being a teacher – Page 114

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.

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, 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.

being a teacher, being me, new year

Pity Party in 7th Grade

August 28, 2014 Pernille 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 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

being a teacher, being me, new year

Don’t Forget It’s About the Kids

August 22, 2014 Pernille Ripp

The excitement is palpable. The rush is on. Meetings, freshly copied stacks of paper, and endless to-do lists lead to sleepless nights. North America is headed back to school. All around our country superintendents, principals, and keynotes speakers are getting ready to deliver words of wisdom, words to start the school year off right. There is much to cover, much new to unveil, there always is, and yet, I have a plea for you.

Don’t forget to inspire.

Don’t forget to keep it about the kids.

That we are here faced with so many new things, but if we don’t love what we do, and if we don’t love those kids, then new initiatives don’t matter. Then new ideas will not take off right. Then a new vision will never take root.

Don’t forget that we have dreams too. That numbers and data and stacks of information is important but so is the need to dream. We want to be told that we matter, that our ideas matter, and that we are in it together.

You don’t have to speak for long. You don’t have to say anything fancy. But start out with the most important message of them all; we are here for the kids. And then end with it too. Sure, show us the data, share the new things, but the kids? That’s where we need to focus. Not the new, not the clever, not the vision even, but them. They are the reason we are here.

H/T to my administration who did just that.

being a teacher, being me, ideas, Literacy, new year, Reading

Small Ideas for Better Readers Workshop

August 21, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I have been discussing reading and writing almost every day these past few weeks preparing for my new job as a 7th grade English teacher. I haven’t minded one bit either. It seems if I am not discussing it, I am thinking about it, and that tends to lead to a blog post or five to get my own thoughts straight. I started to realize that there are little tweaks that I have been using the past few years to make our conversations deeper and to make it run a bit smoother, couple that with new ideas thanks to my amazing PLN, and I am feeling pretty good about the start of school September 2nd.

So if you want students to actually read…

Give them reading time in class, even in middle and high school. We cannot control what students do outside of our rooms but we can give them the gift of time in our rooms. So even if you only have 10 minutes like me to give in a 45 minute block, give it to students for independent reading. Make it sacred and believe in it by not infringing in it.
Set up reading routines and expectations from day one. The students will be coming up with how to get settled into independent reading right away as they come to class, as well as what that looks like/sounds like/feels like. I am taking the time to build a proper foundation because this is so important for the entire year. Yes, there is curriculum to cover but it will not be covered well if our routines aren’t in place.
Have incredible books. Don’t just rely on your school library, have an actual library in your classroom. No, it is not cheap, but the investment we put into getting great books pays off when it hooks a reader. I also use sites like Donorschoose and Books4Schools to get more books. And yes, this goes even for middle school and high school.
Let students choose their books. We do book clubs later in the year, but overall books are self-selected, with help when needed. Students need to develop their own taste in books and need to develop deep reading habits, they have a hard time doing that if we are constantly telling them what to read. I do not have a leveled library because of this, I don’t want students to feel defined by their level, but rather figure out who they are as readers. I do whole class books as a read aloud to have a shred experience and a shared text to discuss lessons within.
Read yourself. A very simple idea that pays off tenfold. If you read and can hand books to students, you set an expectation for continual reading. It also creates a better reading community because you can really discuss books with your students.
Do a challenge of some sort. I have done my own version of the 40 book challenge with a lot of success; every student read more books than the year before because they were trying to get to 40 books. This year it will be a 25 book challenge instead, due to the limited independent reading time I can offer students. There is no prize, nor any competition, but rather an awareness of trying to beat one’s own number of books read. And no, it is not a public challenge.

So if you want them to develop deeper ideas…

Use post-its to mark text and jot down ideas. Teach students to look for things they want to discuss, not just connections, questions, or unfamiliar words. Those tend to not to lead to deeper discussion, but rather dead end ones.
Discuss what creates a highway conversation vs a dead-end one. This is a simple analogy that works well; think of your reading thoughts as a highway. You are trying to create one where there are many places to go, not on that stops abruptly. Having students act this out on pre-written post-its can get the point across really well.
Re-visit post-its. This is a great strategy for those students that cannot get past their initial idea. Have them jot something down and then have them continue reading, at the end of their reading time, have them return to an older post-it and add thoughts to it now.
Give students a warning before reading time is over. I do a 2 minute warning reminding them that they need to take time to think and jot something down for them to discuss with their partner or group. Everyone knows there is no reason to not have anything written down.
Give them cheat sheets. I am all about scaffolding because asking probing reading questions can be hard eve for teachers. So we brainstorm cheat sheets that students keep on small rings, these rings also have their monthly reading goals on them (one quantity goal and the other two skills goals) that they write.
Model partner conversations. Have students guide each other on what they can say or how they can push someone’s thinking. It is often much more powerful coming from peers than a teacher.
Create huge goals for reading. In our classroom, we don’t read to be better readers, we read to be better people that can carry on conversations by being interested and active listeners and speakers. Yup, my 5th graders could discuss more than just a book by the end of the year, I was so incredibly proud of them.

So if you want it to be better because something isn’t working…

Ask the students their opinion. I survey them at the beginning of the year for their reading habits, but I also ask them throughout the year what is working for them and what it isn’t. Sometimes really small things can be the cause of distractions and can be easily fixed but we won’t know that unless we ask.
Videotape yourself. I found out I talk too much and don’t see kids lose interest through video tape. Film yourself teaching and then watch it with an open mind. No one is perfect and there is always room for improvement.
Ask a colleague to watch you teach. This can be one of the hardest things for us to do and yet it can be one of the most powerful. I have an open door policy in my classroom at all times and if people happen to wander in during a reading lesson, I always ask for their opinion. They always have something valuable to teach me but you won’t know it if you don’t invite people in.