“Lighting
a Spark”
Very
cosmic, I give myself to others and generate a spark. INTERESTING! This is
really powerful if one can be that positive and put out something and then be
ready for it to return. I feel that most of us experienced this “spark” as we completed
and reflected on our AR Projects.
_____________________________________________________________
“Being
the Board”
Don’t
have a victim mentality. Many people experience tragedies in their life. Some
big and some small. The way these tragedies or challenges are faced makes an
enormous difference. I know personally it can be easy to fall into the victim
mentality. A drunk driver killed my husband when our daughters were very young.
I had moments of “poor thing me.” Thank goodness I realized that being the poor
thing would help no one, especially our daughters.
In
every circumstance professionally or personally take your energy and challenge yourself
to move in a positive direction. I know it is not easy, however it will work.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=positive&ex=1#ai:MC900198108|
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Frameworks
for Possibility”
Such
an interesting chapter, and again try to manifest positive thinking. The
“spark” can lead to awesome things. As teachers there are times that one
student can be extremely challenging. Either in academically challenged or
problems with the student’s behavior. We always have to try to determine how to
inspire that student, how to help that student achieve their academic goals.
Not an easy task. If we use “frameworks for possibility”, and think outside the
box possibly we will find the answer. As a teacher one of the most effective
ways for me to really look at classroom situations with a clear vision is
though my journals. I try to write notes on each of the students daily. This
information really provides me with a direction when I have questions about a
particular student.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?ex=2&qu=students#ai:MM900283679|mt:3|
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Telling
the WE Story”
Our
school community is a WE story. Focusing on my classroom…. What is our next
step? For some students they graduated from the 8th grade and the
next school year they will enter high school. For others it is the common
experiences shared during this school year that will shape our classroom
community. I have my students for 2 years during they’re the 7th and
8th grade year. The returning 7th grade students will be
the leaders for next year. They will help the incoming 7th grade students learn
about our classroom community. They will be mentors, and this cycle continues
every year.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=students%20%2B%20collaboration&ctt=1#ai:MP900439560|mt:0|
Melinda,
ReplyDeleteIt appears that “Being the Board” had a far more personal meaning to you. I found it sobering that the example in the book could be very real for one of our cohort. I also found it very courageous that you chose to share. I hope you found some valuable advice in Zander’s writing.
As for your response to the Frameworks chapter, I too have had students that “can be extremely challenging. Either in academically challenged or problems with the student’s behavior.” I know it is difficult to believe, but yes, I can relate. I have found that the quest to “spark” or “ignite” them has usually turned these “challenging” students into some of my finest memories. It seems as if sometimes they feel you trying to reach them and they in respond in return. I wish I had documented my experiences through the first few years of teaching. I think they would bring back moments of inspiration or “spark” that I may have long forgotten.