Starbucks Orders

Did you ever go to Starbucks?  Okay, way stupid question.  Here’s a better question – what did you order?  There are “Starbucks Junkies” with typical orders that sound  something like this: “To go, Grande, non-fat skim milk, 176 degrees, Chai Tea Latte espresso with nutmeg, cinnamon sprinkles, non-oil-based cream” and other additions that I can neither pronounce nor spell. The price includes an optional installment plan.  Quick math would tell that just one of these each day will cost just under $1800 for the year, which is exactly 9 times what I paid for my first car – a 1969 Opel Kadet…no gas gauge, 4 speed, FM converter...but I digress.  Is it possible to order just a cup of black coffee, no cream, no sugar, no fancy add-ons…just a dang burn cup of coffee…no frills…no fancy toppings…nothing else? Just a cup of coffee!  Just hot and bitter, straight up, no extras. And, by the way, a cup of coffee that I do not have to finance for 36 months at 18.9% APR.  I am the only one left who feels this way?  If so, tell me.  If not, enjoy your over-priced diversion from real coffee and thank you for contributing so much to private enterprise.  Howard Schultz sends his regards.

Education can be seen as a trip to Starbucks if we take our eyes off of what is really important.  Every year, there is a new book written by someone with a lot of alphabet behind their name that has some new idea that will revolutionize education. I have shelves full of these. They are all marketed as a “new way” to teach kids. However, as Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, “There is nothing new under the sun.”  You have read the same stuff.  You have listened to the sales pitch. You have the t-shirt.  Don’t get me wrong, these things are good. They cause you to look at things from a different angle, but you are still looking at the same thing – kids! We learn new strategies, but the bottom line is the same – it takes talented people to produce talented students. Perhaps they provide affirmation that what you are currently doing is right on the money. That always feels good…just don’t charge $149.99 plus shipping to provide me with that emotional backrub. I get daily e-mails from multiple companies that deal in educational products. Every single one of them touts their product like it is the second coming of Jesus.  They aren’t.  There are many programs for sale; some of them are very good and some are made with spit and ceiling wax.  I have said it 7,635 times before and I will say it until He takes me home that programs do not make the difference, people make the difference.  No matter how far we travel into the technology realm, we will always have the necessity of the development of positive and appropriate student-teacher relationships. It’s about people; plain and simple.  Education is about making a connection; electronic programs can become disconnected – just ask CTB.  We can add all of the “frills” to education that we want, but it will always come down to the skills of talented educators working with great parents for a common goal = helping the child succeed. Anyone who tells you differently is probably dictating a lengthy order at Starbucks. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Browns play tonight against the Buffalo Bills on the shores of Lake Erie. They are off on Sunday. 

Mary and I are heading to Wisconsin this weekend for our nephew’s wedding…place your cheese orders.

Your Last Letter

Next to the mural of Col. John Wheeler is a painting of the last letter that The Colonel wrote.  The date of the letter is July 2, 1863 and this letter, addressed to his wife and children, was written in a tent just outside of Gettysburgh at 4:00 a.m.  Take a moment to read this letter today.  It will move you.  If it does not, I suggest that you check your pulse.  The letter details how difficult the battle in Pennsylvania will be and the struggles that will occur based on early reconnisance. There are two lines that have been highlighted by the artist, Marion Kellum, that will tug at your heart strings.  The Colonel writes:  “It may be the last letter to you. If so, believe that my last prayer for you is that God may help you all.”  Col. John Wheeler, the namesake of our school, was killed that very day on the battlefield.  The uniform that he wore that day is displayed in our display case.  His words were prophetic. 

Here’s my question for you to ponder – if this was going to be your last day, would it change the way you did things or, for that matter, what you did?  I don’t mean your last day on earth.  I mean your last day of teaching.  Think about that.  What would your last day look like?  Over time, you hear people talk that on their last day, they will show up in flip flops and beach wear and tell their boss to plant one on their gluteus and then show them exactly where that is located.  If you have those thoughts, let me say no thanks.  But, as you look at those faces in your classroom, what would be your parting words?  Would you spend the day teaching the most essential things about your subject area?  Would you prioritize just what was most important?  Would you put together a plan that would have a lasting effect?  Would you bring your absolute A-Game?  Would you teach like your hair was on fire?  Would you firmly implant that student-teacher relationship?  Would you create a great memory for your students?  Those may be your thoughts on your “planned last day.”  Here’s the truth – largely, we don’t know when that day will be.  No of us are guaranteed the next five minutes.  I know this from a personal experience on September 8, 2009.  Here’s the deal – work hard each day to do all of the above in your classrooms.  Teach the essential understandings in your classroom. Prioritize what those are.  Use the data you receive to better inform your instruction and what needs to be adjusted.  Create memories each day for kids that have create both academic retention and transfer.  Teach your rear off.  Make the most of every opportunity because you never know when that opportunity is your last one. 

----------------------------------------------------------------

The Browns play in “The Battle of Ohio” this weekend on the shores of Lake Erie against the Cincinnati Bengals.  Either way, a team with orange in their team colors is going to win…let that be the team up North!

Earth, Wind, and Fire

Tomorrow night, Mary and I are going to see Earth, Wind, and Fire at the Chicago Theater.  For you younger folks, this is not a date to observe planets, measure temperature variances in the atmosphere, or to learn about combustion.  Earth, Wind, and Fire, sometimes referred to as “The Mighty Elements” by some die-hard fans is a music group that began in 1969 with an interesting mix of pop, jazz, funk, disco, R & B, soul, and rock. They play a little something for everybody.  This is not going to be a dull show.  Their combination of music is a rarity and sure beats the lounge singer at the Holiday Inn. (For those of you not getting that reference, please refer to a character that Bill Murray played on Saturday Night Live)  Earth, Wind, and Fire have won six Grammy Awards with hits such as September, Shining Star (Mary’s favorite), Getaway, After the Love is Gone, and yes, Boogie Wonderland.  My beautiful Mrs. is a big fan of Earth, Wind, and Fire.  I am going because I am a big fan of her. This group plays so many different genres of music that everyone finds some relevance. Everyone’s musical needs are met.  Earth, Wind, and Fire is a group that truly differentiates their music.

How about you?  What do you do about differentiating instruction in your room to meet the needs of your students?  Do all of the kids find relevance in your lessons?  Find those high-yield strategies that you have been exposed to on Wednesday mornings. Stay away from strategies that do not provide a high yield.  Use methods that havehigh effect sizes.  Present several learning options. Match tasks with interests and learning preferences.  Get to know your kids.  Get to know your kids. Get to know your kids.  Make developing a rapport with your students a high priority.  Plan to make this happen.  Use a variety of assessment strategies.  Balance teacher-assigned and student-selected projects.  Remember that kids learn best when they make connections between the curriculum and their own interests and experiences. If there is no connection, that’s on us as educators. Be a teacher that differentiates their instruction. Have an interesting mix.  Be an “Earth, Wind, and Fire Teacher”.  Perhaps you will produce several shining stars.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Browns play the Minnesota Vikings up North this Sunday.  We’re 0-2, they were just beaten in the last 10 seconds by the Bears and are fired up, they are at home, Adrian Peterson is a beast…looks like the perfect storm…then, we trade perhaps our best player yesterday for future draft picks and decide to start our 3^rd strong quarterback – we are perhaps at the threshold of Hades… nonetheless, I will watch, hope, and do it again the next week.

From Your Pet's Perception

Both of our daughters have brought cats home to live with us without speaking to Dad first. Their theory is that it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission.  “BB” (named after BB King) was in our house a week before I even knew it; demonstrating my attention to detail in our home.  Uzi showed up as a team effort between Amanda andMary.  He is not named after a weapon, but rather a character from the Bible meaning a “strong and brave leader”.  Funny, he is neither strong, a leader, and is perhaps the biggest wuss I have ever seen.  Ellie made it up to Da Region from Terre Haute where Annie rescued her on a cold and rainy night at her apartment door.  All of my girls, including the one I married, are totally in love with their felines. I enjoy them as much as I do hair loss.   I am sure that from the perspective of the cats, that the girls walk on water and they love them unconditionally.  They do not feel the same about me…let’s just say that we tolerate each other…sort of.  Anyway, think about your own pet for a moment.  Does your pet greet you at the door when you get home with their tail wagging?  Do they love you unconditionally?  Do they slobber all over you?  Do they forgive you quickly after they have been disciplined for various transgressions in your home? That’s their perception… go deeper – are you the person your pet thinks you are? 

We can fool our pets.  We can’t fool our kids.  They have perceptions about all of us.  Some are way off, others are spot on. Think, for a moment, about the teachers you had when you were a student.  Did any of them fool you?  Were your perceptions about them right on the money?  A few weeks ago, we all had a chance to make a first impression on the kids in our classrooms.  How did that go for you?  Also, a few weeks back, we all had the chance to make a first impression on the parents of these same kids during our “Meet the Teachers Night”.  How did that go for you?  If both of these went well, I want to encourage you to continue to build that relationship.  Understand the interests and backgrounds of your students.  That will take an investment of time.  Exhibit behaviors that indicate your interest in the success of your students.  Stay in regular contact with parents.  Call them to praise their child.  Get them on your team.  If the first impression didn’t go well, do not lose hope. You can turn that around, BUT, it will take a sustained daily effort to change that perception.  Someone once said that perception is reality.  I’m not sure if I totally agree with that, but I do know that perceptions can be changed over time with our ACTIONS.  Words just won’t do it. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Browns play on Sunday was the Baltimore Ratbirds…I mean Ravens.  As much love here as I have for the cats!

State Nicknames

Some state nicknames are interesting to say the least.  Minnesota is the “Land of 10,000 lakes.”  Does that include large ponds?  New Hampshire is called “The Granite State”.  It may be changed to “The Countertop State” soon.  New Jersey is “The Garden State”.  Vegetable, flower, or octopus? (You will not get that unless you are a Beatles’ fan).  Arizona is often called the “Italy of America State” although it is not shaped like a boot.  Connecticut is “The Constitution State” even though the document was signed in Pennsylvania.  Hawaii is “The Aloha State” – just don’t know if that is a greeting or a farewell. Oklahoma is the “Sooner State”.  Apparently, the “Later” state is just west of it.  Utah is “The Beehive State”.  I am unclear if this refers to womens’ hairdos of the 60’s or honey-making insects. New York is “The Empire State” – didn’t know they sold carpet.   Arkansas is “The Natural State”….clothing optional?  Illinois is “The Prairie State”. I thought they may be “The State with the Most Incarcerated Governors State”. Florida is “The Sunshine State” – like they have a monopoly on this.  Missouri has arguably the best nickname – “The Show Me State” and that is what I want to work from in this message.

One of my Dad’s favorite words of wisdom to tell his four kids was, “Don’t tell me what you have done, SHOW me what you can do!” He never let any of us rest on ourlaurels; boasting was unacceptable and complacency was not allowed. My sister and two brothers have done some remarkable things in their lives, but you’ll never hear about it from their mouths.   In this time of increased accountability in education, the bottom line is results.  Our school has been named a Four Star School two out of the last three years.  That is great and needed to be celebrated, but it is time to move on.  We have to continually SHOW the results.  You have established the essential understands; those "Big Ideas" that you want your students to accomplish. Much like a finish line in a race, you can only do the measurement once they arrive. Sort of.  What you do leading up to this summative date really will determine the results. So, when you post your daily goals for your classes, make sure that you have a purpose for that goal. It should tie directly to the long-term goals. If not, then why would it be a goal along the way? Use the informal and formative data to plan your instruction. Will you have to make adjustments along the way?...yep! Good teaching requires that teachers use the formative data to "form" their instruction so that the kids are on the right path to achieving the long- term goals. If not, you are just shooting in the dark and any chance of desired achievement would be coincidental. Work smart so that when it comes time to show, there will not be any doubt that your teaching was pretty darn effective.  “Show Me” is not just a state nickname; it is the bottom line in what we do.  However, and this is a big however – not everything that is counted counts and not everything that counts is counted. While there are no bubbles, charts, or graphs for things like words of encouragement, pats on the back, positive comments, the giving of time and talents, and countless other acts of doing the right thing -  these things are major contributors to the bubbles, charts, and graphs.  Strive each day to make a difference as you SHOW others the way.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The Browns play this Sunday on the shores of Lake Erie vs. the Miami Dolphins.   Could this be the year? I have been waiting for decades!

Zits and Old Spice

Remember when you were in middle school?  Or junior high? Or whatever your school was called when you were 11-14?  Anyway, do you remember being a “tweener”?  Did you have any awkward moments?  Yep, bad question.  Of course you had awkward moments.  Unless, of course, you were the kid with perfect skin, perfect clothes, perfect eyesight, perfect teeth, and perfect parents.  For me, junior high school was a time of Old Spice and zits.  The Old Spice was “borrowed” from my Dad’s dresser in hopes of luring girls with the same luck that the sailor had in the commercials.  Didn’t work.  The zits?  Let me tell you, my acne was so bad that one time I fell asleep in the library and was awakened by a blind guy trying to read my face. Our kids have many of the same issues that all of us had when we were their age.  They struggle with identity and their self-image and may wonder just where they fit in.  They struggle with competition in and out of the classroom and may want to keep up with the Joneses…or Smiths…or anyone who is conceived as popular.  They worry about their looks. Boys and girls no longer have coodies. Throw in the constant battle with “The Big P” and you have the perfect storm.  I have this observational theory that all 6^th grade girls receive a make-up kit from Santa because they return in January and I cannot recognize many due to the new paint and powder.  They have anxiety over just about anything.  There is sometimes drama.  Sometimes?  There is peer pressure, worries about making the team, and the fear of social rejection.  Oh by the way, we also want you to grow academically and be in that 95% group that Mr. Vassar talks about and to rock the state test even though you’re momentarily more concerned with holding hands with Miss Wonderful between classes or popping that snowcap of a zit on your forehead…

Does any of this ring a bell?  Take a look back in time.  Pull out your middle school pictures. If you have the nerve, show them to your students.  Recall your middle school thoughts.  For a moment, grab what really worried you when you were 11, 12, 13, or 14.  Do you remember how your voice went from Lou Rawls to Mickey Mouse within the same sentence?   Did you lie awake at night wondering if that dreamy guy in your Math class would ever notice you?  Remember the “dances” with the girls on one side and the boys on the other while everyone pretended to like the music?  This is an awkward time for kids!  One of the best character traits that we can employ at this time is empathy. We have to be empathetic to be truly effective.  Kids make mistakes; probably the same ones that we made at their age. We have to be able to put ourselves in the shoes of our students and look at things from a perspective much different than we have as adults while at the same time preparing them for what we know lies ahead.  That is no easy task, but one that is essential.  Talk with our students. Get to know them. Build a relationship with them.  They need someone to count on and perhaps you are the one.  Assign tasks with relevance to their lives- you will get more out of them.  Greet your students daily.  Call them by their first names. Smile at them.  Be a role model that they aspire to.  Remember your tweener years and then work that history into the issues your kids face today.  In the meantime, I have a few dozen tubes of Clearasil and a 55 gallon drum of Old Spice to share.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The Browns are preparing next week for game 1 vs the Miami Dolphins on the shores of Lake Erie.  Of course, they play Da Bears tonight in the last exhibition game in that stadium that looks like a spaceship landed in a toilet bowl…just saying.

Traffic Jams

What is the worst traffic jam you have ever been in?  Stuck in the middle of “Rush Hour” in Chicago?  Funny, I never see anyone “rushing” at that time and it certainly lasts more than an hour.  Perhaps you have experienced the bumper to bumper joy of 80/94. Yet they call it an “expressway”.   Maybe you have been stuck for hours behind a manure truck on a two lane state highway.  Be thankful that your sinuses cleared.  Here are some of the worst traffic jams in history:  Bethel, New York, 1969 – there was this little event going on called The Woodstock Music & Arts Festival.  There were 500,000 attendees (some actually had clothes on) and simply abandoned their cars and hippie VW vans because they didn’t want to miss the likes of Richie Havens, Joan Baez, CCR, and, of course, the greatest guitar player ever, Jimi Hendrix.  Issue = too many people.  Beijing, China, August 2010 – 62 mile jam lasting 12 days…that’s right, 12 days.  Issue = too many vehicles.  East/West Germany, 1990 – the Berlin Wall begins to fall and some 18,000,000 Germans want to reconnect with their families to celebrate the end of governmental oppression.  The result = a massive jam on the Autobahn (no speed limit), a road that was designed to carry 500,000 cars per day.  Issue = too many celebrators.  Side note = the fall of the Berlin Wall is a personal highlight. I never thought I would see that happen in my lifetime.

There is one place on the road that never seems to have traffic jams.  That section of road is called “The Extra Mile.” Issue = not enough people!  What constitutes going the extra mile for someone else?  Glad you asked. To make more effort than is expected of you.  To do more and make a greater effort. “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”  Name the source of that quote for extra credit. Doing more than normal.  Extending ourselves in our efforts. Getting back up after you have been knocked down.  The value we give out comes back at an increased value. The older I get, the less I see The Extra Mile traveled.  Sure, there are examples of people going the extra mile that bring a smile to your face. The New York City policeman who bought a pair of shoes for a homeless man last winter. The mechanic in Chicago who takes in troubled boys and teaches them how to restore cars in hopes of keeping them off the street.  The couple who run a food pantry from the back of their van.  Being a member of “The Extra Mile Club” puts you among a select group of people.  You will have at least 180 chances this school year to go the extra mile.  It can be the commitment to phone at least one parent every day to tell them something positive about their child.  Maybe you will surprise a student by showing up at one of their games or events.  Perhaps you will offer to stay after school and work with a student who is falling behind.  There are countless ways to go the extra mile.  The financial compensation stinks, but the reward is priceless.  I hope to see “The Extra Mile” at our school in a total traffic jam much of the time.   

----------------------------------------------------------------

Browns pre-season game this Saturday vs the Indianapolis Colts and next Thursday vs the Chicago Bears. Don’t get too excited. Last time I looked they didn’t award the Lombardi trophy in late August.