Student Voice and Participation in Teacher Project Tuning Session

As our building continues to push forward with Project Based Learning (PBL) and striving to challenge our students and ourselves I have reflected on the many key areas we need to work and develop to make the necessary steps to achievement.

As an instructional coach I have noticed that one of the key elements to developing a quality project for learning that is missing is project tuning.

Project Tuning is a systemic approach to helping a teacher tackle a question or mental block that they have in their development of their project. It is an approach that is very powerful and allows the staff to bond and offer insight. It allows the teacher who is tuning to hear perspectives from outside of their department and/or grade level.

Project Tuning is awesome and is something that we have continued to improve upon as we do more and more of these. The issue is that we don't have enough teachers using this key piece. As we work to provide a structure and schedule for teachers to tune I also started working on another key element to project tuning: STUDENT VOICE

This first semester we had 8th graders work on a Choose2Matter project that we titled #BettPassion. One of the groups, Iowa High Five, is focusing on Student Voice. I brought them in last week to discuss the possibility of branching out student voice to a "behind the scenes" element of project tuning.

Last week we met with them and the principle to discuss this idea. They were excited at the opportunity. We talked about the system and things that need to be worked out.

I typed up two documents for them as well as the teachers to provide them with some structure.

Wednesday we were able to pull four of the girls into my room to do an actual project tuning and give them some practice. We had the opportunity to tune a project for a teacher that has an idea and is able to put his guard down to allow these students to practice.

It was amazing! We had one other teacher show up along with our principle and myself. The students jumped right in and nailed it. They provided some great insight that we don't always think about as teachers and adults. They were open and honest and really provided a lot of great ideas. I was quite impressed by their maturity and honesty. I know it can be tough to really open up as a student to teachers and admin.

We are going to continue to find ways to include at least two students in each project tuning session from here on out. We will have to work on developing a pool of students to use. It really needs to be thought through because you need students who are honest and willing to speak the truth while also having a maturity level to handle this opportunity.

I am so excited to continue this journey and help enhance the power of student voice in our building. I will continue to provide documents, reflections, and hopefully a few video sessions to show how these project tunings operate.

Bald Eagle Project - An Eagle Eye To The World is off and running

A project that a few Bettendorf teachers and former students created over the summer is underway. As of right now I am running and operating the global project. We are now up to 5 schools participating which is pretty good for the first year of doing this project. We will be using the Alcoa Bald Eagle Camera to drive learning and enhancements of 21st century skills.

You can see the project page here - http://eagleeyecamera.wikispaces.com/home

Right now students and teachers are in the handshake phase getting to know one another through the use of Edmodo. We are having a great time learning how to use this site and to establish some relationships. Already we have been able to see the eagles the last few days. It is very cool. The wiki project page has a lot to offer so be sure to check out all the pages. The school from the Netherlands has created a book in both English and Dutch on the artwork page.

You may not be a participant in one of the classes, but that does not mean you cannot join in the fun. You are always welcome to follow along, create artwork or projects, and join us on this expedition.

It is off to a great start and I look forward to seeing how things develop. Teachers and students are all learning at the same time and shouldn't school be about everyone learning and growing? I think so.

If you have questions, suggestions, or any great ideas please let me know. Until then, check the camera, watch the eagles, and watch our learning grow along the way.

ALCOA: Eagle Eye On the Wold - Global Classroom Project - Registration Deadline Fast Approaching

Don't these pictures get you excited for learning, collaborating, and connecting with students and teachers from all over?

I just want to send out a final reminder that December 15th is the deadline for the Bald Eagle Project. 

If you have not yet signed up to join us for this amazing project, then make sure you do by the 15th.

Check out the project page - http://eagleeyecamera.wikispaces.com

The project is going to be amazing and super sweet as we explore eagles and other birds to work on 21st century skills.

There will be a teacher meeting coming up in a few weeks where we will tweak the project to meet the needs of all teachers and classrooms.

Join the wiki and be sure to fill out the registration form - http://eagleeyecamera.wikispaces.com/Registration+For+Project

I will be in contact soon with some videos and information. Come join us! We have several big things planned.

Pringle Challenge Is Underway!

My 4th and 5th grade ELP students are taking part in a Pringle Challenge in which they have to build a container that will keep a Pringle chip intact while being shipped to various classrooms across the US. Students will receive a score based on intactness of their chip, volume, and mass. I could go into further detail, but all documents are presented and shared below.

The materials are quite limited. Students are only able to use notecards, 1 ply cardboard, masking tape, straws, and computer paper. That is all! Talk about making students really plan accordingly.

Here is a basic overview




Here is a Powerpoint going over the unit

Pringles challenge from Aaron Maurer

And here is the Scoring Sheet

Thanks to Elizabeth Jones who has created all these documents.

We wrap up building and finalizing this week. My students only have a few days of class to work as I only meet with each grade level two days a week.

We will mail them off Thursday when I meet with my 5th grade students.

We will then await the packages to arrive. Then we will Skype with the other classes so we can see our packages as well as the other students seeing theirs.

This has been one great thinking challenge and really forcing students to think in whole new aspects.

Here is a slideshow of some of their work in progress. I will update again later this week when we finalize our work.

Quail Update: 4 Days Old

Last Friday we finally had class with our 5th grade ELP students. They were so excited about the quail. We talked about what had developed since we had class the week before and where things were going. We viewed the video about the hatching of the quail and we then began to brainstorm the variables between our three incubators and what could have caused different amount of birds to hatch. It was great to back with the kids and actually talking about the quail with them.



As of Monday morning, the quail all seem to be doing good. We have had some scary situations in keeping the quail alive, but I believe we have worked through them all.

On my end the quail food has not arrived like it was supposed to. So, I have gone a different route with seeds, tomato, and most recently dog food. I hope the food arrives today so I can get the little guy on a good feeding system.

Speaking with Mr. Collett over the weekend it sounds like he had a scare. Mr. Collett had to devise a new brooder container after the first metal brooder the quail kept getting wet from the water dish. At this stage in development the quail cannot get wet as they are not able to regulate their body temperatures.

Mr. Collett had to use the dome incubator and dry towels to keep them warm much like what they do at hospitals and by staying up late into the night and helping them feed with an eye dropper they are still alive

My son has devised a little house for the quail at my house and a little trough. The house will have to be removed soon as the quail continues to move faster and learning how to jump which leads to flying.

I am working out a new camera system for the live feed. It is providing a much better picture, but I am having issues with it staying on. I hope to have this figured out soon.

This week we will try to figure out a way to get all the quail together and the best plan for getting them back to school for students to see in person.

Our next step - building a flight pen. Students will be taking part in building a flight pen for our quail to survive in throughout the winter. If you have any great ideas please send them our way.

Here are a few pictures

Friday, October 19th - One Day Old







Eating some tomato

Saturday, October 20th - Two Days Old





























Sunday, October 21st - Three Days Old






























To view all the rest check out the photos here

Quail Egg Hatching Update

Yesterday (Wednesday, October 17th) was the day of hatching. Based on the 23 day incubation cycle that quail eggs follow we were to have some quail out and about yesterday.

Many of you tuned in to the live feed and thank you so much for doing so. I know there was a lot of anticipation, but we did not have any quail successful break on through.

This does not mean that all is lost.

At around 5:30 am yesterday we had signs in three eggs by observing cracks in the shell like below(top egg in the right hand corner).



Throughout the rest of the day we did not see much action. When I arrived at home that night and checked there was not much improvement of the process.

This morning I noticed that the quail were back at it



You can see the egg bottom right has more cracks than yesterday.

Also, I was able to hear the quail chirping and making noise.

At this point I believe that we have a chance for at least one quail to hatch. When I left for school this morning the egg was moving like crazy. I hope this is a sign that the quail is still strong and able to break through the membrane.

If this little guy does not make it, then I am assuming that this batch is a lost cause, but important learning experience. We did however, separate our quail eggs so we were not putting all our eggs in one basket(nice pun!). In the incubator that Mr. Collet kept at his house he informed me that he had two quail hatch yesterday. We have another incubator at the bus barn as well. We have success and I just hope this one on the live feed will make it so we can experience the process.

I will keep everyone updated as much as I can.

Here is the live feed link - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/aaronmaurer161

Here is the link to our project on bald eagles. Please consider joining us - http://eagleeyecamera.wikispaces.com/

Hatching and Raising Quail Project Update: Day 16

Just wanted to send this out real quick. Here is an update to our quail egg project. We are attempting to raise quail in class. This first round is teacher lead as we explore building a habitat for them. The spring project will be to put students 100% completely in charge.

http://eagleeyecamera.wikispaces.com/Quail+Project

The eggs are to hatch a week from today! I will be setting up a live camera feed to stream online for those interested in having their classrooms checking in to see this process. More info coming later once I figure out how to do it all!


Current Slideshow of all photos so far

10.10.12 Here is the latest picture of our quail eggs in development. This is Day 16. It is hard to tell in the pictures, but it is so cool seeing the outlines of feathers!!!!!

I had to tilt them on their side to show some light through as most of the egg shows just black as the quail is getting bigger and bigger.

10.6.12 - Aiden and I came into the school on Saturday to rotate the eggs. Here is what the egg development looks like at Day 12

10.4.12 - Today was the first day the 5th grade ELP students were able to see the quail eggs. They are learning along the way before we unleash them to raise quail completely on their own come Spring. This is the egg development on Day 9

10.01.12

In order for my 4th and 5th grade students to further understand bald eagles, we have decided to do a little project based learning with quail. You can read about the brainstorming process here

Today we setup an incubator in my office at school. As we(teachers) experiment a bit with the quail before allowing the students to be in full control we have placed quail eggs in three incubators in three locations to see what will produce the best results.

It won't be long until we add some eggs and get a camera ready to go.

Quail PBL: Incubator in my office!

In order for my 4th and 5th grade students to further understand bald eagles, we have decided to do a little project based learning with quail. You can read about the brainstorming process here

Today we setup an incubator in my office at school. As we(teachers) experiment a bit with the quail before allowing the students to be in full control we have placed quail eggs in three incubators in three locations to see what will produce the best results.



It won't be long until we add some eggs and get a camera ready to go.

5th Grade Project Based Learning - Raising Quail Brainstorm List

Earlier today I posted about how my 5th grade ELP class began the thinking process of raising quail and all the things that we might need to know about keeping them alive. You can read that blog post here.

I thought that it would be important to document all steps to this project we are unfolding. Tonight I was able to take time to compile all their questions that the students generated.

The first step to this project is to get the students thinking about quail. I don't want this to be a project where we provide all answers and how to instructions. I want this project to be ran and operated by the kids. This will be theirs. They will own this journey and the end result. It is going to be beyond EPIC!

Today after we discussed an incubator and the surprise that Bus Bill dropped on us about purchasing eggs to test things out we gave students time to begin to brainstorm and think about what THEY think THEY need to know in order to raise quail.

We gave them four categories: quail, habitat, external factors, and cost. We left cost blank, but included it for the sake that they have to remember that we must find ways to fund this whole project.

Students chose a partner and with their partner brainstormed questions for about 9 minutes. After this time we had them pair up with another pair and share ideas to see if further ideas were generated. After about 15 total minutes of brainstorming we talked about their questions and class ended with them heading back to their schools.

Tomorrow we will investigate these topics and attempt to find some answers.

Here is the link to the Google Doc of all their questions typed up - https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Bxbv-Z9HOX_U8cm5u4mqzEOqkxn0sGK4m8gW_4nkSc/edit

We would love for this to be a living breathing document. Please take time to check out their questions(they had some really good ones). Add some comments about some further things to think about. If you have suggestions, resources, more questions, interesting facts, etc. please leave a comment here, on the Google Doc, or email me at aarmau@gmail.com

This is not only a learning experience for my students, but for me as well. I love teaching. What a great opportunity we have before ourselves. This has potential to be something that will leave a lasting impression.

Thanks for reading and hope to hear from some of you!

P.S. 4th grade don't worry, after the Eco-Meet you will be involved in this project as well and maybe even more!!!!

5th Grade Begins Exploration of Birds(Quail)

Today in class we began our exploration into bald eagles. Well, we are in the realm. We are going to experiment with the daunting task of raising quail. We cannot raise eagle eggs so this is the next best thing. To start we are working with 29 eggs that the teachers will be trying to raise along with student support. The goal will be to raise and nurture the quail to the point of them laying eggs come spring when the students will be in charge of everything.

In the meantime students today brainstormed all the questions that we need to investigate. We have a huge list that will only grow. These questions will be shared soon. Through our investigation of our questions about quail we will begin to transform one of the school courtyards into a habitat for quail. This is project based learning at its very finest.

Students are going to be in charge of everything. I plan to post the whole project online soon(whenever I actually have some free time). This is going to be an amazing journey for all of us.

Last, as we build and prepare and test things out our goal is to get a camera up and running that will stream the entire process online. More details on this to follow as well.

The excitement is brewing. We have so many possibilities it is going to be tough to get it all done. As for now we are going to do our best to raise some of the finest quail here in Iowa!

Stay tuned for more information!

Don’t forget to check out the wiki - http://eagleeyecamera.wikispaces.com/

Project Based Learning - Project Tuning Experience Enhances My Skills and Appreciation For My Fellow Colleagues

To start off the week I facilitated another project tuning session for a teacher. It went really well. I thought it went even better than the previous one I was part of last week. This is no way a slam to the other session, but a credit to the teachers who continue to take part and become better at this process.

For this session there were a few things that helped to make it run much smoother that I think needs to be incorporated into other project tunings.

1. Variety of staff - I think this is essential. It is imperative to conduct a project tuning with a good mix of teachers with different backgrounds. This session contained language arts teachers, an art teacher, a science teacher, and a gifted education teacher. Having different types of teachers with different types of background and thought processes really helps the teacher who is project tuning receive feedback from all angles. The previous one I ran contained almost all the same subject teachers at the same grade level. I think this can sometimes hurt because for so many years we as a staff have been trained and forced to work on the same page, do the same thing, test the same way, etc. that we were missing that broad spectrum of insight. However, I do think that as the staff continues to project tune and get better at the process we will get to a point where it won't really matter who attends because we will all be able to do the sessions correctly. At this stage in the game, we need diversity and this was proven this morning.

2. Essential Question - Another key element is for the teacher to bring up the key question or struggle they currently don't have an answer for. This really helps the group focus on what the teacher needs to get out of the session. By providing this roadblock in the project development the group can spend the time needed to help move the teacher over the hurdle. Getting that question is tough and sometimes be instant which leads me to.....

3. Overview Phase - I think the initial step is vital for the discussion. One difference between the two sessions I ran is that the first one I did not force the teacher to continue to talk for the entire time. This time I did(thanks Ben) and because of that the teacher shed some of her struggles which really helped frame the rest of the discussion.

4. Proper Time - we had to shorten the time, but one thing we discussed was to make sure we hold true to the Discussion time of 10 minutes. This is probably the most important phase for the teacher who is sitting outside the circle taking notes. We ran into the issue of not having enough time for everyone to speak due to time constraints(we used 7 minutes). 10 minutes is a must. This means we have to shed some minutes elsewhere and we have yet to find a perfect system.

As I review how I did as a facilitator I realize that I still have much work to do. I am learning new things each time. This is what I love about our staff. Working with a new group today I gained a whole new sense of appreciation for the amazing people in our building. With time to work with some of them I was able to learn more about myself and also how to become a better facilitator. Working with some of the same teachers from the last session I think we already improved on our questioning techniques and we are so excited to teach again. We have all found a renewed sense of excitement and I love it.

One thing that arose was the Step Up/Step Back idea. I need to find a good way of bringing to light these issues. Maybe just a reminder at the beginning ensuring that

• Everyone has a chance for their voice to be heard.
• Making sure everyone Steps Up and is not afraid to voice their ideas. Some of the timid teachers could have the best ideas and we need to hear them.
• Making sure that if someone or some people are really occupying the air that they Step Back to allow others to contribute. I am guilty of this. I also have ideas(not always good ones) and I hate silence so I am first to jump in when I need to learn to step back.

This is my little reflection on another project tuning. I like to always spend time reflecting as I think it is important to me to becoming better at what I want to do. I have a long ways to go, but with each tuning I only hope to get better.

Project Based Learning - Project Tuning Experience

Say what? Project Tuning? Count us in!!!!!

Friday afternoon I met over my prep period with some other educators in my building to run a Project Tuning session for one of the projects a teacher needed help with. This is an amazing process that we learned when we visited High Tech High in San Diego.

We have now sent two sets of teachers out to San Diego and most have come back really excited for project based learning. This particular aspect of project based teaching is one of the best things I have experienced.

This past Friday, I was privileged enough to be the facilitator of the session. It was a great learning experience for myself as I had to be the one to run time and also keep teachers on track. I found myself feeling like a student again and I loved it.

I will post and share the steps that are involved in a Project Tuning session in a future post, but for now I want to share some things that I reflected on when I went back and wrote down some notes about the experience.

• Project Tuning allows teachers to receive a mass amount of information and ideas in a limited amount of time without feeling berated or talked down to.
• Project Tuning really forces the teacher who has presented the project to really think deep about their project.
• Project Tuning is a process that will really unite the staff as we all work together to help each other become better at what we do.
• Project Tuning makes teachers more aware of what is happening in the classrooms and also brings in a personal investment into the teaching process and classroom of others.
• Project Tuning really helps keep teachers focused on the task at hand without wandering off topic which then leads to teachers walking away from a meeting without getting much accomplished

To elaborate on these key points I think that this is one of the most important processes I have ever been exposed to. Going through a few of these now I feel so connected to what some teachers are teaching and I can honestly say I have never felt that way before. In the past I simply did not have time to find out what others were doing and frankly did not care. Now, I walk away from a project tuning session and am excited about what others are doing. I will be following up on their projects. I will be checking in on the final projects. It is an element that is needed among staff members. We should care what others are doing.

I also think that the project tuning really gives people time to really think deeply about their project. With people constantly asking questions and discussing the project you walk away with many things to think about. It is a safe environment where everyone is really interested in helping the teacher out. There becomes an instant connection among the people involved.

Project tuning will bring staff together. As teachers start to project tune and mix and match with various teachers the staff will come together. Right now we get stuck only talking with members of our house or department. This process brings in all types of teachers to give the teacher a wide range of perspectives. This allows teachers to work and converse with other teachers who they simply don't have time to see and meet with in our typical day. The unification will only make our school and teaching better.

As a facilitator I learned a few things myself. It is imperative that as a facilitator that one is not afraid to step in and get the teachers back on track. This can be hard as we are all educators. It does not make the facilitator more powerful when the meeting is over, but you will need someone to be able to interject and refocus the group. This is harder than it seems. I have big hopes to being a great facilitator. It is becoming a passion of mine. I have some improvements to make, but after one session I started to learn some techniques to help refocus. I could have done better, but this will come with time. As teachers, we can sometimes be the worst audience and the worse at following directions. In this process we all have so much that we want to share. As a facilitator it is important that things are shared at the right step and that teachers adhere to the process. In many ways we are just like the students we teach(and sometimes we are the ones that are just like the students that drive us crazy!!!)

I have not been able to stop thinking about the experience. I think it went smooth. I have written down in my reflection book some things I need to do better as a facilitator. I have two more project tuning sessions next week so I look forward to working on my goals I have set for myself.

I cannot wait to see how this project develops that I sat in on. We have some amazing teachers and this project tuning session will allow us to realize how powerful our staff really is.

Useless Fact For Me To Share With You

No word in the the English dictionary rhymes with "MONTH".

Goodnight y'all. I am off to bed after spending my Sunday night on school work prepping for my next two project based learning units for my ELP class. Can I just say eggs and Rubik's Cubes? Wowsers that sounds like some good learning coming down the pipeline.

Products of Design - Some Great Thoughts To Consider

Products Of Design: Thoughts From The Faculty from MFA Products of Design on Vimeo.


I loved the comment
         "....it is about giving them the power to change themselves"

Project Based Learning - Idea for Possible Social Studies Project - Anyone Want to Help Create?

I was reading the latest updates on one of my favorite sites when I came across this image prompt

This got me thinking about how I can further challenge my students. I was thinking about creating some sort of project where I provide them a lesson over a time period and they have to figure out which things I share with them are incorrect.

Then I was thinking I could take it one step further and turn this into a project based learning unit where they would have to create a presentation of some sort. What the other students would have to do would have to identify what is correct/incorrect. This would be a double assessment in terms of my students understanding the material enough to secretly throw in some incorrect info while the audience has to try to identify what is wrong.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Collaboration options?

Project Based Learning Posts From Last Week - Coffeechug Shares His Perspective on Education

In case you missed my thoughts after visiting High Tech High in San Diego last week I have you covered. Here are my three posts on education and project based learning.

1. Flying home from San Diego thinking about Project Based Learning

2. My Impressions of High Tech High and Project Based Learning

3. How my new Neo, Star Wars light saber, PEZ induced Avatar connects to Project Based Learning

I am interested to discuss how other educators are changing their teaching methods to meet the needs of students. I am always ready to engage in discussion about how to improve myself as a teacher. If interested let me know and we can set up a time to discuss teaching methods, ideas, and projects.

How my new Neo, Star Wars light saber, PEZ induced Avatar connects to Project Based Learning

Is my new avatar not amazing? It contains elements that represent me in my current state of mind. The bald head(beautiful bald head :)), Neo outfit, and the two essential symbols in each hand. How does this fit with project based learning? Let me try to explain.


Bald head - if you look at the Lego head you will notice the open hole on top. The more I look at this I see this as my brain being filled with so many great new ideas, strategies, and thoughts. My brain has continued to spin around and around from the trip. I thought it would slow down, but so far my brain cells are buzzing around like bees in a hive. Perhaps it is the coffee, but more likely my excitement to move education in the direction that finally meets my teaching style.


The opening also allows me to release the bad thoughts, the negative vibes, and allow me to view all other viewpoints and thoughts as valid arguments. Nothing is perfect and for once I am looking at everything at face value. I will not get defensive, but listen and read about other perspectives and try to take something positive from these perspectives.


The Matrix type outfit i.e. Neo


Neo: I thought it wasn't real
Morpheus: Your mind makes it real
Neo: If you're killed in the matrix, you die here?
Morpheus: The body cannot live without the mind 


Morpheus: I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it. 


These are some quotes from The Matrix. Why did I choose them? Because they fit with my thoughts on project based learning and where we are going. This system of teaching is going to allow students to really push the envelope on their path to learning. They will be invested. They will develop skills necessary to succeed in the real world. No longer will they have to just rote memorize one word answers for a multiple choice test, waste time coloring a map, creating a product where they just vomit the same facts found in their textbook or Google. They will have to think.....on their own....without an answer floating in cyberspace.


Morpheus: Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. 


You have to see project based learning to really grasp the power of the method. 


Morpheus: The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it. 
[Neo's eyes suddenly wander towards a woman in a red dress] 
Morpheus: Were you listening to me, Neo? Or were you looking at the woman in the red dress? 
Neo: I was... 
Morpheus: [gestures with one hand] Look again. 
[the woman in the red dress is now Agent Smith, pointing a gun at Neo's head; Neo ducks] 
Morpheus: Freeze it. 
[Everybody and everything besides Neo and Morpheus freezes in time] 
Neo: This... this isn't the Matrix? 
Morpheus: No. It is another training program designed to teach you one thing: if you are not one of us, you are one of them. 


This one deals with teachers and administrators. We are our own worst enemy. Many of us are not happy with how education looks. Yet, we are not willing to do anything to change. We are quick to point the finger at the upper admins or political figures. I read somewhere on a blog the other day that we teachers are the agents of change. If we see the need for change, then we need to be the force that makes it happen. There are enough of us that our voices together will be heard. Project based learning is the first step in making the necessary changes. I know some teachers are not quite on board, but the question I ask is what are you doing to make change? Maybe stop complaining and try something. I always tell my own kids when they throw a fit and cry, "Is that getting you what you want?" They always answer NO! Why do we continue to whine and complain? It gets us nowhere. We do it because it is easy and makes it seem like we care. If we cared enough, then we would do something. I am going to be an agent of change. I am investing in Project Based Learning to start a new way of thinking and learning.


Mini Mr. Maurer PEZ dispenser


This is a replica of my former self. My passion has intensified. My ideas are growing. I am keeping my old self in my hand as a reminder of the good things I have done as a teacher. I don't have to throw everything to the wayside. I have kept the good, tossed the bad, and will keep this little PEZ as a reminder of how I continue to evolve as a teacher to stay current with new and future generation of students.


Lightsaber


The green light saber is seen as a symbol for focus. I am focused on the task at hand. I am excited. The light saber is my symbol for my focus to realizing that we need change. I am keeping one thought in mind - What is best for students? - and not what is best for teachers or the easiest approach. It is time to bring students back to the forefront. Teachers need to step out of the spotlight. Less focus on learning targets posted in the classrooms(however, agenda and goals of class are important) and inserting lesson plans into a system that will not help as projects should change yearly to keep things fresh. I will wield my light saber as my tool to transform who I am into a Jedi teacher who will work on making myself better to help make learning relevant and important to students. It is time to be one with the force. Mind over matter.


At the end of the day I stop and reflect on this thought and this thought alone cements my need to help push our building into change and project based learning.


My Thought: What will be most beneficial for my own children as they go through the progression of public school? What needs to be done to make learning exciting, relevant, and purposeful to during these 13 years that are designed to make them productive citizens?


Worksheets, coloring maps, rote memorization of spelling, and sitting in desks for long periods of time listening to a teacher are not the answers.

My Impressions of High Tech High and Project Based Learning

Before I go into my impressions of this school I want to ask you a question. Please take time to think about your answer prior to reading on.


What are you most significant learning experiences in your K-12 years?

Think about your years in school. Visualize the buildings, the teachers, the hallways, the teaching delivery systems.

Think about all of your many k-12 learning experiences in the classroom that transformed you as a person...........this was a trick because I bet many of you cannot think of many examples if any at all. I honestly don't remember a single thing I learned or created in my 13 years in public school.

Let me share some observations while in San Diego and compare to your trip  down memory lane

- calm atmosphere outside of school waiting for school to start.

- blended classrooms where it was hard to distinguish the teachers from the students

- zero stress zones. I honestly never saw anyone stressed. Nor did I observe drama of middle school life, anger, or kids just flat out not working. Now I am not stupid and realize that these things exist, but it was not prevalent and not part of the learning atmosphere created in the several schools we visited.

- trust where kids move seamlessly from place to place along with teachers. Some kids were outside, some moved to the commons, some were working on this while others worked on that.

- Excitement for what the were doing. The students wanted to share their work. If you asked one student you were going to be asked by others to see their work.

-The idea of a teacher being the all mighty epicenter of knowledge was non existent.  I know this is major reason why some teachers teach so they can be the all knowing being in their classroom domain, but you did not see this despite the unbelievable knowledge some of these teachers have.

- Collaboration and brainstorming as if we were meeting with litle ceo's or business teams.

- Time to just work, try out ideas, and learn from mistakes


Does this sound like your school experience? I know this does not sound like my school experience and I feel robbed out of an education. I don't want my students nor my own kids to feel robbed either. It is time for change.

More of my specific thoughts on project based learning to come. I am still processing.







Sent from my iPad from the airplane

Flying home from San Diego thinking about Project Based Learning

I am sitting on a plane heading back to Iowa from San Diego trying to process all I have been exposed to the last few days on my visit to High Tech High. I have a thousand thoughts swirling in my head(pretty typical, but these thoughts are moving at light speed), but it all comes down to one central thought....

It is time to revamp education and revamp how we teach.

Our school is in need of change. We are at a place where it is time to let our guard down and get with the times. We need a change, not a patch in the many things currently going in the wrong direction, but a complete overhaul. Let me provide an analogy. We have been driving this once brand new car for too long and now the transmission is going. There are some great deals on a new vehicle and it is time to invest. It is time to park our current way of teaching, step out and jump into the new vehicle. Yes, the cost up front and the learning curve of the new vehicle is always tricky, but over time the investment is worth it as you realize how much times have changed. My Ford Escape still has a tape deck where cars now come equiped with 15 ambient light choices and GPS voices named Betty helping you find your destination.


Project based learning is fresh, applicable, and relevant to the lives of the kids. I have more excitement now for teaching than ever before. I am more excited than my first day of teaching. My passion for teaching has doubled and I was not sure that was possible.

There are going to be hurdles, but we will adapt and navigate right over them. While we teach project based learning we will be solving the projects of implementation as well. Some teachers will be cautious about being on board. They will have to make a decision. I was thinking about why they would not be on board and decided it comes down to a few key points

- Reason #1: Lack of Understanding and Knowledge

They are just not well enough informed to truly understand the system. They don't quite know how it works and how to go about implementation.This is okay and it is our jobs to help them learn.

-Reason #2: Self Realization - They know that they currently don't do a good job teaching and this new model of teaching will highlight their inadequacies. Right now they  can hide behind the curtain of a system that really does not work. They won't be able to hide with this system

-Reason #3: Stuck in Neutral - They realize that they don't know any other way to teach. For some teachers they do a good job how they teach now, but need to realize they can do better. For some teachers, it is time to realize that maybe you are just not cut out for teaching and maybe a new job is in store. Sometimes teachers are in the middle. Sometimes teachers teach a certain way and feel stuck. Sometimes teachers  are not adaptable or willing to change or perhaps just flat out don't know how. This is sad and something that needs to be addressed. Think about it.....students have a limited amount of time for educators to help them pursue passions and learn to develop skills for the real world. Being stuck with a bad teacher for one year of education takes away crucial time for students to progress and prep for their future. When you think about it that way it really makes it more of an eye opener.

Project based learning is exciting. Yes, I realize there are pros and cons to everything, but when done correctly it is a system that replicates life and employment. I will post later about my impressions of the school, but just needed to get some ideas down.

I am coming back to Iowa invigorated. I keep thinking about helping getting other staff members on board. I keep working out my ideas for a project and during this 2.5 hour flight I wrote up two projects that are ready for project tuning.

In my two days at High Tech High 8 I gained more valuable ideas, strategies, and insights than everything combined in my last 8 years in education.

My Getting It Done! Mantra is moving over to education. I cannot wait to get to my classroom and get started.

Now, if only I could solve the problem of my knees killing me in this tiny seat not designed for a 6"4' man I would be very happy.