teaching practices and how they can be improved in the future. After hearing a powerful presentation it helps me to think about my practice and how I can incorporate  new techniques into lessons.

I hope that my twitter PLN will keep me updated on these aspects of ISTE.

What I can do without:

  1. Product centered presentations: New tools are fun to learn about and it is hard to keep up with all of them, but I want to know how it will help me teach and my students learn. I want practical applications for my teaching. I don’t want to pay to hear a sales pitch. There are many websites and twitter feeds that focus on new tech. I know many teachers love these presentations but ask yourself, HOW is this going to improve my teaching?
  2. Crowds: 13,000 expected in San Antonio. WOW!! I learn best in a small group and being allowed to try things hands-on. I tend to be shy and get lost in a crowd. This is why Edcamps ate more for me. A sit and get lecture is not how I teach or learn. I can imagine the best presenters will be forced into this large lecture hall presentation environment.
  3. Sponsors SWAG: Sure I would love a new Microsoft tablet or free access to a pay website. How will my students benefit? Not too much. The purpose of the SWAG is to influence larger purchases. I don’t have the deciding power for these purchases in my district. I feel the sponsors money could be spent in better ways. How about helping subsidize teachers travel/ attendance to the conference? (Sure doesn’t help my crowd issue)

I wish all of you lucky enough to attend #ISTE13 a wonderful conference. Remember to share your learning with others because that is where it has true value. I hope to hear all about your experiences.

 

 

Educational Off Season!!

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It is the educational off-season. Students and teachers alike are taking a break from the daily grind of 5-days a week of school. No assignments to complete or grade. Lesson plans are left on the shelf and relaxation takes center stage. Those involved in education need to be mindful of staying sharp and improving their game just like athletes. Here are a few tips to keep your game sharp:

 

Student/Parent Tips

1. Spend time outside- exercise, play and explore all things. Go to a Zoo, park or playground.

2. Take a break daily- Don’t run you motor at 110% all the time. Take time to just relax and chill -out.

3. Read- Yes, I said it you need to continue to read, try to set aside some of your daily relaxing time and spend it with a good book.

4. Have a hobby- Summer is time to explore things so pick up a hobby, Playing a sport or building models find something you like to do.

5. Limit screen time- Parking yourself in front of a screen is not productive. Sure spend an hour or 2 a day watching a movie or being on-line, but don’t make it your entire day.

6. Stay on a regular schedule. Try to stay close to your school schedule. Maybe sleep an hour or two but get up for breakfast and go to bed by the local curfew (most states is 11 or 12 pm)

Teacher Tips:

1. Take a break- Give your mind a break from educational duties. Go have fun. (Just not all summer long)

2. Read- Read something non-educational and stay current with educational trends.

3. Set goals- Set small weekly goals as to what you will be accomplishing to make your self ready for the school year. Check them off as you go.

4. Attend PD or follow it on-line- Improve yourself, attend local PD or follow PD virtually. There is so much out there that you won’t have time to check out during the school year. Many conferences like ISTE are during the summer months.

5. Try something new- Examine a new tech tool or teaching style. Summer is the time to decide if you want to try it in the classroom in the fall.

6. Shop back to school sales- Sales start in July so make a list and get what you need. (Since school here in Michigan does not start back till September I often forget/miss all the sales.)

7. Travel- Get out of your town and explore something new, the next town over or the other side of the globe travel always gives you a new perspective on things.

8. Be Ready- Make sure you are ready for day 1 because your students sure will be.

Enjoy your off season!! Remember the goal is to comeback in the fall better than you were before.