My Entrance Video

"Education will give you options." My husband says that often. It's now his motto. That wasn't always the case. You see, he didn't come from an educationally supportive family. His parents weren't there pushing him, encouraging him to do more, or to even try his best. They were merely trying to survive in the world in which they lived. He lost his ambition somewhere along the way in his childhood. College? No, that definitely out of the question. Graduating high school was almost out of reach. Until, one day. He was in high school, going through the motions, accepting the fact that his cards had been dealt, and he had a losing hand. In one of this classes, a Junior Achievement volunteer came in and taught his class about the business world, about financial literacy, and about life. The volunteer told the class that, "Education will give you options." It struck a deep chord in my husband. It woke him up. It gave him the inspiration he needed to control his own life, and write his own song. 

We've all had my husband as a student. The potential is there, the support is lacking. What can we do to inspire that child to greatness? How can we encourage him to write his own song? As educators, it's our life's mission.

Blogger Blue Cereal Education has challenged #OklaEd to choose their Entrance Video for the coming school year. I have always been a Celine Dion fan, so naturally my mind went to her songs, and one in particular: "Unfinished Songs".  It's true, we are all unfinished songs whether we are 4, 15, 36, or 67 years old.  

My husband's song is far from finished, but he has had successful verses along the way. He graduated high school, graduated college, works for Junior Achievement, and serves the people in our city on the City Council.  Most importantly, he's a loving husband and amazing father. He wants to give back, to inspire others to greatness, and encourage others to write their own song. He certainly does all of those things for this teacher. He's my number one fan. We are still writing our song. 

Watch the making of "Unfinished Songs" here.

LYRICS

So you’re thinking it’s ending
But it’s only just begun
Your whole life is there right
Right in front of you
Life’s a story that is all twists and turns
All that matters is the lessons we learn

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey
And we’re all pictures half drawn
We can be anything we want, hey, hey

Now is your time
It’s your life
No one’s living it but you
In your hands is your chance to live the life you choose
Life’s like music
There’s so much still unsung
Make it magic
There’s so much still to come

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey
And we’re all pictures half drawn
We can be anything we want, hey, hey

You can write the song
And write the story
Live all of this life in all its glory
Take the time to make the time to make each moment count
It’s your life
It’s your call
Grab the chance
Have it all

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey
And we’re all pictures half drawn
We can be anything we want, hey, hey

’Cause we’re all unfinished songs
Waiting for the best part to come along, hey, hey

You can write the song
And write the story

-- 

(Diane Warren)

Great Expectations Exceeded my Expectations!

     I've spent the last 4 days at Great Expectations Summer Academy in Bixby with my best friend and fellow educator, Mandi Cloud.   

     We originally signed up for different classes. Because the classes didn't make, we were put into Games+Learning=Fun, taught by Trish Waller, a 6th grade math teacher in Coweta, and Comprehension Campout, taught by Amanda Wilson, an education professor at ORU and former 3rd and 1st grade teacher.

    Normally, having my schedule changed stresses me out, and honestly, it did. ANY change stresses me out. However, this change was definitely the best thing that happened. 

    Those of you that have attended GE, know how the classes work: review of the Eight Expectations for Living, Basic Tenants, 17 Practices, Life Principals, Magic Triad, brain breaks, and the "feel good" activities to build a positive classroom and school environment. Although we reviewed those things,  I gained so many useful tools for my classroom to add spark to my teaching and make my lessons meaningful.

     Games+Fun=Learning: Most lessons were geared around math but of course, adaptable to any subject. I learned how to teach and review skills by using games such as "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?", "Jeopardy!", "Tic Tac Toe", BINGO, and several other games. The best part is, we were given time in class to make the boards and games. I'm ready to use them when I return to school! The focus of the class was academic instruction with some GE thrown in.

Tic Tac Toe
Divide into teams. Choose a number. The questions can be about any skill you are teaching. If answered correctly, flip the index card to either X or O. Next team's turn.

Jeopardy!
Divide into teams. Make a buzzer (any different sound maker) for each team. Play Jeopardy! Ask questions over any topic you are studying in class. 

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

  I was in the hot seat. The audience is the class. I had my 3 life lines. I was phoning a friend as my lifeline. Questions are over anything you are teaching in class. The "spotlight" is the previous player in the hot seat. Each student gets one question. Prizes were mini 1000 Grand candy bars. 

     Comprehension Campout: We spent two days learning all things about how to effectively teach reading! Our lessons were geared towards reading comprehension at any level. It's been several years since I've had any classes on reading instruction. I learned so many effective, hands-on strategies that I look forward to implementing!

We mapped our brains.

"I wonder what that word means?" 

As students are reading, they jot down any word they 
don't know on a post it and stick it to this board. 
At a later time, we discuss the words.

Retell a story by answering:
Someone, Wanted, But, So, Then

Think Clouds
Visual clues to use while reading to interact with text.

Nonfiction Walk
Students walk through their nonfiction book 
by answering questions along the path. 

 

Reading Strategies for Success, a visual reminder of techniques to use while reading.

Interactive Notebooks

    




 
I've heard about Interactive Notebooks, but honestly didn't have a clue what they were. I created one and will now have my students create one for reading. I bought a class set today! It's a great way to keep everything you need in one place as a resource. Glue, tape, fold, resources and flip charts right in the book. Create and use your table of contents to stay organized. Glue an envelope on the inside to hold flashcards and tangible items. 

Make an ongoing Table of Contents.
Add to the list as you add information in the book.

Add stamps, stickers, and colors to act as a "peg"
to illicit memories of learned information.

Glue resources directly in the book.

Fold up pages that are too large to fit.
Glue on the paper in the book.

Glue and tape object on the inside pages.

    


   

Even though I was on information overload, I thoroughly enjoyed being with like minds, sharing ideas of what works and what doesn't, and learning how to make my lessons meaningful to my students, not just something they learn for THE TEST!  I haven't attended a Great Expectations Summer Academy in several years. I won't make that mistake again. It was 4 days well spent! I'm excited to start teaching what I've learned! 

I've included several game descriptions. Please feel free to share and use! I'll be adding more!