Dressed in Overalls

This past Wednesday was the day grades were due, for a grading period that had been cut short due to the "polar vortex". As I had mentioned in a previous post I was going to give my students the opportunity to redo their semester exams.  What i originally planned for redo time, had to be adjusted due to the weather.  This had me in a panic, I worried that I would once again be shorting my students. 
  
Due to the polar vortex, I allowed them to finish their writing during the day Wednesday, knowing that I had to submit grades by midnight of that same day.  It was a choice I was willing to make for the betterment of my students, because I believe in second chances. 

At the end of the day on Wednesday, as I began sorting and grading the redone exams, I was deeply saddened to find that only 8 out of the original 16 who applied for a retest, actually submitted a one.  And what was much more devastating to me, was the few who needed to pass the exam to earn credit for the semester, did not take advantage of the opportunity.  

I was angry, I was frustrated and quite frankly a little hurt.  I had offered them a second chance, and they had wasted it.  I had even contacted parents during the calamity days and explained to them, the importance of their student earning better grades on their exam. 

Even now as I write, I am still struggling to understand the wasted opportunity.  Had I failed them again? Or was it time for me to accept that the responsibility lies with those students who didn't take advantage of the second chance given to them? 

Perhaps, it is like Thomas Edison says, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work'

<3 Laura 

How BIG is your Brave?

Came across this video today and it brought utter joy to my soul, tears welled in my eyes as I watched these young people dance so freely and without concern for what others would think.  The end of the video leaves the question that I will take on this year and challenge myself and my students with.  I hope you will join me.

How BIG is your Brave (Click on Brave to see the video) 

Winter Weather and Second Chances

Ah, the joys of winter weather . . . 

As a teacher I've always said any snow that falls when school isn't in session is wasted snow. 

I sit writing now, knowing that school is already closed for tomorrow. Temperatures for the following day indicate that another closing could occur. The beauty of tomorrow's cancellation is that it is piggybacked onto our two week long holiday break. Knowing that the storm was coming I went in to school for a short while yesterday to be sure that everything was ready whenever I returned to my kids. 

As much as I love being off school, I've spent a lot of time during this break thinking about my students and how I can finish the second half of the year strong and doing the best I can for them.  Part of this reflection came after grading their first semester exam.  As I poured over their essay responses, I became slightly frustrated.  I believed I had given them all the tools and time they needed to succeed.  However, as I read them and provided feedback I wondered had I failed them in some way? Or was it simply apathy? 

I do not understand the apathy I see in students.  I cannot wrap my head around how at 14 years old, a person can simply not care about the consequences of their actions, or lack thereof.  I desperately want to understand it, perhaps so I can help change it. So perhaps somehow I can get through to them. I want them to care about their futures as much as I do!  

Because I want them to succeed, I believe in providing second chances.  So whenever it is that we return back to school, my students will get a second chance at their exam. The will have to ask for their second chance via a "Request to Retest", on which they will explain how the will do better the second time around. Once we discuss their plan for their redo, I will provide them with some deeper scaffolding I designed to ensure success on their second attempt.  I want them to do better, and be better and I want to give them every opportunity along the way to be sure that they can succeed. 

So here's to second chances and snow days  - I'm a big believer in both :)

If you are interested in learning more about the concepts of redos, check out the work of Rick Wormeli.

Flipping my classroom via Blendspace

In one of my daily travels through the world of Twitter, I came across mention of a something called Blendspace.  

Blendspace, allows the user to design "lessons" on any topic.  The lesson can include various types of resources (videos, web-links, word documents, and type of presentations) and can be ordered in a desired fashion and include comments regarding each source. The user can even create classes and administer quizzes within the various lessons. 

In my opinion, this is an ideal site for anyone looking to try their hand at flipping their classroom. The site is quite user friendly and offers most of their features at no cost.

Below are links to several of the lessons I have already designed to use in my classroom. 

http://tinyurl.com/davisequationsRAFT

http://tinyurl.com/davisprezi

http://tinyurl.com/davisww1

A short video that shows how easy it is to use. 

New Year and New Adventures . . .

As the New Year starts I have decided that I will challenge myself to venture into uncharted realms - blogging, publishing, and flipping my classroom.  I have spent much of my holiday break thinking and reflecting on how I can grow myself professionally through these avenues and how in turn my students will grow as well.

I am excited about many of the ideas and thoughts I read daily on twitter, and the things that I see other professionals building and creating.  I aspire to be like that and thus, I begin the pilgrimage. 

As I worked the other day artfully crafting the background and fonts of my blog, my college-aged daughter scoffed at me and said, "Why do you need a blog?", and perhaps her question was valid, maybe I don't need a blog. Maybe no one will ever read it.  Nonetheless, I've decided that I shall venture down this path. My hope is that I learn new things about the world and about myself. I hope that you'll join me in my journey and perhaps begin an expedition of your own too.