Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone and Break Up Your Routine!

Swimming this morning I was struck by a situation that happened that allowed me to step back and reflect on many things going on right now with school, life, jobs, and the future.

While I was swimming and finishing up my last set there was an elderly woman who came to the pool. She comes that same time every day a little after 6. Today there were at least 3 swimming lanes wide open. As she was walking I knew that she had no intention of using one of the open lanes. She wanted her lane that she uses every day and this lane just so happened to be the one I was in. 

Lo and behold she heads to my lane and not only my lane, but takes all my swim gear and moves me over to the other side of the lane(you can have two people to a lane). She moved my flippers, my workout sheet, my pull buoy, and kickboard. She saw nothing wrong with this.

I wanted to go off. I really did. I wanted to tell her that there are three lanes open and even if you do use this lane have the courtesy to ask before moving my stuff. Being passive aggressive I said nothing, said good morning, and left. I had to get out before her perfume caused me to have a sneeze attack(that is another story)

Leaving it got me thinking how this is how she is. She could not adapt to the situation no matter what was presented to her. She missed the other opportunities around her because she was so focused on her routine and system.

I started to reflect and realized we can all be the same way. As I have pushed for new ideas and change at my school and in particular gifted education I cannot lose perspective of other great ideas around me. Just because I think I have a plan does not mean I put the blinders up to what is around me. Amanda reminded me of this over the weekend while talking about gifted education and she said a new instructor in our department would be good to gain a fresh perspective on things. I took offense to this at first, but realized she was right.

I need to step out of my comfort zone and see things differently as well.

When we start to do this we must ask questions and seek out these people who can offer something fresh.

Who can you ask for help?

Could it be another teacher in the building/district? Could it be the parents that are involved in our program? PLN? 

And as we move and fight for change we must be wary what we ask for. We are not seeking answers.  We should seek HELP instead. In education there is never an answer. Only guidance to move us in the right direction because education has too many moving variables to ever have a right answer.

As I continue to question my future, my job, my vision of gifted I need to think about the things that specifically blocking me. There are external forces as well as what I hate to admit, but 98% of the blockage is myself and my mind.

And through it all let people know when they are helpful. Tell them thank you and mind your manners. Even if you are at the pool and want to swim in your lane that you have swam in for who knows how long.

Coffeechug Sources 05/27/2013

• Strategic Thinking Exercises – More than 200 Strategic Planning Questions | The Brainzooming Group

  tags: classroom education thinking exercises strategic planning planning questions group learning

• Cool Cat Teacher Blog: End of Year Focus Groups: Kids Ask me to Share how to get more followers so here it is!

  tags: classroom education technology teaching learning project twitter twittertools

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

4 Questions to Ponder About Education

Diane Ravitch asks:

Q1: Why do we educate?

Q2: What is a well educated person?

Q3: What knowledge is of most worth?

Q4: What do we hope for when we send our children to school?

Email to Teachers and Students who were part of #choose2matter at my school

I just wanted to share this email I wrote to the teachers who allowed me to work with some kids for the Choose2Matter project. The reason I share this is because I want people to know how awesome students are and how sometimes grades cannot justify the learning that takes place.

I have been writing up descriptions for each student and trying to figure out grades for each student. I have come to the conclusion that they all deserve A's. Some moved further ahead then others, but this project really gave students a reason to stop and think. As George Couros said we have to move from our Point A to our own Point B. I think students did just that.

I will share the Google Doc with all student feedback so you can see my notes sent to each student, but I know some of you are needing grades so wanted to send this out.

This project really forced students to get out of their comfort zone. Some spun their wheels longer than others, but I think that is only natural when and something we have to accept when tackling a project like this that forces them to really think on their own and be an advocate for their own learning and passions.

What I thought was most interesting in this project was the development of voice. So many of them waited and waited for instructions and step by step teaching. When they finally realized this was not going to happen they began to take things into their own hands and lead. I believe that once they did this they saw how powerful this can be because they instantly started getting feedback and responses. It was a unique teaching opportunity. I honestly felt that I learned more than any of them and actually it gave me insight into things that I need to do teach more and new ideas to explore.

This project also made me realize the the problem with students thinking on their own. The problem is that they don't know what the problems really are. This project brought us straight into reality and I think opened many of their eyes to the issues facing our own city. I know that I have seen things much differently since doing this project both in terms of the our community and also the power of student voice.

Thank you for the opportunity to work with these students. It was a great way to end the year. Many of them are actually working throughout the summer to keep the project and their own projects going. How cool is that! That is passion at its finest. Especially this time of year when the kids are done and cannot wait to the escape the halls and classrooms of school.

Thanks

Would we want to be in our own classrooms?

Talk to students and find what engages them or better yet what disengages them. Would we want to be in our own classrooms?

I think the answer is yes simply because we teach in our comfort areas. However, we are all individuals and therefore not everyone is exactly alike. There are times we must move out of our comfort zones to reach other students.

I think it is important to naturally push our students, but we need to push ourselves as educators also. This is hard to do when we are constantly trying to keep our heads above water with all the things on our plate. However, as we expect certain outcomes from our students don't forget to expect the same from yourself.

Coffeechug Sources 05/22/2013

• Quietweet - A Simpler Twitter Reader

  tags: education classroom twitter twittertools

• #teachtheweb week 1: making as learning ← Classroots.org

  tags: teachtheweb weeknote teaching learning project education classroom technology

• NESA 2013 | Dangerously Irrelevant

  tags: edtechchat education classroom tools digital project learning teaching technology

• Uderstanding Understanding (3) | Moments, Snippets, Spirals

  tags: understanding moments education coffeechugPLN cdnedchat garden project classroom technology teaching

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

All this talk about giving students as many chances as it takes, yet it does not.......

work in the real world. I am sorry. Argue with me. Tell me I am wrong.

BUT, the way schools operate you cannot continue to give them chance after chance after chance. Yes, I know the real world gives us many chances. I agree. 100%

But we can only have so many chances. At what point is enough, enough?

I don't know that there is a magical number to the number of chances a person should get, but I think you lay out the final deadline ahead of time. Make it very clear this is it. Within that that window of time students and work and resubmit as often as they like. However, you don't budge on that deadline. You cannot make a statement and then not live up to it.

Overhearing a conversation between two students yesterday with no idea that I was listening because they are not in my class, but we were in the library.

This students said, "Yeah, I know right? He just lets us do the work as many times as we want. He does not care about us. He doesn't care."

Interesting perspective. I don't think this is true, but an interesting observation by a quality student.

What are your thoughts on give students as many chances as it takes?

Coffeechug Sources 05/20/2013

• jivespin | Getting students to create their own industrial town – a cross curricular project

  tags: students education classroom project cross curricular technology digital tools

• Dancing Vectors - Activities - Teach Maths

  tags: dancing vectors activities maths education classroom

• The Nerdy Teacher: This is what standardized tests fail to assess #EdChat #PBLChat

  tags: education classroom technology pbl project based learning

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Quail Project: Updates 3 Alive and 2 Dead

Way back in the fall we started up a quail project where my 4th and 5th grade ELP students incubated and hatched quail eggs. This project has continued and we now have four mating pairs. From these pairs we have plenty of eggs and one of our 7th grade homerooms has taken on the challenge of hatching the eggs of our original quail.

This entire quail project has been quite interesting to follow. We are all in this together learning and figuring things out. We have quail all over in various cages at student homes, teacher homes, and school.

Recently we attempted to release some quail in a courtyard at one of our schools. It was an experiment because we were not sure if they would fly away or remain. We are happy to report that after a few weeks the quail have found the courtyard to be a place called home. We have lost only one baby quail so far, but still have a mating pair laying eggs daily and two younger quail.

This whole piece is interesting. The courtyard was created to remember a student who died. Nicole was a student at Hoover Elementary School. Nicole Wooldridge, 9, died in May 2001 after battling neuroblastoma cancer for most of her life.

A cool thing emerged from the courtyard and that was a pair of ducks who mated and raised ducklings in the courtyard each year. This year was the first time that the ducks did not return. We find it only ironic that we had a successful year of hatching quail and found it fitting to continue the tradition of nature and the life cycle.

While we are working through this whole experiment I had a 7th grade homeroom class take on the challenge of hatching quail. They would come in the morning, lunch, and after school to check the temperature and rotate the eggs. This past Wednesday, May 15th, was the 23rd day of incubation. We were not sure if any eggs would hatch because often times the first eggs quail lay are not the strongest and it takes time to develop good quality eggs.

We were thrilled to have three quail hatch. We then added a fourth on that Thursday and Friday we had to help one guy hatch giving us a total of five.

Three are doing quite well. One of the original quail that hatched died Friday. He had a serious neck problem. Saturday morning my son and I found the quail that needed help hatching had died also. This is part of nature and somethings that we can talk about and learn from as a class.

So, with one week left of school what are we going to do with the quail? My son wants to help raise them so with only three quail we will be building a cage to help take care of them at my house over the summer. This should be one interesting story to unfold.

During the week we do livestream the quail via Google Hangout and YouTube so be sure to tune in. We run it live starting around 8 - 8:30 am Central time.

The quail are now 5 days old and it is amazing how much stronger and bigger they have become in such a short amount of time.

Here are several videos and images from our quail adventures in the past few weeks. I will be adding to this set every couple of days.




And last a short video documenting the hatching of our quail named Oreo

Bettendorf Students Build a Gaga Pit: This trumps foursquare

Bettendorf Middle School students took on the task of building a Gaga Pit

You never played?

Well you are missing out and this trumps foursquare and kickball any day of the week.

Here is a link to the rules of the game and a game in action.

http://youtu.be/QwSD26F2iMs

Coffeechug Sources 05/17/2013

• Gifted Ed chat - Sunday 9pm (4pmEST)-Topic="Gifted

  tags: gtie gtchat gifted spedchat gtvoice edchat education

  #gtie Gifted Ed chat - Sunday 9pm (4pmEST)-Topic="Giftedness versus Talentness" #gtchat #gifted #spedchat #gtvoice #edchat #education

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Do your kids get enough boredom? A thought provoking question and article

I read another article that made me stop and pause. The article discusses whether our children are having enough time being "bored".

Do your kids get enough boredom? http://t.co/6NgkhM4

I cannot help but think being bored is actually a good thing. I think to my son Aiden who complains about being "bored" within 10 seconds of not playing with a friend, playing a videogame, or watching tv. It bothers me that he has already begun to lose the creativity and imagination that he once used all the time to entertain himself. Or perhaps maybe it looks different now and I have not come to terms with this yet. He must be constantly entertained. He was one that could sit and create something out of nothing, but now that he has grown up to the ripe old age of 8 he is losing that critical skill.

The more I read about the future and how the world is flattening I cannot help but think that I need to put him and his sisters in situations where they are forced to be creative and problem solve. At night when Aiden and Addy go to bed we can hear them two hang out in Aiden's bedroom and just play and create these very cool(and humorous) games and pretend worlds. I don't want to be some extreme parent, but I want my kids to be able to entertain themselves. I don't worry about Addy because she still lives in Addy World and she can just do her own thing whenever.

I don't know what the answer is. Do we eliminate stimuli? I know I am guilty of the notion of always being entertained. I am trying hard to keep my phone away from me at times so I don't constantly check this app and that app. What I have found is when I move my phone away for certain parts of the day I am slowly getting my concentration back to read and explore other things.

Would I accomplish more without my phone? I think so, but I have gained so much from my Twitter conversations and networking with people. There is a time and place.

It is all about balance. Aiden no longer has that balance. I just don't know what to do with it. I just let him be bored and tell him it is good for him until he figures something out. So far, he just pouts until it is time for the next thing in our crazy schedule.

Thoughts?

#coffeechugPLN Twitter Chat Archive: Positive Reinforcement

What an AWESOME chat last night!

I could not believe how rapid fire the ideas and tweets were coming in last night. It was so much fun hearing from everyone. I am going to have to go back and read through it all as I was not able to keep up with all the conversations.

Last night we talked about Positive Reinforcement and how we should/should not use it when working to help students and others accomplish great things. What is interesting is how we all have the same goal in mind, but there are so many ways to achieve this way.

You can read all the chat here - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmNBNr2UwLyIdFRhM3M1d0swX1QyUWtPRjBTaW0zM2c&usp=sharing

What was cool was that I checked the trending topics and our chat was #1

How cool to be trending number 1. You guys rock on the #coffeechugPLN network. Not bad for being a month old. twitter.com/coffeechugbook…
— Aaron Maurer (@coffeechugbooks) May 15, 2013

I did not get a chance to share out all my ideas and thoughts during the chat so I created an Evernote page link to share with you some further thoughts - https://www.evernote.com/shard/s31/sh/9281951a-f95d-42f3-b63b-222d332d5384/90ea5bd04af27bcffa9ed6014fdf4483

Take a look back at the archive and my Evernote page. If you have further questions or ideas please share on #coffeechugPLN on Twitter. I am working up the material for the next chat and if something good comes from all of this we can continue to the conversation.

Thanks everyone!

I look forward to adding some new faces to my PLN and connecting again in the future.

Coffeechug Sources 05/15/2013

• Explore – Message to a graduate – the inimitable Grant...

  tags: message graduate education classroom teaching learning

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

ALCOA: Eagle Eye to the World Final Celebration

Last Friday, after some technical difficulties of getting connected several classroom joined online to celebrate and bring to a close the first year of the Alcoa: Eagle Eye to the World Celebration project.

Students worked hard to create something to be remembered by. It was great seeing Matt, Donna, and Lisa join us online along with their classrooms.

Matt had his students perform their song live for us. It was a very touching song and I felt so moved by what they accomplished and created. It just goes to show the power of students and what can be done when you can ignite their interest.

For the first year of running and operating this project I honestly could not be more pleased. Things were not perfect, but when is anything perfect. This project turned out great due to the classes and teachers involved.

We were not able to record our meeting, but I wish we could have showed you the kids. They were awesome. Here are some videos of the celebration products.

Here is a link for the actual project - http://eagleeyecamera.wikispaces.com/

Through the Eyes of an Eagle: http://buff.ly/13nGUG1  




My students created two videos - one for each class.

4th grade



5th grade

Type "Atari Breakout" into Google Image Search. You can thank me later!

Enjoy!

What is the purpose of education? We want to hear from you!

I posed this question to some of my students for an assignment the last week and I think you will be intrigued by their answers. I have created a Padlet where all their submissions are posted

http://padlet.com/wall/purposeofed

I would love it if you would check out their answers to this question. Please leave a comment or two here on this blog post for them. Pick their brains more. Ask them more questions, tell them what you agree/disagree with, etc. They want more discussion on this and they only can handle so much from this teacher.

Even better, craft your own answer and share. We would love to have others to compare answers to and even better from other educators. Leave your answer on the page. It is open for others to post and share.

Are educators and students on the same page or are we off?

What really is "education"? Are we stuck in old ways of thinking or is that the right way?

Let us know.

We will be uploading throughout the rest of the day.

Please share and spread the word to help my students gain some active thinking.

Book Review: Rebecca by E.F. Ballard.......a former student on mine!

How amazing is this? Not only am I going to be able to talk about a very engrossing and fascinating read(this is w/o bias my friends), but I am also going to be doing my first book review that is from a former student of mine.

Book Description

Publication Date: April 16, 2013

The story of a girl made completely of confusion and the inarticulate.

---

My Thoughts

Before I read this book I was nervous. I was nervous for several reasons. First, I know the author. She was a former student of mine who I just think is amazing. She has been writing for years and now that she is in high school she has published her first book. Before publishing the book she asked me to read the book and give feedback. I felt honored to give some guidance. But my nerves kicked in because I was worried I might not like it or think it was good. How would I handle that situation? Would I tell her it was bad or lie and give false hope?

Thankfully, she is talented which makes me quite jealous because I have yet to start my book. Her story was addicting. Once I started I had to finish and because it was not a massive book of 1000's of pages I was able to absorb it all in one reading and go back and read it again.

This book tells the story of a girl trying to find herself through a chaotic swirl of life and choices. I read it needing to know how things would play out. I read the draft version and the final version based on the feedback she was given. She did an amazing job.

If you want a story that will hook you right away, make you appreciate your own life, and not let go until the end, then please read this book.

I also urge you to support a young author as she navigates the world of publishing. Here she is writing a great novel while not even being able to drive yet.

I could not believe the insight she had into family dynamics and thoughts. It was amazing to see a student understand the progression of life the way she did.

With and without bias you will enjoy this book. Give it a try and let her know what you thought. It will only make her a stronger writer which will lead to even better stories down the road.

E.F. Ballard, you always impress me. Stay true to yourself and keep on rocking it girl!

Rebecca - click the link to purchase from Amazon

Book Review: Platform by Michael Hyatt

Platform book on Amazon

Michael Hyatt, one of the top business bloggers in the world, provides down-to-earth guidance for building and expanding a powerful platform.

To be successful in the market today, you must possess two strategic assets: a compelling product and a meaningful platform. In this step-by-step guide, Michael Hyatt, former CEO and current Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers, takes readers behind the scenes, into the new world of social media success. He shows you what best-selling authors, public speakers, entrepreneurs, musicians, and other creatives are doing differently to win customers in today’s crowded marketplace. Hyatt speaks from experience. He writes one of the top 800 blogs in the world and has more than 100,000 followers on Twitter. His large and growing platform serves as the foundation for his successful writing, speaking, and consulting practice.

In Platform, Hyatt will teach readers not only how to extend their influence, but also how to monetize it and build a sustainable career. The key? By building a platform. It has never been easier, less expensive, or more possible than right now. . .  The book includes:

• proven strategies
• easy-to-replicate formulas
• practical tips

Social media technologies have changed everything. Now, for the first time in history, non-celebrities can get noticed—and win big!—in an increasingly noisy world.

MT THOUGHTS

I was not really sure what I was going to think of this book. I have tried to read other business marketing books in the past and just could not do it. I have a hard time applying the ideas to teaching and education. I recently discovered his website and decided to give it a try. 

I am so glad I read this book. It is geared for businesses and people looking to make a mark. I am not selling anything, but I am currently going through my many pages of notes to clean up and enhance my brand as an educator. I found many of tips and ideas very applicable to anyone. If you are trying to figure out how to best showcase yourself online, then this book is a must read. Based on this book I have two pages of notes for further people to study and books to read. I am working on creating my social network to be more enticing and professional looking.

I read the book as more of a workbook. I would read a section, reflect, and make a note of things that I felt needed to be tweaked in my own personal. life. So many great ideas.

It is easy to read and well structured. Going back and preparing for this review and studying my notes I decided to put some ideas in place. I have changed my email signature, worked on my About Me page,and am getting ready to work on some other tips provided. 

This is a book that would a great group study to compare how we make changes and learn from one another.

Another book that I feel is a must read if looking to enhance your brand and who you are.

#Choose2Matter Project: Teacher Reflection Part 2: Students, I just don't get sometimes!!!

We are wrapping up our second week of working on the amazing #Choose2Matter project. As I have shared in a previous post, this project is causing my brain to ooze out of my ears. After one more week of working, adding more students to the mix, and navigating my way through the channels of learning how to learn I had to send out the following email to all of my students.


Hello everyone!

Another week has gone by as we prepare to get things moving into the next phase of this project this week.

Over the weekend I will be emailing all of you individually letting you know how I think you are doing. I think that so far we have students ranging from doing some amazing things and others who are not contributing much. This is all learning process as you are being asked to think in new ways and do things without following step by step directions. I will hope to provide some guidance on these issues soon, but in the meantime I wanted to touch base via email to just go over everything we have talked about doing this week each day in class.

1. Every person in this project - both Dream Team and Quest Team(project people) should have AT LEAST two blog posts about their learning journey. These should be more than just one statement. Go into detail about what you are doing, what you are accomplishing, what you are learning, questions you have, things you are struggling with, etc. These should be deep reflections. As some of you are not sure what to write about, then this should be the red flag in your mind telling you that YOU ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH!!!

You are given over 200 minutes of class time each week to work. Do you have 200 minutes worth of work shared, documented, collaborated, and moving forward? If not, then you are not digging deep to challenge yourself.

2. DREAM TEAM - You are answer to the question

What is the purpose of education?

You have had all week to work on this question as I know there has not been much going on with your actual teams. Your answers should be thoughtful and presented in a deep meaningful way. Be sure you have your voices heard. I have reviewed some amazing videos and projects already. REMEMBER: You answer to this question should reflect that you spent more than 10 minutes on it. Be creative and challenge yourself.

3. PROJECT TEAM - keep working hard to make your project happen. This project is about you owning this. Don't just sit and wait for people to call back to do your work. They want to see what YOU are doing. I know that for the projects to work you need additional help, but challenge yourself to get things done. Next week you have to submit your project so begin to think about how you want to showcase your project. Are you taking pictures, documenting your journey, have a vision for what else is needed? Now is the time to think about how you are going to share out your project on your blog in addition to working to make the project happen.

If you need the weekend to rework, add, modify, etc. anything please use it.If you are fixing things and need me to look at something else please let me know. I am resource, but will not give you the answer. YOU must LEARN how to LEARN and to CHALLENGE yourself.

***End Email***

I share this with you because at sit a crossroads as a teacher. The very same crossroads that I think all teachers face in education. How do we get kids to push themselves? I have some students who are blowing me out of the water with their ideas, articulation, self drive, teaching themselves how to learn, communication, etc.

I have others who just don't "get it". Maybe thinking on their own is too hard. Maybe they are scared. Maybe they don't know how? I am letting them figure it out on their own. What is hard to gauge is who is being lazy vs. who is just stuck? At the middle school level they don't always like to ask questions.

I want them to challenge themselves.

I want them to learn how to learn because that is the real world. Can you learn x so you can accomplish y? The world needs more thinkers and people who can learn and adapt.

I want my students to rise to the top and exceed their expectations as well as mine. I have lofty goals and I do become frustrated when I see them no push themselves. If you look on our class blog we have started where they must document their learning you will see what I mean. Some are doing great things and others not that much.

The key piece here is how to know when to push and get on their case and when to just let them explore because they are at a plateau right now and not sure how to scale the next mountain? It is a delicate balance a teacher must figure out and do right to help them be the people I want them to be.

I hope that another week of poking and prodding I will have some of them begin to take charge, not depend on others, and MAKE IT HAPPEN! That is what I want. I know they will be most proud if they do that even if they don't realize it yet.

Thoughts?

Thursday Run and Friday Rest

Below you find my track run session that I did Thursday morning.

Last night I fell asleep at 8 pm. I was exhausted. I woke up this morning and instead of training like I needed to do I had to get a video all prepped for my 5th grade students that I did not get done due to falling asleep so early.

Perhaps a day of rest my first week back is a smart thing. I look forward to getting out for a longer run this weekend and hopefully getting my bike back so I can ride.

MS: 2 x 800 (2'), 1 x 1 mile (2') @ z4/TP/Hard.
Coach Notes: WU and Main Set only. Can extend to 60' if you feel good.

!. 800 @ 7:35
2. 800 @ 7:31
3. 1600 @ 7:33 

Teaching Ideas: Math Links and Resources

2013 is not only the International Year of Giftedness and Creativity, it is also the year of Mathematics on Planet Earth...

http://www.i-programmer.info/news/204-challenges/5607-mathematics-of-planet-earth-2013-photo-contest.html

Numbers by Nature...

Video of Numbers in Nature....

http://www.livebinders.com/media/frame?myurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kkGeOWYOFoA#

Highschool Geometry Video Series

http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_12220605_high-school-geometry.html

Mathematical Impressions..... Surpising...

https://simonsfoundation.org/multimedia/mathematical-impressions-the-surprising-menger-sponge-slice/

Intrest Led Learning... unusual ways to explore math...

https://simonsfoundation.org/multimedia/mathematical-impressions-the-surprising-menger-sponge-slice/

Thank you Leslie for sharing!

Mozilla #teachtheweb Course and Coffeechug Journey

I am tackling another online class of sorts right now. This one looks to be a good one.

It is operated and ran by Mozilla which is my go to web browser and online tools company.

I just started the other day. I am currently working on my introductions using some new tools. I have no idea how to use them, but I will be documenting all my learning via this blog and the link list over in the sidebar. Please continue to check things out as they develop. I am a bit behind, but hope to get all caught up this weekend and will share my intro projects as well as week 2 work.

The reason I am documenting all my work is not because I think any of it will be good, but rather to document that I am a Model Learner.

I preach about teachers being model learners and how that is the most important identity that teachers can help to emulate in their classroom. I need to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

So, here we go. As I venture down the paths of this course I will always be seeking feedback, advice, and tips.

Feel free to give any as needed.

Check the sidebar and let me continue my journey to learning.

#coffeechugPLN Twitter Chat Archive on Mindset Part 2

A few days behind due to a crazy schedule this week, but here is a link to the archive of our #coffeechugPLN Twitter Chat from Tuesday. The chat was another success where we continued our conversation on Mindset.

It is intriguing to hear how we view mindset between fixed vs. growth. I would love to keep this conversation going, but it is good to keep things fresh so next we will move to another topic. Perhaps we will jump back into mindset in the future.

Thank you to everyone who joined the chat. There were some dynamic people sharing ideas and thoughts.

To see all prior chats, archives, questions as well as future events check out the wiki page

In the chair of a student: Minecraft learning reverses my teacher role!

Learning how to play Minecraft with the teachings of my 8 year old son has brought me back to my school days. I felt stressed and not sure about myself.

As Aiden rattled off all these keyboard shortcuts, new lingo, how to do this and that all at a blazing speed of an 8 year old excited to show his dad the world he loves, I was out of my element.

Now, I am a nerd. I love computers and games and anything involving technology so it is not like I don't understand basic game mechanics. However, I needed him to slow down. I realized that his excitement was over the top. I loved it! He was so passionate about what he could create and do.

What I finally had to do was tell him to move on and just let me explore. I had another kid on the server help me at a much slower pace. I felt much better getting instructions from someone else. I felt bad about this, but this is when the light bulb clicked.

As parents, how many times has our children not listened to us, but hear the same message from someone else and it completely sinks in?

As teachers, how many times have we grown frustrated that a child cannot do this or that, but never give much thought to the fact that this may be their first time ever doing the task while we have done it for years?

Sitting in my computer chair I was reminded that I too, need to slow down. I must remember that not everyone operates the same way that I do. I was reminded that as teachers we can be the ones to deliver the same message that they are not hearing at home despite the family preaching it a million times or not at all.

I was also reminded that my brain operates much different. He lives by self teaching through YouTube. I had to download some books as I like to read, take notes, and then apply. Our brains and lifestyles have changed as technology has provided new ways of learning. I hate to say it, but I learn the old school way and he is part of the new school generation.

Despite feeling stressed about learning so much so fast in Minecraft by my son, I loved the experience. It reminded of what he goes through everyday. It reminded that I have so much to learn as there is so much I don't know. It reminded me to stay involved with the passions of my son and to be sure to share my own passions. All it takes is 5 minutes to listen, even if it stresses us out! It shows we care. And even more importantly he is excited about it.

Instead of harping on him all the time about playing too much perhaps I should embrace that he wants to share his passions with me. If all I do is harp at what point does he no longer share his passions with me anymore?

Book Review: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Book Description

Release date: February 26, 2013

“Eleanor & Park reminded me not just what it’s like to be young and in love with a girl, but also what it’s like to be young and in love with a book.”—John Green, The New York Times 

Book Review
Bono met his wife in high school, Park says.
So did Jerry Lee Lewis, Eleanor answers.
I’m not kidding, he says.
You should be, she says, we’re 16.
What about Romeo and Juliet?
Shallow, confused, then dead.
I love you, Park says.
Wherefore art thou, Eleanor answers.
I’m not kidding, he says.
You should be.

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love—and just how hard it pulled you under.

My Thoughts

My favorite YA book of 2013 so far.

Hands Down!

I don't even like romance or love story themes.

But, I loved this book. The characters, Eleanor and Park, made this book happen.

I will not write about any part of this book so it is not spoiled. But I will share a few things that made this awesome.

1. Set in 1986 which just was so great to see things without technology and such. Made me realize the power of mixtapes and really putting time into gifts and presents. This is lost these days.

2. I loved how real Eleanor was. She never changes into something she is not. She was real all the way through.

3. Park is a typical boy who goes through so many thoughts and ideas.

The author did a fantastic job showcasing both angles without overdoing it and making for unnecessary reading. I laughed out loud, I cheered, I was angry, and I loved just how honest the whole book was from relationships, friends, bullying, and life.

Rainbow Rowell, in addition to having an awesome names, dropped some lines in this book that reminded of a John Green feel. I even tweeted John Green to tell him he should write a book with her. I think it would be AWESOMESAUCE!

@realjohngreen have you met @rainbowrowell? If not, then you must so you two can write the greatest novelEver together
— Aaron Maurer (@coffeechugbooks) May 7, 2013

A few of my favorite lines that just stood out to me above the rest(no spoilers)

"The only thing she didn't like to think about, about Park, was what he could possibly see in her."

"And you look like a protagonist."

"She didn't know there were things worse than selfish."

If you have not read this book and you read YA, then get this book NOW! Read it and then contact me to tell me your thoughts. I loved this book and think it will be up for many awards. I think this one will be tough to knock off my Favorite List. I just don't see it happening.

A great novel by a great author who I cannot wait to read what she has in store next.

18 Weeks Until Rev3 - Swim workout #2

Whew doggies! I slept terrible last night and was beyond tired and sore this morning. I hate to really fight the urge to skip, but finally at 4:40 I got up to get this done!

I am glad I did because I feel much better. I need to work on my mindset to fight through not wanting to get up and be lazy. I know the first few weeks will be the hardest, but once I get my groove back I will be fine.

I hit up the pool again today since my bike is in the shop. This week will be run and swim focused. I was sore from the run yesterday so decided to skip the planned run and swim instead to be safe and not risk injury. I will run tomorrow instead of a bike workout and be right on track.

Here is what I did today. Most happy with the 6 x 100 where I swam each one faster. I was enjoying see my times go down each lap.

My biggest focus right now are my feet and keeping them up on the surface of the water. My feet sink big time. Every lap that is all I am focusing on. I hope to get this fixed over the next few weeks and then move to another aspect of my swim that needs work - rolling!

WU: 500
MS1: 100, 200, 300, 200, 100, with 20" rest between each. Count strokes on all ODD number laps, as a tool to help you focus on form. Set Total: 900;
MS2: 6 x 100 (20"), negative split Set Total: 600;
MS3: 8 x 25 (20") Hard, but keeping the same stroke counts you've held consistently above. Set Total: 200.
CD: 100-200 easy. Total: 2400
Coach Notes: Technique Focus: head position -- neutral head position, not looking up or down; breath straight to the side, to 9 or 3, with no head lift. Think "one goggle out," minimizing head roll.

What Am I Teaching and the Problem with Students: They Can't Identify The Problem #Choose2Matter #Quest2Matter

As I continue to work with my students on the #Quest2Matter project I am having so many thoughts running through my head. Literally, my brain is oozing out of my ears.


Why? Because I don't know what to think anymore.....and I mean that in a good way.

I have students working on creating a solution to a real world problem. As we work through their ideas I keep getting caught up with all of them wanting to help third world countries. Don't get me wrong, this is a grand goal, but why do they always resort to this idea? 

I want them to make an impact, but I want them to branch out beyond raising money or thinking about Africa. I feel like this is the easy answer(and a very hard answer to provide!!). Anyone can collect money and it does not require any work on their part. There is no real connection to what they are doing. I want them to be PASSIONATE about their work and see the rewards.

My students and all students are deep thinkers. I think they get caught up with the American idea of "Poor kids in _______ country." They don't take time to understand the culture, really gain a sense of the people, and to let go of this American idea mindset. Other people despite not having the things we have are proud and don't want a pity party. This is a hard concept for my students to grasp.

I want them to get involved and to really feel the movement of their work. I don't want them to pawn their ideas off on others to do while they sit on Google and think they are making change.

Now, I am not kicking my kids. They are doing wonderful and feel so blessed to be working with these students. I know this comes across as negative, but I think it is really an issue we need to address with our students.

Someone said it best on Twitter when I was discussing these ideas. They stated 

"students are used to problem solving not problem finding..... It is hard!"

I never thought of it this way. In schools, teachers always provide the problem. In this project my students have to identify the problem first. They must find research that proves the problem exists and then they have to find a solution. We are in a reversal in thinking. My students are now able to identify a  problem, but now are struggling with a tangible solution.

What am I teaching?

This is the question I am stuck with as I work through this project. My students don't see the issues locally. We have identified an issue, we working on creating a solution, and will attempt to put it into action. I want them to think globally and on a large scale, see how it works in other places, but start their ideas here. 

For example, if they want to help with hunger in Africa, why not help with hunger here in our own town first to see the issue in person? An interesting story to share. I brought in a wonderful lady who works with the food pantry to show them how real hunger and lack of food is in our town for large population. After talking to the kids working on this topic I talked with them and they had no passion for these people. They shifted their emotion 100% and said if someone gives them food, then they should be able to get a job and if not move to another city. They missed the whole concept of hard and nearly impossible this is for some people. I then turned it back to Africa and they became so "I feel so bad" type mindset. It was a polarizing moment for me. I am not upset about them not wanting to help the food pantry, but it was an eye opener about how they perceive our city.

So, what am I teaching? Do we need to study history facts when we cannot see the issues in our very town. What is really important? Why am I not doing more to help them learn to identify problems? Isn't this the way of the world? Their jobs are going to be asking this very thing. Can you find a problem and make it better for the business or world or whatever platform they are working for?

Here are a few ideas to help you if you are stuck in your project.

• ?'s to prompt thinking: when has a solution to (x) created a conflict for (y)?

• I recommend checking out gokicker.com news stories, connections to the issue, ideas on how to help.

Just two weeks into this project and I am re shifting my teachings, my lessons, my projects, and how I operate. I do some things well, but I can do more. I can do better.

Last, as you work through your projects and ideas and feel stuck, perhaps you should REFRAME your problem.


Watch this short video to see what I mean




As always, I look forward to your thoughts and ideas on this. Please let me know what you think. Let us start the conversation. Students, I am sharing this with you all so please let your Student Voice be heard and chime in as well!

Running is so hard! 18 weeks until Rev3

Got up this morning for my run.

Yep, I am sure I was not pretty looking this morning.

Run gear was a bit snug

I was breathing as if I was in labor

And I was not moving fast

And I realized I counted wrong and only have 18 weeks instead of 19 weeks until Rev3

Happy Tuesday!

My run workout today consisted of

MS: 2 x 10' (3') @ z3/HMP/ModHard. Remainder of time z1/LRP/Easy to z2/MP/Steady. 

I did a 10 minute warmup and then hit my strides. My Z3 is right around 7:47, but today I was happy to be right around 8 minute mile pace. It will get there. The rolling hills kick my booty today

Here is Episode 7 of the Getting It Done Journey

Coffeechug Sources 05/07/2013

• Cool Cat Teacher Blog: 7 Key Ingredients in the successful 21st Century Classroom

  tags: education classroom technology 21stcenturylearning 21stcenturyskills

• Twitter Archiving Google Spreadsheet TAGS v5 Jisc CETIS MASHe

  tags: education twitter tags5.0 chat archive scripts google

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Ironman Journey Resumes after 3 month of Nothing, Rev3 Cedar Point Here I Come

Alright, I have hit the highs and lows of motivation, training, and nutrition the last six months. I hit an all time high of fitness from Nov - Jan. I hit an all time low from Feb - May doing nothing and being a mess.

Back in October of 2012 I started this journey to complete my first 140.6 triathlon.

I am back. I have 19 weeks to get ready for Rev3 Cedar Point.

Last night I attended swim clinic to find what I need to work on after a long time of no swimming.

Today I hit up the pool for a technique swim

My training has completely changed due to me not following my plan set by my coach. I am now on a 20 week Ironman plan. These next four weeks are just about getting back in the groove.

I will have another 4 week block and then a 12 week intense, locked in training block to get ready.

Today I did the following

Warm Up - 100 free, 100 pull, 100 kick hard, 100 paddles

Drill Propulsion Progression
MS: 2 x 50 (15") Swim Golf; 2 x 50 (15") for each of the six Propulsion Progression Drills; 2 x 50 (15") Swim Golf. Focus Swimming: 2 x 50 (15"), focus on front quadrant: lead hand is extending until recovering hand is about at your ear. 2 x 50 (15"), focus on catch: think "finger tips down. 2 x 50 (15"), focus on catch: think "over the barrel." 2 x 50 (15"), focus on best form you can maintain. 2 x 50 (15") Swim Golf.

I wrapped up with 100 kick, 100 paddles, and 200 free set.

Total: ~1800

I will be sore tomorrow. I was sore this morning.

Here is Ironman Journey Episode 6





You can catch the first five episodes here -http://coffeeforthebrain.blogspot.com/p/1406-triathlon-video-journey.html

MOOC's - Did you add to resume and applications? What is your experience with MOOC's

I have begun to explore MOOC's more and more this year. I am currently taking two classes right now and despite being a bit behind in both, I love the opportunities that MOOC's have provided.

I recently read an interesting article about MOOC's titled "Putting a MOOC on the Resume"

This article have given me a chance to pause and reflect on what I do. I don't have a resume as I am pretty happy with my teaching positions within my school district and really hope to never have to worry about finding a new job(unless it is something that improves my mission in life and finances). However, I have filled out at least 12 different applications for summer programs, internships, sanctioned events, etc. I am currently been working on building a resume on LinkedIN just to track all the things that I do each year.

I have never once mentioned a MOOC on any of these applications.

The question I need to pose to myself is WHY?

The answer is I DON'T KNOW?

I guess I never viewed them as official and perhaps I should. My view has always been that these are like an extended webinar. BUT........I have put more time into some of these than any college credit course I have attended. Why would I not include them on my list of things I have accomplished?

MOOC's are coming from all over as the article gives names to three, but I have taken on from MIT and and taking two right now from Mozilla and Venture Labs out of Standford. These are big. They are not fluff and really do engage the learner.

I don't typically right a blog post about one article, but I undergo these two classes right now and reading this article I wanted to start a conversation about this topic.

What MOOC's have you taken? 
What was your experience?
Do you think they are worthy to be added to a resume?

I think I am going to go back and add them to my resume. I just started to create an official one via LinkedIN and these courses should be added. I love it when an article changes the way we think. I don't think adding them will hurt anything and if nothing more prove that I live by my words of being a model learner.

Taking a MOOC is completely self driven. There is not compensation, no movement up the pay ladder in education, and it is up to you to see it through.

I have my first AHA moment of the week.

I love it when that happens.

What about you?