Author: Pernille Ripp

I am a passionate teacher in Oregon, Wisconsin, USA, who has taught 4th, 5th, and 7th grade. Proud techy geek, and mass consumer of incredible books. Creator of the Global Read Aloud Project, Co-founder of EdCamp MadWI, and believer in all children. I have no awards or accolades except for the lightbulbs that go off in my students’ heads every day. First book “Passionate Learners – Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students” can be purchased now. Second book“Empowered Schools, Empowered Students – Creating Connected and Invested Learners” is out now from Corwin Press. Follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.

advice, being me, MIEExpert15, new year, Passion, student voice

If You Could Change Just One Thing

December 27, 2014December 27, 2014 Pernille Ripp

“So if you have one piece of advice for anyone looking to change the way they teach, what would it be?”

I cannot count how many times I have been asked this important question or the myriad of ways. In podcasts, webinars, face to face, workshops, and even in lunch time conversations. What would you change? What would you do? What should we do?

It makes sense really. There is so much we could change, there is so much we could do. Yet, in the end if you only have energy for one change. If you only have space for one thing. Make it this…

Ask the students.

There you have it. The one thing I say every time I am asked. The one thing I wish we all did more of.

Ask the students what they want changed.

Ask the students what they love.

Ask the students how they want to learn.

Ask the students about your room set up.

Ask the students what their grade should be.

Ask the students if they have a voice, and if not, give them one.

Ask the students what they want to learn.

Ask the students why they stopped loving something.

Ask the students about their lives.

Ask the students what they hate.

Ask the students how they feel about you.

Ask the students and then listen to their answers.

Ask them and change your teaching.

If you do one thing in the new year, let this be it. One question is all it takes. One moment is all you need.

I am a passionate teacher in Oregon, Wisconsin, USA, who has taught 4th, 5th, and 7th grade. Proud techy geek, and mass consumer of incredible books. Creator of the Global Read Aloud Project, Co-founder of EdCamp MadWI, and believer in all children. I have no awards or accolades except for the lightbulbs that go off in my students’ heads every day. First book “Passionate Learners – Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students” can be purchased now from Powerful Learning Press. Second book“Empowered Schools, Empowered Students – Creating Connected and Invested Learners” is out now from Corwin Press. Follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.

ideas, projects, Sponsored

It’s Back…Join the H&R Block Budget Challenge For This Spring

December 26, 2014 Pernille Ripp

This summer was the first time i posted about the H&R Block Budget Challenge for Teens and it made me pine for some high schoolers to teach. After all, when we talk about school being a tool to not just teach knowledge but also teach life skills, this type of program is what we mean. It is frightening how few of my 7th graders seem to know what the value of a dollar is or how much money it takes to have a n adult life. I know when I was a teen, money was something I wasn’t really that concerned with, not because we had a lot, but because I assumed I didn’t have to think about it. I was very wrong in this notion as my early 20’s and their terrible financial decisions proved to me. So while I may not teach high schoolers, which this program is intended for, my wheels are still spinning trying to think of ways I can incorporate it with my 7th graders. After all, it is never too soon to teach more about financial literacy.

So why this program? Well, it’s free, which I love, it is really in-depth and yet can be covered spending about 15 min a day while the challenge runs. And there are prizes. Not just little tiny ones either, but massive, make-a-difference types of prizes which just sweeten the whole deal.

What is the H&R Budget Challenge?

Participants encounter real-world personal budgeting situations, problem-solving, and decision-making through an online simulation and accompanying lessons that meet national standards. With sessions October through April, teachers have six opportunities to participate. This is for students 14 years or older, enrolled in grade 9 through 12 full-time. Today is the kick off to their new event, which of course is free for teachers to sign up for, but even better; there are scholarships and grants to be won!

What are the grants and scholarships?

For the top classrooms and teachers, so those who budget the best, there are prizes to win!

H&R Block will award $3 million in classroom grants and scholarships throughout the competition including a $100,000 GRAND PRIZE SCHOLARSHIP.

60 opportunities for classroom grants up to $5K

132 opportunities for student scholarships of $20K

Grand prize scholarship of $100K

Student incentive during game play

When does this start?

Sign up starts today and the next session kicks off January 16th. This is a great opportunity for teachers to help students learn solid financial skills before they make stupid mistakes like I did.

I have more questions!

Go to their website to read more about it and also register.

Wait, have real teachers really done this?

You bet! Quotes from Teachers who participated in the H&K Block Budget Challenge

My kids love this challenge. Everyday they are engaged and want to learn more about personal finance—and, more importantly, they are becoming more financially literate.

I must thank you for the wonderful resource this simulation is and how useful I’m sure it is going to be for their future financial success. They are checking on their status in class all the time, even when it isn’t our scheduled activity. Those who have downloaded the app have found it incredibly useful and convenient as well.

My Juniors and Seniors do this for a Project grade every Wed. and Fri. We have a good time with this “bonding” experience and there is great laughter as well as dread when they have late fees! I really appreciate the people who put this challenge together. It is wonderful to witness them learning about “real life”!

So there you have it. A great opportunity for anyone who is lucky enough to teach high schoolers. And yes, H&R Block did compensate me for this post, but I would have shared it even if they hadn’t. I think this is a pretty incredible program.

being me, blogging, MIEExpert15, technology

A Few Nontraditional Tips For Starting Your Own Blogging Journey

December 21, 2014December 27, 2014 Pernille Ripp

4 1/2 years. That’s how long I have been spreading my random thoughts on the internet. What started out as a way for me to simply get things out of my mind, has grown to be an integral part of me. I never knew I would be a blogger. With that title comes many things; access to a vast network of people who know so much more than me, heartfelt discussions, emotional reflection, and even the occasional kick in the stomach when someone goes to the dark side on one of my posts. Yet I didn’t set out to blog, I merely started out wanting to write. So if you have been looking to start a blog, a few maybe not so traditional tips from me to you.

Start your blogging journey for yourself. Don’t think of the end game or where you would like your blog to go, think of what you would like it to do for you right now. I wanted a place to reflect out loud, I didn’t think anyone would read it, and that has made the biggest difference.
Don’t write for an audience, yet. I notice that when I start thinking of who may read a post my writing gets jilted and jagged. I start to change my voice to appease the imaginary eyes. So write for yourself, keep readability in mind, and don’t get hung up on whether people or not will read it.
Don’t share just the good. The internet is filled with amazing, and yet our classrooms are filled with attempts. So share the attempts, share the magnificent, share the catastrophes. Be as real online as you are in person, so if anyone who reads your blog comes to your class they wont wonder what happened.
Get to the point. I can get long winded too, but I try to edit myself. Blogs are meant to be quick doses of reflection, not papers of thought. Get to the point, stick to the point, and then find an image that underlines the point. Be brief and powerful.
Don’t map it out. I never knew what I was going to blog about in the future, I still don’t. And while some bloggers are incredibly good at sticking to an area, don’t make it too narrow. Your blog should allow you to grow as a person and if you box its focus in too much, you will hinder your own growth.
Change the world with kindness. I wish I had thought of this when I first started, I was much more determined in my message and much more one-sided. Now I try to push change with kindness. No one wants to hear how wrong they are or how awful what they are doing is, so be nice.
Keep your purpose in check. I think when we start to blog to get something, whether it be followers, comments, or even more work, it shows. And it shows it an icky, not so good kind of way. I have been guilty of this myself and I have later cringed at my posts. Don’t put yourself in cringe worthy positions, write from the heart, write it out, don’t write for terrible purposes.
Be thankful. I don’t expect anyone to read this blog, still. So for every person who reaches out to me, I try to give my thanks, sometimes more successfully than others. Blogging is something I do for me but the fact that others find it helpful as well never ceases to amaze me. Stay humble, stay thankful, don’t ever take others times for granted.
Create your own path. Whether you only blog when you are inspired (yup) or blog on a set schedule, know that there is not a right way to blog. Make it your own, make it work for you, and just figure it out.

However you start or continue your blogging journey make it meaningful to you. Make it something you are thankful for. Don’t wait for the world to acknowledge your genius, even if no one reads your blog, be proud. And if you think I should discover your blog, please leave me a link to it in the comments. I would love to add more inspiration to my life.

ideas, Passion

5 Simple Ways to Reenergize Your Classroom

December 20, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I carried a crate out of my classroom yesterday. Filled with a few gifts, 113 projects, and a book, I knew what I needed to bring home. I am ready for the break and so are my students. We have worked hard. And yet, in typical teacher fashion I couldn’t help but think of January 5th, a new year, tired students, and all the great things we get to do. As I glanced around I knew these next few weeks were my chance to re-energize the classroom, signaling to the students that 2015 would be a year of wonderful learning. So what can we do to get great energy flowing again in our classrooms? Well, there are a few simple things…

Clean out all the clutter. Much like a house a classroom starts to collect things in nooks and crannies. So I am taking one day to go in and get rid of the clutter. Start fresh with clean surfaces, wipe everything down, and reorganize the essentials. The students may not notice it, but the energy changes.
Pay special attention to your own area. I have a few tables that I use for papers, binders, and other things I need to teach. They look fine but could really use a good going through. So every paper will be filed, every drawer will be cleaned. It is so nice to come back to order.
Switch out all of your (book) displays. Whatever you have on display in the classroom, change it out. I always see the students perk up when they notice the new displays. I treat my classroom like a mini-library and thus have a lot of books displayed throughout, these are the way my room is “decorated.” I cannot tell you the excitement kids have when they see new ones displayed. It doesn’t even have to be new books, I often showcase favorites that students seem to be missing in their browsing. A physical change in the scenery can inject quite a lot of excitement for a new year.
Find one great new idea. I love starting the new year with a great new idea. So pledge to try something different, doesn’t have to be a big thing; find a way to incorporate a technology tool you already use in a new way, change a project, or try something completely new. Whatever it is, promise to infuse your teaching with at least one new thing to try, and remember; it can be something small.
Be inspired. Whether you read a great book, listen to an amazing conversation, watch a video, speak to someone who gets you thinking – find a moment for you soul to get re-energized. I have my stack of books and podcasts lined up ready for me after Christmas and lunch with a few friends. Break is also about re-finding our purpose, lighting our own fires and being the head bringer of excitement. If we are not entusiastic to go back to teaching, our students wont be either.
I know, the title said 5, but here is my bonus idea and probably the most important: Turn it off. We are educators 100% of the time but it is okay to turn it off over break. You don’t have to go in every day. You don’t have to plan for days. We see our students need a break but forget that we do too. Yes, I have things to do to prepare but I also have cookies to make, songs to sing, books to read and relaxing to do. You cannot get re-energized if you don’t take a step away. So allow yourself a break, even from your own thoughts, you will come back stronger because of it.

What ideas do you have?

being a teacher, MIEExpert15, Passion, projects, student choice

Our Epic Nonfiction Project

December 14, 2014December 15, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I don’t share specific lessons on here often but this time I have to because this one has just made the last 6 weeks, yes 6 weeks, fly by. Not just for me either, most of my students that reported on their survey that they hate writing but love this project. So without further ado, let me tell you all about our rather epic nonfiction picture book project.

The goal of the project is rather simple; create a 30 to 50 page nonfiction picture book meant for a K or 1st grade audience on anything you wish. Throughout this project we have been able to successfully marry tech tools with writing, as well as using Skype, Twitter and other interactive tools.

Why this project? Because within it we have been able to work on:

How to take organized notes in a way that works for them.
How to write a paragraph and all of the myriads of lessons that are attached to that.
Grammar! Spelling! Punctuation!
How to find legal images.
How to cite sources, including images, books, and websites.
How to uncover reliable sources (yes, there is a place for Wikipedia in our research).
How to search the internet better.
How to conduct market research using Skype to ask K or 1st grade classrooms what they want to read and how they want to read it.
How to rewrite information in our words.
How to do design and layout on a page to make it inviting.
How to create good questions.
Exploring our own interests.
How to write assessment rubrics.

I had a hunch that it would be a success, but I didn’t know how much. Yet the conversations that have happened within our room have been incredible. The hush that falls over the room when 26 students are all intently researching, writing, and quietly conferring with me or friends have been amazing to witness. They get it. They know what their purpose is. They are writing an authentic piece for an authentic audience who not only is guiding them forward but will also be providing feedback once it is complete.

So a few details about the project:

This is a 6 week long project, anchored by a 10 or so minute mini-lessons every day and then work time the rest of class.
Mini-lessons have centered around how to take notes ( I showed them 3 different ways), how to research well, how to write paragraphs, how to rewrite information, and anything else we have had to address.
Students were able to ask questions to K and 1st grade classrooms via Skype to do market research, they are also asked to do a live interview with a child ages 5, 6, or 7 and incorporate that feedback into their project.
I reached out through Twitter and Edmodo to find classrooms that will assess the final product, they are asked to fill out this Google form with their feedback.
Students created their books in Google Presentations for easy access for all (we checked out Chromebooks), as well as easy design and layout.
To see all of my handouts and resources, go to my classroom’s English Resource Page where all the nuts and bolts can be found.

Why have we loved it so much?

Using Skype in a meaningful way to interview the audience we are writing for got the students on-board and excited right away.
Audience became an ongoing conversation and what we kept in the back of our mind throughout the process.
It allowed me to really dig in with each student through mini-conferences.
I was able to cover basic grammar over and over without the students finding it repetitive.
Students were in charge of their project starting with the choice of their topic to what they would write about.
It is an authentic project, not just being written for me.
Plagiarism is easily circumvented because students have to simplify the language of their research.
We were able to meaningfully collaborate between English and their Tech Tools class.
Students have been able to finish the project within English class if they spent their time wisely.
We were able to delve into nonfiction in an exciting way, students sometimes hate nonfiction because they find it boring, they forget how much of our life is surrounded by nonfiction and how much fun it can be.
And yes, it covers 4 of the 10 standards I have to cover which should never be the only reason we do something but is still a reality of my day-to-day.

Tomorrow they hand in their projects. They will present by having them run on Chromebooks and students doing a gallery walk, that way we can show off all of them within our 45 minutes. Then students will self-reflect as always and I will spend a lot of winter break poring over their hard work and assessing them. I can’t wait.

Thank you Corinne for allowing me to share your finished project

advice, Be the change, being me, MIEExpert15, Passion, reflection, technology

Am I the Barrier to My Students’ Full Tech Integration?

December 12, 2014December 12, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I have been integrating meaningful technology into my classrooms since 2010, trying my hardest to find tools that would help my students find an audience, spark their passion, and find their voice. I wouldn’t call us tech infused, I don’t use a lot of tools, but the ones we do, I love. And yet…I cannot help but feel that sometimes I stand in the way of my students and the technology they use. That sometimes the parameters I set up hinder rather than grow.

It is not from a place of fear, I am all for technology and using it well. It is rather from my own ignorance. Often I don’t t know what I don’t know. Often I don’t know whether a tool will work for the thing we are doing. Often I get a little scared, wondering whether they will be able to be successful if they veer off the beaten path. Often I assume that I have to be the expert and this should know everything and have all of the answers, giving all of the permissions. But the big thing is; I have forced myself to recognize this and boy, did it make me feel uncomfortable.

How often do we as teachers let our own fears stand in the way of what we “allow” students to do? How often does our own lack of knowledge of a tech tool (or anything for that matter) prompt us into saying no, rather than yes? How often do we dismiss rather than invite?

So the next time we propose a project, how about we ask students what tools they want to use? What tools do they already know? Rather than rush into creation take a day to explore tech tools that may benefit all. Have students teach each other. Share your own knowledge. Open up your classroom and show your own place as a learner. Acknowledge that perhaps tech scares you, or perhaps trying a new thing leaves you worried about time line. Perhaps you are not sure a tool will work or that the students will get it. So what?! Embrace this fear and allow it to push you forward, rather than hold you back. Let students see that their ideas, voices, and prior knowledge matters. And not just to make them feel heard but to change the way learning happens within our classrooms.

Technology tools surround us, with more being added every day. We cannot keep up. We cannot be the only experts. If we truly have a community of learners in our classrooms then students’ knowledge has to be embraced. So don’t say no when a child asks if they can use a new tool. Say yes. Embrace the fact that you may not know it and learn along with them. Admit your own fear, admitting your own lack of knowledge will only show students the power of doing just that. Be a learner with your students every day.