DEAR: Drop Everything And Reflect on Friday

I decided that I really enjoy the "DEAR" model for my blog today (found in the book Innovator's Mindset). There were so many good things, but I also want to be more reflective about what I could've improved.

This week my students did A LOT of reading. As much as I feel kind of bad giving them DBQs and articles, most of me feels good about it because my students don't read enough. Thinking back to when I read Readicide, I agree that my students don't have enough tenacity when it comes to reading. Because my students don't get enough opportunities to read at home, it's my responsibility as their teacher to help them read more and read better.

The topic this week was the slave trade and slavery in the Americas-- a high interest topic. The students looked at many primary sources this week, including ones written by former slaves like Olaudah Equiano. There's no better way, in my opinion, to help students understand the gravity and impact of a subject than to read the actual words of someone who experienced slavery firsthand.

What worked?

• My lecture on Monday about the slave trade went amazingly well. Most classes had so many questions we barely got through the notes by the end of the hour (when they probably should have taken like 15-20 minutes). That was extremely gratifying for me because it did prove that when I lecture about high interest topics it does engage the students. 
• Showing students primary sources and also giving them more context for each source proved to be successful as well. 

What didn't work?

• I horribly timed most of the assignments this week because I didn't expect to get so many student questions. Everything was kind of a hot mess in terms of starting and finishing. 
• I wish I would've done the slave experience documents differently. In the past, I've grouped the students, had them read just a few docs, and then had them be the teachers for their classmates. I regret choosing not to do that this year, since students seemed to be pretty exhausted by the end of the day Thursday.

What can I do about it?

• I definitely need to be more creative with the teaching of primary sources (jigsawing, or something), because they can get pretty boring. 
• I'm also going to make more of a point to create some context for important primary sources. Like showing a quick video clip or telling an interesting story about the source or its creator.

DEAR: "Drop Everything and Reflect"

As my Monday wraps up, I feel a little bit better about my situation as a teacher. Mondays are hard, but I made it through. I'm not going to take time to write three good things today, but instead I'm going to "Drop everything and reflect," as suggested in the book Innovator's Mindset that I am reading with a few teachers at school.

What worked today?

• I think most students enjoyed watching CNN Student News (now called CNN10). I show it only once a week at most, and I think it's doing a good job of drawing students into the current events of the world. I hope that they are starting to see connections between the past (what they learn) and the present (what they see and experience).
• I also assigned students to create an advertisement for the "New World," as if they lived in the 1500s. That went mostly well because students were able to use some creativity and not have to do as much writing as they have been doing lately!

What didn't work?

• Though most students are just fine writing a five sentence reflection on today's episode of Student News, some students struggle to listen/watch and write. Perhaps in the future I can model the expectations and give them tools to make it easier for them.
• Man, I just hate given notes-- I only had one slide of notes today, but it was boring. I need to brainstorm some ways to give students information quickly without boring them to death through Power Points. 
• Some student just straight up refused to do the New World Advertisement because they "can't draw." Even when given alternate choices they refused to do it. That type of closed mindset makes me pretty sad and is something I'd like to change.

What can I do about it?

• In relation to the boring notes: Possibly I could add more questions into the notes to make them more interactive. And in today's case I probably could have had students brainstorm positive and negative impacts of the Columbian Exchange and simply supplemented that with notes.
• I am going to do a lot more modeling and illustrating of my expectations for student news, etc.
• I need to implement growth mindset more, and help students adopt that mindset more. It's ok to fail, and it's ok not to be "good" at something. But it's not ok to give up.

3 Things About Burning Out

I've felt inexplicably burned out since Christmas break. My job hasn't changed much; the challenges have remained, and the positive moments still show through. But I am tired and uninspired most of the time. I don't feel much pride admitting it, but it's true. As much as I want this blog to be positive, I also need to honor my truths and admit when things aren't really going well.

In the last few months I've learned a lot about myself through introspection. At times I feel like I'm more in touch with my identity than ever, confident that I'm great at my job and it's my destiny, while at other times I feel more lost than ever before, curious about what my life would be like if I made a change. I find myself thinking about my purpose and future, wondering what's best for me (and especially contemplating if what I'm doing now is best for me in the future).

Getting in these "funks" obviously isn't ideal, but I imagine that all teachers-- and people-- must have burned out periods once in a while. Here's what I've been doing to try to relieve myself of this feeling.

1. I've tried to commit to exercising. Going to the gym is not really my thing, we all know that at this point. But I've gone to spin class a bunch and am working out at home too. Finishing a good spin class makes me feel accomplished on days that school isn't really fulfilling.

2. I'm reading more. Because I'm going through a bit of an existential crisis in my career, I want to learn more. Reading has definitely helped that-- I'm working on Smartest Kids in the World and You are a Badass right now, and both are enlightening (albeit in very different ways!). I also make more of an effort to be educated on current events, which can be depressing, but I would much rather have knowledge than ignorance.

3. I'm resting. Not completely sure if this is the best thing to do, but I hope it helps. Most days I feel physically, mentally and emotionally drained after school, but I have so much work to do at home, that I don't really rest. I've been trying to rest more on the weekends and sleep. I definitely haven't been oversleeping-- I barely get 8 hours on a Friday or Saturday night. But I strongly feel that I must recharge my batteries on the weekend through rest and relaxation, especially with how I'm feeling. Falling into a rut isn't really an option, so I still make plans and go out, but I try to take advantage of the times I'm not busy.

3 Great Things About Lincoln #LoveforLincoln

My friend Lincoln and me in Springfield Illinois - September, 2016

Me with a cute mold of Lincoln in Detroit, Michigan - August, 2016

Everyone knows that my favorite person of all time is President Lincoln. Ever since joining the Civil War Club at my elementary school in 5th grade, I've had a deep respect for Abraham Lincoln. Over the years I have learned more about him and his presidency, and my admiration has only grown. In honor of his 208th birthday (February 12th, 1809), I have to share my love for LincolnI could talk (or write) for hours about why I think he's so great, but I will limit my list to three.

Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield, IL - visited in September, 2016

1. His accomplishments represent the American Dream. Abraham Lincoln was born in poverty, and grew up with less than one year of formal education. Lincoln's own father didn't want him going to school and wasting his time when he could be working. But Lincoln recognized the value of education, and virtually taught himself to read and write. He even taught himself law. He worked many different jobs, including as a rail splitter, lawyer and finally politician. Though he came from humble beginnings-- literally a single-room cabin-- he eventually was able to purchase a large home and employ cooks and workers. Lincoln did not live with a hand out for what he felt he deserved; he worked for it, and reached the highest office in the land by doing so.

What Lincoln's childhood one roomed cabin may have looked like - Springfield IL, 2016

2. He always had room for reflection and growth. In reading many of Lincoln's early speeches I've learned that Lincoln was always revising his opinions on important subjects. Slavery was the most controversial subject during his lifetime, and he almost constantly shifted his views on slavery, varying from at one time desiring to colonize African Americans, to arguing for their legal equality in the United States. I can appreciate a person who reflects on situations and opinions and grows from experiences. It's always OK to admit you've changed your mind, and I appreciate that Lincoln did that.

Lincoln and his Cabinet, National Archives

3. He saved our country. Upon Lincoln's election to president in November, 1860, southern states almost immediately began seceding. Lincoln didn't want war, but he more strongly desired union, and was willing to fight for it. Though he didn't start the war, he worked tirelessly for four years to end it, re-unify the country, and eventually free the slaves and offer them citizenship.  Lincoln wholeheartedly devoted himself to saving our great (and young) nation, and did some things that many others wouldn't. For example, his cabinet was made up of his political rivals because he wanted to ensure that on every topic he would receive sound advice from knowledgeable men. In my opinion, with almost any other person in his position, we would not be a single nation today.

I'll close with one of my favorite Lincoln quotes-- this one spoken in February of 1861:

"I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot."

3 Good Things for Last Week

I had such a busy week last week that I forgot to write about my good things! It's both awesome and awful to be busy. While I enjoy always having something to keep my mind occupied, I also like to have free time to relax and do my own thing.

Last week was extra busy because I had meetings after school almost every day, and lots of classroom and non-classroom planning. My weekend was kind of busy, too, because Chris and I went to Chicago for Valentine's Day weekend. It was so much fun because we went to the Field Museum and celebrated Lincoln's birthday!

Selfie with the Lincoln statue in Chicago - it's 25 feet tall!

1. It's the little things... I literally almost ran into a student in the hallway during passing time on Wednesday. Normally I say excuse me and students ignore me-- it's all very unpleasant. However, on Wednesday, one of my former students actually slightly moved out of the way and said, "Oh I'm sorry, Ms. G." It was so nice! Like really, I felt so much better just hearing a student say that.

2. The preparation for the NHS blood drive is going well! Last week began registration for the annual National Honor Society blood drive, and it went fabulous. We registered over 100 people in less than two days. I was overwhelmed by the number of students willing to help.

3. The principal gave me a great compliment. I had a chance to have a nice discussion with my principal last week, and it was so great to talk with her. She gave me one compliment that stood out, though it was small. She said, "I think the world of you and [another teacher]." I think she sincerely meant it, and it's always a great confidence booster to get kind words from administration. I won't forget that conversation anytime soon.

3 Things for a Decent Day

I really hate Mondays so so so so much. Getting up early, figuring out if I have everything I need for the week, adjusting to the students again-- it's all not fun! By Tuesday, I'm usually on top of my game, but Mondays are definitely an adjustment every single week.

Because Mondays are so difficult for me, even as a teacher, I do have empathy for my students. I'm not quite as strict as other days because I know it must be challenging for some of my students. Today, we talked about deadly diseases, and read about the impact of European diseases on the Native Americans. I really enjoying studying this because science is very interesting to me, even though I am a history teacher.

1. I started reading a new book-- Smartest Kids in the World. I'm only on chapter 1 right now, but it's really really good. I am very excited to learn more about WHY students in the U.S. test scores are so mediocre. I also have enjoyed reading about the international test given to students around the world, and how it was developed. If you're looking for a fun book to read that is also "educationally" stimulating, I highly recommend this book.

2. My 5th Hour students have actually sort of started to police each others' behaviors. This hour is by far my most challenging-- not because the students are "bad," but because they are ALWAYS TALKING. First semester was frustrating for me because I never felt like I could get a full thought out. However, some students have also become frustrated, and they have begun to kindly remind the class to "STOP TALKING." It may not be the best way to handle these situations, but it is nice to know that not all students want to be disruptive and they care about learning.

3. We looked at the Columbian Exchange today, which is always a fun topic for me. We talked about our perfect meals, and students analyzed whether their meal was mostly "new" or "old" world foods. I didn't get through a lot of content, but I got to know my students a little better, and it was fun. I'm hoping that the fun we had today, and the connections we made will help me in the long run.

3 Good Things for an Exhilarating Week

As I sit here at the end of one of the most exhausting weeks of the year so far, I reflect on the wins and losses. This week was full of great loss, but it was also a week with a few big (huge, even) wins. I worked pretty much nonstop last weekend to make a few cool new lessons for the week. Though it was tiring, I am SO SO SO glad that I did it.

Making new lessons that haven't been vetted by anyone, or tested a few times, is scary for me. But it's also a major part of being a good and fulfilled teacher. I have to take educational risks to get the reward-- feeling satisfied and accomplished! My new lessons were well received by my students, taught them something, and made me feel accomplished. My good things for this week are related to my new lessons.

1. Seeing honest learning taking place in my classroom. My lesson on Tuesday and Wednesday surrounded the discovery of America, and attempted to blow up students' perceptions that Christopher Columbus deserves credit for discovering America. Students look at Columbus, Leif Eriksson and Zheng He, and make conclusions about the discovery of America. I absolutely loved seeing the students' faces when they learned that the vikings made it to America 500 years before Columbus, and when they learned that Columbus wasn't the valiant hero they were taught.

2. Hearing encouraging parent feedback. In relation to Point 1, a parent of one of my students gave me some fantastic feedback about that lesson. She told me that her daughter came home and constantly talked about what she learned, and showed real passion for what she learned that day. She explained how upset she was that Columbus had a holiday, when he wasn't actually that great of a guy, and not even the first European to discover America. I can't even clearly express how insanely happy this made me. It was a comment that for sure made my week.

3. Picking a textbook for U.S. History. One great thing that took up a couple of my evenings was viewing presentations about possible textbook options for U.S. History next year. I've never been part of the process before, so I'm excited to be part of it and learn more about the curriculum-creating process.