My Me Manifesto, Goal 1 #30Goals 2012

I've loved making videos (like this goofy one) since I first learned how to import & digitally edit on the computer about a decade ago.  So, in thinking about sharing my Me Manifesto, video won out.  Enjoy!

My reflection...
I live an inspired life and have tremendous passion and enthusiasm, so it was actually difficult to narrow down my lists of what I believe in general and about teaching and learning.  Trust me, you didn't want to sit through an 8 minute Animoto video...  There has definitely been a shift in some of my pedagogical beliefs in the past year and it felt wonderful to express my beliefs in a creative medium.  There is freedom in sharing.

Don't Just Sit There

Thank you to my amazing literacy coach, whose wisdom, affirmation, and call to action woke up my educational enthusiasm from a long winter's nap.  You reminded me that it's okay not to do what everyone else is doing, and to go back to my roots and hold fast to my beliefs about education.  Change, just like learning, is messy.  Sometimes it's two steps forward and one step back.  

To keep moving forward, I've given this blog a more appropriate title and redesigned with some color.  My classroom is about to get an overhaul because, well, looks just aren't everything and it needs more functionality instead of "pretty. " My class is getting subscriptions to  eduglogster.com, voicethread.com, and possibly also voki.com.  There are so many amazing ways to integrate these tools into the classroom and my students are going to love it!  I'm also coordinating Quad 80 for the next cycle of QuadBlogging.net where we have two US classes and 2 UK classes of student bloggers.  Finally, a global collaboration!

When I write about my philosophy of education, I'm always drawn to use a comparison to the theatre.  The hours and hours of precious, priceless rehearsal that finally lead to the performance.  Those rehearsal hours can be rough, exhausting, and yet, exhilarating all at once.  Learning is so much the same, with the struggle to understand and the freedom and release of knowing and sharing.

With renewed enthusiasm,

Sara

Your thoughts:  What do you do when you need a little inspiration?

Opening Doors with the Wednesday Walk

This morning, the focus of our Wednesday Walk was gratitude.  What are we grateful for?  How can be specific with our thankfulness?
As we walked, students penciled their ideas into Writer's Notebook's and appreciated their warm coats and heated school building as the chilly breeze reminded us that winter is drawing near.  But there was an amazing moment as we rounded the last corner almost back to the school doors.  An Instructional Assistant (paraprofessional), who was accompanying a student on our walk, stopped me and said, "Look at this!  These are all his ideas!" as she pointed to the full page.  This is a child with very specific needs and is not a typical student, he hasn't ever filled a page with ideas.  We both had tears in our eyes, amazed and humbled by this student's ability to grow beyond our expectations.
This is why we walk.  We walk to open the doors to imagination.  We walk to open the doors to possibilities.  We walk to break down the barriers and discover hidden potential.

I had this idea...

I have the best principal.  She nurtures my enthusiasm and responds to my "I had this idea..." emails with positive encouragement.  Which is how I came to host a TEDxYouthDay Viewing Party for the 4th grade members of our school Student Council.  My "I had this idea..." email about this event began with the purpose to empower and inspire students in their role as leaders.  The Student Council is a passionate group of about 40 students who are committed to making our school a better place and the ultimate learning environment.  After sharing a few TEDx talks with this group, they inspired me to give up a Saturday to come back to school and "Play, Learn, Build & Share."  Okay, and the speaker lineup for TEDYouth on 11/19 is pretty impressive and I knew this group of students would love it.

We have embraced the TEDxYouthDay theme Play, Learn, Build & Share and, in addition to watching the live webcasts, we have many student-led activities planned encompassing an array of crafts that include up-cycled bottle caps, friendship bracelets, knitting, origami recycling bins (how cool is that!?!), and tie-dye t-shirts to become our "official" Student Council t-shirts.  Students have also planned science experiments, a model rocket launch, and several musical performances.  We're going to take on The Marshmallow Challenge together and launch our Student Council blog to share with our school community and other school groups around the country.  

I firmly believe that when we take the time to empower youth and give children the opportunity to use their voice we are truly shaping the leaders of tomorrow, who will be prepared to tackle with creativity and innovation the unknown future that lies ahead.  Children can, and do, make a difference in our schools, communities, and our world.  Believe in them, give them the opportunity and they will be the change.

To class pet or not to class pet? That is the question.

From the first week of school, my class has been asking, more like pleading, for a class pet.  I cannot even begin to count the number of spelling sentences and Writer's Notebook entries written about the possibility of a gerbil or hamster, or the more unusual requests of a weasel, llama, or parrot named Bingo. 

My students make me smile and laugh with their wild suggestions, but they also inspire me with the passion and enthusiasm that fuels their very, very consistent request for a class pet.  

In the spirit of wondering "What if?" more often, I've begun to wonder "what if we did have a class pet?" It could be great inspiration for imagination and creative writing, lessons in responsibility, or it could be a huge source of distraction.  However, my students' persistence and assurances of responsibility have been chipping away at my firm stance of "no."

Suddenly... (I feel the need to explain that, according to Gooney Bird Greene, one of my students' favorite characters, including a "suddenly" in your story is a great way to add suspense.)  ... an answer to my dilemma became clear.  

Three sister guinea pigs in need of a loving home and lots of play time.  Yep, I think my 21 3rd graders can handle that.  Hopefully our adoption of "the girls" will be official early next week.  

In August I wrote briefly about the Design for Change model of Feel Imagine Do Share Continue.  My students felt strongly about including a class pet in our 3rd grade family and through their imagination and persistent actions they certainly changed my mind.  Stay tuned, because I have a feeling that there will be a lot of sharing about the adventures of 3 darling sister guinea pigs.  Realizing they have changed my mind was an incredibly empowering moment for my students and it's moments like these that become catalysts for action to continue seeking change in the future.  

Any suggestions for guinea pig care or class pet resources are welcomed.  :-)