Category: Be the change

Be the change, being a teacher, being me, reflection, Student-centered, students

Are We Having Honest Conversations with Kids?

Pernille Ripp
image from icanread

The groan could have been heard for miles it seemed.  The 7th grader in front of me looked at me with that look only kids can give you when you have said something that they hate.

“Post-its?  I hate post-its, why do we have to use post-its?”

I bent down and said “Why?” took the few minutes to discuss and then knew I had to change what I was about to teach.

It was my first day of readers workshop with the students and I was pumped, I couldn’t wait to get them started on their journey to think deeper about their books, have better conversations, and boost their writing.  And yet, already by the first hour, I had run into a boulder of disapproval.

In the past, I would have had a conversation with the student as well, but it would have centered on explaining why this was good for them, why they had to do it, and how they just had to trust me.  This time though, I knew it wouldn’t be enough, that my role right now is not to force habits because I said so but rather create discussion and find habits that work for us.  So I listened and we discussed and I realized that the student brought up points that I think of myself as I read through some of my lessons and it was time for me to admit it.

Being a teacher is sometimes like being an enforcer.  We tell children what to do because we know best, we know the end point, and so we know the building blocks that they need to get there.  We have discussions, we offer choice, but how often do we listen to what the students are telling us and admitting our own doubts or thoughts?  How often do we admit our own adult habits and how they fly in the face of what we are teaching and then create a new path forward because we know the students might be right?  How often do we listen when students tell us how they feel and then actually act upon it even if it means changing the way we teach?

We have to have honest conversations with our students.  We have to be able to admit that sometimes the ideas we first had are not the ideas that are best suited for the children in front of us.  That we as adults have developed habits that fly in the face of what we are teaching and yet we still manage to be deep thinkers.  We have to admit that sometimes our lessons are not “real life” or even do-able for all of us.  We have to admit that not everyone has the same path forward to whatever goal we may have set.

I speak to my students about developing as independent thinkers, yet I expect them to conform to all of the same rules in our classroom.  I am not sure how to go forward, but I know something has to give.  We may know what is best for most, but I need to know what is best for each.  And that will take a lot of honest conversations.

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” is out now from Corwin Press.  Follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.

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

All the Small Words

Pernille Ripp
image from icanread

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.

 

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

What I Learned My First Week of School

Pernille Ripp
Image from etsy

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.

My new team – go sharks!

 

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.

Be the change, new year

Don’t Throw Out the Old

Pernille Ripp

I have been waking up at 5:30 so that I can be to my new school by 7 every morning, drinking in the newness, as the school slowly wakes up.  I have plans and papers piled around me.  Ideas bouncing through my head, waking me up at night.  I have dreams, so many, and yet, I have to remember to keep the old.  To keep the tried an d true.  To keep the “me” in the new.  To keep what has worked as well.  That although new ideas seem like they will fix everything, or at the very least make it all even better, that our old ideas also still have value.  That although new is shiny, exciting, and oh so tantalizing, some of our old thoughts still works.

This is not to say that new is bad, but I think we get caught up in wanting to change everything at the start of every year, rather than focusing on a few things.  That we make these new year resolutions about how this will be the year we will be “that ” teacher, and then forget to give ourselves a break.  That to create new habits take a lot of work, take a lot of energy, and that we have to also preserve ourselves in the crazy life as educators.  

So while I stand in a new position; 7th grade English teacher (who would have thought) I know there are some of my old ideas that will work.  They will get tweaked, of course, they always do.  But the backbone of them, the seed, is still great.  The idea when it was first new was amazing, and that idea still has merit. 

So go ahead; get excited, dream up the new, but don’t forget about the old things that worked.  About the old ideas that were new once.  Some will still work.  Parts of you will still work, even as we start on a whole new year.

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.

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

Have You Included Parent Voice in Back to School Planning?

Pernille Ripp
image from alexandremdesigns

On Wednesday, Theadora gets to meet her kindergarten teacher.  We get to show up, me with all 4 of the kids, drop off her supplies and asnwer any questions the teacher may have.  You would think I have a mile-long list of questions, but I don’t.  I don’t know what to as at this point, that will come later, once school has started.  And yet,  I do have hopes and dreams for Thea and I hope I get to express that to her teacher.

This realization made me remember that I need to include my 7th grade parents’ voice in my back to school preparation.  That yes, I may be planning awesome things for my first days of schools, and that yes I may be teaching students at an age of more independence from parents.  But parents still need to have a voice in our classroom.

So I created my hopes and dreams survey.  One simple question to get their feedback, to guide me as I prepare.  Don’t forget to tap into parent knowledge.  Don’t forget to reach out, even if you think their child is too old for you to ask.  I don’t think any parent ever stops dreaming for their child, don’t forget to ask.

PS: In 5th grade, I used this

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.

Be the change, being me, new year

Need Some Ideas For Back to School? Win A Copy of My Book

Pernille Ripp

I have done a giveaway at the beginning of summer for my first book and thought I should end this glorious summer with one as well.  So if you feel like you need some ideas for back to school.  If you feel like you know what you are doing but are ready to make some changes.  If you feel like there are things you want to do to give students more voice but not quite sure where to start, then here is the e-book for you.

My first book “Passionate Learners – Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students” has been helping new and veteran teachers this summer come up with ideas for change.  It has helped give some the push they needed to give the classroom back to students, or helped them with new ideas for what they were already doing.  I have been excited and humbled by the reviews on Goodreads from educators that are taking the time to read the book such as this one:

In a time when much of education is dictated by curriculum standards and mandated behavior management programs, Pernille offers a fresh perspective on what learning is like from the student perspective. From her asking the question, “would you like being a student in your own classroom?” to her ideas about grading and homework, she offers a vision of truly student-centered education. She does not offer a method or a step-by-step guide to changing one’s teaching. Instead, she empowers teachers to reflect on their experiences, on research, and on their current level of comfort with innovation. After this reflection, teachers are ready to use Pernille’s ideas as a springboard to transform their own classrooms into ones that are truly student-centered.

So what do you have to do to win?  Simple, leave a comment, please leave your email, and let me know what you would like to change this year.  I will only run this contest to Monday night, August 24th at 8 PM CST so that the winner has a chance to read the book soon.

And if you don’t win, consider reading the book anyway.  Wherever you are on your journey, I hope it helps move you forward.

This contest has closed – the winner was….Erin Petley – thank you so much everyone for entering!