When Anxiety Rears its Ugly Head #17

Do you ever wake up just overwhelmed. Every thing you felt proud of yesterday, slinks away and you feel unsuccessful and deflated. Nothing you noticed triggered you. You went to sleep relatively even keeled and satisfied- but somewhere in your deepest sleep- you became hyper aware of your uncertainties and flaws. I don't very often.

I am pretty balanced emotionally. When I get distraught or anxious I redirect my energy and focus on positive activities- reading, art, podcasts, watching my favorite comfort shows. But these last few days- a dread seems to be looming. I am finding it hard to concentrate. I feel run down and nervous- like the other shoe is about to drop.

I know everyone is dealing with life's craziness in different ways. Some better than others. We are all feeling a bit off kilter. It's such an odd feeling to accept- that Covid is not going away and that schools are closing or absences are high for teachers, staff and students. This quagmire is going to be here to some degree from now on.

Anxiety looms, its shaking like a quake- feeling cold, out of sorts. I don't like it.

Bow Ties are Cool #16

There are so many Dr. Who quotes that apply to life. The T.A.R.D.I.S. alone- "Bigger on the inside." representing appearances are deceiving, minds are moldable and adaptable, and imaginations can take us anywhere. For a very long running show, changing lead roles after regeneration is probably the one of the greatest ideas ever. Having different companions on the journey of saving the world a close second. But the destinations, time and space endless, the villains hatching evil plans and the doctor solving the riddles and threats in order to fight another day- priceless.

It started out as a goofy children's science show and transformed into a phenomenon that has shaped lives around the world. It might not be as indelible as Star Trek or Star Wars or as identifiable but it resonates with us- the fans- just as much. The blue police box spinning through space- the music, the sound of the T.A.R.D.I.S as it disappears and reappears elsewhere in the show. Such a journey it has taken me on over these last years. 

Classrooms to me are very much the T.A.R.D.I.S. a living breathing entity- weaving its way in and out of a timeless orb. Shaping and expanding. It is fed with knowledge and experience. It responds to uncertainty and unpredictability. It harnesses energy and redirects it to fight Daleks, Cybermen and Weeping Angels. We dissolve and condense- establish relationships and conquer ignorance. We enlighten and step into the shadow to allow our companions a chance to discover and thrive.

I feel a bit of sadness as I am now in a holding pattern. I am all caught up and now waiting for Russel T. Davies to take over. For a new doctor to replace the beautiful and fabulous Jodie Whitaker. I am thankful for all of the hope it has given me- but also the analogies and storytelling that has inspired me to look at the world a little differently and to rethink my role in it. 

If you haven't watched it- BBC and HBO have all the seasons. Start with Christopher Eccleston episodes from the 2005 revival. These last 18 years have had their ups and downs but they are all part of the bigger story and the story is unforgettable. So I hope you give it a try. It is worth your time. The earliest episodes will always hold a special place in my heart for their campy stories and acting- but they are wonderful too.

So, yes "bow ties are cool," and these quotes hopefully will get you intrigued and show you how much you can learn from such a wonderful show.

1. “The universe is big. It’s vast and complicated and ridiculous. And sometimes, very rarely, impossible things just happen and we call them miracles.”
2. “Do what I do. Hold tight and pretend it’s a plan!”
3. “Rule 1: The Doctor lies.”
4. “I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and the dreamer of improbable dreams.”
5. “The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant.”
6. “Everybody knows that everybody dies. But not every day. Not today. Some days are special. Some days are so, so blessed. Some days, nobody dies at all. Now and then, every once in a very long while, every day in a million days, when the wind stands fair, and the Doctor comes to call, everybody lives.”
7. “You don’t just give up. You don’t just let things happen. You make a stand! You say no! You have the guts to do what’s right, even when everyone else just runs away.”
8. “Some people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. It’s not the time that matters, it’s the person.”
9. “You know, the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common: they don’t alter their views to fit the facts; they alter the facts to fit their views.”
10. “Never cruel or cowardly. Never give up, never give in.”
11. “Rest is for the weary, sleep is for the dead.”
12. “Hermits United. We meet up every 10 years, swap stories about caves. It’s good fun… for a hermit.”
13. “There’s a lot of things you need to get across this universe. Warp drive… wormhole refractors… You know the thing you need most of all? You need a hand to hold.”
14. “People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint — it’s more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly… time-y wimey… stuff.”
15. “Amy Pond, there’s something you’d better understand about me ‘cause it’s important, and one day your life may depend on it: I am definitely a madman with a box!”
16. “Don’t blink. Don’t even blink. Blink and you’re dead. Don’t turn your back. Don’t look away. And don’t blink.”
17. “I’ll be a story in your head. That’s OK. We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh? ‘Cause it was, you know. It was the best. The daft old man who stole a magic box and ran away. Did I ever tell you that I stole it? Well, I borrowed it. I was always going to take it back.”
18. “One may tolerate a world of demons for the sake of an angel.”
19. “Rose, before I go, I just want to tell you: you were fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. And you know what? So was I.”
20. “Good men don’t need rules.”

3 Strategies That Help Build Relationships with Students #13

The moment students enter the building they have expectations. They carry those forecasts and summations follow them as they walk the halls and enter their classrooms. They want to be included, they want to heard, and they want to learn in an interesting and fun way. They want to have 'cool' teachers, nice teachers who teach them something and spark their curiosity and teachers who make the feel safe and loved. Tall order when you think about it. 

I have asked my students every year, for the twenty plus years of my classroom experience three questions about classroom life: What do you need? What do you want? How can I make sure you receive what you need and what you want? The most common answers by far are the ones I listed in the opening paragraph. They appreciate it when teachers tell them stories about themselves, when they make them laugh and when they are patient. But, most students would rather have a stern teacher than an overly permissive one- most students hate chaos and disrespectful behavior.

Over the years I have tried many strategies to try to build relationships with my students. Learn is secondary- contentment and security is priority. If students are hungry, in a fight with their parents, feeling anxious over all of the stresses of life- they will find it difficult to focus. Using brain breaks and mindfulness moments really helps students get a juncture to realign. A flash to focus. When we allow them to just be kids, to escape the bustle of learning- we show them we care.

Here are 5 strategies that I have tweaked and trellised over the years but still continue to implement because they work. Some of them are introduced and practiced- they are part of the classroom repertoire and others are subtle and students don't even realize they are happening. It all comes down to buy in and buy in comes from the energy and excitement in which strategies are unfolded. If we believe in the process- our students will too. Especially when we don't take them too seriously. Sometimes on some days- students just disengage. Its expected but how can we lure them back in? It's all about the relationships you build.

Mindfulness is SEL, with some Personalization

Mindfulness encompasses self-awareness, kindness and positivity. How we can self-regulate, think inwardly and direct our behavior, even in the toughest of times. It's about feeding our positive wolf and not feeding our angry wolf. It is about responding not reacting. Making sure we believe in ourselves and that we look for ways to elevate and support those around us.

SEL, Social Emotional Learning, is an educational strategy where we help our students to manage their emotions, take perspective and empathize with other people. It is a tool where we can help students build respectful relationships and make better personal choices. Mindfulness strategies can be used to aid SEL strategies. The two merge quite beautifully in fact. For me they are one and the same.

I use mindfulness strategies to help my students meet their SEL goals. Every day, consistently, reflectively, we integrate mindfulness into our lessons, we use openers and closers, brain breaks, writing prompts and positive, purposeful speak. It is something we have done since the beginning of the year, but it can be easily introduced mid-year.

Anytime you feel your class needs a positivity boost, these strategies might help your class be more respectful and responsive to one another. My first year I introduced my S.T.O.M.P. strategies after Spring Break and every year since it has been the first day of school. (see my S.T.O.M.P. post from earlier in the year for more about my specific lessons on mindfulness:

https://practicalrebellion.blogspot.com/2019/10/hocus-pocus-its-time-to-focus-stomp-out.html 

Strategy 1- One Minute Check-ins

As educators we are busy: curriculum, pacing, standardized testing. Then school activities and field trips also take some students away from the classroom. Not to mention, extended absences due to illness. So how can we make sure these students are firmly added into the classroom culture? Making sure we chat with them face to face or virtually once a week. Just the two of you. Sharing ideas, exchanging stories, getting to know more about one another.

I set aside 1 minute (minimum) a week to talk to every student. I have two chairs set up across from each other (6 feet apart) and they come and sit and we talk- about curriculum, family life, their hobbies and learning styles. I call them 1-minute check-in's but they tend to roll over into 2-3 minutes. The first one is awkward, but as they become consistent, the students look forward to them. It gives them a chance to ask questions they might not want to ask during class. Plus they love sharing things about their life.

Strategy 2- Mindful Writing Prompts

Twice a week our warm-ups are mindfulness based. They range from- What are you grateful for today? to Why is it important for adults to be mindful to one another? We spend 5 minutes writing the prompt in our notebooks- then we share them as a class. It gets their mindset into be more aware of how they impact others. It is a great way to discuss mindfulness and using it as a jumping off point into the curriculum, lesson for the day.

Strategy 3- Negativity Box/Mindfulness Jar

It is important to be able to vent a little when we are frustrated. It builds camaraderie and allows us to feel safe, sometimes we need to let it out in order to focus on other things.

Along side the negativity box, is a mindfulness jar. This one is clear and shiny. Inviting colorful notes. The purpose of this is for students to share mindful moments: they experienced a moment of kindness, they heard or saw someone else being mindful, they noticed me being mindful and kind. Anything optimistic and happy. This jar fills up pretty fast and I choose the best ones and add them to our positive spirit board.

These are a few synonyms for mindfulness: I ask students to add these to their vocabulary to expand our understanding and expression of what mindfulness means.

diligence
interest
enthusiasm
consideration
prudence
vigilance
concentration
caution
thought
circumspection
direction

Each of these words to me are visceral. They make me feel a totally different thing, yet they are all part of mindfulness. I explain to my students every day that mindfulness is learned. We are not born mindful. We have to practice it. We have to nurture it. We have to cultivate it daily. We are great at it some days and others not so much. We have to forgive ourselves, for the moments when we forget to be mindful and look for moments where we can be, so we can make up for them.

Mindfulness is an on going process with ups and downs and we have to keep both wolves in check. They both are our companions and if we have a classroom full of wolves, its inevitable we will have some clashes. We just need to stay vigilant, diligent and considerate- this will keep our angry wolf at bay more often and our happy wolf full and enthusiastic.

The Magic, The Reality #12

Swirling wand- sparks flying from its tip. Very Harry Potter. Lord of the Rings imagery. We suspend belief- push the boundaries of what we expect. We let machines and computers guide our thoughts and actions. Is that magic? When we delve into the surreal and mystical, and we really believe- is that magic or faith?

15 seconds of wonder. We try to get through the day seeing beyond the ordinary- experience the doldrums and timeline of routine. This creativity, fantastical curiosity, alternative sentences, turn of phrase unordinary. We hear what we want to hear- even when its false. Because our thoughts our unique, our connective neurons are our own and we interpret the colors and sounds of life only as we can.

Is that magic?

I for one feel magic in almost everything- when I slow down and avoid the tricks of stress. For magic is suspending belief- seeing past the drudgery- allowing ourselves to find our childhood wonderment and imagination.

Nourish it, our willingness to believe things we do not understand is how life becomes wonderful and worth living.

A Thing About Monday's #9

It's hard coming back after a long weekend- even a regular Sunday can bring some anxiety. But after the holiday break it heightens- the level of disquiet. Especially when my classes are all new, students new, courses new. It is unsettling because I haven't met them yet. Every 4 weeks with high school and 8 weeks with middle school- I get new courses and new students. It makes me uneasy every time. This is my first year at a charter school and this configuration- so tonight I must say- I am fretting a bit.

We are a Google Classroom design- so almost all of our assignments are electronic. Everything we do is in the virtual realm for every student to see. It is also of course activities and interactive learning in the classroom. The two are in place for those who are absent and for those in attendance. But when they are in class- we are very hands-on- I love not having to print things very often- Google documents are a great alternative. 

I believe in a blended design- both intertwined. So I have the days organized in Google and then tweak day to day as I need to. So the plans are flexible but in place- so I am not sure why I fret so much. But I do. I am used to having the same students all year and this- this charter school model I find myself in- is unnerving.

So this term- Evolution to high school a course called Deep Time and Thermodynamics to middle schoolers called Thermodynamics of the Flash. Excited about the content for my classes. Eager to meet my new students. But my head is full of ideas and strategies and it is hard to calm my mind. 

It happens every Sunday but this Sunday- tonight- my mind feels especially overloaded. I want to make sure the first day impressions are good- but also with the high school courses - I need to jump right in because 4 weeks is not a lot of time to hit all the curriculum standards. 

So there it is- A thing about Monday's. But, I think you get it. Educators fret. Educators overthink- over plan and over indulge our minds as we race through the events of tomorrow. I am going to drink my hot tea and eat my warm cookie and try my best to relax before I head off to slumber. I know it will be alright- I've been doing this for twenty years. And yet, the gnawing and worry will keep its hold for a while. 

To every educator who gets a bit unnerved and stressed before a new term- I salute you. Because I know you will go in there tomorrow and just rock your students world. That's what we do right?

Pushing on the Ocean #7

Door opens, a slight wisp makes the dirt swirl up in a wind tunnel. 

Two weeks- its been quiet and still. But today, the light blinks on with my movement. The hum breaks the silence. It feels a bit in disarray- piles of graded papers amuck on my desk. Board filled with December data.

I make a spin and take it all in. This realm comes alive. This space, a horizon, beach front. Grains of possibility, meet a current of foamy curiosity. This ocean, salty and crisp- is gleaming now in the light.

I love my classroom. It sparks productiveness. It glimmers creativity. After a break- its waves and brine sting at first- but it lures. Toes first, then feet, body. I lunge into its depth and welcome the sea creatures and algae that entangle me.

Pushing on the ocean, brings the rush of retreating holiday slumberness.

Threshold and Hibernation #4

Stillness, a settle that only occurs after hours. Darkness falls and school breaks. The space transforms from lively to potential. Chairs fixed, tables abandoned- a fine mist of the days events, resting where they were last stirred. Possibilities looming- waiting, eager for revival. The energy dissipates but does not escape. It swirls, ripples and undulates- maintaining the spirit of the classroom. Our classroom.

There is a threshold, we step over it numerous times throughout the day. Our exit closing down the ambiance of the room- as we head for home. I wonder if like a pet, it anticipates our arrival- bringing back the life force it encapsulates- as it hears our keys jingle in the A.M. Dimensions, shape and style - each their own- classrooms have a silent voice. But, they have a vibrant, rhythmic cadence- we feel it. Our students feed off of it throughout the day.

The energy sets the tone. It urges the complacent to be interactive. It shakes loose the doldrums. Even as we are quiet and planning- solitary- it hums a tune of action, rather than motion. It keeps our minds focused on the necessities and progress of classroom life. It illuminates our successes and highlights our failures- making sure we see them both- accept and work through them both. The energy of our lair, our realm is what we put into it. 

It hibernates, its vigorous- it sits still and reflective or rises and thrives- it is a space very much a part of us. We in fact often spend more hours there a week than in our own homes. The threshold is not merely a barrier or entryway- it is a portal- a bridge way to learning and laughter- intrigue and discovery. It is a vast expanse, no matter its dimensions. Like a book we open, to dive into a story- our classroom door the cover, we open to dive into a journey.

Sometimes when I am falling asleep at night and my teacher mode kicks in- I hear the whisper of that portal, that threshold, reminding me of what I need to bring into the realm the next day. Will there be dragons to slay, or battles to wage? Will there be wizards about, creating the most beautiful illusions. Will the guild be there to unite my thoughts into a great experience? The possibilities are numerous, yet the map leads only one place- our classroom.

A lot of me, endless amounts of them- the energy ebbs and flows- rises and swirls and at the end of the day- it finds its resting place, on tables and chairs, desks and supplies- and it waits patiently. For it knows the threshold will be crossed and the hibernation will be lifted. The sounds of footsteps will awaken it. Voices will energize it. The actions and collaborations will fuel it. The day will flow and the current of investigation will reign. Until it sleeps and settles for another night.

The handle turns, the door- almost mystically- unfolds a new adventure. A chapter yet unread. It lowers the drawbridge, rises the gate and allows the imagination to create a castle of individuality. This space has yet to be defined for it is being written at this moment and every moment of the day. Everyone controls the narrative- every character a lead. The landscape thrives from the energy we all put into it. This wilderness, this 'Shire', this domain, dominion, duchy- it is a safe haven- and the villagers are now arriving.