Power of Collaborative Conversations

One of my favorite things to do in my classroom is to have students discuss topics. This could be their responding to a reading selection, taking a position on an issue, reflecting on a writing assignment, or reviewing content for an assessment. Most students will entertain the discussion and some excel at it, but there’s always the few who don’t embrace it. They either share something brief and shallow, or they find a way to not participate. I always take opportunities to encourage them to have these collaborative experiences and to listen and share. I try to convince them that there is power in collaboration. There is growth that can occur in one’s thinking when embracing discussion, listening to other points of view and working to develop your own.

So I was encouraged in the last view days through a couple of unexpected encounters with people I hold dear. People who spark thinking and reflection.

• walking with dad – “what are you reading or studying that has you thinking lately?” Honestly, I couldn’t say a thing. I’m a teacher and supporter of being a lifelong learner, but I have let some lazy habits replace valuable ones. While our conversation was great, I was convicted. I haven’t been digging into Scripture or reading any books. So I changed that the moment I got home. This week, I’m back at it…ready to explore and discover wisdom and knowledge.
• talking with Voxer group about Girl, Wash Your Face- this has included some personal as well as some virtual communication with friends about a book that has influenced over a million readers. This is another great part of collaborative conversations. It gets you asking questions and researching and more reflecting – to see if your values and convictions and beliefs are rightly aligned to the Word or Truth.
• The Real Life Podcast “The Dark Side of our Life-hacking and productivity culture”
• • Chase Christ, not Culture
• • When it’s ok to be mediocre in pursuits that aren’t about gospel life

Santa Barbara

NOTE: I came across this post from 2015 in my Drafts – posting it now for my own reminder of how this running thing even started.  Who would have thought that that one time I was a PE teacher would have had such a valuable change in my physical activity and goal setting.  

Motivation – When I began teaching PE 7 or 8 years ago, I started thinking about running the mile with my students.  I hadn’t run a timed/graded mile since junior high/high school and honestly, I think I failed the mile test most of the times I attempted it.  So, I remember working to reach a simple mile so that I could show my students that I was willing to work towards a goal just as I was asking them to do.  My interest was sparked again 3-4 years ago when I needed something new in my activity routine.  I definitely was motivated by goal setting as well as health.  I ran some 5Ks, but a friend of mine who turns 50 this year and has done several halfs persuaded me to do the SB 1/2 with her.  So, I started training in March

Training – For the most part, I looked up things online, had conversations with friends who run, and downloaded a couple of apps.  I have used Endomondo for most of my runs over the past years – it simply tracks distance and rate and speaks prompts at every mile, letting you know what your pace was for that mile as well as total time thus far.  I like this APP because it keeps a running history I can look back at. I can also add notes to each run to record any challenges I faced or thoughts on how I felt during the run.  I also found GIPIS.  This app allows you to enter your last run stats, what race you are preparing for, and then provides a plan for each week leading up to the race.  This includes some interval training, tempo runs, long runs, etc.  It also uses GPS to tell you when to speed up or slow down in order to keep the pace it has planned.  This works ok, but I generally just use the suggested pacing if I am limited to using the treadmill.  For me, interval pacing is easier to track on the treadmill, but I do what I can to NOT run on the treadmill….too boring most of the time.  Intervals help challenge your run and hopefully increase your time.  I know there are plenty of other training plans and apps out there, but these are what have worked for me so far, so I think I will keep them around.

Visited and ran part of the race site – April – Spring Break – try it out

Challenges – Running is definitely as much a mental game as much as a physical one.  Each long run was challenging the last mile or two, whether I was running 5 miles the first time or 12 miles. They were tough both mentally and physically.  Also, weather is challenging.  Now, for the most part Southern California weather is pleasant, but wind at the beach deterred me a few times from a strong run.  Injuries are another challenge.  I definitely did too much 6-7 weeks before the race in SB.  I struggled with a foot injury, strained calf, and knee troubles.  The best thing I could do when these arose was to stop and just give my body rest.  I have learned mostly to listen.  I remember waiting 2 weeks to get back to running and when I started, I knew right away that I needed to stop.  So I did.  It was completely frustrating because I felt that I had waited long enough.  Ultimately, it was the best choice.

Race day – I was mostly afraid that I would eat the wrong thing or not get enough sleep or just be “off” on race day.  So, I was definitely anxious about the whole new experience.

Pros and Cons

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• The course is not nearby, so it limits your knowledge of what is ahead.
• Many hills – although what I thought was going to be the most challenging part (starting immediately uphill) ended up being one of the easiest parts
• Running with a friend
• Few participants – allowed for just enough adrenaline, but not overkill.  Also allowed for easy bib pick up the night before, and could have easily been done the morning of
• Perfect weather – 66 degrees most of the time

Louisville and 592 essays later….my take on the AP Exam Reading

So here it is….top ten lessons I learned from being a grader at the national Advanced Placement United States History Exam Reading in Louisville, KY

NOTE:  “AP Reading” will be mentioned throughout.  Basically, if you are an AP US History teacher, you can apply to become a reader.  This means that you commit yourself to 7 days of reading through the writing of  over 490,000 students that have spend the past 10 months sitting in what is to be a college level course taught to mostly high school Juniors. While I have taught this class for almost 10 years or so, this is the first time I applied to go to the reading.

1. The lessons you think you will learn are most likely not the ones you did – I was  hoping to learn some new techniques and possibly even ways to embrace grading essays in my classroom.  Well, after just a couple of days, I realized that I was even less motivated to ever grade another essay again.
2. Even when you think you have taught your students exactly how to approach test taking and essay writing, most likely they missed one, two, or fifteen of the main ideas you discussed over the past 10 months of class.
3. Along those same thoughts….I may think that I am teaching all the content and skills my students need to successfully master the history of our great nation.  However, while I am driving along in my dumpster truck of knowledge, masterfully crafting lessons to share all these great nuggets of information, my students are possibly passing by on the other side of the road, catching only every 45th word of what I am sharing.  This may show up in their essays as they make some egregious errors in understanding or discussion of the essay questions.
4. Factory work is exhausting.  Ok, so I am probably way over-exaggerating here, but honestly…7 days of the same schedule…walking in at 8am, reading an essay, bubbling a score, reading an essay, bubbling a score, after an hour, “Stretch break,” stand, walk around, “stretch break over,” sit down, read an essay, bubble a score, and on and on and on.  When 5pm arrives, you are willing to do just about anything that requires a change of mechanical movements.  By day 6, I left feeling like a zombie just going through the motions.
5. AP teachers are awesome people.  I actually surprised myself and quickly made friends in a much different way than I think I ever have in any other interaction.  I consider myself a friendly person, but it usually takes me time to find my niche with people. However, I clicked with a group of teachers as if we had known each other already.  This experience (of teaching this course as well as going through the reading) gives you a special bond.  It’s like, they can look at you and know what you are thinking unlike anyone else.
6. I need to eat more than conference buffet style food for 7 days.  I missed making my own meals.
7. It only takes 2 miles and 20 minutes to run to the state of Indiana.
8. You can walk through the city and actually reach 27,000 steps in one day.  We did some marvelous vacation-like stuff once the clock hit 5pm. (Now don’t go too far and think I was actually on vacation.  Trust me…this was much different; but after 8 hours at a table you need a release or you will literally go mad).
9. The city of Louisville, KY has a fantastic history.  It didn’t take long to walk down the street before you found yourself reading a placard that shared a story from 1850s pre-Civil War slavery or the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.
10. My husband misses me while I am away.  While I tease him about not being able to sleep without me in the bed next to him, I am truly grateful that my spouse doesn’t enjoy life too much while I am away.  I missed him too and can’t wait to take him back to this city and explore the history exhilarates us both.

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So, will I do this again? After day 4 (and even day 7), I may have said NO, NEVER!!! But after some additional reflection, I will most likely say YES.  I hope I get invited back next year.

Blessed with some extra time

On my way to Louisville, Kentucky to grade AP essays for the next 7 days. (This deseserves a post all on its own).  Anyhow, I arrived very early not knowing if I would be competing with travelers leaving from the long weekend. Got through the check in process in less than 15 minutes. Fortunately, I have a great little computer at my fingertips. I missed my pastor’s message this weekend and will miss my group Bible study due to this trip, but thank God for podcasts and Bible apps that allow us to connect with God and fellowship. So, I sit down to listen to a message on the book of Philemon.  Easy to read in less than 15 minutes, Philemon may be an easy book to overlook. However, I am eager to hear the work of the Spirit as he speaks through my pastor. Always an amazing time in the word with careful exposition, historical context (which of course I appreciate as a history teacher), and fantastic application challenges. Thank you, Lord for the extra free quiet time in the airport.

BE…..

To start off the new semester at school, I decided to start a BE wall. It’s a place where I post a new word each day and encourage students to BE something. I started with the word STRONG. Incorporating Scripture with each of the words, I addressed the message of Paul in Ephesians 6:10. “BE STRONG in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Another word from this week was HAPPY. (Of course, some students looked at me a little strange when I broke out singing “Don’t worry….Be Happy”, but those looks are a regular part of my day.  Let’s face it…I am little quirky in the classroom)  I want students to see a Biblical approach to happiness, however. So, we focused on contentment and doing things “without grumbling or complaining” (Philippians 4:11 and 2:14). Isn’t amazing how God uses parts of our weeks and days that we least expect. It turns out that the BE wall is for ME too, not just for my students.  This week I was challenged with both of these words as some circumstances arose at work. Immediately, I went to these verses, thinking, “If I want my students to respond in these ways, I need to as well.” (BTW…side note…I just love the letters of Paul.) Definitely was blessed to have these golden nuggets of Scripture memorized since the time I was a child.

I actually told the story about memorizing and learning Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without murmuring or disputing.” These are the King James words because all the verses I know from growing up are in the king’s English. Being transparent, I shared with my students that this has always been one of those sins that I just struggle with. I know this because my dad taught me this verse at an early age….I must have really been a complainer and arguer even when I was 3 because this verse came up often.

So….what things do you think deserve to go up on the BE wall? What practical piece of Scripture can you apply to help you accomplish that “BE” task today and in the week ahead?

Just Journaling the Journey

After years of teaching, I know there are ebbs and flows.  There are weeks where there is smooth sailing and then there comes the torrential downpour, enormous waves, and behemoth stacks of unending tasks.

To this latter time, I give thought today

For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. – II Peter 2:19

Today I am enslaved to the waves.

They have overwhelmed me.

They have discouraged me.

They have brought me to doubt my abilities in Christ.

They have depressed me.

So, Lord I pray with a humble heart

1I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

3He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
6The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 121

May I approach today with a flexible spirit.

May I lift my eyes to the one who knows the beginning from the end.

May I trust in His protection and not my view of the storm.

 

In what ways can you change your view of the storms you may be facing today?

I am positively overwhelmed…and enjoying every moment

Well, perhaps I haven’t embraced that perspective fully…but here are today’s thoughts…at this very moment

So…..my general approach to work and life…right now means boxes and lists.

What do you do when you have over 400 different pieces of student work to grade…you put them all in a box, take them home and hopefully look at 1 or 2…hundred of them before Monday

When you are looking for possible places to call home, you organize your “wants” and “needs” on a spreadsheet (handwritten because you haven’t had time to go get ink for the printer and print out the neat and clean version in EXCEL)

You keep track of all that you have done by creating a TO GRADE list and work to feel accomplished knowing that you can put a checkmark next to a couple

You box up your life in hopes that you will be placing these earthly trinkets in a new place (by the way, some of these boxes have been packed and in this room for over a year)

AND THEN….

Despite your best efforts to not feel the waves of overwhelming circumstances and tasks and just general life complications…your heart palpitates off the charts and works against successfully TRUSTING in God’s great love and compassion and care

SO YOU REPLACE THE FEAR AND DISTRUST…

You are reminded that

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. – Psalm 61:2

And are thankful and overwhelmed by HIS 

Sacrifice

Mercy

Compassion

 

And you write and reflect because of the wonderful way it becomes a journal of the journey and a time to take a break

Five Minute Friday – Trust

This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt is:

Five minutes of writing without editing…time starts NOW!!!

This one took some introspection….I have always believed that you could trust me with anything.  You can tell me a concern or “secret” or anything going on in your life and I feel that you could trust me to keep that between us.  I still believe that.  However, I wanted to think further….am I someone that you can trust to be honest?  Are there things that possibly I hide from everyone about myself?

The truth of Scripture reminds us that the “eyes of the Lord are in all places beholding the good and the evil.”  Even if I have been able to fool myself or others, I can trust that the Lord knows my heart…this needs to be constantly in the forefront of my mind.

Then my mind also goes to the idea of maintaining and earning trust.  Just the other day, a student once again told me that he had his work done, just did not bring it to class.  I had to be honest and tell him that he had not earned my trust…he did not have a positive reputation of being forthright with his work habits. He would have to earn that trust back.

This is the hardest part about trust….It takes sometimes years to earn it and just one moment of a lapse in judgment to lose it.

STOP!!!

Taking Time in the Book of Acts

Mount of Olives

So, something I have realized as a teacher is that I am a hands on learner who likes to touch and feel and organize information (in “teachy” terms, this is called Kinesthetic and Visual learning.)  So, as I approach the book of Acts, I am going to venture into using a tool that I came across in my teacher studies.  It’s a timeline that integrates both video, image, and text.  I figure if I do something with the material I am reading and studying about, perhaps more will stick with me. So, here is the first installment of my Timeline for Acts.  (we will see how many other installments I end up with)  Mostly, this is for me, but I figured I would share and perhaps you can learn something, too.

Timeline for Acts Chapter One

The Seesaw of Trust and Worry

My word is a lamp unto your feet; My presence is a light unto your path

Psalm 119:105

As I head into the last true week of summer and plan to move ahead into a new school year, I am encountering an emotion that I am all-to familiar with: Fear and Worry.  I sit for what seems like hours sometimes just going over and over material and how to best present it and whether or not kids will like it and how will I engage my students most effectively.  I am reminded today of God’s great grace in my life as well as His desire that I trust in Him.  I am so thankful that the Word of God can bring light to my path…the only thing standing in the way is me.  It’s like there’s a great light shining on the path ahead and I am standing in front of it, looking into the darkness, searching for direction, never realizing that it is I who is blocking the light

Lord, help me today to stand aside.  To let your Word bring light to the path I am on, so that I can stop trusting in my blind self and rather reach the point of trusting that YOU go before me, planning my purpose and preparing students’ hearts for YOUR history.   When I move aside, YOU can accomplish your purpose and plan.  Bless my intentions, but easy my fear and worry in the weeks to come.  AMEN!!!