Training the brain

Plans, adjustments, differentiation...  A recent professional development reminded me that reflecting on everything is what makes a difference.  A well-planned lesson is a necessary start to achieving student mastery; however, once the lesson is over, the reflecting and refining and revising play another necessary part.  These reflections aren't just useful for students, but for us as a team of professionals.  I've never thought of teachers as teaching on their separate "islands," but rather as a collection of like-minded colleagues with similar goals, dreams, hopes for the children they serve.  By thinking critically about our lessons, we are training ourselves to reflect for the good of the students, which then leads to a collaboration of various ideas within our teaching departments.

With collaboration sometimes comes differing views.  Someone told me that "none of us like everyone we work with," which made me pause and think, "sure, but in this profession, liking or not liking a coworker shouldn't matter; what matters is a similar vision for the students."  In these times where disagreements and differences of opinions stop us short of constructive criticisms, ongoing discussions, and meaningful debates, I plan to critically look past differences, and uncover solutions, just as I would encourage students to do.

These trying times have affected our youth in ways that many of my colleagues are struggling with ourselves.  I've come to process it by training the brain with "growth mindset":

I realize this a gross simplification of complex issues, but maybe it's a start to having tough conversations.  This could lead to recognizing perspectives, brainstorming solutions, and attempting those solutions.  Maybe by modeling this communication pattern for our youth, they can start to build each other up, instead of tear each other down.

My middle school released 17 balloons to remember each victim of the Parkland shooting.

At home, we are consciously practicing critical thinking together.  The boys (10 and 8) have made comments about the world, of course with some influence from their friends.  We openly discuss what their opinions are, and we as parents try our best to present the facts before they make a conclusion.

For example, Jesse one day had an honest question about Trump's wall.  We had a discussion about what walls physically do, and what he thinks the purpose of it would be.  We guessed how much it would cost.  He replied, "A fortune!"  We then Googled the cost and estimated efficiency of such a construction.  We then asked what other ways we could try to solve this issue.  Jesse said some of the billions of dollars could be spent on helping the poor.

Another example of practicing critical thinking is when reflecting on their day: "What was something that made you proud today?"  Or we'd pick from this list, instead of the old "How was school?"  where the critical thinking often disappears in a one-word response like "Good."

Visiting Oklahoma University

Even more, just as in the classroom, we discuss books, movies, tv shows, song lyrics and when we get there, social media.  The more we arm our youth with ways to constructively analyze what is presented to them, the more they can make sound judgments and conclusions, and maybe not end up swallowing Tide Pods.

When someone makes a statement that we don't immediately agree with, we may feel anger, confusion, disgust.  Let's read and learn with our kids.  Let's encourage them make the choice to figure out the ways to use critical thinking skills to not just stick with "let's agree to disagree." Training the brain is an interesting way to #buryboyswillbeboys.

P.S.  Even though "This is Us" is fiction, so many connections and parenting nuggets!

Speaking positive words

Manners are constantly challenged by everyday actions, social media comments, Vines, vulgar music...it's everywhere!  In my classroom, there is no room for put-downs.  "Please" and "thank you" are words taught and used. Tier 2 academic vocabulary outweighs tier 1 everyday common words, slang included.  It is extremely difficult to enforce these ALL the time, but I'd like to think that I try to set up the atmosphere that is safe for the students to speak out without the fear of chastisement.  Middle school is a tough place.  My certain demographic for the last couple of years have shown me that these kids are really sensitive under all that tough exterior.

Our own kids are showing some qualities of spoiled brats, so we need to pause (#grandparentswillbegrandparents).  They recently received 'unbirthday presents,' and first reactions were not mannerous.  We did not like what we saw.

In raising two boys, we've tried to envision how we want them to be as grown men.

Here's our experiment: Invert negatives into positives.

1. Use the word "hate" less.  Jesse: "I hate these headphones!" --> "I like the other headphones better."
2. Nix "annoying."  --> Be specific.  "It's too loud."
3. Change "boring." --> What IS fun?  "I like doing the math page instead of the writing page."
4. Don't get so angry when you lose a game.  --> "Maybe I'll use Eye Brawl next time."  (Jesse was about to throw something at his brother for beating him at Skylanders.  I had him take a breath, and he came up with that on his own!  Yay.)
5. Get "anger" out of the control room.  'Inside Out' was SUCH A GREAT MOVIE!  We are constantly revisiting our emotions, and now that the boys have a visual, they can communicate their feelings so much better.  

They even created another emotion, Awesomeness:

This parenting advice article made me nod my head to myself.  #6: "Don't catch every fall" is a philosophy that we've used since the boys were babies.  But they do need guidance.  The boys are lucky (or unlucky mwaha) that summer is learning time.  Learning to be positive.  Learning to be nice.  Learning to be gentlemen.  Bury "boys will be boys."