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.

First Day of School

This blog post might be better titled, "First weeks of School."  Here's a round-up of past blog posts that I would definitely incorporate into my first weeks back to school.  I use these each year with my new crop of students.  Teachers make the best recyclers.

(Capri Sun Wallets by Jen and lil O)


• The Typxwritxr - This quick overhead (or handout) brings home the idea of "we are all in this together."  You can use this ditty with multiple age groups in any subject area or discipline.
• Captain, Crew, Cargo Metaphor - This metaphor never goes out of style with students and it sets the stage for the rest of the school year.  Plus, you get the message when a student tells you they feel like "cargo."
• The Icon Finder - If you haven't jazzed up your e-learning presence yet, absolutely use Icon Finder to do so.  See the cute Facebook and Twitter icons I used on the right side of this blog?  Fun, eh?  Icon Finder is loaded with engaging icons for any occasion or subject.
• DIY Artwork - Speaking of making things engaging, did you decorate your classroom yet?  If you still have bare walls, see if this do-it-yourself decor might work for you and your students.  Plus, it makes great gifts.
• Relate, Create, Donate/Lesson & Project Planning - For some school districts, lesson planning is prescribed or pre-planned by someone other than the classroom teacher.  For the rest of us, try using this easy model from the great state of Maryland for lesson and project planning.
• Mod Podge for Education - I return to school next week.  For my post-Labor Day-back-to-school goers (yes, you detect a hint of envy there), you still have time to craftucate!  See what you think of this Mod Podge project from lil O and I.  Send pics of your creations to entertain us.  After all, lil O is one of those post-Labor Day-back-to-school goers.

Lucky kid,

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