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 me, new year, reflection

Facebook – The Great Disconnector?

December 30, 2013 Pernille Ripp

I remember thinking Facebook was lame as I resisted joining in the spring of 2006. Then I joined, urgen on by a college friend, and I continued to think it was lame until I realized that here was something that I could finally use to keep in touch with friends and family that lived far away. This tool would get me more connected rather than having to wait for letters or emails to show up on a whim. This tool would make sure my friendships stayed strong, my connections meaningful, and my life full of love. Yet 7 years into my relationship with Facebook I know see how wrong I was.

This post is not to vilify Facebook or social media. After all, Twitter, Facebook and other tools have brought so much to my life: new friends, a book deal, babysitters, pictures of moments I wouldn’t get to see. And yet, Facebook does not make me feel more connected. Not in a deep way. Instead I stand like a lurker peeking in at people’s lives. Seeing moments that sure I might not see otherwise but that I have little context of, little story behind, so all they are are moments.

I miss the deep connections. The letters I used to receive from my friends. The phone calls to set times up or just catch up. The ability to tell a story that they have not seen pictures of or heard of before. When we say we have the world at our fingertips, it is true, but it seems to be a shallow one, one that consists mostly of hitting “like” and feeling like you took an interest. You really extend yourself if you leave a comment and you feel like you did yours to keep friendships going. Sure Facebook has brought much to my life, but it has also taken away.

So rather than complain and blame Facebook, because it is not the tools fault I misuse it, in 2014 I want to reach out more. I want to write more letters, call more people, and see more moments in real life rather than through shared snapshots. I want to invite more people into our crazy lives and post less about it. I want to further the connections that I have in my life and deepen them into what they used to be. Less like, more action.

Facebook was meant to connect us all, and it has done so for many. But in the urgency to connect we seem to have lost the slow pace that is required to nurture friendships and create bonds between us all. Facebook may have made the world smaller, but it has also shrunk our own lives into a circle that people stand outside of, casually interacting but never staying for long. I am ready to break down the walls and bring people in.

Be the change, new year, parents, reflection

Parents: Help Your Child Get Excited for Back to School

December 29, 2013December 29, 2013 Pernille Ripp

I have been thinking a lot about back to school. This break for me will have lasted over 3 weeks by the time I get back and so I wonder what I am stepping back into. As anyone who has ever had a longish break knows, often the kids are hard to get motivated again. I blogged about what I would do as a teacher, but now is the time to go into parent mode and think of what I can do as a parent to get Thea excited about school. After all, January doesn’t seem to instill much excitement in many people, students included, so I am here to help change that. A few ideas to get your child excited about back to school, please add your own in the comments.

Get your child a new book. There is something magical about a brand new never-been-read book being placed into your hands. I have expected my students to read over break and I hope they come back with great new book tales to share and discuss, so why not load them up with books either from a store or the library. Help them take control of their reading and get them stocked up at the same time.
Ask the teacher about events coming up. I know January can be a bit of a humdrum month so I make sure we have a lot of exciting things coming our way. We have an author Skype visit, Mystery Skype, and a reading challenge to look forward to amongst many other things. Why not reach out to the teacher to see what cool things will garner some fun in the coming month.
Set goals with your child. My students set a lot of goals with me because they need to be the masters of their own learning journeys, so why not set some together? Students get to slowly get back in academic mode and you get a window into their world. Plus it is such a great experience hearing your child talk about their own learning.
Look ahead. I am very transparent in what we will be learning so it would be great if you as a parent shared some of your own knowledge (if you know some stuff) or just what you would hope to learn about a concept. Again, starting a meaningful and excited dialogue about the great learning that will happen is always a great way to ease back into school.
Ask about changes. I know a lot of this is conversation based, but I find that often it is through conversation that we can get kids excited rather than bribery. Ask your child what they hope to change in the next few months, whether it be with themselves or in the classroom and then come up with a plan to make it happen. I practice student ownership at every opportunity and so this is something I will be asking students to do anyway.
Look forward. I tell the kids we have a lot to do before they leave me and in January that seems to set in. They know that as the days get lighter they are one step closer to middle school and I want our time together to count. As a parent it is okay to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that a new grade is coming up. Kids know it is too early to dismiss the current one but that there is a goal to work toward. I celebrate the fact that all of my students are headed toward middle school and they know it.
Embrace the slowness. January seems to slow us all down as we wind down after the craziness of December and winter in general. Instead of fighting it, I tend to embrace it at home with my own kids. We read more, we light more candles, and we do more family things in a small way. I don’t expect my kids to go a mile a minute because that’s what they did in December. Instead we cherish the quiet times in the house and we encourage more creative play. Out with the noise and in with drawing, art projects, and many, many books read aloud or shared.
Highlight the social aspect. I know school shouldn’t be about seeing your friends, but let’s face it, it is one of the benefits of going to school. So instead of battling it or ignoring it, why not relish in the fact that your child will get so see all of their friends again every day? As a teacher I know this is a major selling point of school, so I also work it into our day. We come back with a little more time to talk, a little more time to catch up, and a lot more opportunity to do group projects if need be. Make the social aspect work for your child rather than create more tension.
Get new school supplies. I know this is a staple of the true back to school time – August – but most people get excited over new supplies. New pencils seem to beckon to be written with, journals to be filled out, and erasers used. Perfect time to get a few new things since most of my students have used up all of their pencils and erasers by now anyway.

Be the change, new year

Pick One Thing to Try – An Idea from Tom Whitby

December 28, 2013December 27, 2013 Pernille Ripp

I always struggle with New Years Resolutions. I want to change a lot of things but as a mom of 4 now and a wife to an incredibly patient man, I need to make sure my need for change doesn’t overwhelm everybody else. Last year I therefore decided to focus on the things I would keep rather than change, which led to a year with much more laughter, appreciation, and patience all around – you should try it. This year, I love this notion from Tom Whitby of picking one thing to change in the new year, rather than many. Therefore, I present you with a list of ideas; why don’t you

Try Genius hour? This one hour project time for students where they get to explore whatever they want under a chosen theme is a must for any classroom. I do this with my 5th graders in social studies and science and the exploration of knowledge that comes from it is unbeatable.
Try a Mystery Skype? If you want an easy way to connect students with others, work on geography skills, as well as how to function as a team under pressure, this is the thing to try. Easy to set up and do but the learnign that comesfrom it is incredible.
Student blogging? I wanted to give my students a voice for me to hear, little did I know I would be connecting them with the world. Now anyone can see what is happening in the minds of my students simply by asking them.
Start A classroom website? Sick of sending home paper copies of everything and not feeling like I communicated well with parents, I started a classroom website 3 years ago. This little hub of information allows parents and students (and strangers!) to see exactly what we are up to through pictures, videos, and blog posts. We also have an updated calendar for any classroom events.
Give Choice in learning? How about asking students how they want to learn something? You can start small with one idea and then grow from there. You would be amazed at what the students come up with for their learning journey and the excitement they bring to the projects, all because their voice was added.
Read more books? I started to get serious about my young adult and middle grade reading last year and I cannot tell you the benefits it has reaped. I now excitedly pass out books to students, they recommend books to me, our classroom library is bursting at the seams and there is a genuine excitement for reading. Now reading books I can pass on to my students is one of the top priorities of my time.
Get rid of grades? No really. I did and I have loved it. Now the focus is not on the mark on the paper as much as it is on the learning that occurs. While I have to still do report cards, the students are much more aware of where they are and where they need to go simply because we discuss it.
Get rid of homework or reduce it? Now would be a great time to take stock of how much homework you are assigning and whether or not it is worth it. I have been on a conscious path to reduce homework in every class as much as I possible can and the end result has been happier students, that actually come to me when needed and who want to use their time well.
Join the Global Read Aloud? While we will not start the project until October 6th, 2014, that doesn’t mean it is too early to join. This global reading project picks a book to be read aloud to students across the world during a 6 week period and then asks students to connect using technology to discuss the book. All you need to join is the book (to be chosen in late spring) and a little bit of courage, I will help with the rest.

being a teacher, building community, classroom expectations, classroom setup, new year, Student-centered, Uncategorized

Back to School – January Edition

December 27, 2013December 29, 2013 Pernille Ripp

January comes at us like a lion it seems bringing students who were just getting used to being on break, miserably cold winter days where no sledding is allowed at school, and more assessments. Every year January always reminds me of the beginning of the year and last year I started to treat it as such. Goodbye January humdrum, welcome January excitement. So what will we be doing to battle the January blues?

Reassess our classroom rules. Students get a little tired and a little more restless so it is the perfect opportunity for them to set new rules for the classroom. They also know each other a lot better, particularly each others’ quirks, and so I find the conversation tends to go much deeper then it did in September.
Set up the classroom. While I think our work space works really well, I am not the one constantly using it. Time to ask the students if things need to be moved around and then do it. Also time for me to re-evaluate the room.
A heart to heart on work habits. While I ask the students to self-assess constantly throughout the year, we need to have some honest reflection on how they have been working independently. I like to think of it as new year’s resolutions set with an eye on middle school.
Take stock of projects. How have they been doing on projects, are they pushing themselves into new venues or are they sticking to much of the same old same old? What are new ideas they can’t wait to try and how will they try them?
Re-introduce genius hour. We took a break from genius hour in the last month or so because we have been too busy, but January is the perfect time to refocus on it, this time in science rather than social studies. Students have been busy at work learning about landforms, now is the time for them to take charge of what they want to learn.
Have a classroom reading challenge. The students have been excited about reading but January is typically the time they start to feel overwhelmed or bogged down. Last year we did the classroom reading challenge and it really brought in a lot of excitement. It is quite simple: Every child sets a secret goal (they only share it with me) for how many books they will read in the month of January, the goal can include picture books, graphic novels, or chapter books. We then reveal the total number of books we pledge to read on a bulletin board. They then read as much as they can and report to me whenever they finish a book (paper on my desk), I print out a picture of the cover and add it to our huge bulletin board. Nobody knows who read what or how many books they have each read but everybody is reading and if we meet our goal, we have a huge read-in party as a celebration with an author Skype call. I cannot wait!
Re-do routines. We have great routines but now is the time to re-assess, what do we still need to work on, what is no longer needed, what should we streamline? Again, this discussion is student-led with input from me.
Throw some surprise challenges their way. They have been working hard on our team challenges throughout the year and now is the time to give them even more. I am thinking the boat building challenge, as well as marshmallow catapults. Oh, and I do believe we have to build some vinegar rockets as well.
Re-assess my own opinions. Have I labeled students unknowingly, do I really know the child in front of me? What are the priorities we need to have for their learning journey and what will I do to help them accomplish their goals? Now is the time to reflect about each child.

What will you be doing to re-energize the classroom?

Be the change, classroom setup, new year

It Is Time To Renew, Reorganize, and Reevalute

December 26, 2013 Pernille Ripp

Something magical beckons us on the cusp of a new year; one full of promise to change, a clean slate as if for once we can get it all right, or at the very least figure out what we need to change, ahh, January 1st and all of its promises. It is no different in the classroom; the new year is an opportune time to not just conjure up resolutions but also renew and reevaluate your setup hopefully leaving you saner and more organized.

I used to think of things I needed to change after the 1st of the year but quickly got worn out thinking of all of these changes. After all, as a newish teacher, I have enough things I am already trying to reflect upon and implement so I am not sure we need more things to do. So now I have scaled it back, I look at my room through a different lens, that of reevaluation. May my thoughts help guide you as well.

Study your workspace configuration. Are students able to move, spread out, work at different places than their assigned work spaces? Can they get away when they need to or are they always squished together? Often this aspect of our room is completely out of our hands as it depends on classroom size but even cramped rooms can have getaway corners, places where students can find some sort of solitude, or places where they can work together as a large group.
Study your “dusty” areas. Are there parts of your classroom that are hardly ever used? Places where the students cannot get to or where an arrangement of furniture seems cramped or forced? I recently realized that my large conference table was squeezed into a corner meaning I never used it and neither did my students. In two moves of furniture it is now front and centre and used every single day with students. Easy to do once you know what isn’t working.
Study where the piles are. I used to force myself into several organization systems that just didn’t work. What resulted were various piles of papers, books, and miscellaneous teacher items that never got put away. I had too many places to place things and often these spots were also in the wrong area so I would drop off stuff and then leave it to gather dust, in the end forgetting that I had put it there in the first place. Now I pay attention to where I place things, create gathering places where they feel natural (think: where you place things anyway) there and follow the 1 minute rule; if you can do it in 1 minute – do it right away.
Ask your students. I often take the time to ask my students what is working for them, where their favorite places are, or what they are missing. Conversations such as these have resulted in their own area for office supplies, more small tables, and choices of whether to lie down or sit in a chair whenever we do writing and reading workshop. Students are the biggest components and inhabitants of the classroom; they should have a say in what is working or not.
Recreate your area. I start out the year with my favorite things close by; a great stapler, hand lotion, my favorite picture, and billions of colorful pens that brighten my day. As silly as these things sound, it feels nice to have what I need close by when I am planning. As the year progresses, though, my things seem to move or vanish altogether. Take this time of renewal to renew your area, think about what would make you happy every day in a small way and bring it into your immediate vicinity. It may not seem like a big thing, which is why it is perfect to do now.
Start to think of next year. Call me crazy but January is when I start to think of the next school year. I clean up papers as I go through them, make extra copies for the following year if it something I will have to use like a math test, and throw out/recycle anything I don’t need. Too often we leave these tasks for the end of the year but it is easier to just stay on top of it throughout the year. Start to think of what you need to change for next year with your lessons and tweak them now, because next time you teach it, chances are you will not remember the changes you needed to make.

While there are many things you can do to reorganize your classroom as you prepare for the second half of the year, think small at first. Change the easy things, give yourself time to think about what needs to happen, and then do it. Recruit your students to help, reflect on what is working and what isn’t, and then decide what needs to change now for you to be happy. Change never has to be big to be effective. It does not have to be grandiose or expensive; find something small to make you feel renewed even if it just includes the happiness that brand new pens can bring you.

being me, inspiration, reflection

Lessons Learned From a Week

December 23, 2013 Pernille Ripp

The end of the year means a quiet time for me. This year more than ever. And yet in the quiet I find solace because I realize just how much I have learned from those that surround me. Many of these lessons really came through in the last week where the unexpected 10 week early arrival of our daughter reminded me of just how much I don’t know.

I learned this week, once again, that we cannot control everything. That even when we think we know what the plan will be, whenever it involves children, they ultimately steer the plan. So while I think I may know exactly how to get somewhere, my students often have a better idea, it is important to slow down enough to listen to them.

I learned this week, that what you read matters. I can see when I love a book because all I want to do is sneak moments to read it. When a book is not for me, reading becomes a chore even when on bed-rest. When we tell a child what to read, even with our best intentions, we may change reading into a chore and nobody likes that.

I learned this week that goodbye matters. When I left to go into the hospital again, after I had told my students I would be back the following day, many of them understood but could not get over that I had not said goodbye. Everything had happened so abruptly that although they understood they still wanted to make sure I was ok and without a quick goodbye how could they know that.

I learned this week that receiving help does not mean you are greedy. Many people asked how they could help and whether they could bring a meal. While this goes against every Danish bone in my body (you just don’t get handouts!) my instinct told me to accept with gratitude. I cannot tell you how much easier our lives have been just because someone took care of dinner. How often do we say no in our classrooms because we don’t want to appear demanding? It is time for us to start to say yes instead, especially to the little things.

I learned that while we feel the need the need to be by the side of one child, our other children need us even more. Augustine really needs time to grow in the hospital, our other 3 need us to be parents full-time. The balance is so hard to achieve but we try every day. Just like our students need us to be there for them, there are days when one needs us more. It is our job to realize who has the biggest needs that day and juggle everything around it, while realizing that sometimes it is not the kid that seems the most dire that has the biggest need.

I learned this week to be present for every moment. When you get to hold a 3 lbs baby in your arms, and you can barely feel her, every grunt matters. Yesterday my husband held her for the first time and as she reached out her hand and placed in on his heart the whole world stopped. I wasn’t on my phone, we weren’t speaking, we were just there in that moment, part of it. How often are we present in our classrooms for those small moments of success?

I learned this week that it is not the fault of others if I am tired. Some times life gets in our way of our optimal health but that does not mean I have the right to snap. How many mornings do we drag ourselves to school because we stayed up too late and then get grumpy with our students. The choices we make affect everyone around us, so we must take responsibility for that.

I learned this week that every special moment does not have to be perfect to feel perfect. Christmas is tomorrow for this Dane and I am not sure everyone has a present, what the kids will wear, how we will get cookies for Santa, or even if everything is wrapped. But as my husband said, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we celebrate the time we get to be together and that we focus on our family. Not the presents, not the wrapping, not the extra. Our classrooms don’t need to be perfect for children to grow in them, they need to be filled with love and a focus on each child. Everything else will fall into place.

I learned this week that how I face the world is in my control. Yes, life may have been turned upside down in the last 7 days but it is how I choose to deal with it that matters. While I may feel like crying a lot, no good will come of it beside a temporary relief. What I need right now is to stay positive more than ever before. This is not the end of the world even if it may seem like it, it is the beginning of a new journey that we are fortunate enough to be part of.