Down to the last chapter of the book, but it’s only the beginning of a new journey. The power of collaboration with other teachers is so beneficial in our profession. Many of us teach in a one track school, where you may not be able to connect with another 2nd grade teacher on a daily basis.
"All pirates travel with a crew; you can't sail, navigate, and fight battles all on your own." (Burgess, 169) Find your PLN:
Discussion Question: Have you ever felt held back? What has kept you from starting or trying something new? Did you overcome this, or are you now inspired to jump in the pool?
29 Comments
Angela Marshall
7/23/2018 03:15:02 pm
My initial response was I have become more comfortable jumping in as I have gotten older and have had years of teaching experience.
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Pat
7/23/2018 05:14:41 pm
Hello Angela,
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Angela Marshall
7/23/2018 05:52:39 pm
(Science Side Comment: I need to get some of those Miss Frizzle outfits!!!)
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Julie
7/23/2018 06:12:16 pm
I am always ready to jump in and try something new. The only thing that holds me back sometimes from implementing my full vision is not having the funds to go all in. When that happens, I have to get even more creative. Right now I want to implement Breakout edu and am in search of funding
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Vicky McCann
7/24/2018 09:46:57 am
Julie, I have a Breakout EDU kit that you are welcome to borrow. Once you see and use the kit, you will see that it is easy to create yourself with limited funds.
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Angela Marshall
7/25/2018 09:55:55 am
I'd like to hear more about Breakout edu.
Julie
7/26/2018 11:53:53 am
Looking forward to borrowing it!!
Liz Orlandi
7/27/2018 10:03:31 am
Julie, I have been researching the Breakouts or Escape lessons, too. It really sounds like a nice hook to use. Hope to hear more about your plans.
Chris Bliss
7/23/2018 10:37:04 pm
I can spend hours creatively thinking about plans for a lesson, or how to reach a particular child or solve a classroom problem, but then my pragmatic side will focus on all the obstacles to implementing these ideas. What holds me back is often me! This became very clear during a brainstorming session when I made a lot of creative suggestions in one breath, followed by the reasons they would not work, in the next breath. The group facilitator repeatedly told me not to evaluate my ideas. That step would come later. Brainstorming was only supposed to include the creative ideas. It was impossible for me to separate the two. I would love to possess the freedom to cast my practical side aside and follow the creative flow. Sometimes I wonder if my practicality is more about safety and staying in my comfort zone. It has been great to read TLAP. Dave Burgess holds nothing back.
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Ellie
7/29/2018 03:47:49 pm
I agree! There are always so many reasons to think why not (time, money, will they like it/buy into it) and all those can overwhelm my creativity and good ideas!! After reading this book I just want to really devote myself to always doing to wacky, creative ideas, knowing they won’t all work, especially the first time!
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Ashlee
7/25/2018 05:56:50 pm
This is a weird one for me. This will be my second year in the private school system, and in a tiny school at that. I was teaching at a Title 1 public school prior and I went from a team of four 4th grade teachers with quite the funding and resources. However, I didn't always have support from the admin especially when it came to trying new hands on lessons with the group of students that I had. My ideas would be met with "I'm not sure that'll work out with that class" or "how about you modify it to where ... happens." This was pretty hard to hear especially as a first year teacher still finding my footing. So I did feel held back a little when it came to my ideas, because maybe this class needed something like that. Then I started at LFS-GM and it was a complete different world. Every idea was met with "yes!" and then "that is a great idea, but what if you made it better?" I did have to get creative with funds or lack of and with what resources I have at home and what I could find around the school. Having involved/supportive parents helped greatly too!
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Ellie
7/29/2018 03:52:21 pm
You have summed up one of the reasons I love teaching at a small Catholic school! I’ve also been at a large public school where all the grade level teachers are expected to do very similar lessons each day and it really restricts the creativity to try new things or make immersive and engaging lessons! I love that is environment always says “yes” and gives the students opportunity for a diverse and interesting learning environment!!
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Lisa Case
7/25/2018 09:26:41 pm
I really enjoyed this final chapter. In fact, I told my children - ages 19 and 24) that they should read it! I agree with the notion that a priority should be teaching and modeling for students life-long skills and a love for life-long learning, instead of focusing on grades and test scores. However, at the same time we have to be realistic. The parents, administration, and larger society looks for those improved grades!
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Andrew
7/26/2018 09:35:46 pm
I totally agree with Lisa. I definitely need to step up my enthusiasm and run with some of my creative ideas. I have set this as a goal for myself to start off the year. I also agree that there is the pressure of the standardized test three times a year and making gains, and SIPs, etc. I do like using the data from the test to help with focus areas and areas that need improvement, but feel for the kids.
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Barbara
7/25/2018 10:08:56 pm
Hello All,
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Sue
7/26/2018 10:13:46 am
Thinking of new ideas always inspires me. The creative process is the fun part. Time and funding are the challenges. Those are the two things that hold me back at times. I am getting a jump start over the summer making plans and craft items that I will need for the year. This year I will ask for help when I need it and engage volunteers to go the extra mile.
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Cindy Z
7/26/2018 04:23:05 pm
I really connected with much of Part 3 of the book. Specifically about creating lessons that promote strong skills to be life-long learners and foster that love for learning. It is always my goal to create an environment each year that my little students feel happy and safe but most importantly want to be in. I feel like if I provide them that they will want to be there, learn and just “jump in the water” with me! Although some years at times I have felt like I’m drowning with all that there is to do, I always seem to get through it and as this particular time of year rolls around I get excited to do it all again. As far as anything that holds me back I would agree with some of the others above that funding and just the element of time may make some of my ideas more difficult to implement. Luckily I have a very patient and supportive husband who fosters my sometimes crazy ideas and helps me in all ways to make them happen. I also have the privilege of working in a school that is very supportive in all areas. I look forward to going in and once again begin to create a happy, positive environment for this new little crew!
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Katie Sague
7/27/2018 08:22:54 am
Interesting all around! One of the things that tends to hold me back from trying something new and/or implementing a new program or system is when that system (or its representative) presents it as a be-all end-all program that must be adhered to at every turn. Anyone who has spent more than a day in a classroom knows that this is not a viable option. One of my favorite elements of this book is the recurring theme of adjusting and trying again. The line on page 173 where the author writes, "we should always be seeking to add more and more effective "moves" to our teaching style - regardless of the source," rings true. It is so important to remain open and ready to dive in!
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Debbie Paskill
7/27/2018 10:52:21 am
I am basically a very shy person, but when "teaching chose me as a vocation" (Jonathan Doyle, ADW Collaboration Day, 10-6-17) I decided I was already "in the pool" so I need to be as effective as possible. I can't wait to begin using the hooks suggested in this book!
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Liz Orlandi
7/28/2018 01:22:51 pm
Wow, Debbie. Very powerful stuff here. Thank you very much for sharing-I could not agree with you more about our awesome vocation and the gifts God has given each of us.
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Kathleen McGinnis
7/28/2018 10:03:23 am
If an idea, method or source makes sense, is well-researched and will benefit my students I'm all in! The biggest roadblock is time. It takes time to be creative and incorporate new ideas. Mr. Burgess alludes to this when he says "no" to activities that take time away from his commitment to his students. Unfortunately other-duties-as-assigned do take up time. I find that planning and keeping up with the responsibilities of duties outside of the classroom steal away time from developing and maintaining professional networks and friendships. When pressure from the top down moves me to even further re-prioritize, my planning time to create suffers. It is hard to keep it all in balance!
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Liz Orlandi
7/28/2018 01:37:20 pm
Sorry, Crew. I abandoned ship for a week in Glacier Park and there was absolutely no cell or WiFi there. It was a glorious week exploring God’s creation and now it is time to reflect and plan how to share that exciting experience with my kiddos at school.
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Lisa Case
7/31/2018 08:49:24 am
I always have the goal of working on the positive side of time management but "out of time" or "tired" usually wins. The thought of keeping pace with the energy exhibited by David Burgess is enticing but for many it seems unrealistic when you factor in everything that happens during the school day and in our personal lives.
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Erin
7/28/2018 06:15:14 pm
The only thing that has really held me back is me. I think of something to try, but then I have doubts about implementation and failure. That’s why I don’t put my plans into action. The ideas from TLAP have been both inspiring and encouraging. In fact, it has made me feel somewhat hypocritical. How can I expect students to try something new or work at something that is challenging if I’m not willing to do the same? I’m going back with a new attitude. ;)
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Judy Jenkins
7/28/2018 09:24:30 pm
Time can be a friend or a foe for a teacher. I wish it was a friend more often, and I am always yearning for more time. Creating engaging lesson plans takes time and sometimes I feel pulled like a rubber band in many directions as there are many demands outside of the classroom. In helping students grow in the writing process, I feel an obligation to also tap into the creativity that I know exists within each student; and yet, this does take time. I love to try different approaches to writing assignments and am amazed with what students can do with just a little encouragement. I just need to find that magic fairy dust called "time."
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Carie Ptack
7/28/2018 10:43:27 pm
Time! Every year I say that I will find more time and plan differently but it seems like there is never enough. It doesn't matter how late I stay in my classroom or how many Sundays I come in, I can never get ahead. I think I dive into to many activities. I want to do it all and I want to do different things every year. My classroom is definitely known as the organized chaotic kindergarten classroom. I think I have undiagnosed ADHD cause my mind is constantly going and if I see an activity not grabbing everyone's attention, I'm putting things together as I go. I laugh at myself all the time:)
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Shireen Canada
7/29/2018 12:34:33 pm
Sorry I am late! I have a wonderfully supportive principal who has never let me feel held back! I have had pretty much free reign over my classroom. That being said, there have been times I have not used material that I think would really interest and benefit my students because of possible controversies in the material. I teach middle school which is such a tricky age group when trying to pick material they will like vs material that is 100% appropriate for their age. Sometimes I wish I taught at the high school level which would allow me more freedom when it comes to material choice. An example of this situation is the book The Hate U Give. It is a relevant, engaging, and powerful read full of so many important lessons. I am just not sure it is age appropriate for middle school. The main reason I am holding back on this book is because of parental backlash.
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Shannon Norris
7/30/2018 09:05:58 am
I have definitely felt held back many times. Sometimes it may be fear or finances that hold me back from doing something I am truly passionate about. I have been working on this for awhile but Dave definitely has opened my eyes to overcoming that fear.
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7/30/2018 08:43:22 pm
Sorry! Just back from LA! Here we go...Because I started teaching many years before I was certified, I would sometimes have what I thought was a really great and original idea, but then I wouldn’t worry about what other teachers would think or whether or not I was hitting standards the right way. Now, I do feel more experienced and confident about my ideas (which can definitely be a bit wacky), and I can be out of the box, but definitely show the students, parents, and teachers that they are seriously cleaning and applying what they have learned.
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CaptainVicky McCann is the Director for Curriculum & Instruction for the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools. |