Thanks Shawn, Faige, and Victoria! A little more about me.

Within ten or so days of being tagged by my dear friend Tia Henriksen, I was tagged three more times by Shawn Davids, Faige Meller, and Victoria Olson.  Since I've done this once already I figured I could mix it up a bit.  I will share ten more facts about myself, but I will pick and choose which five questions I'll answer. Of course you can always read my previous post and learn even more about me.  I won't be tagging anyone else either but if you'd like to tell me about yourself I'd love to read about it on your blog.  I must admit it has been a lot of fun learning more about so many of the people I highly respect on Twitter.

So here goes.  Ten more facts about me:

1.  I grew up the middle child of five. I have two older brothers and two younger (twin) sisters.  From oldest to youngest there is a 5.5 year age gap, total. Yes, I grew up in a very busy household and I can't imagine anything else.

Me in the middle with my older brothers and younger sisters.

2. Being the middle child of five I am extremely independent.  It is one of my greatest strengths and one of my biggest weaknesses.

3.  I love to travel. So far I have visited over 20 countries but I have way more of the world to see. I rarely go back to the same place twice. Not never, but rarely.  Australia is always calling me back.

The Long Neck Tribe, Northern Thailand

4. When I applied to go to university becoming a teacher was never my reason why.  Now that I'm in my 22nd year of  teaching I can't imagine doing anything else.

5. As a child growing up Friday nights were chicken dinner for Shabbat, Saturday nights were "kids fend for themselves", and Sundays we went out to eat.  To this day I still have dinner with my dad on most Sunday nights.

My father  and I when he visited me in Australia.

6.  I rarely buy lottery tickets. I learned a long time ago to appreciate what I have instead of chasing what I don't have.  I have so much to be thankful for already.

7.  I am extremely blessed in the friendship department.  

8.   I lost both of my grandparents on my father's side within 48 hours of each other. A true love story but a very sad time for those of us left behind. Last spring I also lost  both my aunt (mom's sister), and my uncle (dad's brother) within six days.  Another very sad time in my life.

9. I make an effort to see the good in every thing around me. If you've ever received an e-mail from me you'll know that my signature line is, "There is good all around you - you just have to see it".  

10. When I purchased my first car I could not drive it because it was a stick shift. Obviously I learned, quickly, and to this day all my cars have been stick shifts. 

The inside of my present car. I love my Mini Cooper S, Mayfair Edition.

Here are some of the questions asked by Shawn, Faige, and Victoria and my answers too.

1. Smooth or Crunchy Peanut Butter?

Smooth, always. My stomach has a lot of trouble breaking down peanuts. Smooth solves so many of those problems.

2. If you could sit down for one hour (or day) with any person, past or present, who would it be and why?

That's easy, my mom.  I lost her far too young and I still have so many questions for her.

3. What's one of the scariest things you've ever done?

Leaving all my friends and family and moving to Australia by myself for a year where I knew NO ONE. Best year ever pushing boundaries and once again realizing I CAN do anything I set my mind to.

4. What would you redo if you could?

I would have gone away for my post secondary education straight from high school. At the time I took the safe road which is the one regret I have.  Now a days I  rarely take the safe route.  I now know I'm a lot stronger than I ever realized. 

5.  What is your favourite day of the year and what do you spend it doing?

Growing up, with out a doubt, my birthday was my favourite day of the year. It was the one day of the year where I was noticed and made to feel extra special. To this day my birthday is a favourite day of mine.  Now a days I try to get outside and into nature on my birthday.  A birthday hike with friends is one of my favourite ways to spend the day.

Thanks Shawn, Faige, and Victoria for sharing little bit of yourself with me, and for pushing me to share a little more.

Here are a couple bonus facts.  Unlike the rest of my immediate family, I do not have blue eyes, nor do I wear corrective glasses or contact lenses. My sisters have since had eye surgery but there was a time when they had to wear glasses or contacts. Me, never or at least not yet.

Thanks Tia!

As if life in the past week hasn't been nutty enough with power outages, report cards, conferences, family Hanukkah,  a heat less home, and no voice for 3+ days, my wonderful friend Tia has given me homework.  But I think the world of Tia and since she was the one that got me on to twitter which in turn has changed me so much as an educator, I can't possibly say no. 

So here's how it works (although I'm pretty sure most of you have already been tagged by one "friend" or another), I tell you eleven facts about me that you probably don't know.  I answer Tia's questions, I ask eleven of you to do the same, and I give you questions to answer. Sound like fun? Keep reading to find out. Maybe you're one of the eleven, and if you're not and want in then feel free to jump in too.

Here goes…

Eleven Facts You Didn't (or Did?) Know About Me

1. I have run marathons in seven different cities, the furthest away being Paris, France. And yes, I have run more than seven stand alone marathons.  Can you figure out how?

2. In my first two Ironman triathlons my swim times were the same, to the second. For an almost 4 km swim that’s a real skill. And if you’re curious I’ve done Ironman five times. I promise. I have the finishing medals to prove it.

3. In October 2011 I did not know how to turn on an iPod. True story, ask Orwell.,  I was a mess with a friend's smart phone too.

4. I have lived in London, England, and Melbourne Australia but Vancouver, Canada will always be home.

5. I live 800 metres away from where I was born. Kind of freaky I know.

6. During 2009, while living and teaching in Australia, I flew 50 times. My cheapest flight was $24 from Melbourne to Canberra (about an hour flight) which was $2 more than the cab ride to the hotel when I arrived.

7. I have a twitter twin who I highly admire. We figured it out over a mysterious cleaning fairy (who  sadly never showed up).

8. My TV is still a box, and a really heavy one too.

9. In elementary school I learned how to read and write in Hebrew at the same time I learned how to read and write in English. French was added in grade four.

10. I eat corn on the cob with a fork.  I’m really good at it too and rarely miss a kernel.

11. I’m very quiet in large groups and much prefer one on one conversations yet have no problem sharing to a room full of strangers.

Tia's Questions and My Answers

1. What are your favourite and least favourite colours?

When my students ask I say every colour but when pestered a bit more it's pink and brown.  I'm not a fan of blue but turquoise is okay.

2. What was your favourite subject / least favourite subject in school?

I was really good at math so I guess it was a favourite. I felt I was a lousy artist because what I envisioned in my mind was never what I created. I still have trouble there. I’m a brilliant artist in my head, not so much outside of it.

3. Where were you born?

I was born less than 800 meters from where I live now. I wonder if anyone can top that? And yes, I was born in a hospital.

4. What was your lowest grade in your post-secondary classes? In what class?

I plea the fifth.  Next...

5. What is the best characteristic you received from your mom?

Kindness and hopefully a few others. My mom was an amazing lady. Sheesh I miss her.

6. What is your favourite childhood memory?

Celebrating my birthday with just my mom and my dad. I picked the restaurant, and I picked the ice cream shop after. As the middle child of five I never got my parents to myself. This was a really big deal for me.

7. How old were you when you learned to swim?

Young, maybe 4? It helped keep me alive when my brothers tried to throw me into a pool during family vacations.

8. Is Disneyland really the Happiest Place on Earth?

Heck no.  People, crowds, noise, smells. I can think of a lot better places I'd rather be.  Did I mention I hate crowds?

9. What’s your favourite video you’ve watched recently on social media?

The West Jet Christmas Surprise

10. If you could plan it, what would your last meal consist of?

Hmm, more than likely something Asian.

11. What makes you happiest?

Spending time in nature.

Your Turn…

1. Carrie Gelson

2. Aviva Dunsiger

3. Angie Harrison

4. Leka DeGroot

5. Kristen Wideen

6. Michelle Hiebert

7. Krissy Venosdale

8. Laura Komos

9. Elisa Carlson

10. Joan Young

11. Vicki Davis

My questions for you…

1. What is your favourite season and why?

*2.  If you could travel any where, where would you go? Why?  

3.   Runner or walker?

4.  What scares you?

5.   What is one accomplishment you are proud of? 

6.  What have you been served, that you ate out of respect, but really didn't like it?

7.  Water  or snow sports?

8.  Have you broken any bones? If so which ones? How?

9.  Where's the furthest you've been away from home?

10. What is/are your comfort food(s)?  

11. What's the biggest surprise of your life?

So here's the nitty gritty…. 

1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
4. List 11 bloggers.
5. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer, and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated. Don’t nominate a blogger who has nominated you.

Post back here with a link after you write this. Go on, you have homework to do.

*Yes Krissy, the moon is okay!

Utilizing Kidblog Features for Digital Portfolios

In the fall of 2011, for the first time ever, I had my grade one students blog using the KidBlog website.  At that time their blogging was done during our weekly visit to the school's computer lab. They shared their writing with the world.  There was no iPad access and no Kidblog iPad app either.  However, their blogs clearly documented their growth in writing over the course of the school year. I was able to add a few other artifacts too.  It was a great start towards a digital portfolio, but it was only a start. Three school years later my grade one students are still blogging but a lot has changed.

Access to iPads and the KidBlog app have had the biggest impact on the quality of the blogs over the past few years.  With the introduction of the app my students began to independently upload their work to their blogs.  In fact anything that could be saved into the iPad/iPod camera roll (think screen shots, images of non digital work etc..) could be uploaded to a student's blog.  Needless to say the blogs exploded with content.  The KidBlog app made it possible for my students' blogs to move from simple blogs of writing, to blogs that share all types of learning.  My students blogs have become authentic digital portfolios covering many areas of their learning.



Late last school year I discovered that kidblog allowed my students to categorize their blog posts. I started adding categories to their blogs to make it easier to sort their entries. But this all started late into the school year. This September my students learned about blog categories from their very first post, and have been using them since to categorize their posts.  Since my students upload their content independently and also independently add categories to their post, it is much easer to find posts and see changes over time.

For example, if their post is a math video they can tag it "math".  If it's a personal writing sample  they can tag it "writing".  If it's personal writing sample about the science they are learning, they can tag it "writing" and "science".  Later this week we have parent teacher conferences so in preparation my students will be tagging some of this terms work as  "my best work". They will choose what blog posts they are most proud of this term.  Their blogs are far better organized now making it even easier to see the growth over time.

Kidblog has other features that I am taking advantage of to create authentic digital portfolios for my students.  Another feature I am using more often this year is the "private post" option.  Let me explain why.

With all this independent uploading and categorizing some of my students upload content that clearly shows that they do not understand a concept.  In the past when I received blog posts that were filled with obvious errors and  I was not really sure what to do with them, particularly with math concepts where the errors were quite obvious.  I'd often let them through for the world to see.  But the more I thought about it the less I liked that idea.  I do feel it is very important to document the learning that is not correct. It helps to show growth over time. However I no longer make these posts public to the world.  My students now have many blog posts that are published privately.   A private post is post that only I or they can see when they are logged into their account. It allows only those that should see the posts see them.    I strongly believe that these "error" posts are equally as important as those posts that don't contain "errors" but I don't think the world needs to seem them.  By utilizing the private post feature the digital portfolios are safe places to share errors in thinking too.

The other thing I like about private posts is that at times I have students who want to blog about personal topics but they don't want those posts to be shared with the world. Making those individual posts private is the perfect solution.

The final feature of kidblog that I am using more often these days is the private comment feature.  Kidblog has a feature that allows you to leave a "private" comment to the author. Like the private post, the private comment is only seen by the author of the blog, and only when they are logged into their account.  While my students are still developing as readers, I am able to leave simple comments that help redirect their learning.  It's yet another way I can provide authentic feedback to my learners.

How are you using the Kidblog features to create authentic digital portfolios?  You can check out this years student blogs here. Please feel free to leave them a comment or two.

The Power of a Shared Story

This year I have a class which I love dearly but they also provide me with a multitude of challenges.  As I wrote about in my previous post there are many ways I am dealing with these challenges and while some days are challenging, there are many successes too.  The one thing I have noticed that calms my students more than any other thing  I do (including our mindful breathing) is reading a story to them.  My students LOVE to listen and learn with picture books.   This couldn't make me happier.

What do you find works well to help calm your students down when their bodies are moving so quickly (or slowly) that they are having trouble learning?

Some Days Aren't Easy

Photo Credit: gato-gato-gato via Compfight cc 

I have amazing students with a variety of strengths and areas for growth yet some days aren't easy.

As someone with a very strong work ethic I take pride in meeting the unique and individual needs of my students.  During my interview last spring, when I was asked how I meet the needs of my special needs students, inside my head I giggled.  I giggled because in my mind all my students have special needs, whether they have a ministry label or not.  I take my job very seriously, but some days aren't easy.  This year I seem to have more challenging days than usual.

So how am I dealing with these challenges?

Choice is still a huge part of how I run my classroom.  If a student wants  to illustrate their learning on an iPad no problem. If they prefer to use paper and felt pens, no problem.  During word work they may choose to play "The Oops Game" with their friends, instead of using our  class letter stamps or plasticine, or  a variety of iPad apps available for word work.  My students - on their good days and not so great days - choose the tools that work best for them.

Choice extends beyond how they learn and includes where they learn.   I have three small tables around my room for those that want to work on their own or with  a friend.  Our class rocking chair and three blue bean bag chairs are always filled with learning.  Our mini white boards are used as portable work spaces.  The pod outside our classroom is often available to work in too. This is all good and helps my students succeed but still some days aren't easy.

I am working on self regulation with my students. I have toys they can play with while they are listening.  We use a chime for mindful breathing and to help keep us calm. We have learning intentions that focus on not only what we are learning but how we learn. Some days aren't easy.

I've rearranged my schedule to bring transitions down to a minimum because it is something we often struggle with.  I am okay with students reading a little longer before transitioning to  their word work. I am okay with kids eating when they are hungry, and rejoining us when they are ready.  I am constantly making minute by minute decisions about what is best for my students. In the past it had to be my way because after all I was the teacher so I knew best.   But that's the old me.  I now have children that aren't ready to join us at the carpet. Some need a bit more time on their own before they are ready to learn in a group.  I have some children that require a break from learning to either calm down their bodies or to calm down their minds. It's not a punishment. It's a strategy used to keep my students learning in a positive manner.  Some days aren't easy.

Over the span of my career my ability to be patient has grown exponentially. I learned very early on in my career if I'm all frustrated and yelling at my students then who really is in control of my class? Certainly not me. My bucket of patience is very deep and I am thankful for that as it allows me to make better decisions about my students.

Personally I breath a lot.  When I feel the frustration coming up I breath to keep calm. I keep the big picture at the forefront. I make decisions quickly. I listen to my gut. Maybe that means the full class painting project I had planned isn't the best idea with the increased energy in my room. Or maybe it means skipping our time in the gym for PE and heading outside to burn off our energy there. Staying calm is so important to help me make good decisions on behalf of my students. Breathing is key to help keep me calm.

Teaching is an extremely challenging job yet it is wonderfully rewarding too, even when some days aren't easy.

Pushing Personal Boundaries - An Ignite Session

While I was at ISTE in June I was fortunate to attend a few ignite sessions.  An ignite session is a presentation with some guidelines.  In the case of the ones I attended in June each speaker was allowed  20 slides which changed every 15 seconds.  Each presentation was only   5 minutes in total.  However those 5 minutes are  a bit of a pressure cooker with limited room for error.

An ignite is very different from doing a regular presentation though because  in a regular presentation you control the slides you are sharing. Your slides switch when you want them to switch.   You have control so if you want to spend more time on one slide, and less time on another, you can do that.  But in an ignite session the rules are laid our for you. One passion, 20 slides, 15 seconds per slide, and GO!

My district puts on these really great digital dinner sessions where they bring in a keynote speaker and close to 300 of us learn with them.  But before the keynote speaker goes on they like to highlight what is happening in our own district.  This year this is happening through ignite sessions. My district would like us to share our passion. We have all been encouraged to share through this ignite format.

This past Wednesday I took the challenge and created an ignite session on the Power of the Little People - something I'm very passionate about.  I tried to show what incredible things my 5, 6, and 7 year olds are capable of doing and while they are cute, they are so much more than cute. It was one of the most frightening things I've done in a while and it most certainly required that I push my personal boundaries.  I had to be brave.



I think in the end it turned out alright but as I listen back there are several things I would change if I did it again.  And the thing is, now that I've done it once, I'd love to do it again.

If you're interested in how it turned my ignite session can be found here. It's part of the Dinner Series Ignite - Part 2 and is at the 60 minute mark.  I was the fourth of four ignite sessions that evening.

Ross Greene

Photo Credit: lumaxart via Compfight cc

This past Wednesday I had the fortunate opportunity to spend the evening with Ross Greene, author of The Explosive Child and Lost at School. His key philosophy is that kids do well if they can, not kids do well if they wanna.  He went on to explain that most inappropriate behaviours occur because a child is lacking a skill.  According to Dr. Green some of those potential missing skills include hindsight, forethought, the ability to problem solve, the ability to generate solutions, language processing and communication skills, separation of affect, too much anxiety or frustration, and the skill of grey.  As educators (or parents) we need to figure out what skill our "explosive" child is lacking and find ways to teach them those skills.

My biggest take away from his session is how we can approach kids when things go wrong.  We need to focus on the problem and not the behaviour or adult theory in the definition of the problem.  For me, the very next day I discovered that three of my students were happily breaking our class supply of pencil crayons.  Pre Ross Greene my instinct would have been to banned these children from using our class pencil crayons.  I'd be angry, and while I would find a solution to solve the problem I'd never actually solve the problem of "why" they were breaking the pencil crayons in the first place.

With my Ross Greene tools in my pocket I approached the situation differently.  One at a time I spoke with each child.  I started each discussion with, "I have noticed you are breaking our class pencil crayons. What's up?" and then I sat back and listened. I asked clarifying questions to gain more information. I was surprised by the responses I received from each child. I learned a little more about my students, their homes, and what was making them do what they were doing.  And we problem solved the big issue which led to the breaking of the pencil crayons (the small issue).  I built more trust with my students. I gave them a voice, encourage them to use it, and moved forward with what they shared.  It was a wonderful way to solve this problem and in turn will hopefully prevent other problems in the future.

If you're interested in finding out more about Ross Greene and some of the resources he shares, check out this website Lives in the Balance.