Score 1 for Technology

As it turns out, using technology in the classroom actually does work! I planned a language arts lesson for today, part of which included having the students decode a word in the context of a sentence frame. The word was "imprecise," and the sentence discussed an archer and his terrible aim. I could have written this up on the board, but the students begin to lose focus during even the short period of time it takes to get the words up. Instead, I used the iPad app "Show Me" to create a very short video of an arrow hitting, then missing a bullseye. The sentence was written at the bottom of the screen. My voice over read out the words to them, and I watched in amazement as my short, terrible video made their eyes light up. They were focused and staring at the television, and as soon as it was over they got right to work. I think if I had made them wait while I wrote the sentence up on the board I would have lost some of them. Instead, they got to see a silly little video that still got the point across! Easy. So easy.

I am old. Or something like that.

I had a moment the other day that made me feel very "out of the loop" of technology. I didn't know I was old enough for that yet. It's silly, but the moment stuck with me.

My CT was explaining a math concept to the students who were having a difficult time understanding, and she was searching for another way to reach them. It was warm, and the class was slowly drifting off into that lovely half-sleep that is the bane of the existence of every teacher. She was discussing the topic of something building on itself, and out of no where she landed on the game "Plants V.S. Zombie," where apparently your weapons supply builds on itself and you never actually lose any weapons. Your stock just gets bigger. Now I hardly remember the point she was trying to make, but I do remember that the students' collective head reared up at the mention of this apparently-familiar game with which I am very unfamiliar. They all began to cry out excitedly as she pulled up pictures of the various game components on the Apple TV, and suddenly it was as though she had never lost them for a moment. The only person she had lost was me! My CT has a 15 year old son who apparently plays on his iPhone, but I have a sneaking suspicion that she loves playing the game as well. She knew an awful lot of details, including the strange names for every single weapon. I, however, did not.

And, as I was snickering in the back at how excited she was getting, one of my students turns around in his seat.

"What are you laughing at, Ms. Phelps?" he said.

"Oh I just have no idea what she is saying! I've never played Plants V.S. Zombies before."

The back half of the class that had heard me slowly turned to face me.

"What do you MEAN you've never played Plants V.S. Zombies before??" they cried as they rolled their eyes at me, who had apparently just fallen several feet from grace.

My laughter died quickly after that. Guess I had better learn what the heck they are all talking about, or risk fourth grade shaming.

That "Other" Language

My plan is to learn Spanish.

My plan is to learn Spanish, complete my Masters, become an excellent teacher, have a gigantic garden, and have room for lots and lots of happy animals. But for now, my plan is to learn Spanish. Before Back to School Night my CT asked if I spoke any the language, and then proceeded to tell me that if I wanted to teach in California it was imperative that I learn. I believe this. It's always been a desire of mine to regain the Spanish I once knew and have now forgotten, and her comment only solidified that for me.

I am constantly reminded of the diversity within our classrooms. I currently have at least three different languages represented in my classroom along with many more cultures and traditions. Each student has a unique, diverse background that affects the way they think, act, speak, and learn. In my desire to be the best teacher I can be I have to expect this and prepare for what it means for my students. The fact is that in this state the majority of minority students are going to be Spanish speakers, and in many schools English may in fact be that minority.

It seems like a large task to claim so suddenly, and it certainly won't happen in a night. But I feel I am missing out on a giant chunk of California culture and diversity, and I want to learn as much as I can about the other cultures of the people with whom I live, work, and converse. And most importantly, those I teach. I am learning slowly but certainly. Then again, this is exactly what I have been asking of my students.

Remembering to Watch.

I can't decide how best to use this space. I am sorry, for the (probably one or two) people reading this, if my words come across jumbled.

This week has made me think a lot about working with people. Teaching, I now realize, is truly a combined effort and collaboration. Teaching involves recognizing differences while being able to set them aside for the good of the student. It involves helping one another work past mistakes while also focusing on the positive actions in a particular event. This week has made me practice patience, but has also fostered in me the drive necessary to take over someone else's shortcomings. Truthfully, it has also made me realize some of my own. I know I need to work on stepping back and taking this time to observe - I am visiting these classrooms for such a short period of time that I really need to take advantage of the opportunity to just watch and absorb. Some days I get so excited to be involved in the classroom that I forget I still have much to learn. This is school for me, as much as it is for them.

I am fortunate to be able to work on these things before I am given a classroom of my own. I am fortunate to have direction, colleagues, and friends to guide me. I am fortunate to have all of my senses so I can take in as much as is possible, and hopefully all of these things will combine to make me the best possible teacher I can be. I need to remember to keep watching. If I close my eyes, who knows what I will miss?

The State of Things Now

The first post on a blog should say something momentous, but I will begin by explaining the page. The title comes, obviously, from Jules Verne's classic science fiction novel. Contrary to popular belief, the number 20,000 refers to distance traveled parallel to the sea floor, rather than straight down. I feel a bit like the seamen captured on the Nautilus - awed and more than a little scared at the distance I have traveled in so short a time. The background is one of my favorite photographs: "Deep Field," taken by the Hubble Telescope in 1995. The vast number of galaxies never fails to remind me how infinitely small I am in the grand scheme of things. Yet the fact that that amazing machine, still out in space, was created by the hands of humans tells me that we all have our own important job while we are here. I think I may have finally found mine.