The Learning Spark

I had a lot to do today so sitting down at the close and writing couldn't be more relaxing. I had appointments to make, office visits to complete, homework due, and a puppy to treat train! I plan on taking a break from my frenetic, college lifestyle for the weekend. I will be driving five and a half hours north to my hometown early Thursday afternoon. It will be nice to see my family and take a deep breath. Maybe then I can get ahead on some crocheting.

By the end of the day I am so beat that I have barely enough energy to brush my teeth (of course I muster the energy because not brushing your teeth is atrocious).  I am not as chipper as I normally am tonight, but I have my cup of peppermint tea at my right hand ready for my beckoning at any moment and I am going to pull through this like a champ!

So…

Do you know what a spark is? Yes, the bright little surge of energy that has the potential, if fed, to become a flame. A burning blaze of energy, mass, and passion. Everyone has a spark inside of them. (Okay, that was really cheesy. My apologies!) For blog reasons we’re going to narrow down to the topic of a learning spark.

“What’s a ‘learning spark’, Carly?”

A learning spark is that insatiable desire to learn; to eat and devour knowledge like a delicious chocolate cake. If you’re not into chocolate then it’s vanilla with raspberry filling or carrot cake or red velvet cake… You get the picture. Moving past my analogy, it is the desire to learn and to continue learning. We all have this spark within us. In some it is stronger than in others but the important thing is that it is still there. At a young age it is what drives every sense, every instinct in our bodies. Somewhere along the way people let that spark dwindle and salary paying jobs take the place of using their brain to think outside of the box. I’m not here to insult those workers, but our society today has lost their spark to learn. It is a sad but evident truth.

Some lose their spark early on in their high school days before adulthood and some even in middle school. Now my job one day will be to return that spark. One key way to improve the learning spark within individuals who have lost the ability to feed the flame is help improve their motivation. There are so many excellent ways to improve an individual’s drive in the classroom. A couple for starters are genuine interest in the topic, rewards, challenges, or positive reinforcement. If a student is interested in his or her topic they are more likely to complete that task or homework assignment.

In my TCE (Teaching and Counseling Education) class, we often do what is called an ARJ or an Active Reading Journal. We have an assigned reading for that week and we do what our professor calls, “interacting with the text.” It’s a way for her to see that we understood and completed the assigned reading as well as thinking outside of the textbook.  Today we did one in our required text of Rethinking Our Classrooms: Teaching for Equity and Justice Volume 1. This text is very interesting and worthwhile to check out. It has different articles and stories of true events that happened to teachers within the classroom setting. It’s a good way to help me think to different perspectives and to learn from those who have “been there and back” essentially. We were assigned an article about a teacher who doesn't grade her papers. I know, ludicrous right? Her explanation is that she can teach her students all they need to know in a way that is relevant to them,  a lesson is something that they find important and interesting, as well as meaningful. (She is an English teacher) She has the students write on a topic formed around a lose idea. She enables her students to write about things that they are passionate about (she’s feeding their spark) and in doing so the result is her students pay attention more and are highly involved. They enjoy sharing something that they felt was important not just completing math problems that they believe they wouldn't even be using in the future. Her assignments were relevant.

At least for me in high school that was one of my biggest struggles; why am I doing this and how is this pertaining to me now as well as my future?

Instead of grading and scribbling all over essays with red pen, this teacher created what she called a “read-around” (A circle where students would take turns reading and giving input on each other’s writing). By creating this ingenious tool, this teacher was able to give her students feedback on what made a good essay without the students even knowing it. She could tell them what made a respectable introduction paragraph without telling them that their work was wrong. This motivated the children to learn because they didn't feel like they were being ridiculed. They felt empowered as well as feeling that what they had to say DID matter. Every student just wants to feel like what they bring into the classroom or what they are doing is important. As teachers it is our job to validate that need within students.

We have to feed that spark so that later it will continue to burn.

As far as not being an educator goes, initiating that spark within someone can be a daily activity. My teacher has said to us multiple times that the magical question is, “WHY?” You can ask anyone that on a regular basis. That one simple question can engage deeper thinking. Just watch as you helped to relight that learning spark within them. You can probably even see it on their faces!

Now go out into the world and light some fires!

Peace.

Make the Most of Yourself

Thank goodness it’s Friday, really. At least for me it’s been a long week. I had testing, essays due, and events to attend on top of everyday class and homework loads. It’s just good to be able to greet Friday and the weekend. I’m sitting here typing, still lying in bed, with a huge cup of green tea next to me. The sun has the potential to greet me this morning but I guess it isn't trying hard enough to get out and hail the day. Sounds like me! I don’t blame it… Funny that I will be talking about making the most of yourself and I'm too lazy to get out of bed... Oh well!

Where to begin… Wednesday in my TCE class (Teaching and Counseling Education) some students were assigned to present their research project. As mentioned in my intro I am/was researching Dyslexia and Dysgraphia. For the class, there isn't a final however we have to write a seven to ten-paged (I know, I went over! There were just so many interesting things that I couldn't stop writing!) paper on our research topic and also create a lesson plan. Then the fun part is we get to teach the class. The lesson plan has to exemplify differentiated learning instruction, be appealing and interesting as well as keep my classmate’s attention focused. It’s a little bit of a challenge but it should be fun! I haven’t decided what I want my lesson to look like yet (college procrastination at its finest again) but I know that I will definitely not have a problem keeping my peers focused. I’ll dance in front of the class if that’s what it takes.

There were three students that presented this last Wednesday. Their topics were ADHD, multiple intelligences, and bullying. All of them did an excellent and wonderful job; each presentation was well thought out and invoked either emotion or deep thinking within myself and my classmates. They are also good things to watch for in a classroom. The classmate who spoke on ADHD brought up many important points. In one of her activities she asked the class to list five behaviors or labels associated with ADHD individuals. After we made a list different table groups read them. They were mostly similar: Has a lot of energy, wild in the classroom, needs extra help in the back, doesn't know appropriate classroom behavior, medication is often prescribed, etc. My classmate that was instructing us pointed out that all of these connotations were negative. It was a good point to address! As teachers we cannot enter a classroom already having preconceived notions of certain students. It will hinder learner and only deplete the purpose of being in a classroom. My older brother in high school was a slacker. As far as myself, I was not. But when I would go into the classroom with a teacher that he had previously I would automatically be labeled as a slacker as well. Often times I would work twice as hard as other students to do just as well because the teacher wouldn't call on me in class or be interested in my contributions. I had no problem working harder if that’s what I needed to do, but just having that label before even entering the classroom on a daily basis really hurt my feelings. This is on a smaller scale too, I can’t imagine how a student might feel if they automatically get labeled upon being a part of that class. It’s not fair to the student or the classroom as a whole. For all the teacher knows that student might have the most intellectual being sitting in their class but they don’t care enough to get to know them as an individual because their IEP (Individualized Education Program: a file that is created by past educators and professionals that diagnose a student’s strengths and weaknesses in the class in order to encourage success on the teachers part. It basically tells each teacher that has a student with this what works and doesn't work for that student) says they like to stare off out the window sometimes and become distracted. Teachers need to take the time to know and understand their students.

My classmate went on to explain that there are three different types of ADHD or sub-types  They don’t always mean that a student will be hyper either. Some students with ADHD just get easily distracted, don’t think as quickly as others, and tend not to become involved in the classroom. We were divided into three groups and given a scenario. We then had to then explain what might be best for the individual based on their classroom strengths. The one that my group received was a girl who often didn't involve herself in class but when she did she always had something very insightful to include in discussion. She had ADHD but she was by no means hyper or crazy like society has stereotyped these kids to be. From this lesson I learned it’s important to remember that ALL students are different. Each of them has different strengths to bring into the classroom. If we as educators can honor those strengths and use them for the benefit of the whole class the learning environment will not only be a more positive one but the ability for more learning to occur is a higher possibility. Each child has something to bring to the table. If you highlight those the student will be grateful and more willing to learn as well as, maybe that student has something for the whole class to learn. As educators we need to remember that we should ALWAYS be learning!

Learning is good! Even as an adult! I’m not just saying that because I’m biased about knowledge either…

High school was a difficult time for me. As far as classes and my education went it was, for the most part, seamless and put together. (I forgot to mention in my intro that I love education and learning so much that I went to college for my last two years of high school.) But, my life outside of class was hectic. The point of this little ramble is that my dad would always write me awesome quotes early in the morning then post them on my door or put them on my backpack. He might also leave an envelope with my name on it, on the piano by the front door so I would grab it on my way out. Inside always seemed to be the perfect thing to say for that day. One morning (and I still have the quote on the front of my binder) he left me one that said, “The best thing that you can do for the world is make the most of yourself!” In my opinion, in order to make the most of yourself you need to keep on learning. It’s better for you AND everyone around you AND the world! It’s a bold statement but it’s very true; make the best for and of yourself and the world will be a better place. Opportunities will present themselves too… Overall it’s just a good thing to keep in mind!

As a broad conclusion; keep learning to make the most of your world, don’t stereotype (especially students), and get to know people before you think you know them (it’s important to get to know your students, I will say this a lot on the future)!

¡Adios, mis compañeros y sigue sonriendo!

Intro!

So, I want to become a teacher. For starters, a little bit about me.

I’m Carly. I’m currently a student at Oregon State University located in beautiful Corvallis, Oregon. Why Oregon State you ask? Simply because I had a list of ten places I wanted to apply to in senior year, I applied here, got halfway through the University of Washington application and called it quits. You see I’m from Washington, Port Angeles to be exact. I wanted to start a new life far enough away from my family where I felt independent and far away from all of my graduating class to where I could essentially become a brand new me (no stereotypes following; not that I was any other stereotype than the choir girl or the girl to cheat off of during a test). Yes, you guessed it. I’m kind of a “brainiac.” I love school; the stress, the joy of having the only seat open next to the smelly kid, and accidentally grabbing gum under my desk. It’s the life for me! But seriously, all that aside I love school. I love being able to express myself in new ways by learning new words every day. Like for instance today, I said feasible to my friend while in Facebook chat earlier this evening. Granted, I knew what that word meant but being able to express myself with a colorful vocabulary is just a wonder. I’m amazed with my own abilities, and you should be amazed with yours too. This world is a crazy place to enjoy and appreciate the small things is what can get you by sometimes, especially in the dark times. I love to learn and feel accomplished and proud of myself when I receive good marks, it’s very fulfilling.

A little off topic…

Anyways, I’m an English major at OSU, completing the double degree program and earning a minor in Writing. Also, recently I discovered that by studying abroad (which I plan to next spring; Santander, Spain) I can earn yet another degree, the International Studies degree. So there we go. I live up to that “brainiac.” I know I am an English major but often times I discover my grammar is a ridiculous, atrocious rat’s nest so I am apologizing in advance.

I have a little puppy named Cleo that I saved from the local shelter, I love the color orange (fitting for Oregon State), my birthday is in June, I like to write, I love giraffes (I mean look how cute), I am powerless to saltwater taffy and I crochet. Now, enough about me!

I want to be a teacher for many reasons. Besides being affected by the flu season every year, risking the chance of getting lice and probably having pit stains every day I think I will make a great teacher. I have what some call… CHARISMA! I have enough energy to stand in front of a class and not be what is called a “recipe” teacher. I want to dedicate my time (and probably my life since from what I hear being a teacher never stops, even after you leave the building) to the youth of this nation! Wow, so noble of me right?

Basically, I am going to start writing this blog whenever possible in between the copious amounts of homework assignments due and tests to study for and classes to attend and time to volunteer… This will be my personal thoughts on something that struck me as interesting or note-worthy on my wonderful journey to becoming an educator! Anything that strikes my fancy will be on here. I just want to keep it more focused around teaching and the education aspect of my future career.  The posts will be my personal opinions, so it’s open for judgment or argument, just know everything I will be posting will be from the deepest depths of my inner heart and soul. So it’s honest…

Now, let’s get down to business.

I finished a twelve-paged research paper about an hour ago. This headache of an assignment is what got me thinking to start a blog about my journey. Procrastination at its finest, it’s due tomorrow more and I didn't start writing it until about four this afternoon. Six hours later and 132 printed pages later I completed it. (Yes my teacher asked me us bring copies for every student, I’m lucky there are only twelve myself included.) The paper was on Dyslexia and Dysgraphia, learning disabilities I knew about but didn't really understand. Come to find out it’s not about reading and writing letters or sentences backwards; having Dyslexia means that an individual has difficulties in acquiring and processing language that is typically manifested by a lack of proficiency in reading, spelling, and writing. It’s really interesting stuff if you ask me! Besides nearly pulling my hair out or bruising my brain from hitting my head on the wall, I really enjoyed it! I feel that the Education classes through Oregon State are so worthwhile. The teachers are all so passionate about the subject and their heart speaks in their lessons and lectures. They arm us with the tools to be well-learned, create a positive differentiated learning environment and avoid becoming those “recipe” teachers as mentioned above. If you aren't aware of what a “recipe” teacher is, it’s time you learn. They are the teachers that go by the book; year after year they teach the same lessons, and their lessons never involve differentiation. Now, what’s differentiation you ask? Differentiation is the ability to appeal to the different likes/dislikes, the multiple intelligences, and motivations to learn while keeping each individual student’s readiness level in mind. Basically, the perfect classroom where every student is learning at the level that is appropriate for their level of comprehension and they are all engaged and willing to learn.

I’m not good at math for those of you that think in numbers, so here’s the best I can do:

“Recipe” Teachers ≠ Learning

Differentiated Classrooms = Effective and Positive Learning

Lesson from my random ramblings? I do not plan to be a recipe teacher. They are bad. And don’t effectively teach the youth of this nation! THEY ARE USELESS BODIES PICKING UP PAYCHECKS AND WAITING TO RETIRE! This new set of teachers that take their place better be as passionate as my classmates and myself.

That is all. Until next time!