Thank you for taking a risk
I'd like to say "Thank YOU for taking a risk". Is this the first time you have blogged? After reading the snippet from Teacher Talk on page 14 and 15, I thought we, as a staff, should take a risk. I set up this blog (first time I have done this), so we can have a PLC of a different kind. I did not want to add more meetings to our already full plate so I decided we would do the book talk through a blog.
Please read all of the snippets from our book talk up to page 15 and then post a comment of your thoughts on what you read. If you are talking about a specific snippet, please title it by selecting "New Post" from the tool bar. Otherwise you can add a comment to one of the comments already posted.
Please invite your para to read the snippets too and invite them to participate on this blog. I think they may, if you invite them.
Each week we will read specific pages and respond on this blog.
This technology has many positive implications for you as a classroom teacher. The second question I'd like for you to comment on is: How might you use blogging with your students?
posted by Sarah @ 4:46 AM
22 Comments
22 Comments:
Web 2.0 tools are definitely part of the coming workforce, where these students will communicate and collaborate as part of their world. It's so good to see educators embrace these tools, and all evolutions of technology. It is through education that literacy, all kinds (reading, art, media, information, programming, etc.), expands to become "humane learning". Thank you for allowing me to become part of your learning adventure on "Teacher Talk", and thank you for taking a risk using these tools to move your profession and your students forward.
Our hats off to you Jeff. Without your leadership none of us would be willing to take these risks.
So i guess im the first one. I have more trouble with this, since a lot of these are hard to find connections to PE. I did find some though. The first story "Look at Andrews Picture" is stuff that i use. When im teaching a proper technique (throwing, kicking, running, etc...) I look for a student that is modeling the technique properly. I then stop the class and have them watch that student do it properly. It normally helps to see someone of their age demonstrating it. I normally see a few more better techniques right after the student demonstrates. .
I also use "I like the way Linda is sitting" in my class. I have to stop my class often to go over new skills. I like to point out a student that is standing quietly (which i guess i shouldnt do after reading it), but i also tell the class how i want them to stand and normally use that student as someone they should look like. I normally dont praise them, but i tell the class i want them to stand quietly like that. Hopefully i did this blog thing correct
I love this book. Often the comments made to students and adults do not achieve the desired results. It is vital that we work to monitor our communication to make the most of it. I encourage students to pose multiple solutions/answers to any given problem. An easy way to do this is to ask them to pose questions about the question. Socratic Seminar works great for this since the emphasis is on the questions not on the answers. We celebrate mistakes in Honors. I know that sounds strange but when someone makes an error, whether it is a student or myself, I ask them to quickly check to see it the sun is still shining! Then we take a moment to congratulate the individual on taking a chance. We use Risk Pads, the kids love them. We even have a poster that reminds us -You will never make a discovery if you are not willing to make a mistake. I had two fifth grade boys working on a word problem -they struggled and finally realized their error was in the operations they had chosen. It was great to hear one say, "Get out your Risk Pad, this was a great mistake - look at all we learned from it!
Thanks Sarah for allowing us this form of communication!
My first thought after reading the first 9 snippets was that I needed to put them on index cards so I could flip through them as needed. There were so many great ideas in the first few pages. I also enjoyed "Thank you for taking a risk" because this is my first time blogging. I also felt this strategy values all students for contributing.I could see a real benefit for inclusion students,or struggling students, where they are encouraged to contribute for the sake of their own learning, and not just for the right answer.
This book and project is a great way to learn and grow as educators. Great idea Sarah! I appreciate that we can do it on our own time and work it into our own schedules without pressure! It is taking technology to a new level for me and in that alone, I feel that I am growing!
I have really found the beginning of this book insightful, as it's given me a new perspective on many of the comments that we teachers say every day! For example, when I use some of these phrases to positively reinforce behavior or academic skills, my honest intent was to compliment them on their efforts. However, I understand what the book is talking about when it describes how that kind of a verbal message may be interpreted differently by the rest of the students. This last week, I was much more aware of all of my words and how they impacted our students. I thought about how my Kindergarteners are very aware of modeling and are strongly affected by positive praise-- they aim to please! I've learned from this book how to clearly state expectations while still affirming, in private, good behaviors. Can't wait to see what the rest of the book has to offer, and I also agree that this blog will be a fun, easy way to discuss our thoughts!
This looks like it will be a fun book. I especially liked “Check yourself” on page 5. I find myself repeating many things in the Lab. Such as “Please lower your voices”, “Use inside voices”, “Go back and walk”, among others. If I can get the students to check themselves on these issues I can see were it will lend itself to all areas in there lives. I see children more and more dependant on others to do things for them. I so agree with the last sentence that it is their job to check on themselves in all arenas. If they can start taking control of the things they need to be responsible for at a young age it might make decision-making in later years easier.
The cover of the book didn't give me a good feeling at first. It looked "dated"; however, as I read each section, it really made me stop and think about the things I do in my classroom. Blogging is an easy way to share ideas without feeling the pressure of being the focus of a conversation. This would be a great way for many students to share their thoughts without the feeling of scrutinization from their peers. I have come away with many good ideas so far! It is a very useful book for educators!
Well I read through page 15 and kept going a bit longer. I was attracted to four points: 1) the amount of "teacher talk" that goes on in the classroom according to their research - wow, teacher wording/talk is dominant and thus critical for success, 2) the applicability of specific wording to achieve specific results - the words must be specific, 3) reflection on the impact of wording and intent outside of the classroom, with adults, and 4) reflecting on what I "talk" as a parent.
Thank you for the invite to participate in your blog and I am on a serious growth path here - big risk for me to try to understand "Teacher Talk" - but, I do connect with "different answers" and "checking it out on inside"....;-)
This is my first time 'blogging' and I am happy to be a part of such a knowledgeable, open, willing to share group! I can tell I am going to gain a lot of insight with all of the thoughtful posts. Great idea, great book, great comments! From what I've gained so far, I need to update my 'teacher talk'. I am looking forward to trying the 'check yourself' strategy.
This is my first true blog experience. I have a "discussion forum" in each of my graduate classes, but they are so orchestrated I feel like part of a Greek Chorus. I like that I can say what I think here.
I think this book is a great resource. I would be interested in seeing some of the others.
Reflection is good. :)
This is really the first time I have blogged, so for me it is taking a risk! I found the first 15 pages of "Teacher Talk" very interesting and it has made me be more aware of my "talk". The two snippets that I can relate to from the speech/language aspect are "check it out inside" and "answer in your mind". I use a similar technique in oral language work that is called "visualize and verbalize". The students are to make pictures in their heads of what they want to say and the way they want to say it...actually visualizing the words to formulate a response. It gives them the time they need to think before responding. Of couse in speech we are always working on "say some more"!!
Blogging can be used in the classroom for the teacher to post questions for the class to answer. This is a quick way to check for understanding after reading any content material.Problem Solving or higher level thinking questions could be posted for students to answer at their own pace. Students could also post questions for the teacher,as well as each other, after they have finished reading. Currently,the 6th graders are blogging answers to a thought question after they read their TeenBiz article.
This is also my first time blogging, and I too like that we can do at our own convenience. I'm really enjoying the book- so many good ideas and simple to implement. I agree with MB, time to update my teacher talk.
This is a wonderful book. "Thank you for taking a risk" is a harmless way to encourage students to try and not worry about making a mistake. We are all human and I always remind my students that even adults make mistakes and it is how we learn. Wonderful insights and ideas in the book. Thank you.
Hello North Ranch.
I applaud you all for taking this adventurous way to do a book talk.
I hope to join you. At this point, I am just thrilled that I got"in" since I was having some password issues.
Lil
Testing Site?
My first comment of "testing site" was just to figure out if I knew how to post a comment. This obviously is my first time blogging so I hope that once I get going with this it will get easier. Technology like this does not come easily to me but I will give it my best effort. Reading the book will be the easy part!
All through my elementary through high school years, I was the "silent" one (I know, you CAN"T believe it!) My teachers had to Pulllllll words out of me. I wouldn't take a risk and say anything out loud because I didn't want to be laughed at by the class or even told I was wrong even though most of the time, the answer in my head was the one for which the teacher was looking.
As a teacher I ask my class to take a shot at an idea, answer or opinion. Sometimes I get dramatic when I ask them to take a risk, it seems to help them feel more comfortable and offer ideas.
I thought that I had posted a comment about this as I really liked being reminded to make sure that I encourage my quiet children to have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas. "Thank you for taking a risk" is an insightful way to drawl some students out.
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