My Blog Has Been Robbed!

Recently I found out that another blog called Mutual Education Resources is stealing my blog posts. I don’t even want to write the name of the blog here to give them advertisement but I will in case someone knows how I can get them to stop. All of the “popular posts” on the right are MINE! I don’t mind people using my posts as a starting point but this person has copied my entire posts word for word and is taking credit for it as their own! They are not even crediting me for writing the posts. I have looked all over for a way to contact the author but comments are closed and there is no contact information. I’m so steamed!

Right now I’m kind of hurt and disillusioned. First of all, I really don’t think that what I have to say is that great that someone has to copy what I say for their own. Then I wonder if this is a classroom assignment and someone is getting credit for it. Part of me doesn’t even want to write any more. But I love blogging. I shouldn’t have to stop because there is someone out there doing this.

Someone in my PLN suggested that I blog about this situation. So here I am! I hope the sorry son-of-a-gun copies this one and posts it!

From now on, I plan to sign all of my posts with a signature. I don’t know if that will help but I will give it a try. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to let me know.

Posted on the Successful Teaching Blog by loonyhiker (successfulteaching at gmail dot com).

Original image: 'And then, our train was robbed.'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/98037056@N00/3412380199 by: Joe Philipson

Step Up to the Plate

How many times have you heard the saying, “Step up to the plate? This applies to someone taking the initiative to make something happen. This is necessary for change to happen. If no one steps up to the plate, then the status quo will be the standard and most things cannot survive in eternal status quo.

In Without them

from Seth's Blog by Seth Godin, he states,

“In my experience, once it's clear you're willing (not just willing, but itching, moving, and yes, implementing) without them, things start to happen. People are rarely willing to step up and stop you, and often just waiting to follow someone crazy enough to actually do something.”

I feel that I’ve had to do this many times. I’ve had to take responsibility when no one else would do it, simply because it needed to be done. This happens a lot in my personal life. When the trash is full, I seem to be the only one that is bothered by this overflowing garbage pit so I take it out. When the dust on the furniture is thick enough to write messages on, I will dust and polish. If I don’t wash the bathrooms, they would never be done. Unfortunately no one wants to follow the yucky stuff. Yet when I’m feeling antsy to go traveling, my husband takes the responsibility for planning the trip and working out the fine details. Once he steps up to do this, I’m willing to follow and help make reservations or other things that need to be done.

Yet at school, the big joke is not to suggest any changes or you will be in charge. This causes many people to keep their mouths shut. But I think that if it is important enough to bring it up for discussion, then I should be willing to volunteer to help make the changes. Someone needs to be willing to start the change and when others see how it will benefit, hopefully they will follow.

Over the years, I’ve been cheerleader coach and over student council. I’ve also been advisor over an assortment of clubs. But it seems like every year, there is always someone who is willing to criticize my actions or ideas under the guise of “offering advice.” I want to pull my hair out and tell them that they should do the job first and then offer me this advice. Until they walk in my shoes, they don’t realize the time, the commitment and the frustrations that it entails. It is easy to be on the sidelines looking in and deciding that certain actions need to take place. Yet, on the field, it is a totally different ballgame.

I admit that I have been guilty of being the one on the sidelines offering advice. I have to keep reminding myself that it is different when you are the person in charge. There are a lot of things happening in the background that I don’t know about and probably never will. I need to remember how it feels to be the one willing to take the risks while others are discouraging.

I feel that it is so important to be willing to jump in and get involved. That is the only way that change will happen. For example, just this Sunday, I asked my pastor why the sermons weren’t uploaded on the church’s website. As a frequent traveler, it would be great to be able to go on the website and listen to that week’s sermon that I missed. She looked stunned and said that they hadn’t gotten to that point yet but it sounded good. Then I offered to help when they did get to that point. I’m not an expert but I am willing to help make it happen. I wonder if anyone else had thought about doing this or wished it would happen. Surely I’m not the only one who has thought of this. Yet, maybe my offer to help will be an impetus to make it happen. I don’t know but we will see.

Over the years I have listened, read, and watched education pundits discuss change but only a few of them are willing to take action. Just as in basketball, a player has to take the shot in order to make it. Sure, there will be some misses, but there also may be some three point successes. But if the attempt was never made, the success would never happen. People need to be willing not only to step up to the plate but also realize that some failures may occur. These do not need to end the process but need to be considered an opportunity to fine tune and improve the attempts. Eventually, with the support of all who step up to the plate, the attempts will be successful.

What have you done lately to step up to the plate? What would you like to see happen that you would be willing to step up to the plate?

Original image: 'Baseball Home Plate'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8981778@N06/3926653542 by: Keith Macke

What’s Next?

In A Matter of Intertia from Teacher Food by Mike Rush, he states,

“Good teachers ride a wave of momentum: their eye constantly on what's next, the next lesson, the next materials needed. She told us about how on the last day of school, teachers sit in their cars trying to think of what's next when all they really need to do is turn the key and go home.”

After reading this, I realized how true that is. I am always looking at the big picture and what I need to do next. I work towards a certain project and once the students begin it, my mind is racing to the next project.

I do so much preparation for each project and I really enjoy it. I like to write down the steps I need to follow in order to reach the point that my students are able to complete the project. I write down everything even if it is minor so I don’t take anything for granted. First, I basically brain storm all the steps and don’t worry about the order. As I think I things I don’t want to forget, I write them down. Then I prioritize all the steps once I think I have written down everything. After prioritizing, I go from one step to the next, making sure that the previous step will bring me to the next step. If it doesn’t, I need to add something there. All of this planning involves lots of research. I like to use the internet, the library, any books I have in my home, and other people who might have done something like this before. I may talk to people in person or I may just phone them. By using Twitter and Plurk, I have lots of people resources at my fingertips. Once I ask if anyone has done a project like I’m planning, I am able to talk to them about it. They are able to tell me things I might have missed or things they would avoid. This is essential to me in order to have a successful lesson. They may be able to add dimensions to the lesson that I hadn’t even considered.

I like to develop files of projects that were successful. Then I can use them in future years and add to them. If there is something that didn’t go well or it doesn’t fit my class structure, then I delete that part. Sometimes these files can be an inspiration for a different project.

Each summer I look for opportunities for new lessons. I try to be open minded so that I can find some new topics that may interest my students. If I can find a topic that interests them, I can adapt it to match the standards that are required for instruction. At the end of the year, I have each class fill out an evaluation about my program. I have them write the topics that they enjoyed, didn’t enjoy, or what they wish I had taught. This is also useful in future planning. One year we did a three month unit on dinosaurs because it was a common wish across many evaluations. Since my students wanted to learn more about it, they were more engaged in the lessons. Of course I didn’t let on that they were learning English, Math, Science, and Social Studies at the same time!

I think this constant looking forward is what keeps me motivated and inspired. I think this year I will spend a month studying a new topic on my own. I will read lots of information and take lots of notes because one day this may come in handy. The day that I’m looking forward is the day that I have given up. There is always something new to share with my students! I just need to find a way that will excite and interest them. Once I can do that, I will have a successful lesson on my hands.

Original image: 'Time Spiral'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24183489@N00/284995199 by: Alexandre Duret-Lutz

2009 Photo A Day Project

In 2009, I decided to join in the Flickr group that involves taking a photo a day (PAD). I learned a lot about myself in doing this. It was also fun trying to choose the best picture I took that day. Even my husband got involved and helped me look for things. My pictures are in my Flickr set: 2009/365.

I started to look at things in a way that I hadn’t done before. I took a lot of scenery pictures and realized that I needed to get closer. I know that most of my scenery pictures will turn out great but my close ups don’t always do that. They turn out blurry or the color is not right. Then I realized that sometimes I lead my life in the same way. I like to step back and look at the scenery of life instead of getting closer. By getting closer, it means getting committed, being more involved, and taking risks.

I also enjoyed looking at all the pictures of the year because it brought back great memories. Some things I had forgotten and it helped to remind me about some of the good things that have happened.

I learned that I need to lots of photos so that I can choose one out of the bunch. If I only take one that is the only choice I have. Again, that is the way I live my life and maybe I need to branch out. I need to take advantage of more opportunities which involves getting committed, being more involved, and taking risks.

Somehow I got the numbering messed up or I missed some days. I don’t know how all of them aren’t in this group but maybe I forgot to add them. I think I only missed three days so I’m pretty proud of myself.

I will be doing this project again in 2010 at the group: 2010/365 photos. I have some ideas for monthly themes for myself and I hope to be better organized. I have a spreadsheet that I will fill out with the title of each day’s photo so I can keep up with them. I also have a folder that I will keep them in. Maybe this will help me this year and I can actually have one for every day. If you want to give it a try, come join us!

Here is a Flickr sideshow of all my pictures from 2009. Hope you enjoy it!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my family and friends!

I hope 2010 brings you lots of joy and happiness.

Original image: 'Fountain of Color'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53139634@N00/494866647