Sharing a Room

After spending a week at the beach with my family (minus my husband), I realize just how much you learn about a person when you share a room with them. While I don't recommend that you share a room with a three year old and a four month old (especially if you like your sleep uninterrupted), I learned a lot about my children. I learned that my daughter grinds her teeth. I also learned that she gets out of bed at night...she gets down, stands beside the bed, and then climbs back in.

Now, at this point you may be wondering where I am going with this...why I am sharing...and, how this relates to education. Think how valuable this would be for teachers, especially when new teachers are involved. If mentees could share their classroom with their mentors. Oh, the things they (mentee and mentor) would learn from each other...there is nothing better than watching a teacher in action to improve your own teaching.

Of course, this would be easily done in the high school where they block...each could teach two periods in the classroom, spending their planning in the classroom when the other was teaching, and roam for one period. Still thinking about logistics for the elementary classroom...

I Got It

I have spent a lot of time this past year thinking about Global Awareness and trying to help others fully understand what it is and how they can teach it. Well, I've finally figured it out...thanks to a colleague who recommended that I read Pay It Forward (the book is a little hokey, but is still a good book).

Global Awareness is more than understanding the cultures of different countries it is the idea that what I do affects others in society and that I can do something to change the world. Not only are we connected to others more than we think, but we also have a lot more in common (think basic wants and needs).

So now I am left to continue to ponder the last (and most important) part...how do we teach that?

Time Spent Thinking

I spend a lot of time thinking. My husband will tell you that the only problem is that I sometimes forget to verbalize those thoughts...some of which could be beneficial to others if I shared. I think this problem could be easily solved if he (and, I guess others as well) learned to read my mind. Unfortunately, that solution hasn't worked very well so I decided I would try my hand at a blog. I have created blogs in the past, but never really shared them with anyone (I am starting to notice a pattern here...are you?).

This is my latest attempt at a blog...I think I will share it with others. Most of the blogs will be about education and other related topics, but there are no guarantees that on occasion my mind won't wander a bit...it does that sometimes.

If you read my blog and it makes you think, let me know by adding a comment (I too have not mastered the art of mind reading).