Don't Be Discouraged!

 

This last week I reported to school, and had to do Professional Development.  During the PD I became very present to something!  So much I want to share!  It was about the learning process, and I think the above image says it all.  In our society today we want the quick fix.  We want to take the elevator, but we have to take the stairs sometimes.  I heard a teacher say, "in the struggle learning happens"!

 

That really spoke to me!  So next time you are frustrated in a class because you are not getting it don't give up!  You are in the learning process.  Stay with it!  Keep working with it, and study!  One day you will get it!  I always love when the A Ha moment happens!  Maybe that is why I am a teacher!You can do it!  Just keep with it, and trust the process!

Rosa Parks

This summer I got the most unbelievable opportunity to travel the East Coast and see historical sites through a grant.  I saw and experienced so many amazing things!  I will be sharing, and the first thing I want to share is the Henry Ford Museum.

I actually thought it would be boring, but it completely surprised me!  It was the coolest car museum that had historical automobiles.  I was walking, turned a corner, and there it was!  The bus where Rosa Parks was sitting, and refused to get up.  I asked if it was the actual bus, and they said yes.  They bought it for $500,000.

When I saw the bus - I wanted to jump for pure excitement.  I travel the world because I love to experience historical sites.  It makes history come to life for me!  So to be standing in

front of this bus was almost to much!  The worker standing there I think could see my excitement.  I immediately asked if I could take a picture?  He said yes, and the most exciting thing!   He said I could sit in her seat!  Are you serious?  That was to much!

Then he told me to sit in the seat across the aisle because last year President Obama came, and sat there.  So of course I did!

This was such an important moment in American History.  This decision sparked s revolution.  I am so happy I got to sit where this brave woman made a decision that changed the country!

Review Your Notes

 

This summer I did AP training, and my instructor told us a great story.  Last year the first week of school she had her students 1st day just read an article. Then she had them re read the article and highlight it the 2nd day.

 

For the next 3 days she added to the reading of the article.  Then on the 6th Day she quizzed them on the article.  And to the surprise of the students they all aced the quiz! 

 

The teacher was not surprised, and took the opportunity to talk to the students.  I think it is a good message for you to hear.  She reminded them when you work with notes, readings, and etc you will remember it.  You just cannot read something one time.  You have to go back to it, and re visit it.  You cannot read something one time, and expect to know it frontwards and backwards.  You must STUDY! 

A Kite Cannot Fly Without Air

 

 

 

 

This year the biggest song hands down has to be "Happy!"  The song has captivated the world, but the singer has advice for all.  Pharrel Williams was on CBS Sunday Morning, and had brilliant things to say!

 

First he thanks his teachers.  He said he has to because where would he be without them?  He said not where he is now.  He would be struggling because he struggled as a student, and made bad grades.

 

This is where you are so lucky!  BTW has GREAT teachers that want to help you, and see you succeed!  Take advantage of this!

 

Second success is not all you.  You are successful because of other people, and other factors.  You must recognize that, and be grateful!  He says the best example of a Kite.  A Kite cannot fly on it's own.  It needs air.  Who is your air?

Outline and Rewrite Notes

 

I always tell my students learn how you learn.  When you figure out how you study, your school life will be so much easier!  There are so many different ways to study, and we all use different strategies.  What works for you might not work for another.  So I am going to highlight different methods.  Today I am going to highlight outlines and rewriting notes.

 

Some people when there is a big exam coming up reread their notes and rewrite them.  There is something about the repletion.  Students will keep rewriting their notes till they are in their head for good!  Another great tip is to read the notes out loud as you rewrite them.  What makes this great is you include your senses.  It makes the technique more powerful.

 

This takes time, but if you wait till the last minute it is hard to do!  So use good time management, and start studying early!

Flash Cards

 

I always tell my students learn how you learn.  When you figure out how you study, your school life will be so much easier!  There are so many different ways to study, and we all use different strategies.  What works for you might not work for another.  So I am going to highlight different methods.  I am going to start with the method that works for me - Flash Cards!

 

Anytime I would use Flash Cards I would pass the test - even in college.  I excelled with Flash Cards.  I will admit, making them would be time consuming.  So you do have to make them in enough time, and not the day before the test.  I would buy Flash Cards, or make them with sheets of paper.  I would do that a lot in college because I was a poor college student.  I would have no money for note cards!  Lol  Now they do have awesome notecards out there.  You can buy different colors, or get some that are on a ring.  So you can keep them organized!

 

What I do is take all my notes, and the chapter for that particular test, and create flash cards.  I would turn every piece of information into a flash card.  I always had a lot because of this, but I was thorough. Flash cards are great because you turn the information into questions, and that is what teachers do!  They look at the information and turn it into questions.

 

Then I would study them!  The best part of Flash Cards is you can take them anywhere!  I would study them till I had them memorized!  You can also have someone test you!  They are versatile, and user friendly.  There are also online websites where you can make online Flash Cards.  Here is one of the best ones out there!  Check it out!

 

http://quizlet.com/

 

Be A Good Person

 

I believe in Karma!  What you put out into the world, comes back to you!  So BE A GOOD PERSON!  That is one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give to anyone.  When you are a good person opportunities open up!  I try very hard to be a good person, and my life has proven to me it is the way to go!  I have built good Karma! 

 

When I got very sick, and spent four months in the hospitals miracles happened all the time!  In this dark storm there were rays of light!  I say all the time I have a charmed life.  Things tend to go my way.  I can't explain why, but I know the way I live my life helps!

 

I know I'm nice, and maybe too nice.  But it's better than the option of what I could be called.  I like that I am known as a sweet, kind, and good person.  I think the other part of this reputation.  What do you want to be known for?  I like having a good reputation, and I plan on keeping that forever! 

 

The clip below sums it all up!  Listen to what Will Smith says to Jimmy Fallon: