Living On The Edge Of Chaos

I am back! Season 3 of Living on the Edge of Chaos podcast is here in the now and ready. It has been a long time since season 2 ended. In that void of episodes I had a series of small side podcasts(all on the same channel) testing things out. After some learning, revision, and moving into action it is here. And I cannot be more excited to start off season 3 with anyone other than Tammy Dunbar. Tammy is a 5th grade teacher who also teaches technology and does a ton of trainings for teachers around the world. She is one who not just talks the talk, but walks the walk. In this episode we discuss Genius Hour. Genius Hour has been covered many times, but this episode looks at the bigger picture of Genius Hour. How does one connect this concept to the standards? How do we move away from it being a "pocket of innovation" into the culture of innovation for a school? Can implementing a program like this actually raise test scores? What happens when we treat students as more than simply a number and data plot

I am really excited to share some amazing work of 7th grade students. One of our incredible educators from Bettendorf Middle School launched a project in her language arts class where students went on field trips to a variety of locations in the Quad Cities to explore whether or not these places are indeed haunted. Students conducted field research and came back to work and develop a podcast to showcase and highlight their experiences. What you are about to listen to are the top recordings of each location to give you the best listening experience. Sit back, listen, and enjoy the podcast. The students welcome any feedback, comments, ideas, and most importantly if you have any stories from these locations or other locations. In a future episode we will record a podcast with the students and teachers about the actual project and how to implement in your classroom. But for now, we hope you don't get too scared and maybe check out some of these locations for yourself.

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