Cool Cat Teacher Blog

The Key to Staying Positive in Your Classroom: Throw Away Your Depends

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:21:28 PDT

Does my attitude depend on others? Be careful - there are always reasons for having a bad one.

As I sit here in the Fort Wayne, Indiana airport at 12:30 pm after my 6 am flight was delayed, I'm still not sure if I'm on the flight to Detroit. The agents are hiding in the back because so many people are upset, they refuse to deal with it one person at a time. I'm not going to let this turn me into a cranky person. My joy doesn't depend upon whether they do their job. It can't or I'm an easy target of the natural happenings of life.

Does your attitude depend?

If you are in education and your attitude depends upon whether things are right in the front office - you'll be lucky to be happy half of the time.

If your attitude depends upon whether your school has a sorry teacher or two - you'll never be happy. Every school I know has a few sorry teachers, sad to say.

Your attitude cannot depend! It cannot.

It cannot depend upon whether it rains or snows. You have no control over that!

It cannot depend upon whether you feel good or not. You have no control over that either!

It cannot depend upon whether there is no drama in your school. There always will be!

If you have a great administrator - thank him or her every day. You are fortunate. Sadly, there are also those administrators, who, overwhelmed and for reasons of their own, hide like these shadowy gate attendants at this airport - afraid of angry people and letting the ire pile up. They hide behind closed doors and sometimes clock out early. This is life.

If all of your colleagues are perfect teachers - enjoy it - it won't last. We all screw up sometimes. Some teachers do the bare minimum - copying worksheets and memos and leaving no imprint on the minds of children except a hatred of the topic. You can't help that. You can't.

If no one in your school has answered the call of the siren song of secret sin - now gone public for everyone to know - be thankful! Because odds are there will often be these scandals.They happen because people are human and make mistakes. Your attitude cannot depend on whether one of these is going on either.

Are you really waiting for the nightly news to be good?

Waiting for everything to be perfect is like waiting for the nightly news to only report good things - it will never happen. Bad things happen. They do - this is earth - not heaven - bad things happen here.

I'm saying this because so often, as a teacher, it is so easy to get upset about things we cannot control. We cannot control others at all. Not one brand new spanking bit.

Quite frankly - if your attitude depends on others - it is like the other kind of Depends. It will always smell because foul stuff is always around you. It is the function of the world that stinky stuff happens. It always will. Your attitude cannot depend upon your environment being squeaky clean. If it does, you'll be disappointed and miserable the rest of your life - whether you teach or not.

As teachers, we must get rid of our depends.

Throw them in the trash and never put them on again! We have to. It is essential that we cultivate an ability to insulate our students. When we close the door, it should be like a cocoon - a safe, secure place.

Take off your Depends!

To do this, we must get rid of our depends. Take off your depends RIGHT NOW!

The Most important "A" in your Classroom

The most important A in your classroom is your Attitude.

Look at that word attitude. -- look at it again --

Att - I - tude.

Do you see that?

I am at the center of my attitude. It is me. I'm at the center of my own attitude.

There are times we have to own our attitude and decide to turn it around.

Attitudes spread

I've been in Ft. Wayne this week at the Knight Time Learning Conference in Kendallville, Indiana at East Noble High and they have an ash tree borer that is killing off these lovely ash trees. The only thing they can do is cut out all the trees around when one is blighted. Bad attitudes spread like ash borers - killing off attitudes -- beauty, and effectiveness.

East Noble High School has the other kind of attitude - they are some of the most positive, kind, hard working people I've ever met. They are blessed.

The difference between trees and us is that once a tree is blighted - it must be chopped down. You and I can actually do something about our attitudes. We can change.

How can I change my bad attitude?

Sometimes it is just going to a friend and saying:

"You know what, I've had a stinky attitude and I'm done. I'm not going to do this any more. I'm going to do what it takes to be part of the solution, not part of the problem."

Other times it is decided to stay away from the ash-boring negative talk of some of your colleagues until this most recent happening passes.

Ultimately, there are often times - probably less than you think - when the corruption is so foul that you've made your home in a septic tank and you have to get out.

It happens EVERYWHERE

But every school - I repeat - EVERY SCHOOL goes through cycles. ALL OF THEM.

All have scandals. All have staff members who make mistakes. All have parents with nasty divorces and the drama that ensues. All of them have things that make others angry and irate.

All schools even have people who bide their time and have become people who hold a job instead of doing their job. These people, hold a job because no one else can do those responsibilities but they don't do their job - leaving others to secretly have a hard choice. Do you do the right thing for your students and do the job of another or do you let them fall and hurt more kids in the process? (I admit, I usually do the latter, although it might not be right - I love the kids and they are why I teach. It is infuriating when sorry people get "promoted" to get them away from students but it happens. Move on. It isn't fair but life isn't either. Do your job anyway and love those students. It is the right thing to do.)

If your attitude depends - why not get rid of your depends?

If you're going to be one of those teachers who makes it 30 or 40 years then you're going to have throw your depends away.

Like Dorothy saying "there's no place like home" and clicking her ruby slippers, let's repeat the words that will remind us how to throw away our depends.

My attitude will not depend upon whether other teachers do their job.
My attitude will not depend upon whether administrators are doing their job.
My attitude will not depend upon whether everything is fair around me - life isn't fair. It never will be.
I will influence MY attitude. My attitude will be positive and encouraging. I will make no excuses and will not perpetuate negativity.
In my classroom, my attitude determines my student's altitude and ultimately their aptitude for my subject. My attitude is important and I will protect it.
If my attitude stinks, my students are not old enough to get rid of their depends. Because I love my students, I will do whatever it takes to keep and maintain my positive attitude even if it means distancing myself from colleagues.
Nothing good comes out of a bad attitude - they stink.
I will do what it takes to be a noble teacher - ANYWAY.
I will surround myself with positive people, encouraging books, and avoid whiners.
Even when truly tough things are happening, I will do my best to close my door and provide the most positive environment I can for my students. This only depends upon me and my attitude.
I will work hard to stay rested and healthy so I have every chance of staying positive in tough times.
I will encourage other educators to see the big picture instead of dwelling on the injustices that will happen.
If I depend upon anything or anyone it will be my God, my family, and my closest friends and even then, I will know there are times and things I don't understand that I have to leave at the front door of my school so I can teach.
My smile depends upon nothing and I will give it freely as I will also give my love, energy, time, and knowledge.
My students depend on me and I'll never forget the honor and privilege I have to be given the opportunity to teach them.

Hi everyone, I'm a teacher and I've thrown away my depends. How about you?

Written June 15. It took some time to finish and publish this post.

Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad

My speaking Schedule for 2013: Indiana, Iowa, Virginia, Florida & Hawaii

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:39:28 PDT

You are very important. If you're reading my blog, you're probably an educator of some sort. Your professional development is important. You don't want to waste your time.

Last year being live streamed at Fall CUE.

Here's the schedule.

June 13 - Knight Time Technology Conference - Kendalville, Indiana - East Noble High School
June 18-19 - Keystone AEA Technology Integration Conference - Dubuque, Iowa
June 28 - National Conference for College & Career Readiness and Common Core State Standards - Orlando, Florida
July 18 - Tech Splash - Lebanon, Virginia
July 23-26 - Flat Classroom Live! Hawaii
December 9 - Virginia Society for Technology in Education Roanoke, Virginia

You are important. If you take the time to come to one of these conferences, I'll make sure your time is well spent. I'm excited to get out and meet you all and have some things to say that I hope will help unleash your potential, balance your life, and teach in incredible ways.

Last fall at Edscape at Eric Sheninger's school Wow.
via my friend Dr. Spike Cook's blog.

I hope that if you live in these areas, you'll try to make the time to join us at these conferences. There are so many great conferences out there! Many volunteers work tirelessly to bring you the best in professional development. Working with these amazing people throughout the country, it is stunning how much work they have to do.

It is a blessing to be included in some of these conferences each year. If you read this blog and would like to come say hello - I always give everything I have to customize the message to the audience at hand. I hope you'll tweet out that you'll be there and let me know. I'd like to help make your conference special and get a chance to say hello to the educators who take the time to converse and teach me too.

Hope to see some of you this summer and fall. If you're interested in checking availability, I have room for just a few more conferences this school year. Just contact me and let's see what we can work out.

This motto from our football team is my own motto when speaking.
I will give all I have and leave nothing else behind. I hope when
you do your presentations this summer, you'll do the same.

Thank you to all of those conferences who have invited me to join you in the past. It is a joy to be an educator. I'll give everything I have to inspire and encourage you to reach all of your students. It will be an exciting summer.

This is me and a few friends last year at ISTE 12 in
San Diego. It was AWESOME! This year I'll be
moving my son in at college and spending time
at wedding celebrations of a first cousin of mine.
ISTE 13 in San Antonio will be awesome and
I hope to pick back up and see some of you at ISTE 14 in
Atlanta! www.iste.org

Karen Lirenman: Interview with outstanding K-2 Teacher 2013 #iste2013 @klirenman

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:10:37 PDT

First grade teacher Karen Lirenman (@klirenman) has won the Kay L Bitter Award for innovative leadership in the K-2 classroom. She'll receive this award at ISTE 2013 in a few weeks in San Antonio. You'll want to see what the younger classroom can be by listening to what she's doing. Wow!

Karen Lirenman is a grade one teacher in Surrey, British Columbia who loves to provide her students with choice in how they learn, show, and share their knowledge. She engages them globally through video conferencing, twitter, and blogging and uses technology as seamlessly as possibly to make this all happen. She started teaching in 1992.

Professional blog http://www.learningandsharingwithmsl.blogspot.ca/
Class twitter @MsLsClass. Class blog. http://www.mslirenmansroom.blogspot.ca/

Listen to the show

Essential Questions

You joined Twitter in 2011 and it changed your life. How?
You have your first grade students create hashtags. How?
How do you have your first grade students Tweet without problems? Doesn't it make you nervous?
How did your class communicate with an author over Twitter?
You say that "your first graders are in control of what to share with the world," what are some of the things they choose to share with the world?
How do you use video conferencing? How do you pick whether to use Skype, Google Hangout or Facetime?
Describe how your classroom technology is setup in the classroom?
You describe your teaching style as one "that empowers students to choose the tool that fits best for them" how does this look? How do you give choice in the math class?
What are your student's favorite apps?
How are your students writing fiction and nonfiction stories and how do they publish their work?
How do you tie in your personal and professional blog in a way that protects your student's privacy?
If a teacher is getting iPads, but they are nervous, how does the teacher get started?

Show Links

Skype http://www.skype.com

Google Hangout: http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/

Facetime http://www.apple.com/ios/facetime/

Draw and Tell: http://www.duckduckmoose.com/educational-iphone-itouch-apps-for-kids/draw-and-tell/

iMovie http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/

Educreations http://www.educreations.com/

Pop Words https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popwords!/id472853634?mt=8

Word Wizard https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-wizard-talking.../id447312716?mt=8Popplet

Skitch http://evernote.com/skitch/

Bookcreator https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/book-creator-for-ipad/id442378070?mt=8

My story https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-story-book-maker-for-kids/id449232368?mt=8

Discovery Education app http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ipad/

Pop zoo app https://itunes.apple.com/om/app/pop-zoo-free/id610497983?mt=8

Dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/

To find out more about this podcast go to my Podcast page.

Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad

4 Reasons I bought Microsoft Surface after wrestling alligators (guest post by Mark, my nephew)

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:13:26 PDT

When my nephew, Mark, used his birthday money and money he'd earned from working on his Mom & Dad's gator farm to buy a Microsoft Surface, I asked him to tell me why. It is important that we cover all platforms and make up our minds. I've used Windows 8 and have a touch-enabled Lenovo m90z at home and at school and believe that Microsoft has moved forward. I've asked Mark to share here on my blog on an ongoing basis. Mark is also one of my students and came to show me his new Surface the day he bought it. Mark bought a "Windows RT Surface." When I look at the Computer information it says the manufacturer is Microsoft.

When Mark bought his surface, he brought it to school to show me right away.

by Mark, guest blogger

I bought the surface for many reasons. But these four are the main reasons why I decided to work hard for weeks on my dad’s alligator farm to earn the money needed to purchase this device.
I had a very hard decision to make. I had to decide if I wanted to buy Apple’s iPad, which was slightly cheaper, or the Surface. I had to spend a lot of time researching to decide which tablet to spend my hard earned cash on. Eventually I made up my mind and decided that the Surface was the right choice for me.

1. Portability

A reason I bought the surface is its portability. It is a very convenient size for using it on an airplane, car, or just carrying it with you on your day to day routine. In fact I am typing this up on the way to the airport! The touch or type cover, when purchased, can protect the Surface and especially the screen when you travel with it.

2. Convertibility

Another reason I bought the Surface is its ability to change from a tablet to a laptop. As a consumer, I couldn’t decide if I would rather buy a laptop or a tablet. When I found the surface, I was amazed that it wasn’t only a tablet, but could function as a laptop as well. If I want to play a game, I can use it in tablet form, but when I am ready to work, all I do is flip out the kickstand and snap in the touch cover and I am ready to work.

3. Usability

One of the great things about the surface is its ability to use the internet smoothly. Other tablets, such as the iPad, have trouble running the internet and showing flash videos and playing flash games. (I also notice now that the Surface loads YouTube videos faster than Dad's iPad). The Surface can easily surf the web, and show you that video, helping you finish that grueling school project or research that new business idea.

4. Compatibility

A great thing about the Surface is its compatibility with Office programs. Apple products and other tablets might have their own version of Word, Powerpoint, or Excel, but none of them compete with Microsoft Office. The new touch optimized version of office allows you to work casually, and then snap in the type cover to get productive.
I'm interested in purchasing a Windows phone next. (By the way I want a Nokia Lumia 928 in case someone out there is listening.)

Mark takes his Surface everywhere. He just calls it "My Surface."

Alfred Thompson: How we can teach computer science to every age @alfredtwo

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 05:07:53 PDT

Alfred Thompson (@alfredtwo) "Mr. Computer Science" spent some time talking with me and the listeners of Every Classroom matters about how we should be teaching computer science at all levels. It can be simple. Students should know how to cause the computer to do things starting at a very young age. In 10 short minutes, you can learn all about this topic and how you can put some concepts in your classroom. Are you teaching students about advanced searching? Start there.

Alfred serves on the Computer Science Teachers of America board. He's my go-to guy for questions about how to teach Computer Science. I've been a faithful reader of his blog since the first month I started blogging in December 2005. Alfred, though, isn't just a PLN resource, he's my friend. He's a good man and a great servant leader to the cause of Computer science and STEM education and is a wealth of knowledge. Take a listen, follow Alfred on Twitter, and understand how Computer Science Matters in your school.

Blog: http://blog.acthompson.net

Twitter: http://twitter.com/alfredtwo

Home Page: http://www.acthompson.net

Listen to the show

Essential questions:

What should elementary age students to be able to do? (curriculum directors listen up)
What are your favorite simple introduction to programming tools for kids in elementary? (elementary teachers)
What do students not understand about searching and search engines?
Can every child learn to program?
If a high school puts in AP Computer Science or Computer Science what programming languages are being used today?
How can use use practical examples to teach programming?
What is the Raspberry Pi and how can it be used in the classroom?
What are some examples of what you can do with the Raspberry Pi?
What is the computer science teacher's association? What does it do?

Show Links:

Elementary Apps & Teaching Tools

Scratch from MIT: http://scratch.mit.edu/

Alice from Carnegie Mellon: http://www.alice.org/

Kodu - Microsoft - make simple games: http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/

Note since I recorded the show. Some people are making game consoles from the 80's with these and hooking them up to their TV's. i.e. Atari anyone? This is so cool, I gave you some bonus links below!

Lifehacker - How to make a retro gaming console for $35: http://lifehacker.com/how-to-turn-your-raspberry-pi-into-a-retro-game-console-498561192 (Great Maker project for this summer!)

Other cool articles about how people are using raspberry pi in many ways: http://lifehacker.com/tag/raspberry-pi

CSTA Information

I teach Introduction to Computer Science. I do not teach AP Computer science or extensive programming. If you teach any computer science concepts, I highly recommend you should join. Last time I checked, dues are covered by a grant if you're an educator. The newsletter is great and I learn so much about STEM every time I read it. Every school should have one member of CSTA on staff - it is that important. (I also think every school should have at least one ISTE (www.iste.org) member on staff - it is another vital STEM organization that shares best practices. These organizations have become hubs of learning and networking.)

Computer Science Teacher's Association: http://csta.acm.org/

Computer Science Education Week (December 8-14, 2013): http://www.csedweek.org/

(Add this to your school calendar now. What a great time to plan some activities. How about Raspberry Pi for Christmas? You could have a Raspberry Pi making contest!! This is a perfect time to celebrate computer science just before Christmas because you can do so many fun things. Make fun games on Kodu, etc.)

About the Every Classroom Matters show on BAM Radio Network

To find out more about this podcast go to my Podcast page.

Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad

12 Secrets to Having a Truly Restful Vacation

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 03:33:00 PDT

Summer is here. Whether you're reading this in June and live in the northern hemisphere or in November in Australia and south America. You know what you've got ahead.

See "School Daze: Recapturing the Teacher within" for the
story of these photos of me and my son.
I'm an idiot when it comes to being goofy in the water.
It just feels so good to be outside and be free!

You do need rest. You need to veg out. There are so many things you can do. Let's look at some things that will improve your life and your mood. When I say technology, I really mean an always-on smartphone that texts and tweets and vibrates every time that some happens to hit send. I don't mean you can't take pictures. We're talking the barrage of people OUT THERE keeping you from paying attention to the people RIGHT HERE.

Disconnecting helps you feel more like a human BEING rather than a human DOING. It is ok to just BE.

Why?

A new study shows that people who claim to be the best multitaskers AREN'T. So, if you think you can focus on all happening OUT THERE, you're lying to yourself. There is a company now to help you with your internet addiction. Even more so, your kids are likely at risk.

This was taken just the moment before I saw
a flash of light and bubbles. If you've done water sports
you know how fast it happens.
Don't be afraid to have fun because you're going to fall
if you're healthy.

Are you really UNABLE to disconnect? Is this a matrix where your spine is forever wired into this mesh of people and when you're done, you unplug and are thrown in the ground?

Take a technology-free vacation.

1. Set guidelines

If you have to check, then set a time when you won't be taking away from your family. What does disconnecting mean?

I'll never forget the year I was in the mountains and I got a nasty tweet from an awful person. The attack was very personal, off base, and upsetting. I spent the day brooding and writing a response.

No one can cross the fence of disconnectivity to ruin your peace of mind. You can't control THEM but you can control what you look at. You NEED To disconnect sometimes, YOU DO. What does it mean? Will you still take pics (I do?) Will you use your ereader? Don't say technology free to your kids and take away their phones and bang away on your laptop. What does technology free look like.

Picture of a mushroom taken on a hike.
Vicki Davis

When we go to the mountains with my parents, sisters, kids, and nieces and nephews, we all check our email, etc.in the morning. Then we spend the rest of the day together.

2. Plan to go offline

I'll schedule my tweets in buffer and my blog posts as well. I'm often a better blogger when I'm out of town. This also helps others not worry and start trying to reach you because you disappeared! Communicate with those who need to know that you're going offline.

Decide how often you're going to post and schedule those before you go out of town. My goal is that the moment I get in the car, I can curl up with a good book and start laughing at Dad's jokes.

Me and my son rafting down Little Wesser Falls.
Yahoo! I'm always scared but glad I do it.

3. Disconnect your eReader / Tablet from notifications

OK. This doesn't include a Kindle that is NOT connected to the internet. I have an old Kindle that allows me to download books.

The problem with my iPad is that if I don't turn off notifications, it will bug me all day. If your tablet is your ereader, then turn off the wi-fi. You need to read. You might not take paper books any more, especially with the prices for luggage on airplanes. Make provision to read, but be careful you're not interrupted.

Last summer all of us went ziplining. It was awesome. They don't
allow you to have cell phones on the zips for safety reasons.
They say you can't focus and you become a danger.
You're not focusing on the moment and what you're doing.
I think this applies to everything on vacation.

4. Take up Smartphones and cell phones for long periods of time

My pastor, Michael Catt, has a basket at the door of his summer vacation cabin where everyone deposits their cell phone. He pays to take his adult daughters and their families on the trip and makes it a condition of the trip. I agree.

Have you ever looked up from your laptop on vacation and seen everyone furiously texting people who aren't there? Your time as a family is your chance to connect. You can make memories. I promise that you won't remember ONE text you received or tweet you wrote. You will, however, remember going ziplining with the kids or rafting. You'll remember playing Uno or a board game. You'll remember snuggling up under blankets with a warm batch of brownies watching old episodes of The Pink Panther.

You'll remember sleeping late and staying up late. You'll remember catching fire flies and building bonfires. You'll remember when Joey sat on the flaming smore. You'll remember when Suzie ate a bug because she didn't look before grabbing a handful of raisinettes from the picnic basket. You'll even remember when the whole family started singing a crazy Pink song and you filmed it and put it on the family movie at Christmas.

When you unplug you make memories. When you stay plugged in, you just make data.

5. Take pictures but wait to upload them

I don't upload pictures until after a trip. First of all, so I don't worry about the security of my house. Secondly, so I can just be in the moment. Thirdly, because as much as it hurts, if you put too many cool things on Facebook in a small town, people get jealous and it doesn't help you.

I know people who go to the beach every weekend and others resent it like crazy. If they just went and kept it private, NO ONE WOULD KNOW. Upload a few highlights when you're done. Plus, if you do something cool, then you start getting, TEXT MESSAGES.

This blog post is full of photographs I've taken with my Canon Rebel. It is offline, I can focus on what I'm seeing and I truly see it. I remember the snail and the mushroom and the flowers. Pictures are beautiful memories but beware lest they suck you back into an online world that will take you away from your vacation.

6. Carry a Journal

I use Evernote for everything. But it is a quick jump from Evernote journaling to Twitter for me. Typing is typing. So, I carry a journal to capture ideas (it is what writers do). I write down memories and thoughts. Then, when I get home, I scan them to evernote which handles handwriting recognition just fine. This includes pens and a small notebook in my pocket book and full size journal with at least 20 pages.

If I can avoid technology as much as possible, I'm happier. Plus, the bright light of technology can make it harder for you to go to sleep.

7. Investigate cool places

We collect "waterfalls" in my family.
We buy books about them and
go off weird places to find them.
There's something beautiful in the roar
and something calming in the shhhh
of water falling from rocks.
We use the same book every year and
mark them in the book. We take pics.
Think of something you like to
see and collect experiences.

I do use Yelp like crazy when we're traveling. I use the "nearby" feature to find cool restaurants nearby and bookstores. I love bookstores,even though I'm an ebook fanatic. I like the smell of books and the feel of them. Books are like air to me - they help me feel truly alive.

Some people check these out ahead of time and mark them on Foursquare.But be careful, it is an easy slide into full blown online engagement and offline disconnect. There have been times my kids have looked at each other and said, "Mom's gone again..." I don't like that! I'm here! I'll be here! Time is short because soon they'll be gone.

8. Go places off the grid

Do you really NEED wifi everywhere you go? I've found the best way to disconnect is to go somewhere with bad service. I always feel so much better by the second day and like a human again by the third.

9. Plan ahead to do fun things

We have older movies, board games and card games. We pack them. Sometimes the boys pack their airsoft guns or nerf guns (what a mess.) This is a great thing about going to one place each summer that is the same from the prior year. Routines often make memories.

Do you really look at the wildlife?
Kip stopped the car one year so I could
photograph these lovely flowers.
When you take pictures, you make a memory.

10. Leave your worries at home

I make a list of things that will bother me while I"m gone and do them before I go. If there is a bill to be paid, I pay it. If there is something upsetting me, I try to tackle it head on (unless it is something I have to think about.) I handle the pets. I'm not tempted, then, to make phone calls and interact too much with the outside world.

11. Plan to return to a clean house

Money is always tight but one thing I've always done is to schedule someone to clean my house while I'm gone. There is nothing nicer to come home to a clean house. Otherwise, you feel like you've got to come home and wear yourself out.

How does this help with technology? It means that when I come home, I can focus that first day on getting caught up. I don't have to panic as I drive home all upset knowing the house is a mess AND I haven't checked email.

12. Don't stress. Remember, you make the rules and this is YOUR vacation.

Stuff happens. It does. If it does, handle the problem. Get on the phone, use your laptop, etc. Talk to your family and then move on. Remember, though, that you are a gift you give your family. Unstress and be your best.

But stuff doesn't happen every day. If it does, why are you on vacation?

In Conclusion
This is your time. These precious people will not last forever. Twitter will likely live longer than some of the people you're with. If you want to live life with no regrets, intentionally walk away from things that tempt you to distraction.

Life life with intention. You can't be perfect but you can plan ahead. You can focus on the people around you instead of that cell phone that will put you in a digital jail if you let it.

Enjoy your vacation and yes, I want to see pics and I will be happy for you. (Unless you go to Alaska and if you do, I don't want to hear about it! ;-)

How your students can join the #quest2matter and change the world @angelamaiers

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 05:03:00 PDT

The Quest 2 Matter is here!

Listen to my interview with Agnela about the #quest2matter (Every Classroom Matters on BAM Radio)

Think of a Match.com for student ideas to improve the world and the rest of the world. That is the platform that is being built behind Quest 2 Matter. Some incredible opportunities are here for rich student participation.Whether it is on the back end helping manage and run the projects (some of my students are spending time on their summer passion projects volunteering in the movement in social media, judging, etc. Kids really are behind this movement) or submitting their quest.

I sat down recently with +Angela Maiers (@angelamaiers) to understand the details about the Quest2Matter and how your students can participate. Watch as your students solve a problem. Help them upload their videos to the Quest 2 Matter website. The best will be selected and curated for an opportunity to mentor and be scaled globally. The Huff Post video above gives an overview about the movement from a business/ college perspective. My show focused on students and the classroom.

This is an important part of the #geniushour movement (See Engage Students and Supercharge Learning with #geniushour) It is also passion based learning and integrates well with digital storytelling.

If you're looking for the PERFECT way to end the school year THIS IS IT!

Links from the #Quest2Matter Show

Flyer - https://www.smore.com/0ruh-taking-student-genius-global
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/choose2matter -- Many students including my own have been involved in the Quest2Matter. They are excited and share their stories.

FAQ about Quest2Matter and how to join: http://choose2matter.org/quest2matter-join
Rules for the Quest2Matter

Respond to the Huff Post Video Above: http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/tech-game-changers-choose2matter/519501802b8c2a258b000319

I hope you'll join in the quest2matter!

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 06/01/2013

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 02:30:39 PDT

HuffPost Live: Game Changes + Kids

An excellent show with Angela Maiers @angelamaiers and all of the business innovators behind the choose 2 matter movement. This show on Huff post live is a great way to find out about the Quest 2 Matter movement. The quest is open until mid June - what a great way to end the school year.

tags: education news choose2matter passionbased learning
TABLEIZER! Results -- Spreadsheets to HTML Tables Tool

Very cool table tool that helps you paste in Excel and generate the HTML code to paste it onto a website (without having to know coding.)

tags: education news blogging
Adding a table to a post without coding

Very useful tip for creating tables without coding. You create the table in Excel and then use Tablelizer to create the table. One tip, however. If you're using Blogger, you'll want to copy and paste the table itself not the HTML code. I used this to create the podcast table on my page on Blogger for Every Classroom matters, my new podcast.

tags: education news table blogging tumblr

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Transformational IT Integrator: Theresa Allen @tdallen5 #edtech

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Fri, 31 May 2013 07:15:14 PDT

Theresa Allen (@tdallen5) is an amazing IT Integrator from Illinois. In the last three years, she's helped her school connect on a global basis from kindergarten through middle school.

She inspires me with how she works with teachers at her school and her ability to facilitate change in such a short amount of time.

"You can do this, I can help you, let's go." says Theresa.

She shares her philosophy of IT integration at the end of the show. As I look at what I'm trying to do in IT Integration, I've got to be more like Theresa.

Theresa is a Flat Classroom certified teacher and will be with Julie Lindsay, me, Frank Guttler in the Flat Classroom Live Event in Hawaii. She is an inspiring example of how much one good IT integrator matters in the life of thousands of students. IT Integrators can help teachers so much. Please follow Theresa, she's amazing

Listen to the show

Show Notes and Links:

Hello Little World Skypers (mentoring group for teachers): https://sites.google.com/site/skypershello/

Quest Atlantis (junior high): http://atlantisremixed.org/
Digiteen and DigiTween: www.digiteen.org
Kidlink: http://www.kidlink.org/
Flat Classroom K-2 "Building Bridges": http://www.flatclassroomproject.net/k-2-building-bridges.html
A Week in the Life: http://www.flatclassroomproject.net/a-week-in-the-life-project.html
Kerpoof: http://www.kerpoof.com/
Voicethread: http://voicethread.com/
Edmodo: http://www.edmodo.com/
Skype: http://www.skype.com/en/
Educator Virtual PD: http://educatorvirtualpd.wikispaces.com/
Theresa's Mentor Mob Playlist: http://www.mentormob.com/learn/i/interactive-whiteboard-resources/sheppard-software-fun-free-online-learning-games-and-activities-for-kids
Diigo Lists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrO1xBL5tiU
Global Monster: http://www.smithclass.org/proj/Monsters/
The Writers Club: http://theglobalclassroomproject.wordpress.com/tag/writers-club/
Global Heroes: https://globalclassroom2011-12.wikispaces.com/Hero+Voicethread+Project
Crazy Crazes: http://theglobalclassroomproject.wordpress.com/2012/05/27/new-project-announcement-crazy-crazes-grades-4-7-june-2012-june-2013/
Student blogging challenge: http://studentchallenge.edublogs.org/2013/03/03/so-the-10th-challenge-begins/
Flat Classroom Certified Teacher: http://fcpteacher.flatclassroomproject.org/

Full Bio:
Theresa Allen is the Technology Teacher and Coordinator for the Cathedral of St. Raymond School in Joliet, IL. She is Flat Classroom certified and manages the Digiteen Project, a digital citizenship project for junior high and high school students. She is a global educator, involving her students from Kindergarten to 8th grade in many global projects including Flat Classroom projects: Building Bridges, A Week in the Life and Digiteen, and also projects from Kidlink (Global Monster Project, Draw/Describe), The Global Classroom Project (Edmodo Pen Pal Project, Crazy Crazes, Global Hero Project), Blogging Challenges (Student Blogging Challenge, Quadblogging, and The Writers Club), and virtual worlds in Quest Atlantis. She presents about these projects face to face and virtually including topics about: Building Your PLN and How to Utilize Technology in the One Computer Classroom. Theresa is also a life-long learner, working towards a Masters in Technology Education and attending workshops throughout the year. Recently Theresa was awarded the Joliet Area Great Teacher Award this March 2013, as well as Technology Teacher of the year in 2011. She is passionate about connecting, communicating and collaborating with students and educators around the world.

To find out more about this podcast go to my Podcast page.

------------------------
Disclosure of Material Connection: I am the co-founder of Flat Classroom Projects, the company offers the Flat Classroom Certified Teacher course, K-2 project, and a Week in the Life projects. I'm president of the non-profit organization that manages Digiteen and am a leader of the Hawaii conference mentioned in the opening. Regardless, I only recommend products and items that I have personally used and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Developing a mindset to go from good to GREAT

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Thu, 30 May 2013 07:13:59 PDT

Greatness (Photo credit: Sonel-SA)

Sometimes in order to be great, you've got to leave some good things behind.

You must choose
How you spend your time. If you're at the swimming pool, you can't go to Disney. You can't inhabit two spaces at the same time. You choose.

How you spend your money. If you spend $1,000 a month at Wal-mart buying tupperware and coffee cups, you can't save that money for a cruise. You have to choose.

Sometimes you have lots of good choices.
If you're one of those gutsy talented people out there - your problem isn't going to be "what do I do?" but "which do I do?"

You'll have to choose between good and great.
Why be good if you can be great? Why do good things if you can do great things? Good just isn't good enough. You have a life to live. You can do stuff or you can do something really important and meaningful.

Will your legacy be heirlooms or "stuff"?

Thinking of the end of my life. Will they go through my closets and find stuff? Will they find heirlooms? Will my work mean anything to anyone else?

I want my life to be full of heirlooms. Treasured, beautiful things polished with care that help others.

When does great become just good?

Sometimes we do something great but when we've done it for the tenth or fifteenth time, it isn't great anymore. In fact, we wonder if it is even good.

Ruts are the enemy of greatness. Greatness blazes new trails, it doesn't get stuck in old ones.

I admit that I was scared to go to South Africa by myself with Microsoft
invited me to cover their Microsoft Innovative Educators
international conference. I went anyway and had one of
the most memorable experiences of my life!

Fear is a liar.

Fear is the enemy of greatness. Fear tells you that you'd better stay where you are. Where you are is safe. Where you are is known. Where you are is where you are and you can stay there and be comfortable.

But Fear is a liar. Fear won't remind you that in nature and life that every living thing is either growing or dying. There is no in between. Fear won't tell you that the human brain really enjoys doing new things. Fear will whisper lies into your ears at night when you wrestle with your dreams.

Fear will tell you that you'll look back and regret the decision. Fear will lie. It will tell you that you're not good enough and the opportunity isn't good enough for you at the same time.

Fear will lie to you. Great paths are often fraught with uncertainty.

Seek wisdom

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

I'm not talking about seeking sympathy here. Find those one or two people close to you who love you. Seek their advice. I have wise counselors and wise words in the Bible that advise every move. If I don't have any wise words from my counselors, I''ll sometimes wait until it is a bit more clear. Being bold doesn't mean being stupid. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference.

Don't look for happiness in people

Happiness can't be found in the eyes or arms of another. It is a grave mistake to think another person can complete you. It doesn't work that way. Love is fantastic, fun and wonderful. But after 20 years in a fantastic marriage to the man of my dreams, I've learned that love is a decision. I've learned that Kip won't make me happy. If I'm not happy, no one can make me happy.

Sometimes people considering going from good to great want to blame others. They mistakenly think if they can just sever this relationship and move to another one that they'll be happier. People don't make you happy.

That said, if there are negative people in your life that you can move away from, your soul will enjoy the fresh air.

Greatness doesn't mean good things will always happen.

The avoidance of pain and heartache is the goal of some. They think if they can just settle in the land of good that nothing bad will happen. Whatever path you choose, it will have good and bad. that is life. This is earth, not heaven, that is what it is called earth. Things stink here sometimes. Bad things happen to good people.

But since you know bad things (and good things) WILL happen. Not fulfilling your purpose while you're here, to me, is the worst thing that could happen. Settling for good will always keep you from your purpose. You are made for a reason and that reason is to be GREAT. Settling in the land of the good can keep you from great. You must choose this day whom you will serve and you can't serve everyone and serve up greatness.

Examine your life for the good and the great

Armed with my pen and journal, lists and logic fill pages as I seek to discern what is good and what is great in my own life.

Great doesn't happen by accident. It takes decisionmaking. Sacrifice. Wise advice. A face set like flint and an indefatigable heart.

As you spend this summer. Examine where you're heading. If you're facing north, you'll head north.

Don't stand in New York and head north and wonder why you don't end up in Hawaii.

Be intentional about your life, what you love, and how you LIVE.

Choose greatness but don't expect applause.
Choose greatness but realize that you'll be lucky to have the time to wipe the sweat off your brow.
Choose greatness but realize that you have to say "no" to some good things.
Choose greatness but be careful not to define greatness in the eyes of the fickle masses.
Choose greatness but know that great isn't often recognized until you're done. Enjoy the journey.
Choose greatness. It is what you were born to do.

Too many of us settle in the land of the good. We should pack our bags and move across the river and become great. It might not be as far away as you think.

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/28/2013

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Tue, 28 May 2013 02:30:42 PDT

Digested Sucks Notes And Highlights From iBooks And Spits Them Out In Evernote or PDF | Cult of Mac

If you use iBooks and have a mac, this program called Digested will pull your notes and highlights from iBooks into evernote.

tags: education news
Google Keep

Here's the link to Google's new notetaking service. Honestly, I used to depend on Google notebook. Because I've lost so much with Google lately, I don't want to go back and depend on something else I'll lose. You can't tag the note but you can add a color to it. This is definitely something missing in the Google suite of services as schools are having to pick between Evernote and One Note, the two most prominent and ubiquitous services out currently.

tags: google notebook notetaking edu_news edu_newapp
How to set reminders in Evernote | How To - CNET

You can now set reminders in Evernote, here's how. (A student might want to remind themselves with a note about the quiz and a quick study guide, etc.)

tags: education news evernote productivity notetaking
EverClip Automatically Imports Your iOS Clipboard to Evernote

Yes, you can clip from your ipad or iphone screen into Evernote using this handy app. "Once you're done clipping, hop back over to EverClip to organize your note. You can select any combination of the clippings to add to Evernote, rearrange them, add an additional photo or text note, then export it to your default Evernote notebook."

tags: education news evernote ipad ios iphone
How To Use Google Drive and Evernote To Create Digital Portfolios

ePortfolios can be done in just about any medium, with Google Drive and Evernote being two of the easiest. Here's Edudemic's guide for this.

tags: news education efolio evernote Google drive
Part 6: Staying Secure with Evernote

Evernote security tips.

tags: education news evernote productivity
Evernote for Educators - LiveBinder

A lovely livebinder about Evernote and the uses in the classroom.

tags: education news productivity evernote
How do I connect my StudyBlue and Evernote accounts?

You can link Study Blue and evernote to pull your notes and study guides together.

tags: education news productivity eduapp evernote

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

10 ways to End the School Year on an Up Note when You're Exhausted

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:51:34 PDT

Today is the last day of my 11th year of teaching. Today my oldest son graduates.

Sometimes the struggles of teaching just have to come out.
Hope you finish the school year well even though
you're exhausted. Here's how.
YOU ROCK! -- Vicki

Last night at 9 pm or so I had my head down on my desk in my classroom, upset because my computer kept crashing when I tried to render the graduation movie. Usually, I'm done far before now but the workload at school this year has been tough.

If I had one wish for myself, I'm guessing it would be that I could enjoy all of this more.

But then again, it would be kind of like enjoying a car wreck because that is what the end of school is like for me. Things come at you. You try to respond quickly. You try to adjust. You start skidding and spinning, and suddenly it all stops and you see you're OK.

I do love teaching. I do love being a Mom - my first calling. But it is so very evident to me why we are finite creatures, especially teachers. We just wear out.

But if I'm going to wear out, at least I'm not going to rust out. At least it is in a worthy cause. I think one of the hardest things about doing things for kids and their parents goes back to something I mentioned last week in my review of Jon Acuff's book, Start. Critics math.

Critics math is:

1 criticism + 1,000 compliments = 1 criticism

At this point, I'm so very tired that when that movie plays tonight and I get the inevitable comment here or there that aren't so positive - that is what I'll remember.

So, here is what I do to combat critics math when I'm as vulnerable as I am right now. And remember, tiredness and emotional exhaustion always makes you more vulnerable. You are a sitting duck as the hunters will say for every malcontent parent or student that heads your way.

Protect yourself, educator.

1 - Remember why you do it.

You're not doing these things for glory.

2 - Remember who you're doing it for.

Look at the students who you love and do it for them.

3 - Don't let a few unkind people ruin it for all those who are not that way

I had a few kids prank my room on Tuesday and waste my time this week. Honestly, I've never been pranked. It totally hurt my feelings.

It came at a time when I was so tired that I almost gave up doing the graduation movie. Kids don't think, especially when they're about to graduate. I had to pick myself up and remember all the kids who I love and I know they love me. Those who have been frustrated with me and are passive aggressive - they will have a life without me and that is fine. I loved them anyway and if it is their choice to go out that way - they'll be lesser people for it.

You can choose to see the joy and whistle through life.
I love whistling because I've never known an unhappy
person who did it. ;-)

4 - Don't expect to be thanked.

It is nice to be thanked. Sometimes it happens. When it does, I save the notes and such and put them in a folder called "at a girl." I read them when I have rough days. On my Facebook fanpage I have a picture of a dozen roses (shown below) sent to me by a student and his Mom. I want to remember that sometimes I do make a difference.

My worth as a teacher is not determined by how many say "thank you" at the end of the year. So many parents and kids are exhausted and there is likely a bit of "you'll always be there next year" in it as well. (Ever wonder why leaving teachers are showered by their students and parents - people know they have to thank them.)

These flowers were sent to me 2 years
a go by a student who found his love of
writing in blogging. The kids made
fun of him, but he found his niche in
the Digiteen project. I'll always
connect my classrooms because it
helps kids who don't fit in
get out of my small town virtually.

5 - Find your joy

I keep a joy journal. It is proven to be a permanent mood booster (more than winning the lottery - see 9 Fine Reasons to Keep a Journal).

At the end of every school year, I write down the best things that happened. I don't even write down the worst. The worst things that happen I chalk up to the cost of doing an important jobs. Important jobs always have a cost to the person who holds the job. You're never paid enough to be a fire fighter, policeman, or teacher (principal, janitor, IT staff) and quite a few other jobs as well.

This is your job. This is your life. If you're going to live a good one, it is up to you, my friend, to find your joy in your day and your profession. There are kids who loved you, I promise.

When I was in business, I knew I had a good month because I got a big fat bonus. That doesn't happen in teaching so I should sit down and make my own bonus. I should document and pay myself with the memories that will stick with me. I make my own joy by counting the blessings and great things that happen.

I love this pic I took of a bird just hatched over at the
family pond. This bird doesn't care that he has bad hair -
he is just glad to be alive. Sometimes I've got
to adopt that attitude and feel the breeze even
if my hair gets mussed.

6- Let the rough end drag

My granny always said this and I quote it multiple times a week during the end of the school year. I could feel guilty about "Mount Laundry" in my room or that I haven't gone to buy milk and we ran out on Tuesday. But I'm not.

Right now, it is just about making it through - one more day. Tomorrow, I can start to jackhammer Mt. Laundry and go buy milk - today I just gotta make it.

7 - Don't take guilt trips

The other thing that gets me about the school year is that I can - in my tiredness - start taking a guilt trip.

Mom says "You can't go on a guilt trip unless you pack your own bags."

I didn't have enough time to do Lego Mindstorms this year and we didn't get in our last race. OK. I can say "you know what, we got to do a lot with them it is OK." or, I can start packing my bag and piling on the guilt.

When you see dog poop in the yard, do you go intentionally step in it? NO! For goodness sakes, no! It is nasty and you know it will stay with you a long time as strangers back away from you and go get in another checkout line at WalMart and little children wrinkle their nose.

Guilt trips make you repugnant. You've given all you have and now, my dear friends, THAT IS ENOUGH. Yes, that is worthy of a caps lock.

Celebrate the great journeys and if guilt trips come knocking - make notes about what to do better next year. Every year, I work and change things around to make them better for the next year. Put the biggest guilt trips as your indicator something should change next year. If it isn't something that really needs to change and it is tiredness talking then just don't go there. Move on.

No guilt unless you've done something unethical and if you have -- get help now. Liars make poor teachers because you teach with your life. For most of you, guilt is the tiredness talking.

I leave post it notes for myself when I'm
struggling with a co-worker.
Decide who you want to be because
doing the right thing is most often a
decision NOT a feeling or
something you WANT to do.

8 - Let go of grudges and forgive.

People are people. You've got some who are a pain in the neck and you are a pain in the neck to some people yourself. Like oil and water, some of us in schools just don't see eye to eye. We don't mix.

For me, I have to let it go. Bitterness and unforgiveness will ruin your summer. You'll think you're better and BAM! you'll be sitting by the pool and someone will say something and you're right back to arguing in your head with your nemesis. When you are bitter, you take your enemy with you everywhere you go.

Let it go. For me, as a Christian, I take it to God and ask Him to handle it. He always does by either showing me I was wrong or by helping the other person see it - usually it is a mix of both.

If you're perfect, go ahead and seethe. But guess what? You're no longer perfect if you're steeping your life in the bitter tea of fury. You're poison.

If it helps, write what they did one more time and burn it. Go talk to someone who will listen and not fan the flame. Take steps to help prevent a repeat next year (if you're at the same school.)

When my husband was a child and got mad at his Mom, he would beat his head against a wall until he had blue lumps. If you are bitter and begrudging you are just hitting your own head. It is just as ridiculous as baby Kip trying to get even with Mom by hurting himself.

In my house we make "summer posters" with our goals.
This was my poster from 4-5 years back.

9 - Plan things you'll enjoy

As a profession, we do 98% of the work in 3/4 of the time each year. If you realize that some of those folks who are "feet up on desk-ers" and leave the moment school's out, you'll realize that some of us are way over the top - probably working 125%+ of the hours of other professions in 3/4 of the time each year. Cut yourself some slack.

It is very hard for me to do nothing. In fact, I would say it is probably impossible. But sometimes, I need to veg out and be mindless.

I love rafting. I love walks / runs and listening to books on tape. I love cooking (and eating) good food. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the mountains. (I also love to write. ;-) So, these are things I'll plan into my schedule.

Take time to write 10 things you LOVE and make sure 5 of them cost little or nothing.

Every summer we "collect" and explore waterfalls.
Here's my family - nephews, nieces, and Kip exploring one.

10 -Laugh

So I decided to be intentionally about laughing and made a flipboard magazine of the stuff that makes me laugh. Collect things that make you laugh so you can share and look at them when you want. Plus, studies have shown that when promotions happen, people who are funny get promoted over the stick in the mud. (See Forbes Magazine: Want to get promoted? Be Funny.)

Animals are some of the most hilarious companions
I know. These are the dogs running through the
pecan grove behind Mom's and Dad's house.
Love em - every one.

Good luck, my friends. I know I'm out quite a bit earlier than many of you and my friends down under in Australia are in mid-year. But take the time to end well, whenever the end comes.

You rock, educators. I care about you and this profession very much. Next to my babies in the classroom, the professionals who connect in the places I frequent are one of my greatest joys.

Now, off to school and on to graduation. The moment is here.

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/24/2013

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:30:49 PDT

Wissahickon School District: WHS Graduation Project

I'll be spending time to AJ Juliani, Steve Mogg and Rosie Esposito from Wissahikon school district. Here's a copy of their Graduation project required to graduate from their school. I think all schools should have graduation projects. There is information and manuals if you want to look into this for yourself. I saw this in Evansvlle High school as well. This can be part of your genius work. "As part of graduation from Wissahickon High School, every senior is required to complete a graduation project. The projects include research, writing and an oral presentation to assure that students are able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluation information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding. This is culminating project in one or more areas of concentrated study under the guidance and direction of the high school faculty. "

tags: education news graduation pbl

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Discover Great Common Core PD

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:49:05 PDT

guest post by Johnna Weller, Ed D.

guest post by Johnna Weller, Ed D.
Note from Vicki: Johnna from Discovery Education,
wrote the recent post 15 Wrong Ways to implement Common Core.
Discovery is offering Common Core Academies this summer.
I've done work with Discovery and am a Den Star Educator and
Love their work, so I asked her to share about their Academies
this summer and what to expect. Having been part of
one of their STEM institutes, I know first hand what
an excellent job they do. I can personally attest to the
fact that their training is exciting, engaging, and hands on. As always
please review the disclosures at the bottom of this post.

Two weeks ago, I wrote about 15 Wrong Ways to Implement the Common Core. Since then, I’ve been asked to list the “right” ways.

Is there a Common Core "checklist?"

Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a list of things that, if completed, would ensure that your classroom/school/district was “Common Core-ized”?

But, it’s not that simple. As much we educators love checklists (I make them almost daily!), I don’t believe that there is checklist for implementing the Common Core.

We must be critical thinkers as we plan Common Core Implementation

Just as the Common Core requires deep and critical thinking of students, so it is the same for the adults. As we design, plan, learn, and reflect on instructional practices that will move our lessons toward Common Core, we must be deep and critical thinkers -- not simply list-checkers.

Instruction that builds deep and critical thinking is vital for our students everywhere, even in places that have not adopted the Common Core. No matter where we are -- it’s all about powerful instruction that develops powerful thinkers.

"Instruction that builds deep and critical thinking
is vital for our students everywhere,
even in places that have not adopted the Common Core."

The Cognitive Workout of Common Core Implementation

The complexity and rigor of designing complexity and rigor should not be minimized. It’s a cognitive workout (“brain sweat,” as some people say). Educators must design instruction that intertwines the needs of their students with the standards, curriculum, and assessment. They must continually monitor students’ learning to adjust their instruction. It’s definitely complex. Joyfully complex… but complex all the same!

So, it’s all about instruction -- the designing, planning, reflecting, monitoring, adjusting, and thinking that teachers do to nurture their leaners. It’s not a list … it’s an ongoing process.

Discovery Common Core Academies

But, since we do love lists (and I haven’t made one yet today), I will share 3 ways how Discovery Education’s Professional Development can support teachers in their complex work.

This summer in various locations across the U.S., Discovery is offering Common Core Academies

1. Are research-based: Professional development that integrates proven curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices from expert practitioners.

2. Are personalized: Each academy addresses educator-identified needs related to the transition to more rigorous standards.

3. Are practical: Educators leave with practical strategies for immediate classroom application.

Whether you are just starting on the path down CCSS implementation and need an introduction to the CCSS standards or you are ready to dig deeper into the specifics of the standards, we’ll meet you where you are and help you take the next steps toward successful implementation of the CCSS in your classroom, school, or district.

There are four Common Core Academies to pick from:

·       Making the Common Core State Standards Make Common Sense in Your English Language Arts and Content Area Classroom

·       Moving Toward Greater Focus and Coherence in Your Classroom: Making Common Sense Out of the Math Common Core State Standards

·       Connecting Specialized Instruction to Common Core State Standards: An Academy for Teachers of Students with Special Needs

·       Not-So-Common Leadership Strategies for Successful Common Core Implementation

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I have used personally. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” I reserve rights to edit and/or all editorial rights for what is published on this blog. If you don't fall into this category, please don't request a guest post.

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/23/2013

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Thu, 23 May 2013 02:30:45 PDT

Moving at the Speed of Creativity | Redeeming the Family: Blessing Children of Incarcerated Parents

Wesley Fryer is not only a great educator but a great man. Here he shares how he and other men went into the Cushing Oklahooma correction facility and helped dads record messages to their children for Father's day. What a great thing to do. Part of my own faith is the forgiveness that we can receive and as people we must forgive and encourage those who have made mistakes. If you don't make a mistake ignore this post, if you do, then consider bringing something like this to your area. Great work, Wes. I hope our PLN's share this message far and wide. "This is a 14 minute video reflection by Wesley Fryer, who volunteered with Redeeming the Family on May 15, 2013, at the Cimarron Correctional Facility (prison) in Cushing, Oklahoma. Oklahoma currently has 17 prisons, and Cimarron is one of three which is privately operated. Corrections Corporation of America has owned and operated this prison commercially since 1997. Last week Redeeming the Family volunteers assisted 50 incarcerated dads to record video messages of love for their children, which will be mailed to their children before Father’s Day on Sunday, June 16th."

tags: education news prison families edu_news
Teaching Students to Dig Deeper | Edutopia

You can help them think deeper but it takes time and sharpening the saw. Great article. "A common occurrence in classrooms is that the teacher, when he or she sees the students struggle mightily to "think out of the box" will precipitously step in and give the students the answers, or throw the deeper learning activity out all together, thinking that the students aren't ready for it. What these students and the teachers need is to be patient, practice and build those mental muscles over time. One thing that helps teachers and students is a better understanding the nature of the advanced thinking tools."

tags: education news common core all_teachers bestpractices

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

End of Year Focus Groups: Kids Ask me to Share how to get more followers so here it is!

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:08:51 PDT

Created with Haiku Deck, the free presentation app for iPad

Four Questions for End of Year Focus Groups with Students

Yesterday was focus groups in my class. I have the students answer four questions:

What was your favorite thing we did this year?
What was your least favorite thing we did?
What was the most important thing you learned?
What was something you wish we'd spent more time doing?

Voting for the Lesson for the Last Day of Class

Out of that conversation, I had all four classes echo that they wanted to know "how to get more followers on social media like you've done, 'Miss' Vicki." I let them vote on what I'd share the last day of school and that was it... a lesson they asked for but will not be graded. And while there is time for questions built in, it is largely a lecture - something I don't do much but sometimes should.

How to get More Followers (a 20 minute presentation)

So, I spent yesterday drafting up my notes w/ a mindmap and then during my morning work time at 5 am, I used Haiku deck on my ipad to zap up a cute, short presentation that will neatly fit in the 20 minute time slot I have with my students today.

Plus, I hope I share clearly - followers aren't something you "get" they are something you earn from being helpful and it is very hard work. Not everyone wants to hear that.

So, I've embedded that presentation to share with you and hope it gives you some advice and tips for Twitter or any social media. (If you want to read more, read my Easy Guide for Gaining Followers and Being Followed on Twitter.)

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/22/2013

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:30:42 PDT

Why the mantis shrimp is my new favorite animal - The Oatmeal

This great cartoon can be used to talk about eyes and color but is also funny. You might want to share this with students if your class talks about these topics. Wow, the Mantis Shrimp has the ability to see this many colors?

tags: cartoon news education science color eyes biology
15 Incredible Cat Photobombs (PHOTOS)

If you need a laugh for the end of the year, the 15 incredible cat photobombs are great for a laugh.

tags: education news humor
Anchornote - iPhone - English - Evernote Trunk

Another award winner - this is a cool app to plan your trips. You'll be reminded when you get near something what you want to do there. Very cool. (You can also import foursquare lists.)

tags: education news productivity travel
SignEasy - iPad - English - Evernote Trunk

Sign easy just won an award for being the simplest way to sign docs on the iphone and ipad. It links with most cloud services like Dropbox, Box and Evernote.

tags: education news productivity edu_newapp
HelloFax - Web - English - Evernote Trunk

You can send and receive faxes into an Evernote notebook using HelloFax. Very interesting productivity tool.

tags: education news productivity

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

5 Important Ingredients of Good Preservice Teacher Education

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:36:49 PDT

Eva Brown @ebrownorama
is a highered teacherpreneur
who helps her classroom matter
by connecting teachers
to others throughout the
world.
(Listen to the interview.)

Eva Brown @ebrownorama is a teacher educator from Canada.

We recently sat down to record another episode of Every Classroom Matters and she gave me 5 very clear ingredients for excellent preservice teacher education. For those of you not familiar with the term "preservice" (it is called different things in different countries) - this means, Eva teachers people how to be teachers before they enter the classroom.

1. Create Flat Learning Experiences (also called Tandem Learning)

+Eva Brown worked with +Barbara Morganfield @blmteach to create a powerful learning experience for their students. They each had an expertise and a topic they were teaching. (Eva - ICT and Barbara - Discipline issues) Eva's students presented tools that would fit what Barbara's students were needing to use in their situations. Barbara's students provided feedback to Eva's students on what worked and didn't.

Teachers should graduate from college programs with ready-made connections between teachers in other parts of the world. This makes them more valuable to their schools and their students.

2. Connect with K-12 Classrooms

There is no excuse. With the proliferation of online K-12 projects, preservice teachers can interact with students before they start their student teaching. This is ideal because they can learn about online learning platforms at all levels. I love how she and some of my other highered friends +Leigh Zeitz and +Eric Brunsell do this as well.

3. Encourage Teachers to Master the Tools they always have

Eva gives some of the most compelling reasons for mastering the tablet device I've heard. As she moves around working with teachers, she says that she needs to be "ready to teach" all the time. She says if you can use the tablet and tools like Prezi and Haiku Deck then you can reduce the time to prepare and "get to the learning." Very compelling conversation about why she uses them as well.

4. Fit the Tools to the Task

If I handed you a hammer and asked you to cut down a tree, you'd laugh at me. Eva works hard to fit the tools to the task. It is fascinating to me that when Eva covers keyboarding, they use virtual worlds like Second Life and World of Warcraft.

She continually points out different tools that fit a specific purpose. Like a mechanic working on high end automobiles, we've got an increasing toolset and need to start selecting wisely from that set. Paper and pencil are the hammer we used to use for everything, not any more.

5. Always moving forward

She ends the show with such wise advice. I hope you'll listen to see what she says, but it comes down to this. Move forward.

In the south we say "when you're green you're growing, when you're ripe, you rot." It applies to crops and it applies to people.

Focus on your students as you prepare to end the school year. Today I'll run focus groups with my students as they give me feedback about what they learned, where they struggled, and what needs to be improved for next year. Over the summer, I tweak what we're doing. It is about my students and maximizing the all-to-short time we have together.

Eva is an example of a teacherpreneur at the college level who is pushing her students to be globally connected and social media savvy. I hope you'll dig into what she has to say because her classroom matters and yours does too. It is my dream that by featuring classrooms at all levels from around the world that it will foster conversations that need to happen about excellence in the classroom. I don't care where you teach, you are important. We can learn from each other as we work to be our best for our students.

LISTEN TO Eva Brown talk about how she teaches teachers with technology

Click here to listen:
Tactics and Tools: Teaching Teachers with Technology with Eva Brown

Eva Brown is a teacher educator at Red River College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She is a Flat Classroom Certified Teacher and a Microsoft Innovative Teacher.

Eva's website: https://sites.google.com/site/ebrownorama/

Do you want to nominate someone to be on the show?
Fill out the nomination form.
If you already nominated someone, once school gets out, I'll be looking through the nominations and reviewing their work. I do want to reach out to unsung heroes who might not be blogging or tweeting a lot but are doing great work. Thanks for taking time to nominate the rock star teachers among us, particularly those who are articulate and interesting.

Want to know more about Every Classroom matters and how to subscribe?
Read "The Every Classroom Matters Show and a tutorial on how to subscribe using iCatcher"

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/19/2013

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Sun, 19 May 2013 02:33:10 PDT

Bikes & Bullets - YouTube

This YouTube channel is an example of how parents MUST sign off on genius project. The final video "go Pro hero" is the only "officially submiited" video for this student's genius project. But he runs a youtube channel that has a bit of a cult following. I don't approve of the stunts, etc. but the child's mother does. He also did all the work at home except for the final. This is one of those challenging ones and is something to be aware that you can deal with when you have genius projects. I have parent sign off on anything students do.

tags: education news passion_project
Wix.com AwesomeMadi created by Tucker2015 based on my-gallery | Wix.com

This efolio is by far one of the best. I love on the homepage. She says "Hello my name is madison and I'm an artist." yes, you are, my dear.

tags: education news passion_project geniushour
Edits

I enjoy what this student did with learning to edit in Photoshop.

tags: education news photoshop passion_project
EbookBelle - Home

Here's the website where Merritt compiled all her book reviews on Kindle Nation Daily.

tags: education news ebooks passion_project edu_news
Psst Parents And YA Authors, This Post is For You - An Interview With a 10th Grade YA eBook Reader - Recommendations, Current Trends And Advice From a Member of The YA Audience | Kindle Kids' Corner

Another one of my students has been writing and sharing on the Kindle Kids Corner. Here's an interview she did about trends in Young Adult fiction and I agree with so much of what she's written. This is another example of how authentic projects can transform a student. This happened to come out of one of my favorite kindle book sites - Kindle Nation Daily and an email conversation I had with the author Steven Windwalker (penname.)

tags: education learning news books ebook
Flat Classroom - Brandon B

Another beautiful site and student work. Students update these and use them as they apply for scholarships. As I type this, I'm listening to this student's CD. He and his friends decided to cut a CD for his passion project. I love how this project gets students to do the things they want to do. Things that are important but don't get done move up the list when they are getting a grade - especially for your strong students. I think of the beautiful music that has been recorded on CD as part of these projects and it means a lot. I wish you can hear it, but likely they will release it soon. ;-)

tags: education news passion_project passionbasedlearning
Learning with 'e's: 10 characteristics of authentic learning

An important read as we work to reinvent schools and make sure we measure authentic learning with more authentic measures than bubble trouble. ;-)

tags: education news edreform authentic learning assessment edu_trends edu_news
Videos - Softball with Sage

Another passion project from a student who loves softball.

tags: education news geniushour
What happens during a general checkup? - YouTube

This a general overview video that my student Riya made as part of her passion project. She wanted to help kids be unafraid of going to the pediatrician's office and she wants to be a pediatrician herself. She now has a youtube channel complete with videos to help children. I'm very proud of what she's done. This is just one example of the kind of learning that can happen. click on her name to view the other videos in the series. It is so interesting to see how much her little brother has grown in the 2 years she's been making the videos.

tags: education news passionproject passionbasedlearning
www.medtechfortots.com - Home

I love this project created by one of my students to help children be unafraid to go to the doctor. She has a youtube channel called Pediatric Videos with one video having more than 50,000 views (the one on CT scanning.) Her dad is a pediatrician and filmed everything while supervising her and helping her write the script. Her little brother was the patient. This is a fantastic example of a passion based project.

tags: education news passionbasedlearning geniushour passion_project

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/17/2013

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:30:45 PDT

How To Handle A Student Who Habitually Calls Out — Smart Classroom Management

This is a tough one and I've had two or three this year who will call out - in a disruptive way. Sometimes it is when I'm speaking. I have one great class that causes me to struggle because of several who have a bit of a problem with knowing the appropriate time to engage (not in the middle of a question or when someone else is talking.) I encourage kids to have a pencil and paper or a tablet in hand to jot down notes of what they want to say - sometimes they are afraid they'll forget. Other times, when it is class discussion, I use poker chips. Each student gets two. When they want to interject, they spend their chip. Every student must participate twice before anyone can have a third input. It is a daily grade and so easy to assess b/c everyone must give up their chips. This article takes it much further and is a good one if you're struggling with this. "Namely, how do you deal with a student who, despite receiving consequence after consequence, continues to call out in class? Before we get to the solution, it’s important to note that there are times during a normal school day when you may want to allow your students to respond to you or their fellow classmates without raising their hand"

tags: education news teaching all_teachers bestpractices
8 Educational Apps To Create Digital Portfolios

All of my students are required to create an efolio. Every year they update it, eventually producing a personal website to use for themselves for the future. Here are 8 apps that help you do this.

tags: education news bestpractices efolio edu_news
Fighting Childhood Obesity One School Cafeteria at a Time - ABC News

Can you design a school to promote healthy eating? There are things every cafeteria can do (read to the end.) This is a big problem and something we need to address. Every school should have a fruit basket near the checkout. It is a no brainer, but do we? "Just walk into the cafeteria and you can see this is no ordinary elementary school. "One of the most striking differences is the openness of the eating space," said pediatrician Dr. Matthew Trowbridge, who also consulted on the project. Students can look into the area where the food is prepared, and they can look outside to a planned school garden, where vegetables will soon be planted."

tags: education news lunchroom health obesity bestpractices administrator
Xerox stepping into grading school papers

Grading handwritten answers by students as a feature of a copier? Producing data analytics as a result. IF this works, it will not only sell more copiers, but also make handwritten work more of a commodity. Maybe if a computer can quickly grade the easy stuff, teachers can spend more time assessing project based learning and other work that computers cannot do. This won't help me much - except when I teach binary numbers and memory conversion which do require me to check work (I never do multiple choice.) I could see how math teachers would be thrilled. "Xerox later this year plans to roll out Ignite, a software and web-based service that turns the numerous copiers/scanners/printers it has in schools across the United States into paper-grading machines. Unlike such staples of the educational system as Scantron, which uses special forms where students choose an answer and fill in the corresponding bubble, Ignite will grade work where the answers are written in by the students, such as the numeric answer to a math problem. Ignite takes right and wrong answers and turns them into web-accessible data for teachers with reports that say whether a student or groups of students are consistently having more trouble with certain kinds of math problems. Those reports can be used by teachers to tailor what they're teaching — such as by identifying what group of students needs more help with a certain topic — or given to students so they know where they should focus their studying. It also opens the door to specific tests or homework assignments for specific students becoming more the norm, each tailored to academic strengths and weaknesses."

tags: education news xerox assessment testing all_teachers
"How Can I Coach a Resistant Teacher?" (Part 1) - The Art of Coaching Teachers - Education Week Teacher

This is a discussion to have with all IT integrators. Many adopt the attitude of leaving the hibernating bear alone. After all, eventually, the resistant teacher will come out of the den ready to enjoy the springtime of learning? No. Not necessarily. But technological change is as much emotional and psychological as it is instruction. If you don't first have the teacher in the mood to learn, you'll be struggling. So, be careful of labeling the teacher as resistant in the first place and be willing to teach and encourage the teacher wherever he/she is. This is a nice article from Elena Aguilar. Check out part 2 after reading this one.

tags: education news teaching it_support bestpractices all_teachers techintegrator
Google adding quick action buttons, real-time flight status to Gmail

You'll notice new quick action buttons in Gmail as announced by Google on Wednesday. They want to make things more intuitive. Expect these changes to happen on a gradual basis but they are coming. Including the ability to RSVP more easily - a feature which I like as some stragglers still refuse to properly use Google Calendar or any online calendar at all. "When the situation calls for it, new quick action buttons will pop up in an email, letting you accomplish simple tasks without reaching for the keyboard. For event RSVPs, you can even mark your attendance from the main inbox view -- a preview with all the key details will pop up, letting you respond with a simple Yes, Maybe or No. "

tags: education news google gmail edu_news edu_newapp
Instagram Child Safety - SociallyActive

Instagram is something kids are using. Here are some tips for helping your child be safe on instagram. I totally agree about talking to your child about the photo map. If you haven't already, talk to them today about NOT using the feature which puts their photos on a map of where they were when they took it. Like that paint in your new bedroom? Photo map it? Boom. The lat and long of your daughter's bedroom. Just a bad idea. I do think instagram and other location based websites are going to get into hot water. Lat and long disclosing by kids should be approved by parents.

tags: education news instagram edu_news
Free Technology for Teachers: Video - How to Insert Images Into Google Forms

You can tweak your Google forms and insert images. Richard Byrne created a tutorial.

tags: education news tutorial
7 Ways Teachers Can Create Videos without Installing any Software ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

You can make videos. You don't have to spend money or get too fancy. Digital storytelling is for every teacher. Take a look.

tags: education news
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: How Can I Be a Better Teacher Next Fall? | Edutopia

Nice article to spread around to teachers as they hit post planning. From edutopia, it asks us to do what all of us teachers should constantly do: examine ourselves. Change is a way of life. I've got quite a few I'm pondering for myself as well.

tags: education news all_teachers
The 5 Biggest Education Technology Trends To Know About | Edudemic

While they left out wearable technology and learning analytics is combined into the LMS category, this is a quick list that you can forward to your board of directors or others who want to look at a few things about changing technology.

tags: education news trends
30 iPad Apps Every Teacher Should Be Using ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

Interesting list of apps. What apps are you using?

tags: education news apps eduapp

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

8 Reasons we all think we're poor and broke and what to do about it

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:32:21 PDT

Why do we pride ourselves on
taking the martyr's approach
that we're not making
money when US teachers
are in the top 5%
wealthiest people in the WORLD?
It is time to start living
like it and stop "feeling"
broke. Do you want to
hear more in this series?
Let me know in the comments.
Teacher
(Photo credits: www.myparkingsign.com)

You can be wealthy but to do that you must be exceptional. Exceptional people spend less than they make. Exceptional people don't take the (usually dumb) advice of marketers but make their own decisions. Exceptional people aren't sold to, they buy what they want.

But I'm not rich?

Oh really. Let's look at some stats from the global rich list:

If you are at the US poverty line for a 3 person household of $19,350 you are in the top 11.26% richest people in the world
The average janitor (median income) of 24,936 puts him or her in the top 10.09% of the world
If you make the average annual salary of a US private school teacher of $36,300 - the top 4.24% in the world
If you make the average annual salary of a US public school teacher of $49,600 - the top .98% richest in the world
Principals, if you make the average salary of 67,000 then you're in the top .87%

That's right, if you're in a school in the US and you're reading this, you're officially rich! Doesn't feel like it? Well, it is time to get our act together.

I'm considering creating multiple part series on the topic of balancing our budgets and living like the wealthy educators we are. From the lunchroom to the teacher's lounge, we are some of the richest people in the world here in the US and we're missing out on the joy that can be ours if we just get our act together.

This is something that has caused me many tears personally and my husband and I have paid off mountains of debt even moreso after I became a teacher and took a massive paycut. If you're interested in me continuing to share what has helped Kip and me, let me know in the comments and I'll spread it out amidst the technology and teaching I talk about here. (I've been writing this one post since January so it may take a while.)

First of all, let's talk about why we think we're poor:

#1 - We are deceived by appearances.

Looking rich doesn't mean being rich. In 2006, Warren Buffett, one of the three richest men in the world bought his most expensive car, a $55,000 Cadillac. The average millionare buys a car for $31,367. (Stop Acting Rich: ...And Start Living Like A Real Millionaire p 207)

In 2009 most million-dollar homes were not owned by millionaires. In fact 90% of those who were defined to be a millionaire lived in homes worth less than a million dollars.(Stop Acting Rich: ...And Start Living Like A Real Millionaire p 9, 24)

The odds are, if you look like you're rich, you're not.

#2 - We're discontent

If you get on Facebook, it is likely you'll have a friend going somewhere and honestly... you want to go too. You deserve that vacation, you think. You want that new car. You need a dozen roses from your husband. You want that new plasma tv. Why can't you go shopping this weekend? Why? Why? Why? Pity pity pity.

Marketing in the US has thrived on the ability to stimulate us into being dissatisfied. Dissatisfied enough that we'll do something. (See: Lifehacker: The More Facebook Friends You Have the More Unhappy You Are)

On Facebook, you're aggregating all the high points in your hundred something friends lives and comparing it to the high points in yours. Let's see, out of 100 friends at least 4-5 are having it great right now. So, you're going to take those few and compare it to your life? That is unrealistic and unhealthy.

When you're having a pity party - GET OFF FACEBOOK. It stinks as a counselor and sucks wind as a comforter. Go talk to a friend or write in your journal. It is ok to see a therapist too. Talking about it is what healthy people do. Social media makes a sad counselor and a sick client.

#3 We refuse to wait

If you've heard of the marshmellow test, kids who are able to master their desire to eat one marshmellow NOW in the hopes of getting a second marshmellow when the researcher returns, test well on future success. This is because they understand delayed gratification.

The biggest financial mistakes I made as a twenty-something were because I wanted it NOW. Delayed gratification is one of the keys to any long term financial change.

#4 We use plastic instead of cash

One thing I learned in Financial Peace University (a great program from Dave Ramsey) is that the feeling of cash in your hands causes you to spend less. One of the fastest ways I've found to slash my grocery budget is to withdraw the cash for my grocery budget when I get paid. I keep it in an envelope and pay out of that. It is amazing how far money goes.

Plastic is NOT the same as cash. While we don't necessarily want to have a lot of cash on us all the time, it makes a difference if we want to cut our budget.

#5 We refuse to make hard decisions

You can't do everything. Are you really watching all those television subscriptions? Are you keeping cable for one show?

Remember, I said HARD decisions not BIG decisions. For some reason, giving up entertainment seems to be a hard decision around my house. For example, I wanted to see the Jack Reacher movie, I enjoy the Jack Reacher book series. We didn't have time to see it in the theater, but then it came out on DVD and then for pay on Amazon to buy. I waited until last week to use some of my iTunes birthday money to rent it on iTunes. While, I could have waited another YEAR and it be free on Netflix (maybe), I do want to see it. Was it really worth the extra $15 to see it 2 weeks early? For me, the answer was no. Did I think about watching that movie quite a bit - sure I did, I was ready to see it. But, as we prepare to pay for my son's college in June, little pennies count.

Another example, I love books. I read at least an hour a day but sometimes more. If book reading were a hotdog contest, I'd be the dude with his mouth full, his hands raised in winning who asks for another when he's done.

But, I took my credit card out of Amazon and started buying Amazon gift certificates. I put it in and when I'm done with my Amazon budget for the month, I hit Kindle Nation Daily and the free kindle book list to find my reading. Or, I pull out a book that someone has sent me to review.

#6 We have no money in the bank

This happens when we're automatically debiting everything without stopping to think if we should pay that. I've learned the benefits of saving 10%, giving 10% and living on 80%. If there's no emergency fund or cushion, then you're living close to the edge.

I admit, I've socked my savings down to zero way too often. If this is you, take steps NOW. Enroll in Financial Peace University or buy Mary Hunt's 7 Money Rules for Life®: How to Take Control of Your Financial Future or one of my new favorites by Andrew Hallum, Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School. Step back from the edge. No money in the bank is a problem.

#7 We sabotage ourselves by quitting just before the finish line and we have to start over.

There's a scene in Chariots of Fire, where one guy is about to finish. He turns his head to look at the other guy and he misses out. But we're not even doing that. We're saving and getting close to paying off those credit cards. We're freezing our credit cards, quite literally, in ice and going cash only so we don't spend any more. But then, just before we're done, we say "Hey, I've paid all of this off, it is time to go on a trip." WE're stopping right before we finish and going back and starting over. What is wrong with this? Running the race takes SOOOO much energy and we're going to do it again.

I've done this too. Keep your eye on the finish line. Finish paying off the debts and then more forward.

#8 We refuse to talk about it with our household.

This is a tough one. It is no secret how many marraiges struggle because of money problems.

Money is a gift because it is limited. Because it is limited, it forces us to talk about what is IMPORTANT. If we'll talk. The problem is that many argue, and others go into passive/aggressive mode.

This is why Financial Peace University helped us so much. You get in a room of people. Dave Ramsey, former bankrupt businessman, talks about how he got out. I don't really want to hear from people who've always been rich how to get rich - some of them were born on third base and take credit for hitting a home run. I want to hear from people who started off without a ticket to the stadium who got in and hit a home run.

My husband and I make progress when we're communicating. No communication, no money. That is often how it goes.

Money is important.

Why do we need to talk about this?

Because, we, as educators have more power than we think.

When we're debted up, torn up, cashless, and clueless - there are people we cannot help. The world needs us to get our act together financially. We need us to get our act together financially.

It is amazing how most millionaires I know, few people know it. They live in houses that aren't so fancy. They drive average cars. They are often quieter people. There are people who look and act rich. I don't know about their bank account, but the research I quoted at the beginning has now shown me that perhaps appearances can be deceiving.

I'm committed to saving and budgeting so that I can help people. I do think money is important - while it is not something I worship - it is important. I want to do my best to manage it well.

Certainly, I've made a heap of mistakes, but thankfully past mistakes do not indicate future performance if you're the kind of person who learns from it and fails forward.

Hope this helps you gain perspective and learn from my own mistakes. If you want me to write more on this topic some time in the future, leave me a comment below and I'll work on it. Again, teaching and technology are the main thing, but if this helps enough of you who read this blog, I'm happy to write about it again.

A Day in the Life of a passion-driven, project based (Cool Cat) Teacher

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:28:37 PDT

What passion based, flat, STEM based learning feels like.

As I pondered what to share with you today, I just wanted to mention a few experiences from yesterday to show what passion based - flat learning FEELS like as a teacher and what it means to try to fit things in.

I wrote this in late April/ Early May to share with you.
The first draft was in April.
It takes a while to polish up and add links sometimes.
Just a glimpse into some things in my life if your'e interested.
We're nearing the end of the school year at this point
as we finish up major projects and final work for the year.

Before School.
4:45 am-ish
My fit bit wrist alarm wakes me up when I'm in my lightest sleep. It is so nice not to wake my husband.
4:50 On the treadmill for 2,000 steps. Throw fresh coffee in the pot.
5:05 Reading my Bible/ Praying/ Journaling
5:20 Writing (Blogging or my second book.)
6:45 Get dressed
6:55 Breakfast with Kip
7:05 Head out the door. I like to get to school early to get my routine down.
7:20 At school. Do my 30/30 routine. (See 3 little tricks to smooth out your day.)

Homeroom

Kids are finishing up blogs and checking the Flat Classroom Ning to see if partners have replied. I send them to their homeroom so I can handle mine. Everyone wishes they had homeroom in the computer lab. I'm ready to have the infrastructure ready for BYOT. (Bring Your Own Technology)

1st period. 10th Introduction to Computer Science. (@netgened work)

We are outsourcing clips for the NetGenEd project. Students request clips, and other students in other parts of the world fulfill the clips. Lots of acting, interesting things happening, and a general commotion. These students know what they are doing. They know how to film and rip off my camera, their iphones, their ipads, and just about anything with a lens. They convert the files and upload on the Ning and post on the wiki their links.

Current events make powerful teaching moments, plus
students need to talk about things sometimes.

2nd Period. 9th Computer Fundamentals.

We talked about the Boston Marathon because these students needed to and watched a video of Dick and Rick Hoyt and talked about how sometimes things are more than a race.

We also tied it in with understanding how to meet the needs of others through the power of social media. The students shared what they'd learned on their social media stats and shared the stats with each other.

We learned that an odd picture of a blowfish had gained quite a few followers on Instagram and that when you followed and unfollowed others quickly that you ticked them off and it wasn't something to do.

I checked the Trello board for the next lesson the students had proposed and voted up and taught a mini lesson on Tumblr to those who had signed up on the board. Looks like I'm teaching Twitter tomorrow.

(They vote up what they want me to teach while they are amidst their genius projects. I teach what has the most sign ups and handle individual requests individually. It is interesting, although some don't sign up, they often come across the room and start listening in and joining in.) (See 2012 genius work and current 2013 personal websites work being posted now)

Break. I have permission to walk for my break b/c of the 6 classes I'm teaching right now. I try to walk another 2,000 steps but only hit 1782.

3rd period. 9th Computer Fundamentals.

N is getting ready to test virtual worlds. We downloaded Second Life and talked about newbie island. Other students started watching and looking and were excited.

C asked people to post questions for her on her Tumblr that would spark conversation and others did as we laughed. We discussed why some things get shared and others do not. C is enjoying her tumblr and getting a very positive response.

4th period. Senior filmmaking.

I took pictures of the seniors all over campus for their senior movie. They proposed to take a picture with their little brothers/ sisters for that section and the group photo was beautiful and one I'll start doing every year. I never would have thought of that!

5th period. 8th grade keyboarding. MLA Papers. Portfolios

We finished up taking MLA notes in Microsoft One Note about how to write an MLA paper and putting the notes in our binder as they started working on their MLA papers.

I'm a huge fan of notes because it powers the "external brain." If it is something they'll use in the future that is somewhat technically challenging or requires steps, they must write it down in the notetaking tool of their choice. These aren't things they will memorize but things they'll need to access in the future. Notes are taking in a way they will understand and remember.

Helping students determine and use a notetaking tool of their choice is a big part of what I help them do in the younger years. Pushing them to recall and look up from prior notes happens in the later years. My brain shouldn't be their primary source of knowledge. If they'll take what I teach into notes and tag for easy recall, they are empowered to be self sufficient. Students are missing out if they don't know how to create a notes archive to use for their lives.

Those who finished were making timelines on Dipity. They liked dipity ok but had trouble printing, so someone found TimeToast and they ended up over there. They thought it was a better solution to the problem. A personal timeline is on the portfolio checklist and they know that they can move ahead. If they move ahead and figure it out, they get to help me teach it! ;-)

6th period. Introduction to Computer Science. (Genius Hour work today)

A student was so excited as she bought a headband from another. E.R. just got in the jewelry from Destiny Rescue. Last year E. co-created Hope for Slaves, a project to bring awareness to a blight on our human existence: human trafficking.

On May 1st, (May Day, ironically) our students buy and wear the jewelry of those rescued from human slavery in an effort to put their money into the hands of those making a difference in this. Her friend M was buying a headband because Elizabeth is carrying it in her purse and selling jewelry to end human trafficking. She told me about a group of girls rescued by Destiny Rescue just a few weeks a go. Ending human trafficking is her passion and she's doing something about it. (See Hope for Slaves)

I also had to finishing helping set up a meeting with M and J to head to the irrigation research park. They are creating an animation for an irrigation system that minimizes water loss for the Nature Conservancy's website. They are heading out there during homeroom tomorrow and missing my first period class (with notes from their parents, of course.) They need to take photos in real life so they can complete their animation.

When students find a passion, we all find treasure.
Life means more when students are curious and
passionate. I have a curriculum but as a
teacherpreneur, I can always incorporate things they
are passionate about. The genius hour is the perfect
way to do that.

7th Period. Study Hall.
I'm supposed to have this as a planning period, but my room is full. It is OK, I'm used to it. It means longer hours. April and May are tough. I've often told my husband if every school day were like May, I couldn't physically be a teacher. We're on the sprint to the end, and I want to finish well. (See Finding Your Beautiful Moment the last week of school.)

After school. K had voted up Pinterest on the Trello board and wanted it to be taught, however, not enough had voted it up so it wasn't scheduled yet. She was in my classroom after she'd had her run and said she really wanted to know how. I sat down and said, Hey, I'll pinterest with you.

K chose Pinterest because her passion based project is to teach pop art to fifth graders and she's found that the best place to find art projects for elementary students is on Pinterest. We sat down and got her going and pinning.

By the time we were almost done, her friend H was on Pinterest and Z was sitting there looking over my shoulder intrigued with what was happening. We ended up laughing at images on some pinterest boards and printed some of the photos.

The girls decided that we're all working too hard and are too serious and asked if they could be the "positive encouragement people" (PEP) and if they could put some funny (but appropriate) pics on my wall. Sure! Now, I have some hilarious things there and we're all laughing. I'm sure the kids the next day will enjoy these pics too. WE're all working so hard lately.

After work. I zip home when my youngest gets of tutoring at the learning lab. He is tutored until 4. I dash out the door at 4:15 to make it home by 4:30 to record another episode of Every Classroom Matters and throw dinner on the stove.

I hate to admit this, but this time of year is so tough. Sometimes I fall asleep as early as 5pm. Other times, I'm up late because there's too much to do. My oldest graduates from high school this year so graduation is taking a bit of time.

I find teaching fulfilling and important and glad I'm empowered to be a teacherpreneur. I tell my students that I'm not here just to teach them but here to completely blow their minds. But often teaching isn't that fancy stand in front of a room, Robin Williams kind of stuff. It is small daily interactions. We huddle up the first 5 minutes of class every day at this time of year as I make announcements and help them focus on deliverables. After that, it is run around the room, work, and encourage.

I hope you'll share your story of your passion driven classroom. If you want to know more about genius hour / 20% time - this is a great podcast to listen to. (See Engage Students and Supercharge Learning with Genius Hour)

My life is nuts but I wouldn't have it any other way. These students are not my children by birth, but they are my children by heart.

Photo credit: Big Stock

START punching fear in the Face and escape average @jonacuff

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:03:00 PDT

I'm wrestling with a book right now. Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan, old fashioned smack down wrestling. I heard Jon Acuff this past week and picked up his new book Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters. The questions in the back and questions on every page have me a bit uncomfortable but in a way that I need.

How do you focus your time?
How do you work on what matters?
How do you overcome your fears?
This is all in +Jon Acuff 's
book "START" which I highly recommend.

I have a lot of purpose in my life - I'm a teacher, after all. But fears, like the mermaids & kelp around Harry Potter's legs as he dove into the lake to save his friend, those fears can pull me down.

Punch fear in the face.

Fears that have told me to please people so maybe, they'll like me. Fears that grew out of quite a few years of childhood when no one wanted to be my friend. When I became more attractive, people wanted to be my friend. Brains didn't matter, attractiveness was all that did. Now that I'm getting older, I'm finding those fears returning,

"You're not beautiful any more, no one will like you." -or-

"If you can't look like a model, no one is going to want you to speak for them anymore."

The desire to please people and be liked is a dangerous path to self-hatred because there are some people who will never like you or me. They will not be happy until we self destruct or die and do we really want to go to that length to please them?

Critics Math

Jon makes the point in the book to beware of critics math: 1 criticism + 1,000 compliments = 1 criticism. Most of us, all we see is the criticism and that is unhealthy.

Escape Average.

It is the end of the school year.

Hyperventilation hyperdrive - if you could picture a woman in a space suit trying to dock a space ship with 1,000 screaming children on board while coming out of light speed and hyperventilating at the same time -- that is what the end of the school year is like.

I've let my weight slide right back on up. Sure, I've got an exceptionally hard work load, but I do have a life to live. I'm settling in too many places in my life in the land of average and it is time to pack my bags and go. To do this, I have to deal with my fears of not being liked. Learn to say no, and edit my life to include the most impactful areas... and START on the journey.

I don't want to stay or be average in any area of my life but wallow there far too long. I love the activities at the end of the book that help you work through this.

Do work that matters.

So much matters to teachers. Every single precious baby matters. Every child. Every parent. They are human beings and they are IMPORTANT. I want to teach the children and encourage the parents to parent well and love their kids even when those kids aren't perfect. These are important things.

But for me, the question is -- what is the work that matters that I was made to do? Can I cull out things that don't matter so much or work that isn't adjacent to the land of purpose for me?

Can I actually learn to say no?

Questions & Actions

The most purposeful people don't get there by accident. They question everything. They question their lives and find answers. They take time for introspection. They self-examine.

But the purposeful people I know also act upon these answers. They START.

I highly recommend this book if you're ready to get serious about living your life with purpose. If you're wanting meaning and to get back 'on track' pick it up and START.

I wish I'd had this book when I first started blogging or at the beginning of my career. It would have saved a lot of heartache. Great book for graduates and Jon is awesome to hear in person.

Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad

3 Keys to reaching all your dreams

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Sat, 11 May 2013 04:11:46 PDT

Dreams might be imagined on vacation, but they are birthed out of focus and work.
Saturday with Friends and Family 028 (Photo credit: -DjD-)

I've been up writing again at 5am on Saturday. Not because I hate myself or I'm rested, but because I have a burning dream.

You see, I've found that dreams aren't made on sandy beaches with your feet up drinking a cold Diet Coke. That might be where they are first thought about, but it isn't where they are made.

I've accomplished more dreams since I started setting my alarm clock for 5 am than before. Dreams are made out of work. They are made out of early mornings and late nights.

Five am is particularly attractive to me (and sometimes 4 am if on a deadline.) They are attractive because they are guilt free. I have no one who needs my attention and more importantly, there is no one who feels ignored or untended to. If I have to work all day and let my family know ahead of time, there's not usually struggle there.

So, I'm up writing again on a Saturday morning when lots of people are sleeping. This will be my second book. I did this on Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds: Move to Global Collaboration One Step at a Time and I'm sure I'll do it again.

Lots of dreams mean lots of work, but like a good delicious watermelon, you can only bite one small piece at a time.

The 3 keys to reaching your dreams:

FOCUS. Pursue one at a time
ENLIST SUPPORT. Make sure your inner family circle is supporting and with you (don't ignore them)
WORK. Make a plan for when you'll work on it every week so that motion is always forward

If you struggle with your family being "in on" your dream - there are ways to work with that. It also doesn't mean ALL of your family. For me, my inner circle is my husband: 1 person. The person you live with should be 'in on" or at least respect that your dream is happening because it takes the sacrifice of everyone in the house to help dreams happen. For me, no dream is worth losing my family.

I add also a fourth and PRAY over it - which for me, as a Christian, is vital. The dreams I pursue must be aligned with my personal values or the inner conflict will sabotage any forward motion.

Got a dream? Get started.

Engage students & supercharge learning with Genius Hour #geniushour

coolcatteacher@gmail.com (Victoria A Davis, Cool Cat Teacher) — Fri, 10 May 2013 06:49:21 PDT

Authors of the Genius Hour
Manifesto and hosts of
#geniushour chat
Joy Kirr, Hugh McDonald
Gallit Zvi, and Denise Krebs
are the Fantastic 4 of
genius hour. They are 4
teachers DOING it.
Listen to this week's show
to learn more.

Really? Every child is a genius? Hooey.

I admit, that is what I first thought when my friend Angela Maiers said this. However, if you look at the definition of genius:

"1. Exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.
2. A person who is exceptionall intelligent or creative, either generally or in some particular respect: "musical genius."
Synonym: talent"

We are looking for the natural abilities of students. Now, don't mistake natural ability for the art of mastering. We all know naturally gifted athletes who never accomplished anything because they were allergic to sweat, or naturally smart kids who accomplished nothing once they had to study. Genius takes time but talent can be spotted and nurtured.

One thing is sure, if a child never knows their own talent... they will never get on the path to genius. It starts with identifying and nurturing passions.

I'm a passion meter.

Why should students be doing the same thing all
the time? Can't we lead them in inquiry based
learning experiences where they are explorers,
scientists, creators, and inventors?
We must help them find their genius
so they can find purpose.

My job is to help students discover those passions and innate talents that they don't know they have. Twenty percent of our time is spent on personal interest projects. Every teacher can't do 20% time, but EVERY teacher, EVERY school, and EVERY classroom can have an exciting, engaging genius hour. It is that important.

Recently on the Every Classroom Matters show, I sat down with the "Fantastic 4" of Genius hour: +Joy Kirr (@joykirr), +Denise Krebs (@mrsdkrebs), +Hugh McDonald (@hughtheteacher) and +Gallit Zvi (@gallit_z).

Do you know it was the first time all four of them had physically talked in real time? It was electric as they discussed passion based learning and how they implement genius hour in the classroom. They are doing incredible work and I highly recommend adding them to your PLN.

Listen to the authors of the Genius Hour Manifesto:

Click here to listen:
Radically Authentic Learning: How Classrooms Change when Student Genius Drives Learning

Genius hour wiki: geniushour.wikispaces.com#Geniushour chat - first Wednesday of each month.Genius hour manifesto: http://educationismylife.com/genius-hour-manifesto/

Do you want to nominate someone to be on the show?
Fill out the nomination form.

Want to know more about Every Classroom matters and how to subscribe?
Read "The Every Classroom Matters Show and a tutorial on how to subscribe using iCatcher"

Cool Cat Teacher Blog

The Key to Staying Positive in Your Classroom: Throw Away Your Depends

Does your attitude depend?

Are you really waiting for the nightly news to be good?

Take off your Depends!

The Most important "A" in your Classroom

Attitudes spread

How can I change my bad attitude?

It happens EVERYWHERE

My speaking Schedule for 2013: Indiana, Iowa, Virginia, Florida & Hawaii

Here's the schedule.

Karen Lirenman: Interview with outstanding K-2 Teacher 2013 #iste2013 @klirenman

Essential Questions

Show Links

4 Reasons I bought Microsoft Surface after wrestling alligators (guest post by Mark, my nephew)

1. Portability

2. Convertibility

3. Usability

4. Compatibility

Alfred Thompson: How we can teach computer science to every age @alfredtwo

Essential questions:

Show Links:

Elementary Apps & Teaching Tools

Advanced Searching

High School Computer Science

The Super Cool, Super Cheap Raspberry Pi

CSTA Information

About the Every Classroom Matters show on BAM Radio Network

12 Secrets to Having a Truly Restful Vacation

Why?

Take a technology-free vacation.

1. Set guidelines

2. Plan to go offline

3. Disconnect your eReader / Tablet from notifications

4. Take up Smartphones and cell phones for long periods of time

5. Take pictures but wait to upload them

6. Carry a Journal

7. Investigate cool places

8. Go places off the grid

9. Plan ahead to do fun things

10. Leave your worries at home

11. Plan to return to a clean house

12. Don't stress. Remember, you make the rules and this is YOUR vacation.

How your students can join the #quest2matter and change the world @angelamaiers

The Quest 2 Matter is here!

Links from the #Quest2Matter Show

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 06/01/2013

Transformational IT Integrator: Theresa Allen @tdallen5 #edtech

Show Notes and Links:

Developing a mindset to go from good to GREAT

Will your legacy be heirlooms or "stuff"?

When does great become just good?

Fear is a liar.

Seek wisdom

Don't look for happiness in people

Greatness doesn't mean good things will always happen.

Examine your life for the good and the great

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/28/2013

10 ways to End the School Year on an Up Note when You're Exhausted

Critics math is:

1 - Remember why you do it.

2 - Remember who you're doing it for.

3 - Don't let a few unkind people ruin it for all those who are not that way

4 - Don't expect to be thanked.

5 - Find your joy

6- Let the rough end drag

7 - Don't take guilt trips

8 - Let go of grudges and forgive.

9 - Plan things you'll enjoy

10 -Laugh

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/24/2013

Discover Great Common Core PD

Is there a Common Core "checklist?"

We must be critical thinkers as we plan Common Core Implementation

The Cognitive Workout of Common Core Implementation

Discovery Common Core Academies

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 05/23/2013

End of Year Focus Groups: Kids Ask me to Share how to get more followers so here it is!

Four Questions for End of Year Focus Groups with Students

Voting for the Lesson for the Last Day of Class