Week 3 Reading 5-8

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While reading these chapters I found myself relating a lot of the information to what I do in my professional life, and in my personal life.  These messages are ones we hear often.  As Ben Zander spoke of the conductor not making a sound in front of his orchestra I thought about the life of a teacher.  It is our job to guide our students in the right directions, but I feel we need to make sure to step back and let students take the lead.  He spoke of making groups lively and engaged.  It can be difficult to get all students to take their learning into their hands and find it exciting.  I was thinking about the ways that as we give students the power they are then led to be excited.  We need to make learning fun and make it connect to their lives in order to get the most out of it. 

I also liked when he wrote about giving the players a chance to conduct.  This reminded me of times when students like to take the time to be the teacher.  The way this new role opens up their eyes to new possibilities and shows them what they can do.  I think it is great to give students a chance to be the teacher.  Not only does it help them to respect your role, but also it is a great way for others to learn. When students help teach their peers they see things from a different perspective.  This is such an empowering skill for students.

One last thing I really liked was the chapter on not taking life so seriously. The stories of Rule Number 6 were great.  I love that those simple words were enough to make people stop in their tracks and calm down.  I know I can’t make a plaque that says exactly what that means for my students, but the thought of don’t take life so seriously can be used.  

Where Do I Want To Share My Project?

One of the fist publications I looked into submitting is The Reading Teacher.  This magazine provides articles, lessons and other information aimed at elementary teachers.  This publication matches closely to what I have been working on with my students in our AR project.  My students are focusing on using different genres and pieces of literature to increase their fluency rates.  With the information I have collected and the data that I have found this would be a great way to provide possible techniques to other teachers. 

A second possible publication I looked into was TechTrends.  One of the main focuses in my AR project was to see the effects that technology have on engaging students and helping to increase their fluency.  Since many students do not do the extra practice at home we were using technology such as Audacity to increase interest and to provide instant feedback.  This was a great way to excite students by allowing them to learn new tools on the computer, and letting them work with their groups.  With TechTrends I will be able to give information to others about the results we found.  

Week 2 Reading- Response to Jessica Isla

Jessica BistramJune 7, 2012 6:57 PM

Jessica, I pulled out a lot of the same ideas when I did the reading. And I also really enjoyed the video. I thought he did a great job of talking with the audience and giving them real perspective as he spoke. When Ben Zander wrote about working with students who already have an A so you don’t have any preconceived notion of them I really thought that was great. I think that although teachers try not to categorize students they often do without knowing it. If we were to have all the students begin on the same level and really dig deep into their lives and understanding we could go beyond the normal relationships and learning and move to a place that is far better than anything we imagined. The ideas in this book lead us in the direction that will help make all of us better at what we do. I absolutely loved the story of the starfish. It was the perfect response of someone who is not going to give up just because the challenges that face us seem unending.

Original Post:

Week 2: Blog Post #1 - Readings on "The Art of Possibility" (Chapters 1-4)

Week 2: Blog Post #1 - Readings on "The Art of Possibility" (Chapters 1-4)

 

First off, I want to say that I absolutely loved the TED video of Benjamin Zander.  He is an amazing speaker.  He definitely has a way of connecting to the audience and it shows within his writing, as well.  So far, it's been an easy read...

Chapter 1: It's All Invented 
I really liked how this chapter makes you think outside of the box.  Perception is definitely important when trying figure out the world around you and it's clear that everyone's "mind maps" are different because of their different life experiences.  It was actually inspirational when thinking about setting your mind free when extending mental boundaries by "enlarging the box," or framework, around situations... creating new opportunities.

Chapter 2: Stepping Into the Universe of Possibility
I love the name of this chapter.  There are so many things that hinder us from progress because we are held to certain expectations and limitations on a daily basis, but with this new outlook of "a universe of possibility," there are virtually no boundaries that could confine you.  Instead of setting a goal and doing all that you can to reach that goal, you generally layout a context and see what happens form there.

Chapter 3: Giving an A
I really liked the idea of "giving an A" as it being not an expectation to live up to, but a possibility to live in to.  The saying not only relieves certain pressures, but also inspires greatness.  There are no boundaries or restrictions.  There is no one looking down at you... comparing themselves to you.  There is only respect that allows others to grow and realize what is actually within themselves.


Chapter 4: Being a Contribution
The story of the starfish reminds me of my first few years of teaching.  I felt like there was always so much to do and there was never huge progress and growth made within the district, but as time went by it was more clear for me... I'm not teaching because I want the recognition.  I am teaching to help all that I can feel successful and make any sort of progress they can.  I am teaching to make a difference with that one starfish that might be thrown back because it makes a different to them, even if there are many others out there struggling to survive in education.

I am a contribution.  I make a difference and will continue to make a difference in each day that life brings me.