[
  {
    "title": "I took a risk and I think it worked!",
    "content": "I have a class that's been driving me insane. To the point that I kinda checked out and stopped trying to teach them, instead keeping them busy. Yesterday they \"took over\" and started criticizing my pedagogy. They weren't wrong.&br;They were saying two things very clearly: \"I don't feel listened to\" and \"I want to learn.\" Today was picture day, and I lost about half the class to it, so I came up with a plan.&br;I decided, when we got back, to try a circle. When we were done we'd get to play hot potato with the speaking ball. I explained that I have been in their shoes, and admitted that I could do better. Then I said that they got to talk. Whoever held the ball would be able to speak, and I could not talk until they were done. I literally held my hand over my mouth.&br;The students said they didn't like the format of the work I gave them, felt that they needed more direct instruction, and that I needed to be stricter. I explained that I needed them to be quiet during direct instruction, so I could give it to them, and asked for a fresh start.&br;We'll see tomorrow if it really took, but I'm hopeful.",
    "channel": "Classroom Ideas",
    "children": [
      {
        "content": "In our district, they have an initiative on Restorative Justice. What you did was essentially one of the types of circles a classroom can have, community building. In my classroom, we would have these RJ circles once a week for different reasons: to check in on the students, build community, or to discuss any classroom concerns that arise.",
        "children": [
          {
            "content": "Yes, I based it off of a restorative circle. My district was pushing against me trying one until I attended the training in the spring, but I was desperate.",
            "children": [
              {
                "content": "Check out the book touching spirit bear. I taught it in my high school language class but should be accessible for 6-8. But it would be a great indirect way to read and discuss circle justice and apply it to what you’ve got going on in class."
              },
              {
                "content": "I’m interested to see how this goes. I have tried this NUMEROUS times with a particular class of mine, and it doesn’t work. They say I need to discipline them more, but to them, that means yell at them more. I have tried all of their suggestions, to no avail. They are slowly driving me crazy."
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            "content": "I like this definition (community building) of Restorative Justice. What I DON'T like is when admins see it as a means of reducing suspension rates by keeping violent students in the classroom.&br;It should have the goal if reducing suspensions, but I'm uncomfortable with how many schools will treat it as an alternative to actual punishment, or without following through. The circles are great though.",
            "children": [
              {
                "content": "Yeah, this is very true. I have had many discussions with various principals about the implementation at their school site and each has a different view on RJ circles. I have gone to the training our district provides and have seen how they work in my classroom. "
              },
              {
                "content": "Took the words outta my mouth! 🙌🏽"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "content": "This is awesome! I encourage you to read the book “The Compassionate Classroom”. It’s basically like a guide book for the exact thing you’re trying with your class.",
        "children": [
          {
            "content": "Wow I JUST did an inquiry on this book in my teacher ed program! Happy to see people are using it!",
            "children": [
              {
                "content": "Which author? There are several books titled this it seems.\n"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "title": "My shyest student just gave a 30 min presentation that was amazing!",
    "content": "Background: I teach 9th and 10th grade Biology. Its not an honors class but they are allowed to do independent projects each trimester to earn \"honors credit\" (weird policy we have but that's not the point).&br;One student, who earned a C in the fall and a B in the winter, is super super shy. Also not a native English speaker, which probably contributes to the shyness. I have a handful of non native speakers and the vocabulary of Biology is always difficult for them, even the brighter ones. He's about average intelligence and the language barrier hurts him, but he works crazy hard to make up for it.&br;The honors assignment was to give a 5-10 minute presentation on any disease they wanted with a 5-10 minute Q&A. What made it an honors assignment is that they also had to dig through some primary research.&br;This student just went up there and just talked straight science of schizophrenia for no kidding 30 minutes. No notecards. His slides were almost all pictures or graphs, so he didn't just read off the slides. He cited his sources properly. He used proper vocabulary that he learned on his own. He started his presentation with 15 minutes left in class, I dismissed the class, and he just kept going. It was really good. I mean, he didn't follow the guidelines of the project, but he told me he got so into it he just couldn't stop doing research.&br;So whatever, I won't discourage that! Pretty cool I thought!",
    "channel": "Encouragement",
    "children": [
      {
        "content": "Rules smules. This is awesome.&br;Sugata Mitra’s research might interest you if you have ELLs. This fits into his theory.",
        "children": [
          {
            "content": "Do you have any particular reading suggestions for this author?",
            "children": [
              {
                "content": "He has a published book/study Hole in the Wall (quick read) and subsequent studies."
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            "content": "His TED Talk was really interesting."
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "title": "Send positive emails home for kids who are doing well. Those parents will be on your side for the rest of the year.",
    "content": "This year I started to do this every Friday. I chose 3 or so kids who were doing something good (strong effort, kindness, whatever) and sent home a gushing email. The responses I get...you would think I showed up at their house with a Publisher’s Clearing House check.&br;I know that when something goes wrong later in the year, these people will not question me nearly as much as they would have prior to this email. It’s good PR for yourself.",
    "channel": "Classroom Ideas",
    "children": [
      {
        "content": "I emailed home about a historically troubled student about two weeks into the year when he was a junior. I said great things. The mom was in tears because 1) she never heard this about this kid, and 2) the kid completed a summer program to “fix his attitude” and she wasn’t sure if she wasted all that money.&br;I never had an issue with the kid in my class all year"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "title": "Teacher Happy Hour in SF on 1/25!",
    "content": "I would love to meet up with any other teachers who are in town on the 25th. We're planning to meet at The Monk's Kettle in the Mission. RSVP Here: http://eventbrite.com/",
    "channel": "Events",
    "children": [
      {
        "content": "I'll be there - would love to mee other Wonderschool techers in person :)",
        "children": [
          {
            "content": "Yeah, I think this is a great idea. I'll try to make one happen in NYC soon if anyone's interested",
            "children": [
              {
                "content": "Count me in!!"
              }
            ]
          },
          {
            "content": "Same, excited to meet you all there :D"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "content": "Ah, I can't make it this time. But if you do another one in February, I'll definitely make it!"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "title": "A parent approached me at a restaurant tonight",
    "channel": "Stories",
    "content": "...and said that her daughter was in my class in 4th grade. Now she's a senior in college studying music, and just put out her first album. She said her daughter always wanted to thank me for making music fun. (I have a guitar club at school)&br;I still have a big smile on my face. I'm so glad I'm doing Wonderschool, it's brought so much joy to me and others :) ",
    "children": [
      {
        "content": "Awww! That’s awesome! It’s those kind of moments that keep me going through all of the nonsense! ❤️"
      },
      {
        "content": "This definitely reminds me of that scene in Boyhood where the waiter greeted and thanked Mason's mom for telling him, years ago, to get an education and improve his life (the guy was a construction worker I believe). Interestingly, she did not respond much on screen, but the audience definitely did (including myself). It's the small, touching things in life like this that make life worthwhile.",
        "children": [
          {
            "content": "I think the guy was in landscaping or repair but that scene was awesome in the movie",
            "children": [
              {
                "content": "Made me tear up"
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "channel": "Stories",
    "title": "My Students Saved The Day Today",
    "content": "I teach rough kids. I'm a high school math teacher, and if a student is going to chuck a desk or cuss you out then I probably either teach them now or have taught them in the past. My kids have a lot of complex issues, some having to do with mental health and others having to do with poverty, abandonment, substance abuse, and violence at home. I come from somewhat of a similar background, so I spend a lot of time with them teaching them coping skills and trying to help them see that there can be a positive outcome, no matter what the situation.&br;Well, today happened. I had a very important presentation that is part of a professional development class that I'm in. I was ready for almost every contingency, but my presentation needed internet because it was about using the internet and learning apps to help with differentiation.&br;So, of course, no internet today. Sigh. The presentation and resulting write up are the bulk of my final score.&br;I'll admit, I was pretty down. And five of my students noticed. They asked me what was wrong, and I gave them a rough sketch of the presentation assignment and that I was just a little bummed that it wasn't going to happen.&br;Oh, no. Not on their watch.\nThree of them cleaned and straightened my classroom, put the desks into learning pods, and put out some snacks and drinks for attendees. One of them helped me connect my laptop to their personal hotspot (I don't have one) so that I could use the internet freely during my presentation. The final student got a pass and went around to let the teachers who signed up know that the presentation was still on.&br;They gave up their study hall time where they could have been watching videos, playing games, or chatting with friends in order to help me be successful. My heart is so full right now. They really saved the day.",
    "children": [
      {
        "content": "Well done. I’m happy for you, and you should be proud for inspiring the kids to be the best versions of themselves.",
        "children": [
          {
            "content": "Thank you so much :)"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "content": "The roughest kids can sometimes be the best. They understand hardship, and I think they ultimately see the big picture in the end. They act out regularly because that's how they cope a lot, but they do really care under all that. At least, that's my experience."
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "channel": "Encouragement",
    "title": "This is your Sunday night reminder that there are a whole bunch of kids who can't wait to see your face tomorrow!",
    "content": "you might be the only adult to smile at them. your classroom might be the only structure they have. this week might feel long and might be tough, but we have an amazing job touching lives every day",
    "children": [
      {
        "content": "I’m so excited to give my kids a gift I have been working on for awhile. I teach low income and they love reading, the problem is.. they don’t have books at home. So in October I made a mission to get as many kids books as I could by December. I collected enough that all of my kids get six books each at their reading level and the book is a topic of interest towards the child. I gift wrapped them all and they get one a day Monday through Thursday and then the rest on Friday! They are going to be the happiest little readers and my teacher heart is just over joyed thinking about it!",
        "children": [
          {
            "content": "This put the biggest smile on my face. You're the kind of teacher that kids need and remember for years. Props to you for being an amazing person!!!"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
]