Ever wonder what occurs in a Professional Development (PD) meeting for educators? I can assure you, students have never thought that question. Rather, they’re just stoked they don’t have to set an alarm for the next morning. For parents (since I am one), PD days on the calendar means scrambling to make sure someone can watch your child while you are at work. If you are a teacher and it’s a PD day, you might get to sleep in a few minutes longer and you check your email at the last minute to see which building you have to get to.
Yesterday, the majority of teachers watched a film called, “Made to Succeed”. For many of us, this was not our first time seeing it, including myself. However, having the chance to watch it again allowed an opportunity for deeper reflection. Comments from colleagues after the first viewing were a combination of intrigue, questions without answers, and topped with dash of doubt. Could changing the way schools operate really happen after 120 years? Based upon research, we know it will be best for our students, but how do we get started?
After watching it a second time, and talking with teachers from a variety of grade levels and backgrounds, we were able to hear how teachers' experience with Project-Based Learning (PBL) are paving new ways. Here are a few key points that stuck out for me:
So, where is this all leading to? At the beginning of the year, I was tired. Maybe this was because I was on an adrenaline rush my entire first year of teaching and I was experiencing a crash. Maybe it’s because the beginning of a school year and going through your first trimester of pregnancy don’t mix. Maybe it’s both. Regardless, I wanted my mojo back. Pronto. I didn’t feel like myself. I needed a spark.
After chatting about PBL with our group, we had a few minutes to spare. I was sitting next to my team’s ELA teacher and we began chatting about a project idea that we tossed around last year. It didn’t happen due to an epidemic all teachers experience: lack of time. This project was something I had envisioned back in school while getting my education degree. I presented the idea to my peers and professors and I was ready to make a difference in the world. Fast forward to today and talking with the fellow 7th grade Science and ELA teachers, plus one of our 8th grade Social Studies teachers (because it takes a village), we have agreed to adjust our long-range curriculum to make this happen.
It was like watching a tennis match of ideas. It felt so good! I found my spark! We were both on our iPads researching.
“This is what I found in the past.”
“Whoa, way too expensive.”
“Look at this one, it even has tools for teachers.”
“What if we had the students create ______?”
“They could be in charge of _____.”
“This could become a school-wide competition.”
“Parents could get involved too. We could send links for them to vote.”
“Holy cow, we could get a chance for _______ to come and speak or skype with us!”
“What if we got all core classes involved?”
“You could easily fit this standard for ______ class.”
“By doing ______, they will get real-world experience.”
“It’s solving a problem.”
“Could this be one massive common assessment?”
I immediately began taking notes.
Mind you, this was in the span of about 7 minutes. This is why I love my team of teachers. This is why I love all of my teachers I get to work alongside. They are passionate for their subject areas and they are passionate for doing what is best for our students.
Exciting things are happening people.
I think it just got warmer in here. #sparkisnowaflame
Yesterday, the majority of teachers watched a film called, “Made to Succeed”. For many of us, this was not our first time seeing it, including myself. However, having the chance to watch it again allowed an opportunity for deeper reflection. Comments from colleagues after the first viewing were a combination of intrigue, questions without answers, and topped with dash of doubt. Could changing the way schools operate really happen after 120 years? Based upon research, we know it will be best for our students, but how do we get started?
After watching it a second time, and talking with teachers from a variety of grade levels and backgrounds, we were able to hear how teachers' experience with Project-Based Learning (PBL) are paving new ways. Here are a few key points that stuck out for me:
- Trying something new means you will experience failure. Failure does not mean PBL cannot work; it’s just going to take getting back up, tweaking what was not successful, and trying again. #getbackinthesaddle
- PBL isn’t the best way for all students to learn. Be sure to balance out new content with a variety teaching methods. #differentiate
- Communication is key! Whether students are working on one project in your classroom, or you are collaborating with another teacher, be sure to check if other teachers have projects occurring at the same time. Overwhelming students with multiple expectations in multiple classrooms may produce a disaster. #parentswillthankyou
So, where is this all leading to? At the beginning of the year, I was tired. Maybe this was because I was on an adrenaline rush my entire first year of teaching and I was experiencing a crash. Maybe it’s because the beginning of a school year and going through your first trimester of pregnancy don’t mix. Maybe it’s both. Regardless, I wanted my mojo back. Pronto. I didn’t feel like myself. I needed a spark.
After chatting about PBL with our group, we had a few minutes to spare. I was sitting next to my team’s ELA teacher and we began chatting about a project idea that we tossed around last year. It didn’t happen due to an epidemic all teachers experience: lack of time. This project was something I had envisioned back in school while getting my education degree. I presented the idea to my peers and professors and I was ready to make a difference in the world. Fast forward to today and talking with the fellow 7th grade Science and ELA teachers, plus one of our 8th grade Social Studies teachers (because it takes a village), we have agreed to adjust our long-range curriculum to make this happen.
It was like watching a tennis match of ideas. It felt so good! I found my spark! We were both on our iPads researching.
“This is what I found in the past.”
“Whoa, way too expensive.”
“Look at this one, it even has tools for teachers.”
“What if we had the students create ______?”
“They could be in charge of _____.”
“This could become a school-wide competition.”
“Parents could get involved too. We could send links for them to vote.”
“Holy cow, we could get a chance for _______ to come and speak or skype with us!”
“What if we got all core classes involved?”
“You could easily fit this standard for ______ class.”
“By doing ______, they will get real-world experience.”
“It’s solving a problem.”
“Could this be one massive common assessment?”
I immediately began taking notes.
Mind you, this was in the span of about 7 minutes. This is why I love my team of teachers. This is why I love all of my teachers I get to work alongside. They are passionate for their subject areas and they are passionate for doing what is best for our students.
Exciting things are happening people.
I think it just got warmer in here. #sparkisnowaflame