Becoming a Guitar Genius {one note at a time}

Genius Project is one of our major units in 7th grade, which is an adaptation of Genius Hour. Rather than focusing on one hour each week, we set aside 4-6 weeks for students to brainstorm, research, create, and present their own projects. This year we have decided to switch from keeping journals to writing blog posts, so I will model with my own! This first blog post is to describe what topic I have chosen and why.

This years Genius Project for me is to become a Guitar Genius! I admit, I have been playing guitar since I was 6 years old, but adulting has gotten in the way and I haven't played for a few years. Specifically, my short-term goal is to learn how to use my amp and it's settings to create different sounds. I also have the long-term goal to play in church when I'm more comfortable with these settings and back in a routine of practicing consistently.

My guitar {one of them actually}
 This is a Taylor T5, which I saved for one summer during college to buy.
If you ever buy a guitar or piano, go here: Carlson's Music World
Amazing service!!!

I miss playing my guitar! This is the most important reason why I chose this topic for my Genius Project. I fell in love with guitar at a young age and thankfully had supportive parents who arranged lessons for me, and I continued to use my guitar to help me earn a music minor in college. I have been meaning to be more consistent with practicing, and this project will help me do that! Another reason I chose this topic is because my music ability is not natural, but requires lots and lots of practice. I related with one of my colleagues when she said, "I can play notes, but playing and creating music is not my talent." I know that practicing will help me feel more comfortable.

My Mustang GT amp {I have very little idea how to use this}

For my creation I plan to learn a new song (maybe one my 7th graders will recognize?!) and play the chorus in a variety of settings on my amp. In four or five weeks, I don't think it's realistic for me to learn multiple songs with the settings on my amp. Perhaps my song will be a holiday tune with holiday break coming up. I know this part of my project may change as I research more information.

I hope you enjoy reading about my Guitar Genius Journey!

For any readers wondering, last year I modeled learning the basic skills of crocheting by creating a blanket for my car and have grown to making a triangular scarf. Here's the Pinterest inspiration of the scarf I'm currently working on: Caron Cakes Triangle Scarf

Embracing an "Innovator's Mindset"

Back in July, our teacher book club tackled reading George Couros' The Innovator's Mindset. 

https://georgecouros.ca/blog/the-innovators-mindset-book

Though it's been a few months since I've read this book, it has been inspiring me throughout the first quarter of the school year, not with specific plans, but with the idea that it's not only "ok" to try something new, rather applauded and necessary! This is why I want to share my reflective takeaways of this book. 

George Couros has over 17 years of educational experience, and you can read about him here on his website. 

The back of this book advocates that any leader in a school will benefit from reading this book, and I definitely agree. In our book club, our principal joined us and he exclaimed that this book had him ready to go back to school and excited to make a difference. Teachers of any level or content will be encouraged from this book.

As a teacher, I felt that the messages were inspirational. It didn't necessarily spark specific lesson plans that I wanted to add to my curriculum (which is sometimes a relief!); however, it helped me see my current curriculum with new eyes to see which ways I have tried to innovate and those that will benefit from innovation.

It also had me thinking about what I have my students reading and writing in my class: "In our world today, what is a student more likely going to need to be able to write: an essay or a blog post?" One of my projects throughout the year is to have students read independent books, completely their choice: novels, nonfiction, chapter books, or short biographies--it's completely up to them, and I ask them to write reviews on Goodreads or our Google Classroom. However, this year I had them read a blog post from a writer about why they should write reviews and what they should you include. I'm wondering what other blog posts I could have them read before asking them to write one themselves...

Another recommendation from Couros that I want to embrace is collaboration. He explains the importance, "Innovation (and enjoyment) flourishes when teachers collaborate to learn and practice new strategies. Isolation is often the enemy of innovation." I have been in the position of being the only teacher of my grade level and now with shared classes, and there are many benefits to collaborating! Sometimes collaboration requires us to compromise, but our relationships grow stronger because of this.

Much more could be said about The Innovator's Mindset! If you're considering a teacher book club, this needs to be on your list. George Couros also has resources for you to use on his website. 

Speed Date {Books} on the First Day

Woohoo! School has arrived here in Minnesota, and I couldn't wait to share my classroom with students this morning. Not only did I have new flexible seating, but I completely changed my first day curriculum.

Flexible seating and books ready to be "dated."

I have used Book Speed Dating in my classroom before, but this is the first time on the FIRST day. Why the change?

I must admit, I saw Kelly Gallagher post the same idea on his Twitter, which was encouraging. I highly recommend following him!

As I was preparing my classroom, I asked myself what were my goals for the year. This is the first one I chose to display prominently:

I shared this goal with my students and I told them that we were going to start aiming for it right away.

To begin, I placed books from our classroom library throughout the room. I did my best to mix genres at each spot to offer variety.

When students came into the room, I explained my goal and why; then I shared their "golden ticket" with them. You can find a copy here.  

I demonstrated to the students how to review the books before deciding if the book was worthy of their "Want to Read" lists:

1. Switch seats when the timer buzzes--no jumping ahead; no staying behind.

2. Focus on your "date." Limit your talking.

3. Judge the cover.

4. Read the blurb and about the author.

5. Look at size: the number of pages, size of font, words per page.

6. Read the first 3 pages.

7. Decide if the book is worthy of your chart! (Not all books need to be on your chart)

This sheet guided them how to "date" their book and allowed them to record which books interested them and now they can save it to remind them which they may want to read later.

In my classroom, each "date" was 2:30 long. The timer was on the board to keep us all focused.

We continued for approximately 25 minutes. Then students completed the reflection "What types of books interest you? Explain why!" as a quick write, again with 2:30. I made a point to explain that this was an open-ended question and they could tell me about books they didn't enjoy, favorite books, etc. 

Then MY favorite part! I showed students how to utilize our classroom library, which has a simple checkout clipboard, return and repair bins. Students then checked books out!

So what's next? I'm planning several opportunities for students to share books.

One is this new bookcase display. Students will be recommending books to their classmates by decorating the spines of books. 

At the end of each quarter, students write book reviews online, either via Google Classroom or Goodreads to share their thoughts with their peers. 

And one still developing plan:

Reading and Writing Challenges! More to come later this year. 

I hope this inspires you to find ways to share books and reading with your students!

Happy school year!