Love. This. Quote.

The massive outline for my book is complete.  I am now in the writing phase.  I show up everyday to write something - from one paragraph to pages of writing.

I am banking on this quote.

xo,

Jen

Daniel Pink in Person. Pinch Me.

My soul is on fire again.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of seeing my very favorite author in person - Daniel Pink.  You might remember him from my blog posts here and here.  I adore his last three books and literally could read his book Drive over and over again.  Have you read Drive?  Treat yourself; trust me.

I was this close to him during his talk.

Although I had heard most of what he spoke about online - I especially like this RSA Animate video of him - it was still amazing to see him speak in person.  He is so bright, clever, creative and packs a zesty sense of humor.  I can't believe I just described any part of his style as zesty.

Help me.

Three things made my soul ablaze:

1. I publicly asked Pink which books or writers he would suggest for parents and grandparents to read.  Guess what?   He said anything by Alfie Kohn.  Check.  (remember my blog post here and here about Alfie).  A writer I am not familiar with Amanda Ripley.  And (drum roll, please), Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck.  Remember my blog post here from two weeks ago?  In fact, Pink said, not to buy his books and only buy Mindset and read it.  "It's that good."  At that point, I just about fainted as it validates everything I've been thinking and doing since November.
2. You know when you sit by someone and strike up a conversation and that chance conversation literally changes your life.  The guy next to me did not know it, but the brilliant things he said to me will not stop playing and replaying in my mind.  I'd love to share them right now, but a) I'm still mulling them over in the most deepest way and b) my family is wondering when I will be off this computer.  Thus, more on that chance encounter another day.  I love those gifts from the universe.
3. This event was co-supported by System Source, an IT company.  System Source splurged and bought Drive books for each one of the attendees.  Since Lil O's teacher next year is a Daniel Pink fan, too, I asked Pink to sign the free book for her.  Isn't that a fun teachery surprise - an autographed Daniel Pink book?  Lil O will deliver it tomorrow.

OK, I said I would get off this computer in ten minutes and my ten is up.

With a blazing soul and I really have so much more to write,

Jen

PS - This fantastic graphic-recorder person, Kelly Kingman, sketched out Daniel Pink's talk as he was talking! Do you see the photo all the way up above?  Isn't her work amazing?  Like learning eye-candy.  I'd love to have her sketch one of my classes or the keynote I just gave.  Ahhhhh.....

Three Books I'd Recommend

Just in case you want some inspiring New Year's reading, here are three books I would recommend in a heartbeat.

Unthink by Erik Wahl
If you like reading about creativity or how to foster more creative thinking in yourself and others, Unthink is a super read.  I like to write in my books and I marked more things in this book than I usually do, which is a great sign to me.

To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink
Pink's books are always rock solid, in my opinion.  This one is no exception.  As a teacher and parent I am constantly "selling" ideas and attempting to move others.  This book captures the science and psychology around both. Since Pink seems to be doing a fair amount of speaking around the country featuring ideas from this book, you might be lucky enough to catch him and have your book signed :)

Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck
This book is probably my favorite read from the past couple of months.  It is very "coachy" and you know how I adore {personal} coaching.  Plus, every human on the planet could benefit from a growth-mindset as described extensively by Dweck in this book.  I'm hoping Mr. UpCyclist will read it soon, too.  It is that good.

Do you have any book recommendations for me?  I just went to my local public library to get a new stash and all the titles I wanted were checked out.  Thus, I let these books find me.

Jen

*All the links for books are Amazon Affiliate links, which means if you click on them and purchase anything from the link, I will earn a small commission.  Thanks, Amazon!  With that said, I would highly recommend these three books regardless. 

Vert Assessment {for Tech Tuesday}

Quote from Stephen Hawking

Recently, a former student told me in an email that I seemed like an extrovert.  Little does this student know, I am actually an ambivert.

What's an ambivert?  According to Daniel Pink, an ambivert is a little bit of both - a bit of introvert and a bit of extrovert all rolled into one.

As it turns out, ambiverts make great teachers as we can tap into both styles of vertere (Latin word "to turn") to move people.

What are you - an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert?  Here's another assessment that takes under two minutes to complete for today's Tech Tuesday (yes, a little early on Monday :)

Cheers,
Jen

Your Positivity Ratio {for Tech Tuesday}

I just finished Daniel Pink's book, To Sell is Human (affiliate link).  Did you know there is a formula for healthy positivity?  Did you know it is good to have some negative emotions or feelings in your day to counterbalance the positive ones?  In fact the magic ratio is 3 to 1.  Three positives to one negative.  Who knew?

For today's Tech Tuesday, hop on over to this positivity assessment and see what your current positivity ratio is today.  The assessment literally takes under two minutes (maybe, under one minute - see, how positive that was?) though, don't get too hung up on your score (cue negativity, please).  Just like most things in your life, you are the master of your own destiny and your positive attitude.

Which thankfully, doesn't need to be perky and positive all the time - just three-quarters of the time for optimal well-being.  Here's my score, by the way.....

I'm a 2.5 - not quite a three.

What about you?  What's your positivity ratio?

Jen

PS - Knowing that some negativity is needed in life makes saying goodbye to perfect even more celebratory and lovely.

The Opportunity to Peek on Daniel Pink? I'm In.

Two things.

One:  I am completely enjoying this book, To Sell is Human, by Daniel Pink.  It starts out a little slower than other Pink books, but picks up steam & becomes super practical both as an educator and parent (and wife!).

Two:  You know how I aspire to write a book, yes?  If you do, too, check out this interview with Pink to learn about how he tackles the writing process.

Call me nosey, but I like knowing how other people I admire spend their day.

Cheers,
Jen

Open to Opportunity

I am in Boston for a meeting today.  A pretty quick in & out visit.  I brought along a stack of papers to grade and toted them to breakfast with me.  To my fruition, I didn't grade a single paper.  I blame my impromptu breakfast mates - a lovely family from California.

It turns out the family homeschools their two sons - you know, I appreciate thoughtful homeschooling - and the mom was such a wealth of insightfulness that I literally took notes.  Yes, having a regular conversation over breakfast taking notes.  That's me.  Slightly geeky.

Which made me think.  When you are open to opportunity, delightful things can happen.

Now, I just need to grade this stack of papers, attend my meeting, and find a bookstore before my flight this evening.  The mom recommended two books for me.  Have you read Ingenius or Creating Innovators?

Open to opportunity,
Jen

PS - College students who have taken Educational Psychology with me, you'll laugh when I tell you which book the high school-aged son was reading.  Daniel Pink's Drive!  Could this family be any cooler?

Dedicate your work {Flashback}

Remember this post about dedicating your work?  Today seems like the perfect day to revisit this idea.  For my USAmerican readers, it is Thanksgiving after all, yes?

Thus to you, fabulous blog reader, I am grateful.  Thank you for coming back to Upcycled Education, reading our sweet blog, and inspiring & encouraging me - with your comments and emails - to stay the course.

This blog post is dedicated to you (and Mr. UpCyclist and Lil O who never give me a hard time when I retreat to our studio to blog).  Who is your day dedicated to?

Jen

Motivation: Lessons from Daniel Pink

Daniel Pink's work is required reading in my edutopia.

My personal Drive copy is plastered with handwritten notes in pencil.  I am certain there is a positive correlation between the amount I write in a book and a book's sustenance.  Mr. Pink, hats off to you for your collection of research, your infused interpretations and "toolkits." Turning theory into practice is relatively easy for self-proclaimed "busy" people like me because of them.

...Evidently, not too busy to keep up a blog each week.  Do you believe Upcycled Education receives about 500 page views a week?  All you, lovely educators and allies....thank you.

Though, I could blog for the next ten weeks about Pink's work and Drive, I will share with you just a few highlights as I really want you to read Drive.  By the way, if you purchase your own copy of Drive, fill out this form and Daniel Pink will send you a free, signed bookplate to insert into your book.  See mine?

According to Pink, motivation has three essential elements:  autonomy, mastery, and purpose. For humans to be intrinsically motivated (motivated from within oneself), all three must be present and balanced.

Pink defines autonomy as the ability "to act with choice" and "direct your own life."  Do your students have autonomy over the following Ts? Parents, do your kids?

• Time - Do your students have control over when they complete a task, lesson, activity or assessment?
• Task - Do your students have control over what task, lesson, activity or assessment they choose to complete?
• Technique - Do your students have control over how they complete their task, lesson, activity or assessment?
• Team - Do your students have control over who they work with to complete their task, lesson, activity or assessment?

My guess, if you are in a traditional public school setting, is "no" on most of the Ts above. 

By the way, Montessori schools get yes-yes-yes-yes on all four Ts above. 

 How's that for fostering autonomy in our youth?

 


Pink states mastery is "becoming better at something that matters."  The trick here is finding out what matters to your students and then figuring out how that relates to teaching and learning.   In other words, what contributes to their flow.  If you missed our discussion of Flow Theory last week, start there since flow is essential to intrinsic motivation.  For educators, we must employ all our tools to learn about our students:  interest inventories, online surveys, face-to-face conversations, journals, calls home, etc. Like big businesses do, the more we know about our "client" or "customer," the better.  By the way, mastery is NEVER an easy street.  Be ready for lots of Piaget's disequilibrium.  Michael Jordan didn't get great at basketball without zillions of days of practice, right?  Same with our students. Ask yourself...

What do your students want to master? 

What do you want your students to master? 

Is there an intersection or commonality between the two?

I heard Jonathon Mooney say that he worked with a student who was a successful drug ring leader.  This student said he "wasn't good at anything."  Mooney responded, "You run a successful 50 person drug ring and you think you aren't good at anything?  Man, we just need to find you a new product."

Pink states that "humans, by their nature, seek purpose - a greater cause and more enduring than themselves."  Here's what you need to know about purpose....

• Money doesn't buy you purpose.
• Purpose typically shines through when students feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves - a school community, a team, a club, a caring classroom, a loving family, etc.
• In the 21st century, there are new models of social entrepreneurship that mix business with social purpose.  Think TOMS shoes, Project 7 gum, and my future small business, Cloth with a Cause.  A girl can dream of using her social entrepreneurship skills, can't she? Many students this century are familiar with these new models of business; how could you discuss "purpose" using these models?  Could you find models that relate to your content area and infuse them in your lessons?  Additionally.....

How can you help students identify their purpose? 

Have you started dedications with your students to foster purpose?

Believe me, this is just the tip of a lovely, awesome, fresh iceberg of Daniel Pink's, Drive.  Treat yourself to this must-read book to explore motivation.  Of course, it's your choice :)

Best,

Jen

Dedicate your work

One of my favorite authors is Daniel Pink.  I like Pink for two important reasons: 

1. Pink spends time collecting useful research and succinctly includes this research in his books (two of my favorite reads:  A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers will Rule the Future and Drive) .
2. Each book contains thoughtful sections, called "Portfolios"  or the "Toolkit," which include clever ideas how to put research into practice.

You know I adore practical things.  If you don't believe me, re-read my initial post here.

....I just thought of  one more important reason I like Pink (besides the cute color name, no?), he emails back lickety-split when I email (or my students and I) email him a question.  Seriously, can you name other authors who email back?  Or so quickly?  The longest it has taken him to reply is 48 hours.  He is the Nordstrom of writers.

I have been using an activity from Pink's book, A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers will Rule the Future.  It comes from the Portfolio section under the chapter about "Meaning."  Who doesn't want meaning in their life?  Wouldn't learning be more engaging to students if they felt it had meaning?  Pink borrowed this activity from Naomi Epel's The Observation Deck.  By association, Epel is brilliant, too.

Here's the skinny:

First, read students this passage from Pink's book, page 243 (I've shortened and modified it a touch; that's what we educators do to fit the needs of our students). 

"Look at the page immediately before the Table of Contents page in most books.  You will find a dedication page.  Why should authors have all the fun?  Why can't everyone - teachers, students, salespeople, doctors, managers, engineers - dedicate their work to someone else? 

The actor Danny Glover once said that he dedicates every performance to someone - it might be Nelson Mandala or the old man who guards the stage door - but he is always working for someone other than himself.  This focus gives his acting purpose and makes his work rich.

You can do the same.  Dedicate your work today, or this class or lesson, to someone you admire or who matters in your life.  You can infuse your work with purpose and meaning when you think of it as a gift."

Second, provide time for students to think about who (or what) they want to dedicate their work to that day.  I give my students a "dedication log" where they can neatly record their dedications (a PDF is included  here).  For the first two weeks, I make daily dedications mandatory, after that it is optional.  Guess what?  When I surveyed students last year, they ALL continued their dedications throughout the semester - some even made dedications on non-school days! A few more details:  I generally write my dedication on the board to model dedicating.  Sometimes, I even write descriptors like "Dana - my sister."

Third, depending on time (and mood), I may ask students to share their dedication with a partner, small group or the entire class.  This is always optional for them as I want to respect their privacy and dedication.  Some days we write down our dedications and move on without discussion.  The process without discussion takes about 30 seconds at most - think, dedicate, move on.

Fourth, you can stop there with the dedication process - just thinking about someone else can be novel for some students.  Many days, though, I do end class and ask students to revisit their dedication log and think "one more time" about their dedication.

See what you think....it is different.  I was pleasantly surprised when I surveyed students and they all reported this activity brought more meaning to their lives and afforded them the opportunity to think of others.

Ready for my dedication?  You and Daniel Pink. Thank you both, amazing blog reader (or follower).  This post is dedicated to you.

Jen


PS - For Parents:  Little O and I started daily dedications at home.  Over breakfast, we each choose a person, animal or thing (like a doll, for example) and dedicate our day.  We literally are two days into it, so I will  let you know what impact it has on both our lives at a later date.  :)

Dedication log in progress....student sample



Captain, crew, cargo

Metaphors are powerful learning tools.  Daniel Pink in A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the World, advocates using them.  Poets use them.  Good writers use them.  Coaches use them.  Teachers should use them more.

"If a picture is worth 1,000 words, a metaphor is worth 10,000."

In comes captain, crew and cargo (or passenger).

January, when school semesters are transitioning, and teachers (and students) need a fresh start (or pep talk), this metaphor is a powerful one.  Basically, explain to students that in their classroom each students takes on a daily role.  Sometimes, a student will take on the "captain" role and show leadership qualities in the classroom.  This may be leading a small group, contributing to class discussions and in some cases, "over" contributing.  There are times, however, that instead of being a captain, a student may be more of a crew member.  Crew members are worker bees - they contribute to class discussions, work hard in small groups, but never quite take on leadership roles in the classroom.  We need crew members, in all situations (and captains) to get the job done. 

Students who do not take on either role - captain or crew - usually are cargo.  They are "dead weight," so to speak.  They do not contribute to other students' learning in the classroom and often times they delay learning as their contributions are null and their energy/enthusiasm undetectable.  Some educators prefer to call cargo, passengers, as cargo seems so lethargic and passive, while passengers might be quietly enjoying the ride and simply choosing not to contribute that day.

At any rate, sharing the captain, crew, cargo metaphor is powerful in that students understand several things:

1.  As their teacher, you are paying attention to their behavior.

2.  You are cognizant of their role and contributions in the classroom.

3.  Once you introduce this metaphor, you can discuss the importance of cycling through the roles.  Being captain everyday might be overkill for some students (and their peers).  Being cargo everyday may be too passive for learning. 

4.  Most students can remember the metaphor as it easy to relate to:  Captain, crew, cargo.  Of course, having a visual for this can help.  Maybe incorporate some clip art to support this.

5.  From that day forward, you can talk to students using this metaphor.  For example, a student who never shows leadership qualities, but is a hard-worker (thus, s/he a crew member), you can assign them the "captain" role for a small group project that day; Why not broaden their skill set?  For someone who is cargo daily, you can communicate to them that you need them to be a crew member for the next activity.  It is subtle way of influencing students' behaviors and participation.

Try this one out this week.  Post comments below and share how it worked for you and your students.

Ahoy,

Jen