Thoughts From Jen

This coming Saturday, several groups of DEN members will be journeying to different California missions to participate in a photo-walk.  You can read more about it here:

http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2012/03/31/ca-mission-possible/

After we take pictures, we will regroup in certain locations and share our images, perhaps upload them flickr or facebook and even our DEN blogs – as resources for 4th Grade CA classrooms.

A great idea…

– but I started to wonder…….what if (from now on) we decide to make EVERY photowalk not only A WalkAbout — but also TalkAbouts?

What if — from now on — EVERY PHOTOWALK -  Den members use the MEDIA SHARE option  — we start creating picture folders, lesson ideas, DE links, activities and more….that we share with each other…..after these Walkabouts?

People could even post places they hope others would visit –
For instance any den member could request “If you go to the Grand Canyon or the Eiffel Tower or the Smithsonian or the Pyramids or even your local museum…..please let me know.”

And with these lesson plans, activities, images….etc….we start creating mini virtual field trips we can take our students to — and then we also have an instant “expert – photographer – teacher” we can go to if we have further questions.

Hmmm — whatcha think?  Ideas?  Thoughts?  Etc?

Jen

PS:  and i f you need help with Media Share — here is the link
http://help.discoveryeducation.com/support/index.cfm?event=showNode&guidTaxId=fbfafdb9-1b78-cd48-f831-d769ba64b879

I need to preface this post with the fact that I am not one to enjoy “labels” but on the other hand, if you have a talent, I very much feel you should be sharing what you know…..

With that said……

I would like to invite you to consider applying to be a DEN GURU.

DEN — Discovery Education Network
GURU – Guy/Gal Using Resources Uniquely!!  (That is my interpretation!)

If you are  STAR Discovery Educator….and you have an expertise you really excel at……
be it classroom organization, video editing, creative art ideas, literature interactions, etc……

consider applying to be a DEN GURU.

Before March 19, 2012 you will need to submit an “artifact” that shows your expertise.
This can be a wiki, a video, blog, handout, powerpoint, etc.

If you are chosen as a finalist, you will need to be available sometime between April 23 to 25 to present a session (showcasing your expertise) during a webinar.

Some of the perks of being a guru includes:

• be featured as regular contributors to the Global DEN blog
• present their own featured DEN webinar
• represent the DEN at a major educational conference during the year (registration and travel expenses covered by the DEN) or choose a guaranteed spot at the DEN Summer Institute (travel expenses covered by the DEN)

But honestly – the biggest perk is the ability to be available to share out your ideas with those who REALLY REALLY wish to listen and learn.

And also – when I say “expertise” do not equate that with being an expert.  Each of us have strengths and knowledge on something we could easily share with others…..something you are so comfortable with using and sharing that it just comes easily and naturally!   Don’t think you have to have “arrived” to apply as a GURU….but you do need to be on the journey!

I hope you consider to apply – and when you do, here is the link:
https://lrougeux.wufoo.com/forms/den-guru-application-form-2012/

Jen

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this post can also be read at:
http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=2352

Suddenly, there is a surge forward on my campus for trying new ideas……..

It is as if a light switch, that has been there for a long time, was suddenly noticed and switched on and new opportunities are being noticed, addressed, and even used.

It is an exciting time –

One that I have been anticipating for a long while and am very pleased to be a part of.

At times, on my campus, I feel like I have been an electrician……in that for the last 3 or 4 years  (or even more if you count my last campus) …. I have been one who has been diligently “wiring” the campus.   Be it emails I send out, projects I invite people to, tutorials I write, ideas I share….etc.    I have been steadily laying wire — that mostly has gone unnoticed.

But then one day — several people took notice of the switch — and what had been available for a while, suddenly became of use….

all the tutorials, all the ideas, all the hopes….are suddenly being utilized.

And I realize……all the time of “laying the wire” was not in vain.   It was the groundwork that needed to be in place when someone finally flipped the switch!

So take note — my friends who are also the “electricians” on your campus — what you are doing now (which might go unnoticed and you might think of leaving) will be of utter importance when someone finally turns on the switch!

Jen

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This post can also be read at:
http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=2348

I recently have moved to a new “apartment” and am discovering several new ways to drive to work.

The quickest way — however — is the scariest way…….

because it has curves.

And I don’t like curves.

I like to see WAY ahead to where I am going…..so I can plan ahead for anything that might be coming my way — and also to be alert on what I am approaching.

Curves scare me.

AND I also don’t like being pushed from behind from those who are NOT afraid of the curves and are comfortable in ignoring the 25 mph sign of warning.

But — it is the most time efficient way for me to get to work……so each day, I take a deep breath, hope I am not leading the pack, and go to conquer the curves.

And each day — the curves are a bit easier to handle.   I am getting familiar with the ones I need to brake on, and some which I can ease up on the gas a bit and just continue on.   The on-coming unknown traffic still has me a bit cautious….but I try to think less of what might hit me and I drive forward to my final destination.

The first day was terrifying — now, after almost 30 days…..a teeny weeny comfortableness is forming…..and within 6 months, I might just be a pro.

And …. as always ….

I turn the blog thoughts to teacher thoughts.

Changing the way they “host” their classroom — is a scary thing.  It is much more comfortable when you can see straight ahead to the known.  The familiar is the comfortable.  But sometimes we have to go for the curves.

Having someone push you from behind saying move faster, move faster….can be bothersome.  We want to move at our own pace, but sometimes that nudge from behind just might be what we need to get us to move just a teeny bit faster.

The first time is not always the hardest….sometimes it is the first 30 attempts that are the hardest.   But as you continue to try something new, familiarity will come and before you know it….something that seemed so “scary” or “uncomfortable” or “vague” suddenly makes much more sense and you realize you have succeeded at something was hindering your progress forward.

I Don’t Like Curves —
But I am learning to drive curves because I know it is the best way to get where I am going.

What is your curve in your classroom that you might be afraid of today?
I encourage you to take that first step to claim victory over it…..
And don’t worry if at first it does not feel comfortable…..
And do feel okay to go at your own pace (at first).
Just know…..those of us who have now reached the comfort zone will be pushing (ahhh, encouraging) you from behind.

Just my thoughts today
Jen

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This post can also be read at:
http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=2328

It is very easy to get caught up in the “Have Nots” especially when it comes to the options of tech….and especially to bemoan the “if only.”

Which is one reason why I really like — http://whatisyoureduwin.com/ — What is your Eduwin.

There is a tie-in to twitter (but if you aren’t on twitter by now, this should be the push you to starting an account.)

Stop at the end of each day — and think –
WHAT WORKED TODAY?
If I could SHARE one thing about today, what would it be?
Used a resource at Discovery Education today and here’s how I used it!!
Finally, _____ I have worked on forever finally came to pass.
THIS was today’s milestone.
ETC…..

And then run over to http://whatisyoureduwin.com/ and post it.

And then take time to read other people’s eduwins.   You might get some ideas of things to try yourself….and you will read “wins” that will make you smile.

…..AND AND AND — if you wish — start a classroom twitter account — and each day invite your students to share their eduwins!!  You might be delighted by what you read — and see how you are impacting your kids in ways they might never express outloud.

Take the time to post an EduWin today — honestly, you will be glad you did! — and we will too, because you shared!

Eduwin is provided by the  EdReach Team:
Scott Meech, Daniel Rezac, Judith Epcke, Jay D. Blackman

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This post can also be read at
http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/?p=2304

There are moments in my life that STICK — (as I am sure there are with you)……

Just recently I had a “Theatre moment” and started to think of memories of the past…..

This past week I finally was able to see WICKED.   I honestly knew nothing about the play & when the scarecrow lifted up the witches hat — the next moment was MEMORABLE.   I laughed, I cried — it is a moment stitched into my mind.

Many years ago, as I sat in the theatre as PHANTOM started….the autioneer said “What will you bid for this chandelier” and the lights went out, the chandelier lit up, and the music boomed — it is a moment stitched into my mind.

When I went and saw CITY OF ANGELS, where the play continues to change as the playwright continues to rewrite the script — there was a scene in the solarium where a tennis ball was being tossed and hit — at the end of the scene, the playwright ripped up the script and the entire scene had to be reversed to the beginning — is is a moment stitched into my mind.

As I thought of these theatre moments — my thought turned to my education…..and I started thinking back to Memorable Moments

……..As a student.

I remember guppies in kindergarten.  I don’t know WHY….but I remember guppies were just the best thing ever and I talked about them for weeks.

I remember genuine junk in 2nd grade.  Never realizing it was the teacher’s discipline policy — I remember being excited to pick from the genuine junk treasure chest on Fridays.

I remember playing 4-square in 3rd grade WITH THE TEACHER and having to say either a state or the corresponding capital when the ball bounced to me.

…..As A Teacher.

I remember the thank you notes from parents who took the time to say “thank you for loving and working with my child”.

I remember seeing the “SNEEZE” video at the United Streaming booth at Classroom Connect conference and realizing there were powerful ways of teaching beyond what I had been comfortable with.

I remember sitting at a table in Atlanta, GA at the NECC conference and my friend, John, said….”let me show you twitter.”

MEMORABLE MOMENTS — some life-changing, some just happy memories……
But all important.

And I wonder — what memorable moments opportunities are you creating within your classroom?
What memorable moments have you had in your classroom?

Pleas share!
Jen

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This post can also be read at
http://projectsbyjen.com/blog/

If it is Wednesday — then it is DENSday!!

Shhh, this is a secret….but it is a little known fact…..that when I was about 8 years old…..I knew what (well who) I wanted to be when I grew up…………….

yep, I wanted to be Peggy Fleming.

Blame it on the 1968  Olympics — but yep…….I wanted to be Peggy Fleming.   And I would take my roller skates down to a big corner area we had on our block of 149th and Gerkin….and I would skate and skate and skate.   It made no difference that I did not know how to ice skate…but I could roller skate.   And there were 3 of us…..who skated daily….and we all wanted to be Peggy Fleming.   And…..we never fought…..we just accepted that we all could someday be Peggy Fleming.

What did YOU want to be when you grew up??  It might be a conversation that you have with your students someday.  Sometimes we do grow up to be what we thought we would….and other times….well, nope.

If you conduct a search in Discovery Education…..on When I Grow Up…..you will find over 30 resources to help get the conversation started and continue the conversation with your students about what they want to be when they grow up.

And be sure to check out the song “when I grow up I want to be…..” this is downloadable and your students can add their own thoughts to this song.

Grins, I thought I might render a song for you — but then realized….nah, I just shared one dark secret……having you discover I can sing might just be too much information about Jen in one day!!  (laughing)

So, check out the “when I grow up” section of Discovery Education……

Oh, and if you are interested — here is another video you just might wish to check out:   http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=FD6C9A27-3D71-4E69-88FA-8AFDFF7705E8&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
(you do have to be logged onto Discovery to view the video)

Smiles — well we can dream, can’t we?

Jen

If it is Wednesday — then it is DENSday!!

As many of us will stop tomorrow and think of things we are grateful for……
I will share with you my “thanks for DEN” thoughts.

10.  I am thankful that Discovery Education helps keep us current with trends and opportunities to use in our classroom.
9.  I am thankful that Discovery Education offers so many FREE resources to teachers.
8.  I am thankful that Discovery Education makes is simple for me to show a SEGMENT of a video rather than just allowing me to be lazy and push PLAY for a full length video!
7.  I am thankful that Discovery Education makes it pretty understandable about what I can and cannot do with DEN content.
6.  I am thankful that Discovery Education includes citation material with all their resources so I know I follow copyright.
5.  I am thankful that Discovery Education allows teachers to be pros or be novices and everything in-between and welcomes all with open arms.
4.  I am thankful that Discovery Education wore butterfly wings one time at NECC which made me take notice and think “WHAT IS THIS?”
3.  I am thankful that Discovery Education let me on the bus once (even though I was not a member) and got to tag along with them to Dave And Busters — still one of my favorite nights EVER!!
2.  I am thankful that Discovery Education continues to push itself to be better!
and
#1.  I am thankful that Discovery Education let me be a lurker for a very long time…..without saying a word!

Please share what you are thankful for regarding Discovery.

Jen

Wednesday is Densday!!

I often miss the obvious……..

So, I have been taking time this last week with pushing every button I can on the Discovery Education site just to see what happens.   (in total honesty, I did this as a child as well at museums…..the science museums loved it, the art museums, uh, not as much)

One thing I always wondered about DEN was how to I find other DEN members and DEN opportunities, especially from my own state.

And lo and behold, I found out that choice was right before my eyes!!

Once you log onto Discovery Education, look to the right of the top navigation bar and you will see DEN.

When you click on that, on the left you will see your profile (make sure you keep this updated so we all can get to know each other), upcoming events (make sure you check this often so you know what learning opportunities are coming up), and right smack there in the middle is – YEP, you got it……blogs per region!!

Go ahead and click on your region and start getting acquainted with those people who probably live close enough to occasionally meet up at local events, state conferences, etc.   And, if you are nosey like me, go ahead and click on other regions as well to get some ideas of what others are doing that you might just be able to bring to your region as well.

Who knew??
– well maybe you did……but this was a happy button pushing moment for me.

Enjoy

Jennifer Wagner