Pernille Ripp

Please Find the Courage to Let Go

June 2, 2014June 2, 2014 Pernille Ripp

The decisions weigh heavy on me every night; does it go with us? Does it stay behind? Is it useful or does it carry meaning? Do I have space for it in our new life, at our new house? With every decision, no matter how hard, the whisper of a new beginning comes to me. This home with all of its moments has been ours for 13 years. It has held us close while we cried over the loss of grandparents, refused job offers, and even losing the hopes of a baby. Yet, its logs has also been the frame for the promise of new careers, for birthdays and weddings. It has welcomed home 4 children, when no one thought it was possible. It has had its flaws, but it has been ours and every thing in it carries our story within,

Giving up ones possessions is hard. Sure, magazines and experts make it sound like an easy task; clean out, clean up, start fresh. And yet, when the decision is yours to be made, the pull of sentimentality is strong, the what if I need it some day rings loud, and the ease of maybe I will just put it in the basement deceives. So I pack, and I unpack, and then I take a deep breath and realize that it is not the things that are hard to say goodbye to, it is the fear of losing the memories that go with them. It is the ease with which I can place these things around my new house, find a purpose for them perhaps, or otherwise let them keep collecting dust just in case. It is the familiar, and the familiar, even if it means clutter and too much stuff is comforting and safe.

Our teaching is a lot like our house. We accumulate ideas, theories, and lessons throughout the years. We use some right away and they become our standard go-to pieces, ones we could not imagine teaching without. Others we shelve away for later and sometimes “later” does indeed come. Many ideas sit in our cabinets or even just our brains, waiting for that day where they have their turn. Other ideas we use because others did and it seems to be the right thing to do. Some ideas scare us too much making us think they will never work in our classroom.

Yet, when did we take the time really clean up our ideas? And not just the crazy ones, the old ones, the ones we never use, but even the ones we use the most. The ones that define us as a teacher. Even those should be evaluated now and then. We should not hold anything sacred. We should examine, unpack, and rethink what everything we do means. Consider how what we teach and how we teach affects the students we work with now. We should say goodbye to things that may have worked but whose time has come. We should rediscover ideas we never thought we would try. We should let the decision weigh heavy on our shoulders and still find the courage to let go and change. Now is the perfect time to start.

I am a passionate (female) 5th grade teacher in Wisconsin, USA, 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. Follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.

Uncategorized

And the Winners Are…

May 31, 2014 Pernille Ripp

Thank you so much to every one who entered for a chance to win a copy of my book “Passionate Learners – Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students.” I was overwhelmed with all of the words and excitement about reading the book, I wish I could have given all of you a copy. If you did not win, please consider purchasing a copy right here. Or if you would prefer a print version, please make sure to fill out this form, as my publisher is gauging interest.

Without further ado, the two winning comments are (randomly picked):

Derek Hatch (Hatcherelli) says:

May 26, 2014 at 3:20 pm (Edit)

Derek Hatcherelli with this comment: “I’ve heard great things about your book. Bill Ferriter, who is a hero of mine, just wrote a excellent blog post about it. I would love to read it!
http://blog.williamferriter.com/2014/05/26/book-review-passionate-learners-giving-our-classrooms-back-to-students/”

and

Lori Semans with this comment:

Lori Semans says:

May 29, 2014 at 8:05 am (Edit)

“I am so excited to find out about your book and blog. I am a 20 year veteran who is embarking on a journey next year to empower my students even more through Project Based Learning. I teach an inclusion classroom and will be looping up with them. We have started small this year and the kids and I are both so thrilled that our administration is giving us the opportunity to give the classroom back to the kids. I have seen tremendous advantages for my children at all levels. I have been telling everyone who will listen to follow your blog and to pick up your book. Your ideas support my belief that “Kids will not care what you know, until they Know that you care”. It is refreshing to read about others who share the same ideas. I couldn’t help smiling when I saw your post this morning of your classroom “mess” while the kids were learning. Mine looks the same right now and even my OCD tendencies for cleanliness can not overcome the excitement I feel when I see the kids so passionate about what they are learning and creating. We are turning our classroom into a “Museum of Change” next week for our fellow students and parents to observe all that we have learned throughout our journey this last month. Having an authentic audience is so rewarding for them. Thanks for all that you do to share your passion with others. I would love to read your book this summer.”

Thank you so much everyone!
Derek

global read aloud, Reading, Student-centered

Why the Global Read Aloud Matters

May 30, 2014June 24, 2014 Pernille Ripp

Wednesday started out as a normal day at school. I walked into the office to check my mailbox when our amazing secretary handed me a mystery package. I immediately looked at the mailing label and was astounded when I saw this.

Immediately curios, I ripped open the package and was surprised when I saw this

The package came from Cathy Kreutter, the librarian at the International School of Uganda, and she was reaching out to me continue the global connectedness started by the Global Read Aloud. Not only was I shocked, but I was also over the moon excited, because the other thing in the package was this…

A book, written by Cathy, based on the American Folk Tale “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” meant to tell readers more about Uganda. I couldn’t wait to read it to my students! And what happened next was pure magic.

Not only did I read it my students, who couldn’t believe the things they were learning. They also wanted to find out more about Uganda and had many questions. Next, I took the book to our 1st grade buddies and shared it with them. More questions and learning about Uganda happened. Then I swung by one of our kindergarten classrooms and shared it with them, with the same result. Within the span of an hour, 3 classes had learned and become curious about Uganda and Africa as a whole. All through the power of a book mailed to us because of the Global Read Aloud.

Yet, the power of this book has not ended. Our incredible librarian plans to share it next week with her classes and so we will see the seeds of curiosity planted in more kids. More kids will find Uganda ion the globe and know a little about this faraway nation where the Nile starts and lions roar. More kids will wonder about the world and what another child’s every day life is like. All through the power of a shared read aloud.

So this year, for the Global Read Aloud, I will encourage people who connect to send a picture book to their partners. A book that shares a little about them, that will deepen the connection between our homes. I will secretly hope that some will send one to me as well so my students can see just what this project has started.

Thank you Cathy for reaching out to me. That small gesture has started a wave of curiosity at our small school. To purchase your own copy of this book, please go here, I am telling you, the students will love 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.

reflection, Student-centered

This is What Learning Looks Like

May 27, 2014May 29, 2017 Pernille Ripp

This past Friday, my incredible students participated in the 4th Innovation Day I have done. While it is a hard day for me because I tend to get bored, since I cannot jump in and teach, I always marvel at the energy and enthusiasm throughout the room. The sheer driven desire to create something fueled by their curiosity and imagination never ceases to astound me, and this day is always a highlight for the students. At one point, I tweeted out the following picture

photo (16)

captioning it, “This is what learning can look like…” Immediately, someone replied, “This is what learning SHOULD look like!” (Emphasis added by me). At first, I agreed, nodding, yes, this is what learning should look like. Then I stopped, thought about it, and I realized, no, this is not what learning should look like at all times.

If learning looked like this every day, I would go crazy. The mess, the noise, the scattered projects and directions, where I barely took part in anything, no thank you. And I wouldn’t be the only one. My students would not want learning to be like this every day either, how do I know? I asked them.

Instead, they told me that learning should look like this…

photo (6)

Like this…

Or like this…

Learning should look like this…

Or like this…

Sometimes learning even looks like this…

In the end, learning looks the way our students need it to look. Whether that means a teacher in the front setting up a foundation for exploration, students exploring their way through something, individual quiet contemplation and in-depth thinking, or even small groups teaching others; learning is many things, looks many ways, and feels many ways. It has to because we all learn differently, we all process things differently. We all need different things at different times.

If we run our classroom in one way, even if it is an incredible way in our eyes, we risk losing the love of learning from a child. Every child should feel at home in our rooms, every child should feel like they can learn. Every child should feel that the way they learn is right. So there is no one way that learning should look like. It should look however fits our kids best. And that changes often, just like our students do.

being me, books

Win A Copy of My Book “Passionate Learners”

May 26, 2014May 29, 2014 Pernille Ripp

On May 14th, a dream of mine came true, I became an author with the publication of my first book “Passionate Learners – Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students.” Since then I have been excited to see readers respond to my book and how they will use it in their teaching lives. While I have loved this book and writing it has been a very personal journey for me, what matters now is whether it will help others avoid some of the pitfalls I fell into as a teacher. So to help spread the word and reward all the readers of my blog, we are giving away two copies of my book! Entering is simple, just leave a comment. I will pick two winners at random this Friday, May 30th at 10 PM.

Here are what a few people have said about the book after they read it.

“I knew even before I read it that Passionate Learners: Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students was going to become one of my favorite education resources and something I would recommend to every teacher I know.” – Angela Watson

“I strongly suggest that every educator read this book whether they agree or not because ultimately, we are all motivated by doing what is in the best interest of children, right?”

– Tony Sinanis

“I wish that I had read this book a year earlier as I struggled with being a change maker at my school. Although I have a broad PLN I can call on for support, somehow reading these words felt like an extended conversation with a wise friend. Thank you, Pernille, for your oh so honest story that affirms the gifts and challenges of our vital profession. “

– Joan Young

Print or digital? How wd you prefer to read my new book Passionate Learners? http://bit.ly/1kb9orz Quick survey: https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1734872-So4tMjtPvg

Now it is your chance to read my book. Enter below for a chance to win one of two copies by leaving a comment. (Please note there isn’t a print version of the book available at this time, but you can read the eBook on any computer or mobile device.) The contest ends at 10 PM EST on Friday, May 30th. Good luck!

Reading, reflection, Student-centered

How I Know My Students Are Reading at Home

May 25, 2014May 25, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I remember the reading logs well, my brothers hastily whipping them out Sunday night asking my mom to sign off that they had read x number of minutes. My mother never checked, she did not want to be the reading police, after all, she knew my brothers read. She didn’t care how many minutes or which book, all that mattered was that at some point their eyes met something to read. A great post by Angela Watson got me thinking, how do I know my students are reading if I don’t check their reading log? How do I know that at some point their eyes meet a text? There are many ways actually.

I watch their reaction. Kids who read want independent reading time. Kids who are in a great part of a book want time to find out what will happen next. Kids who slowly get their reading bin, who distract others on the way; those are the kids I need to check in with and help.
I keep an eye on their book bin. A whole book shelf in my room is the proof that my students read. Periodically I go look through their bins, noting which books a kid has and whether those book have changed. If they haven’t, I check in with that child.
We recommend. Another favorite in our room is the speed book dating. We quickly rattle off a book we love and why it should be read while the listener has their “I can’t wait to read ” list in their hand.
We show off our reading. I have my reading door outside of the room so that my students always know what I am reading and my students can recommend books on a bulletin board. Our reading is visible.
We discuss. Reading should not be a solitary endeavor so we make time to discuss our books and why they are the best or the worst book ever.
We reflect. I often ask students to tie in today’s teaching point with whatever they are reading right now. Whether it is in our thoughtful logs or on a post-it, students take a moment to think and apply and once again lets me see what they are reading.
We do monthly reading reflections. This year I really wanted to have a open dialogue with the students in regard to their reading life and although I do constant one on one or small group instruction, I wanted something more formal that I could file away and look at when needed. My students know they are not judged on what they write but rather that I use it as a way to start a conversation with them. I always appreciate their honesty and my actions show that.
We have great books. If you want kids to read, have great books. I do not know how much money I spend a year on books, I know it is a lot, but every time I am able to booktalk a book and see the reaction in my kids, it is worth it. Couple that with an incredbile librarian and my students are pretty lucky in the book department.
I lose a lot of books. Because I encourage my students to take our books home to read, I inevitably lose a lot of books. While it is hard to think of it from a financial standpoint, I also know that hose books are being read by someone. So yes, it is hard to constantly replace books (and expensive) but it is something that goes along with being a reading classroom.

So yes, while my district mandates a reading log, it is not the treasure trove of information that I need. What I need is conversation, observation, reflection, and interaction. So how do I know my students read? I ask them and listen.