being me – Page 27 – Pernille Ripp

being a teacher, being me, books, classroom setup, Literacy, Passion, Reading

If My Classroom Library Was For Me

October 1, 2015 Pernille Schmidt Ripp

If my classroom library was for me there would be no dog books. Well, almost no dog books because Rain Reign deserves to be there. There would be no sports books, except for maybe Stupid Fast. There would be no books with mermaids, unicorns, or any kind of princess, except for the feisty ones. If my classroom library was for me, I would have only books that I know would fit all of my readers, that no one would ever object to or question. I would take the easy way, after all, who needs more worries in their life?

There would be shelves and shelves of dystopian science fiction mixed with a little bit of love. There would be historical fiction but mostly the more recent stuff. Realistic fiction would be a major section, but fantasy would be reserved for the stuff that makes sense, after all, who needs books about dragons?

But it is not.

Our classroom library is filled with dog books. With books about kings and queens, footballs, and dragons. It is filled with books about men who went to war and never came back, and women who conquered the world. It is filled with science, with history, and even with joke books because who doesn’t need a good laugh now and then.

Our classroom library is not just for me. It serves more than 120 students and some may have similar tastes as me, but most of them don’t. So when I choose whether a book deserves a spot in our library, I cannot just think of myself. I cannot be afraid to place books in it that scare me. I cannot be afraid of what others may think if I know that a book is needed. I cannot use myself as a measuring stick. If I did, our library would not be for the students.

So when we purchase books. When we decide what to display. What to book talk. What to remove, keep this in mind; our classroom libraries are meant to be homes to all readers. Not just the ones that are like ourselves. Not just the ones who have seemingly quiet lives filled with normal things like family dinner and soccer. Not just the ones who love to read. Not just the ones who tell us which books to buy and raise their hand when we ask who wants to read it next.

Our classroom libraries are for all kids that enter our classroom. Especially for the ones who are lost, who have not found that book, or that story that made them believe that they are a reader, that their life matters. We must have books that allow all children to feel that way. To feel like there is not something wrong with them. It is no longer a matter of just having diverse book, it is about having the right books for all those kids that come to us and wonder whether they are ok and then displaying them. Whether they are normal. The books speak for us, so make sure they speak loudly. Make sure that in your classroom children can find that book that will make the biggest difference. Make sure you do not stand in the way. Make sure fear of what others may think does not stop you from helping a child.

If you like what you read here, consider reading my book Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students. The 2nd edition and actual book-book (not just e-book!) just came out!

Be the change, being me, punishment

On Public Shaming and Our Classrooms

September 24, 2015 Pernille Schmidt Ripp

I used to yell students’ names across the classroom, making sure that everyone knew who was now in trouble. I had the teacher voice down coupled with the stern glance.

I used to have students write their names on the board when they messed up. That name served as a public reminder of their poor decisions all day and showed them that I meant business. It was a wonderful display of who could not figure out how to behave well.

I used to have students call their parents in the middle of class to tell them when they were having a bad day. Three strikes you are out was the way we worked. I figured it didn’t matter that the rest of the class could hear their call, after all, that would probably just act as a deterrent for the rest of them.

I did not think I was shaming children, after all, children thrive on rules and routines. Therefore, these rules were definitely helping them become better citizens of our school.

After a year, the names on the board did not seem to work so well, so I switched to sticks in a cup. Everyone started in the green cup, your poor decisions moved you to yellow or red. The sticks never moved backwards and we reset at the end of the day. The names were no longer on the board, but the stick moving, that happened in front of the class. That walk of shame where all eyes were on a child as they were told to “Move their stick” was a daily occurrence. In our classroom everyone knew who the “bad kids” were, and so did their parents, after all, students love to share stories about how so and so got in trouble that day.

Then my firstborn got a little older. She got a little more energy. She wasn’t that good at sitting still or even paying attention at times. She had so much to do and so many things to see. And in her, I quickly saw the future. If she got a teacher that used these systems of public shaming, she would be the kid that would move her stick. She would be the kid whose name would be on the board. And I would be that parent, wondering why my child was being publicly shamed for behaviors she was trying so hard to control. For things that she did not do to intentionally harm the instruction, but simply needed support to work through.

So I stopped. I threw it all out. It turns out that you can have classrooms that thrive without the shaming from public punishment. That you can have well-functioning classrooms without the public behavior charts. That students will try to correct behavior and set goals with you when you remove the element of shame and try to problem solve instead. That they will see you as an ally, rather than just a punisher, and that will get you much further when you try to help them become better human beings.

There are only a few things I am willing to fall on the sword for on this blog. Previous experiences have shown me that most ideas in education are not black and white. There are always more than 2 sides to every story, and every teacher teaches differently, and that does not mean they are not good teachers, it just means they are different. But today, I will make an exception.

The public shaming that happens to students in our schools has to stop. The reliance on public displays of punishement as a way to control behavior has to stop. And the first place we stop it is by getting rid of public behavior charts. Those clip systems that tell the whole world something that should be a private conversation between a teacher, a student, and the parents.

Whether it is a clip-system, the move-your-stick, the flip-your-card, or the put-your-name-on-the-board, and yes I used most of them myself, we have to find a better way. We have to try because we are creating schools where children hate coming. Where parents worry that their child will be singled out for having energy, for being excited, for not being able to sit still all day. Where teachers are forced into roles as enforcers rather than nurturers. I know that there needs to be consequences. I know that we have to help students navigate behavior in our classrooms, but there are better ways then asking a child to create a permanent reminder and public display of how they are having a very bad day.

I am not proud of the mistakes I have made as a teacher. I am not proud of the things I have tried that have hurt children rather than helped them. But I am willing to write about it in the hopes that it will start a dialogue. That perhaps someone, somewhere, will take a moment to rethink something that seems to be so ingrained in our classrooms. That perhaps this post will help someone wonder what they can do instead. Because there is so much that can be done instead, there are so many ways to build community, to build better relationships, to still have consequences, and create classrooms where kids have a chance at thriving. All kids, not just the ones that know how to behave. But we have to take the first step. We have to take down the charts, remove the cups, erase the names. We have to create classrooms that do not run on shame, but run on community. I speak not just from my teacher heart, but from that of a parent. Our children deserve better than this. And it starts with us. Even if it makes us nervous. Even if we are not sure of what to do instead. I will help. Just ask.

If you like what you read here, consider reading my book Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students. The 2nd edition and actual book-book (not just e-book!) just came out!

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

Do We Forget What We Are Asking Students to Do All Day?

September 22, 2015 Pernille Schmidt Ripp

Yesterday I was in Michigan, surrounded by passionate educators, trying to make a change in the way they teach. I was lucky enough to give the keynote at Googlefest and after I was done speaking, my job was to listen. And so I did. With every inch of me I listened to their stories, tried to answer their questions, and soak in the knowledge that I was being given. What a gift it was.

It was exhausting.

By the time I reached the airport, my brain called out for sleep and food. No more computers. No more work. By the time I sat down, I couldn’t fathom doing anything productive although my to-do list screamed out for attention. My brain was full. My brain was so tired. And there was nothing I could do to trick it into thinking anything smart or productive. Thank goodness I did not have a looming deadline. So that’s when it struck me…

This is what happens to our students every single day.

We ask them to give us their full attention. For them to be on high alert all day as they learn. Ask any student and they will tell you they mostly listen throughout the day, interjecting knowledge throughout, yet their brain is constantly processing. Constantly working to make sure they are fulfilling what we demand students do: pay attention, be ready, learn. And be ready to prove it to us, no slacking allowed, whenever we feel like calling on them.

As adults we forget how tiring that must be. How not only are they asked to pay attention, but they are also asked to sit still, take notes, and be ready to answer any question we throw their way. We expect them to care about what we are doing and give us their very best, every minute, every day.

So today as I plan for the learning to come, I cannot help but think of how I need to make sure my students are moving. How I need to make sure they are talking and discussing. How I need to make sure we are doing something with the knowledge that we are working with, so they are not just paying attention, not just getting more information. And how I also need to be more understanding when they tell me they are tired.

We ask so much of our students because so much was asked of us when we went to school, yet we forget how hard it can be to live up to our standards. Do you have room for students brains to take a break? Do you plan for engagement and not just listening? Do you ask the students what they need so they are not exhausted by the end of the day? No wonder, students ask us to rethink homework, when all their brain is asking for is to take a break. I hope this is a lesson I don’t forget.

If you like what you read here, consider reading my book Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students. The 2nd edition and actual book-book (not just e-book!) just came out!

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

A Rally Cry for Our Girls (And Boys)

September 20, 2015September 20, 2015 Pernille Schmidt Ripp

A woman I admire greatly, Joyce Valenza, keynoted today on female leadership. Before her keynote she asked me and other women I admire greatly to share their experiences of what it means to be a woman in education. The following is roughly what I shared in a short video clip, I thought it only best to share it here as well but written instead of spoken.

I am the mother to 4 children all under the age of six. I am the mother to 3 daughters that will one day, hopefully, become independent leaders, not afraid to speak up or speak out. But for them to become just that, our society has to change. Our classrooms need to change. Our language needs to change.

In how many classrooms are girls expected to follow the rules better? To sit still? To listen quietly? If a girl runs around, full of energy she is “acting like a boy.” If she does it on a regular basis then something must be wrong with her. If a girl raises her voice, has high energy, then she must be having a bad day. She is labeled “wild” and “unruly.” Because that is not how girls are supposed to be. It goes against their very nature.

The same goes for boys, except only opposite. If a boy is quiet, if a boy shows emotion, then something must be wrong. If a boy does not engage in rough housing he must have a problem or be a wimp. We call our boys “sensitive” like it’s a swear word.

As educators, we must see our students as full human beings that can act in whichever way they choose, even if that means not being a “good” girl every day. As mothers, we must protect our children from the language that is sure to shape their identity so that they can be what they want to be, not just the archetype of a woman that society has bestowed upon us.

We are raising the future so I raise my girls to be independent. To be brave. To be fierce. I raise my son to be proud of his emotions and to say no when he wants to. That he does not have to fit into any gender stereotype someone else has decided for him. But most of all, I raise my children to be themselves, no matter their gender. Our classrooms, our very language, should protect that.

If you like what you read here, consider reading my book Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students. The 2nd edition and actual book-book (not just e-book!) just came out!

being me, books

Welcome to the Physical World “Passionate Learners”

September 14, 2015 Pernille Schmidt Ripp

It started with an email this morning and culminated with a package this afternoon. Then this happened…

That is me holding my book “Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students” and the twins wondering why I am so excited. Yup. My book was officially released today as an actual book, not just an e-book.

It’s a 2nd edition because Routledge, my publisher, thought it deserved a larger audience.

It’s a 2nd edition because I wanted to rewrite it with a lens of both elementary and middle school, which I would not have thought would be such a huge difference, but it really is at times.

It is a 2nd edition because I added many more ideas and went into further details trying to make changing the way we teach and involving students in their own education into a doable process.

But most importantly, it is a 2nd edition because my incredible 7th graders had so much they wanted to say to the world about how we can be better teachers. Their quotes are in every chapter, I was honored to give them a platform so they can change the world of education for the better.

To hold this book in my hands today, to have physical proof of my journey as an educator, to put it all out there in the hopes that someone else will not feel so alone in their journey toward change. That matters. To have hope that someone might read the book and be inspired. That matters. For someone to give me a way to amplify my voice, to help others, to become a better teacher myself. What a feeling that is.

PS: While Amazon says right now that it will take 1-2 months to ship , this is not true. Also I believe is on a special promotion through Kindle right now.

being me, global read aloud

Global Read Aloud: One Book to Connect the World – A Video #GRA15

September 9, 2015 Pernille Schmidt Ripp

The International Literacy Association (formerly IRA) has been a huge supporter of the Global Read Aloud for a few years. They put this video together for us as I prepare for the 6th project to start October 5th. I thought it might be nice to share it here.

Also, join me on Wednesday, September 10th at 8 PM EST for #ILAchat as we discuss all things reading aloud and the Global Read Aloud.

PS: If you are wondering how to get your own reading warrior shirt, go here.