Jen Stover

Another Amazing Year On Its Way!

2009-07-25T22:31:43-05:00

Today I have spent the afternoon with my laptop, google reader open, twitter page going, learning so many new and amazing things from my PLN (Personal Learning Network). Those of you who have not embraced the concept of twitter or subscribing to a blog, this is another call out to you.....DO IT! Your experiences with these tools will be substantial, I guarantee it.

Okay, enough, I'm stepping off the soapbox....and now to what I really wanted to share.

My daughter is getting excited (and this mommy, a little nervous) as my baby begins kindergarten. Just a few weeks from now she will get her first taste of public education.

I am thinking two things:

1) How can this be possible, she's in kindergarten??? 2) I hope she loves what she sees, experiences, feels, learns and wants to return.

Every teacher getting ready for school is probably feeling a bit anxious, with so much to do and so little time. I want to encourage you all (again) to stop, focus and remember what your JOB is about. You hold so much promise in your hands each year. Your JOB is to help children learn to LOVE LEARNING. And to BELIEVE in themselves. And you should promise each year to do everything in your power to make this happen. I know so many of you do. And I know how daunting a task this can be.

If I could write this letter directly to my daughter's teacher, begging for a few things, it would be this: Please love my daughter. Help her feel important and worthy. Give her courage to try those things that stretch her thinking. Build her confidence. Deem her an important part of the community. All these things can be accomplished (again) with the love of a teacher.

One of the blogs I love to follow is written by a gentleman named Larry Ferlazzo. Today's blogpost was fantastic, and one I think every teacher should read as you get ready for another school year. It discusses the relationships you build with your students and how those first few seconds you spend with them can make or break the entire year of learning. (Here's Larry, to the right). Great blogger, awesome site....you should read it!!

Please enjoy these last days of summer. Soak up those rays, eat a few fair corndogs, take a long walk,.....then breathe deeply and get ready to GEAR UP! It's going to be a great year!

Educators Who Are Lifelong Learners.....get a PLN!

2009-07-12T00:36:46-05:00

One of the most important steps an educator can take in today's world is to build a personal learning network, or PLN.

You might be thinking.....I already have that. Everyday I learn from my colleagues when we discuss our lesson plans, problem solve issues we may be having with discipline or concepts that are difficult to teach, and so on. Everyday, you are surrounded by your peers at work. They are the people you depend on to help when you have a need, a question, or to celebrate a success.

Your co-workers are definitely an important part of your personal learning network. There is nothing greater than the face to face contact you have with your peers each and every day.

Can I tempt you with something though, just for a second?

What if you could have a network of educators, from all around the world, sharing their most brilliant discoveries, their latest research, a newly-written lesson plan, a fantastic website that supports the learning in your classroom, or a simple "hello" from the other side of the world? Would that be a network or "club" you'd like to join?

It's my new favorite network/club (outside of my face to face peers) and it is called:

TWITTER!
(I know.....you already knew that!)

Image via CrunchBase

I don't even know where to begin about Twitter! I have so much to say, I can't even type fast enough. There are so many stigmas related to twitter. Everywhere you turn, people are talking about it, celebrities are joining up, comedians are making fun of the "tweets" written on twitter. I completely hated the idea of being on twitter in the beginning (just a few short months ago), now I rely on it as one of my main resources for the latest and greatest in education research.

Twitter provides so much, in such an easy way. In 140 characters or less, people from around the world communicate for many purposes. Some use it to just say "hi" and tell everyone what kind of cereal they happen to be eating for breakfast that morning. Others use it as a tool for sharing ideas and information based on their work, family life, etc. Whatever the reason, you can customize your network of "tweeple" to be exactly what you want it to be....personal or professional.

I am excited to be following so many great educators. I find it exhilarating that I can actually "talk" with them in this shared learning space, ask questions, share resources, etc.

The best part about twitter is.....the support group you create for yourself! If you have a question about a lesson you are preparing, or need advice on how to find a website related to a topic, all you have to do is "tweet" your question, and in a matter of minutes you have a multitude of answers!

So, in case you haven't figured it out, I am addicted to twitter! Teachers, you will not regret trying it out. Give it a shot! You will experience yet another change in what it means to be a lifelong learner. (And, if you have any questions, or don't have a lifechanging experience, please email me. I want to hear about it!)

Twitter is my world-wide, professional learning network! I hope it becomes an important resource for you as well. Oh, and you can find me on twitter....the name is @jenstover!

Have fun!

From One Teacher to Another

2009-07-06T16:06:03-05:00

Today, the purpose of my blog is just to share some resources; one of my favorite things to do!

I've been looking through my delicious bookmarks. If you subscribe to my friendfeed, you probably already have these (thanks for that, by the way!). There are a lot of resources piling up in there, and many of them are great links I have completely forgotten about. Just sharing a few today....

www.raylit.com
This website is great for the preK-2 age group. Lots of games and interactive activities in a variety of curriculur areas. A fun way to continue the learning over the summer months. It's July, and you are probably looking for some new things to keep those kiddos busy, I bet.

www.tumblebooks.com

I just sent an application to enter this site, and haven't gotten my approval....yet! But, when and if I do, I think it is going to be fantastic! You are only allowed a 30 day trial. My guess is after that, as a classroom teacher, I would want to have this available in my school. Take a 30 day trip through some wonderful books, check out the resources yourself, then decide what you want to do....just in time for the school year!

www.photojojo.com
Ok, maybe I missed the boat on this one.....this is a cool website! It's not really an "educationally related" website, but hey....it's summer, and we all need a break to work on a few projects, right? This site has an rss feed, so you can subscibe to their newsletters and project ideas. Might give you some good ideas for your classroom. Photojojo has a cool online store, too.

I hope you enjoy these few resources, there will be many more to come. Stay cool in that summer sun!

The Literacy Big Picture in Your Classroom

2009-06-30T22:59:09-05:00

Teachers are always struggling with ways to take new information, ideas, research and make it instantly applicable to the students they teach. They have an idea of the "big picture", but the pieces to get there may be unclear.

I have a suggestions and ideas facing through my mind, in relation to creating a learning experience that students would WANT to be a part of. I hope it is an experience that all teachers would want to create as a part of their literacy "big picture."

The experience I have in mind makes learning authentic. A situation where teachers take the curriculum they already teach and make a few adaptations in the structure of their schedule or the framing of their classroom discussions.

The "Literacy big picture" looks like this:

Large group time (30+minutes) with text reading and discussion based on the Four Roles/Resources Model (developed by Luke and Freebody):

teaching our kids how to approach text based on genre and topic and purpose of text.
Students will create connections, build relationships with the text, and learn how to navigate through a variety of texts independently.

Additional large group instruction in word work and language structure (approx.15 minutes) with a program that is consistent and concise throughout the school/system (one example I support and believe in, Fountas and Pinnell):

structured lessons in a scope and sequence that support the understanding of language structure.

Small group time (similar to guided reading) - (15 minutes per group):

every child, every day is involved in a small group with text that is slighly challenging. Teacher spends time listening to each reader and differentiating lessons based on children's instructional needs.

Many classrooms follow this type of structure or schedule.

So WHY am I making such a big deal out of this?

It's time for us to rethink the activities in our classrooms, beyond the amount of minutes we teach or which curriculum we adopt. Think beyond the large group, small group, individual groupings of kids....

It IS about:

teaching literacy beyond what the textbook says. Literacy goes way beyond understanding books. There's online literacy, math literacy, science literacy, image literacy, on and on.
creating an experience where students feel personally connected to what they are reading or learning about.
look beyond the surface to really understand what the author's message is about and why it was written.
students understanding WHY they learn what they learn.
taking what we already do good and make it great!

I would love to have a discussion about these topics! Please email me!

image on flickr by wesley fryer

The Learner Must Unwrap Their Own Gift

2009-06-24T10:32:19-05:00

My head is just spinning!! Spinning, spinning, spinning.....

I am so excited to tell you about the day of learning I had on Monday, June 22nd.

Spent the day as a presenter at the 8th Annual Maiers Educational Institute, left a changed learner.

It's a gift someone else could have not unwrapped for me, I had to persevere to get the goods.

There is something very magical about 200 and some teachers, media specialists, administrators, business leaders being in the same room for one purpose: working together to make the educational system stronger and more efficient for the success of our children!

The day was led by Angela Maiers, my friend and colleague. She made a case as well as a plea that all educators dedicate themselves to the betterment of each and every student they touch, by way of using the latest in research related to meeting the needs of our students. The trainings and breakout sessions called for teachers and administrators to create an educational experience that captivates and acknowledges every student's talent, as well as their weaknesses.

We focused on helping students understand the habits and attitudes necessary to be successful in today's world, as well as tomorrow. We also talked about the importance of being a global learner (and TEACHER) by building a personal learning network, not just online but face to face. We shared ways to become a fervent educational researcher and collaborator by utilizing the web as an up to date way to gather information. And, we discussed how to help our students spread their message and voice to the world, using technology as a tool, not as a toy.......whew, I could go on and on...there was so much more.

Every time I gather with teachers for this reason, whether it be in a workshop such as this, or even in a classroomw with one or two teachers having coffee, I am compelled by their commitment to their kids, and I can't help but think...."How can I make the process of utilizing this research in the classroom much easier and time-efficient?" What is my place in all of this?

Angela mentioned in her keynote how everyday she wakes up, turns on her computer, and is absolutely blown-away by new information she receives through her PLN and the research she follows. After following her lead (and Mike Sansone's brilliance), building my own PLN via RSS feeds and twitter, I SEE IT happening for myself now. I SEE how important this is for my professional development, and for the development of the teachers and preservice teachers I serve. I am giddy with glee as I turn on my laptop and watch my firefox tabs explode in the morning!!

My ultimate goal and mission is this.....I love teaching my own classroom of kiddos, but now I see my place unfolding before my eyes.....I have the opportunity to impact more lives of children if I support their teachers than I can if I am only in one room with my 30 kids, and I am excited about the possibilities ahead.

I have SO MUCH to learn about this job, but can't wait for the learning adventure!

The Habitudes of curiosity, imagination, adaptability, courage, self awareness and perseverance are absolutely critical for you to find your calling. I have experienced this first hand, in my own learning experiences over the past weeks. We must teach our kids this, not by adding another curriculum to what you already do, but by integrating these skills into our everyday lessons, conversations, interactions, problem solving arguments, learning to tie our shoes, wipe little noes, etc....these kinds of habits and attitudes are everywhere, everyday.

So, a big learning day for many......a life changing experience for myself. What more can one teacher ask for?

Summer Days Ahead, But Futures to Ponder

2009-05-18T23:11:25-05:00

Educators, as you prepare to wrap up a busy and full year, do this: ....slow down, take a deep breath, reflect on your year. The end is near!!

Time for summer, a well-deserved break for both you and the learners you taught each and every day. Time to reflect, rejuvenate, appreciate all that transpired during another year hard at work in academia.

But, really, I know how it goes....you won't completely relax. You won't completely forget. Your mind will always be thinking of some small piece of work, the year ahead, the tasks that are coming, the kids you will teach in the year ahead and the challenges you will all face.

Can I give you one thing to kick around in your mind over the summer months? One thing we educators all truly know, but sometimes forget? And, will you promise me that when you return to the classroom in August, you will keep this written at the top of your lesson plan notebook?

Take your time, take your time, take YOUR time....to really KNOW your kids. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their loves, their fears, their learning styles, their lives. Put the OVERWHELM off to the side, address it little by little, the work will always be there. Without really learning about your kids, how can you authentically and effectively teach them, anyway?

REMEMBER, authentic means the learning needs to "mean something" to them and their lives. How can we do that unless we find the right way to teach them, only through an understanding of them as a child, not as a "student" in my class. Take a little time over the summer to really think about the learning in your classroom. What can you do to keep your learners' passion alive throughout the year? What can we do to show them that learning is important and worth their time?

Teach them to be curious about their world, build their imaginations, help them learn to persevere, have courage, be self-aware and adaptable. This CAN be done and needs to be done in every classroom, every year.

I know it takes work, and it takes time. It takes true commitment. But, the learning that happens in your classroom will go far beyond the walls in which you teach.

Use some time over the summer to ponder these things. In the fall, you will be ready for your students in a way you never knew you could be.

And, if you need a book to help you teach all these lessons, I have one in mind!
(Just check out Classroom Habitudes, by A. Meiers)

7 Traits of Great Teachers

2009-05-13T15:21:22-05:00

Today I came across an article which summarizes a reseach study of effective teachers and the qualities they posses.

When I read this, I nearly jumped for joy.

We need staff development (and preservice teacher training) based on:

"The seven secrets behind great teaching"

(Published in TES Magazine on 8 May, 2009) - published in the UK

Check out what they listed as the "secrets" effective teachers put into practice:

1. They build confidence

Many pupils suffer from low self-esteem, basing their aspirations on celebrities and feeling disappointed when their lives don’t match up, so teachers have to build confidence in abundance.

2. They’re not afraid to make difficult decisions

The decisions teachers make on a day-to-day basis have a profound impact on children’s lives. It seems natural then, that 57 per cent of participants have a strong or extremely strong preference for authority, meaning that they are comfortable making difficult or unpopular decisions.

3. They develop others

This behaviour is collectively the most prominent among teachers. It is one of the involving behaviours and as well as developing your pupils, it’s about developing your own and others’ capabilities by providing opportunities for career development, giving coaching and constructive feedback or setting aside a specific budget for training.

4. They’re good communicators

Being able to communicate well is fundamental to teaching and all teachers provided evidence of this. “This is an inspiring behaviour and is about getting the same message across to a range of abilities,” says Ms Henshilwood. “It’s also being able to communicate across the board - from parents to colleagues, the wider community and to pupils.”

5. They’re non-conformists

Teachers may get frustrated with pupils who insist on asserting their individuality at every opportunity, but it turns out that they are just as averse to conforming: 87 per cent have a low or extremely low preference for conformity as a personality trait.

6. They thrive in the company of others

While a vast proportion of the population spend their working life in front of a screen, teachers spend most of their professional life in front of children. So it’s good to know that teachers enjoy the company of other people and there is a strong leaning towards fellowship among this group: 31 per cent show an extremely high preference and 44 per cent are above average for this extroverted personality trait.

7. They see the bigger picture

Just over half of the teachers interviewed show a low or very low preference for detail in the results of the personality test. This suggests that they prefer to look at the strategic objectives rather than get involved with the minute details of planning or administrative tasks, says Ms Henshilwood.

For those of you in the classroom, or those thinking of entering the field of education, this is a strong reminder of what it takes to be a success. For the benefit of our students, for the benefit of OUR future.

The 21st Century Classroom

2009-05-05T15:51:47-05:00

When I think about education and the 21st century, I think about the reframing of our relationships with students. This applies to teachers, administrators, anyone involved in education K-12.

The stronger the relationship you have with your learners, the more positive of learning experience your student will have. Seems like common sense? Why aren't teachers making this our number one priority, over grades, lessons, etc.

I have had 3 years away from the elementary classroom; 5 away from my own homeroom of first graders. Having had that time away, I have had lots of moments when I looked back, knowing what I know now as a parent and educator in higher ed, and think, "I wish I could go back and do that over again, this time doing........." The should-a, could-a, would-a's! I know that is a waste of brainpower in some ways, but it has enlightened me in my role as consultant and adjunct professor.

I know teachers break their backs meeting the needs of their kiddos. I was there once, 9 years teaching in elementary. It was a hectic day from the moment you woke up in the morning, 'til you sat down on the couch at night. And, even then, your students were STILL on your mind. Then, you wake up the next day, start all over again. I have seen many of my colleagues shed tears over their students, in both good times and bad. Each class you have places a permanent stamp on your heart. Deep down, we're all in it to make a difference in the world, I don't care what some say, teachers know that's what's happening in this job. For better or for worse.

What I propose is this (very simplistic thinking):

Build the relationship FIRST with your students, create the lessons and learning experiences second.

It is only by having a strong bond of respect and love for your students (yes, I said LOVE, even for those who try your patience, everyday) that you help them to become their best. They absolutely HAVE to know you believe they can do it, even when you aren't so sure yourself if they can. If you set the expectation, they will rise to the occasion.

I believe the 21st century homeroom should operate in this way:

an environment of respectful, open communication,
sense of ownership by all persons involved,
a safe place where your thoughts can pour out,
clear expectations set for all learning experiences,
and an adult learner (teacher) who is thought-provoking, structured, respect-worthy, and most of all, in LOVE with the students doing the learning in that classroom. Even when they don't feel like it.

Technology should be integrated into the classroom in all subject areas and discussions, so that kids see it as a "tool" for learning and not as another subject for teaching. Again, it is a TOOL, not a subject area! As an educator of all these up and coming adults, we must teach them to be absolutely comfortable with it, understand its power, the implications of how it works, the safety behind using it, and the beautiful experiences it can bring to their life.

Not only will this 21st century classroom change the lives of the students involved, it will change the lives of the educators.

Believe it or not, I think teaching will be much, much easier. Motivating students will no longer be difficult, discipline issues will decline (the amount of chatter may increase, but hey, that's what we want, right?), and their students' learning experiences will be powerful and authentic.

It will be nothing short of amazing.

Stay tuned as I write more on this topic in the weeks and months ahead!

Thank you, Atlantic!

2009-05-01T18:20:37-05:00

A very quick post and HELLO to my NEW FRIENDS at Washington Elementary School in Atlantic, Iowa!!

In a few weeks, my team and I are returning to Atlantic to work with the teachers, supporting them as they examine their curriculum planning, especially in regards to the implementation of the Iowa Core Curriculum.

Our meeting went longer than expected, but for an amazing reason. These teachers are passionate about being able to provide the very best, research-based program for their students, to ensure they are preparing 21st century learners, not 20th century.

Can't wait to tell you more......and I will!

I hope to begin planning this week, preparing some resources for the staff to pick through and choose what best fits in their curriculum. I can't wait to hear what they have to say!!

So, to you all in Atlantic, thank you for the warm welcome.... see you soon!

Put Simply: a Resource Districts Should Not Ignore! "The Horizon Report"

2009-04-28T13:34:13-05:00

This is a "Blog/RE-Tweet" giving attribution to ISU faculty member, Scott McLeod, who recently published a post called "My April SAI Report" on his site, Dangerously Irrelevant.

Included in this post, he discussed "The Horizon Report, K-12" (2009), a document dedicated to the future of technology integration in the classroom.

Every Principal and teacher should read this report, in my opinion, because:

It is a fantastic resource for educators preparing for the implementation of the Iowa Core....

I am amazed at all the resources, giving our kids the capability to interact with the entire world!

Some Examples:

http://mscofino.edublogs.org/projects/
At the International School Bangkok, students in kindergarten through fifth grade collaborate with their peers around the world using a range of methods including social networking tools, collaborative workspaces, blogs, wikis, and microblogging tools.

New Media Literacies.org
Scheduled for release in May 2009, the Learning Library presents a variety of interactive learning challenges that are designed for students to work through. The challenges are structured to encourage practice and exploration in new media literacy skills.

Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools for Young Learners
This article highlights ten high quality online tools, some of which use some social networking in the classrooms of younger students.

....and this is only the beginning of a huge list of resources to help with 21st century skills integration and the "WHY's" behind we so need to be doing this!!

Teachers, administrators: please pay attention to this report, and to Scott's research!

If you want your district to be on the path of excellence, visit his site: "Dangerously Irrelevant!"