Being BRAVE to inspire our kids and ourselves!

This morning as I attempt to get back to reality after a great couple of days attending the Wisconsin State Reading Association annual convention and picking up an award for Leadership in Literacy Technology, I  am busy decompressing and reflecting on all of the great new ideas and knowledge that I gained.  Some of the useful nuggets include better ways to manage our iPads, new apps, great new books, and better ways to implement online Lit Circles.

While so many great ideas were shared, I was most struck by a session presented by author and veteran teacher, Kate Messner.  In her session about creating student leaders, she inspired her audience to create authentic and meaningful learning experiences beyond standard classroom-based instructional activities.  One of the ideas that she stressed throughout the presentation, and the message that struck me the most, was that in order to create thoughtful, reflective, forward-thinking future leaders, we need to give kids experiences that force them to be brave.  This type of bravery does not mean exposing kids to life-threatening activities, but rather giving them a chance to go outside of their comfort zones and outside of their usual safe boxes.  Many of us have this fear of failing, of not looking perfect in the eyes of our students, of somehow not appearing to know everything.  I know that I personally put a lot of pressure on myself to feel as if I can solve any problem and find the answer to anything.  I often worry about not keeping up and not staying one step of everyone else.  I worry that when I put myself out there, others will think that I am not good enough or smart enough.  As I listened to Messner, I reflected upon how I limit myself by giving in to these insecurities.  I realized that I gave less of myself when I did this.  Do I really want to do this to my kids as well?  If I am supposed to be their leader and their model, how can giving in to my fears and putting limitations on myself teach them about being brave and the rewards that come along with that?

Kate inspired me to take more steps to be brave.  How can I do that?  First, by expanding my PLN, especially through Twitter.  Second, by making more of a personal contribution to my school district, associations, and the other educational communities of which I am a part.  While we all often make the excuse that there is not enough time, the real excuse is sometimes our fear of not appearing to be perfect to others and worrying that others will think less of us.

On the other hand, I have always been a brave teacher.  I am not afraid to try whatever new tool I discover immediately within my lessons.  I believe in giving kids as many real-world learning experiences as possible.  I use Skype regularly to connect kids to authors, other classrooms, and world experts.  The same class that I have been teaching for three years has looked almost completely different every semester that I begin anew.  That's why I am really excited about Messner's new website Kid-sourcing.  Kid-sourcing was created to connect kids to experiences where they are able to solve real-world problems.  As shared by Messner, the data collected by students engaging in some of these projects will be used for real research.  What better way is there to give kids real-life opportunities, take them outside of their comfort zones, and allow them to participate in the body of knowledge that is being created?  When opening our students to these types of experiences, we not only engage them in real-world activities, but we are also teaching them to be brave.  Bravery, of course, is essential to creating great generations of future thinkers and leaders.

I encourage you to consider your own classroom.  How are you instilling bravery within your students?  What opportunities are you giving kids to connect with the world outside of their classrooms?  How are you modeling bravery?

This blog has been a big step for me.  As I continue to add new posts, I attempt to put aside my fear of worrying about what others will think of me and my ideas.  I continue to put more of my voice into it, which is really the key piece in contributing to the world.  It is one way that I choose to be brave.

Thanks, Kate Messner for inspiring me!

Skype in the Classroom

Yesterday I was lucky to offer my students an awesome experience: we were able to meet the author of the book that they all read and it didn't cost us a penny!  This was all possible through Skype and a few emails to the author.

Skype is not only useful for speaking with authors.  Skype now has a website called Skype in the Classroom that actually helps teachers find or post projects with other Skype partners.  Posted projects cover every subject area and grade level.  Last year I connected with a school in New York and worked with my students on a pen pal project.  We used the site Twiducate (like Twitter, for education) to talk with their New York "friends."  I also recently connected with a teacher in Texas to develop a virtual book club.

To get started, go to Skype in the Classroom's project database and browse for your appropriate subject and grade level.  Information about contacting the project owner is found by clicking on the project.   Our library has webcams available for checkout as well.  To prepare for a Skype chat, all you have to do is download Skype to your computer and install the webcam.  (Very easy things that I am happy to help with).

Just think about the project possibilities: guest speakers, working on an assignment with a class in another country, state, or city, guest readers, bringing experts right into your classroom...

View the pictures below to see our experience Skyping yesterday.

Edmodo: Free Educational Social Networking Tool

One of my favorite learning tools is Edmodo (www.edmodo.com).  Edmodo is a free, secure, educational social networking tool that works almost like a virtual classroom.  Once teachers sign-up for a free account, they are able to add different "groups" of students who can then message other group members through Edmodo.  Edmodo also lets teachers upload assignments for students to access any time and any place.  Students turn in assignments directly through Edmodo, allowing for paperless interactions. 

How can Edmodo work for you?  Here are ways that it has already been used at our school:

• Create a hybrid learning environment where your classroom content is also available online.
• Use it for small group discussions.  (This has worked very well for lit circle book groups).
• Remind your class about important events.
• Have a whole class discussion on a specific topic.
• Post links to relevant class websites for students to explore.
• Have students open, complete, and turn-in assignments without the need for any paper.
• Engage students in learning materials outside of school.  (Lit Masters met virtually throughout the summer via Edmodo).  

The students absolute LOVE using Edmodo.  It's also a great tool for engaging those introverted students who are reluctant to talk face-to-face.  I was amazed at how many students were using it after school and on the weekends.  Using Edmodo can really keep the learning going outside of our classroom walls.