PLE Zen Den
Your Guide Toward Becoming a PLE Master
May Zenspiration
As we speed toward the end of the year we find that thoughts of quitting, adversity and the discovery of true courage fills our brain. Students and teachers wonder if they will make the grade and pass the high stakes test. We consider the difficulties we encountered through the year and blame snow, school assemblies, shaky internet and tablet collection on not having enough time to prepare for the EOG. The shoulda coulda wouldas envelop us to the point that we dream of outcomes, remediation and what else could we have done to be successful?
Guest contributor, Chase Mielke, had the same thoughts and allowed me to share this with you.
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Twenty-four of my students are failing. Only two are passing. They are failing in the grade book. They are failing in mastering content. They are failing in overcoming the abyss of apathy that is a characteristic of the students I teach. And, because of this, I am failing.
I have tried dozens of techniques and watched them bomb. And then tried new ones and watched them bomb again. I am frustrated and at a loss and exhausted. For the last month I have fought hard not to admit this to myself, but it's time I live by a credo to speak hard truths: I want to give up on them.
I have heard it over and over again from dozens of teachers: Some kids can't be reached. Such kids have a perfect storm of disadvantaged genetics, dismantled home-lives, and self-destructive mentalities. One teacher cannot reach them. Nor can one school, nor one community. Save your energy and dedicate it to the “good ones.”
Another truth: Lately, I have felt myself nodding in agreement when I hear teachers say these things, even uttering variations of the “Doomed Pupil Decree.”
But it's ironic. Because my students are failing, I feel incompetent. Because I feel incompetent, I want to quit. And yet, quitting is exactly the habit I most want my students to break. It is a grey, dotted line separating irony from hypocrisy. But I can't shake it from my head that it's wrong – that I'm wrong – to say “There's no hope.” I choose to believe that there is always hope. Even if there is no hope, there is always need for hope. I can accept the reality that not every kid will be reached. But, I do not accept abandoning my effort in trying.
I can't kick it out of my mind that every child needs a champion, every quitter needs a coach, every failure needs a fresh start. Even as my frustration hits its wall, as my energy runs on fumes, as the easy option to give up calls me to play – even then I cannot quit. Quitting is not my job. My job is to try to influence every mind that enters my room. Every day. Every student. Every second. And, when I am not trying to my fullest extent I know it – and it is only I who must answer to my own lack of integrity.
Even when Carlos walks in late for the 9th time, still no pencil, still no notebook, still with ear buds marking walls of detachment, I cannot give up.
Even when Brian is gone for the twelfth day in three weeks without the slightest rationale, I cannot give up.
Even when Grant says this class is useless and that he doesn't care about graduating, about his career, about his future, I cannot give up.
Even as Cameron hangs on a thread of near-expulsion for breaking into the school to get high, I cannot give up.
Even as every inch of gain we made yesterday feels lost today, I cannot give up.
Even as I face empty promise after empty promise – from students, from parents, I cannot give up.
Even after giving them every conceivable opportunity to succeed, every strategy I currently know, every resource I have, and seeing them fail, I cannot give up.
Sometimes I feel like I am only a candle in a cavern of darkness with these students and that both ends are melting. Yet, it is in the darkest rooms that the smallest sliver of light blares brightness to the walls.
And this is not winter. This is spring.
So I will return day after day after day and face my failing students. I will try strategy after strategy after strategy. I will never stop learning, never stop yearning to be better so I can see better. I will accept that I may try and fail and try and fail again. But, I will not let myself try and fail and try and fail and fail to try again.
Tomorrow I will speak with more passion, listen with more empathy, teach with more energy, and plan with more intention. And I will do it again and again and again. Because someone has to. And, I chose to be that someone.
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Continue to be that someone to help our students. Perhaps it's trying a new form of EOG review with and without the tablets. It's not too late to sign up for my EOY Test Prep course (see links below). Or it's taking the class outside and approaching your class in new ways of assesment that gets them up and moving. Whatever the case, give your students what they really need. And if you need help, just ask.
Be sure to add the TABLET COLLECTION DATES (below) to your calendar.
May Professional Development
Amplify Market Spotlight - JogNog
- JogNog is a library of more than 1,700 quizzes and 70,000 review questions that are aligned to state standards. It is a perfect way to review for state tests or as a homework helper for teachers or parents.
- JogNog is Simple: 1. Pick a test 2. Share test with class 3. Watch progress with grade reports.
- JogNog Works: Research in Massachusetts showed that students dramatically improved their proficiency on state tests when using JogNog.
- JogNog is used by teachers for online assessment, formative assessment, summative assessment, as a homework helper, and for rewards and general gamification of tests in the one to one classroom using tablets, smart phones or the internet on their Chromebooks.
- JogNog is great for elementary and middle school but there is also content for high school and college prep.
- Create custom exams or use questions banks in ALL CORE CONTENT AREAS!
Knowledge Nuggets
- Math Map Content
- Math Map Content has been added to the Amplify Market which means that students may download if the content is not currently on the tablet.
- If a teacher or student tablet prompts an error that Math Map Content is missing, please follow the steps to Download Math Map
- For helpful guides and information, visit our Knowledge Base and our online community for helpful information and to engage with fellow teachers around the country
- Check out additional test prep websites below. Ask your PLEF if you need a Flocabulary password.
Is there a workshop you'd like me to repeat? Just ask!
Here's a list of lessons you may have missed:
- Augmented Reality in a PLE
- Blendspace
- Digital Tools to Advance Formative Assessment
- Edmodo Snapshot
- Flipping with PowerPoint
- Infographics as Creative Assessment
- Personalizing with Discovery Education
- Personalizing with EDpuzzle
- Personalizing with Lensoo
- Personalizing with OneDrive
- Reaching EC Students with Read Alouds
- Task Rotations in your Content Area
- Digitizing Choice Boards
- Group Work Strategies
- EOY Test Prep
Tamika M. Davis, PLEF
Email: davist@gcsnc.com
Website: http://ple.gcsnc.com
Location: Serving Allen MS & Guilford MS
Phone: (336) 370-3287
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pace.plefs
Twitter: @zenPLEF