Reflections

As a child, I spent a great deal of time with my great aunts who were retired elementary school teachers.  Ellie was born in 1902 and began her education in a rural, one-room school house in Alabama.  Lena had a similar beginning.  Both ladies beat the odds and obtained the equivalent of a master's degree in education.  My Aunt Ellie taught third grade for fifty-one years and my Aunt Lena taught third grade for forty-nine years. 

Throughout the course of their lives, they witnessed the birth of the modern educational system.  They experienced first-hand some of the greats: Montessori, Piaget, Bruner, Vigotsky, and Binet.  They lived through tumultuous times: World War I, World War II, The Great Depression, Segregation, Desegregation, assassinations, and the 60's revolution.  They were strong, brilliant, compassionate, dedicated women who were amazing role models.  They were born teachers!

As I think about the people who have influenced my love of teaching, Miss Ellie and Miss Lena would be at the top of my list followed by my grandmother, Dot, and my mother, Cheryl.  As you can see, teaching runs in the family!  From all of these amazing women, I learned first and foremost that the mind of a child is a wonderful thing and all children are capable of learning and reaching their potential. 

Last weekend I attended the 2010 Reform Symposium.  Amazing and inspiring!  Throughout the weekend, educators from around the globe gathered in virtual conference spaces to discuss educational reform.  These teachers have also shaped my philosophy of learning and are amazing role models.  Whether the discussion centered around iPods or wikis, 21st century skills or backchanneling, the goal was the same.  Each presenter tackled the question: How can educators tap into the power of a child's mind and help them reach their potential to better prepare them to meet the demands of an ever-changing world? 

Many ideas were exchanged involving ways to effectively integrate technology to promote critical thinking and enhance learning.  Other talks discussed more philisophical topics, like abolishing grades and establishing personal "habitutdes."  Shelly Blake-Plock suggests approaching teaching as a "conversation with students."  In addition to the wonderful presenters, it was exciting to connect with fellow participants and discuss ideas in "real-time."  It was inspiring to witness so many who are truly dedicated to the art of teaching.

As I look back on this experience a week later, I see while much as changed, the important things remain constant and withstand the test of time.  There will always be new tools and gadgets that will surface, as well as, new teaching philosphies.  Educators must never forget the power of a child's mind.  Every child has a voice and every child deserves the opportunity to develop their talents.  We need to use whatever tools necessary to create learning environments, whether virtual or real, that stimulate creativity and foster genuine learning. This goal reamins the same now as it was when my great-aunts began teaching so long ago.  I strongly encourage you to view the archives of the 2010 Reform Symposium.  It was truly thought-provoking and inspiring!

"The Secret Key" to Learning

"Good Afternoon, Alderbash School! ..... I am here today to give a talk.  The title of my talk is My Secret Key to the Universe."

What is the "secret key?"  According to George it is.... PHYSICS!  I can just see my husband doing backflips in his office right now!!  Physics is a word that comes from the Greek, physis, and means nature.  Quite simply, physics is the analysis of nature in an attempt to make sense of the world, or more correctly, the universe in which we all live.  Being one of the oldest disciplines, physics is often intertwined with an understanding of mathematics, chemistry and even philosophy.  Advances in physics often serve to benefit other disciplines and technologies.  In other words, it appears that George was right!  Physics is a secret key to the universe explained through our models and fostered by an atmosphere of inquiry.

While most of us can safely say we lack the ability to space travel via a supercomputer named Cosmos, we do have other opportunities in which we can challenge our students, our children, and ourselves.  His mentor, Eric, actively engages George and Annie in his research.  He is not afraid to tackle the big issues and finds no need to "dumb down" the material.  He provides them opportunities to have real discussions, real experiences, and construct real models.  In other words, Eric facilities their learning by allowing them to actually "do" science.  

This is exactly the situation our brave hero, George, finds himself.  Throughout the book, George is presented opportunities to experience science.  He is doing more than just reading about it in a textbook.  He is actually living it, feeling it, and actively engaged.  He hurls through space on the head of a comet.  He touches the origins of our solar system as he drifts through the rings of Saturn.  He feels the gravitational pull as he and Annie fly past Jupiter.  He feels the bombardment of the asteroids as he passes through the asteroid belt heading home towards earth.  His experiences not only inspire but provide a foundation upon which he is able to construct knowledge.  

As teachers, we need to breathe life into our teaching so that students can have similar opportunities.  Think about it!  How can you make math come alive?  How can students relive the Middle Ages or explore New Worlds?  What can you do to stimulate interest and create an atmosphere of inquiry?  There are those who are already striving to break through the barriers and revolutionize teaching.  Check out dy/dan and his method of WCYDWT.  There are more resources available to us now than ever before and it is truly exciting!  

In the beginning of the book, Eric sparks George's curiosity in science by performing a simple experiment in which he uses static electricity to bend water.  It was not expensive and the materials were right in his own kitchen.  He just took the time to cease a learning opportunity.  Carpe Diem!  Whether you choose to stream live podcasts into the classroom (or home in our case) or perform a simple experiment in your kitchen, educators must find a way to stimulate creative thinking and get kids excited about learning.  How exciting it would be to create a "living classroom" where teaching and learning are organic and always evolving.  The "secret key" to the universe may be physics, but I think the "secret key" to learning is curiosity.