Teaching Gear

I am a complete gearhead. I love gear.  Part of my obsession is I love the outdoors.  Many sports in the outdoors require specialized gear.  If you want to downhill ski, you need ski gear.  If you want to cross-country ski, you need another type of ski gear.  Whitewater kayak?  More gear.  Backpack? Still more gear. Bouldering?  Thankfully, very little gear.  Gear, gear, gear.  That is why Mr. UpCyclist wants the toy-hauling RV pictured here.  More room to store our family's collective gear.

Now, before you judge (or applaud), I like gear because it has a purpose.  It doesn't just take up space (although, I certainly have gear that gets used less often - like my ice crampons for climbing glaciers).   Typing that line makes me miss teaching in Ecuador.  Sigh.

Thankfully, my profession includes teaching gear!  My favorite two places to purchase teaching gear is Training Wheels and  Experiential Tools.  I'm serious when I say, I could forego just about any material item in exchange for gear from either of those online stores.  Not that I'm hinting around for my upcoming April birthday (ha!),  I'm just trying to save you time when you are looking for teaching gear to use with your students.  Both online storefronts offer the most creative teaching gear I've seen.  I own my fair share of items from both stores.  These miniature metaphors are too cute and useful.  How smart are these button conversation starters?  I just used this body parts debrief in my class; my students thought it was uber-creative and memorable.  I really cannot get enough of this deck of Chiji cards.  It is my go-to item.  Oh, and wait until you see the new teaching gear from Sue! She's brilliant and just created her own deck of curiosity cards.  After I buy a set, I'll review them right here on the ole' blog.

Now, it's your turn.  What is your favorite gear - teaching or not?  I'd love to hear.

All the best, fellow gearhead,
Jen

PS - I just noticed this!  Now, that's a creative piece of gear.

Reflection Tools - My Ace

Last week, I taught a parenting class.  We talked all about the staying in the growth mindset and how to help others anchor to that mindset most.  I just realized I haven't blogged about that concept. Maybe soon?  I'm actually talking about that topic again today at a tech conference.

One of the best ways to anchor to the growth mindset is to be curious and reflective.  There's a problem with that.  Actually, there are two problems.  Problem #1:  Most public schools, college classrooms, and families are too hurried to allow enough time for curiosity and reflection.  To be curious and/or reflective takes time.  Unhurried time.  Problem #2:  Many adults aren't great at knowing how to encourage curiosity or reflection without being judgmental.

That's where reflection tools come in like the ones from Jennifer's website.  You can pepper in the tools at school or at home.  You can allot a small or large amount of unhurried time.  And, they keep us adults from being judgmental as the tools do most of the guiding and prodding.  Added bonus: They are tactile and colorful - lovely and didatic.

The Quotable cards pictured above are a new favorite of mine.  I used them recently with colleges students.  They brought out curious and reflective dialogue that class.  I think the same would be true for children and teens.

Do you have a favorite reflection tool you use?

Curious,
Jen

The "Other" Jen

As you remember from my blog post here, there are over 1.4 million Jennifers in the world.  I'd like to think we are all created amazingly equal.

And so I will.

A decade ago while attending my first International Association for Experiential Education (AEE) Conference, I met another Jennifer - Jennifer Stanchfield.  She like me shared similar interests:  a passion for working with kids and adults, knowing learning experientially is powerful & rich and recognizing the AEE community is comprised of kindred spirits like us.  I've attended at least seven AEE conferences since meeting Jen.  We always embrace when we see each other.

Kindred Jens, we are.

The "Other" Jen has authored and co-authored books.  She leads numerous workshops and trainings around the country on topics such as creating classroom communities and differentiating instruction.  She has the neatest store with the perfect educational props.  Look at this unique Miniature Metaphors set.  Isn't it divine?  You know how I love metaphors.  Seriously, can this collection of miniatures be more engaging?

Did I mention Jen blogs?  Check out this blog post on starting off your lesson with style.  Then, you must read her inspiring post on using quotes in your classroom.  Click here to do so.

If you are like me and can't get enough of her creative ideas, then go visit Jen's blog or her website, Experiential Tools. 

Jen S. is making me proud to be a Jen, too.

Thanks, Jen. 

Best,

The "Other" Jen