The Content

Here it is...

The Content from my amazing 4 days last week. I could spend time talking about what I learned:

**Kagan Cooperative Learning versus Group Work

**PIES

**Class builders

**Team builders

**Structures

**Social skills

**Management

**Teams

I'm sure I will have plenty to say after I "experiment" on my next class. 

For now I want to read more. Talk it over with my Teammates and BTPSM (best teaching partner soul mate). And start my planning.

But I want to share a fantastic resource. Vickie @ Primary Press has several amazing blog posts about using Kagan Cooperative Learning in her kindergarten classroom. When I go to her blog I get swept away. Hopping from post to post. Be sure to find the posts with "Kagan" or "Cooperative Learning."

And maybe someday, when there is more money, my district will send me to a training in Florida. I would love to attend Kagan Structures for Little Ones, but I would also love to attend a a week-long institute. 

It may be summer, but I am off to learn and make some lists!

Evolving

 I learn. I grow. I learn more, I grow again.

I am a life-long learner. I am a year-long learner.

My brain craves new knowledge.

I could write about the content from the last week (and I will get to that in a future post), but I can't even process that until I process how I feel about the week of training.

It was a 4-day training. After day 2, I felt the relationship with the presenter (and at that point, I was ready and eager to do whatever she asked), and I was ok with the other "students." If the year would have progressed like that, I would have considered it a success.

But what happened the next two days was even more amazing.

The presenter didn't let it stop there.

She kept teaching the content (which she knew very well) and she continued to have class building and team building activities. Some were for fun, and some were to review or process the content or analyze our own thinking.

And because of the class and team building I found myself changing. I have friends now that I didn't before. Friends that I will support and stand with. I have a new understanding for how different learners may experience an activity or classroom, because while I was learning the content, I was also observing the teacher and other students. Fascinating.

When I left yesterday I was sad. I will miss the 30 people in the room. Some I may not see in the future, others occasionally. Some I will work with closely, other not as much. I'm not as sad now.

Now, I'm happy that it happened. 

Those 4 days changed me. I will continue to evolve. I'm eager to see the path as it unfolds.

Summer Break, Phase Two

You've been wondering, right?

What is Phase Two? I wrote about Phase One in May.

Phase Two is PD!

I wasn't really excited about the 4-day training that I signed up for, but now I am two days in and I am sooooo glad that I'm doing it.

What do I always worry about? Student engagement. Making learning fun. Covering standards.

These days have been chock full of all of that! And the added bonus is Social Skills!

I love the way the presenter helps our group of 30ish educators be comfortable in groups and the content, and ways to teach/incorporate social skills.

I've read the book before.

But being taught the content, processing the content with a group, and doing the structures is bringing the book alive!!!

Yep, I'm pretty excited to see how this will transform my classroom next year.

But more importantly. It's about the relationships. The interactions. These days have taught me (again) about the importance of relationships. 

Not only do I need to have good relationships with my students, I need to create an environment that fosters good relationships between the students. And now my toolbox is FILLING up with ideas on how to do this.

And the very best part?

The presenter is absolutely modeling the GREAT teaching behaviors, strategies, and structures that she is teaching us. So, not only am I learning them, I see her using them which makes a huge impression on me. I see what it could look like, and then think about how I could do it.

It's wonderful!!!!!

So, how do you create an environment that supports good relationships between students? I'd love to hear your ideas and add them to my new notebook! 

My Tribe

Your vibe attracts your tribe.

My tribe is local and global. I am one lucky teacher! I love that summer months lend themselves to spending time filling up my "bucket" with my tribe. 

Today's Tribe outing was to a local teacher store.

And then lunch at Panera. (I hardly talked--I was so busy eating a delicious salad, and no photos!)

Next we tried out the new drive through coffee shop.

It was a great day. We share about our personal lives. Our teacher lives. Share ideas and give counsel.

I cannot WAIT for our next outing!!!