Be the change, being a teacher, being me, new year

A Letter to Those Who are New, Myself Included…

Pernille Ripp
image from icanread

It’s that time of year where many thoughts in North America turn toward our new year ahead.  A year filled with so much possibility that we can hardly contain our energy.  Or a year filled with so many obstacles that we are not sure where to even start.  Now is the time for advice it seems, more posts will probably come forth with nuggets.  But this post is not just for those that are new, it is for myself too.  I am teaching a new grade (hello 7th grade!) in a new fabulous district (hello Oregon!) with amazing new people (hello team!).  So this letter is a reminder to me…

Dear Pernille,

Be fearless.  I know you are having nightmares, the one where the kids wont quiet down and you end up standing on top of a table screaming at them just to take attendance.  But that’s not how it’s going to be.  It may feel that way at times, but you will never, ever have to stand on top of a table screaming at children.  At least not for bad reasons.  So let it go and realize that although the next year will be filled with scary, it will also be filled with new.  A new chance for you to spread your passion for reading and writing.  A new chance for you to build connections, to be a part of a team, to work for a common vision.  How often do we get to say that we get to start over again and really mean it?

So have goals.  Be brave.  It is okay to present new ideas that you might not have thought out completely, but that you know in your stomach will probably work.  It is okay to try something and then have it fail.  It is okay to not have every answer.  It is okay to show the students that you are nervous like them, that this is a new adventure for you too.  It is okay to get excited about the latest picture book.  It is okay to let your inner dork shine.  And who are we kidding, I don’t think you could hide that nerdiness anyway.

Be true to you.  You have a vision for how your classroom should feel so make it work, but not just for you, but for all of those kids who come to you with their curiosity, their fears, their dreams.  They should feel safe in your room, much like you hope to feel safe with them.  Don’t ever think your words don’t matter.  They matter more than you will ever know, and you will never be able to reach them all but the trick is with teaching that you don’t know who you are reaching at what time.  So don’t give up on any of them, keep trying for all of them.  Even when you are sure they could not possibly push you any harder.

Don’t lose yourself in the job.  Yes, teaching is this all consuming amazing experience that we can live and breathe.  But you have children of your own that need you too.  You have kids at home that need their days listened to, their curiosity protected, that need time with just you.  Not you and your computer.  So give yourself fully when you are at school, but then leave it behind when you drive home, open up to the children at home, they need you too.

Say yes to as much as you can.  Say yes to that that scares you  We only grow when we push ourselves.  But don’t say yes so much that you cannot find the time to breathe.  There may be more opportunities than ever coming your way and so many things you would like to do.  But just don’t.  Teaching is enough.  Being a parent is enough.  You have nothing to prove to the world, that is not your job.

Don’t be ashamed of being you.  You may not always have the best advice.  You may not always be an expert.  You may not always know what you are doing, but you still have worth.  Your ideas still matter.  You still matter.  Your excitement can spread.  Your newness may be an advantage at times.  Your energy and curiosity will help you.  So don’t stand in your own way.

This year will be an adventure, you already know that, but this year is just another year.  Even on your worst days, it will only be a day.  The tide will always turn.  There will always be more good than bad.  More success than failure.  And you can only do your best, you can only bring everything you’ve got, you can only do so much.  There will be much outside of your control, but how you feel about it is in your hands, don’t forget that.  Smile, laugh, think, reflect, reach out, be you, be kind, be honest, wonder, and try.  Yes, this next year will be scary at first, but anything amazing always.  I have a feeling it will be just fine.

Love,

Pernille

being a teacher, being me, new teacher, new year

Starting Over Again – Some New Teacher Tips From A Not So Veteran Teacher

Pernille Ripp
image from icanread

It never gets easier being the newbie.  You aren’t quite sure where to go.  You aren’t quite sure what that person’s name is.  You aren’t quite sure where to get that thing you need or who to ask that question.  So you improvise, smile at everyone you see, and you try to figure things out.  I thought being a new teacher when you are a veteran would be different.  Lo and behold, I was wrong.  The same anxiety, the same nervousness, the same complete cluelessness has surrounded me since I first set foot at OMS.  And yet, this time I know what to do at least to get more comfortable.  That’s the benefit of having done this before.

  • Reach out.  One of the first things I did when I accepted the job was to reach out to my new team and start asking them questions.  I was even lucky enough to join them for a day, shadowing the person whose job I would fill.  These new connections continue to make the transition so much easier.
  • Ask stupid questions.  To you the question may seem stupid but probably not to those answering it.  I have asked a lot of questions and every single answer has helped me prepare.
  • Explore.  I have wandered thought the school on several occasions, just trying to find my bearings.  I don’t feel quite as lost as I did before.
  • Figure out the alarm.  I had to move my boxes in on a Sunday, which meant I had to conquer the alarm and a huge metal gate.  Sure, it was nerve-wracking but now that I have tried it, I would have no problem doing it again if need be.
  • Write stuff down.  I have been keeping a note of who I am meeting and what they teach, not that I totally expect to remember them all but it is nice to see the list grow and try to make a concerted effort in remembering people’s names.
  • Step up.  I was asked to be a part of the district’s personalized learning committee, and although I at first felt like I would not have the time to do it since I am teaching all new things, I knew how beneficial this will be for me.  So say yes to new opportunities, I cannot wait to help the district continue its vision.
  • Be you.  I know that we end up presenting a polished version of who we are at first, we can’t help it, but it is also okay to start relaxing and letting the every day you shine through.  Yes, you impressed them with your skills and got the job but now it is time for you to let your guard down a bit so they can get to know you, bad sense of humor and everything.
  • Introduce yourself first.  Don’t wait for people to come up to you, go up to them.  They may not realize you are a new staff member, so approach, introduce, and try to remember their names.
  • Be nice.  I cannot stress how far simply being nice will get you.
  • Figure out traditions.  I am so lucky to be a part of a very tight knit team that has a lot of traditions in place, I am not here to change them, I am here to first be a part of them.  You may be asked to do things that don’t quite fit your vision, give it a chance before you decide what works for you and what doesn’t.
  • Listen first but don’t stay silent.  Always be open to new ideas, but do not be afraid to add a few of your own.  Show your worth, but also show that others’ ideas have merit.
  • Work on your classroom but don’t finish it.  I have been busy at work setting everything up and yet the room will be unfinished when we start.  I need the students to put the finishing touches on it to make it our room.
  • Dream big.  I love blogging, but I have never blogged with 138 students.  This year we are trying it, not because they have to but because I am passionate about it and crazy enough to try it.  What’s the worst that can happen?  So dream your big ideas and don’t be afraid to try them even if you are not quite sure how it will fit.
  • Trust yourself.  Yes, you may have all new curriculum or all new everything but it is okay to listen to your inner voice and make all the new work for you.  Don’t try to be someone else, make it your own.
  • Bring you with you.  I brought my rocking chair an elementary style classroom library with me.  Sure, 7th graders may not think that is cool, but it is who I am.  I love reading aloud from that chair so I am staying true to that.  Don’t feel you have to give up who you are just because you are a new teacher.

Finally, don’t be afraid.  I know a new job is terrifying, I am right there in the thick of it, and yet my fear is being replaced with a little bit of thrill, a little bit of giddy, a little bit of excitement.  The dreams I have for my new students are starting to fire me up, the passion I have for teaching is pushing me forward.  A new adventure awaits and I cannot wait to go on it.

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, being me, reflection

I am Not a Rockstar, Please Don’t Confuse Me With One

Pernille Ripp
image from icanread

Last night, I read Angela Watson’s recent post discussing the different ponds we swim in, how we can get stuck in our ponds,  and how we all are big fish in our own small pond.  She discusses also how depending on the place we are in, we may be a bigger or smaller fish.  This has been bouncing around my head and I finally realized why I agreed with the post so much; it’s because I am nothing special.  And yet the labels I am graciously given by others, would have me thinking otherwise.

We are so quick to label people.  Within this weird PLN/social media/education world, we love labels even more as we spread them as tokens of our admiration and respect and yet they don’t fit for me.     “Rockstar.”  “The Best.”  “Incredible.”  We label people with more followers/more readers/more whatever it is…  I have even been called a few of these things, much to the amusement of my husband.

Yet the truth is, I am not better than most.  I am not always a great teacher.  My words are not always inspirational.  I lose my temper.  I raise my voice.  Lessons don’t work as planned.  I am not always brilliant, or witty, or even ready with an answer.  Nor are all of my blog posts amazing, some are pretty awful, and my brain doesn’t work differently than yours.  I write fast.  I read fast.  But I am not in some way more gifted at being a teacher than others.  I don’t know how to reach every child, or to make ever class amazing.  I don’t know how to teach everything, nor do I want to.

I know how to share.  I know how to reflect.  I know how to face my own demons, most of the time.  I know what it means to choose kind.  To be nice.  To be helpful.  And to noth think that I am better than others.  I have found a path that works for me and I gladly share it, but that does not mean that my path is better than yours.

So while the names and labels we give each other are flattering, that is really all they are.  Do not think someone is out of your league.  Do not think someone is higher up than you in this imagined hierarchy.  I am not a rockstar, I am not in an inner circle of cool people.  I am shy.  I am an extroverted introvert who bumbles, blushes easily, and never knows what to wear or what to say when going to meet new people.  I hate being at conferences alone.  I hate the thought of disappointing others and not living up to what they think I might be.  And yet, I am just me.  I am nothing special, please don’t think I am.

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 me, blogging, Student-centered

Common Concerns With Student Blogging Answered

Pernille Ripp

When I moved this blog to WordPress some posts did not survive, so in an effort to move some of my favorite posts with me, I will be republishing them here.  This one first appeared in February, 2012.

You teach a child to blog and the whole world opens up to them.  And yet, with that whole wide world comes a whole lot of responsibility.  Some of the more frequent questions I receive is how I keep my students safe when they blog, how do I prevent cyber bullying, and how do I convince parents/districts that this is worthwhile.  While I may not have all of the answers or any quick fix solutions, I do have a lot of passion for this.

First things first; student safety is paramount.  I use Kidblog for this reason.  It allows me to control who sees our posts, who comments, and also how open I want our account to be.  But I don’t just give students their account information…there is a lot of preparation before then:

  • We talk at length about blogging, why it is important to us, why it is a privilege.
  • We visit other student blogs and we discuss whether we agree with their posts, with their etiquette and we decide how we want to represent ourselves.
  • We discuss what constitutes an actual blog post and what we share with the world.  We discuss the difference between Edmodo and Kidblog, and there are many.
  • I show them scary videos of giving out information on the internet to strangers, we discuss how the Internet is like the mall. 
  • We talk, reflect and then have further discussions before we even do our first mouse click.  we create a paper blog to get a feel for commenting and I show my own blog to show them the power of blogging.
  • And this isn’t an only at the beginning of the year conversation, it is an always conversation. We always discuss safety, we always practice it, and we remind each other whenever need be.

Then there is the ugly reality of cyber bullying, and yes we face it head on and battle it.  I have never had another child bully a classmate through blogging.  They revere it too much.  That is not to say that all of my students love each other, they don’t, they are 10 years olds, but they do respect each other.  And I think that is the most important ingredient to prevent cyber-bullying; respect.  We respect each other, and the differences we may have.  We respect the privilege that it is to have a blog, to have a voice to the world.  We discuss how this is a big deal and how we would never want to hurt someone purposely or even shine ourselves in that light.  There is no anonymity on our blog, I make sure of that, and the students would have to sign their name to any comment that they leave.  While they may not always get along we still have a sense of community that we work hard on achieving and maintaining from the very first moment we are together.  I love my students as if they were my own kids and I think they feel that we are a family.  That feeling takes us far.

But what about bullies from outside the classroom?  I have our blog open for worldwide viewing, see this post on my optimal settings for global collaboration, so surely there must be nasty comments from strangers?  The power of Kidblog is that it allows me to moderate every single comment and post that gets put up, so not only do the students have a spam filter, they also have me protecting them.  In the four years I have been blogging with students, about 5 nasty comments have been left.  No student ever saw them because I deleted them first.

Finally, the apprehension of parents.  I have been incredibly lucky with my parent support but I have also worked hard for that.  I have been completely transparent with the purpose and scope of our blogging.  I have shown them examples and the direction in which I want to take the students.  The communication is paramount to the success.  I am not trying to exploit the works or thoughts of their children, and I am not bringing them into danger.  They know I work hard to keep them safe and I think many of them appreciate the inherent internet safety message that these students embrace.  But there is an opt out; blogging is not mandatory, nor is it part of their trimester report card grades.  I have never had anyone take the option, they hear about it before they come to my room, and it is highlight for many.  Parents understand that and I think they love seeing their child’s thoughts on so many times, their growth as a writer, and  how their child is handling the responsibility.

Student blogging has changed the way I view my students and their voice.  It is now an essential part of our classroom, our community, and of our curriculum.  We revere, we tame it, and we use it properly; sometimes for fun and sometimes for serious study.  There is no one solution to everything but there are several ingredients that have to be present if student blogging should be successful; respect, communication, transparency, and expectations.  With those in place you will go far.

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, blogging, new year, Student-centered

Ideas for Integrating a Student Blog into Your Curriculum

Pernille Ripp

When I moved this blog to WordPress some posts did not survive, so in an effort to move some of my favorite posts with me, I will be republishing them here.  This one first appeared in October, 2012.

One thing I have loved about blogging and what it does for my students is how easily it has been to integrate it into our curriculum.  I knew when we started that I didn’t want an extra layer of “stuff to do” because we already have too much “stuff to do.”  So if I were to have my students blog, it had to be as authentic and as meaningful as possible, without it becoming another homework burden.  With that in mind, here are some beginning ideas for integrating blogging into your classroom.

  • Those daily journal responses we have to do as part of writers and readers workshop, those go on our blog instead for those who choose it.  Some students prefer to type, others relish the pencil and paper, I love that they have a choice.
  • Writing about our reading.  I love when students write about the books that they read or give recommendations.  When we blog about that it opens up a dialogue, rather than a static finished product.  Here students can become experts on their books and connect with others that loved it (or hated it) just as much as they did.
  • Science detectives.  I love adding video cameras and digital cameras to our lessons.  They offer students a different way to document their learning and they always provide me with a much deeper insight of what students now versus a worksheet.  So why not post it on our blog for others to see and learn with us.  This is a great a way for parents to see what is happening, as well as for the kids to be questioned by other classes or scientists.  This adds a whole other dimension to our experiments.
  • Editorials or just plain old opinions.  I love when students use their blogs to form, discuss or expand on their ideas.  Our blogs are used to comment on the happenings in the classroom.  I ask the students to become reflective learners and process their role as a student.  It never ceases to amaze me what I learn from students when they open up on their blog.
  • Deepening social studies.  I believe in project based learning and social studies lends itself incredibly well to this.  So I encourage students to expand their thinking about their project through their blogs, as well as to post finished products if “postable.”
  • Group writing.  I love it when students write blog posts together, whether it be for a story or to share a common experience.  Blogging as a team or group shows off their ability to conform to a common voice while adding individual flair.
  • Reporting on events.  When we go anywhere or take a virtual field trip I ask students to share their experiences, show of their expertise, and give me their honest opinion.  Field trips don’t end after you get back, they should be digested and discussed and blogging is a great medium for that.
  • Furthering their mathematical thinking.  I used to have students do exit slips on which they explained something we learned in their own words and while I still use them once in a while, I love using our blog instead.  I have students create a problem that fits into what we discussed and then solve it for, or explain their thinking behind the problem.  We can then invite others into our math class and students get to share their knowledge.
  • Let me know how I am doing.  While not part of our curriculum, this is a huge factor in the success of our classroom.  Students have to have a mouthpiece in education and by voicing their opinions on our blogs we are able to engage other educators and students in the debate.  Change starts with us, so we should be providing students with an outlet for their opinions.
  • Finally, and most importantly, it has started a global conversation in our classroom and brought the world in.  Student blogging is one the easiest ways to trylu help students shape their global citizenry.

These ideas are beginnings, there are so many things you can do with student blogs, you just have to jump in and look for the natural fits in your curriculum.  Students don’t need more work, they need more authenticity in their educational experience.  Blogs can help us do that.

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.

 

blogging, new year, Student-centered

My Kidblog Settings for Optimal Global Collaboration

Pernille Ripp

When I moved this blog to WordPress some posts did not survive, so in an effort to move some of my favorite posts with me, I will be republishing them here.  

Those who have followed this blog for a while or have found it because you are searching for student blogging resources, know how deeply passionate I am about student blogging and global collaboration.  I am therefore often asked what my settings are for Kidblog and for my students’ use of the site so I thought I would share these.  I have found these settings to offer the safety needed for my students while still allowing them and the world to have a dialogue.

Posts Settings:

 

I find it incredibly important that anyone can read our posts and so far my school district has agreed.  I do, however, give parents a way to opt their students out of blogging if they do not feel comfortable with their child doing it since it is so public.  However, no student has ever been opted out.  Safety is my main concern, as well as how these students represent themselves, so I do moderate all posts before they are published.  I do not get an email but simply check every day.  My students blog too much for me to be notified each time one of them writes a new post.

Comments Settings:

Again, we do  not have password to leave comments on our site nor do you have to be an approved member.  We blog to start conversations with others around the world and as long as I am moderating all comments, I feel we can do it safely.  Every once in a while do I need to delete a comment before a student sees it but mostly because it is a spam one or a duplicate one.  In the four years I have blogged with students, I think we have had 2 insensitive comments left.  I deleted them – no harm done.

 

Finally, Student Settings:

 

 This is where Kidblog keeps proving its brilliance and relevance; this year they added that students could edit their own profiles, thus customizing it to fit their needs.  This has been a huge hit for my students because they feel more in control of their blog and the image they are presenting to the world.  I also like that they can change their password since this is an important computer skill for them to be aware of.  I can still access all of their accounts without knowing their password.

So there you have it, our settings for our classroom student blog, I hope it was helpful, as always if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.  And no, I am not a paid spokesperson for Kidblog; I just love their blogging platform.
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.