Whole Brain Teaching Is Rocking My World

I spent today at the Midwest Conference for Whole Brain Teaching.  I had checked out their website, implemented a few strategies {like Class Yes}, and been inspired by videos of teachers using this methodology.

TODAY MY TEACHING UNIVERSE WAS ROCKED!  I have NEVER been to a conference where participants had to be so engaged the entire time.  I've never been to anything where all the teaching happened the way the presenter wanted you to teach.  It's powerful, people.

I'm rethinking so much about how I'm planning to do next year.  For the first time this summer I'm feeling excited for the new year.  My students are not even going to know what hit them!

Check out Whole Brain Teaching.  There are tons of videos on youtube.  There are tons of resources on the website that are FREE.

What's inspiring/challenging your work?

Bravely Teaching In Workshops

Does anyone out there teach 4th grade using a workshop format for all the main stuff--reading, writing, math?  How do you do it?  How do you keep it organized?  How do you work smarter, not harder?

When I started teaching {14 years ago}, I started in first grade.  I did mini lessons and then workshops. Students practiced skills at center activities while I taught and retaught  and assessed small groups and individuals.  I love this style of a classroom.  This took tons of prep work!

I can find many resources for teachers who still teach this way in 3rd grade and below.  Why not 4th grade?

I did a workshop format in Math this past year.  I had many struggling mathematicians.  I was able to spend more time practicing with them.  Kids loved this format.  I did not have to drive myself crazy planning, but it was more work than whole group instruction.  I felt like we got loads more done--even though my students' state test scores do not prove that.  In my heart I know this is good.

I'm wanting to do more of it with Reading/Language Arts.  I think this would be a good time to do this, since we are beginning to implement Common Core Standards.  It seems to be a more flexible year.  I want to take what I used to do in first grade and apply it to the developmental level of 4th graders and the curriculum.  I do NOT want to make center activities "cute busy work or worksheets."  I want kids to really learn and practice with authentic tasks whenever possible.

I'm open to feedback!  Any suggestions?  Resources?

A Brave Book

Up:  A Mother And Daughter's Peakbagging Adventure by Patricia Ellis Herr

This is my favorite book I've read so far this summer.  It was unexpected because I just grabbed it off the shelf at the library that had some new books. I had never even heard of it.   I didn't expect that I would be grabbed by it.

Here's what Publishers Weekly had to say about it:

"...a charming, uplifting account...a keen feminist fable for brave girls." 

-- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 

Here's a quick overview.  A mother takes her energetic young daughters hiking--up really big mountains.  The girls love it.  Other adults are skeptical and negative.  The mother has loads of courage on many different fronts--as a woman, as a mom, as a hiker, and more.  The girls learn so much about courage and confidence and determination and more.

As I think about it, I'm most blown away by the courage and strength of the mother and author.  She made courageous choices about parenting and life so many times.  I hold up her example, not just for her daughters but for brave hearts everywhere.

It's just a gentle quiet book.  It's well written.  I'm still feeling inspired by it a few weeks later.  

If you want to read more about the book or their adventures, Patricia blogs HERE.

What have you read recently that has inspired you?

Are you taking care of yourself?

Are you taking care of yourself?  If I were to answer that question honestly I would have to say, sometimes.  Even though it is summer I'm busy creating and running an online workshop/class.  I'm doing all sorts of stuff with and for my little family because I don't do that much during the school year. I'm starting to create stuff for next year.  I'm thinking and planning.  I'm trying to clean out some hidden parts of my house.

However, the well feels pretty empty and dry inside me right now.

The week coming up feels like it's going to be busy, but it's also filled with lots of stuff that I think will recharge the batteries and start to fill the well.

Tomorrow I'm going to Lakeside to sort of just hang out and visit with at least one friend.  {In a couple weeks I get to go for a whole week with my little family--can't wait!}

On Wednesday and Thursday, I'm going to the Midwest Whole Brain Teaching Conference.  I'm VERY excited about this!   If you don't know about Whole Brain Teaching, check it out!

On Friday I'm going to see the musical Mama Mia.  You know that's going to be fun!

Saturday I'm going to a wedding, and I might be going to the Akron Storytelling Festival.  In the past I've been blown away by this amazing event!

I'm also reading some powerful books and I have some creative projects in the works.   {I'm hoping to share more about both in the future!}

This is the stuff that feeds my spirit!

How about you?  What feeds your spirit?  How are you caring for yourself?

Enchanted By Summer

I love summer.  I love the time I get to spend doing fun stuff with my little family.  I love thinking and dreaming about the new school year.  I love thinking up new stuff to share at Brave Teachers.  {HERE you can grab a mini self care workbook for FREE.}

I love reading good books.  My theme this summer seems to be ordinary strong women doing amazing stuff in their ordinary lives.  {This is a theme that always attracts me.} I hope to share more about that in a future post.

Here are some photos from the past week or so that shows what's enchanting me:

What's enchanting you about summer?

4th of July

May the sun never set on freedom and choice and opportunity.

With deep gratitude we're celebrating a very low key day!

Blacksmith, Teepee, and Toads

I went offline for most of Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  I was getting really present into my life.  {A little secret:  This was UNCOMFORTABLE.}  I just showed up.

Beautiful memories were made.  Sam and I went for his first trip to Hale Farm and Village.  His favorite was the blacksmith--which of course I was so wrapped up in I don't have a photo.

It had rained in the morning.  This {and the heat} must have scared off visitors, because often we had private demonstrations.  Can I just say that people were so kind and generous with Sam.  {Can I also say it was hard to sit under shady trees eating granola bars and drinking water when there was so much more to see?!}

Sam demonstrating his weaving skills.

Watching a glass blowing demonstration.

I hope Sam won't look this bored when he goes to school!

Sam playing games from long ago.

Sam churning butter--with assistance.

So that would be enough of showing up and being present, but the next day we went camping in a teepee.  It was our first time.  Despite the heat and a crazy thunderstorm and parents who could not sleep because the 3 year old hijacked everything, it was great!  The teepee was big enough for a small boy to still be mobile as the wind howled and thunder boomed.  He got to go swimming with his dad.  We also got to see amazing fireworks, after thinking the storm would have cancelled them.  He was completely blissed out by being one with the experience--especially the toad who visited us.

We were all in awe of the teepee.

Every little boy needs some time in a teepee

So what is the take away from the weekend beside the amazing memories?  

I do want to be more comfortable with being present, without to do lists or any big plans.

Slowing down is good, even when it's tough.

it takes a LOT of energy to keep up with a 3 year old in unfamiliar territory, so I better take care of myself.

What sort of summer adventures are you having?

What are you learning from the the ordinary and simple experiences?