Weekly Dose of Education Caffeine 4.9.17😜

Where did March go?

I am slowly starting to feel like I am catching up with life. I never feel quite on top of things, but I feel like I have climbed the mountain and not stumbled backwards for once.

As always here are some things I learned this week.

Enjoy!

-Coffeechug

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” — Mark Twain

Buy Me a Coffee as a Thank You!

First Cup of Coffee: Project Based Learning

The image above is a project from High Tech High. I was super lucky to be able to attend Deeper Learning 2017 two weeks ago. I have a few blog posts coming out later, but this school reminds me of the possibilities in learning when we remove our tunnel vision.

1. This school is experimenting with Flex Mod Scheduling. I love this concept.

"It works well with project-based learning because you can spend that 30 minutes to collaborate with your team or work on your project," he said. "But let's say you're struggling in math, then while everyone's working on their project, the teacher can pull those struggling kids for that 30 minutes and give them some extended learning.

2. Request for Proposals: Out of the Gate

3. Earth Structures BreakoutEDU Intro

Second Cup of Coffee: Makerspaces

Makerspace + Outdoors = Take A Hike. I love this concept! Might be something for us to incorporate in our new Bulldog Block in our school next year.
My head is spinning with this Makerspace! Maker Space: Electronics, Mechanics, and Art | EE Times
Awesome Ava and Dorky Dad Episode 4: Homemade Playdough
Awesome Ava and Dorky Dad Episode 5: How to Make a Volcano

Third Cup of Coffee: Resources

I shared this out several times this past week and want to share here again one more time. Office Lens + OneNote = Productivity Success!! http://wp.me/p4covo-1R5

“Time flows in the same way
for all human beings;
every human being flows through time
in a different way.”
~ Yasunari Kawabata

Lessons on Creativity and Productivity From the Man Who Wrote 400 Novels — There are no shortcuts in this respect. If you want to be great at something you have to be a fanatic. (The best part of this article was his portfolio system and how he applied velocity.) (From Shane Parrish)
What Do You Remember From School?
To Earn Teacher Cred, You Gotta Be About It
Google Drive: Insert Gradient Backgrounds

“What worries you, masters you.”
~ Haddon W. Robinson

Happy to help.

I hope these links help. This is what I have been reading this week and want to spread the wealth. If you have something worthwhile to share let me know and I will feature it on the next newsletter.

In the meantime let me know your thoughts on this format. Until next week.......

Stay Awesome and Caffeinated

Back from Portland, OR for NCCE

I spent most of last week in Portland, Oregon attending and presenting at the NCCE 2017 Conference. There is such great benefit to connecting with teachers who are doing great things in person. I will be blogging soon about my journey and lessons learned.

Despite travel I have come across many things to share this week. One thing I am working on is eliminating the people subscribed to this newsletter who are not active. I believe with my soul of working to inspire, develop creativity, and provide work that helps you. I don't want to create clutter in your inbox.

I will be standing up to my philosophy of productivity. If you are not an active reader I will be removing you myself to help you out. If you are an active reader, THANK YOU! I appreciate you taking time to open and read the work.

This newsletter is created with love and passion. It takes time. It takes energy. It takes a commitment with very little reward. If you read, that is all the reward I need. Thank you and be awesome.

-Coffeechug

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” — Mark Twain

Buy Me a Coffee as a Thank You!

First Cup of Coffee: Project Based Learning

Something I have been thinking about lately is the idea that there are teachers who are against project based learning. I simply cannot fathom this concept because you are basically admitting that you don't believe in what is best for kids. Now, I realize that there are systems of implementation that are not ideal, but to work against pbl just blows my mind.

PBL implementation is not easy. This article talks about two paths to adding personalize learning to PBL. They discuss Student Interest and Agency.

I LOVE this article with a focus on STEM. It discusses how to build a STEAM program without a building. It discuss shifting teaching and culture! This is my whole workshop focus. "Teachers and administrators must be willing to fundamentally change traditional approaches to teaching and allow the student to take control of their own learning."

Closing the Achievement Gap and have fun at the same time? Yes please!!!!

Second Cup of Coffee: Makerspaces

This week I thought I would share a list of resources I provided to participants in my makerspace workshop this week.

Makerspace Mindset and Culture

How do we infuse the maker mindset and culture into all aspects of school

Resources

Why Make? A video to kickstart you to create change in your classroom

Cheap and Easy Slime Recipe courtesy of my daughter Addyson

Contact Solution Slime Tutorial courtesy of my daughter Addyson

Awesome Ava and Dorky Dad Episode 1: Making Slime and Life Lessons

Awesome Ava and Dorky Dad Episode 2: Bristlebots

Awesome Ava and Dorky Dad Episode 3: Duct Tape Pencil Pouch

PBL and Makerspace Examples and Resources

“Is it really the goal of schools to create college and career ready students?”

Why is “innovation” crucial to education today? Or maybe it isn’t?

Blog Posts on PBL and PBL workshop materials

Project Based Learning: It’s More Than Projects!

Don’t Build a Makerspace Until You Create a Culture of Learning

“Is it really the goal of schools to create college and career ready students?”

Group Work Is Hard

4 Questions for PLC’s or Groups of Educators

Cubes of Compartmentalization

How I Know Education Is Headed Down The Wrong Path

Because if we choose, then we are responsible, aren’t we?

When developing a lesson plan or unit ask yourself

What worked yesterday might not be right for today

The Key To Teaching AND Keeping Your Teacher Sanity

Technology is NOT an Education Revolution

What are the shortcomings of project based learning?

Project Based Learning – Project Tuning Experience

Project Based Learning: Why?

Third Cup of Coffee: Resources

I shared this out several times this past week and want to share here again one more time. Office Lens + OneNote = Productivity Success!! http://wp.me/p4covo-1R5

Episode 4 is being created as we speak, but in case you missed episode 3..... Awesome Ava and Dorky Dad Episode 3: Duct Tape Pencil Pouch

I posted my first ebook. It is more of an experiment of sorts really, but it is a compilation of thoughts, ideas, and mental nuggets I wrote for my basketball players. There is something for everyone within these pages. Check it
out!
M.T.X.E. for your Mind Volume 1

Be sure to check the blog as I have some big posts coming this week that will be worth your time!

“What worries you, masters you.”
~ Haddon W. Robinson