Ron Clark Academy - my visit!

I can't believe I haven't taken the time to write about my experiences during my day at The Ron Clark Academy. Yesterday's Teachers Write topic has me stalled so I'll work on something I know!


I spent a day in March at RCA. I was so nervous...I knew it was going to be a transformative experience. In fact, it had to be. I felt that if this visit didn't spark something in my teaching I was headed for a dead-end in my career. I was not disappointed. 


Our group started in the library with a welcome from Kim Bearden, who had removed her amazing heels to jump on the trampoline situated in the middle of the room. We were invited to cross over into the main building where the doors were wide open with dancing, smiling kids pouring out. As we headed across the small driveway individual students grabbed individual adults and escorted us in to the main foyer/lobby area.


Kool and the Gang was blaring and kids were dancing and singing and grabbing random adult visitors to dance with. It was electric. I could feel the tears welling up as my throat clenched. I thought to myself...this is how it's supposed to be.


The music faded out as the last of the visitors entered and Ron Clark himself made an appearance to welcome us all to RCA.

THE Slide w/ Essential 55 on wall behind.

Imagine Willy Wonka's chocolate factory as a school and you have RCA. Amazing and unexpected things around every corner. Of course the first thing people notice is the giant blue slide in the middle of the foyer. 


We were broken down into smaller groups and whisked away to different parts of the building. My first stop was a beautiful lounge, er...classroom, complete with plump sofas, chandeliers, and a wall decorated with dozens of record albums. The students performed mini-plays that they'd developed based on popular African folktales. They'd performed all of their plays at a nearby preschool. I was fortunate to sit in on a couple different groups.


I've never spoken to more poised students. They were engaging, bright-eyed, and well-spoken. Although these were 8th graders, the 5th graders I would speak to later in the day were the exact same way.


Following language arts, we were taken to a civics class downstairs in a classroom painted to look like a scene from Arabian Nights. Students were working at tables in silence as we entered. They were reading articles and soon were asked by the teacher to share out. Students stood as they spoke. They made eye contact with one another. They built upon what others said and gave credit to those people. 

Ron leading the tour, stopped to explain pics.

Ron pointed out that there is no student work posted in the hallways. Instead there are giant, beautiful photographs of the students. Everywhere you look there are happy kids on the walls. Also mixed in are framed photographs of famous guests and speakers who have visited RCA. As mentioned in his book The End of Molasses Classes the upstairs girls' restroom is covered in pictures of cute boys...Edward and Jake, Zach, Justin....such a fantastic idea!


A favorite quote from my day at RCA: "Your kids have to LOVE something in your school, and it just might be YOU." Ron pointed out that when he started he couldn't afford real Djembe drums - he used Home Depot orange buckets instead. Kim explained how to create a variety of scenarios from an operating room to ancient Greece using white bed sheets. The Academy is a showplace of course, but it had humble beginnings in regular public ed classrooms like yours and mine.


Other favorite parts of the building...

Dr. Jones's video game themed room

In Dr. Jones's room students were surrounded by what they loved...video games! Mario took up one wall, but there was also art from Angry Birds, Tetris, and Timez Attack. The boxes mounted on the wall were covered with paper underneath so that students could punch them (like in Mario!!) and sometimes be rewarded with a treat. How cool is that??

Kim Bearden's room - Hulk Smash!

Kim Bearden's room was amazing too! There was a giant Hulk fist poking through the floor in the front along with a VW Beetle lined with fur and pillows. There was also a telephone booth, a newstand, and an awesome catwalk/stage area. 

Wall at end of hall open to reveal Ron's classroom.

As we approached a cozy book corner complete with a roaring fireplace (fake, of course!) Ron disappeared into a side door. Moments later the walls parted at the end of the hall to reveal his classroom. Magical! 

Writing on the desks in Mr. Dovico's classroom!

Honestly, by the time I reached Mr. Dovico's classroom I was so overwhelmed by all I had already seen I barely remember the theme of his room...I think it was an airplane?? Yes...that's it...there were airplane seats and Delta references around the room. Another reason for not paying attention to the decor in his room was that the students were doing amazing things with Legos. They were building vehicles that demonstrated some totally mind-blowing concepts that I can't even spell. They worked in groups constructively and quietly - not that they weren't talking, but they were just being so polite! Even when there were disagreements, the students spoke in calm, considerate voices with their peers.


Lunch was catered by Sonny's barbecue. I'm telling you this place ran like clockwork! Usually workshop lunch breaks are chaotic and irritating because of long lines. Not at RCA. We got our plates and headed into Ron's room where we were joined by the 5th graders. They sought out visitors and joined us at the tables. Can you think of anywhere you've ever been where students didn't automatically clump together?? Of course, these students have been trained to do this, but they didn't act like it was a chore. The young lady who joined my table was a gem. She answered my questions and those of my table mates. She told us how she had applied to RCA and was so glad to have been accepted because she had been in trouble at her old school. It was great to have unstructured time to speak to students. 


Following lunch we had more time with Ron, this time without students present. He was honest and gracious and above all a hoot to listen to! I imagine that he collapses every night from sheer exhaustion! 


Finally it was Slide Time! Music was playing, kids were cheering and the adults queued up in the long upstairs hallway. As we waited, students worked the line chatting up the visitors. I had a lovely conversation with a young man about our favorite chapter books. Again, he made eye contact, shook my hand, and spoke eloquently about his favorite books - it was a real conversation. As we approached the slide, the students collected our belongings for us and took them downstairs so we could slide unfettered. I plunged down that slide with abandon. It was the perfect conclusion to the day. Having read Ron's latest book, I knew the slide was coming, but I wore a skirt anyways. No sweat, but it was denim...anything flimsier and I can imagine embarrassment at the bottom of the slide! 

Screen displaying current point totals for the different houses.
 (Sorry for the bad pic!)

I visited on a Friday so I had the privilege of seeing the students perform their end of the week routines. They spend about 30 minutes each week working cooperatively to perform a 'cheer' representing their house. After each performance ALL of the students cheered for one another. After all four houses  performed, Ron talked to them straight about what he liked and didn't like about each cheer. Students listened attentively and Ron declared a winner for the week. 


For the grand finale, the students sang Stereo Hearts (with alternative school-themed lyrics) for the guests. Every guest was sung directly to by a student. They held our hands and danced and sang. Another amazing moment among so many during the day. Teachers started filtering out of the building at the end of the song, but several of us lingered to by t-shirts and talk to students. 


Several parents entered at this point and Ron invited a handful of students and their parents to come to his room. He also invited any of us educators still hanging around to join them. 


I sat at the back of his classroom while he gathered the eight chosen students near his Promethean board. He spoke to each one explaining how they had demonstrated excellence and/or effort in various classes so that when he was approached with an opportunity to take some students on a trip he chose them. He built up the reveal masterfully and finally displayed a picture of the Great Wall of China as students hugged and cried and cheered. I had to work to hold myself together. How amazing must it feel to tell a group of students they're going to China??? 

Coins from around the world embedded in stairs.

As I headed back down the coin encrusted stairs, Ron joined me. I shook his hand and all I could choke out was a meek, "Thank you." Seriously, this was a life-changing day. I saw the school I want to work at and the people I want to work with. No....not that exact school and not those exact people, but I want that for our school. There's not a single reason that I can think of for not being able to recreate the energy and enthusiasm that fills the halls and classrooms at RCA. 


I visited in March and made immediate changes in my first grade classroom. First of all, I put the desks in rows facing the front of the room. This seems completely counter-intuitive, but if you want students to focus on the front they need to be facing that way. (We moved around the room lots during the day for cooperative groups and centers, so very little of our class time was actually spent sitting in desks.)


I bought a Home Depot bucket and began choosing different students every day to play the 'drum'. Some were much better than others at this, but no one ever complained about it.


We began taking lots of music and dance breaks...with real music that the kids loved, not just kiddie stuff. One of their favorites was "Never Say Never" by Justin Bieber. (My husband raised his eyebrow at the iTunes statement when the Bieber songs started coming through.) I put the lyrics to the rap in the song on the big screen and we all learned them! I can't think of a better way to practice fluency than rapping a high interest song!


Another favorite break was to do the Cha-Cha Slide. What better way to practice following oral directions?!


I began playing the Mission Impossible theme when students worked in their workbooks. They didn't know the song, but it imparts a sense of urgency that cannot be created by a teacher barking at them from the front of the classroom. As they worked I circulated like a hawk, correcting & commending. We'd then check our work together using the Hover cam. The kids literally begged me to let them do more math workbook pages! (Honestly, I'm not a workbook person, but that's what our county dictates so we'd do what we had to do and get back to games and manipulatives.)


I think the biggest shift in my teaching was that I began teaching to my high kids. I'd heard this idea many times before and given lip-service to the fact I had high expectations for all, but to see it in action and see the progress the RCA students were making sold me on it completely. Every morning I came to my classroom thinking about my highest kids and what I wanted to challenge them with. The other kids absolutely rose to the challenges I presented. I witnessed a 5th grade math lesson taught by Ron. Those kids did stunningly difficult math work - Ron was relentless in his questioning of students. I did not realize it was a fifth grade class until someone asked at the end of the lesson! Ron starts by teaching 7th grade curriculum to entering 5th graders!! 


Another huge shift in my teaching was that I didn't give up on kids. Of course, no one would admit to actually giving up on students, but we do...all the time. When we let any student off the hook and move to another to get the answer we have abandoned the first student. I trained my first graders to 'show some love' to anyone who was struggling to get an answer. We would cheer for that student as he or she mentally chewed on an answer. Without fail the student would come up with an answer. Sure, I had to poke and prod occasionally, but I NEVER let another student off the hook for the remainder of the year. 


One final major shift was that I truly began making eye-contact with my students. Not just glancing their way to catch them being bad or good, but locking eyes with individuals. I began asking after lessons if there was anyone I had not looked at and they were honest about saying yes. If anyone admitted to feeling overlooked I made darn sure to get them in the next lesson and make certain that I connected with that student. 


If you're not sold already, I highly recommend spending a day at RCA. Yes, it's expensive, but the rewards are priceless. I paid for it myself, but my principal approved it as a professional leave day so at least I didn't have to spend a personal day. Save your money, beg relatives, ask for them to give it to you as a present, sell Krispy Kremes on the corner!! We are fortunate to have this opportunity within easy driving distance. I'd go again in a heartbeat. 

I (mostly) hate sports.

     Anyone who knows me knows that I do not like sports. I have lots of reasons, but I think mainly I don't like being disappointed after getting emotionally invested in a game. Also I have a lot of resentment towards professional athletes who make millions of dollars for doing something that isn't nearly as important to our society as teaching children to read, write, count, and think. Call me selfish. 
     Here comes the big confession....I've learned so much from watching my kids at practices and in games. Just because I don't enjoy sports doesn't mean that I want to deprive my own children from developing athletic talents if that's what they enjoy. So I've spent quite a few hours watching karate, baseball, soccer, basketball, and tennis even though my kids are only 5 and 8 years old.
     I blogged about the fantastic karate instructors my son had awhile back and this recent post by Lori Sabo from The Daily 5 website reminded me of the amazing things I've learned from watching coaches. Sabo's main points include:

1. positive reinforcement - who doesn't like a kind word or a wink or a smile??
2. modeling - show the right & wrong way
3. monitoring - keep an eye on your students
4. differentiation - meet your students where they are and push them farther
5. purpose - explain why 
6. element of fun - people (big and little) like games
7. celebration - verbalize what was accomplished
8. current research - be smart, keep up with your field

     Of these 8 elements, I think differentiation is the most difficult, especially if you're working in the Land of the Little People (K or 1st grade) where attention spans and self-direction are in short supply. However, the other 7 things on the list are EASY. 

     I've noticed in the last month as I've included frequent games, dance breaks, and increased eye contact that my class has soared. I'm working with a population that is mostly ELL, mostly poor, and mostly behind academically - but they have risen to the occasion EVERY time I've challenged them. I'm checking off 1. positive reinforcement, 3. monitoring, 5. purpose, 6. fun, and 7. celebration from the list above. Woot!

     As for 2. modeling...I am fortunate to work at a school that hit the technology jackpot. We all received Hover cams in our classrooms last month and let me tell you that it is a blessing! My students struggle with oral directions. Their language skills are weak, but if I show them on the big screen what I'm talking about they jump right in. So there's a big check for modeling. 

     8. Current research? Got it. Thanks to my PLN on Twitter I've read a couple of great books lately, but have also been exposed to lots of amazing ideas through a variety of chats. 

     4. Differentiation here I come! This is my first year teaching 1st graders and I'm still working on the management issues that arise with 20 busy little people. I've just begun to scratch the surface in teaching self-motivation and self-direction. 

     Maybe I'll get some good ideas at baseball practice tonight??

Happy Anniversary (to me).

It has been one whole year since the cancer debacle. 


I don't have cancer, nor do I mean to make light of the disease in any way. 


This is the one year anniversary of being told that I AM a cancer. Those words still sting. They were told to me by someone I trusted and respected. I was told that I was the only one with any issues and that I was welcome to leave if I couldn't get with The Program. 


I was devastated. I came home crying the Ugly Cry and continued crying for about two days. I had never been spoken to like that EVER. I replayed the conversation in my head incessantly for days. My husband was invaluable and unwavering in his support of me. Our school counselor acted on my behalf as well. My teammates comforted me and if it weren't for them I might have quit my job mid-year.


I can't believe it's been a year already. I hoped I'd be 'over it' by now. I guess I am, but then again it affects me daily. 


After The Talk I sought help through a career counselor online. I truly thought I must be in the wrong career if, after 12 years,  I was comparable to a dreaded life-threatening disease. She was amazing and helped me see that although I didn't want to make my unhappiness about The One Who Shall Not Be Named....in the end it was. My husband helped me with that epiphany too. His suggestion? "Why don't you just transfer?" Hello??? How simple it sounded! 


After digesting the idea of a transfer and all the ways it would impact our family, I went for it. Fate has a way of helping things along and 2 weeks before school started I found myself at a very different school. I love it. My children love it. I have great teammates and a fantastically supportive and fun-loving principal. I'd never have found this new home if it hadn't been for The Talk.


Perhaps sometimes we have to be kicked from the nest in order to learn to fly?? I didn't enjoy the kick, but the flying is magnificent.

Hang in there, baby.

Today was exhausting. I kind of anticipated that it would be. It IS the day after Halloween after all. 


But in my corner of the world, it's not just the holidays...it's everything.


This is my 13th year of teaching. I'm no rookie. I've actually been teacher of the year at one school and made the final 3 at another school. I had gotten to the point where I could just 'wing it' day to day and do a darn good job because I knew what my job was. I taught reading to fourth graders and I was good at it. 


I requested a transfer just before this school year started and as a consequence found myself in first grade. The last time I taught first grade was 16 years ago during one small part of my student teaching. After a year of second grade the rest of my years experience have been in either 4th or 5th grade. 


So here I am feeling like a new teacher all over again. So many of the skills and techniques I used for 4th grade don't even come close to transferring to these little people. 


To top it off, this is a Title I school with a high percentage of Spanish-speaking students. Of all the things I've received training for ELL/ESOL isn't among them. 


So what am I doing well??

• I love my students. Perhaps this really is the most important thing, but I can't teach them to read by love alone.
• I'm getting along great with my new teammates. Again, HUGELY important, but they can't teach for me - they're fighting their own battles.
• I have high expectations for my little people. This a BIG frustration for me though, as I continue to fail to raise these guys up. Expectations aren't enough.
• I'm persistent. I continue to pull myself up by my bootstraps and try again.

Looming in the back of my mind?

• How do I structure my reading time so that students are engaged and on-task and learning to read and enjoying great books?
• How do I teach 21 individuals during math time since whole group efforts of any sort have failed miserably?
• How do I help them discover their talents as writers?
• How do I manage the standards-based grading without going insane with the paperwork involved?
• How do I get them to sit down and listen (for even just a few minutes would be okay with me!!)?
• How do I teach the students to show respect and courtesy to one another?
• How can I keep them from running in the hallway?
• How can I help them realize that this is OUR classroom and when they break and/or damage our supplies and resources it hurts all of us?
• How do I inspire them to want to learn?

Ignorance would be bliss at this point. At least then I wouldn't feel so inadequate all the time. 

Tomorrow is another day. I will focus on being present with my little people. We will enjoy a good book or two and share some writing. I will smile at them and hug them and tell them how proud I am of their hard work. 

Anyone else out there struggling with transition from one grade level to another? I'd love to hear about your trials and triumphs! Words of wisdom are appreciated too. 

Until then I'll just continue to hang in there, baby.

Speech?

My principal offered me the microphone and I should have humbly waved it away and just said, "Thank you." However, I am a bit of a ham and couldn't resist the chance to address our faculty. 

I've worked at this school for only a month and a couple of fantastic co-workers nominated me for this month's Crystal Apple Award. I didn't even know what the award was when the AP was soliciting nominations. Apparently teachers write nice things about coworkers and the AP reads the nice things at the meeting and then a decision is made on which one person receives a lovely little crystal apple WITH their name engraved on the base. Sweet, right??


I was super surprised to hear the AP read one nomination for me, but then when she read the second one I seriously teared up. 


I approached the principal who offered me the microphone, which I took. So....what I said was something like, "I love this school, it isn't like this everywhere, I've worked at 5 schools, I love my teammates." Really eloquent. NOT.


What I meant to say....
     
     In my relatively short career of 13 years, I've taught at 5 very different schools. It is apparent when you walk into a building where the focus is. From the moment I darkened the doorway at this place I have felt the love for the children. It's everywhere you look, but it is especially evident in the way the adults treat the children. 
     
     I noticed teachers hugging kids in the hallway during the first week of school and figured they were just glad to see each other after the long summer break. But no, this happens every day still and we're five weeks into school. At dismissal, it is difficult to exit the building because the teachers line the sidewalk and hallways and hug kids as they leave for home. 


     The principal is like a rock star - the kids absolutely swarm him wherever he goes. They hug him AND most importantly he hugs back and he looks them in the eyes and speaks to every one of them. 
     
     I've had to step up my game in order to live up to the standards set by these amazing teachers and administrators. One of the things mentioned in the nominations was that I'd been working on weekends and even Labor Day to be ready for my students. I put in the time because I would hate to let these people down. I'm not doing anything special or different than any of these other fine educators - I'm just trying to be one of them. 
     
     So, I thank you for the award. I cannot put into words how much it means to me to be recognized by my peers, especially when they're rock stars.

Why I was a Crappy Friend

As I drove home from attending two days of an education technology conference, I reflected on my time spent with friends this week. I worked at the registration table each morning and it was a joy to see so many friends - old and new - pass by. 

Last year was a hard year for me. I'd lost my teaching mojo. Despite the fact that I was working with my three bestest teaching pals and despite the fact that I have the world's best husband, I could barely get myself together to really enjoy my job at all. These fantastically understanding people kept me afloat, but just barely.

You see, I had a hole in my heart. And it was a big one. No matter how much love the people around me put into it, the leak was always faster. Oprah frequently talked about the Universe sending messages which would gradually get louder (and more painful) until acknowledged....I totally believe this now. I ignored the small messages over the last couple years and the Universe came a knockin' with its full force this year. Ultimately, it is my fault that I allowed this hole to grow (to form at all!)...but through this experience I have grown.

Flashforward to this week - I had lunch with a bestest teammate that I taught with at another school a few years ago and we discovered that we'd had similar experiences this year. I ended up buying her lunch and apologizing to her for being a crappy friend this year. Then it hit me...I wasn't ABLE to be a good friend to anyone this year (family included). She and I were both afloat on a sea of depression...paddling separately, barely keeping our chins out of the water. Neither of us was aware of the severity of the other's struggle - we'd only exchanged calls a couple times this year. I guess that should have been a sign for us both. When friends drop off your radar, you should probably check on them. This is a skill I'm working on.

Nothing cements my belief in teamwork more than my experiences this year. I was lost. My team held my hand and bolstered me every step of the way. They listened, encouraged, and dragged me along even when I wasn't being a good sport. I don't think I can ever repay them for walking through it with me.

With the start of a new school year fast approaching I find that my 'well' is once again full. I've been working with an awesome career counselor (I actually questioned my choice of careers this year!!) and she has helped me rediscover myself. I didn't need a new career - I needed to uncover the root cause of my dissatisfaction with my job and also how to keep my 'idea monkey' brain challenged. I uncovered truths about my situation, set goals, the planets aligned, I took the bull by the horns....etc., etc.!

Although I am sad that I will not be working with any of my previous bestest teammates this year, I am looking forward to finding bestest teammates at my new school. I know they're there....they are everywhere and I have mojo to share once again.

Inspiration from Unexpected Places

One of the great things about teaching is that we can draw inspiration from anywhere. Teaching is an art. And just like an artists, we teachers never know where the next amazing idea might come from.

One of the biggest drawbacks of being a teacher is that we rarely (if ever) have time to observe our colleagues in action. Seeing a great lesson enacted by a fantastic teacher is a treasure box of information, skills, and techniques. Even visiting another classroom for a few minutes can yield tons of ideas for my own classroom.

I have two children of my own and I have learned a few things from observing them in action. It has been fascinating to me to watch their various instructors in dance, karate, soccer, basketball, baseball, etc. Most parents are watching their kids...I'm watching the instructors! 

I've been taking my kids to the weekly programs at the library this summer. We've seen a magician, juggler, story teller, and a musician. These people are professional performers and the audience usually encompasses a wide range of ages...as in babies in laps all the way to 5th graders. The main thing I've noticed in all of the performances is that the show must go on...even if there are toddlers wandering around making noise, parents on cellphones, random comments from children. All of which stresses me out, but I have been inspired seeing these professionals carry on with their shows. It's such a great reminder for my classroom!

We are trained to wait for all eyes to be on us before proceeding because we all know good and well the kid talking in the back will be asking what the directions are before we've finished our last sentence. But is this really true? Do I really need every pair of eyes on me? A goal for this year is to train the students not only to listen during those few moments when instructions or information must be given, but also how to use their peers as information resources.

The next thing that I've noticed with these performers is that they naturally grab the kids' attention by just starting. The juggler played music and began juggling. The magician performed a series of simple tricks with interlocking rings. Now I know that we're supposed to begin with an attention grabber, but it's hard coming up with little tricks and songs and whatever else on a regular basis. However, having seen this technique in action several times this summer I think it is well worth my time to investigate attention-grabbing options.

Now, in the sports arena I've witnessed that sometimes you have to break inattention with physical activity. My son's first soccer coach was great at this. When the boys (all 5 or 6 years old) got distracted from the soccer lesson he'd have them run a lap. There was no yelling or irritation, just a sense that the players were mentally tired, they needed a break, so let them run. They loved running and laughed the whole way around the field, but when they returned (out of breath) they were much more focused on the lesson.

My son's karate instructors were amazing at creating structure, discipline, and natural rewards. Every lesson began with the same series of exercises - a routine. The goals were crystal clear and their progress towards the goals was evaluated at every class. Every student was held to the same expectations in terms of respect for their peers and the instructors as well as performance of the assigned tasks. Disrespect was met with discipline in the form of a quiet reprimand with the offender sitting quietly on the edge of the mat or running a couple laps. Time out was always followed with brief personal instruction and reflection over what happened to result in punishment and how it could be avoided in the future. Every class concluded with a game. Of course the kids didn't notice that the games were simply skill practice presented in a fun way.

My daughter was involved in her first dance class last fall. Again there was structure and discipline even within the class full of precious, easily distracted, tutu-adorned 4 year old girls. Class began and ended with a set routine. Students were expected to listen respectfully and practice the moves to their best ability. The performance (even after only a handful of practices) was joyful despite the fact that some kids went the wrong way and did the wrong thing. 

My take-aways from these varied experiences and venues is that structure, routine, and discipline are the keys to a successful classroom. There can be no excuses. If a magician can wrangle a group of 40 kids ages 18 months - 10 years old, then surely I can effectively manage 25 students in the classroom.