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Live with Paul Salopek learning about his epic journey across several continents to tell stories about people and places. And, he answered out questions about how he stays healthy on his journey and why he doesn't listen to music during his walk. We were out in the community for SVA's first Give Back Day Event. Over 400 students and staff were at locations throughout the South Valley of Albuquerque doing service to give back to our community.  Students are talking about their research questions, what they know, and what they still want to investigate.  Out on movement break. It helps. Alot.  Students in Wilderness Initiative is in full swing as Bjorn from the Fish and Wildlife Service visited for our November session.  we worked with the “Think-Puzzle-Explore” thinking protocol today. I love hearing kids’ ideas about how the world works. At the age of 13/14, they are wise, insightful, and curious. And nothing delights me more than learning along with the kids like today when we were exploring the topic of green roofs. We learned a lot, including that, for some reason, I have a hard time saying the word “roof.” So, I now refer to roofs as building lids. Laughing with these fabulous 8th graders.....sigh. You know. It’s everything good wrapped up and tied with an extravagant, intricate, extraordinary bow.  Today in Humanities included letters and cookies. My kiddos were thrilled to receive the first letters from their Peace Pals from Kenya. They excitedly read through their letters and shared with each other. I heard several kids say how they were perfectly matched based on their interests. Sigh. It was a good day. It’s our fourth year working with @global1to1 to connect our 8th graders to students in Nigeria and Kenya. I love this program and I am profoundly grateful for the vision and commitment to international peace and mutual understanding that is the hallmark to this incredible, Albuquerque-based program in addition to a donor within our school community who funds our students’ yearly participation. 
Reading Intervention Class
Wednesday, November 7, 2018 12:20pm (Teacher is sitting at her computer, playing a video for her students that is being projected on the screen. Students watch video of polar bear with undivided attention.) TEACHER This was the first polar bear I ever saw in the wild in Svalbard. STUDENT You made this video? TEACHER I did. Seeing this bear was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. STUDENT (Shaking his head) I want to go to the Arctic. TEACHER (Smiling) I hope you get to go someday. STUDENT I better become a teacher then. Thank you @natgeoeducation and @lindbladexp for the opportunities as a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow that allow me to make the Arctic come alive for my students. My Humanities classes are participating in Out of Eden Learn’s new Planetary Health Learning Journey. Today we were thinking about connections between environmental changes and health impacts. It’s always exciting to hear young people talking about real world issues. @outofedenlearn  Assessing student writing today. Assignment = students write an alternate ending to Ray Bradbury's "All Summer in a Day." I was inspired to write this comment on a student's work.....  My 8th graders are participating in the Out of Eden Learn project as part of the Planetary Health Walking Party. Today, they were out and about on campus, observing natural and human-made factors that impact our own health and that of our environment. In teams of 2-3, students documented their observations through photography before heading back to the classroom to add text and context to their images. I enjoyed being outside with the kids, out in the light rain, on a crisp, fall Halloween morning. I’ve been reading about the digital divide in K - 12 education and how the pendulum has swung and how the very concept of that divide has been recalibrated. Using technology in the classroom has never quite been straightforward, but I’m all about some vision and some version of balance. Everything in moderation, including moderation, yes? 2 years ago I wrote a grant for Chromebooks in my classroom and I think they’ve added a rich layer to our global studies and humanities work especially in connecting with people around the world. Yesterday and today, kids were working on with Out of Eden Learn project as part of the Planetary Health Walking Party, collaborating with students from California, Spain, Argentina, and Indonesia. I love these types of projects that help me to make the walls of my classroom permeable and accessible.  Dear Jen, Several weeks ago, as you were perusing the candy aisle at Target to find little truffles for a little gift for a little friend (well…he’s actually not that little…), you saw the little tag - 2 for $5 - on these chocolate bars. And maybe, just maybe, you thought about Future Jen and how on a Monday, having had a rough morning and having forgotten her lunch bag with little snacks for comfort and energy, she would wish wish wish for something rich and delicious. Shaking her head, sure she’d only find index cards and dried out dry erase markers, she’d have low expectations as she pawed through her drawers. But there they would be! Two beautiful, delicious, decadent, dark chocolate bars! Two squares would offer some relief and reprieve, some solace and sustenance for the soul. And how now-comforted Jen, would wrap it all back up, and tuck it away for future Future Jen for when she’s needing a little bit of love. Jen, you rock. Love, Former Future Jen  |
Teaching Stories
A year in the life of a middle school teacher Archives
November 2018
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