The Earth Is Flat! - Question, Investigate, And Find Your Own Answers

By Oskar Cymerman | @focus2achieve | BAm! Radio Network EdWords Blogger

No one knows enough. Period.

And that’s a good thing. I try to remember that.

Recently, a good friend of mine told me that he is convinced the Earth is flat. And, as far as I know, he’s not medicated.

He said that the evidence he’s collected is too overwhelming for him not to believe in it any more. A few days later he handed me a document titled “200 Proofs Earth Is Not a Spinning Ball.” I did not read through all 200 reasons, but upon a closer look I have to concede that at least a few reasons are compelling…

So I dug deep:

Do I believe the Earth is flat? No.

Do I believe the Earth is a sphere? Yes.

Can I disprove the Earth is flat? No.

Do I have proof the Earth is a sphere? No I do not!

And that’s precisely the point. I believe what I’ve been told at school. Teachers who were tasked with educating me believed someone else. They were taught by others who trusted the generation of teachers before them. And so on.

But how many of us actually did anything to prove that the Earth is round, or flat, or maybe a donut with a big flipping hole in the center?

I teach chemistry. Almost daily I tell my students about atoms, electron orbitals, the quantum theory, bonding, and other incredible things. These are abstract concepts most of their teen prefrontal cortexes are not yet developed enough to fully (and in some cases even partially) grasp. And I expect them to believe me - to trust me, because I know more than they do! But, do I?

I’m not so sure…

Back in 2007/08 I found myself teaching in a Saint Paul Public Schools’ alternative placement named “On Track” for students who flunked junior high and, for the first time in District #625’s history, were held back and forced to repeat 8th grade. These were tough “street” kids - a collection of badasses who, for many reasons outside of their control, cared little about schooling.

The learning environment these circumstances created wasn’t ideal. However, there were several students who, despite the system continually failing to meet their needs, had a lot of potential and convictions of their own. I remember one such student challenging the accepted view of matter. Ryan said that he does not believe in “all that stuff” when I talked about atoms. He told me that his dad says it’s all made up and it’s a bunch of bullshit. Of course I vehemently defended the leading scientific theories as I was programmed to do by 15 years of formal schooling. But…

Looking at that one interaction now I am not so sure who was right. I mean, let’s consider this for a minute: If I’m a kid, is it more crazy to believe my father or my teacher, who when compared to family is basically a stranger, an acquaintance and not much more? And, I know Ryan liked me as a teacher. So in retrospect I wonder: Who’s the smart one now?

I’m not saying that the entire story of the Universe is a far-fetched conspiracy to control the masses. Is it a possibility? Sure. Am I paranoid? I believe my mind is clear. All I’m saying is that no one knows enough to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. We often don’t know what we think we know. At the very least, we are not certain. We obtain much knowledge from others. We might be standing on the shoulders of giants or be trapped unconscious in the Matrix.

So, as I learn I choose to question, investigate, and look for my own answers and I conceive that my job as a teacher is to help my students do the same.

Thanks for reading! Check me out on BAm! Sign Up for my Newsletter on the science of learning, teaching and learning strategies, and finding inspiration in the little things. And, you can always count on me to encourage others to ask questions, look for answers, and gulp (not sip) life.

Remember: You Have the Power to Change the World. Use It Often!

PS. Recently, another one of my students challenged the accepted science theories concerning the makeup of the Universe. He said it’s too far fetched and nonsensical. I told him to look for his own answers. I’ve been a teacher for 13 years and I’m happy to report that I’m still figuring it out :)

Starbucks My Classroom E-mail To Colleagues

By Oskar Cymerman | @focus2achieve | BAm! Radio Network EdWords Blogger

Hi Friends,

In the spirit of helping everyone who is thinking or already decided to Starbucks their classroom I am sharing the copy/paste of an email I wrote to my school colleagues today to ask for support with the Starbucks My Room Project. I hope you find it helpful! Use, lose, or abuse as my physics teaching colleague Lee Wignall says.

Hi everyone,

I know it's the end of the year and I should just sit down, shut up, and chill, but I can't. And I need your help. I am rearranging my room to create an environment that promotes the 4 Cs. I got the idea from an edutopia article written by Kayla Delzer (a teacher from ND) "Flexible Seating and Student-Centered Classroom Redesign" http://edut.to/1No6TXN . I also blogged about it:  http://bit.ly/1YcZP37 and http://bit.ly/22MPJq4. Basically, my classroom will look like a swanky cafe next year.

Anyway, my goal is to spend $0 of my own money, which means I have to be creative, think critically, collaborate, and communicate.

All I'm asking is this:

1. If you are getting rid of used, but suitable furniture (no strange smells etc.) such as coffee tables, chairs, couches, futons, bean bags, rugs, picture frames, armchairs etc. please think of donating (I think it's a write-off as we are non-profit).

2. If you know someone who is updating or have any other leads please let me know as well.

3. If you have anything you think might be suitable in your classroom and you don't want it let me know.

Thanks a lot- back to thoughts of beach, sunshine, and margaritas,

Oskar Cymerman

Keep Calm And Starbucks Your Classroom

By Oskar Cymerman | @focus2achieve | BAm! Radio Network EdWords Blogger

I want to thank everyone who decided to join the “Starbucks My Classroom” Project and everyone who supports the idea. I am grateful for all the tips, words of encouragement, pictures, retweets, shares, and questions on Twitter and LinkedIn! You Rock!

If this is the first time you’re hearing about this project, check out my 2 previous posts: I’mma Starbucks My Classroom: My 21st Century Manifesto and “Starbucks My Classroom” Project: The Master Plan and join!

In this post, I hope provide encouragement of my own and answer some questions about the project. Some were direct, others posted to #StarbucksMyRoom. I’m diving right in.

Q: In our #StarbucksMyRoom quest, is it fine to model our rooms after already made rooms? Until we know more of what works?

A: Why not? “Beg, borrow, and steal” is what we’re taught in teacher prep. As long as it benefits the students and no one loses an eye - do it! It’s all up to you.

Q: What are some regulations to pay attention to?

A: Great question. I know that I have to pay attention to fire code. My school district employs a safety officer, so I’ll be in touch with him. Having said that, if I get a donation from a student’s family I’ll take it, store it in my room, and worry about it later. If you want to adopt a similar temporary policy make sure you talk to your custodians so they know what’s happening and that you might need help disposing of stuff later.

Q: I will have no problem collecting furniture, but I need help designing the room for my high school students.

A: Relax English teachers. I know it’s not theoretically a question, but it is a valid concern one teacher expressed and others may have. What can I say? My wife keeps telling me that I have no sense of style. She’s probably right. Will that stop me? Hell No! But, I will ask for help. My wife really does have an eye for these things so I’ll ask her for suggestions. I’ll ask colleagues. I’ll ask students. I’ll go to swanky cafes, look at pictures online, YouTube it, ask tweeps, Kayla Delzer, Google, maybe even the Nate guy from Oprah. And, I will be flexible to changing it up during the school year if better options come up. If I’m building a flexible seating classroom it only makes sense that I keep my mind flexible as well.

Q: I dreamed my parents were looking for friends on Craigslist. Thanks to @focus2achieve, I'm now trying to Starbucks my parents, too!

A: That is called commitment. Dude, that is weird. And that’s why it’s awesome! You know what’s up @Mister_Mathis! ‘Nuff said.

Q: I teach in a 1:1 school and minute they sit somewhere else some of them are on games because I can't see their screens.

A: What can I say? The struggle is real brother! I have 20 chromebooks so more like a 2:3 than 1:1 but still - students becoming distracted and playing slither.io (click the link at your own peril!) is always a possibility. One way to alleviate this concern is to “be with them” - walk around the room and engage students by asking questions about the project they’re working on and to give situational feedback. Another way is to build in deliberate breaks during which you allow students 5 minutes of gaming, social media, or whatever. The benefit in that is that students get to have a little “goof-off” time while their prefrontal cortexes gets a much needed break as those things get tired super fast.

Q: I'm excited to try this. First year teacher though, so I'm pretty nervous! May start small with just my "library?"

A: Yes! Please do. Small steps forward keep you moving forward. I don’t know if I’d have the courage my first year, so you’re way ahead of me. Not sure if your principal has a “walk-in” policy or not, but this might be something to run by your teacher induction mentor. And, if a suitable furniture piece happens to come along you decide :).

Q: I’m in! Can’t Wait! Great Idea!  

A: Those kinds of responses dominated, Thank you, thank you, thank you!

If you want to but are still hesitating lean on us, check out the #StarbucksMyRoom hashtag for ideas and inspiration, and remember that it will benefit your students and yourself. They will love it and so will you. The game will change for everyone involved. But you have to take the leap. Then a teeny tiny step toward your goal. Maybe tell your significant other and ask for support. Call someone you trust and tell them. They will be there for you. Build on it. Gain momentum. Ride it.

I have doubts too. Sometimes, a thought creeps in. What if I won’t be able? It’s real. It’s valid. It’s scary at times. Many things worth doing push us out of our comfort zone. But that’s how we grow. That’s how we level up. That’s how we change the world.

Remember the Excitement, the Curiosity, the Faith, and the Trust.

They Will Guide You.

They Will Help You.

They Are In You.

So Keep Calm And Starbucks Your Classroom.

Thanks for reading! Check me out on BAm! Sign Up for my Newsletter on the science of learning, teaching and learning strategies, and finding inspiration in the little things. And, you can always count on me to encourage others to ask questions, look for answers, and gulp (not sip) life.

Remember: You Have the Power to Change the World (and Starbucks Your Room). Use It Often!