Wear Your Passion

Every day, I am thankful that I'm back in the classroom full-time.

My high school students shock me, bewilder me, anger me, humble me, humor me, teach me .... every single day.  Lately, they even seem to like me. A bonus, indeed!

Above my desk at home, I have a small poster about Life (itself, not the magazine). And at the end it says, Life is Short. Live your Dream. AND WEAR YOUR PASSION.

I can say, without a shadow of doubt, that I DO wear my passion every day. It's a tough job, negotiating the often turbulent waters of teenage land, but it's a job I relish, and am so thankful to have.  Can't imagine doing anything else. And really, I don't have to. I already left. Tried other things. And returned.

This is my Happy Place.  Even on the toughest days.

How funny it looks... a blank canvas on my first day back, September 2011.
I knew then that something BIG was about to happen. Paradigm shift.  

Board Games: Tapping into Word Play

I introduced Word Play Wednesday to my students in early December, a few weeks after my new classes were formed and students transferred in from other Reading classes or from other electives. 

Finding ways to engage students who were transferred 'against their will' proved challenging, but word games helped break the ice. 

On his very first try, a student puts 'courage' on the board, but only after considering courageous.
Well done!

I quickly learned (much to my surprise) that many of my students had never played Scrabble before, an age-old game for those of us over 30!  In fact, many students in my classes had never played a board game until they landed in Room 405.  Now, they beg to play each week. I believe Dr. Marzano would agree - students are finding success through courage to try new things.

Are games part of your curriculum?  

just for fun... Merry Christmas!

Definitely brings a smile to my face! Wishing all of my teacher friends a restful Winter Vacation.  You've earned it!! 

Illiteracy Linked to Dementia?

While catching up on news and events today via The Today Show, I heard a statement: "Research suggests illiteracy can contribute to future cases of dementia because it keeps young brains from developing as they should.”  

As a literacy educator working with learners of all ages, I found this statement interesting, thought about its implications, and wanted to know more about the study. Want to read more?  Click [here] to read the highlights of the study, led by mental health researcher, Deborah Barnes, PhD, at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

It seems illiteracy is one of the modifiable risk factors that can affect dementia and Alzheimer's disease, along with physical inactivity, depression, smoking, mid-life hypertension, mid-life obesity, and diabetes.

What implications does this have for us as educators? Seems to me our role includes public health as we prepare young people to be contributing members of society.  

What does illiteracy look like in your community? How does your community support educating its members, both young and seasoned?    

And speaking of educating our youngest learners....  check out this inspiring story about one woman's Life Calling and its impact on our wee ones in the United States.  Click [here] to watch the inspiring video about early childhood education and investing in our future. Fantastic! 

Ms. Mary Reed asks:

Have we changed something?  

I ask:

What have we changed lately?

It's all about the process.....