Student-centered – Page 24

being a teacher, education reform, Student-centered

Pass the Blame

September 9, 2011 Pernille Ripp

In the education debate surrounding us a lot of blame gets passed around. Employers blame colleges for not teaching students workable skills. Colleges blame high schools for not preparing the students. High school blames middle school for not setting them up to be hard workers. Middle schools blame elementary for not setting the foundation right. And elementary, they blame the parents for not being engaged or involved, for not setting high enough standards.

It is time we stop the blame game. The time and energy consumed by it could be used to fix and change the system rather than just complain about it. Our world will never be perfect and neither will our classrooms. So let’s use that time, energy, and emotion put into playing the blame game and do something about it instead.

If you need someone to blame, blame me, I can take it. And then move on and focus on what is most important factor here; the kids.

internet safety, Student-centered, students

Students Share Why the Internet is Like the Mall

September 7, 2011 Pernille Ripp

My students decided to share thier conversation on why they feel the internet is like the mall and how we can set safety rules to follow:
At the mall,

We don’t talk to strangers because we don’t know them.
Don’t go to random places because you don’t know what will happen there, it may be inappropriate, a virus, or dangerous.
Don’t follow strangers even if they promise you candy. This means don’t click on pop up links.
Don’t agree to meet strangers outside of the mall.
Go where you are supposed to go.
Don’t be fooled by how nice something looks.
If you end up somewhere you shouldn’t, just leave. On the internet close out the window or hit the back button.Check out where you are going before you go there and make sure your teacher/parent approves.
Don’t give out personal information, first name only and no address.
Ask for permission before you go somewhere new.
Don’t believe someone is a friend of a friend.
Don’t share your password.

We hope that this helps you have the same conversation with your students.

being me, Student-centered

My Secret To Success

September 7, 2011 Pernille Ripp

I get asked quite often what my secret is. How I get them to listen. How I get them to behave. How I get them to like school, to blog, to share, to work hard. People ask me what ido that is s different, what is it that promise these kids so that they work so hard.

I guess it is time for me to share the truth; there is no secret. I don’t have a trick. (And it is not because I get the special class list with all the nice kids, although I happen to think all of my kids are nice.). But I believe in those kids. I believe in their desire to learn, in their ability to learn, and in the adventure of learning itself.

I believe it is their time to be in the spotlight, their time to talk, their time to discover. I believe it is my time for quiet, for planning, for guidance. My time to be excited with them, to be a little goofy, and to be sincere. It is not my time to fill these empty vessels because they are far from empty when they come to my room. They are not clay to be molded or slates to be written. They are children with dreams, ideas, and so much desire to explore that I have to step out of their way at times and just watch and learn.

So there is no secret, far from it indeed, what I do anyone else can do. The question is just whether they want to or not.

being a teacher, education reform, Student-centered

What Do You Have Room For?

August 7, 2011 Pernille Ripp

With the school year upon most of us in Northern America, now is the time I start to dream. I know I cannot change the system in which I operate, although I can make waves, but I can continue to change our classroom, the journey we are on, and the road we take.

We all have such power; but do we remember it? Do we remember that even though much of our day is dictated by outsiders, we still have a voice? You do. It may seem like test prep, rules, and “routines” day in and day out but really there is room for you as well. There is room for you to give your students a voice and let them own the journey. There is room for you to not punish and not reward, those are choices you make. There is room for you to engage kids, to not be the center of attention, to let them speak, hope, dream, and inspire each other. There is room for all of that.

So although it is easier to say education is being done to us as much as it is to our students, it is not entirely true. We still have choices in our school, even if it is only how we speak to our students. And even that holds power within itself. So ask yourself; what do I control? What can I change? What do I have room for?

blogging, reform symposium, Student-centered, voice

Meaningful Student Blogging – My RSCON Presentation

July 31, 2011July 24, 2013 Pernille Ripp

Last night, I had the privilege of presenting at the Reform Symposium on something I am very passionate about – giving students a voice through blogging. In fact, I find whenever you can give students a voice in your classroom leads to a much more engaged learning environment. While the archives will not be up for another week or so I did want to share the slides I used for my message.

blogging, reform symposium, Student-centered

Ask the Children – Reform Symposium 2011

July 26, 2011 Pernille Ripp

I wanted my students to blog because I wanted them to create an online portfoloio. Little did I know that in doing so our whole classroom would change, our world viw would be affected and even the most reluctant writers would beg me to not delete their blogs. Yeah, when I say blogging changed my life, I am not exaggerating.

So this Saturday at the Reform Symposium I am excited to share the story of my classroom and how blogging changed our world. I have written about this with my students throughout the year but never presented on it before, now is the time to inspire others to take the leap and make it meaningful. Blogging became such a vital part of me stepping away from the center of the classroom and allowing the students to express themselves honestly, frequently, and easily that I could never see removing it from my curriculum.

We say we want to give the children a voice; blogging does that for us. We say we want to hear their thoughts, blogging does that for us. We say we want to grow as educators, well, ask the children. They will tell you what you are doing wrong and what they love. So ask them but do it right and join me on Saturday July 30th 7 PM CST to engage in a conversation about how blogging can change us all.