Industrial Strength Sponge Activities

Sponge activities are those activities which soak up time (like the last two minutes of class when students are getting ready to move). Industrial strength sponge activities are those sponge activities which encourage critical thinking and have a connection to the course content. I have used several different sponge activities over the years, from a simple writing prompt to summarize the work done in class to playing an interactive game. I am always on the lookout for new ones.

Currently, in my Geometry classes I use SET Game to promote inductive reasoning and Guess the Colors to promote deductive reasoning. I classify both of these games as industrial strength sponge activities because they support the work done in our Reasoning and Proofs module. My students are usually interested enough to stop and play.

What sponge activities do you use in your classroom? Can they be transferred to other subjects? Are they industrial strength?

Dear Mr. Campbell Letter

I have been fortunate to work with some amazing teachers during my career. While doing so, I have developed into a very good thief. No, I do not claim the work of others as my own. I simply use what is working for my colleagues in my classroom. 

The best example of this is the Dear Mr. Campbell Letter. Back in the late 1990's, I worked with a middle school Language Arts teacher who would have each student write a letter to their parents once a week. In the letter they would describe what they had learned, what had been fun, and any problems that had developed. After writing the letter, the student gave it their parents to write a response and sign. The student then submitted the letter as one of their weekly writing assignments.

Here are the reasons I "stole" the Parent Letter:

1) Students produced authentic writing samples on a regular basis.

2) Most parents received more information from their middle school child on one page than they had ever received via a conversation.

3) A natural reflection process developed.

4) Students developed a voice related to their learning.

5) As a teacher, I learned more about my students than ever before. Opportunities to adjust the course to accommodate individual differences became readily available.

Here are the modifications I made to the Parent Letter:

1) In mathematics, I ask my students to write a letter at the end of each quarter.

2) I use the letter as a summative assessment. For me, the letter has become as valuable as any project, quiz, test, or exam.

3) I ask the students to make suggestions for improving the class instead of identifying any problem they may have.

The most satisfying result of using the Dear Mr. Campbell Letter is the increase in student ownership of the class as I implement their suggestions. The students see I value their opinions and respond accordingly.

Reflection: How might the use of such a letter impact your class? Can writing the letter be linked to any course objective or critical thinking standard? What modifications might you make if you decided to use the letter as part of your course?

Relevance and The e-Learning Certificate

My mind was restless and I was looking for my next challenge. I received an email from Joan Vandervelde promoting an E-learning and Online Graduate Certificate. I read the fine print and decided the program would enhance my ability to support a blended classroom. By the end of my first course, I had started my own website and blog. In all of the courses, the interaction between students and instructors has been tantalizing. The exposure to new resources, at times overwhelming, has been exciting. The experience has been both humbling and fulfilling. My mind is left to ask, "What's next?" 

In order to provide a snapshot of my journey, I have selected a few of the posts from my blog. 

The Beginning: An idealist first blog posted on February 13, 2011. 

E-Learning: Crayons and Computers: I predict e-Learning will lead to the masterpieces of tomorrow. Posted on March 4, 2011. 

The Virtual Modality: Feeling an unrefined confidence, I make the case for a new learning modality. Posted on March 5, 2012. 

Instructional Design: Enter David Merrill stage right with "demonstration, application, and relevance." You will also find one my earliest online usages of the phrase, "positive learning memories." Posted on June 13, 2012. 

Cultivating and Following Your Passion: I attached passion to work ethic as many others have done. See examples. Posted on May 11, 2013. 

A Teacher's Insight: We never fully know the future of those we teach. Posted on April 17, 2014. 

"Common Core"...The New Swear Word: My first mistake was to call the current debate about curriculum "moot." Posted on July 27, 2014. 

I am not a traditional blogger by any means. A daily mind dump is not required. I do not have a legion of followers hanging on or banging on my words. Hence, from an idealistic beginning I have settled into a therapeutic release of my thoughts. There's an occasional spike in the statistics when I reference my blog during an online course, but other than that my words simply drift in cyberspace. I assume that finding one's voice online is the same as finding it in life. What must one say in order to be heard? 

For me, relevance is the key. If we facilitate the creation of positive learning memories relevant to the students in front of us, then our effectiveness and efficiency as instructors increases significantly. The tools collected during my e-learning certification as well as the assignment for my internship reflect relevance. Enthusiasm, motivation, and positive learning memories will easily follow. I am excited about the road ahead. 

Merrill, D. (2008, August 11). Merrill on Instructional Design. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_TKaO2-jXA&.

The Future Is Bright

The future is bright! There are some amazing children sitting in my classroom. Their eyes are shining while their hearts are beating out the rhythm of their hopes and dreams. Future teachers, doctors, politicians, business leaders, mothers and fathers wrestle with new ideas while wanting to grab onto life. Their creativity and intellect are refreshing. It is their time, their moment. I hope they enjoy it as much as I do.

Climbing A Mountain

When you reach the summit, a secret is shared between you and the mountain. You thank the mountain for providing the challenge and you thank everyone you thought about when success was in doubt.

The Fear Of Success

What does success look, sound, feel, taste and smell like? 

Success is being the very best you can be. Success is attaining a goal. Success is earning a lot of money. Hmmm... Successful people are willing to do that which unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Which begs the question, what exactly is the 'that which'? Let's move on...

I contend the fear of success undermines our pursuit of success. This fear is rampant, almost disease-like. There is a clear reluctance to embrace the very action(s) which would lead to success. We desire the spoils of success, but in a designed act of pseudo-humility we justify behaviors which we already know will not lead to success. 

There's a saying, The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. How then might we collate fear and work into a clear path to success? I propose the following definition. 

Success is the application of work to a circumstance until all fear is gone. 

"Common Core"...The New Swear Word

Please stop. The anger and energy being committed to arguing about curriculum is moot. Stop, please.

The problem with education in North America is not the curriculum. It's simpler than that and can be fixed quite easily.

Students eat a healthy breakfast and lunch, drink water throughout the day, get eight to nine hours of sleep each night, exercise for 45 minutes at least three times a week, and complete all work on time. Do your best work. If you need help, ask. 

Teachers provide a clear and interesting path to learning, ensure your students and their parents know what is expected, and give frequent quality feedback. Do your best work. If you need help, ask. 

Parents realize schools are responsible for only part of your child's education. You are responsible for the rest. Do your best work. If you need help, ask. 

Administrators visit classrooms frequently, learn all of the students' names, and protect your students and faculty. Do your best work. If you need help, ask. 

Politicians support the people involved in schools, support the people involved at schools, and support the people involved with schools. Do your best work. If you need help, ask. 

Society communicate the true value of education through your proactive and productive actions. Do your best work. If you need help, ask...and please stop swearing.