Gotta LOVE a Break!

Hey Staff!  I know many of you feel the same, but this break was a much needed time to rest and recoup.  I feel like I made some major dents in my home "to do" list and napped as much as I wanted. :)  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday (next to my birthday - which, yes, is a holiday).  I love having a big meal and fellowship with family.  As y'all know, my mom is in Hawaii with my middle sister and it was the very first time I had not spent a holiday with her.  Since my dad passed away, my oldest sister always makes our holidays special and this one was no different.  My prayer all week was that you felt the same love from your family and loved ones.

I'm getting back on track with THE INNOVATOR'S MINDSET cliff notes according to SK.  Seriously, y'all, it's a POWERFUL book.  The exerts I'm giving you are great but only scratch the surface.  For any educator, but especially for us, it is a MUST read.  I know Samantha is reading it, please let me know when you read it.  Maybe Christmas break? ;)

Chapter 3:  Characteristics of the Innovator's Mindset 

***Disclaimer--- this one will be long --- grab a cup of coffee or your beverage of choice and settle in*** :)

I loved this chapter (did I say that with the first two chapters as well?).  It starts out talking about a teacher who had been out of the classroom for 3 years with her children and came back.  Can you imagine being out of the classroom and walking back in today?  She pulled out the overhead and transparencies because that's what she knew.  She began a lesson on mitosis and realized how boring it was.  She quickly learned that the methods she had previously used to teach were not meeting the students of today.  I think we would quickly agree with that.  The author - then principal- encouraged her to get on Twitter and find other science educators using the hashtag #scichat.  Then he showed her a video called "Twitter in 60 seconds" to give her a quick overview.  Please watch --- it will be important as we continue in this post.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBQn_eCg6Mk

After watching the video, the teacher showed it to her students and ask if they could do this for mitosis.  She had no expertise on how to accomplish this but she knew her students did.  As a result, she learned the technical side while the students learned a deeper level of learning of mitosis.  Here is a finished product (please watch - Mitosis in 60 seconds)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCBETq75EFE

We will come back to this concept throughout this post.

George Couros states there are 8 characteristics of the Innovator's Mindset.

1.  Empathetic - I have asked this question before - Would you want to be a learner in your own classroom?  For example this teacher realized that using what she always knew (the transparency) did not allow the STUDENTS to interact with the content in a meaningful way.  He goes on to state that she shifted her tole and became the ---- wait for this--- ARCHITECT OF THE EXPERIENCE!  Oh MYLANTA!  Just let that sit with you for a second.  Wouldn't that just be one of the best compliments as an educator?

2.  Problem Finders/Solvers - We (education in general) have created an environment that pose problems to students with step by step solutions that they must follow.  He says, "The world is not step-by-step or linear; it's complex and often requires a messy solution."  Seriously, can't we just use that piece of wisdom in all areas of our lives?  We often do a great job in creating better problem-solvers instead of problem finders.  When writing about students learning how to effectively learn, he states that when we stop simply telling students HOW to learn, and, rather, act as a guide on the side, we can support them in a way that encourages them to find their own solutions.

3.  Risk Takers - Taking a risk is just part of innovation.  It is a necessity.  The teacher took a risk - knowing she wasn't technically savvy- but doing it the "old" way -- was it teaching students to gain a deep knowledge about concepts and how to apply them --- this is KEY! OR did they simply learn to regurgitate information?  He went on to talk about Apple and how they started by making great computers.  The company took a risk to create the iPhone.  We can see that worked out well.  Then things like the App Store, iPad and Apple Watch came to be.  Success begats success?  I would venture to guess the first prototypes of all of these things aren't what we have access to today.  You must guess, there were many trials and errors and even with success they look to see how they can make it better.  You must ALWAYS ask yourself, "Is there a better way to teach this lesson to meet the needs of these learners?"

4.  Networked - Networking is crucial.  Steven Anderson was quoted to say, "Alone we are smart, together we are brilliant."  Isn't that so true.  I am continually bouncing ideas off of Tonya before I roll things out.  She gives great input and things are so much better because there are thought out together.  When you plan, don't you feel the same when you talk to your partner teacher?  I feel that way when I visit with you during PLC or planning times.  Innovation (and enjoyment) flourishes when teachers collaborate to learn and practice new strategies.  Isolation is often the enemy of innovation.  Is that not an awesome and true quote --- (those are G.Couros' words - not mine!)

5.  Observant-  I love what he says that sometimes the most valuable thing you get from the network isn't an idea but the inspiration or courage to try something new.  It's just looking around and paying attention to find the best way to get our message across to our students.

6.  Creators - The Center for Accelerated Learning notes:  "Learning is creation, not consumption"  As with the mitosis lesson, creating something helped students make a personal connection to the information.  In that environment a culture of creation was fostered vs consumption.  Consider how much deeper learning could be if creation was a non-negotiable in the learning for both us and our students.  How can we create this environment on a regular basis?  I know each of you create in your rooms.  Always ask yourself, "Is it meaningful?  Is it allowing a deeper understanding, and is it creating a culture of problem finders."

7.  Resilient - Anything new and different can be scary.  We are all on that path.  We have felt this a lot this year.  We are going to face adversity.  How are you leading by example for your students the response?  GC states that the school environment is the perfect place to challenge and encourage them to stretch their thinking; and it's a safe place for them to try, fail, and try again.  As teachers, it is hard for us to back off and allow students to struggle in the process of success.  We want to swoop in and save them from this but we are doing more harm than good.  Allow them to stretch their wings - even when it's hard.  They, and you, will be better for it.  It's a fine balance to know when to step in and when to step aside.

8.  Reflective - There is no success unless we reflect on the process.  We must looked at what worked, what didn't and what might need changed.  How might your lessons be impacted if you took 10 minutes at the end of each day to reflect on what happened that day and to it will impact the next steps - whatever that may be?

He ends this chapter with this:  Innovation is not about changing everything; sometimes you only need to change on thing.  That experience can lead to new and better learning opportunities.

There is a "Mantra of an innovative educator" that I will type up and laminate.  I would like you to post it wherever you will see it as you are creating your lesson plans and read it before you plan each week.

Make a difference, my friends.  Take risks.  Try new things.  Be the Architect of Experience in your classrooms.

Please comment with a "take away" from chapter 3.  How does this change your planning moving forward?  Please comment before you leave the building on Friday, December 1st.

*****************THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE*************************

Monday - 1st Quarter 5th Grade Masters/Distinguished Tournament with Ms. Kluttz 1-3 p.m

    (I will send a list on Sunday when I'm at the school)
Tuesday - PLCs K-2
Wednesday - Retake pics and Santa pics beginning at 9:30 - schedule coming. I have a testing coordinator meeting from 1:30 - 3:30.  This will be a planning day since we were out this week.  I will be back to plan with my peeps! ;)
Thursday -  3-5 PLCs - Lesson plans due tonight.  I have Legal Update Training from 9:30-11:30 and then a T-PESS (principal's appraisal) training from 1-3.  2nd Grade RtI (Tonya can facilitate and we can continue after school if need be). 
Friday;  1st Quarter Masters/Distinguished Tournament with 3rd & 4th Grade - 1-3 p.m. will send list - Blog comment due before you leave.

Please remember to keep up with your 504/RtI/Intervention documentation.

Thanks for ALL you do!  I know it's a lot and I am here for you!  Let me know what I can do!

SK loves Rockets!