I Teach Students

Right around this time a couple years ago, I was talking to my uncle about teaching, and he asked me, "What do you teach?" I responded by saying, "Fourth grade." His response was, "No you don't."

A little confused, I gave an awkward laugh, and just said, "...what..?" He corrected, "You teach STUDENTS." When he elaborated on it, I couldn't agree more with what he was saying.

I thought about that little first grader in the hallway, who asked me to zip up their coat because they already had their mittens on.

I thought about lunch duty (and cringed a little) and every milk carton I opened (but showed them how every time).

I thought about every time I'd give the ever so gentle reminder, "We WALK in the hallway!"

I thought about every Friday when we got bombarded with all of our old students coming by to say hi, and let us know how middle school was. 

I thought about the clubs I led: Business Club, TECHsperts, Yoga Club, Harry Potter Club...as well as all the other clubs that were offered by teachers in our school: Code Club, Math Club, Art Club, Gardening Club, Community Service Club...etc. 

I thought about my role as an RtI facilitator, and all of the meetings I heard how passionate my colleagues and I were about meeting the needs of all the students.

Now I am in a new coaching role at a middle school, and am completely out of the classroom. I do miss having MY OWN class from time to time, but I really feel like now more than ever, I'm able to see that I teach students.

My role as Student Learning Coach is to help increase student voice and choice in the classroom. I get to talk to, observe, and work with students and figure out their interests and what works for them. I get to work with teachers, and help them implement these strategies, potentially impacting over 900 students in our building.

Then I think about Social Media, and all the teachers I have connected with on behalf of students. I see Instagram teachers with hundreds of thousands of followers, and how incredible of an impact they can and do make.

I don't think this is a surprise to anyone -- we care about ALL of our students. We KNOW our role is much more than teaching content. Our job is pretty cool.

All I ask is that next time someone asks you what you teach, think about how you answer them.

Embarking on the MESSY Student-Driven, Process-Centered Research (PSI) Journey

After much preparation on determining types of questions, exploring Bloom's Taxonomy, writing researchable questions, generating Google search key words, incorporating reflection into daily activities, offering peer feedback opportunities in many mediums, and more, I am beginning my PSI journey.

I am piloting PSI with a few others in my district. PSI is like Genius Time/Passion Hour/20% time, but (from what I've seen) PSI takes it a step further. PSI is a student-driven, process-centered opportunity for students to explore their own interests. Students have been given time to identify a challenge, problem, or question that they would like to explore. For two weeks, we are dedicating 90 minutes that allow students the freedom to think independently, take risks, and learn from their mistakes.

I'm scared, too. 

My ten commandments (so far) of surviving this process include:

1. Model.
2. Provide feedback. 
3. Reflect.
4. REPEAT. Constantly. 
5. Accept that they will mess up.
6. Accept that the process is more important than the product
7. Allow students to learn from each other.
8. Welcome creativity. 
9. Try activities yourself, it's not easy!
10. Laugh. Often. About everything. With anyone who will listen. 

While I'm sure I will have a melt down about these projects at some point or another, the laughing "commandment" has been a great coping mechanism so far. I decided to go through this process along with my students, researching about going to Australia on a budget and catering the trip to my interests. The teacher I am piloting PSI with decided that she wanted to research as well, and collaborated with our gifted teacher. I hope you enjoy the email banter as much as I did.

Other 4th Grade Teacher    Re: PSI 
And since I love Lauren's idea, now I have to come up with my own research question. (or just hop on a plane with Lauren.)  Think I can do something related to Bachelor???  It is a passion of mine. ;)

Gifted Teacher      Re: PSI 

You must pursue your passions.  Let me help you with some research ideas:

• If I were to be the next Bachelorette, how could I plan the perfect group date and individual date in ________ country?
• If I were Juan Pablo, how would I clear my image?
• What diseases can be transferred from one person to another...or one person to multiple people?

Love working with these two, and can't wait to share more about the process!

Some resources are available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store, while others are scattered around my classroom website. Resources will be available in one location soon! I want to test them out before sharing. 

How I Inspired My Students to Become Interested in Business

The last person I ever thought would teach a business club was me.

A year ago, a boy stood up in front of the whole staff at our school's staff meeting. He wore a full suit, carried a leather portfolio holder, and in an extremely professional manner, proposed the idea of business club to our elementary school. He shared his extensive background and knowledge of business, and outlined the benefits of educating students at an elementary level. In awe of his dedication, I decided to take on the task of being the teacher who hosts business club.

The only problem was that I knew close to nothing about business. After some serious Googling, brainstorming with friends and family involved in business, vigorously searching Teachers Pay Teachers, and diving into a variety of children's business books, I managed to create our school's first ever Business Club!

Through this club, students...

• Learn the basics of starting up a business
• Brainstorm their own ideas for a business
• Create a business plan
• Analyze their business plan
• Explore various marketing strategies
• Create a marketing campaign 
• Learn about investors
• Write a sales pitch to investors
• Participate in a mock "Shark Tank"

Here is the video I played before the mock Shark Tank.

I teach Business Club for about an hour every other week during lunch, and if I choose not to do this as a club anymore, I will find time to implement it in my classroom. Many of the activities I do are interactive and give the students a choice! Each meeting I try to allow students to talk to a business professional through Skype, FaceTime, or in person.

Prior to the meeting, outside of my classroom door, I post a brief overview of the guest speaker. I encourage students to read through it, and write down possible interview questions. I found that if the students are generating the questions, they are more engaged and get much more out of the experience.

Why is it beneficial?

• Students practice school skills in a real-life situation. 
• Students enjoy the simulation and the fact that it brings in pop culture.
• Students get the chance to work on something that they are genuinely interested in and passionate about. 
• It inspires creativity and innovation. 
• It involves the community. 
• It incorporates technology in an authentic way. 

Other ways to implement Business Club?

• Business reading and/or writing unit
• Project for Passion Time/Genius Time/ 20% Time 
• Summer enrichment program

Here are some business-related children's books I recommend:

Purchase my Business Club Bundle on Teachers Pay Teachers!

Enjoy the Shark Tank commercial I played this year to encourage students to join Business Club. I blurred out the faces for privacy purposes. 

This will be my second year hosting Business Club, and now that I have more time and bigger ideas, I plan to add a Stock Market component to it. Be on the look out for my Stock Market unit!