Using Lyrics to Inspire Students

As educators, we are always looking to find new and creative ways to inspire our students to learn the content we want them to learn. I noticed at the beginning of the school year how many students were walking through the halls and into class with earbuds in listening to music. Music has a way with all of us in some form or another. With many teens, they use it to motivate and calm them throughout the day. So, instead of doing the same project I have done in entrepreneurship the fast four years on "the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs," I decided to harness the power of lyrics to drive the lesson home!

HERE is the assignment that I created for the students. Feel free to download and use!

I first started the lesson off by sharing how lyrics have empowered and motivated me over the years using songs by Eminem, Linken Park, and the Foo Fighters (Clean versions of course)! Next, students took time to research five songs that they believe relate to them as a person and showcase their entrepreneurial characteristics. I then had them pick one of those songs and write down the lyrics that resonated with them the most. Lastly, students presented their songs and read their lyrics. 

Myself and the students had a ton of fun with this activity. They loved sharing how lyrics relate to them and their entrepreneurial traits! Many of them even discovered new artists that they never knew about before. WOW! There are always new and engaging ways to teach students about your content. Sometimes, all you have to do is notice where your students are and meet them halfway! If you try this activity, please let me know how it goes by commenting below or tweeting me @DTown_MrD.

Building Capacity Within Those We Serve

When one thinks of leadership in a school, they usually associate the term with a person that possesses a position of power. True, someone like a principal of a school is a leader with a title. They are responsible for those they supervise, carrying out the mission of the organization, motivating the troops, and creating a shared vision and culture for the school. If they are really great, they also find time to work as an instructional coach and make those they serve around them better. But with principals being as busy as they are today, if they aren't finding the time to build capacity in those they serve then who is inspiring educators to model a growth mindset consistently?

In my opinion, one of the biggest areas lacking in teacher professional development is teachers having someone act as a coach or mentor to improve them as educators. Professional development is powerful when educators seek it out on social media or it is done correctly within the limited time given during a school year, but learning is a continuous process in order for it to be effective. So if principals aren't able to find the time to work closer with their teachers, then who should?

If one looks close enough around a school, leaders are everywhere and they come in all forms! "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are a leader." -John Quincy Adams. We need lead teachers, department chairs, curriculum directors, tech coaches, and those who are pioneering to help all educators grow in our buildings. It is a shared experience! When everyone in an organization is learning and growing together, there is no limit to what schools can do for kids.

Here are a few ways everyone can help each other build capacity within a building and be better for the children we serve:

1.  Make sure that everyone understands the POWER of Twitter. There are still a ton of educators who don't know what a Twitter chat is and how impactful they can be. Not to mention there are hundreds of them throughout the week and weekends. Also, schools should have a hashtag where all educators in that building can share and collaborate. Wouldn't it be neat instead of a faculty meeting from 3 till 4 it was done in a chat format? Imagine how much learning could and would happen!
2. Build more time into schedules that forces educators to share with others. Often, we get so locked into our own classrooms that we have no clue what is going on great in others rooms. Sharing is caring! Educators should to go visit five other teachers throughout the school year and discus/reflect on it. Also, don't be scared to ask each other what amazing things you are doing in your classrooms and share.
3. Conduct peer evaluations. For those that are tenured, evaluations happen once every three years. If we want to help each other become better teachers, why not evaluate and give feedback to each other in a positive format? If my department is five people, we all take turns going into each other's classrooms and evaluate our strengths and things we could improve.
4. Create a book study group where educators in your school pick a book each month, read it and discuss it. Or, have a bi-weekly tech/hot education topic meet-up somewhere off campus. It is healthy to get together with your peers and discuss ideas in a fun way. 
5. Reinforce the positives. They are so many positives happening within our school that they sometimes get overlooked by the negatives. Whenever and whereveer, share the positives because they make us proud to work in education and want to keep bettering ourselves for our students. We all have something to be grateful for during the good and bad times!

Have something to add? Please comment below or share. Remember, the more we help each other become better educators, the more powerful our instruction becomes for those we serve!