Tango lessons

I Learned a lot about learning tonight in a one- hour tango lesson.

1. It helps to know the big picture before you begin.
Steve and I were 10 minutes late to our lesson and we missed the instructor's introduction to the dance. We got there in time to step out on the floor and follow the instructors steps but having missed the intro, we were in a state of confusion. We just stood on the dance floor looking dumbfounded and asked each other, " What are we supposed to be doing?"

2. It helps to relate new learning to something you already know.
Half way through the lesson it dawned on us that the tango is unlike any other dance we have ever done and in fact is more like practicing partner yoga. Okay, now we get it sort of. You don't dance to the beat.

3. If you don't think you will enjoy it, you don't want to stick around to learn it.
We like dancing to a beat. We like mastering a pattern of steps. So when we realized we weren't going to do either we just wanted to quit and go home.

4. If you don't think you will be good at it, you don't want to keep trying.
The instructor was a master tango- er and made it look simple and elegant. But eight steps was about all Steve and I could master, and that wasn't enough to keep us motivated to learn more.

5. An instructor's passion for the subject can inspire the learner.
Near the end of the hour, Steve and I were both ready to quit and go home, but something made me want to give it one last try. It wasn't because I liked dancing with no regard for the beat. It wasnt because we were starting to get the hang of it. It was this man's love for the dance. I wanted to know why he and all the other tango -ers out there travel the world over to attend tango events. So I asked if I could dance with him. And now I get it. It's smooth yet unpredictable. It's earthy yet sophisticated. It's simple yet complex. After only three dances, I felt a little bit of success and am intrigued enough to google "tango" and drag Steve back out on the dance floor.

Risk Taking

Many years ago, I had a conversation with some young men who had been in the habit of vandalizing mailboxes. When I asked them why they did it, they were honest and said it was for the adrenaline rush. They said I just didn't understand that teen agers need to do wild and crazy things. I assured them I understood that need and that there is nothing wrong with being wild and crazy, but their craziness can't hurt them or anyone else or anyone else's property. "Go snowboarding, kayaking, jump off the rocks into the lake." I told them. "But don't mess with my neighbors' mailboxes!"

In the years since that conversation, I have thought about the importance of giving our teens opportunities for healthy risk-taking. And that's just what I got to do today. I was one of the chaperones for the 8th grade trip to Big Sky Ropes Course where the students could try some pretty scary/exciting physical challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

What a thrill to see their determination as they tackled the climbing wall with their hands and feet and guts. Or watch a group of students grabbing a massive rope respond to the leaders command of "Pull!" to lift their classmate to the tree tops. I was so inspired by their courage and the pure joy on their faces when they completed a challenge, that I strapped into a harness, climbed a way high ladder, and threw myself off a tree ledge to fly across the lake on a zip line. In a matter of seconds I had faced one of my most persistant fears, felt the rush, and felt like a teenager again.

Wild and crazy and good fun!

Top 10

My top 10 things about teaching: (today)

1. Kids' faces
2. Nice desk
3. Free office supplies
4. Field trips
5. Variety
6. Little notes that say "You tot me the best."
7. Getting to hear kids' ideas
8. Getting hugs from past students when they are all grown up
9. Getting to read great books to kids
10. There is a unique challenge to every day

Today's ARFF

Achievement: taught the sixth graders how to use cooperation to "group juggle" six balls at once.
Respect: lunch with a friend.
Fun: taking a yoga class with the eighth graders.
Freedom: a nice long walk in the sun.

This Year I Will...

...influence students to think and be responsible
with respect, trust, joy, and GUSTO!

Teachers

We are performing artists.
The classroom
Is our stage.
We dedicate
Our life
To our art.

From "Excellence in Teaching"
By Dennis M. McLoughlin

summer ARFF

Today I talked with a group of teachers about how important it is to fill your "well" in order to have enough to give to others. This is a photo of one of my "well-filling" activities this summer.

Learning to fly a kite at the ocean is Achievement, Respect, Fun, AND Freedom!

Today's ARFF

Today at lunch recess a student approached me and said,
"Mrs. Ahnert, what is your ARFF today?"

I've asked a lot of kids that question, but I don't remember being asked it.
I loved it. It gave me a minute to pause and think about the good things in my day.
So here's my answer:

Achievement: Typed up a field trip permission slip.

Respect: A friend surprised me by bringing me scones for my morning snack.

Fun: I spent first period with a sixth grade class talking about how to make our school the best ever.

Freedom: Taking time to blog at the end of the day.

So, what's yours?

Sunny Day ARFF

bullying stats

The 7th graders completed an anonymous survey today regarding their experience with bullying at this school going back as far as fall of 2010. Out of 44 surveys, 8 students reported being bullied, and most of the incidents took place last year. Most of those students reported it and it was taken care of. By the end of the year, I'd like the number of bullying incidents to be 0.

The last survey question asked what we can do to prevent bullying in our school. Here is a sampling of their responses.

Make sure no one is left out.
Give major consequences for bullying.
Ask if someone is okay if they look sad.
Be more aware of students in the hall.
Make a good effort not to be mean to people you don't like.
Class meetings.
Have a way to report it.
Try to keep tabs on people and not only help your friends, but anyone you see that is being bullied.

And my favorite (and my own life's work)...
Try to make it so that everyone sort of gets along!

more happiness

I love having time to visit with students before and after school and during their lunch. They're relaxed, hanging out with friends, and when I ask them questions, their responses are spontaneous and honest. I found a group of new students to visit with today and asked them how they like Bigfork Middle School. I heard similar responses to the ones I've gotten in the past.
In general they love their classes, their friends, and especially their teachers.

"The students are friendlier here."
"Bigfork has fewer cliques."
"The teachers are more helpful here. They don't get mad when we ask a question."
"I've got the best math teacher EVER!"

So kudos to all BMS staff!

Happy Profession

This is such an ARFF filled job.

Today I helped a student change their schedule and as they left my office, they said, "Thanks! You're the best teacher ever!"
All that for just doing my job!

At the end of the day, Jen showed me a sign made by one of the students she worked with today. It said, "Best Teacher Ever!"

What a great end to the first week of school!

Hey other bloggers out there. If you have a cute kudo from a kid, I would love for you to post it here.

This Year I Will...

I was asked to sub in an 8th grade class this week, so I asked Matt J. If there was anything in pariticular he wanted me to discuss with the students. He mentioned the potential power the 8th grade class has to set a positive tone for the entire middle school, so I based my lesson plan on this topic, and posed a challenge to the kids.

I began by having them reflect on 7th grade, and the specific things the 8th graders did that influenced their year. On the positive side, dances and lunch tournaments were mentioned. On the negative side, drugs and mean girls.

The discussion quickly moved on to this year. Only three days in. The students are still optimistic and came up with lots of ways to make this school year the best ever. Now comes the challenge.

I gave each student a piece of paper and asked them to write a personal statement beginning with, "This year I will..." Their assignment was to think about their own interests and strengths and what they would be willing to do to make Bigfork Middle School a place where students want to be.

I thought the kids might just blow it off since I'm not their regular teacher, and a number of them don't like to write. But I was pleasantly surprised. I received many thoughtful responses. One anonymous writer admitted to having "a dark past" but vowed to put that behind and make a fresh start. Many wrote that they are willing to put in their own time to plan activities that would include the youngerl students.

Lots of great ideas and positive energy. Now how do we as a staff support those ideas and create opportunities for them to clarify and carry out their goals?

I've given them a voice. Now we need to empower them!

First Day of School 2011

Best Day of the Whole Year! New outfits, happy, excited faces, eager to learn.

How do we keep it that way? By being very intentional in our classroom practices. Teacher behavior the first day/week sets the tone for a successful school year.

I love the reminders in the following list. It is adapted from Denis McLoughlin,'s "First Day of School Checklist."
These are good reminders for EVERY day of the school year.

1. Welcome students with a wonderful face, voice and words.
2. Memorize their names.
3. Teach and practice a class signal to get immediate attention.
4. Teach these Guidelines for Success: Be on Time, Come ready and Prepared to Learn, Ask For Support, Respect your rights and the Rights of Others to Learn, Work at Learning.
5. Share something about yourself.
6. Teach procedures: How to come into class, how to show respect, how to use the bathroom, etc.
7. Use CAN and May. (You CAN use quiet voices; You MAY take out your pencil for success).
8. Plan ARFF into every lesson. (Achievement, Respect, Fun, Freedom)
9. Dismiss students on a success.
10. Choose to like something about every student.

Happy New Year!