The Pushmi-Pullyu Syndrom

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Do you remember that strange looking creature from the classic movie Doctor Dolittle, the pushmi-pullyu? Certainly, a wondrous creature which fit well in this fanciful world of make believe, but not an animal that would fair well in the real world if you were hoping for a ride somewhere. Just one look to even the most casual observer would lead to the inevitable conclusion that this is just not a plan for success. There are too many flaws in the design and it's painfully apparent that there is a serious issue with mutual exclusivity here. "In logic and probability theory, two propositions (or events) are mutually exclusive or disjoint if they cannot both be true (occur). A clear example is the set of outcomes of a single coin toss, which can result in either heads or tails, but not both." (Wikipedia)

Unfortunately, the issue of mutual exclusivity can rear its ugly double head in our professional applications far too often if aren't on the lookout for the beast! There are times when we seek to accomplish multiple goals but fail to consider if they are compatible. The problem professionally is this; when crafting goals, no matter how noble and well intentioned we are we end up confronting reality. Issues speaking to the costs associated with carrying out plans, considerations of time and effort, the sacrifices that must be made, personal and professional capacity to carry out the plan, and the impact on multiple communities and individuals always lurking. Too often when the voice of reason in the room brings up such questions, they are shouted down as negative, pessimistic, or the utterances of unbelievers. Questions of loyalty, and support may also arise leaving such individuals to either chose alienation or silence as their only recourse.

The reality is that unless issues of reasonableness, achieveability, mutual exclusivity, capacity, and cost are all addressed, failure is a very real possibility along with the associated consequences. To move forward responsibly several considerations must be engaged. First, relates to the finite nature of resources expended chasing achievable ends. Are the resources available, and is this how they should be expended? Secondly, the expenditure of personal and professional capital must be accounted for. People must be trained and aligned. Buy-in must be present as well as the will to see the plan through to the end? Next, are the social emotional costs associated with endeavors. Each effort, no matter how well conceived exacts a cost on community members and there is always the possibility for failure. While there is potentially for learning from any experience, such effort come with a cost relative to human psyche. Failure can beget failure, and ongoing losses take a toll on even the most ardent supporters. Finally, leaders must address the personal and professional self doubt which comes when flawed plans are rolled out. History does provide examples of those who were undeterred by ongoing failures; Thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, and Harry Truman come to mind. Such individuals certainly are good object lessons for grit and make for wonderful posters for classroom. The question really though how many unnamed souls have been lost in the mist of history as abject failures, never to be remembered again because of foolhardy, poorly considered goals that had absolutely no chance for success? We conveniently forget about "failures", who wants to fill the history books with those types of stories?

waytolead.org

The lesson isn't so much that chances shouldn't be taken, or that leaps of faith are out of the question, caution isn't always the best choice. But more times than not success in the classroom, and life in general is based on sound reasoning, effective planning, goal alignment, and the determination to see the plan through to the end. It's easy to embrace wonderful, positive, and popular goals which sound good upon initial consideration. But just like the parent/teacher who wants to be the "cool adult", giving the kids everything they want, then can't understand why their kids are out of control, it doesn't take rocket science to figure out how the plan went so wrong.  Next time before jumping on the nearest pushmi-pullyu it might just be a good idea to consider if you'll end up heading in the direction of your intended goals, or just going in circles.

Sticks and Stones

lifehopeandtruth.com

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. I'm sure most of us have used that pithy comeback at some point in our lives as a rebuttal to the attack of some bully's aggression. I think we are all aware though of just how powerful words are. In fact, at times long after the bruises and bumps inflicted by physical aggression have healed we are often left with the emotional wounds that words can inflict upon us. Recently, I was reminded just how power words are in the hands of educators, and how they can alter the course of a lifetime. 

Not too many months ago, my wife and I meet a wonderful couple at church who are old enough to be our parents. Truth is though, when you reach a certain point in life a couple of decades in age mean a great deal less difference than in younger times, and we are at such a time. As we've come to spend more time with our new friends, and know each other better we are beginning to share many of the stories which have shaped our lives. One of the stories that has come out of our conversations is that of Millie (that's we will call he for the sake of this blog.) Millie is a bright, vivacious 80 something, full of life and still taking on new hobbies. One in particular she has shared is her love for painting. The other night she shared some of her latest creations with us and they were very good indeed. Millie specializes in landscapes, and her creations speak of her love of nature and an eye which sees the details which attest to the God she loves and worships.

As we viewed her paintings she shared with us that this hobby is actually one she dabbled in many years ago. As a young girl she loved to paint in school. In fact, the loved it so much that she considered taking art as a major in college, and making this passion a part of her adult professional life. It was then that she shared a painful wound that was inflicted by an unthinking and insensitive substitute art teacher. One day while creating another painting in class, this individual walked by her canvas and told Millie that it was terrible, and that she should reconsider any plans that she might have to pursue this passion any longer. Millie was crushed, and for many years only occasionally picked up a brush and pallet to engage her once loved passion.

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Finally, not to many years ago, in her mid 70's, Millie decided to put aside the hurtful words of long ago, and begin again to take art classes, and create on canvas once again the beauty that she sees all around her. As I noted, her painting are beautiful, and her passion and joy absolutely burst forth from both her person and the canvas she creates her master pieces on. As a friend of Millie, I am so happy for her that she has once again begun to use her gifts and talents, and engage in a pastime that means so very much to her. As an educator I am at once appalled that someone who calls themselves a teacher would be so insensitive with their words when they are in a position to impact students so greatly. At the same time, I wonder and worry that I too might have carelessly used my words at some point, inflicting a lifelong hurt the kind that Millie has carried with her for more than 5 decades. 

My take away from Millie's story, as a teacher, is to always remember the Millie's that walk into my classroom each and every day. My position and the words I use are so very powerful in the lives of the students I have the privilege to work with. I just hope that 5 decades down the line my students look back at their time with me as the time their passions and loves were ignited, not that point in time when sticks and stones crushed them, extinguishing an internal flame that once was a driving force in their lives.

Question the Answers

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In the interest of full disclosure let me state categorically that I am a recovering Rule Follower! There I said it, and that feels great! One of the evidences of Rule Following is the propensity to embrace the concept that the answer book/key has all the "right" answers, and if anyone provides an answer that is not validated by inclusion in the answer book, then it must be WRONG!!!!

The world of education is often driven by standardized testing which is driven by a variety of factors including ease of use and grading. There are connections to paradigms speaking to a simplistic right/wrong, pass/fail mentality popular in many non-education circles. In short, multiple choice, true/false and other such test are hazardous to a significant portion of our student population, and may be doing significant harm to our culture!

For years, I followed the dictates of standardized testing gleefully grading tests with my little red pen, driven by the answers that were before me in the answer key. One day, I decided to change my practice for some unknown reason and instead I handed the tests back to the students and asked that they grade their own tests for themselves as I read the answers off to them. My purpose was two fold, first immediacy of impact on their testing without public embarrassment. I wanted them to know in the moment how they had done rather than getting the test back days later in their end of week folders. (btw, I let everyone know that I was going to pick the tests up to verify accuracy of grading as soon as we were done.) Secondly, I wanted to open a discussion as to why they got questions right and wrong. I was looking to determine for myself, and for them, how they missed the mark on the questions that they failed to match the answer key.

clipartqueen.com

What took place next was amazing. As we discussed what went right, and what went wrong on the test some amazing truths revealed themselves. There were lots of mistakes due to miscalculations, misreading or misunderstanding the questions or possible answers. There were also numerous procedural errors where students marked the wrong answer, etc. What I also got was A LOT of feedback and questions from the students about why their answers were wrong when they thought they might just be right. As we sat and discussed point by point the issues at hand, I found out that the questions and answers might be interpreted in ways far different than the test intended. Students also came up with alternative methodologies to answers questions which while not matching what the book defined as "correct" were just as valid. Finally, I learned that experiences and perspectives matter greatly. What I (and the answer key) saw as the only possible answer might not be the only way to look at solving/answering the problem.

Suddenly, I was confronted with the reality that the answers in the answer key aren't always the only "right" answers, and that the best thing that I could do for my students was to ask and listen to their reasoning behind their answers before I applied my little red slash across their "wrong" answer. In doing this I opened up great dialogues with my students. I learned of alternative viewpoints and methodologies in my students that were just as valid and at times brilliant as the right answers set before me. And finally, I found out that I had a problem myself. Perhaps as a closet rule follower I needed to stop and ask questions where I had never considered asking them before. Not only was it the right thing for me (as a closet, and now recovering rule follower), it definitely was the right thing for my students.

There's Far More to it Than JUST DO IT!

Introduction:

We've all heard the saying "They can send a man to the moon but...", and here you can fill in the blank for any number of other plans, programs, procedural changes, etc. you might like that have crashed and burned in ignominious shame. At those times we are left to scratch our collective heads asking ourselves why can't we even in small portion, replicate the amazing story of the brave men and women who heroically brought the crippled Apollo 13 (trailer from Youtube) spacecraft home safely. Certainly, we are looking back on not only extraordinary circumstances, we are also looking back upon extraordinarily talented people. Yet, the reality is that the reason(s) they were successful in this historic endeavor are not so different than the components we must consider when engaging in our own personal and professional journeys. It all comes down to capacity folks. It wasn't the power behind the words "Failure is not an option", that brought the Apollo 13 astronauts home. Rather, it was that the system in place to do so had the capacity to carry out task at hand, no matter how extraordinary that was.

en.wikipedia.org

Social Emotional Considerations:
In setting the stage, enacting, and supporting change within a classroom, community, system, etc. calls for the en-actors of such change to consider those elements related to social emotional considerations. First, organizational communication must effective disseminate the goals, plans, anticipated hurdles and reason behind change. Individuals who make up the organization must have a transparent, clear, factual understanding of these elements. Next, support must systematically be established, built, nurtured, and supported for change. Change is hard. Communities expend tremendous amounts of emotional, physical, and social capital to bring change about. Simply saying "Just do it!" does not cut it. Communities must have buy-in to institute and establish change bringing about shifts culminating in new normal's.

Physical:
Change also must be supported relative to physical considerations. Those considerations span the continuum from hardware to software, from physical plants (i.e. classrooms, buildings, etc.), to time and movement considerations. Not only must plans take into consideration points of service applications (i.e. the classroom), but points of support necessary for application points to functions at peak efficiency (i.e. administrative and office functions, custodial, set up, tear down, etc.). Those who are not "systemic" visionaries often miss the foundational importance in taking into account the nuances of physical considerations when trying to plan for or support change. An outstanding example of such thinking can be seen in the The Founder 'Speedy System' Featurette (2017) (from Youtube).

Professional:
Finally, change can only come about when capacity of the professional community is optimized. Well trained professions and para professional (as well as volunteers) can do amazing things, but only when they have the skills needed to carry out their tasks. To do so requires not only effective professional development but ongoing training check in and support moving forward. Too often professional supports stop after the first "workshop"which fails to adequately build needed skills and systemic perspective. Such professional support instead should be considered a long term investment in the capacity of the community to carry out its mission. Other considerations focus on professional capacity revolving around adequate staffing and professional responsibilities. Are the right skills represented in the professional community? Are staffing assignments aligned with the goals of the project, or do shifts and changes need to take place which align the professional team for maximum effectiveness?

clearwater.asn.au

Conclusion:
In an age when simplicity is worshiped and simplistic thinking is rampant, it is an inconvenient truth that permanent, effective, impactful change is hard work. It isn't the buy product of catchy phrases of effective add campaigns touting how easy the answers really are. The truth is that to effect change a key component is to build the capacity into the community/system to support and sustain change. No amount of "Just do it" and "Failure is not an option" speeches will ever replace best practices enacted by skilled professionals and community members focused on setting the stage for success one consideration at a time.

Generational Perspectives

Generational Perspectives

Introduction: “The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.” ... Socrates (Goodreads, 2017)

Although I believe deep down we know better, the reality that each generation views those which follow as vexing, confusing, inferior, contemptuous, disrespectful, or lazy is often lost on us. The words of Socrates, who lived over 24 centuries ago are just as fresh and relevant today as any posted, blogged, Tweeted, or written in the past 24 hours. The question is what do we as educators, mentors, parents, etc. do when such thoughts and realities confront us?

Life choices: I was fascinated by a recent article in the Denver Post (Denver Post, 2017) identified some vastly different life choices that were being made by today's youth. Truth be told, when I read the article I was impressed by some of the wise choices and mature reasoning behind many of these choices, and happy that some of the more questionable practices of my generation seem to be fading. Yet, being a prisoner of my own time, it is difficult to realize that such changes are taking place unless you either search for or stumble upon such information. Yet, when explored, contemplated and considered, such differences should confront the educator with the reality that while students and teachers often share many markers common to humans off all times and places, significant differences also exist which potentially present formidable hurdles which might frustrate efforts to provide educational services for the next generation. 

Reactions and applications: With such realities in mind it is wise therefore for those who work with younger generations to remain relevant, seek understanding, and carefully consider just how to engage and interact with young people. On one hand abandoning practices, knowledge, and traditions, often millennia in the making just to reinvent the wheel each generation seems foolhardy. There are many "truths" which are just as relevant today as they were many years ago. Such truths should be considered and applied with the proper understanding and perspectives of current generational needs to continue the string of wisdom begun so long ago. On the other hand, those who refuse to consider and embrace the changes which deeply impact and shape current generations do a disservice in service to them. Without speaking to such realities, the education provider appears disinterested in meeting the learner at their point of need and irrelevant failing to account for changes which can render old truths moot unless updated. 

Conclusion: At once, our students need us to be both the messengers of truths and traditions which are the product of generations of our forebears while at the same time, firmly engaged in the present remaining relevant and accessible. In truth, we as educators are the vital bridges spanning the ages, connecting our culture's past with it's future. If that sounds as both an imposing task and a frightening proposition...it is!

Cliparting.com

References

Retrieved 9/24/17 from: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/63219-the-children-now-love-luxury-they-have-bad-manners-contempt

Shared from the 2017-09-20 The Denver Post eEdition, NEWLY PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Teens increasingly put off markers of adult life. Percentage of those who drive, work, drink, date has fallen since late 1970s. By Tara Bahrampour The Washington Post

Why Change is so Difficult

bbc.com

Introduction:From both personal experience and professional observational central truth related to change is that it is exceedingly difficult. This is as true in the educational environment as it is in personal life. Breaking old habit and developing new habits isn’t accomplished overnight, and more times than not, even with the best of intentions lasting change fails to take root. The questions confronting the education professional are why, and what can be done about it?

Issues at hand:In a 21015 Miranda and Damico explore the topic and present some interesting conclusions. First, teacher must convinced of the need for change. As is often the case, unless there is personal buy in and an embracing for the need for change, individuals, institutions, communities, etc. will not take the steps necessary to lay the groundwork and carry through to the point that changes have been fully embraced and new norms have been established. Secondly, training is essential. Too often changes that are envisioned or hoped for may be well intentioned and on target, but training and skill building are either not sufficient, or misaligned with the task at hand. It’s all well and good to imagine refinements of best practices, or changes within classrooms and communities, but unless the individuals tasked with making such changes are equipped to do so, there is little chance for long term success.  Finally, on-going support is often ineffectual or inadequate in regards to providing the quality and quantity of individualized supports needed for community professionals to negotiate the myriad of questions and issues which arise during the change process.

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Conclusion:For so many reasons change is a difficult proposition even in the best of circumstances. When those circumstances are impacted and compromised by lack of training, ongoing support, and buy in, the chance for success is diminished or completely eliminated. Successful change whether at the personal or community level is a long, difficult process. The potential for success can be greatly enhanced when change is well conceived, fully embraced, and effectively supported with the resources necessary to see the task through to the successful conclusion.

Reference

Miranda, R. R., & Damico, J. B. (2015). Changes in Teachers' Beliefs and Classroom Practices Concerning Inquiry-Based Instruction Following a Year-Long RET-PLC Program. Science Educator, 24(1), 23-35.

Kicking off the Year the Right Way!

neatoday.org

Introduction: The beginning of the school year is an exciting time for one and all. Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and education communities get to enjoy a fresh start, renewed by time off and away. Optimism abounds for one and all, and for good reason, new beginnings offer a time to start anew, to make a break with past experiences, habits, and practices. Both literally, and figuratively it's a new year.

For the educator, the beginning of the school year is perhaps the single most important period of time of their entire year. It is at this time that the foundation for the remainder of the year is laid, and it is upon this foundation that the school year stands or falls. Can changes be made mid year? Of course, but such changes in course, practice, or tone are difficult at best.

The key components to success:

There are several key areas of focus that must be considered, articulated, and addressed during these first vital days. First, teachers must establish who they are within their classroom culture. Are they the stern leader, the unquestioned authority in the room? Are they everybody's friend, one of the gang, just one of the 'learners' in the room? Do they present themselves as distant and unapproachable? Are they open to engagement, questions, and learning partnerships? As students and families begin the school year, they are looking for clues as to who their teacher is this year, and how that relationship will play out. Much depends upon the messages that are sent by the teacher ("Creating a Learning Environment," n.d.).

Ibartman.com

Next, students and families are looking to understand the vibe and culture of the classroom environment. Routines, rules, and practices change from year to year as progression is made through the grades, and teachers come and go in the lives of students. Students are looking to know and understand what the boundaries, rules, and practices for the classroom and school day are. It is within this structure and framework that both academic and social activities are conducted. As such it is vital that educators craft practices and structures which align and support their academic and social emotional goals for their learning environments. If key these components are in conflict with the intended goals of the classroom and educator, the possibilities of success are seriously compromised. It is also this structure and practice that much of the educator's personality and professionalism is revealed. Teachers may present one message in classroom communications, but it is in daily practices that the heart and soul of the educator is on full display ("Creating a Learning Environment," n.d.).

Finally, teachers must clearly establish and support their academic expectations and practices from the onset of the year. Consideration must be given to the wide range of expectation, practices, applications, and supports which speak to the curriculum, standards, and assessment of achievement. Students and families will use such guidelines to drive their academic efforts. They will also use this information to interpret who the teacher is as an educational professional and individual. As such, careful consideration therefore must given to such matters ("Creating a Learning Environment," n.d.).

ourlifesong.com

Conclusion:
New school years are exciting times filled with anticipation, excitement, new beginnings, and even a bit of dread at times. The reality is that the foundation for the success and/or struggles of the entire school year rest upon the application of a well considered and implemented beginning of year practices and messages. Students and communities will form perceptions of who the educator is, the culture of their classrooms, and their academic expectations and practices in these first key days. It is vital that these messages be consistent and self supporting. It is the wise teacher who understands that the first days in the classroom often define how the long days of December, and the final days of May and June play out.

Reference

Classroom Management - Creating a learning environment, setting expectations, motivational climate, maintaining a learning environment, when problems occur. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1834/Classroom-Management.html

The Essential Skill of Vacationing Well

The Essential Skill of Vacationing Well

skycapnews.com

Introduction:

It no secret that Americans are terrible when it comes to taking vacations. Data and research time and again pay testament to the reality that as a culture we fail to take all the vacation days we are due. Even when we do we all too often take our work with us tethered electronically to our work lives and all the stresses and pressures that we are supposed to be getting away from. As a result, research would suggest that we suffer physically and emotionally as a people, doing great harm to ourselves in the process (Dickey, 2015; Von Drehle & Tulshyan, 2010).

It is also true that the topic of summer vacation is a point of serious and ongoing research, debate, and contention in American culture and education. Many studies have shed light on the negative impact that extended periods of time have on students of all ages. The reality of summer “brain drain” though runs directly into issues related to cultural norms, the physical and labor realities of extending the educational year, as well as a myriad of other issues. For at least now, the reality is that for many American students, and their teachers, summer vacation is a fixture on many school calendars (Dickey, 2015; Von Drehle & Tulshyan, 2010).

There are of course a variety of ways for educators to approach vacation time. For many it is a time for educational pursuits (i.e. college course work, workshops, symposiums, etc.) that are far more easily engaged in than during the busy school year. Summer travels/activities might also be learning experiences as educators visit sights and engage in activities which support subject mastery or build background knowledge or expertise. For others, it is a time to take on second jobs, or summer work to supplement incomes restricted by the dynamics of the education profession. If though, the opportunity affords itself for actual time away the question becomes how best to spend that time? The reality is that vacation time well spent can positively impact professional practices once the busy school year begins again. This is to say, your student’s achievement and advancement might well rest on how well you spend your vacation time during the summer weeks off!

Vacation considerations and best practices.

There are several things to keep in mind if you are fortunate enough to get away from ongoing studies or work and truly want to refresh and replenish yourself.

·         Purposefully disengage: As noted earlier, we as a culture often remain tethered to our workplace (or other aspects of our busy lives) via technology. It might not seem possible, but it is deeply impactful when those who are away on holiday actually get away, purposefully seeking to disengage with those stresses that are common to their daily work/lives. Unplugging and disengaging from stressful communication pathways is vital (Lovett, 2004).

pinstake.com

·         Consider how long is the right amount of time away: Plan enough time away to disengage and refresh. Some research suggests that only a couple days away might not be enough, whereas the benefits fits of vacationing begin to diminish after 8 or more days. Too little time and the benefits of time away is not realized, but longer isn’t always better. There is also research suggesting more frequent short vacations of a week or so might be more helpful than longer trips. Typically, the benefits of time off diminishes within three to four weeks upon return to the routine.

newhotelus.com

·         Plan on engaging in activities which are relaxing: This doesn’t always translate to time sitting on a beach (although it could!). For some climbing a mountain is the type of engagement with relaxes the individual, providing the disengagement with the normal life/professional stresses which prove so taxing (Soojung-Kim Pang, 2016).

·         Consider where and with whom your vacations are spent: At times where we go and with whom we go or visit can be more stressful than our professional lives. The last thing the busy educator needs is to come back to the stresses of a busy academic year more exhausted than when they left. Careful consideration of traveling companions and destinations are in order (Lovett, 2004).

·         Look to refresh physically and mentally/spiritually: The calling of education calls for teachers to serve and meet the needs of others constantly, often at their own expense. As such teachers, can become depleted in body, spirit, and soul. Make sure to plan time to refresh and recover physically. Take time to engage in activities (or lack thereof) geared towards mental and spiritual replenishment. Don’t be afraid to plan time to just be lazy, or relaxed, or just sit under a tree and enjoy doing nothing but thinking (or not!) (Jabr, 2016).

Conclusion:

Americans embrace a culture which worships “busyness” (Jabr, 2016). We worship at an altar which driven in part by our Puritan roots, which believes as long as the individual is busy at something, it is good and beneficial. The problem with life practices which rests solely on such a perspective is that is ignores the reality that we are also physical beings who need rest and replenishment. Such refreshment is in fact foundational to effective professional (and personal) engagement.  Exactly how teachers/educators choose to vacation is as varied as those embarking on such restorative journeys. Yet, it is vital that vacation time is used mindfully and purposefully so as best replenish and restore the educator for the work which lies ahead. The reality is that your students’ achievement next year, might well depend on which beach you choose to vacation on this year.

profitguide.com

***With all this in mind, I will take my own advice

abstaining from blog entries for a few weeks. I return with my weekly blog at the beginning of August. Have a great summer everybody!

References

Dickey, J. (2015). Save Our Vacation. Time, 185(20), 44-49.

Jabr, F. (2016). Give Me a Break. Scientific American Mind, 27(5), 44-49.

Lovett, R. A. (2004). Getting Away from it All (Even if You Can’t Go Far). Psychology Today, 37(4), 54-60.

Soojung-Kim Pang, A. (2016, December 20). The Secrets to a Truly Restorative Vacation. Idean.ted.com.

Von Drehle, D., & Tulshyan, R. (2010). The Case Against Summer Vacation. Time, 176(5), 36-42.

Seeing Your Classroom for the Dynamic Entity That it Is (Part I)

virgil-n.blogspot.com

One of my favorite basketball players growing up was Larry Bird, I heard it said that like may other great athletes the game unfolded for him in slow motion as he played. He knew, studied, and analyzed his teammates and opponents becoming a master of his court environment. He gained insights into their habits and tendencies which allows him to see several steps, moves, moments in the future. He was not blessed with the greatest physical skills but because of his reflective and studious approach to the game he was able to maximize his abilities and potential by not being rushed into mistakes and miscues. With such insight and foresight he was often able to be where he need to be, when he need to be there, prepared to make the great plays that others could only dream of.

The same type of dynamics exist within the classroom environment as well. The issue is this, the classroom is a living organism with movement, interactions, social exchanges, and numerous activities creating a collage of life. This life ebbs and flows in predictable patterns of cause and effect impacting learning and achievement. Such factors can either exist uncheck, unrestrained, and unregulated creating a cacophony of accidental and incidental confusion. Or, the life force of the classroom can be purposefully, proactively, engaged, arranged, and orchestrated to created a masterpiece in which learners thrive and flourish.

Time, experience, and action research within my own classroom environment has led me to arrange my environment in very specific ways speaking to a variety of issues which continually arose overtime. Below I offer three areas/arrangements within my learning environment and offer the reasoning behind their current configurations.

The first area of consideration relates to the supplies which are used daily within my 4th grade classroom. Everything from art/drawing supplies, to writing and math implements are located in one place. Originally these items were located in a variety of points around my classroom. As I observed my students move within the classroom gaining access to need supplies I observed a number of problems.  As students gathered supplies they often disrupted learning by visiting with others in the area of the supplies, disrupted sight lines during lessons, or impacted concentration with their noise and movement.

My solution was to locate my most used supplies in one area, off to the side of my room, in front of my desk. This allowed students to gather supplies with a minimum of disruption to sight lines. Now centrally located, supply gathering activity is restricted to one area rather than throughout the room (I also tried to build an open space around the supply area to speak to the issue of proximity to other students.) In addition when I do ask students to access supplies I control the numbers arriving in this area at any one time by asking for one student per table group, or allowing only one table group at a time to come up for their supplies. A final, unanticipated benefit is by having the supplies near my desk I can better monitor usage and tidiness of the supplies. My students tends to waste fewer less, and don't leave them in the disarray they previously did as they are in close proximity to my desk and front table and under my watchful eye.

 Another problem common to my early classroom related to traffic patterns. I tried a variety of student desk configurations with varying degrees of success. There were problems related to travel around the classroom making it difficult for me and my students to move around the maze that was the student seating arrangement(s). In consideration of this issue (as well as my practice of often having students work together in group activities). I arranged the desks in groups of 4 and 6. Smaller groupings didn't open up enough travel lanes, and larger grouping proved unwieldy for group activities. Now movement in and around the classroom allows me to quickly and easily monitor and assist students working at their desks. In addition my classroom is a safer place, with fewer accidents as  I insist that students push in their chairs, not sit on the edge of their chairs while working (thus pinching off travel lanes), as well as hanging up coats and placing books and supplies in or under desks. A final example of traffic pattern consideration can be seen in where I house my Chromebook cart. By placing is along a side wall and training my students to approach the cart along the wall to obtain their Chromebooks and then continue walking towards the back of the room, I don't have students walking into each other and pushing through clogs of other students, stopping to talk, etc. All of this translates to more time on task as students move quickly and safely in their environment. I also have to engage in far fewer behavior redirects which takes my time and energy and can negatively impact teacher/student relationships.

Finally, I my front table is an important tool in keeping myself organized throughout my day. Each day as I prepare my lessons I stage them from left to right (facing the class) from beginning to end of day. As I progress through my day each stack of supplies, books, etc. speaks to a different lesson during my day. I spend far less time searching for materials wasting precious instructional time and maintaining student engagement. In addition I often use this area for students to check there progress and accuracy as they work independently in groups or alone around the room. I can monitor student self checks and identify how quickly and completely they are working through lessons via this classroom gathering point. This table also often becomes the forum for small group mini lessons for struggling students who come to my attention as they check their own work.




There are a number of other practices and considerations that I apply in my learning environment which removes or minimizes the hurdles for students which often spell the difference between success and failure. It's really not rocket science, rather it's just taking the time to look, listen, and study my students, their environment, and my practices. To be like those great athletes who are students of their game. I try to anticipate and avoid problems while trying to maximize engagement and achievement by as much as possible being one step ahead or the game. It does take work to do so, but in the long run the benefits and results far outweigh the cost and effort required. Classrooms are dynamic living organisms which when crafted carefully are a thing of beauty to watch operate.

Exactly What is the Point of My Student Supports?

Introduction: To mindfully consider the needs of students requires teachers to move beyond simply rolling out one size fits all lesson plans. Rather, education professionals must carefully consider the individualized needs that each student bring to the classroom environment. Providing differentiated and scaffolded supports should require the educator to consider deeply, long held paradigms, and examine practices which on the surface may seem to serve student needs. Yet, often times upon further examination classroom practices may fail to address the true short and long term needs presented by students in need of individualized supports.

Over time just such considerations have confronted me in my classroom. One point in particular relates to the use of various supports for my 4th grade math students as the wrestle with both mastery of fact tables as well as the range of subject matter that 4th grade curriculum presents. One one hand, automaticity of math facts is an essential skills that is foundational to success in future math classes. Yet, such mastery can elude some students for a variety of reasons (including those with reading challenges.) On the other hand my students must also engage in skills development which often rests upon accurate and reasonably quick recall of these same math facts. For years I drilled my students on their math facts, and then turned around and required them to take on daily math activities working without the benefit of fact mastery. Academically speaking I was asking them to work without a net. The results often were deeply frustrated students, who either took exceedingly long amounts of time to work through daily lesson problems, or arrived at wrong answers not knowing if this was because they missed something in a formula or algorithm, or if they simply miscalculated. In either case students often fell further behind their classmates who had attained fact mastery, or simply saw their struggles as further evidence that they would never ‘get’ math.

Finally, after much soul searching I decided to make a radical change in my practices. First, I continued an emphasis on the need and practice towards mastery of math facts. At the same time I decided to provide needed differentiated supports such as calculators and multiplication tables based upon student need and driven by student choice. In doing so I addressed a variety of issues which every educator should consider related to the topic of differentiation and scaffolding to meet student needs.

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Things to Consider:

Consider the goal(s) of the lesson and keep them in mind: What exactly is the end goal of the lesson? In my case was it fact mastery, or working towards mastery of a math skill set? These are two completely different, although mutually depended issues (Larkin, M. J., 2001)?

Work with students to obtain buy in and set expectations, etc.: Each year I fully explain the reasons and reasoning behind with my class about the use of fact tables and calculators at very specific times in the course of our daily work. I never let students (or myself) lose sight of what it is we are trying to accomplish. We engage with each area of our math curriculum (fact mastery and skill mastery) with a clear, systematic approach (Larkin, M. J., 2001).

Establish the needs of the learner and provide student specific supports and when to apply them: The educator must know the issue(s) each student is addressing and how they are best supported. I also ask my students to participate in this process as they make wise choices for themselves with both long term and short term goals in mind. Needless to say supports will change over time as progress is made, or other points of need arise. Flexibility and adaptability are essential (Larkin, M. J., 2001).

Provide conditions for effective, ongoing feedback: Work closely with students, other educators, and support staff to monitor, assess, and provide ongoing feedback designed to best support students differentiated and scaffolded support needs as they arise or change (Larkin, M. J., 2001).

Carefully monitor and temper frustration and risk: Students in need of learning supports are often primed for failure, expecting to once again be frustrated and defeated by skills and curriculum beyond their abilities. One of the key benefits of differentiation and scaffolding is to change the hearts and minds of learners by providing relief from frustration and defeat, as well experiencing much need victories. Confidence is a powerful agent of change and it may be the single most powerful gift a teacher can give to her or his student(s) (Larkin, M. J., 2001).

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Conclusion: As it turned out, the changes to my classroom were dramatic. Although I still have students who struggle with fact mastery and automaticity, I have greatly reduced the stress level and dread often associated with skills development. No longer are students fighting a battle on two fronts, rather they can work towards skills development with greater speed and accuracy than they could have without the supports. In the end the real questions for me were as follows. 1) What exactly am I aiming for in each lesson in terms of learning goals? 2) How am I impacting student confidence and growth. Continuing the cycle of defeat for these students is the very last thing that they need. 3) What ultimately speaks to the short term and long term well being of my students? In twenty years is it more important that they understand and can apply foundational math skills and concepts (often with the aid of technology to take care of calculations and computations), or is it to fight an often losing battle to memorize the product of seven times six?

Reference

Larkin, M. J. (2001). Providing support for student independence through scaffolded  Instruction. Teaching Exceptional Children, 34(1), 30.

Your Students' Trust is an Absolute Must!

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Introduction: As educators/adults we understand that our students love to learn, it's just up to us to find the key to unlock that door. We hold that learning is a natural and basic aspect of childhood, that is innate to each and every student. We have all experienced occasions when our students are swept away in learning experiences, when the subject matter, the mode of learning, time and setting all come together and engage and engross their eager young minds and the magic of learning unfolds before us. This is the wonder of pliable young minds created for just such occasions.

Yet, the reality of what takes place in our classrooms and other learning settings is often a far different reality. In worse case scenarios we march are students in, sit them down and lecture to them, run them through their lessons, stations, and worksheets, question/interrogate them in front of their peers, test them again and again thus institutionalizing the organic experience of learning into the educational equivalent of the assembly line. Even when using  models where we differentiate and scaffold which speak to the individuality of the learner provide learning experiences which speak to the more current understanding of educational best practices, we as educators and adults can lose sight of a foundational reality. Learning can be, and often is a very scary experience!

Learning ask our students to take chances, venture into the unknown, often vulnerable and powerless within the learning environment. Students try things they’ve never tried before, risk being wrong, often again and again. They engage in learning activities which are new to them often being asked to do this in full view of their peers. As the adult, teacher, and authority in the room we as teachers hold all the power, set the rules, and define the parameters of success and failure.

The question therefore becomes, how do we address the reality that learning often places the student in such a compromising and frightening position? Research indicates that addressing such realities and optimize student performance speaks to the development of trust between student and teacher. Such trust is not just a theoretic concept which serves as the bases of catch phrases and professional development workshops. It is in fact a physical reality carried out via chemical reactions in the brains of humans. The release of the brain chemical oxytocin induces individuals to exhibit trust in their relationships. The creation and release of oxytocin is supported when individuals feel as easy and comfortable in their relationships and settings (i.e. they don’t feel threatened or at risk) (Zak, 2017). To cultivate such realities often calls on the educator to employ best practices, taking great care to meet students at their point of need. To mindfully and proactively addressed the reality that trust in relationships is not a given, rather it is gained through purposeful engagement and practice on the part of the educators aimed at cultivating and nurturing it in their students.

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Hospitality: A starting point to developing trust relates to the hospitality that we exhibit as we invite our students into our classrooms/learning environments. We must greet them unconditionally making clear that they enter the environment without the fear of rejection or judgement. As educators we must throw ourselves into the process of removing any barriers to learning that may speak to the individuality of the learner. Such barriers not only act as natural encumbrances to the learning process, but also may send powerful messages that the student is not welcome or considered in the environment that they are being asked to operate in.

In addition, the teacher must also open themselves up, divesting themselves of many of the vestiges and suggestions of authority that can stand in the way of trust. It is one thing to be the responsible professional/adult in the room leading, guiding, and caring for the learning community. And another thing all together to be an authoritarian figure, lording over those in their charge. Students must understand that learning is a partnership where trust is a two way street where both teacher and learner are trusting the other to fulfill their parts of the learning equation.

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Trust: There are several key practices that foster trust in relationships reducing of stress and lowering of defensive barriers (Zak, 2017). First, is the before mentioned greeting of students into the classroom environment. Next, is to take time to recognize and celebrate successes when they take place during learning. Additionally, it is vital that learning goals be clearly identified, articulated, manageable, and attainable goals. Such goals remove shadows of doubt relative to failure and success and prevent leadership which is never satisfied only fixating on ever extended achievement horizons which frustrate followers. Also, as much as possible allow students choice in how they work and with whom they work with. This is not always possible, but when it is, it speaks powerfully to issues of differentiation and appreciation of individual differences and needs. Next, be as open and transparent as possible in communications. Share feelings, reflections, and concerns openly with individuals and groups. Also look to serve and develop the whole learner. Education is about more than just academic achievement, it’s about all the other lessons and skills needed to succeed in the wider world. Students may struggle to succeed academically but flourish as individuals, this should not be lost to the teacher or student. Finally, the teacher should show vulnerability and humanness. It’s one thing to be a strong, steady, influence in the classroom which students can turn to. It is another thing altogether to disingenuously portray oneself as perfect, immune to the frustrations and fears that students commonly feel. Such portrayals are false and foster distrust, robbing students of realistic role models that they can look to as they develop their own self-image (Zak, 2017).

Conclusion: Trust is a foundational component of the student, educator relationship. Trust, is the byproduct of chemical reactions in the brain, created by safe, secure learning environments, brought about by educational best practices. Simply stated, without trust, students’ brains are not in the optimal condition to learn. Conversely, when trust is present students' brains are primed to engage, embrace, explore, lacking fear and apprehension. They are more likely to establish positive learning relationships with their teachers and are more willing to take the risks and chances which often accompany the learning of new skills. With such realities in place it would seem self-evident that the benefits of trusting relationships far outweigh the efforts needed to establish and nurture them.

References

Hung, R. (2013). Education Hospitality and Trust in Teacher-Student Relationships: A Derridarian Visiting. Studies in Philosophy & Education, 32(1), 87-99.

Zak, P. J. (2017). The Neuroscience of Trust. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from www.hbr.org