Flipping out!

Have you heard of this???

I will be the first to admit that I had never heard tell of it before but I am comforted by the fact that as I talk about it with fellow teachers and management staff, they hadn't either. I might even add that they are almost as excited about it as I am (or else they are simply humouring me until I let them be)!

A "flipped classroom" refers to various approaches to teaching but one common theme amongst most applications of the name is that the lessons are delivered in a pocast/video/tutorial-esque manner. My understanding is that the "learning" happens out of the class, while the application of the knowledge and skills is nurtured in class, rather than as homework.

If you are curious, I suggest checking out these links for more info:
http://www.ted.com/talks/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education.html
If you like words, go here:
http://www.thedailyriff.com/articles/the-flipped-class-shedding-light-on-the-confusion-critique-and-hype-801.php
and then, (if you are really keen):
http://www.thedailyriff.com/articles/how-the-flipped-classroom-is-radically-transforming-learning-536.php

I am really excited to be teaching English again next year and have some BIG ideas for how I will incorporate this into my Literacy Passport. If I were to pick a super overarching theme for my class next year, it would be something along the lines of "Developing Independence". Above all, I want my students to be able to seize control of their learning pathway and excel. Like I said, BIG IDEAS and I can see this as a perfect compliment to that direction.

So, have you heard of a flipped classroom? Have you used it or seen it in operation? Let me know what you know! So I can go into this better prepared.

Positive Forcasting: Try now for free!

My girlfriend, Alanna, has been attending a series of seminars about behaviour management and came home with a really simple but exciting idea. I know that for some, this is already part of your practice but for the rest of us, try Positive Forecasting.

"What is that?" you ask.

Well, Positive Forecasting is a not-very-complicated term for a not-very-complicated strategy. It won't stain fabrics and it is safe for children of all ages. Best of all, you don't need to buy or make anything!

(Audience of teachers applause uncontrollably)

Here's a demonstration of how Positive Forecasting can work for you:

Traditional Instruction:
Walk to the gym in a quiet single file line.
(Moderate chuckles as teachers see a replay of everytime they go to the gym and students talk and wander and hold hands. Camera zooms in on one teacher telling her neighbour "That's exactly how my students are.")

How many kids will walk to the gym in single file with lame, boring instructions like that? I'll tell you who: just the ones that would have walked to the gym in single file anyways!

Now watch this!

Positive Forecasting:
Now, we're going to walk to the gym quietly. I know you can do this! You know you can do this. You are an AWESOME bunch and staying in a straight, quiet line is going to be easy!
(Audience watches in amazement and erupt into cheers when they arrive. One teacher lady passes out) 

Can you believe it? With Positive Forecasting, the kids were SHAKing with excitement and wanted to show their teacher he was right! They knew they can do it! They arrived with no problems and there were high-fives all around! Awesome!

See the difference Positive Forecasting can make? Positive Forecasting infuses instructions with positive messages in such a way that the students can't bear to disappoint you. And, let's face it, when students don't want to disappoint you, we all win! :)

To get your own Positive Forecasting, simply tell your kids how easy the task is going to be! Be that inspiration they need and make them see the success before they even start.

Easy, eh? You are so clever, it will be a piece of cake for you! I know you can totally do this in your class!

The Beauty (and ugly side) of Competition

Growing up, school was always the same for me. Year to year, it was always the same old routine until my mom remarried and we moved schools. Suddenly, I was thrown into a school system that was completely foreign to me. The student population was divided into four teams and every term, there was a big event when competed in some sort of challenge in the name of our team colour (I think I was Gold but I can't be sure). It was hyped up and when the day finally arrived, it was incredible fun. If you've ever muttered the word Gryffindor, you'll have some sort of idea of what I'm talking about.

I'm in my second year of teaching now and can remember my excitement as I was offered a job at a school that followed a similar practice. Four houses competing to be the best each week. Good behaviour, successes, helpfulness, improvement, the ways in which a student can earn 'house points' are vast and unlimited; they are never taken away.  What's more is that staff are allocated to houses as well. I'm in the best house. ;)

One of the things I love about this system is that it encourages healthy competition. Without competition, we become comfortable and unmotivated. Progress will never occur if we are not driven to improve ourselves and the world around us. As I see it, pushing ourselves to be better than before should be our primary purpose in life (Note: I didn't say 'being better that everyone else'). Competition gives endless opportunities for our students to do the right thing. It allows students to work together toward a common goal. Teamwork, oh, how I love thee.

Another advantage to a house point system is that it creates an environment where students can rehearse and demonstrate good sportsmanship. Winning with grace and losing with dignity are such important skills. Playing fairly and striving to improve are healthy, natural, and unavoidable values for professional success and in games and sport, students can develop them. Teachers are constantly modelling these skills and beliefs. Usually.

The ugly side of competition is that we often forget the goal. We invent games like hockey, baseball, football, rugby, tennis, etcetera, etcetera ... truly for one purpose: entertainment. For fun. But somehow that focus gets lost and forgotten in pursuit of a trophy, medal, title, or fame. Competition turns vicious, points become the purpose and the fun is lost.

We find ourselves keeping score in terms of points instead of smiles. Instead of lifting ourselves up, we push each other down. Instead of the journey, the final result is what we fixate on. Instead of celebrating a competitor's triumph, we wallow in our own defeat. Case in point: money. The all-powerful way of keeping score on a global scale, we have lost our goal of progress in pursuit of monetary points.

While some will say that it's inappropriate to have this sort of system in a school, I whole-heartedly disagree. The ugly side of competition is a natural byproduct. If it's not worked out during childhood and adolescence, students will be unprepared to handle coming second place. They may not even be prepared to handle winning first!

So, what to do? As role models, we have a responsibility to model how to enjoy winning without being obnoxious. We must show children how to accept defeat without turning sour. We need to show students that winning isn't everything and losing isn't the end of the world. I love to win as much as the next person and I will smile a lot wider if my team wins but a "wait till next time" attitude will trump a "you cheated" protest anyday.