I have just completed a 3 day conference called Thoughtful Education with 59 of my colleagues. (Given the size of our little rural school, that represents about 3/4 or more of the teachers) This conference was present by Vic and Ann, a couple out of Woodstock, NY who have been involved in education for a good portion of their lives and working with Thoughtful Ed since the 80's. (I was still in school then, lol) Vic and Ann played off each other very well and it is obvious they each have their strengths and they play towards them very well in their work and their marriage.
In essence, this conference wasn't about a brand new exciting plan to rearrange everything you do and try a whole new program, as so many are, but rather to amp up your teaching by recognizing a few facts, learning something about yourself and some very specific tools and strategies to use. We did a learning inventory and pinpoint our learning style and therefore our teaching style. They identified 4 basic learning styles.
Mastery - the paperclip. Organized, methodical. "Is this going to be on the test?"
Understanding - the magnifying glass. Questioning, searching. "Why?Why?Why?"
Self-Expressive - the slinky. Creative, think out of the box. "But the sky is green when I'm upside down, see?"
Interpersonal - the teddy bear. Personal, people driven. "How was your day?"
Turns out I am a Self-Expressive learner, while most of my kiddos are Interpersonal learners (that was my 2nd lowest style, BTW). Go figure. Still, it was insightful to think back over the last few years and tag my kiddos as different styles (my daughter too - she's a total Interpersonal) and realize I didn't really give them everything I should. Still, I did the best I could with the knowledge I had, and now I can do better. I know I have to teach all 4 learning styles to all kids because the kids who are exposed to all styles are the ones who gain deeper understanding on all levels. Mastery is a must as we have to know the facts before we can move past them. After that I can use all 3 of the remaining styles for a lesson or use different styles for different lessons, depending on how in depth I want to get into a topic. Very cool stuff!
One of the best things was all the tools (which are 1 step quick ways to address a topic in a different way for different styles) and strategies (multi-step ways to address 1 or more learning styles). We actually covered very few in the 3 days but we were given many resources to digest and as it fits with our curriculum and personality.
Vic and Ann will be visiting us throughout this coming year to review and revise the things we have learned and to introduce more and more tools and strategies. I have enjoyed many conferences during my multiple years as a teacher and this is no different. I learn something in each one (Ok, sometimes it's just a new way to entertain my brain while I wait out the lecture, but I'm still learning) but I am particularly excited about putting some of these techniques into practice this year. I am starting to look forward to the kids coming back and starting a brand new year. I just hope the school is ready. (Building project construction is just a bit behind, lol)
Wish me luck.
Many Hats
Many Hats
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Introduction: So Many Hats, So Little Time
Greetings.
You have all heard the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child." (proverb) Well, it takes many hats to make a person. We all wear many days everyday during our lifetimes and I would like this blog to be a place for us to discuss many of these hats. To this end, I would like to introduce my hats. This is a quick list so I expect and hope it will grow over time.
Hat 1: Mother
I am the mother of a teenage daughter. I also have a teenage stepdaughter from my former marriage. I don't have as much time with her as I would like, but we get together when we can. My daughter lives with me and visits her dad frequently. She is 14 and in one day she can be 7 and 24. Sometimes within minutes of each other. We come at things from very different points of view so it can be a real trial sometimes but I am learning so much about myself, communication, decision making and being human, capable of mistakes and recovering from these mistakes.
Hat 2: Daughter
My parents are my role models in many things. They have been married for nearly 46 years and have raised 4 children. My dad is a retired engineer, completely analytical in his thinking and firm in his resolve. He runs up to 5 marathons a year, enjoys biking and working in his yard as well. My mother is a retired nurse and very creative. She likes to scrapbook (as so I), loves music (yep, me too) and spends a large amount of time with her grandchildren. They both volunteer at our local YMCA and enjoy being a strong part of our community.
Hat 3 - 6: Aunt, Sister, Niece, Cousin
As you may have guessed, I have a somewhat large and very close family. We have kids ranging from 10 to 22. 8 girls and 1 boy. Our schedules tend to revolve around various sporting and other extracurricular activities. I also have 2 brothers and 1 sister as well as many cousins although to be honest, I have less contact with them now that we are mostly adults.
Hat 7: Friend
I have a small but tight group of friends who make me laugh, listen to me complain, help me cope and keep me sane most days. it is a true comfort to know I have people I can count on no matter what the time or problem. We get together frequently to go out dancing, celebrate various family specific and other holidays or just be together and enjoy each others company.
Hat 8: Teacher
This is my profession. I am a middle school special education teacher. I find it challenging, fascinating, enlightening, frustrating and amazing. I live for the "light bulb moment" when my kids finally grasp an idea or concept that they have struggles with for a long time.
Hat 9 & 10: SCAdian & Bard
I have been a member of the SCA, or Society for Creative Anachronism, for over 20 years. This group re-enacts medieval times without portraying the actual people who lived then. We are an educational organization holding events and demos year round, world wide. You can learn more about the SCA at www.sca.org. In the SCA my main focus is being a bard. I long to sing around the campfires or bardic circles. I perform traditional, filk, bawdy, sweet, sad and many other types of songs. Some I write, most I learn from other sources.
Hat 11: Animal Owner
I have 2 cats. 1 adult I have had for over 7 years and a kitten will endless energy.
Hat 12: Lover of Mother Earth
I am a big proponent of taking care of our Mother and doing everything we can to take care of her and our environment. I try to encourage recycling, reducing and reusing as much as possible. I try to lead by example, even when it means cleaning out the peanut butter jar (which is NOT ans easy thing to do, BTW).
Hat 13: Photographer (strictly amateur)
I love taking my camera out to interesting places and spending the day snapping hundreds of pictures. Family events, seasonal changes, interesting buildings, cloud formations, etc. I am particularly drawn to reflection photographs and I love to spend time learning how to improve my pictures both with the camera and in photo manipulation software.
Hat 14: Techie
I love technology and am constantly trying to learn more and more about the new technological tools and techniques that spring up, seemingly overnight. I am no where near able to keep up as much as I would like but I love to explore as much as I can.
Hat 15: Mixologist
Recently, my bestie and I have been exploring mixing and experimenting with new and varied mixed drinks. It is fun trying to pair flavors into interesting and tasty combinations. Most have been fairly successful and I might just share a few of our personal recipes later. A few have been flops but it is entertaining either way. Part of the fun is in the testing and tasting of course.
Hat 16 & 17: Counselor & Comedian
I have been told that I serve both of these roles while wearing others hats. I know in high school I used to spend a large amount of time listening to friends and helping them through their issues and confusions. I also can have a wicked sense of humor and I love to laugh and make others laugh as well. I have no interest in trying my hand at stage comedian, I just enjoy and good joke or well places sarcastic remark.
Hat 18: American
Although I value many countries and what they have to offer, I am a proud American at heart. I have traveled to a few (not nearly enough) other countries but my heart is here at home. I am privileged to have been born here and although I recognize she isn't perfect, I would defend my home with everything that I have.
Hat 19: Woman
At the base of all of this, I am a woman. Controversial, strong, capable, confident, confusing, caring and proud of my femininity. I like to have the door held for me as well as being able to debate on equal levels with men and women alike.
So, that was a lot to digest. I appreciate everyone who might have taken the time to actually read all the way through this post. I hope to try to keep most of my posts to a reasonable length.
When we care, we laugh, we love, we hurt and we grow.
You have all heard the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child." (proverb) Well, it takes many hats to make a person. We all wear many days everyday during our lifetimes and I would like this blog to be a place for us to discuss many of these hats. To this end, I would like to introduce my hats. This is a quick list so I expect and hope it will grow over time.
Hat 1: Mother
I am the mother of a teenage daughter. I also have a teenage stepdaughter from my former marriage. I don't have as much time with her as I would like, but we get together when we can. My daughter lives with me and visits her dad frequently. She is 14 and in one day she can be 7 and 24. Sometimes within minutes of each other. We come at things from very different points of view so it can be a real trial sometimes but I am learning so much about myself, communication, decision making and being human, capable of mistakes and recovering from these mistakes.
Hat 2: Daughter
My parents are my role models in many things. They have been married for nearly 46 years and have raised 4 children. My dad is a retired engineer, completely analytical in his thinking and firm in his resolve. He runs up to 5 marathons a year, enjoys biking and working in his yard as well. My mother is a retired nurse and very creative. She likes to scrapbook (as so I), loves music (yep, me too) and spends a large amount of time with her grandchildren. They both volunteer at our local YMCA and enjoy being a strong part of our community.
Hat 3 - 6: Aunt, Sister, Niece, Cousin
As you may have guessed, I have a somewhat large and very close family. We have kids ranging from 10 to 22. 8 girls and 1 boy. Our schedules tend to revolve around various sporting and other extracurricular activities. I also have 2 brothers and 1 sister as well as many cousins although to be honest, I have less contact with them now that we are mostly adults.
Hat 7: Friend
I have a small but tight group of friends who make me laugh, listen to me complain, help me cope and keep me sane most days. it is a true comfort to know I have people I can count on no matter what the time or problem. We get together frequently to go out dancing, celebrate various family specific and other holidays or just be together and enjoy each others company.
Hat 8: Teacher
This is my profession. I am a middle school special education teacher. I find it challenging, fascinating, enlightening, frustrating and amazing. I live for the "light bulb moment" when my kids finally grasp an idea or concept that they have struggles with for a long time.
Hat 9 & 10: SCAdian & Bard
I have been a member of the SCA, or Society for Creative Anachronism, for over 20 years. This group re-enacts medieval times without portraying the actual people who lived then. We are an educational organization holding events and demos year round, world wide. You can learn more about the SCA at www.sca.org. In the SCA my main focus is being a bard. I long to sing around the campfires or bardic circles. I perform traditional, filk, bawdy, sweet, sad and many other types of songs. Some I write, most I learn from other sources.
Hat 11: Animal Owner
I have 2 cats. 1 adult I have had for over 7 years and a kitten will endless energy.
Hat 12: Lover of Mother Earth
I am a big proponent of taking care of our Mother and doing everything we can to take care of her and our environment. I try to encourage recycling, reducing and reusing as much as possible. I try to lead by example, even when it means cleaning out the peanut butter jar (which is NOT ans easy thing to do, BTW).
Hat 13: Photographer (strictly amateur)
I love taking my camera out to interesting places and spending the day snapping hundreds of pictures. Family events, seasonal changes, interesting buildings, cloud formations, etc. I am particularly drawn to reflection photographs and I love to spend time learning how to improve my pictures both with the camera and in photo manipulation software.
Hat 14: Techie
I love technology and am constantly trying to learn more and more about the new technological tools and techniques that spring up, seemingly overnight. I am no where near able to keep up as much as I would like but I love to explore as much as I can.
Hat 15: Mixologist
Recently, my bestie and I have been exploring mixing and experimenting with new and varied mixed drinks. It is fun trying to pair flavors into interesting and tasty combinations. Most have been fairly successful and I might just share a few of our personal recipes later. A few have been flops but it is entertaining either way. Part of the fun is in the testing and tasting of course.
Hat 16 & 17: Counselor & Comedian
I have been told that I serve both of these roles while wearing others hats. I know in high school I used to spend a large amount of time listening to friends and helping them through their issues and confusions. I also can have a wicked sense of humor and I love to laugh and make others laugh as well. I have no interest in trying my hand at stage comedian, I just enjoy and good joke or well places sarcastic remark.
Hat 18: American
Although I value many countries and what they have to offer, I am a proud American at heart. I have traveled to a few (not nearly enough) other countries but my heart is here at home. I am privileged to have been born here and although I recognize she isn't perfect, I would defend my home with everything that I have.
Hat 19: Woman
At the base of all of this, I am a woman. Controversial, strong, capable, confident, confusing, caring and proud of my femininity. I like to have the door held for me as well as being able to debate on equal levels with men and women alike.
So, that was a lot to digest. I appreciate everyone who might have taken the time to actually read all the way through this post. I hope to try to keep most of my posts to a reasonable length.
When we care, we laugh, we love, we hurt and we grow.
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