being a teacher – Page 114

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

All the Small Words

September 9, 2014 Pernille Schmidt 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.

being a teacher, Reading, reflection, students

Before You Assign a Reading Log

September 6, 2014September 10, 2014 Pernille Schmidt 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 Schmidt 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 a teacher, classroom setup, new year, Student-centered

Classroom Tour 2014

August 29, 2014 Pernille Schmidt 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.

being a teacher, being me, new year

Pity Party in 7th Grade

August 28, 2014 Pernille Schmidt Ripp

I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. That tends to happen when no one comes to your classroom and you see them run to others. I can hear the shouts, the excitement the tales of summer being unwound. I feel lonely, jealous even, knowing I used to be one of the rooms that kids would flock to. Shouts of “Mrs. Ripp!!!!” would fill my ears, hugs and stories of books read, summer adventures, and hopes and dreams for the new year would surround me. New students (finally mine), old students (still my kids), and parents would all stop by when they could, chat for a moment, just to check in. But when you move schools, move districts, you lose that and you don’t know how much you will miss it until no one comes to your room, no one shouts your name. So yeah, pity party in 7th grade English this afternoon.

But then; one kid entered, then a parent followed, unsure of who I was but assuming I was the English teacher. Hasty introductions, more glances around the room and I could see the boy honing in on all of the books on the book tree behind me. His mom tells me he has read them all; Maze Runner, Divergent, Lightning Thief and the list goes on. I ask if he has read The Testing, walk over to the library and hand it to him. Tell him to see if he likes it, bring it back on Tuesday if he doesn’t.

“Should he check it out?” Is there a system?” his mom asks.

“Nah, I trust him, just bring it back.”

She looks at me and smiles, turns to him. “Look at all those books, there are many you haven’t read.” And they leave, book in hand, smiles on their faces.

Being new is lonely, being new is scary, being new makes you realize how amazing it was being old. But being new just means new beginnings, new connections, new parents, and new kids.

Being new may seem lonely, but really it is just waiting for the first kid to walk in to tell them your name. Or that first kid to find something to connect with you through. For that first kid to take a chance on you and let you in just a little so on Tuesday you may heare “Hey, Mrs. Ripp, I really loved that book., do you have another?”

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

Have You Included Parent Voice in Back to School Planning?

August 24, 2014 Pernille Schmidt Ripp

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