Agape Adding Fun to the classroom

Tis the season for some FUN!

This time of year in the classroom is crazy wild and fun! Today is a pajama day and it is two days from the break. BTW, I'm giving a quiz! 

In working with "A Christmas Carol" I had a few students who could not do the same kind of lessons I had planned for the other students. I was excited to take this as an opportunity to create fun for these students. These kids would work in the library and I added elements of fun like a warm-up of chess and other games. Is that really funny? They are reading Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and responding to questions and summarizing to me what they read in a Video Email. 

Oh, media staff had agreed to supervise while I taught.

Sounds really fun? Right? No, not really. Each day I try to give them something in the email that is goofy for them to do. One time I had them make a funny face at the end of the video, another time a goat noise, this time I had them do a British accent. Why? It is about being a little silly sometimes. My hope is that they find more excitement in the work they have to do. I hope it gives them something to look forward to and allows them to get into the time period. I try to connect each funny task to the lesson. It actually has me laughing quite a bit while viewing and watching them. I really liked what I added to these lessons and if I would have gone too crazy it could have taken them off the learning in front of them.

The kids are enjoying the videos and are hilarious! We still have a couple more days before the break but I think these kids are having a great experience and are happy with the tailored lessons for them.

A Make you or Break you Moment

There are moments in our lives that change everything. It is one second to the next and in a flash everything is different. In my teaching career, I have had one huge make it or break it moment for me. This moment could have shut the door to teaching for me forever. It almost did.

It all happened years ago in 2011 when little baby Taisha started her first student teaching. I was ready! I envisioned it all. I was going to be a teacher and I would achieve all my dreams. I had worked hard in college those last few years and here was my moment to shine.

The only things is...I didn't shine. My whole student teaching experience was a mess from day one. The person who took me on had to drop me for medical reasons and I was left wandering the school looking for the place I was supposed to be. It was really strange and awkward. Long story short I left that first day with no coordinating teacher and a little confused as to why I showed up.

I get a call and someone from that same school was willing to take me on. YES! They thought I looked professional and promising. I started my student teaching and I was shy. I was nervous. I was quiet. I took tons of time to plan because I wanted it to be right. I was thinking a lot about myself and the way I presented. It felt like mini assignments. I didn't contribute much those first weeks because I wanted to observe. I jumped in and was a little shaky. It went ok but not great.

My new coordinating teacher sat me down and told me I didn't have it. I didn't have the basic teaching skills I needed for this profession and she didn't know what to do with me. She didn't know how to teach me. It was all a weird experience in the first place but I felt like I was putting the time in. I felt like I had connected to the students. It was heartbreaking. The conversation was a bit cold.

I was not a teacher in this person's eyes nor would I ever be at that moment. I just didn't have the basic building blocks. I couldn't be taught.

So, I cried...and cried...and cried all weekend. My entire life was crushed. Everything I worked for was now gone. By Sunday this became my fuel. I almost think my coordinating teacher expected me not to show up. I disconnected more from her and put everything into the kids. I poured my energy and thoughts into the ones who did believe in me. I was going to finish this student teaching no matter what. I don't quit. I had to apply active encouragement to myself in a dark moment.

I taught and paid close attention to the kids. I didn't do everything right but I was going to give it my all and if I didn't have the basic skills then I didn't have the basic skills. I made an impression and kids were learning. On the last day of student teaching, I felt love. I had never felt so much love and care in my life. I had gifts and cards. The kids were going to miss me. It was all about the relationships and connections. I had made a difference and an impact. I was a teacher. I found my way.

I had done a 180. I was completely different and that was a fantastic conversation to have from my coordinating teacher. One weekend to the next something shifted and I rose up to what I needed to be. I could have quit the profession. I could have said, "I tried oh, well". I knew I had it in me and realized I didn't need to be perfect. When I realized it was less about me and all about the kids. I became a teacher and I am SO thankful I did. I have never doubted myself since.

Grateful

Gratefulness. Life is this crazy messy ongoing process. We have challenges thrown at us left and right. Personally, I feel like I am just making it some days. I'm constantly being pushed to my max to think and produce. What I got from this week's readings is to breathe. To take moments and reflect on my state of happiness. I have a beautiful little family that needs me. I just need to be more aware of it and to share it with my loved ones.

The Four Components- Feed your Teacher Soul

Feed your Teacher Soul

Teaching is as old as time. The way you teach and how you feel as a teacher matters. The passion and artistry you bring to your classroom matters. It matters to students and it most importantly matters to you.

St. Francis of Assisi said: “If you work with your hands, your head, your heart and your soul, you are an artist.”

Your hands are there to help students up when they need help. You show them and guide them in different directions. You have walked in their steps and you have learned what they are learning.

Your head helps guide your intuition. It helps you with subject matter but also with connection and interaction with your students.

Teaching with your heart is showing your passion. Using your heart to guide your relationships and also your content. This brings joy to your teaching.

Bringing your soul is allowing you to serve in your teaching. Working with students you use patience but it is bringing your whole self to your classroom each day. It is who you are! What you breath each day!

Change As a Collaborative Inquiry

What information from the article did you connect with the most and why?

I think that a lot of this article deals with goal setting and keeping your priorities straight. There is a clear picture of where and what the end game/implementation will be. I also connected with compliance vs collaboration. People are more more willing to put their being and engagement into a problem if they fully understand it. When someone tells you there is an issue and you will do this to fix it. It feels forced and not genuine. You want to understand and collaborate on how to best fix and create a better school. I also like transparency when it comes to school problems. Why would we hide areas that need support? The community is a huge key player in our goals and overall outlook of the district. We need to share with them our need and the future of our school.

Thinking of your own school community, what are the issues and concerns regarding school improvement? How are these addressed with the administration and staff? What can you and other staff members do to work towards a more collaborative constructivist approach towards improvement?

Currently, my largest concern is that we had set ideas of incorporation. We wanted all staff to be using Schoology/updating. We wanted staff to start incorporating standard based grading. We wanted more PLC time. Now, as I look forward my concern would be how our school community will change under new management. We are currently pending the next year with our middle school principal. What I do know is that we need to be open to change and be willing to collaborate towards our improvement. I want to make my time meaningful and I want to make steps towards our own goals. As a school and department we do a great job of setting Smart Goals. Having personal goals and classroom goals helps keeps fluidity in the classroom. We all need to be willing to the vision of new leadership and new concepts.

How do you see the action research you do in your classroom supporting adaptation and process of change?

I see this action research as a method to understand reading and how to best facilitate strategies of comprehension in my classroom. I hope to also use it during our Storm time to help share and foster the joy of reading for others. I want to use it as a Smart Goal in my classroom to help push myself and my students.Read Alouds are not just for entertainment but they provide many great modeled strategies and discussions to help share the joy and process of reading.

Change as Collaborative Inquiry

Catchphrase: Invictus

"I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul."

One of my favorite poems ever written is called Invictus. It is latin for unconquerable or undefeated. This quote is my catchphrase. I am responsible for my own choices. I own me.

Here is the poem.

What does it mean to you? What is the context?

When I first read this I felt like it was a poem about about determination. I thought maybe it could be linked to war. 

The author wrote this poem at a very dark point in his life at hospital when he had tuberculosis. He ended up losing one of his legs. You can imagine the despair and the fear one may feel in that situation. The lack of control. I just find the words in this poem very relatable and inspiring. As I get older I am especially am finding my own strength and my own voice. 

There will always be elements of life you can control even when it feels like you may be losing all your control. You control your attitude and the way you want to feel. You can control if you want to accept or decline what is happening around you. Choice. Whatever the future may be or whatever anyone goes through. You still have choice and you still are the master of your fate and you are the captain of your soul.

There is only one you. Own it.

It is a great message for students to hear.

Radical Leap Leadership

Radical Leap Leadership

A teacher is a leader in the classroom. Leadership can come in many forms. Leadership can be motivating and supportive or it could be the opposite. When I look back in my life at leaders that I respected it always came to the thought of their willingness to help. When there was times to get work down we all pulled up our sleeves and made it happen. It made me respect them and trust them. 

What needs to happen is to...

Cultivate love, generate energy, inspire audacity, and lastly by providing proof.

One of the best leaders I have ever had has been my teacher mentor. She has since retired but she was fierce. She made me feel loved and she loved teaching. It streamed through everything she did and every conversation she had with kids. She was someone who believed in relationships. She really supported and cared for others. People would come for her advice and she would listen intently. I couldn't believe all the different people who she made a connection with that would come and visit her. I was across the hallway but she also helped me find a place in our school. She was tough but she cared so much. She also cared a lot about me and how I felt. If I was worried or was overthinking she would say the right things. She just knew how to erase negative feelings. She generated energy for language arts and was excited and got into deep conversations with me about grammar and books. It made me love what I taught even more.

The biggest quality she had was to cultivate love. When she retired I put together an event at a coffee shop and invited her there. It was a surprise retirement party. She hates surprises. I had her closest friends bring their favorite books. So many people came! I inserted a sticker inside each book honoring her and her years of service as a teacher. She was shocked as person after person appeared. You can tell she had deep connections and great leadership too. Her mentor from years ago came to visit. It was a beautiful day. All those books were donated to different libraries and to this day I look for them. She taught thousands of students and her love for reading will be scattered around the community she loves for new readers to enjoy.

“The Unorthodox Behavior of Great Teachers”

“The Unorthodox Behavior of Great Teachers”

What qualities go into a great teacher? What behaviors make them up? I imagine a teacher like a painting. I see a blank page filling with paint and color and every teacher having different splashes on their canvas that make them different and unique. Each stroke added and giving texture to a beautiful form of art. I see students going in and out of the rooms and looking at these paintings and seeing and receiving different impressions and feelings. There is a quote that sticks with me about people who leave an impact.

"They May Forget What You Said, But They Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel." 

-unknown

I agree with this quote because I forget words. I struggle to remember a lot of events from my childhood. Personally, I don't know why I can't recall some of middle school years like some of my other friends. I do know how teachers made me feel. I see there colors and I see their splashes of paint that I have taken with me in my own life.

I have had many favorite teachers but one that sticks out to me is my choir teacher Garrett Lathe. One of the reasons why this person stood out to me was because he was good to the core. A human being that always gave and was honest and truthful. He made me understand music and he also showed me new perspectives on life. I gained new understandings of the world from him. He modeled hard work and effort to care for students. He was real and down to earth and that made him unorthodox.

He made me feel important. One of his strengths in my opinion would be communication. He can communicate in a way that makes people listen. He can command a room. I look up to that. 

As I reflect on what makes a great teacher great I realize now I want to speak to people in a way that commands and communicates new perspectives. I want to paint that image for myself. As I think about what makes me unorthodox or unique I think about my heart. I give outrageous love to my students. I give my students support, patience, and my ear. 

How Project Runway showed Me Adaption

Exercise in Adaption

Recently I have been obsessed with old seasons of Project Runway. Each episode is crafted in the same manner. Each week these designers and models get a special assignment. They then have to take this concept and idea and put together an outfit that is runway worthy encapsulating the idea. It is adaption! It is learning! IT IS THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

They are showing the full range of learning. They are understanding an assignment, designing/processing, creating/reconstructing, fitting models, and then pushing out their final product for assessment by Heidi Klum.

Thankfully we are not being judged on our teaching by Heidi Klum but all the elements of are there! The adaption. The changes. The starting, the stopping, the redesigning!

I thought to myself what ways am I adapting and becoming the designer in my own life with school and family?

It all stems for my love for learning. I loved being a student so I can be a better teacher. I think by always being a life long learner it has made me a more organized and an energized being. Adapting to other people and their needs makes me compassionate and caring. When you adapt you can really create something beautiful just like in Project Runway. There are times when what you are doing is not about you and what you want. That is when a designer gets in trouble because they aren't willing to grow or change. I adapt by learning to differentiate and tailor to others needs.

When I think about it some people have to adapt to me and my personality. In the classroom students have to adapt to each new teacher.

As you know one day in education you are in and the next day you are out. Learn the trends and adapt!

auf wiedersehen

Super Summer Stretch- Being Strong like a Kelly Clarkson Song

Super Summer Stretch- Being Strong like a Kelly Clarkson Song

I like to push myself! This is not a secret to my family and friends. I have always craved adventure! I have done some wild and crazy things in my life which not many sane people do. I have jumped out of an airplane in the sky! No, it was NOT on fire. I have white water rafted and traveled to countries alone. I have climbed a volcano and a mountain. I have swung off cliff ledges and so much more!

What have you learned about me? Well, I don't have a fear of heights but what I do have is the need to push myself. I want to live my life. That is why I want to be strong like a Kelly Clarkson song.

My summer stretch is not glamorous. It is out right something I do not like to do! I like to pretend I like to do it but it is lies. I want to work on me! I want to start caring for my body. I want to work out and begin to match my emotional strength to physical strength. Part of being a balanced person is self care.

What does that look like? I cringe as I say this...work out.

Years I have gone in a loop of starting and stopping working out. After having my baby I kept telling myself that after my six weeks I can run on the treadmill. I can do arm weights. I can start my abs but here I am! Getting more sleep and trying to find another way out of "getting in shape." What other excuses can I use? None, I am turning 30 and I need to do some self care. How will I do this? Let us start with an app because how else will I regulate myself? Honestly. I am the one who talks myself off the treadmill. I am pretty persuasive. I offer false promises and doughnuts.

I found the right app that will help me along. It is called JEFIT 

Introvert/Extrovert

INTROVERT/EXTROVERT

I used to think educators had to be extroverts but as I reflect on my time in school I realized that wasn't true at all. I had many teachers who were quiet and humbled people when they spoke. They all engaged students in different ways and I liked the variety. It helped me understand the differences in personalities and leadership. Some teachers would yell while others would speak softer.

As a teacher now I sit back and wonder what am I? An introvert or an extrovert? I realized that I am both! As a teacher I am an extrovert willing to talk to everyone. I feel comfortable creating connections and relationships. I am bubbly and happy! I really enjoy being an outgoing leader who is willing to share and participate to make others feel comfortable.

When I think about the regular me. The me that goes home or socializes with my family I tend to find myself being more quiet. I see introvert qualities coming out where I like to think and observe. I stay at home and spend time with my dogs and family. I have a limited close circle of friends because meeting new people is scary. Social experiences aren't always the most exciting activities and that is ok.

What I do know is I like the balance! I like to be on and then be able to turn myself off. I find that the older I get the more I like me and spending time with just me. People can be unpredictable and that can be sometimes exhausting. I do find that conversation can be an art form that takes time to master.

I am both an introvert and extrovert. I understand both sides of the coin. I can relate more to students knowing how each of these mindsets function. Sometimes I find that introvert may struggle in school with our projects/presentation classroom collaboration setups. I intentionally take time to keep them in mind. They can be the forgotten kids because they won't always speak up for their own needs. As you get to know students it gets easier to differentiate to their needs. I know sometimes Susie likes to work alone or Melanie won't talk in a group project. How can I support each student? I think it takes time and also acknowledgement. Extroverts will always get their slice of cake but will all the introverts?

I'm an introvert advocate at heart.

What are you? As a teacher how can you speak to your extrovert and introverts in your classroom?

The Power Yet

The Power of Yet

Mindset is the key to unlocking education. The power of yet is still a very subjective topic in education that is sweeping through schools and professional development. In my classroom alone I have purchased resources to help change mindsets of students. It is the belief that you can achieve whatever obstacle is put in front of you.The belief you can learn even when it becomes difficult. It is a type of perseverance. What is learning? How do you empower a young child's learning? Change their mindset and don't close the door on their learning. Enrich students by your belief that they can do anything.

The power of yet is the realization that students aren't there YET but they will BE. They have the ability to learn and to push through. Using different language/verbiage to get your students to realize their potential. If they are able to start changing their mindset on their own they are able to change all the opportunities put in front of them.

Students having a growth mindset means that they are willing to grow and that they are able to take struggles, challenges, and set backs as just a minor part of learning while a fixed mindset is a mindset that stops. A mindset that says I can't do it and it stops the learning when it comes to a struggle, challenge, or set back.

I experience this with children when it comes to reading in my class. Reading is about fluency and comprehension and even the stamina to focus on one item for more than ten minutes. This can be hard for students. They shut off if they struggle with a word. They shut off if they are not immediately captivating. They say things like "I hate reading," when in reality it can just be difficult to use their mind in this way.

Choosing the right materials/differentiate
Say things during their reading/discussion/probing questions that talk about their skill of reading.
Giving variety to reading methods to slowly help them build on their skills

I also face this with writing in my classroom. Writing can be so open ended and it is hard to find the right formatting. Seventh graders can be clueless when it comes to their progress. I have a way to jump from paper to paper and give feedback. I say things like...

You are on the right track
This paragraph has a great setup add a little more detail 
You are getting it
You are almost there

Using The Power of Yet can is a change in language and communication with our students. What I have found is that more often than not I am unitizing this skill. Educating students on it and giving them the key can help them further understand themselves. It is all choice when it comes down to it. It is their choice to see that they have it in them. I am just the positively reinforcing it. It needs to be continuously worked on and it can be hard to measure.

“I am ENOUGH.”

I think being a middle school teacher you are more than just a subject teacher but perhaps a life coach- always there to help and serve others. As I sit in my classroom carrying on with my busy day I find that my door has opened quite a bit this time of year. Students former and current filter in with the weight of the world on their shoulders. They have all kinds of concerns and struggles and don't we all. They need someone to listen.

We come to people we trust when we have fears. I give my time and attention to hear out their hardships. Sometimes it can be family issues and others its social issues, like breakups. Ultimately, we as people want to be heard. We want to hear that with whatever life throws at us we can be strong. The tough times give us wisdom and strength. We as humans will always have burdens and issues that exist. Life is a crazy roller coaster ride and it can feel fun or terrifying.

Many of these children just need to hear that "THEY ARE ENOUGH." Yes, it is uncomfortable to deal with hard times but it is what makes us raw human beings. The truth is that we feel. It would be hard to know the good times without sad times. Doubt can creep into your mind and fear might want to take over but every person is stronger than they know. You are stronger than you know and that is the truth. Think back now about some of the tough situations you have had this year. You made it or are MAKING IT.

 In the moments I'm listening in my classroom I have my thousand tab teacher mind going. I stop. I process. I give my patience. I know I have lots to do. I give my understanding and I want these students to be reminded that they are enough. I push away all that I need to do and work on and give them my complete attention. I have to because they need me in this moment. 

When I find myself in the same situation and I walk through someone else's open door and I hope they continue to say the same to me. When I have moments I am tired or moments when I feel anxious or worried. I hope that person stops everything they are doing and says "you are strong and you are enough." That simple reassurance and love can be the fuel that sparks the same chain reaction. 

Whatever may be going on in your life. Whatever may be worrying you I hope that you know that life will always challenge you. You will always learn to cope even when you don't want to but you are always going to be enough. If you happen to walk through my open door know that I will be there to drop it all and listen.

Golden Circle

Today we are going to be talking about The Golden Circle. No, not the Golden Circle of a Iceland which is a popular road to travel to see the beautiful waterfalls and cites of that gorgeous Island. We are going to focus on the Golden circle as an educational leader. As we reflect as leaders and teachers in our classroom it is important to think about how we impact our class. How do we hook kids? How do we get them to understand the importance of what they need to learn?



When looking at the Golden Circle it is important to first know what it actually is. The diagram below helps you understand this concept a little clearer. Another way to learn more about the Golden Circle is to check out this Ted Talk by Simon Sinek who brings up great examples patterns of great leadership.

Ted Talk- The Golden Circle

As you look closely at this diagram you can see the how the graphic organizer connects to education. 

Why- Very Few Know about It

From there is the How- Some Know about it

What- Everyone Knows about it

As an educational leader you want everyone to know about it. In the Ted talk there is a discussion about Apple products and how they do an excellent job of reeling in the audience and getting them curious about the product. It is not just a pathos, legos, and ethos appeal used but a call to learn inspire someone to engage.

In an educational setting we come across many concepts! It reminds me of all the differentiation that I do in my own personal classroom.  The goal is to engage the class in the activity. You want them to learn the concepts and show that they know how to apply the skill. In our Book Club Unit students are given many options of books they can read. These book allow a lot of choice. I give out specific groupings based on interest and lexiles. Once I have setup the groups they get 4-6 choices of different books to engage their interest. I choose high interest and relevant books that we were able to procure from a grant. These books serve as a way to show students that they achieve these books but allow choice and buy in to their product. They read synopsis and are able to compete for other books if it fits them. Students actively take the front seat of their education and can steer in the direction they wish. It becomes a fun activity. It pulls in every student.

Quietly Rebelious

I give a lot of credit towards teachers. It isn't easy to be one. Our minds are computers with a thousand tabs opening making a million different decisions every second. We are thoughtful, we are creative, and we are constantly changing/adapting. I like to think of teachers as being very well rounded people. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, shocks a teacher or really sets the back. We see it all and hear it all. We deal with being powerless when we want to help our students and we deal with sleepless nights where we wonder if our students are safe. We have probably been puked on and had moments of sheer delight and hilarity. We bare and carry with us all the good and bad. It is what makes us wise but also what can also makes us tired. The world has become a place that we know and have experienced. When I cam across this quote below I thought of many things. I thought of memory moments in teaching.

“It seems to me that the best teachers are the ones who are quietly rebellious.”  

It reminds me of the sheer tack that teachers have when it comes to conversation. It makes me think of the patience and the listening we all do. Quietly rebellious teachers are the ones who are always rooting for their students. They are the ones who stand up for what they believe is right. They are the ones that know how to strike in the right moment.

In moments when their needs to be a voice the quietly rebellious teacher is the one who gets their point across in the art of language. They are the teacher that pulls the logic and the reason out. I think many teachers strive to be the quietly rebellious teacher. It gives us something to reflect on.

As a teacher how do you make change? How do you rebel in way that shows respect and the right type of concern?

Comparing Inspiration and Service

Hello Everyone,

Many teachers take time to reflect and think about their journey. I can't tell you how many times I have been asked what inspired me to teach. Who inspired me to teach? Ultimately, I think within all teachers we have service within us. I think about today being Martin Luther King and I see that he was a teacher too. He truly understood what service for others meant and with his words changed the world. Words mean a lot to me as language arts teacher. They truly have so much power to bring perspective or pain.

 Teachers are people who want to support and care for others.

When I am asked who inspired me to be a teacher the answer is, me.  Sounds kind of off but its true. I wanted to be a teacher and I was determined to help others and to serve others. It always felt like the right career choice for me. I have had people help me along the way and I have an inspiring teachers. I'm not saying I didn't.

 I can't give credit to only one teacher though. I had MANY great teachers who showed me how to be a citizen and how to be a compassionate person. I had many teachers show and guide me how to be a good person. Those people do that for everyone though. They do it for doctors, lawyers, construction workers, etc.

When I speak to a new staff members at our school I can see their excitement. I interviewed a young new staff member starting in the middle of the year. She was beaming with pride and joy. I can see they have enthusiasm but what inspires that person can be very different. It can be a parent that was a former teacher. It runs in the family. It could be a single teacher that showed them they were something more by singling them out. It could be they spent time searching for the right career not knowing at first this would be the fit. It could be their passion for the subject. areas. There are so many stories and scenarios behind people who became teachers. The point is they chose to make a difference and be a role model in a difficult field.

Being a teacher is one of the greatest joys. What journey brought you here? Does it matter? The journey is now inspiring others. These teachers all live it now. Thank you for your service.

Happy MLK JR Day!

Follow me on Twitter

Hey Everyone,

If you want a deeper look into my classroom and my activities check out my Twitter Account @msTaishaHoffman. I recently followed some very cool educators that influence my teaching every day. Here are some amazing twitter accounts I just followed.

 I love Edtupia and tend to find so much valuable information on their facebook pages and in their articles. I also work deeply with Lucy Calkins in my classroom. Why not befriend her? She also works closely with Heinemann Pubb. If I ever have questions or want to connect it will now be at my fingertips. I encourage you to take a closer look at those people that influence your schools! 

• https://twitter.com/edutopia
• https://twitter.com/LucyCalkins
• https://twitter.com/HeinemannPub

Blog Recommendation

Hey Everyone,

I'm back after a winter break and time with family. Coming back to school can be difficult after a break but the much needed break serves to reenergize your classroom and yourself. As a teacher we need mental breaks to balance us and make prepared to conquer our next mountain which tends to mean March. 

and March...is coming. :-) To help you survive the winter blues after the break I thought it might to be cool to check into some fellow teacher bloggers and see what they are up too. Scholastic has a lot of neat references especially for media and art teachers. Check out their top 13 blogs. I really like the first blog included by Brian Crosby's - Learning is Messy! 

Check it out and find one that is right for you!

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/top-teacher-blogs/