Category: Home based

Home Based Activities

Give yourself permission to do nothing!

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

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!

Educational Off Season!!

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

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.

Sad but True

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

Image

In class today a few of my students were looking at maps after they finished a project on the computers. I came over to make sure they were done with their assignments and ask “What are you doing?” One of the girls responded, “Looking at maps.” The other stated “Yeah, I have to show her all 16 of the places I have lived!” This was a 13 year old girl who has gone through the moving process 16 times, more than once a year. After my “Oh” expression she continued “I can’t help it we have been kicked out alot.” My heart continued to break for this girl.  Thirteen years old, frequent moves and evictions filling your life. No wonder she struggles in school.
wordle poverty

Our district was just looking at attendance data. 1,354 of our 3,785 student have been absent from school for more than 10 days. Either the flu was really bad this year or student are staying home in large numbers. Are students sick for all of these days? Over 1/3 of our population sick that much? Probably not. Many times when I talk to a student about their absence, they reply “couldn’t get a ride” or “I had to watch my younger sibling.” Large amounts of absences in general a result of poverty. How are we going to address this issue?

10 days of school is 6% of the school year. I know students that have missed twice or even 4 times as many school days. Missing this much instruction has to have an impact on student learning. How can schools help students catch up when they miss school? Poverty is a growing issue in American schools. Sure it is not as bad as some countries, but it is like never before here. We need a plan to assist these children that are born into their circumstance.

For the LOVE of learning

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

Griffin, my 9 year old third-grader, came home with an “Animal Research Project” today. I felt this was a perfect assignment for Griffin. He loves animals,  has taken countless trips to multiple zoos, seen Jack Hannah twice, and wants to be a zoologist. If Griffin thought like my middle school students, he would have chosen the easy route for this assignment. He has already written two similar reports as science fair projects. Last year he wrote about his Elephants, since his grandparents adopted in his name at an elephant rescue. This year he created a report about the owls because he had watched born on a webcam. He could have easily chosen to recycle one of these reports.

Instead, Griffin listened to his teacher when she informed the class to choose an animal they did not know much about. Griffin spent time searching through his animal encyclopedia. As classmates choose common zoo animals: Lions, Tigers, Bears and Zebras. Griffin kept searching until he found the Aye-Aye! When he shared this with me, my reply was “The What?” Griffin quickly explained to me that the Aye-Aye is a small nocturnal primate that only lives in Madagascar.

Photo: Aye-aye close-up

He proceeded to run off to the library with his mother to search for reference books and get to work on this research report that is due May 20th, ignoring his friends playing in the street.  My sons actions made me wonder, Why aren’t my students as excited about learning like my son?

I am sure if I asked my students, the answer would be “Because you are a teacher!” I know that it is more than just me being a teacher. Griffin, loves learning. While at the library, he also picked out books about Rome, since it was mentioned in a book he was reading. Griffin has a natural love of learning. Paying attention and getting his work done are priorities in his life. Why? Probably because he is still young and nobody has killed his curiosity. As a middle school teacher I find few students like Griffin. When I talk to parents of middle school aged students, they always say “just wait” and “It will change”. I hope not. Griffin is full of questions, passion for knowledge and a desire to figure things out. I don’t want his love of learning to die.

Students need their passions supported. Adults need to do everything possible to not kill the passion. Schools need to create meaningful assignments that give students choice and help student pursue their LOVE of LEARNING!

Don’t ignore the questions, they are where learning happens

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

Last week was spring break here in Michigan. I got to spend the week with my three wonderful children. My oldest son (9), Griffin, loves animals so we spent time at 2 zoos and a The Critter Barn in Zeeland, MI. I began to notice Griffin asking questions. Not one or two but hundreds, to anyone and everyone who would listen. Griffin wanted to know everything about the animals. What they ate, how old, names, how to handle, etc. Griffin has also been inquisitive when it comes to animals. At 2 all he would watch on TV was a 45-minute video tour of the San Diego Zoo. He wants to go to the Detroit Zoo, everyday he doesn’t have school. We have been there in the snow and rain just to appease his interests. I did not think much of the animal questions. When locations changed the questions didn’t stop.

We visited two of my favorite breweries in Michigan, Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids and New Holland Brewing Company in Holland. Griffin wanted to have me explain all about how beer is brewed and how all the equipment was used. He started quizzing me on the differences in the styles of beer. “Why so many?” “Why do they look different colors?” at Brewery Vivant he wanted to know “Why is it in a church?” I spent time explaining how the brewery was built, in an old funeral home and the owner felt the old chapel would make a great area for the bar and seating area. Why did Griffin need to know about beer? The Brewery? He was curious. Didn’t need to know any of the information. It was assigned to him. He did need to fill out a worksheet. He was curious and asking questions to fill his inner need for knowledge. He was learning. On his own. I was feeling proud.

Why weren’t my middle school students as curious as my nine-year old? Why don’t they come in full of questions? Looking around a restaurant later, I noticed most families aren’t talking while eating. Parents are on smartphones or devouring food. Kids are on their wireless devices or being ignored as they do things kids do. Do adults ignore or dismiss children’s questions and kill the learning spirit of youth?

Sitting watching the NCAA Basketball Tourney, Griffin began bombarding me with questions again. Wanting to know where colleges are located, where games are being played, why teams are in their home uniforms when not playing at home. He noticed details most would not see. “Why is there a 4 in front of Michigan?” I was sort of annoyed at this point wanting to watch the game. “Griffin they are a 4 seed.” Griffin looked puzzled, he had no idea what seeds meant. Amy, my wife, noticing my growing frustration addressed Griffin, “Leave dad alone, just watch the game.” Pulling my mind away from the game, I realized I was ignoring him. I was frustrated by my sons curiosity? Oh NO!! I was killing is ability to question and hindering his learning. Quickly, I smiled at my son, “Good question!” Then I continued to explain seeding and the tournament set-up.

Had I done this before with my son? I hope not but if it happened once, it probably happened before. I now have to be care not to discourage by son’s learning and questioning. This is where his learning happens. Don’t be a fool like me and kill your child’s passion for knowledge. Listen to them carefully. Take time to answer their questions. Help them learn and grow. I hope Griffin’s questioning nature last to middle school and beyond!

Parent Like a Pirate

Posted on by Sweat to Inspire

Baby pirateI have been reading a wonderful book by Dave Burgess(@burgessdave), “Teach Like a Pirate.”  He talks about being daring and adventurous as a teacher. Going into “uncharted waters” and discovering what is there. Dave makes some great points about teaching. Teachers need to focus more about presentation, making learning fun and an adventure. Shouldn’t parenting be the same way?

Parenting is the single hardest job anyone can take on. Parents don’t get paid in cash, but children who grow up and become successful, caring, positive contributors to society are better payment than any sum of money. Parenting has changed greatly over the past few generations. Not too long ago most families had two parents, now many only have one or have a surrogate leading the household. It used to be expected that one parent would stay at home and raise the children while the other worked. Now many children are raising themselves as parents have to work to afford to live. When parents do have time for their children, it is often used as special time to please the children: going on trips, out to dinner or the movies. Too often it seems that parents want to appease their children’s wants and desires, instead of helping their children grow. Many parents feel that is the “job” of schools.

Sure, schools are a place for learning. Schools have trained professionals to teaching math, reading, science, social studies, writing and many more subjects. Our schools do a pretty go job at it to all things considered. But parents are the one constant in a child’s life. Parents are there to support the educational process, If parents don’t model the behaviors taught in school, do teachers have a chance? Maybe is the answer. IF parents do model behaviors taught in school, students will experience their best successes.

Parents need to be bold pirates, following the teacher pirates off into uncharted waters. Parents need to help nurture their children’s dreams and MAKE them happen. Read books, act out fantasies, sword fight with sticks in the backyard. To often US parents take the easy road, let the TV be a babysitter so we can accomplish “grownup” things. We might even order our children to “Grow-Up”.

Children sure, do want to grow up and quickly. They want to have a cell phone, stay out late, and drive a car. Children think being a grown up is SO cool. IS IT REALLY? Grown-ups have to work for a living. (Not always fun) We have to pay the bills, feed the family, clean the house, clothes etc. Shouldn’t parents encourage our children to BE CHILDREN. Not letting them worry about the adult worries.

Parents need to be Pirates, taking children on adventures in learning. Steering the ship on a path of learning. Taking our children to nature centers, zoos, cultural festivals and the library. Enjoy fantasy time in your backyard or in a fort built in the living room. Allow your children to make a mess, be creative, explore the world.

Being a pirate parent also means setting boundaries and holding children accountable. Set rules for grown-up choices. Monitor TV viewing choices, limit screen time and cell usage. Don’t let your child become an adult because the neighbors are letting their children lose the joy and pleasures of childhood. This might be hard at times, but a pirate life is never easy.

Have the courage to be a Pirate Parent, it will pay off in endless treasures of discovery with your children.