The Ability to Fail

It’s getting warmer, the sun is shining more, the kids are taking off with their learning, and the staff is getting JAZZED about the new things coming for next year (more on that in a later post :)).  

We have been dabbling with STEM activities all year.  One way we practice being engineers is by completing a challenge called “Tower Power.”  In this challenge, the kids are split into teams.  They have a stack of index cards, a pair of scissors, and some tape.  They are asked to build a tower out of the index cards that is 10 inches high and will hold a stuffed frog for 10 seconds without collapsing.  As I’m sure you can imagine, this task would be difficult for anyone, let alone kinders; but each trimester, we attempt it.  We learn how to improve our designs from the last time, how to work better with our teammates, and how to learn from our failures.  Since this is trimester 3, this was the last time I asked the kids to attempt the challenge.  Some were successful, some just played with tape, and some argued the whole time...but there was some pretty cool footage!  Check it out!

One thing I love so much about the personalized learning journey, is that my students are confident at whatever they try.  They aren't scared to "fail" because they understand that failing is a part of learning.  They are willing to fail until they find success.  How amazing is that?!  I can't wait until these kiddos are in 5th grade and running the world!  

BINGO!!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/04/09/what-a-classroom-engaged-in-real-learning-looks-like/

Lincoln Elementary: Where Greatness Begins!

Wow!  Where to start...
So we just had conferences again and it was awesome.  It never ceases to amaze me just how much our parents support the change we have made from legacy classrooms to personalized learning.  Our principal wanted to compile a video of parents and their feedback about personalized learning because we wanted to know how they thought it was going...we thought some of them liked it, but we were blown away by all the love!  I had parents in tears talking about how amazing this year has been, how much their child has grown, and how much their child LOVES school.  And in the end, isn't that what it's all about?  Every educator I know only wants one thing; to create a love of learning.  Well educators, it's super easy...just give the child the control to customize their own learning, and they will AMAZE you.
So, onto other great things, we recently unpacked our vision statement for Lincoln Elementary as a staff.  The vision is as follows (get ready to be inspired...)
Here at Lincoln Elementary, we will not follow the status quo nor will we fall victim to the unrelenting pull of the downstream current.  We find ourselves truly and deeply invested in crafting the future of our profession and taking the challenge to swim upstream.  We are willing to be pushed beyond the edge of our comfort levels and take risks, because we know that is precisely where innovation occurs and growth happens. With strength, vision, and determination we will change the educational paradigm.  We are committed to being the place ‘Where Greatness Begins’!

It was a great activity for the staff to be able to look at the vision, pick it apart, and think about how they see themselves on this "journey to greatness." It was one of many steps towards creating a climate and culture that has everyone on the same page.

We wanted to begin with the vision because we want teachers to do the same "unpacking" with the mission statement in their own classrooms to build a similar culture. The mission statement is short, sweet, and awesome.

Lincoln Elementary: Where Greatness Begins!

So, I asked my kiddos what greatness means to them and how they are great.  There was no prompting, no previous discussion, terrible videography, and obviously, no editing :)  Next week, we will make new goals for our PLPs and fully unpack our mission.  But this is cute in the meantime ;)

Personalized Learning For Parents

3 Ways Parents Can Spot Student-Centered Learning

My Dream For Public Education!

Also my dream for public education! Children not being grouped in school by their age or grade level.  Instead, transitioning freely from room to room, based on their interests, passions, and natural talents!  I think we're on our way!  I've got my seat belt on and I can't begin to tell you how excited I am for the ride!!!

From Industrial to Agricultural

I haven't posted in a while, but today, I felt strongly to.  Our principal sent a link to a TED talk and asked the staff members to take 15 minutes to watch it.  Well, I did, and I'm fired up!  So now, I'm encouraging you to take 15 minutes to do the same.  Ken Robinson speaks about educational reform and how education thinks it is changing, but reforming is just a fancy way of trying to improve a model that is already broken.  Instead, he urges for a revolution- a transformation into something else.  I bet you can guess what that "something else" is....YUP!  Personalized learning!  Innovation is hard, it's a lot of work, but so, so, so worth it.  Check it out here.

Why Personalized Learning?....Why not?

It just makes sense!

Watch our journey so far!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcfeUcuaDq4