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.

Be the change, being a teacher, being me, Passion

All the Small Words

September 9, 2014 Pernille Ripp

Last night, it was back to school night. My first one as a 7th grade English teacher. Now speaking in front of students, no problem, even speaking in front of large groups of people is ok. But parents? Terrifying! Not because I think they don’t like me. Not because I don’t think they are open-minded. Not because I think they are critical, over-involved, or demanding. Quite the opposite indeed. They terrify me because they care. because they entrust with their child every day. Because they hope that I will protect the curiosity of their kid every single day. Taht i will damage, but rather enhance the child that comes to me every day. I do not take that responsibility lightly.

When it was over, a few hung around to introduce themselves. Many had kind words, telling me how their child is already loving English. How they saw their child read and actually like it for the first time in a long time. How they cannot wait to see how their child grows this year. Thank you and whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.

As I drove home, those words echoed within me, wrapped my head in thought as I woke up at 12:30 unable to sleep. I don’t think these parents know what those words mean to me. I don’t think these parents have any idea of what effect small words can have on a teacher. How big of an impact a greeting and a few sentences can have. Whether they be kind or inquisitive, harsh, or probing. The words we pass on to our child’s teachers matter, sometimes more than our actions do.

I get to teach children every day. I get to help them grow. I get to help shape their dreams. I get to help them decide whether reading is something they are good at or bad at. Whether they are a writer or not. I may be trying to change the world, but what happens within my classroom is what matters most. What I do with kids and to kids is what matters most. So those parents who stopped by just to say hi and thanks; those small words make a big difference, those small moments make a big impression. When was the last time you made a difference in another teachers life?

I am a passionate teacher in Wisconsin, USA, who has taught 4, 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” can be pre-ordered from Corwin Press now. Follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.

new year, students

I Wish I Had Had This in High School – The H&R Block Budget Challenge

September 8, 2014September 6, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I remember the first time I ran into not having enough money to get gas to get to work. It was my own fault so no sympathy needed. I was 19, working full time in a clothing store and definitely not budgeting any of my money. In fact, I wasn’t even keeping track. I just kept swiping my debit card until the cashier would tell me it was denied. Not a stellar money moment for me. And yet, I had to get to work and my car needed gas to get there and there was no way I was going to ask my parents for money. So instead I searched the car, I searched the couch, I looked everywhere for change and then went and filled my car up with the few dollars I had found. Off to work I went.

I wish that were the end of my budgeting woes, that it had been enough of a moment for me to think smarter about my money but alas that wouldn’t come for a few years. I was definitely not a saver, I loved to shop too much, and thinking about where my money went was boring. Now I shudder at the mistakes I made and how much I could have damaged my credit. This is why when H&R contacted me to ask whether I would promote their budget challenge for high school students, I jumped at the chance. After all, this is exactly what I wish I had experienced when I was growing up. Maybe something like this would have saved me from so many stupid decisions and mistakes.

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 first session kicks off in October. 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.

PS: I mentioned it already but this is a sponsored post by H&R Block, but how cool is this?

being a teacher, Reading, reflection, students

Before You Assign a Reading Log

September 6, 2014September 10, 2014 Pernille Ripp

“…Mrs. Ripp, should we bring this home?” A student is waving the status of the class form I just had them glue in their notebook during our first week of 7th grade English. “No, please don’t,” I answer, “This is not a reading log, just a tool for you to use here in class.” I can see the relief spread across the student. They thought it was a reading log. I am glad it isn’t.

I have written about reading logs before; how I used to use them, how I had to use them, what to do instead. I know there is a possibility that Thea will have one at some point. And I worry about what that will do to her, how she will react not so much to the logging of reading, I do that myself through Goodreads, but the prize aspect, the reading to get something. You see, Thea reads for fun. Not because she naturally developed that, she would much rather read for prizes, which kid wouldn’t? But I have learned though her reactions to reading challenges to shield her from that, to build up that we read for the sheer enjoyment of reading. That we don’t get a reward when we finish a book other than the experience. That we talk about books and remember them that way, not to log them, not to see how many we can read so we can earn something.

Yet, I get why reading logs are used. Not all kids read, not all parents push reading as a thing to do every day. Some kids need a prize to get them motivated or a log to see their habits so they can develop better ones. Some teachers have to use them because of a school or district initiative, even though they would rather not. But here’s the thing; not every kid needs one. Just like every kid doesn’t need an intervention. Just like every kid doesn’t need homework help, not every kid needs to create better reading habits.

So instead of assigning a reading log to all if there has to be one, how about a tiered approach? How about a quick conversation with home or the student to discover reading habits? How about choice? I will gladly share with Thea’s teachers that we read for 30 minutes or more every night. That Thea pretends to read for another 30 after we tuck her in. That our house is filled with books. That going to the library or the book store is viewed as the biggest surprise. That getting a new book is something we celebrate. That we read the same books over and over because we love them so much. That we don’t need a reading log for that, we just need time.

I don’t have to do a reading log anymore so instead I asked my 7th graders about their reading habits to see who needs help establishing better habits. It doesn’t take long, it is not hard work, but the information I gained will help us grow. They don’t need reading logs, they need a place to jot down how much they read in class and a place to record their ratings of books. Their parents don’t need to be involved. There will be no prizes. They are expected to read and I can tell if they don’t through conversation. That works for me, for the students right now, and hopefully it will in the future as well.

For ideas of what to do instead of a reading log, here are some

Be the change, being a teacher, new year, reflection, students

What I Learned My First Week of School

September 5, 2014September 5, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I thought I knew how to be a good teacher. After all, I have been doing alright in 5th grade. Yet, this week as I faced my awesome 7th graders, I realized that I still have so much to learn. That even though I have a few years under my belt, being new is still being new.

I learned that students wont automatically like you just because you are their teacher. That often we take that love and respect for granted in elementary but as they get older we have to work for it even more. The best part though is that I don’t mind working for it at all.

I learned that while I may think I am super human and can say yes to every project thrown my way, I am not. I have found my limits. I have found my tipping point. I am glad I did.

I learned that although I may have taught the same thing 5 times in a row, it is new to the students in front of me and they deserve the very best of me. Not the tired me. Not the rushed me. Not the “let’s just get through this” me. But the in-tune, attentive, fun-loving me. Every single student, every single time.

I learned that laughing at myself is a great way to get students to open up a little.

I learned that learning 118 names in 4 days is near impossible, even though I am soooooo close.

I learned that 7th graders still love picture book, hallelujah! They also love gruesome fairy tales and a good story. I think we will be okay.

I learned that you can win the team lottery twice in a row. That there are schools out there, districts even, that thrive on the positive, where teachers matter. Where ideas are shared, crazy thoughts supported, and small successes celebrated. These schools are no longer unicorns, they exist, and I hope everyone finds one.

I learned that being a team matters and that compromise is not a dirty word. We can still change education through compromise, through being kind, and that every person in a building brings something to the table. That being in a bubble and shutting your door should not be the norm, should not be okay. We have to get better at listening to each other.

But my biggest lesson this week; that 7th graders are so unbelievably great to teach. That my fears of not loving this age group as much as fifth was completely unfounded. That I am thankful for this chance of a new home, that “my kids” can really mean 118 students and not just 27. I am so lucky. I feel like I am home.

being me, new year, reflection

Don’t Expect to Be Inspired

September 3, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I wanted to write something inspirational, gushing about the first days of school. Talking about the magic of them, the sheer adrenaline rush that carries us forth as we start to change lives. How our work is bigger than us and I can see the passion coming alive in the twinkle of my students’ eyes. But the truth is, I am too exhausted. My back hurts and so do my feet. My brain is going in circles, sporadically coming up with something that may turn into something, and oh the to do list has taken on a life of its own. So it is time for me to admit; I hate the first days of school. In fact, I think I even hate the first week.

I hate not knowing the kids. Sure, meeting them all for the first time is exciting, but not knowing their names upsets me. Not knowing what makes them tick slows me down. While I love hearing their expectations for the year and having them set the rules, I hate the process of it, because I want it to be in place already so we can move onto bigger things. I hate not knowing which books they prefer to read or how to best support them. I hate not knowing their handwriting or their writing voice. Right now, my 118 students are mostly just names that I yell out while taking attendance trying to see if I remembered correctly.

I hate that they don’t know me. We don’t have our world down. I don’t have anyone telling me I have to read a book or telling me their latest funny story. Instead they look at me, measure me up, trying to figure out who this crazy teacher is. I am judged with every word that comes from my mouth. I am contemplated whatever I do. The pressure can be nerve-wracking.

And yet, although I am ready to fast forward a month or even just a week, I see the seeds we have planted start to grow. A kid asks me for a book recommendation and I find him one he likes. Another shares a funny comment. And tonight, one child emailed me for help. We may not be a community yet. We may not get each other. They may not think I am funny ( like at all, 7th graders are a tough crowd!). They may not know the names of my kids or even feel that I am their teacher. But they do know I care. They do know that I love reading and writing. They do know that I am there.

So while the first week of school cannot end fast enough for me, I am a little bit in awe of the process that is happening with my kids. The trust they are starting to place in me. The small smiles. The little moments as they open up a touch. We are not there yet, in fact, we are not even close, but at least we have started our journey together. At least we are on the road. And still, can’t it just be the middle of February already?

being a teacher, classroom setup, new year, Student-centered

Classroom Tour 2014

August 29, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I have never posted pictures intentionally to show off my classroom before, but since I am in a new room at a new school in a new district, I thought I would. You see, my classroom isn’t highly decorated or super inspiring, it is functional, bare, and waiting for the students to make their mark. So pictures from it don’t wow people in general, but I don’t mind. This classroom is a shell waiting for students to fill it. Bulletin boards will be made once they are here, things will be moved around, kids will enter and bring the room to life.

This sign greeted my students last year too. It hangs on our door and represents my feelings about teaching. Thank you Neil Gaiman for being so eloquent.

Supplies are accessible to students, I would rather have them grab what they need then leave the room to go to their lockers. There is more to the left of this picture.

phot 1o

Every day, we make a choice.

From the door this is what the room looks like. Desks in pods, ready to be moved as needed, with awesome natural light spilling in. Our library is my favorite corner.

As always I am showcasing covers of what I read (students will be doing the same inside the room later in the year) but this year I am also showing what I am writing and why.

Books read this week counts too for the year, I really need to finish Stargirl.

International Dot Day is September 15th. My 130 students will be making their mark on our bulletin board that day and the rest of the year.

Global connections and bringing the world in is what we do. This year my map will have strings attached to the pins leading to explanations of what we did with the place marked.

Our library awaits. Two students have already borrowed books during locker drop in, that makes me so happy. New books are below the green arrow for students to read and review. There is no check out system to the library right now, that may change depending on how the year goes.

Slightly messy desk area. I got rid of the traditional teacher desk 3 years ago and have not missed it. This table holds my computer and the stuff I need to teach with. I need to get a lamp but otherwise it is pretty simple. Letters from my former students hang next to the desk for me to share with my new students.

The view from my table and out into the team area. The round table is for conferencing or when students want to use it. Most classes have more desks than students so they can work wherever they want. We also have carpet for laying or sitting on which I love. Above the door it says “Represent” a message I have used with my students for years. The rainbow chart is voice level reminders since we are a PBIS school.

More new books greet students as they leave the room. Right now the book tree has some of my favorite new and old reads on it. I love how students who have come into our room immediately start to look at what is on here; mission accomplished. Also a quote about reading is my final message to them as they leave, this will be changed every few weeks.

We are the sharks so we each have a shark rug outside of our doors, but more importantly the whole team of students see the message “You matter” above my door. We cannot say this enough to the people we surround ourselves with.

There you have it; where I will be every day for the next 180 days – is it September 2nd yet? I think I need some students to make this place come alive.