2017 reflection: teaching

This school year marks my 20th as a classroom teacher.  That has not really sunk in - there are times when I feel like I am that fresh-out-of-college kid with a couple dozen 3rd graders staring at me waiting for me to lead, all the while I'm waiting for a supervisor to come in to observe me.

I remember my first year of teaching well.  I was hired to teach third grade in Cathedral City, California at a school called Landau Elementary.  The school had a year-round schedule where there were four blocks of students that rotated one month off.  My schedule had me starting in July, taking off August, working September through Thanksgiving then off until New Years.  From there I worked January through March, had April off, then returned to finish the year in May and June.  There was a one week "reset" at the end of June and beginning of July, then the new school year started.

This system had pros and cons - but that's for another blog.

It was a very unique system.  It enabled the school to house 25% more students without needing to expand the campus.  The downside from an educator point of view is after each break you were in a new classroom for those three months.

I still remember my principal that year, the music teacher, my co-teachers... I remember my students and my first class photo.  I remember how I arranged the classroom and where I set up my two desktop computers...

Those students - those third graders - are just about 30 years old today.

I wonder if those students or I went back to Landau how similar it would look.  What has changed?

Here is a pop-quiz.  What year was this photo taken?

You might say 2012? 2006? 1998?

What about this one?

Could've been from my first year of teaching... Could be the classroom across the hall from you today.

Let's contrast that to another hobby of mine: video games...

Here is a video game I played in 1997:

Final Fantasy VII

And here is the game in 2017:

I don't own this game system. Accepting donations.

There is no mistaking the game of yesteryear to the game of today.  The same can be said of nearly every other profession. I know that a dentist office from 20 years ago doesn't look like the one I go to currently.  Yet there are classrooms that exist today that look and feel like it is still 1998.

So this leads to my word of 2018: Evolve.

As a veteran teacher (that feels so strange to write) it is easy for me to fall back into routines and previous lessons that 'worked well.' It is easy to fall into 'old habits.'   It is easy for me to have a bunch of 'traditional' lessons with a once-a-month "lookie at what I did" lesson so that I pat myself on the back. It is harder to create lessons, set up a classroom, and develop relationships that engage all students while focus on best practices.  Now is the time to reflect on previous teachings and evolve my lessons.

It is also time for me to evolve as a leader within the education community, both locally and globally. 
And yes, evolve will also apply to my running goals in 2018 as well.  Stay tuned!

2017 Year In Review: Running

If I had one word to categorize and describe my 2017 year of running it would be "Believe." There were major accomplishments (my first 50 miler finish, new PRs in both my half and full marathon distances) as well as runs that... didn't go as planned.  However belief from my friends led to belief in myself.

Didn't plan on the flood during Tie Dye this year

Early in the year I was given a challenge (some would say I was called out by my Colorado bestie) to run 50 miles at once (well I didn't RUN all 50, but you get me.)  I signed up for Not Your Momma's Old School 50 miler and made it about 38ish miles before my mind said "no mas!"

That night while recovering this bestie did what any bestie coach would do.  She kicked my virtual mind in the virtual butt. She laid into me about my mental game, about leaving hours on the clock, and how she KNEW I could finish a 50-mile event.  She called me out because she knew I could answer the bell. It was why I went back at it a few weeks later at Highbanks Park.

-_-

On top of my accomplishments, I got to help others reach theirs as well.  This year I helped people run their first 5k, paced people to personal records (PRs) in 5k, 10k, and half marathon distances, and ..umm... ... encouraged... people to sign up for their first half and full marathons.

What does 2018 hold? I'll be at the Mohican 50k (dubbed Forget the PR) in April and will be pacing Erika at the Burning River 100 miler. No doubt I'll be signing up for at least the possum30k in March,  as well as some other events... maybe a 24-hour race? Who knows. I've learned nothing is off the table.

Nearly-Official 2017 Numbers: 

Total miles run in 2017: 1393 total miles (as of 12/27/17)
Total runs: 198 (as of 12/27/17)

Yes I'll hit nice round numbers there by the end of the year :)

Mostly-Official events: 

January: Winter Warmup Half Marathon
February: Frostbite 5 miler
March: Little Miami 10 miler, Washington DC Marathon
April: ORRRC Marathon (PR!!!), Let Me Run 5k
May: Salt Fork, Tie Dye 16 miler (DNF 32 miler due to weather) New Moon Quarter Marathon
June: Another Dam 50k
August: Beaver Chase Marathon, Emerald City Half Marathon (PR!!!), Darby Creek 10k
September: Night Glow Half Marathon, Air Force Half Marathon
October: Not Yo Momma's Old school (DNF'ed 50 miler) Spirit Sprint 5k,
November: Hot Chocolate 15k, Highbanks Park (solo 50 miler!), New Albany 4 miler, Left Over 5k, Hungry Turkey 5k
December: Run Santa Run 5k, The Boney Gnome Half Marathon

Escape the Math Classroom

This I made my first attempt at an 'escape room', but I decided to do it digital style.  Students came in and saw an on the front board with the message that said, "Escape the Math Classroom." 

We had a quick talk about "escape rooms" and I asked if anyone had experience with these. To my surprise a number of students have done these activities.  I asked what qualities escape rooms had.  Students answered with "puzzles, clues, a time limit, and teamwork."  I agreed with all of those.

I explained that today would be a little different than a traditional escape room.  Today's would be all digital.  Clues and answers would be solely on the computer.  Students would still have to figure out clues and work with a partner to solve the puzzles to move on, and they would only have until the end of class to finish the room. 

This escape room was designed around a math review for integers and the coordinate plane.  Each clue was designed on Google forms. Using the response validation option when I set it up, students had to correctly answer each question before being allowed to move on to the next response. 

Students were excited to get started and were engaged from the start.  It was fascinating to watch them work together to solve each review question - there were levels of frustration and perseverance, and absolute excitement when they finally moved on to the next clue. 

Some students finished before others and went on to other academic choices, but all groups ended up solving the room by the end of class.  For homework students had to complete a reflection survey to help me get some feedback as to how well they felt it went.  Overall they enjoyed it and were looking forward to doing it again (with more clues than just digital.)   Here is the survey they had to complete: Reflection Survey. (TTQA = turn the question around)

I plan on expanding this activity soon to include many more multi-sensory activities.  I purchased programmable combination locks and plan on storing some clues in lockers throughout the division.  Also, the next one will be multi-class and incorporate many clues from language arts as well as science and social studies.  I'm excited to team up with my teaching partner to create this game!

Here is the room for those of you that want to try it out! Escape the Math Room

Thanks for reading!

Getting the Monkey Off My Back.

On Saturday November 18th I decided to spend a day at my favorite Metro Park with one goal - finish a 50-mile run. I had attempted the 50-mile distance twice before, coming up short both times (finishing 41 and 38 miles, respectively.) I showed up at just past 6:30 in the morning and started off shortly there after.

The first few miles set the tone for the day - rain, thunder, and lightning. I had my headlamp, but in the downpour, it did little good. Still, I had a great water proof jacket on and enjoyed the start of the run. I passed a park ranger and I was worried that he was going to tell me to seek shelter. Instead, he just gave me a wave and I waved back as I passed. As the sun rose (or more accurately as it got lighter out) the temperature started rising and I returned to my car after about 4 miles to ditch my sweater and long pants for shorts and a t-shirt, keeping the water proof jacket.

OK - maybe more water resistant than water proof

It was also then that I realized something key - I left my bag of Gu and honey stinger waffles at home. I spent the next loop doing some math. I had three PBJ sandwiches (400 calories each), 3 protein bars (230 calories each), two Zone perfect bars (200 calories each), and two Gatorade bottles (200 calories each) in my car. I also had a bag of mini Three Musketeers and a bag of Swedish fish. All in all, this was well over 3500 calories. My goal was 150 calories at the aid (car) station and another 50-75 during each of the 4~ish mile loops. This added up to about 2500 calories. I figured things would be as fine as they could be. Besides, I’ve attempted two fifty-milers on gu and waffles and those didn’t exactly end as planned. Worse case scenario, if I really wanted (or needed) more traditional fuel, FrontRunner Worthington was a (scary) four-mile run down highway 23.

It was all of this math and thinking of contingency plans that got me through laps two and three.

There were three main loops throughout the park that I had planned: One that took me down to the observation deck via the overlook path, one that lead out to big meadows via Dripping Rock path, and one that headed to big meadows via the multi-use path. Each lap was between 4 and 6 miles long. I figured if I did each separate loop 3 times I wouldn’t repeat anything too often.

map of the park

Honestly, I felt my first 50k (31 miles) was pretty solid. My nutrition plan, though off from what I had prepped for, was right on. I had a quarter of a PBJ with some Gatorade each time I got to the car, then a quarter of a protein bar during the lap with some candy thrown in for fun. This turned into about 150-200 calories every hour-ish.

I finished the first 50k in about 7 hours and 20 minutes, just over 14-minute pace. This was nearly perfect as my goal for the first 50k was a 14:30 pace. With the time I had left before the park closed, I would need to pace at about 19:30-minute miles to finish before getting kicked out.

Things started to slow down after 50k. Miles were definitely taking longer. 15-minute pace turned into 16-minute miles. Still … I was moving forward. Mentally I was just trying to get to mile 37 in about 9 hours. That was when I would pick up a pacer… My very good friend / coach / running partner Erika was back in town and said she’d put a few miles in with me.  Mentally I just had to keep moving until she got there.

It was so amazing to have someone there to share the really crappy of the suckiest miles. She spent about 2 hours with me and made sure I got through to about mile 43. I’m so thankful for that time - it got me through the absolute worst miles and certainly helped me complete my mission. She had to leave as the rain started picking up again, and I was left with a bit more than a 10k to go.

By this point, I had been moving for 11 hours. I had 7 miles to go and could pace at 20-minute miles to finish by 7:45 pm (sunset was at 5:15 pm, the park closed at 8:00 pm.)

Not that I saw the sun at all... This was the weather for my last few miles.

The rain became a deluge for the final stretch. The temperature had dropped, and I was out of gloves. I used a spare pair of socks for my hands. At mile 47 my Garmin indicated low battery. I had prepared for this with a charging block and cable, but with the storm using this was not an option. I got back to my car at mile 48, stopped my watch, and did my last two with my phone tracking my distance. Not that I needed it - I knew the one mile out and back mark. I finished with an overall distance of 50.02 miles in 12 hours, 43 minutes, and 22 seconds, pacing overall at 15 minutes and 16 seconds per mile. This was by far the most ALL THE FEELS run I have ever done. On my feet for nearly 13 hours (earning nearly 100,000 steps along the way) was like nothing else in my history. I can think of preciously few things I have done for 13 hours straight.

The “why” of this run is a whole different post. Feel free to get in touch with me and I’ll gladly share my thoughts on that… until then time to rest, refuel and see what is in my future. I have three weeks of downtime for sure, then who knows what I’ll throw onto the schedule!

Thanks for reading.

Gotta Know When To Fold 'em

I had a completely different plan for my blog this week.  Originally this was supposed to be a blog on a vocabulary review game that I play in all of my classes. It involves paper plates, teams, and an expectation of 100% participation.

I planned on taking pictures of my students holding up plates, spelling vocabulary words, and talking about how this is one of my favorite review games.

Then 6th grade happened, as it often does.

We had done our first two rounds of the game, which in this case was a review of rules.  The first word they had to spell out was "Wonder" (the title of the book we are reading as a class.  The second word was October.

I was excited because I was things were going perfectly.  My co-teacher was also excited because she is the Language Arts lead and loved that the students were doing this in a science class.

I gave the students the definition of the next key word: The preserved remains of an ancient organism. The groups got the word (fossil), but there was some dissent in one of the groups (I want to hold the L, no you hold the S, I want to hold the L.)

Then two other students started arguing because "you are always trying to boss me around."

Suddenly I had a flash to my first few years of teaching. I saw myself as a teacher that "had to get through the lesson."  The one that would have thought "oh my goodness, my lesson is bombing, I have no control over the class, but I have to finish because my lesson plan says so."  Then would have finished the lesson despite children crying and yelling.

However, years of experience have taught me what really matters - the community.  I stopped the lesson, and had the class return to their chairs. 

We then reviewed our agreements, specifically ones on accountable talk.  It was a very powerful discussion with students realizing and admitting they lost the purpose of the lesson and the game.  They also noticed they lost the values of the community.

We teach our students so much during the course of a year.  Each lesson builds upon the previous - and this includes lessons in culture, community, and expectations.  Letting little things go leads to bigger things later.  I'm glad I have enough confidence to know when to stop the lesson and review cultural expectations.

I'm also glad to have enough experience to know that sometimes six grade just happens... there isn't much I could do to prevent that - but know that when it does, we process, apologize, and move on to more greatness.

Side note, the kids that snapped at each other talked it out and were besties again by lunch... because sometimes 6th grade just happens :)

Reflection, Pooh Style

I recently started my 20th year of teaching.  I've been reflecting on so many things over the past month - how education has changed...how it hasn't...how I have...and how I still haven't.

One thing that has been consistent in my twenty years is the importance of building culture both in the classroom and also with the staff within a school.  I'm sure most of you have really focused on classroom culture over your first couple of weeks of school - but what have you done to build your relationships with your co-workers?

I recently read some quotes from Winnie The Pooh (or more specifically A.A. Milne.)  As I read them, I reflected on how they relate to building relationships within a staff...

A staff has to be thoughtful of others. It is a long school year.  There are bumps and obstacles.     How do you show thoughtfulness to others?  There are so many ways in a school: Take someone's lunch duty. Buy donuts for the staff lounge for no reason.  Give out balloons. Be unexpected.

This quote had two meanings for me.  First, so many teachers are in need of help.  You can't wait for them to come forward and announce they need help. Many beginning educators don't even know WHAT to ask for.

Second, we tend to flock around the same people all the time.  We see them at our division meetings, at our parent meetings, and at duties.   At the next staff meeting instead of sitting with your usual crew, go sit with someone from a different division.  Say hi. Share what you did over the weekend. Make a new connection.

It is so easy at a school to let everything get to you.  Students yell at you or tell you that you lost their work.  Parents hear their child's side of a story and come to you with fire in their eyes.  It is so important to step back and realize why you are doing it all. That student needs you.  That family needs you. You are helping to change their future.  

I am so grateful that I work in an industry where my impact can be felt both short and long-term. I am making a difference in the lives of so many - my students, my families, and my co-workers.  I can't say it is the most rewarding profession since I have no reference point for that, but I can't imagine getting so much love and satisfaction out of doing something else. 

So here is your challenge this week:  Go make a new friend. Buy them a balloon.  Tell them you are grateful that they work in your building.  Go be Pooh. 

Random Thoughts of a Runner

When you talk to most runners about their races they may talk about their goals.  For a 5-k that might be "run in less than 30 minutes" or "go the entire time without walking."  For longer distances you might hear numbers like "3 hour half marathon" or "qualify for Boston.

Just about two weeks from now I will be starting a race at 6:30 in the morning in which I have a set a goal to "finish before sunset." This is not a hyperbole, and sunset is 7:15 PM.   Most people are not comfortable talking to me about this run.  Few really even know what questions to ask about my run.  When I tell them the length of my race.  Generally the reaction I get is "I don't even like to DRIVE 50 miles!"

Why am I doing it?  Running two marathons?  Back to back?  There has to be a reason.

It's easy - run ten 5ks, then four 5-milers. 

Honestly, there are many, many reasons.  I can talk and write about many of them - health benefits, the challenge, the mental therapy, the time to reflect, the food, for all the people that can't run at all, because some day I won't be able to....  but being a teacher's blog, I'm going to keep the filter with my teaching goggles on.

When was the last time you asked a student to get out of their comfort zone?  My guess is it wasn't too long ago - maybe even today!  Each day as teachers ask our students to do dozens of things each day that challenge and scare them.  We ask them to practice skills that are difficult for them.  We make them read out loud.  We randomly assign them a partner to work with.   We give them tests on which they may or may not succeed.   And we ask them to do all of these things compliantly.

Here's the next set of questions - When was the last time you truly got out of your comfort zone? What have you done recently that challenged you?  What have you committed to that scares or intimidates you?  When was the last time you volunteered to do something you had a significant chance to be unsuccessful at?

So many teachers set goals of "get better at integrating technology" or "to incorporate reading strategies in my science class."    As a teacher pushing your students out of their comfort zone every day, shouldn't you be on the front line leading the charge?

Some have taken this challenge. Have you done it yet?

#TeacherMyth Challenge

Just before school started, I was in a twitter chat where this image was produced

I took this challenge to heart.  How much do we know about our students? We are with them for days..weeks...months... and in some cases years.  Yet with that knowledge, how much do we know about our students?  We know how fast they can complete math facts... We know how many words per minute they can read... We know that they have trouble behaving in class.

But what do you know about the students themselves?  What music do they like?  What sports do they play?  How do you build upon that knowledge?

To start the year I had students complete a google form.  Our sixth graders are in a 1:1 Macbook program with Google accounts.  Many of them have never used a laptop before so teaching them how to check email, respond to a form, or even open chrome is a period-long event.  Students answered a two-paged form.  The first page had basic information such as their locker number, their advisor's name, their birthday, and how many years they've been at Marburn Academy.

Page two asked for some different information.  It included questions about their birthday, their favorite books, movies, singer or song, and "What actor / actress / movie character would play you in your life movie?"

I'm excited for when students start archery

This gives me, if nothing else, a starting point of conversations with my students. I love having this information in the back of my head as I play some of my first three days of school activities.

It has been great to be able to talk to students during class and unstructured times about their interests and get to know them better.  I have learned so much about my students.  In my sixth grade classes I have someone that

• makes her own usable mermaid tails
• has played soccer for years
• is a farmer and made a tractor out of donuts and candy
• is an Irish Step Dancer
• is a hip hop dancer
• loves playing card games, especially Dominion
• has the nickname "Iguana" when she plays basketball

I'm still working on learning more about all of my students, and don't think I'll have 3 authentic items for each of my students, but just by accepting the challenge I am way further ahead of where I would have been!  For those of you just starting school, I hope to hear how you are getting to know your students.  For those that started a bit ago, it isn't too late!  Find out something new about your students today!

Name Webs

The beginning of a school year is amazing! I love getting to know all of my students. as well as let them get to know each other.  It really sets the whole class up for a great year.  This foundation of community building - learning names, strengths, weaknesses, and just laughing - builds the classroom management needed for the rest of the school year.

One of my all time favorite things to do with students are circle games.  Circles allow everyone to see everyone else.  It allows everyone to participate.  It gives an aura of fun, not competition.  It also gives some control to what can be more chaotic activities.

I play this circle game on the first day of classes.  When possible, I get my room in the circle before students arrive.  If that isn't possible, we go over protocols and expectations for moving furniture.  This includes moving one piece of furniture at a time, always using two hands to move it (I tell them that I know they can move a chair with one hand, but we're going to use two) and remembering physical safety.  I also demonstrate and let a few students go first.

Actual picture of how middle schoolers sit. 

The game is called name web.  Students sit in chairs in a circle and I ask how many names they know.  I have them show me on their hands how many people they can name (but I don't actually have them name students.)  Many students come in knowing a few people, but rarely will they know all members of the class.  I then tell them the goal of this game is to learn at least ONE new name.  You may set a higher goal, but the ultimate goal is one more name.

I then take out a soft round object - sometimes it is a koosh ball, a stress ball, or something of the like.  You need to greet someone in the circle and toss the ball to that person.  There are a few restrictions:

• You can't toss it to someone that already has had it
• You can't toss it to the person on your immediate left or right
• The goal is for your toss to be caught by the other person - it isn't dodge ball!

I encourage students to sit with their hands and palms open if they have not had the ball, and sit with their hands folded or closed if they have. This helps students remember who has and has not had it.

I start by greeting someone by name and waiting for them to greet me back (Good morning, Joe. Good morning, Mr. Taylor.)  I then toss the ball.  They then find someone else, do the greeting, and toss the ball.  If they forget someone's name the expectation is that they ask in a polite way ("I'm sorry, I don't know / forgot your name) - and we model this often.  If a protocol is broken, I calmly review it with them and have them try again.

(not allowed in this game)

Eventually, everyone will get the ball and the last person will finish by greeting me to finish the web.  We then go around again in the same order - whoever you tossed it to is who you give it to again.  We still use the greeting, we still use names, and we still give 'polite' tosses.

After two rounds I ask them to recount how many names they know.  Often their count goes up by one or more names.  I encourage them to continue asking names and that just because you know a name today doesn't mean you'll remember it tomorrow - that's ok.  Just like school you'll learn something, kind of remember it, forget it, then have to get reminded.  It's all part of learning.

I also apply this throughout the year to integrate curriculum.  On the second day after doing names we switch from that to count-bys.  So I'll say two, and toss it.  The next person says four, then six and so on.  After that variation, I'll say we have to count backwards - but in order to count backwards the web has to move backwards!  So instead of tossing it to the person, you will receive it from that person.  This mental juggling helps students be flexible thinkers and adds to the fun of the game.

There are so many variations of this game I couldn't begin to list them here. If you are interested in how else I use this as a base in math, science, and reading classes, comment below!

The Great Big Bag of Feelings.

I love the beginning of a new school year - new faces, new challenges, and a chance to start fresh.

One of my favorite beginning of year activities allows students to express how they feel about math using objects. It gives me a chance to get to know their feelings towards math, and also gives some insight into their ability to create figurative language.  I also get a chance to share a bit about myself.

Here is how I introduce this activity.

I have the class in a circle and explain that my daughter used to play with lots of different items. I then pull out this ratty lunchbag.  It is, I explain, her lunchbox from when she started pre-school when she turned three.  In this bag I have some items she also used to play with when she was about three years old.  I shake the bag and ask, "What are some things you think might be in here?"

legit - it is her lunch bag from preschool!

I get guesses from dolls and ponies to legos to crayons... It's a nice variety.  I then dump the contents in the center of the circle.

Students always are amazed at the variety of things in the bag. They also then ask about how old she is now, if I have other children, and suddenly we are connecting on a personal level.  They bring up connections with the objects (I had a Mr. Potato Head! Does that Silly Putty thing really have putty in it? (it does) awww, that's a cute Littlest Pet Shop!)

The great bag of everything

After I give them time to observe, I bring it back to math.  I tell them people have lots of different feelings about math.  Some people love math and some don't enjoy it.  All of those feelings are ok - you don't have to love math, and in fact it could be your least favorite thing.

I then ask them to look at the objects and find one that you think of when you think of math - how you feel about math, what you think of math, what math means to you...

Students get some think time, get a thumbs up ready, and choose a student to start.  That student then picks the direction the circle will travel.  I explain that everyone will share, but I also give students the opportunity to pass if they aren't ready on their turn.  When a student goes, they take the object from the center, return to their chair and explain why they chose it.  Here are some quotes from my 6th grade class this week:

• "For me math is like a weight - when I get a math problem it feels like a weight is being put on me." 

• "Math is like the Rubic's cube piece.  I always get jumbled up and think there is no way to solve the problem."

• "Math is like the multi-colored pen.  There are lots of ways to solve it like there are lots of colors."

• "For me it is like the battery because I need lots of energy and when I get something right it recharges me, but if I get it wrong I feel like a dead battery."

I have found the key to this lesson, like so many others, is not in the activity itself but the culture setting and story telling before hand.  This is a great 2nd day of school activity after students have gotten to know each other and me a bit.  Just as important is the lead up.  Building that curiosity about the bag, having students talk about the objects, and making those personal connections makes it easier for them to share later in the activity. It isn't enough just to get the students in a circle and dump a bag in front of them - they need the whole experience!

I've also accepted this challenge put forth by @Aaron_Hogan.  So far I've learned I have students that

• Play soccer, swim, and dive.
• Make their own mermaid tails that are usable in the water.
• Enjoy farming and made a model tractor using donuts.
• Do not like candy or cake! 
• Have 11 pets including 3 dogs and 3 cats.

Go learn something amazing about your students!

It's March MATH MADNESS!

Welcome to March Madness...

The MATH behind the MADNESS!

Students came in talking about the NCAA brackets and how that would be the focus for the week before spring break.  First things, first: What is a tournament and how are they set up?

I set up a mini-tournament in the classroom.  8 students were put head-to-head in a critical game of coin flipping.  I had students complete a bracket and discuss how many different ways this bracket could be filled out

There can be only one!

Students came up with many different theories: 2*8, 2*7, 8*7*6*5*4*3*2*1, 2^8, 8^2... It was a good check in for me since we already had covered calculating outcomes of independent events.

Finally students realized this is the same as flipping a coin 7 times and settled on 2^7, or 128 possible outcomes.

"So, Mr. Taylor, the probability of two of us filling it out the same is 1 in 128?"
That was a good eye-opening realization for many of them: in this small bracket of just 8 teams there were 128 different possible ways to complete this.

From there I introduce a region of the tournament. We review what the rankings mean as well as how the tournament runs.  Students were randomly assigned one of four regions.  Students were told there were 16 teams in each region and were asked to make predictions as to how many ways those could be arranged. Many, understandably, made the jump that if there are twice as many teams, there should be twice as many outcomes.  They quickly checked the math and realized how far off they were.

Instead of 256 outcomes, it actually explodes to 32,768 possible outcomes!

Their homework night one is to complete a regional bracket and think about why companies will put up $1 million as a prize for a perfect bracket.

Students come in the next day and discuss their picks - they meet in their region and discuss similarities and differences.  They notice while many picks are the same (everyone took my advice and picked the one over the 16 seed), nobody matches exactly.

On day two we talk about the whole tournament.  Students pick up the pattern that there is one fewer game than number of teams (an 8 team bracket had 7 games, a 16 team region had 15 games.)  They use Wolfram Alpha to calculate this value.

They discover that the number is big.  Like really big.  Good thing we have reviewed scientific notation.... because the answer is 9.22 x 10^18, or 9,220,000,000,000,000,000... over 9 quintillion.

The question the becomes how to QUANTIFY a number that big?  Many students talk about having that much money, but is that even possible?

How big is big?

First, let's look at space.  Space is really big.  That should be a good place to find 9 quintillion.  The distance from the Sun to Neptune is 2.8 billion miles.  Billion is too small, so lets figure out how many INCHES it is from the Sun to Neptune.  Will that reach 9 quintillion?

Not quite:

Tournament: 9,220,000,000,000,000,000

 Distance in inches: 176,400,000,000,000

(I make sure to line up the place values to emphasize the SIZE difference. In this case the tournament value is over 51,000 times bigger.)

In other words: if you picked a random inch between the sun and Neptune, and I picked a random inch between the sun and Neptune, we are 51,000 times more likely to pick the same inch as someone picking every game in the NCAA tournament correctly.

Let that sink in a moment or three..

Not big enough, Solar System!

OK. Let's try this.  The accepted scientific age of the universe is about 14 billion years.  How many SECONDS has the universe been in existence?  TO WOLFRAM ALPHA!

 Tournament: 9,220,000,000,000,000,000

Seconds of the universe: 441,500,000,000,000,000

Wait. So not even that is a big enough number?  Well how close are we talking? Let's figure out the part of the whole:

441,500,000,000,000,000 ÷ 9,220,000,000,000,000,000 = .047

.047? That is LESS THAN 5%?  DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? 

The students sure did...  

"So wait. That means if Jeremiah filled out one tournament since the universe started, he'd only be 5% done?"

Yes.  5%  This number, 5 quintillion, is so ASTRONOMICALLY HUGE, that if you had a large supply of pencils, blank tournaments sheets, came into existence the same moment as the universe, and filled one out tournament per second, every second, since the universe started... you would be 5% finished. 

I love the madness. And Math.

Washington D.C. Marathon Race recap

On Saturday, March 11th I completed the Washington D.C. Saint Jude Children's Hospital. This was my 3rd marathon and my 7th marathon-or-longer event. It was also the toughest road event I've attempted.

I have been training for this run for nearly 12 weeks. I put in the miles, did the speed work, ran the hills, bought the Gu. I was ready. Then I checked the weather. 12 degrees with winds of 15 miles an hour... ouch. It certainly wouldn't be the coldest race I've ever experienced, but it presented another challenge to an already challenging distance.

The day before the run I got an e-mail from the race organizers. It warned us of the cold weather and included this advice:

Manage your expectations. This may not be the race to run a PR. Slow down according to the conditions and consider switching down distances if you are not feeling prepared. 

Here is the deal: Running is an outdoor sport. There are no rain delays, no cancelled due to snow. I'm not letting 'weather' be an excuse for not hitting my goal.

Five top layers. Worked perfectly! 

The day started in my typical fashion: I got lost. Seriously. Bree was so amazing and agreed to drive me to the start line at 5:30 AM since the metro did not start up until 7 am. I programmed the start in my GPS and off we went. The only problem was that I programmed the FINISH LINE into the GPS. Luckily I realized my error and Bree was SUPER patient with me. I was dragging her all around a pre-dawn city that we'd never driven in before and she never did anything but reassure me. I am so thankful for her.

Eventually we got to the right location, she dropped me off, and I was off to the start line. I got myself ready, dropped off my bag with a change of clothes and some post-run food, and did a little light running to warm up. I also got to take a group picture with other St. Jude Heroes. The start was actually quite well done. Marathoners started at 7:00 and Half-marathoners didn't start until 8:30, which meant the start was (relatively) small.

It took me a few miles, but I managed to warm up and was feeling really good. The wind wasn't too bad and before I knew it I was at mile six: CRAZY HILL! Still, after running so many hills I knew how to approach it and felt good when I got to the top. A couple miles later I got to see Bree, Sam, and Alexa. A mile later I got to see Wendi and Jason as well! My pace through the first half of the marathon was 10:54 minutes per mile, right at my 11:00 minute pace goal.

The second half of the marathon started well. Bands were still playing, the course was smooth and fast, and the weather, while cold, was still not crazy cold or windy. There were fewer historical spaces to see, but I pressed on and crossed the 20-mile mark at a pace of 11:07 minutes per mile.

This is where things got rough. The wind really started to kick up and gusts were very noticeable. Some course volunteers said gusts were close to 30 miles per hour. Running began to be challenging, but I kept moving forward. Still the grind of 20 miles and the weather were starting to take its toll.

Then came mile 22. I had previewed the course and knew there was a bit of a climb at 22, but after four hours of running my body decided it needed a break and I had to do some considerable walking. About half way up the hill, the 5-hour pacer passed me. I forced my body to run, but couldn't keep pace with her.

 Four hours of running? Perfect time for a climb!

 I have been involved in sports nearly all my life. I can honestly say none of them have been as emotional or frustrating as distance running. You train for weeks and literally can watch your goal pass you by.

 I do so much reflecting after an event. What could I have done better? Did I give it my all? What did I miss? Here is what I know: All that training made me run my strongest road race of my life. I left nothing out there. Usually when I cross the finish line I collect my 'goodies', meet anyone that is at the finish, and hang out a bit. After this run, I crossed the line, had someone put a medal around my neck, and then sat down and couldn't move. My legs were cramping and in pain. My body was hurting badly and I was pretty emotionally devastated that I didn't finish under 5 hours.

As it turns out I did set a personal record (PR) for a marathon distance (26.2 miles), but I ended up running 26.6 miles total and crossed at 5:02:52, 40 seconds slower than the Columbus Full, but at a slightly faster overall pace.

If I did this event this time last year I would have finished in a much slower time. I would have given up running much earlier. Given the conditions there is a chance I may not have even finished. I've learned so much and look forward to busting that official 5 hour barrier in the future. I know it is in me.

Thank you to all of you for your support. I had so many people check in with me about how things were going with training and how the run went. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life that care about me.

To those of you that donated any amount to my run: I was proud to represent all of you! With your help we raised over $700 for the Children of Saint Jude.

To those of you that donated songs to my run through St. Jude Children's Hospital: I had great conversations with all of you. You will never know how much those help me get through the miles. It is funny how my player knows exactly what song to play when I need to hear it. Seriously, nobody's song came up before mile 7 (after that first climb) despite the fact I had it on random.

To my amazing family: Thank you SO MUCH for trekking all over D.C. and the metro, putting up with the stupid coldness of the day, and supporting me on my runs. This day would have been so much more difficult without you there. Sam and Alexa: your signs were great, and I LOVED seeing you on the jumbotron! Bree: you are amazing. Thank you for everything you do for me. I love you.

What's next? That's always the question. Currently I'm registered for a half-marathon in April and then two 50km (31 mile). I'm looking forward to getting back on trails! Outside of that, we'll see where the rabbit hole takes me!

Love you all,

Michael

The Infection Spreads!

Last week an infection got introduced to my classroom. How to what it was, how to catch it, how it spreads - none of that was known. Throughout the week students completed problems to receive clues as to the nature of the infection. 

This past week it was revealed: the infection is a virus which affects the midichlorians. When infected, the virus turns the midichlorians to favor the dark side. By the time this was known, half of the class was on the light side and half was on the dark side. There is also a ‘secret agent’ on the light side: someone that is infected, but that does not show any signs. There is also one student in the class that is immune to the infection. 

Both of those came out randomly based on the cards students drew from a deck last week.

 For the past week students have continued to push their cause's side by earning points to win mini-challenges. Students had probability challenges, number challenges, and other games. Light side students got a chance to retry, while dark side students were ‘tossed’ into the Pit of Sarlak. The most recent one was a kahoot battle. Students signed into kahoot as normal, but labeled their side: 

Sides have been set. 

Many of them wanted to name themselves “Darth”, but I told them there are only two sith lords, and they are currently held by the two teachers in the classroom. I also told them they were welcome to challenge us in a math competition to take the title. None have done so yet. 

During the game, students saw the top 5 but also knew EVERY point mattered so they focused on getting answers right.  They reminded each other that getting answers right is better than answering fast and incorrectly. 

Light side leads, but the force is strong with the dark forces. 

When the game was over I totaled the dark and light sides and averaged their scores. That became their points for “final” kahoot (just like final jeopardy.) The leader from each team (the one with most points) got to decide how many points to risk. Other students could help, ask, and beg, but ultimately that student decided the wager. 

From there, students were told one random person from each team would represent their answer. Collaboration during that question could not have been higher as teammates checked in with each other about both the process and the final answer. 

In the end, the light side won this battle, but the war is not over yet.

How will episode II end?

Explore Like A Pirate: Pandemic Based Game!

Last week a dangerous infection was let loose in math. Nobody knows the source or the cure (well except the teachers, of course), but class has been on edge trying to solve the mystery.

Students walked in on Monday and saw they had a 1 in 5 chance of being infected. They had no idea what this meant, but they were told that by completing problems in class they could start to find clues as to who is infected and how to cure it.

One of my favorites. Why not put it into class?

It was interesting to watch because even though they figured out the theoretical number of students currently infected (four), most chose to work alone because they didn’t want to risk sitting by someone that was infected. This led to a great social studies connection about how fear creates walls.

Students worked on problems related to simple and compound probability and were told that they could draw 2 cards for every 5 problems they got correct (which allowed them to connect ratios from a previous unit.)  If the student draws a heart card, they would get some information about the game.  This allowed students to complete work at their own pace while still being engaged.  Work could be done at home optionally for draws the next morning.  I have never had more students do optional homework than that night.

The right column is very filled with names now.

On Friday I conferenced with students one-on-one while they took a formative assessment. The meeting gave me an opportunity to do many things. I asked them how they felt about the learning targets, how comfortable they were, where they needed to improve. I also informed them whether they were infected or not.  Students that were infected had two choices: They could work for the light side and try to discover a cure to help the class, or they can play the role of antagonist and join the dark side to spread the infection.

Tomorrow they will come into class with a list of actions on the board, some for the light side and some for the dark side.  Actions include trying to cure the disease, spread the disease, mutate the disease to make it stronger, or protect someone from becoming infected.

The Game ends when one of these things occur:

• Everyone is cured (light side wins) 
• 80% of the class is infected (dark side wins) 
• Mr. Taylor or Mrs. Menker says “the game is over”

(that last option allows us to end the game should students lose sight of the objectives or forget rules about physical and emotional safety.)

Students will complete problems (this will be a general review of the term so far) and after each problem they will fill out a google form to choose one action. From there teachers will discern the outcome and let them know the result.

We’re right in the heart of the game and I have no idea how it will turn out. Will students unite to destroy the infection, or will darkness win? I’m excited to see what happens!

The Importance of Routine

Many of you know I’m in the middle of marathon training. Last week I almost missed a speed run. It wasn’t because of injury or family reasons. It was because I couldn’t find my Garmin watch. Instead of following my routine of putting it back on the charging station, I put it… well somewhere else. I searched for that thing for nearly 40 minutes, even enlisting my daughters to help, but no luck.

I still went on my run, using my cell phone and a couple of apps to help time my splits, but knew that this mistake could cost me serious money. Luckily my wife ended up finding it… in the pocket of a sweater that was lying on my bed. Not following my routine ended up costing me time and raised my anxiety.

#MyLife

Routines are important for students as well. Well run classrooms thrive on routine. They build muscle memory, allow students to feel comfortable and confident in the classroom, lower anxiety, and uncertainty, and give teachers the full allotment of classroom learning time.

That isn’t to say teachers can’t be spontaneous, but basic routines as far as what to do when entering the classroom, sharpening pencils, or handing in homework are essential.

Over winter break our school moved into a brand new building. We went from a one-floor, two hallway school to a 64,000 square foot, 2-floor, multi-hallway building. Despite it being January, my teaching partner and I treated Monday and Tuesday as if it were the first day of school – no academics, no tests, all routines and procedures.

My new home away from home

Students came in the first day and we talked about their winter break, what they did, and gave students some time just to be middle school chatter boxes. We went over schedules, took a tour of the building as a class, and gave them a classroom scavenger hunt. They had to sharpen pencils, hand in assignments written on index cards, sign out to use the water fountain, and even staple papers together.

Our classroom also has two standing desks and six wiggle stools which students can use instead of standard chairs. We reviewed procedures and expectations of how to move to standing tables or how to get a wiggle stool. Students then practiced doing this.

These are amazing! I use them in staff meeting now.

By taking time and actively teaching the expectations in the new space we let students reflect on their anxieties in the new building and determine how to best adjust to the new space. On Wednesday students handed in assignments quickly and efficiently, moved furniture around the classroom without disturbing other students, and felt they had ownership of a classroom. By Friday students were fully confident in coming into classrooms and following procedures, leaving plenty of time for education to happen.

Even with a full mooned Friday the 13th.

(yes I know the full moon was the 12th and it was technically waining gibbous the 13th. I also know the century started in 2001 not 2000.  But sometimes pretending is fun.)

My 2017 Word: Risk

Risk is a scary word. It implies injuries. It implies danger. Risk implies failure. I have worked at Camp Mary Orton for a number of years and when I run groups there we always talk about risk. There is risk in everything you do. When groups are doing the ropes course I remind them while the course looks dangerous, they have done the most dangerous thing already that day - they drove to camp. Statistically there are more injuries on the road then there are on ropes courses.

My summer playground :) 

Risk is more though. Risk is about exploring, if not conquering the unknown. Risk is aiming for greatness, but not always succeeding.

There are a number of places I have not taken risks. I have a fiction novel that I wrote a number of years back. One copy sits printed on a shelf while the original sits in a cloud. I have a teaching book that I’ve been writing for years. It’s sitting safely in my mind. The risk of writing it and the steps beyond that are too great for me to comprehend.

Quoting one of your favorite authors after that paragraph? Ironic...

This is only one area of my life I have not taken a risk. I plan on taking risks on a number of fronts this year - physically, emotionally, mentally, and professionally. We are about to take off on this great adventure called 2017. I’m hoping to have a number of stops along the way:

• Risk taking time for myself 
• Risk being selfish 
• Risk talking to authors and publishers 
• Risk running more and further than I ever have before 
• Risk implementing lessons that may not work 

Every great story starts with risk.  One of my favorite quotes is, “If you don’t risk anything, then you risk everything.” In fact it is the quote by my senior picture. My 2017 will be full of risk. I hope to see you along the way!

This pic will end up in my next kahoot :)