Stepping Back

I have been doing this blog for 16 years now and I think it is time to take a step back. I've been trying to blog Monday through Friday every week except for holidays.

Now I find myself really hunting for things to write about that might be relevant to new and struggling teachers. I don't want to write stuff that is just fluff for the sake of writing.

I'm going to continue writing in this blog when I feel like I have something I want to share. I might find an educational resource that is worth sharing or a technique that I find that others might enjoy learning.

I'm going to continue to write about our travels because I feel like traveling is part of my life-long learning.

If you have a question or need advice on a specific topic, please feel free to reach out to me and I'd be glad to write a blog post about it.

Even though I won't be posting Monday through Friday, I still plan on keeping a presence here. In the meantime, I want to continue traveling, reading, gardening. knitting, and learning.

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

HAL Nieuw Statendam Part 1

The ship can hold 2666 passengers and 1036 crew. Our captain was Eric Barhors (from the UK), the hotel director was Rene Tuinman, the Food and Beverage Director was Cliff Strerath, and our Cruise and Travel director was Clare Adams. We had dinner at 5 pm every night at Table 36 and our servers were Eko and Ikram. Elena was the assistant maitre'd who was amazing! Our cabin was 4105 and our cabin stewards were Hery and Wira.

Click here for pictures from the ship.

Day 1: Embarkation 8/9/23

We got to the port by 10am, checked our bags in, and went straight through security. We boarded the ship by 11am. Even though our cabin wasn’t ready, we were able to put stuff in the safe and store our packs in the closet. Then we went to the Lido deck for lunch. After lunch we walked around the ship until our luggage arrived. After unpacking, we had the safety drill at 2:30 pm where we had to go to our muster station and check in. Then we had to watch the TV safety information (which we did while unpacking).

After the safety drill, we walked around until it was time to go to dinner. I made a reservation for 5 for a table for 2. When we got to dinner, she told me that if we liked it, we could tell her and have that table every night. Dinner was nice and we were done early enough to get a seat for the show, Musicology. After that, we returned to the cabin to watch TV.

Day 2: Sea Day 8/10/23

I was up by 5 and sat on the Lido deck to play on my computer. Don joined me around 8am. After breakfast, he went to the shore excursion talk while I went to the Cruise Critic meet-up. Then we met on the Lido deck across from the pasta bar. Linda and her husband, Steve (Minnesota) joined us for lunch and we had a nice visit. After that we went to the 2pm, Port Talk. We went to tea at 3pm and sat with Cathy and Paul (Wisconsin). We enjoyed visiting with them too! By then it was time to change and get ready for dinner. Dinner service was great, and we were able to go back to the cabin and relax before the show. We watched the British comedian, Chas Burnett who was pretty funny! Then we went back to the cabin and watched the movie Lightyear before going to bed. We had to turn our clocks back an hour before going to bed.

Day 3: Sea Day 8/11/23

I was up at 4:15 and went to the Lido deck to drink some tea and play on my computer. Don eventually showed up for breakfast. At 10am, we went to the Seabourne presentation. Then we had lunch at 11:30 and Don had to go back to the cabin to prepare for his board meeting. It lasted almost 90 minutes and we rushed to hear the end of the port talks, but it was about over when we got there. At 3pm, we had afternoon tea again and met a nice couple from Missouri. Don walked about an hour before dinner, and I relaxed and watched The Princess Diaries in the cabin. Dinner was wonderful! We had crab cakes, prime rib, and a chocolate puff pastry. Kathy and Paul ended up getting the table beside us so we ended up talking for 2 hours before heading to the show. The show was Humanity and after 2 dance scenes, they had to cancel the show due to technical difficulties. Then we went back to the cabin and watched A Man Called Otto.

Day 4: Liverpool 8/12/23

Click here for pictures of Liverpool.

We didn’t arrive until 10am but we were supposed to go through Immigration at 10:30. They gave each deck a specific time to go through Immigration in the theater. We didn’t get to go through Immigration until 11:30 and surrendered our passports for Ireland after that. Some people were upset because this affected their private tours that they arranged Since it was 12pm, we decided to eat lunch before getting off the ship. Some people were upset because this affected their private tours that they arranged. Once we walked off the ship, we went to the Beatles statues, but they were jammed up with people. Next, we walked to the Eleanor Rigby statue which was cute. We kept walking uphill through all the stores and people. It was a lot of fun to people watch! We ended up at the Liverpool Cathedral, the longest cathedral in the world and the fifth largest cathedral in the world. It was a beautiful cathedral and was damaged during World War II because Liverpool was considered an important port during this time. Then we went to the Metropolitan Cathedral, a Catholic church. Finally, we ended up back at the Royal Albert Dock. We went to the Museum of Liverpool but decided to save that for another visit. We were back on the ship by 5:10 and we were pretty tired. Since we missed our dinner reservation, we ate dinner on the Lido deck and then went back to our cabin to watch movies.

Day 5: Dun Laoghaire 8/13/23

Click here of pictures of Dun Laoghaire.

We got on the tender and were ashore by 8:30. We walked around town, and nothing was open yet (especially since it was Sunday). We walked down to the park where they were setting up for the Sunday market. Then we walked along the coast and even saw people swimming in the water. Around 11:30 we found a Tesco supermarket across from St. Michael’s Hospital. We bought 2 Cokes (1L bottles), 3 bags of chips, and a plastic shopping bag for a total of 7.75 euros. Then we walked the whole route again now that places were open. The market was busy, but everything looked great. We also stopped at the library where there were a lot of food vendors in the square. We also walked to the Royal Marine Hotel. We also found the train stations and thought next time we might take the train to visit our friend, Marie who lives in Edenderry. We got back to the ship by 2pm and had sandwiches at the Deli. Our toilet was acting up and had to get the cabin steward to call the plumber. It made a super loud screeching noise when you flushed it! At 5pm we went to dinner, but we skipped the 7:30 show. We put out a bag of laundry and was told it takes 48 hours to get it back. We watched the movie Ambulance until we went to bed. At one point, the ship wasn’t moving so we went up to the Lido deck to see if anything was being said about why we weren’t moving but while we were up there, we started moving again.

Day 6: Douglas, Isle of Man 8/14/23

Click here for pictures of Douglas.

This was another tender port. We got on the tender at 7:45 and it was about a 10-minute tender ride to shore. Then we went to the Welcome Center in the Sea Terminal to buy our steam train ticket. It was 18 pounds round trip, or we could buy an unlimited pass for 19 pounds per person which we did. This gave us access to the trains, buses, and the horse tram. We walked 10 minutes along the ocean quay to the train station. The train was scheduled to leave at 9:50 but we boarded the train around 9:15 and I’m glad we did. The train filled up fast. The first 2 cars were reserved for the cruise ship tours. They were 30 minutes late and the train waited for them. We took the train all the way to Port Erin (about an hour) so we arrived at 11:15. We walked towards the coast (5 min. walk) and took pictures and then returned to the train which was scheduled to leave at noon. The train arrived back at Douglas around 1:30pm. Right outside the train station was a Tesco supermarket where we bought snacks (2 cokes, 4 bags of chips, and 3 large candy bars) for 10 pounds. Luckily, I carried the Tesco bag that we bought yesterday and carried it all in that bag. Then we found the yarn store (Bon Fabric) where I saw Lucy Neatby and asked if I could take a photo with her. I bought 4 skeins of local yarn (6.50 pounds each) made with fiber from local sheep (a rare breed found on Isle of Man). Close by was the Post Office where Don bought some stamps for his collection. Next, we walked to the waterfront and took pictures before heading to the Manx Museum. There was a big postal exhibit there and Don was happy to see that. By then it was 3:30pm and we headed back to the sea terminal to get the tender back to the ship. We got back in time for dinner and then the show. At dinner, the captain apologized for the delays in the tender due to rough water (it must have been after we got to the shore). He also announced that we were only 60 nautical miles from our next port, Holyhead, Wales so we wouldn’t pull up anchor until 8pm. The show was changed from the dancers to the comedian, Chas Burnett. He was very funny, and we enjoyed his show. After the show, we returned to the cabin and watched John Wick 4.

Day 7: Holyhead, Wales 8/15/23

Click here for pictures of Holyhead.

Port Authority wouldn’t let us walk off the ship and we had to get tickets for the free shuttle to take us from the ship to the terminal. There were no priority arrangements for 4- and 5-star Mariners. We were group 2 and got off the ship by 8:30 and took the 5-minute shuttle to the terminal. It was a 5-minute walk to town across a pedestrian bridge. We walked around town and was back on the ship by 10:30 (even though they said we couldn’t return to the ship until 11am). We were back in time for lunch and then watched movies in our cabin until dinner. Right before dinner, the captain announced that it was a good thing that we were so close to this port because we were supposed to lift anchor at 8:30 but the anchor got tangled in a large cable and we didn’t leave until 10:30pm last night. After dinner we went to the show and watched the Step One dancers and singers in the show Timeless. They brought the black singer from BB King showroom to sing part of Whitney Huston’s song, but she wasn’t very good.

Day 9: Greenock, Scotland 8/16/23

Click here for pictures of Greenock.


We walked off the ship at 7:15 am. Then we walked around town. We walked towards the back and climbed about 6 flights of stairs. We ended up at this beautiful park at the top of the stairs. Then we walked around the streets in a residential area. We eventually walked back towards the main part of town. We saw a Lidl store but walked into Aldi and got a diet coke. Then we walked around and saw some yarn stores that wasn’t open yet. We found a mall where there were public bathrooms. Then we went back to the yarn store. I met several people who were knitting in the back, and I was invited in to have a cup of tea and knit with them. Instead, I bought two skeins of yarn, one from Greenock and one from Glasgow. Then we went to Tesco and bought a 8 pack of diet Pepsi, and more chips for Don (less than 10 pounds) We returned to the ship around noon and had lunch. After lunch we relaxed in the cabin and watched movies. Right before we left, they announced that we were missing a crew member but eventually we left without him. It was fun watching the scenery from our balcony. Attire was dressy night and dinner was very good. Don had escargot and I had filet mignon. We both had Crème Brule for dessert. We decided to skip the show after dinner.

Day 8: Portree, Isle of Skye 8/17/23

Click here for pictures of Portree.

We really enjoyed this port. We got off the 8am tender and walked around town. We started by walking up 2 flights of stairs to the upper main part of town. After walking around town, we stopped at the Visitor Information. I found out that we can get on the bus at 10:10 and ride it for 2 hours round trip (8.70 pounds per person). It was a wonderful trip! We went all the way around a peninsula to Flodigarry and back. We saw lots of sheep, a castle, a waterfall, and the Old Man of Storr. We got back around 12:15 and walked around town some more. Don went to a craft store and bought 4 postcards framed in glass (5 pounds). Then we went to another craft store where he bought 3 bird paintings (15 pounds) Then we returned back to the ship by 2pm. After lunch we went to the talk about S. Queensferry, Invergordon, and Lerwick. We relaxed until dinner and after dinner we went to hear the comedian, Chas Burnett again.

Day 9: S. Queensferry 8/18/23

Click here for pictures of S. Queensferry and Edinburgh.

We got on the tender at 1:35p (they said we weren’t starting tendering until 2 but they start earlier than they say). We got ashore by 1:50 and walked to the Dalmeny train station. It was down the street to the left and down another side street. Then we had a huge set of stairs to climb which would take us to the level of the red bridge we saw from the ship. It was a very steep climb and and then a very deserted path along the top to the train station. I worried about coming back in the dark and in the rain. We finally got to the top and I said it would have been worth taking the X99 bus (12 pounds per person) right there as we go ashore so we wouldn’t have to climb those darn stairs!!! It was 2:10 by the time we go to the train station. The tickets (round trip) for the train was 5.30 pounds per person. We took the 2:20 train to Waverly station in Edinburgh and the trip was around 15 – 20 minutes. . The train was very crowded, so I sat with a nice group of locals and Don stood. Luckily Waverly was the last stop because Don had to go out one door and I had to get off from another. When we got out of the station, I asked someone how to get to the Royal Mile and of course he pointed to another steep flight of stairs! We walked along the Royal Mile and saw a lot of street performers because the Fringe Festival was going on. We walked to the Edinburgh Castle, but it was closed unless you had tickets for the Tattoo. We found the Hard Rock Café (in New Edinburgh) and I used the bathroom (which was up a flight of stairs!). Then we walked to the train station around 5:45 but found out that we had Off-Peak return tickets and couldn’t get on until after 6:30. So, we left and had dinner at McDonalds. We got back to the train station and took the 6:54 train back to Dalmeny. Then we had to walk that isolated path and back down the steps which was a little creepy at that time of day, but we got back to the port safely. If we go back, we will take the bus next time because it wasn’t that much more in cost, and we didn’t have that long stair climb and walk to the station. Plus, the bus lets you off at the same place where the train station was located. They put us on a tour boat that was being used as a tender and the water was rough going back so we were glad we weren’t on those little ship tenders. I talked to a man who took the bus, and he said it took about 40 minutes to get to Edinburgh due to the heavy traffic (last time it only took us 30 minutes on the bus because there wasn’t any special events going on). We went up to the Lido deck and had some dessert because they stayed open until 9pm instead of closing at 8 like expected. We stayed overnight in this port because many people went to the Military Tattoo event that happens once a year here. The shore excursion was $599 per person and sold out so we didn’t go to it. Some people went to the later show at 9:30 and stayed in Edinburgh overnight. The tenders ran until 2am for people returning from the show.

Day 10: S. Queensferry 8/19/23

We ate a leisurely breakfast and decided to into Edinburgh today. We got on the tender around 8:45 and was ashore by 9. We got to the station at 9:15 and was able to board the train for Edinburgh. We walked around and had a beautiful day. We got back on the train around 12:15 and headed back to Dalmeny station. From there, we walked along Station Road and headed to the Tesco Supermarket (about 1 mile from the station). Then we walked back to the pier which was another pier. Then we got on the tender and back on the ship around 2:30 and had lunch. Since we ate a late lunch, we had dinner on the Lido deck.

Day 11: Invergordon 8/20/23

Click here for pictures of Invergordon.

We got off the ship around 9am and walked about 5 min. into town. Since it was Sunday, not many people were around. We walked around town and found the Co-Op supermarket. We also found a souvenir shop where we bought some souvenirs. Then we walked to the train station and to the church. It was interesting to see the community come out to weed the flowerpots and clear the drains of weeds. We were back on the ship for lunch and then relaxed until dinner. After dinner we went to the show that featured the Scottish singer, Hannah Howie.

Day 12: Lerwick, Shetland Islands 8/21/2023

Click here for pictures of Lerwick.

We took the tender to Lerwick, and it was a short ride. The weather was warm and beautiful! We walked to Jamieson and Smith Wool Shop but got there around 10 minutes too early. We saw some men though going through huge bags of fleeces and putting them in bins. When the store opened, there were several others who arrived by taxi. I bought 8 skeins of yarn and a large ball of fiber (400 g. of 100% Shetland). Then we walked around town and bought a magnet. It was a very up-and-down kind of town also which involved stairs. (I think Scottish people really like their stairs!). They also announced that there were some people who tested positive for COVID-19 and that masks were encouraged in crowded areas. Masks were put in our rooms in case we wanted to use them.

Day 13: Sea Day 8/22/23

We were lazy all day and mainly stayed in our cabin and watched movies. Most people still not wearing masks.

Day 14: Copenhagen 8/23/23

We arrived early and watched people get ready to leave. Some were cranky! It’s always a fun day for people-watching, especially since we didn’t have to get off the ship.

Things I’ve Learned:

• Making a reservation at dinner every night doesn’t guarantee you the same table every night. I had to ask if we could get the same table.
• We had to go through Immigration when we arrived in Liverpool.
• We had to surrender our passports when we went to Ireland.
• Liverpool was a fun city to walk around.
• We would go back to Dun Laoghaire and ride the train to Dublin. It was only 5 euros each way and the train station was right by the port.
• Isle of Man was a nice port, and we would go there again. Next time we would like to ride the electric train north, but we didn’t have enough time to do both in one day this time.
• We should bring a snack and a drink for the train ride. The round trip took 4 hours (without getting off and spending much time at any stops).
• Bring an extra-large plastic bag to use if you go grocery shopping.
• We weren’t impressed with Holyhead, Wales.
• Greenock had a great yarn store – Wee Crafty Owl.
• Portree was a wonderful port, and we would go there again! The bus ride was amazing!
• Always bring a bottle of water when you get off the ship (we pack an empty bottle from home).
• Bring an extra bag in case you buy snacks at a grocery store. They don’t bag them for you.
• I was glad I downloaded maps of different ports and places on my phone to use offline.

Original photo by Pat Hensley

Learn at Your Own Pace

In Ride your own bike from Seth Godin's Blog, Seth Godin shares,

"Then I realize that it’s not a bike race, it’s a bike ride. There is no winning, just the riding."

To me, learning is like a bike ride and not a race. I never get to the end and I am constantly learning new things.

This is how I want my students to feel about learning. At what point, do we disillusion them about learning? Most small children are happy about going to school and learning. Then slowly, some of them fall to the wayside and feel left out. They learn slower and feel like they are doing it wrong. Eventually, they dread learning and this makes me sad.

I want all of my students to feel excited about learning. This is why I try to find out what they are interested in. After finishing an assignment that I give them, I try to encourage them to learn more about a topic they are interested in. Once they find out all they can about this topic, they can move on to another topic. Learning is an ongoing activity and doesn’t stop until you die!

How do you get your students excited about learning? Please share.

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Asking for Help

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

Asking for help is really hard for my students. They see needing help as a sign of weakness. It is important that we teach students the importance of asking for help when it is needed. This is different than asking for help when we are too lazy to try and we need to teach students the difference.

Asking for help is important for a number of reasons. It can:

• Help you to achieve your goals. When you're struggling to achieve a goal, asking for help from someone who is more experienced or knowledgeable can give you the support and guidance you need to succeed.
• Reduce stress and anxiety. Carrying the burden of trying to do everything on your own can be stressful and anxiety-inducing. Asking for help can lighten your load and give you peace of mind knowing that you're not alone.
• Build stronger relationships. When you ask for help, you're essentially showing someone that you trust and value their opinion. This can help to build stronger relationships with the people around you.
• Help you to learn and grow. When you're forced to step outside of your comfort zone and ask for help, you're opening yourself up to new experiences and learning opportunities. This can help you to grow as a person and become more confident in your abilities.

Of course, asking for help can be difficult. It can be scary to admit that you need help, and you may worry about being judged or rejected. However, the benefits of asking for help far outweigh the risks. If you're struggling with something, don't be afraid to reach out for help. You'll be glad you did.

Here are some tips for asking for help:

• Be specific about what you need help with.
• Be clear about your expectations.
• Be grateful for the help you receive.
• Be willing to offer help in return.

Remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength and maturity. So don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You'll be glad you did. This will help you be more successful in the classroom and in life. 

Flexibility

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

Flexibility is important in learning because it allows students to adapt to different learning styles, needs, and interests. It also allows students to take breaks in between learning to recharge, which can often contribute to higher retention of knowledge. Additionally, flexibility helps students prepare for an unpredictable future.

Here are some of the benefits of flexibility in learning:

• Adapts to different learning styles: Not all students learn in the same way. Some students learn best by listening, while others learn best by doing. Flexibility in learning allows students to choose the methods that work best for them.
• Meets different needs: Students have different needs, both academic and personal. Flexibility in learning allows students to take breaks, get help when they need it, and work at their own pace.
• Encourages exploration: When students are given the freedom to explore their interests, they are more likely to be engaged in their learning. Flexibility in learning allows students to choose the topics they want to learn about.
• Prepares for an unpredictable future: The world is constantly changing, and so is the job market. Flexibility in learning helps students develop the skills they need to succeed in any career.

There are many ways to promote flexibility in learning. Some examples include:

• Using a variety of teaching methods: This could include lectures, group work, hands-on activities, and independent projects.
• Allowing students to choose their own learning goals: This could be done by giving students a list of options or by letting them set their own goals.
• Providing students with opportunities to reflect on their learning: This could be done through journaling, discussions, or presentations.
• Creating a supportive learning environment: This could include providing students with encouragement, feedback, and help when they need it.

Flexibility is an important skill for students to develop. It can help them succeed in school and in life. By promoting flexibility in learning, we can help students reach their full potential and be more successful in the classroom as well as out of the classroom.

Exercise and Learning

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

There is a growing body of research that suggests that exercise can have a number of benefits for learning. By incorporating physical activity into the learning process, educators can help students to improve their cognitive function, reduce stress, and create a more positive learning environment.

Here are a few examples of ways to incorporate exercise in the classroom. :

• Incorporate physical activity into the learning process. It may involve taking breaks from sitting to move around, getting up and walking around the classroom, or even incorporating physical activity into the curriculum. For example, students could learn about the human body by doing exercises that target different muscle groups.
• Use physical activity to improve cognitive function. Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision-making. This is because exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which helps to nourish and protect brain cells.
• Create a positive learning environment. Exercise can help to create a positive learning environment by reducing stress and anxiety. When students are feeling stressed or anxious, it can be difficult for them to focus and learn. Exercise can help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can make it easier for students to focus on their studies.

Here are some additional benefits of combining exercise and learning:

• Increased motivation. Students who are physically active are more likely to be motivated to learn. This is because exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects.
• Improved self-esteem. Students who are physically active are more likely to have positive self-esteem. This is because exercise can help students to feel better about their bodies and their abilities.
• Reduced absenteeism. Students who are physically active are less likely to miss school. This is because exercise can help to improve students' overall health and well-being.

If you are looking for ways to improve your students’ learning, consider incorporating physical activity into the classroom routine. Exercise can help students to learn better, faster, and more effectively. This will help them be more successful in the classroom and even in their personal lives.

Diversity in Education

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

Diversity in education refers to the presence of students, teachers, and administrators from a variety of backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, learning styles, disability, and religion. A diverse classroom can provide a number of benefits for students, including:

• A more accurate and complete understanding of the world around them
• Increased empathy and understanding for people from different backgrounds
• Improved critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Greater appreciation for diversity and tolerance
• A more positive and productive learning environment

Diversity in education is important because it prepares students for the real world. In the 21st century, people from all walks of life will need to be able to work and collaborate with others from different backgrounds. A diverse education can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a global society.

Here are some examples of how diversity can be taught in the classroom:

• Incorporate multicultural literature into the curriculum. This can help students learn about different cultures and perspectives.
• Have students complete projects that involve research on different cultures. This can help students develop critical thinking skills and learn about different ways of life.
• Create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable sharing their own cultures and experiences. This can help students feel more connected to their classmates and to the learning process.
• Encourage students to participate in activities that promote diversity, such as student government, clubs, and sports teams. This can help students develop leadership skills and learn about different cultures.

Diversity is a complex issue, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching it in the classroom. However, by incorporating diversity into the curriculum and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, schools can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a global society.

Comprehension

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

C is for Comprehension.

Comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret what is read. It is a complex skill that requires a number of different abilities, including:

• Decoding: The ability to read individual words accurately.
• Vocabulary: The ability to understand the meaning of words.
• Background knowledge: The ability to draw on prior knowledge to understand what is being read.
• Inference: The ability to make logical inferences from what is explicitly stated in the text.
• Critical thinking: The ability to evaluate the text and think about its implications.

Comprehension is not a fixed ability. It can be improved with practice. There are a number of things that parents and teachers can do to help children develop their comprehension skills, such as:

• Read to children every day. This exposes them to a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures and helps them develop a love of reading.
• Ask questions about what they have read. This helps children to think about the text and to make connections between what they have read and their own experiences.
• Provide opportunities for children to discuss what they have read with others. This helps them to articulate their understanding of the text and to learn from others.
• Help children to develop their vocabulary. This can be done by providing them with word lists, flashcards, and other resources.
• Encourage children to read independently. This gives them the opportunity to practice their comprehension skills and develop their own love of reading.

Here are some additional tips for improving comprehension:

• Preview the text: Before you start reading, take a few minutes to look at the title, headings, pictures, and other features. This will give you a general idea of what the text is about.
• Set a purpose for reading: Ask yourself why you are reading the text. Are you reading to learn something new, to be entertained, or to complete a task?
• Read actively: Don't just read the words on the page. Think about what the author is saying and how it relates to your own knowledge and experience.
• Take notes: This will help you to remember the important information in the text.
• Reread difficult passages: If you don't understand something, don't be afraid to reread it.
• Summarize the text: This will help you to check your understanding of the main points.
• Ask questions: If you have any questions about the text, don't hesitate to ask your teacher or another adult for help.

Comprehension is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Comprehension is an essential skill for success in school and in life. By providing children with the support they need to develop their comprehension skills, we can help them to become lifelong learners. 

Bandwidth

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

B is for Bandwidth.

In the context of learning, bandwidth refers to the amount of information that the brain can process at one time. It is a limited resource, and when it is overloaded, it can lead to problems with learning and memory.

There are a number of factors that can affect bandwidth, including:

• Attention: When we are paying attention, we are able to focus our cognitive resources on the task at hand. This frees up bandwidth for processing information.
• Prior knowledge: The more we know about a topic, the easier it is for us to learn new information about that topic. This is because we can use our existing knowledge to make sense of the new information.
• Sleep: Sleep is essential for consolidating memories and for improving cognitive function. When we are well-rested, we have more bandwidth available for learning.
• Stress: Stress can impair cognitive function and reduce bandwidth. When we are stressed, our brains are flooded with hormones that can interfere with learning.

There are a number of things that we can do to improve our bandwidth and make it easier for us to learn. These include:

• Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
• Manage stress: Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation.
• Take breaks: When you are feeling overwhelmed, take a short break to clear your head.
• Practice active learning: Active learning involves doing something with the information you are learning, such as solving problems, writing essays, or creating projects.
• Get help when you need it: If you are struggling with a particular subject, don't be afraid to ask for help from a teacher, tutor, or friend.

Here are some additional tips for improving bandwidth in learning:

• Chunk information: When you are learning new information, try to chunk it into smaller, more manageable pieces. This will make it easier for your brain to process the information.
• Use mnemonic devices: Mnemonic devices are memory aids that can help you to remember information. Some common mnemonic devices include acronyms, rhymes, and visualization.
• Practice retrieval: Once you have learned new information, it is important to practice retrieving it. This will help to solidify the information in your memory.
• Get feedback: When you are learning, it is helpful to get feedback on your progress. This feedback can help you to identify areas where you need to improve.

By following these tips, you can improve your bandwidth and make it easier for you to learn.

Doing With Data

“The NVIV (Next Vista Inspiring Video) series of posts are written by Rushton Hurley and designed to provide students and teachers with fascinating discussion prompts.”

In Doing With Data, Rushton features Abu. He is a 17-year-old high school student who discovered the potential of machine learning.

Rushton gives the following prompts to accompany this video:

“What’s a moment in your life when you weren’t sure you could learn something, and ended up figuring it out? Who helped you? A teacher? A friend? Someone out there who created a YouTube video?”

As a special education teacher, I’ve seen how my students learn differently from others. I think seeing this video would make them realize that other students realize this also and that it is okay to learn differently. This might help them be more open to finding other ways of reaching their goals.

Please check out the video and think of other prompts you might come up with. Please share.

Attempts are Important

In The worst from Seth Godin's Blogby Seth Godin states

“The worst golfer doesn’t even play.”

I remember talking to a high school basketball player and asking him if he got nervous when he tried to make a basket. Wasn’t he afraid that he would miss? He just looked at me with surprise. Then he let me know that he would never make a basket if he never tried. Better to try and miss than to never try at all.

This is what I want my students to learn in my class. I want them to be willing to try even if they might make a mistake.

I have watched students paralyzed with fear in case they make a mistake. They are afraid people will laugh at them and ridicule them. This has happened to them before and they have learned to protect themselves.

I start out by explaining everyone makes mistakes all of the time throughout their life. This is part of life and learning. We learn from our mistakes.

When a basketball player shoots for a basket and misses, he learns that the spot he aimed for was not the right spot. He keeps practicing until he finds the right spot. The right spot for him may not be the same spot for me because we are at different heights and have different strengths. When a player is practicing shots, does his team laugh at him when he misses? No, they encourage him to do better.

I want my students to be teammates. I want them to encourage each other and help them to be brave enough to try. I want my class to be a safe place where it is okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them. I want to teach the students to be compassionate and understanding so they can help each.

When the class acts as a team and helps each other, everyone will be more successful.

How do you encourage your students to be a team? Please share.

Photo by Tom Briskey on Unsplash

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

This year I’m trying to lose weight and it is one of my goals every year. I’m not on any fad diets but I’m trying to watch what I eat, eat less sugar and carbs and not eat food that is unhealthy. I think my husband and I do a pretty good job at it and I log in the food I eat into MyFitnessPal. We even try to walk an hour every day. But, I just can’t seem to shed the pounds. My husband seems to lose pounds easier than I do. He has increased his fruit intake and eats more salads.

So, I try to eat more fruits and salads too because it works for him. Instead of losing weight, I gain a little. When I look back at my food diary, I believe that even though I’m eating what he is eating, my body is processing it differently than his body is. No two bodies are alike and that is why following a diet that other people are on won’t work for everyone.

I believe this same theory applies to learning. Everyone learns differently and it is almost like a fingerprint. There are no two learners alike so what works on one student will probably not work in the same way for another student.

That is why it is so important to vary our teaching strategies and give students several options when learning a new skill. Allow students to explore the different ways of learning so they can find one that works for them. Explain that some of the options may not appeal to them or work for them and if that is the case, try a different one. It is okay if one way isn’t working and they move on to another way. Allow them to reflect on why something didn’t work for them and what way is working for them. It is this conscious reflection that will help them streamline their own personal learning process. Without this reflection, every situation might be a hit-or-miss result which would waste a lot of time.

It is important to remember that when we are teaching, one size does not fit all and it never will. So, we need to stop trying to teach as if it does.

How do you help students find their own learning process? Please share.

Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash

December Activities

It is December and the holiday season is upon us. Students are excited and it is hard to get them to focus during these times. I find the best way to control them is to give them smaller assignments and allow them to make choices. Of course, this means a lot of prep work in advance but once everything is prepared, I can enjoy watching students explore and learn.

I start off by thinking about my goals and objectives. Once I know what I want my students to achieve, I think about activities that they can do to learn the material and practice the skill. These activities usually involve making or drawing something if possible. Different activities may vary according to difficulty. Some activities may be duplicated so that students don’t have to wait for someone else to complete an activity so they can do it. I like to use little baskets for each activity and all the materials go into the basket along with the instructions in a plastic sleeve. I number each activity basket. These baskets are placed around the room.

Then I look at each student and their ability level before giving them a choice board. I like to give students no more than 4 choices for the day. For example, Student 1 may choose two activities from activities 1, 3, 4, or 7. Student 2 may choose from activities 2, 6, 8, or 9. Student 3 may choose from 1, 5, 8, or 10.

Students seem to enjoy having a choice and this allows the students to move around the room. The activity is interesting enough to keep them engaged and focused.

I allow 10 minutes at the end of class for everyone to gather and reflect on the activities. I ask the students to share why they liked the activity they chose. This might motivate others to try that activity the next day if given that choice.

Do you do something like this? If so, please share.

Don’t Be Afraid

In Afraid of afraid from Seth Godin's Blog by Seth Godin shares,

“Fear of being afraid keeps things on our to-do list forever, keeps important conversations from happening and shifts how we see our agency and leverage in the world.”

Everyone is afraid of failure and it doesn’t matter if they are a student or not. This fear is developed as a child when we are learning how to become independent. When we are learning to become independent whether it is feeding ourselves or learning to walk, we don’t have any fear of failure because we don’t know what failure is. As we get a little older, adults keep encouraging us to keep trying and keep learning. It seems like that once we enter the school system that we are measured against others. Suddenly we are evaluated and measured against what others believe are standards. As some fall behind, they can be classified as lacking in development or just plain lazy. The fear creeps in that we aren’t as good as the next person.

This fear can paralyze us from moving forward and developing new skills.

In my classroom, I want to help my students overcome this fear. I want to know that they are not alone and that everyone faces this fear of failure. I want my students to know that I will be there to encourage them and support them so that if they do fail, they will have the courage to try again. I want to teach the students how to be supportive of one another and to find ways to help each other be more successful.

Learning to be supportive and helpful is not something that students automatically know how to do. Once they enter the school system, they learn to be competitive and to try to be at the head of the class. This is when children learn to be cruel to anyone that is different. These are also learned behaviors so why not teach students that while competition is good, compassion is also a good behavior to have?

I begin by testing students to see where they are in their learning. I start with giving them assignments that I know will bring success. When they start feeling more confident, I introduce new things in small doses that I can be their support and help them be successful. The more successful they are will allow me to slowly back off the support. I still support them but also allow them more independence. When they falter, they will know they can come to me for help without worrying about looking weak. Soon they learn to look to their classmates for support and before long, they are willing to take the risk of learning harder skills. They are learning not to be afraid.

How do you teach students not to be afraid? Please share.

Photo by Jaqueline Fritz on Unsplash

The Art of Multitasking

When I was growing up, I remember my mother always talking about someone who was a “jack of all trades but a master of none.” She would then tell me that this person was always dabbling into many different tasks at the same time but never really doing a good job with completing any of them well. I also remember my parents instilling in me the idea of “if you are going to do a job, then do the job the best that you can.”

In reading “The Myth of Multitasking,” Nancy K. Napier shares,

“Rather than saving time, it costs time (even very small micro seconds). It’s less efficient, we make more mistakes, and over time, it can sap our energy.”

I know when I’m hiking and I’m going up a steep hill, it is easier for me to go up slowly but steadily than to stop and start every few minutes. I think multitasking affects me the same way.

When I’m cleaning the house, I used to work in one room, and then whenever I found something in the wrong place, I would stop and take it to where it belonged. I thought this was multitasking but it was more like spinning my wheels and getting nowhere. This caused me to feel very frustrated and tired. Cleaning a room took twice as long. Then I decided that I would put all the misplaced items in one spot and concentrate on the room I was working in. I finished the task more easily and quickly. Then I was able to gather the misplaced items and put them where they belonged. I felt happier when I was done because I accomplished what I intended to do.

When I am working on something and I get distracted or interrupted, I find myself having to take the time to refocus on the task I was doing.

When someone tells me that they can multitask, I know that means that they aren’t accomplishing one of the things very well and it will take them twice as long to finish all of the tasks they are trying to do.

In fact, some of my students become so overwhelmed when they try to multitask that they shut down and nothing gets done.

One way to fight the war on multitasking is to have my students make a list of what needs to be done. Then prioritize the list in order of what needs to be done first. Then tackle each task one at a time. I believe they will find more success with this process than multitasking.

How do you feel about multitasking? Please share.

Photo by alexey turenkov on Unsplash

It’s All in Your Perspective

I never really hated the cold weather until we have spent a few months in Florida where cold means turning off your air conditioning. We came back home to South Carolina and I have the heat on full blast. When we were in Florida, we still wore shorts and t-shirts while the locals wore long pants and coats. Since we’ve been back home, I’ve worn layers of clothes, wool sweaters, wool socks, and a jacket but I still feel cold! Yet everyone here says the weather is mild for this time of year.

It’s all in your perspective.

This also applies to the classroom. As a teacher, I feel that many skills should be easy for my students and I take a lot of things for granted. I need to remember what it is like for a new learner and plan as if everything is going to be hard. I make sure that I include every step even if I think the student already knows how to do that step. This way, if they don’t know the step, it will be there to help them. If they do know the step, they can skip it and go on to the next step.

Another way that has an impact is how I introduce the new skill. I let students know why they are learning this skill and how they will use it in real life. I let them know that I believe they can do this easily if they follow the steps. Plus, I let them know that if they have any difficulty, I will be there to help them. I set the stage for their success. The belief that they can succeed can make a big difference in their mindset. If they believe they can do it, they will put a bigger effort into it. If they believe it is too hard for them, they will give up before they really give it a try.

During the learning and exploration stage, I encourage my students to help each other. They are seeing this lesson from a different angle than I am. Sometimes they will have a helpful suggestion for someone else that worked for them. I might have overlooked something because I am able to do the task but as they are learning it, they might see a step that I had left out. They also might see a shortcut that might help someone else.

Allowing different perspectives can help everyone be successful in learning a new skill.

How do you allow for different perspectives? Please share.

Photo by Anika Huizinga on Unsplash

Learning Something New is Hard

In If it were easy… from Seth Godin's Blog, Seth Godin states.

“When difficulties arise, it might very well be good news. Because those difficulties may dissuade all the people who aren’t as dedicated as you are.”

My parents always told me that if it was hard to learn how to do, then it might be something important or everyone would be doing it.

If something is hard to learn, there are fewer people that know how to do it so my skills might be worth something to someone else.

In my mind, quilting is hard. I have friends who quilt and make beautiful quilts. Some of them sell their quilts for a lot of money to people who want a quilt but can’t make it themselves.

I love to knit but it has taken me quite a few years to build up my skills in order to make things that I think are good enough to sell. Learning to knit was not as hard as perfecting my skills. I knew the technique but putting it all together was hard. By putting the techniques together, I’ve been able to make beautiful things.

I want my students to know that learning something new is hard for everyone. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how much education you may have had. Learning anything new comes with a price. It takes time, patience, and practice.

When I struggle with something new, I try to complete my project and then decide if it is worth my time to continue to practice. If it is something I really want to do, I need to commit to practicing even though I’m struggling. I have faith that the more I practice, the easier it will become. This is what I want my students to understand.

Learning to read was not easy, but now I can do it without even thinking about it. I can read for pleasure or for work. Reading opens my mind to a lot of new adventures. As long as I can read, I feel like I can do anything. I want my students to feel the same way.

Learning to drive was not easy and it took a lot of practice before I became comfortable with it. Once I learned to drive and had a car, it opened the world to me.

I want my students to realize that even though I have a college degree, I still go through the same learning process that they go through every time I want to learn something new. There is no magic point in life where everything is easy. Let’s face it, life is hard so learning new things in life is not going to be any easier.

How do you help your students deal with this concept? Please share.

Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash

Investing in Learning

In The 100 hour asset from Seth Godin's Blog, Seth Godin shares,

“If you invest 100 hours in a rare skill, you’re likely to acquire it.”

I played an accordion since I was four years old and I still play it occasionally. I have invested over 100 hours in learning this musical instrument.

I have been writing since I was a young child and I really enjoy it. I would say that I have over 100 hours invested in it also.

In 2007, I started working with fiber. I began crocheting, then knitting, and then spinning yarn. I still love it and do it daily. I can’t imagine not doing this and I like creating new things.

I have tried several things that I didn’t invest the hours into it. Either I didn’t like it or it didn’t hold my interest. Obviously, I didn’t acquire the necessary skills to be good at it.

I have spent my entire life invested in learning. As a young child, I liked learning new things and getting better at some of the things. As I grew older, I became more specific in the things that I wanted to learn. Even now, I find things that I’m interested in learning how to do. Some things I want to continue to learn about and others may fall to the wayside.

I want to help my students learn that they need to invest the time into a skill if they want to get better at it.

If they want to get better with a musical instrument, they need to consistently practice at it.

If they want to be a better athlete, they need to put in the hours of training.

If they want to be a better reader, they need to read more.

If they want to be a better artist, they need to work hard on creating art.

If they want to get better at gaming, they need to put in the hours of practice.

In this age of instant gratification, most skills do not get perfected immediately and many people get disappointed in this. Usually with patience and hard work, the skill is perfected, but it takes time. Time may be days, months, or even years.

Students seem to think that everything comes easy for everyone else than themselves.

One way that I like to show this to students is to model my learning process. I like to take photos and reflect on my learning from the very beginning. I monitor my progress with more photos and more reflection either on a weekly or monthly basis. When I look back at my starting attempts, I can feel proud of my progress and see how much I have improved.

How do you help your students learn that they need to invest their time into learning? Please share.

Photo by Jonathan Chng on Unsplash

Learn from Lessons

In Don’t waste the lesson from Seth Godin's Blog, Seth Godin states,

“If we find the lesson and learn from it, it might be even more valuable than if we’d simply gotten lucky.”

Right now, my passion is knitting. I’m not a great knitter. In fact, I’m not even a good knitter but I enjoy it. I like seeing the end product. Sometimes it doesn’t come out like I wanted it to but I’m usually happy with the end result. I might make a garment that is too big or too small but it looks like the picture in the pattern.

Recently I’m trying something new. I’m working on a colorwork sock and this technique is something that I’ve never done before. I finished one sock and I learned something valuable. I learned that I should have made a larger size for my foot. Even though the first sock looks great, it is really hard to get on my foot. It would probably look great on a smaller foot and luckily, my daughter has a smaller foot. When I finish the second sock, I will have her try it on and see if it fits her. If it does, I will give it to her as a gift. But I learned something important in this lesson about the size.

Since March, I have learned so many things about myself and my habits! I have learned to be a better shopper so that I don’t have to go to the grocery store as often as we used to do. I’ve learned to attend online workshops and focus more when I’m in these workshops. I’ve learned to organize my home better. I’ve learned how nice my yard and gardens look when I regularly work in them.

During this summer, I ran an online education program and I hope my teachers learned some valuable lessons that they can use in the classroom this fall. I learned what I liked and what I didn’t like so that next summer if we have to hold it online, I can make the program even better.

I hope students who have been stuck at home since March have learned to value in-person learning. I hope they learned to appreciate their teachers, their peers, their friends, and even their families.

What lessons have you learned recently? Please share.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Outdoor Fun

After spending months in self-quarantine and only going grocery shopping every other week, it felt really nice last week to get out and do some hiking. I was very happy to see so many families and young people on the trails and at the parks. Being outdoors can be a great learning experience for many students.

Here are some examples of what students can learn about:

·      Reading and following a map.

·      Following trail blazes.

·      Identifying wildflowers.

·      Identifying trees.

·      Identifying ferns.

·      Identifying fungus.

·      Identifying salamanders.

·      Identifying birds.

·      Identifying insects.

·      Studying erosion.

·      Studying water ecology.

·      Life cycles.

·      History of the park.

·      History of structures that once existed.

·      Water safety.

·      Learn first aid.

·      Healthy snacks to take on a hike.

There are so many wonderful things to see and do outdoors! Find a park or nature preserve near you and check it out. You may be surprised at all the new things you can find!

Have you enjoyed somewhere outdoors? What did you see and do? Please share.

Original photo by Pat Hensley