Living On The Edge Of Chaos

Interview with Amanda Maurer and her algebra math art project.

My podast is back! Check out this episode where I discuss my four goals for the month of November. I have 4 big goals Weight under 230 Donation of 500 books Build a robot that delivers coffee to teachers NaNoWrimo nonfiction style to finally finish my book! Follow and Subscribe to my podcast on iTunes Follow and Subscribe on Stitcher so please follow here if you use Stitcher

This is the first podcast covering a 6th grade science and language arts project where students are working to eliminate the mosquito problem in one of our local parks. This group of students are discussing what they are doing and why.

Friday, I was given a wonderful opportunity to speak to students at Bettendorf High School. Students had a choice between three speakers who were all speakers that the students were able to connect with. I was beyond honored that the student council reached out to me to speak. I won't lie, after saying yes I was very nervous. I was not nervous for the sake of giving a talk, but I was nervous because high school students can be a challenge to hold their interest AND I also know there is a chance that the words I speak could make an impact. The whole week the school focused on the theme The Power of One helping students to understand that they matter, their voices matter, and that they can do amazing things if they want to. As I plotted, organized, developed, and practiced my speech over and over I finally was able to connect the dots and make it work. I only had about 23 minutes to deliver my talk which is not a lot of time. My first practice run was over 80 slides and 47 minutes long. Through practice and pra

Towards the end of 2014 I put out for a challenge to help spread the positive vision of educators. I asked educators to nominate themselves or others to help share the amazing things in education Increasing Teacher Voice: Challenge and Nominate a Teacher The first episode for this season is with an amazing educator named Kristin Galle from Wisconsin. Screen Shot 2014-12-09 at 1.34.07 PM Kristin is a 2014 PBS Digital Innovator and is doing some really intriguing things with therapy, mental health, and more in her classroom. It really is something worth hearing. I hope you enjoy this first episode. Remember if you know someone who would be good to have on the show make sure you nominate them so we can get connected. Increasing Teacher Voice: Challenge and Nominate a Teacher Shownotes http://www.symbaloo.com/

I am so pumped to launch this five part series about how a class of 8th grade language arts students took a project and made something happen. I was lucky enough to see this project unfold through the lens of one of our amazing educators at Bettendorf Middle School. Lisa Barnes, an 8th grade language arts teacher took a chance. She pushed her comfort zone and took an idea she developed to a new level. She had the kids move from just research and regurgitation which so often happens in schools into a phase of Doing Something! They students had to act on their own learning. It was interesting to work with them briefly when I had time. They did not believe that it mattered. They did not believe that their voice held any power. Some still are not quite sure that their voice matters. However, they stuck with it and through the journey they found their voice. This week I will be sharing a post each day for five days. Today the goal is to simply introduce you to the project. I will share a short podcast we recorded

I recently read an amazing book. This book is called Why Smart Kids Worry by Allison Edwards. I found this book helping me learn more about my own children and how to be a better parent. This book is not only helpful for parenting, but also for educators. [mybooktable book="why-smart-kids-worry-by-allison-edwards" display="summary"] This podcast episode is my wonderful chat with the author Allison Edwards. It is well worth the listen to gain some insights about anxiety in children and some new ideas that are not in the book. After you listen please take time to read her book. It is really helpful. [youtube id="h7eKJZeWbyE"] Show Notes Follow this podcast on iTunes and please feedback and ratings.If you would like to watch the podcast check that out here All Social Media for Allison Edwards Screen Shot 2014-11-01 at 3.32.04 PM Website: http://www.allisonjedwards.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whysmartkidsworry Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/whysmartkidswor Instagram:

This is a new experiment. I am creating a podcast to go along with the newsletter. Check out the newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/6PDQL If you want the backstory and reasons for what I chose watch the video or the listen to the podcast. If you like it please review on iTunes, like on YouTube, and let me know your thoughts. Enjoy!

No music for this podcast. No intro songs. Just a story. A good story. A story to hopefully get you think about simplifying your life and remembering what it is like to create things with pride and passion and more importantly purpose. Enjoy

Today I bring to you a new podcast and one that I am very excited to bring to you. This podcast has been one that Lisa and I have been wanting to do for quite some time. I was lucky enough to have her on the show last year which is well worth the listen for Episode 5. Check out more at www.coffeeforthebrain.com In this episode we hold a book discussion. We discuss the book [mybooktable book="david-and-goliath-underdogs-misfits-and-the-art-of-battling-giants-by-malcolm-gladwell" display="summary"] This is well worth the read. You don't have to read the book to understand the chat, but hopefully it will inspire you to pick it up and read. [youtube id="csEGatu0Vrg"] All Social Media for Lisa Van Gemert – Please follow and learn from one of the best! Twitter: http://twitter.com/gifted_guru Websites http://www.lisavangemert.com/ http://www.giftedguru.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GiftedGuru Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/brightkids/ Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/li

Story about how I made a mistake ordering at Starbucks and life lesson learned.

A new thought as we start a new school year. Don't forget the power we have as educators and the impact that we can deliver.

This is something new that I am trying with my podcast. I am adding a new bit called Mini Thoughts where I will share an unedited, uncut idea from my iPhone. Often times when I drive I record my ideas to develop later on. I thought perhaps this could be something worthwhile to share as I work to polish these ideas. This has been a thought I have had many times and finally going to share.

This is something new that I am trying with my podcast. I am adding a new bit called Mini Thoughts where I will share an unedited, uncut idea from my iPhone. Often times when I drive I record my ideas to develop later on. I thought perhaps this could be something worthwhile to share as I work to polish these ideas. Additionally, I have shared these bits on YouTube as well. It is good to test out new avenues of growth. I will see how this works out.

Shownotes Music created by 8th grade student Dennibro Additionally, if you would like to be on the podcast and talk about a topic please let me know. As always, I welcome all ideas and feedback. Follow and Subscribe to my podcast on iTunes I finally made it to Stitcher so please follow here if you use Stitcher

I am seeking some feedback. I doubt many students and parents who will be in the crowd for the National Honor Society induction ceremony reads my blog.I am a bit nervous. Alright, not going to lie I am super nervous. Probably the most nervous I have been for anything. This is my first speech I have been asked to give and I really want to deliver. I want it to stand out and be worth the ten minutes I have been given.Perhaps I am overhyping this a bit, but this is a big deal to me for many reasons.So, I have recorded a rough draft of what I plan to say. I would love feedback about what is good, not good, things I should change, flow, direction, ideas, etc.I have a few days to cement my plans and then time to recite a million times before I go up on stage.

This episode is designed to do a few things. Talking with one of our guidance counselors here at Bettendorf Middle School we take time to discuss four simple, but very powerful ideas to help parents and students get ready for middle school. 1. Lockers 2. Locks and Combinations 3. Middle School Summer Class: Moving to Middle 4. PE Clothes Our goal here to help educate the people in our community. More importantly we want to share out the things that we do and the things we help families with as they transition from the elementary setting to the middle school setting. While listening if you have cool ideas that you implement in your building please let us know. If you are a parent and have questions let us know. We would love to continue to this conversation and help out as much as we can. Enjoy the show If you want to reach out and contact Coffeechug please go here Shownotes and Credits Masterlock Combo Pack Guidance Office at BMS Mrs. Sones email - gsones@bettendorf.k12.ia.us School Website: http://bms.betten

This episode is designed to do two things. 1. To showcase another amazing project created and developed by a teacher here at Bettendorf Middle School on the topic of courage. We hope that as we continue to share out our projects that it inspires others to develop projects, connect with us, and share out additional ideas and resources so everyone can improve. 2. The students have podcasts and they need an authentic voice. Below you will find a link to their blogs and podcasts. We would love it if you checked out their work and left them a few comments. If you have a class it would be awesome if your students left some feedback. If your students have work we would love to return the favor! Enjoy this episode. Let me know your thoughts. If you have any questions, ideas, resources, etc. please reach out to me at aarmau@gmail.com or Rachael Dierickx at rdierickx@bettendorf.k12.ia.us 6th and 7th grade: http://kidblog.org/BMSHonorsEnglish/ 8th grade: http://kidblog.org/8thGradeHonorsEnglish-2/ Here is a condensed do

We have an 8th grade language arts teacher conducting a project right now around digital footprints. As students are navigating their way through their project I was asked to be interviewed by four students for their project. Their project is focused on helping to educate 5th graders about social media. During the interview I decided to flip the this run of the mill interview into a conversation. I love social media and I share and discuss my ideas and opinions on social media all the time whether it is here on this site, other channels, or at school. After talking with the students I realized that this conversation needed to be shared. Not because we have answers, but because this chat opens up a conversation that needs to be had. I love talking to students about social media. When you listen to the podcast you will gain a sense that the students were not sure how answer some of the questions or perhaps were not sure how they felt on the topic. I hope that as I flipped their interview into a chat we spark a

http://coffeeforthebrain.com/coffeechug-cafe/   Our school has implemented project based learning throughout all grades 6-8 this year where we have asked teachers to develop and come up with four projects this year. As we have worked through the many ups and downs of changing a culture and mindset of learners we have started to see the true value in what we are trying to achieve. Coming up in a few weeks we will host three exhibition nights where we will be celebrating the hard work and learning of students. As we continue to promote their learning we realize that we need to help express what exactly this night is all about. It is something different for parents and community members. We want them to come to these nights excited. Even more important we want the audience to engage with our students. This podcast is designed to help provide some insights into what these nights are all about. We hope we share ideas that spark new ideas, new thoughts, questions, and excitement. As you listen if you have questions