Book Banter: February 2024

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Reese knows that reading is my jam, and she's always telling me, "You really should read this book!!!" after finishing something in her classroom. She's not as avid a reader as I am, so I try to take on some of her suggestions so we can chat. The series she most recently recommended, she has devoured. The Fairy Tale Reform School series includes 6 titles, and she's read 5 of them since December. Seeing her love this series, I knew I had to try it out, and I'm glad I did. 

If you're a fan of Wicked, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, or even the movie Malificent, you'll enjoy the series. I'm a sucker for taking a traditional story and looking at it from a different point of view. The series is based on Cinderella's (aka: Princess Ella's) stepmother opening a reform school for students who are on the pathway to becoming a villain, and teaching them how to turn their situation around. A small group of kids from the village are sentenced to Fairy Tale Reform School (FTRS) and find they have more hero qualities than they thought. Headmistress Flora (Ella's stepmom) is joined by Madam Cleo (the mermaid who tortured The Little Mermaid), Harlow (aka: the Evil Queen who poisoned Snow White) and Mr. Wolfington (Red Riding Hood's wolf nemesis), in teaching classes at FTRS and showing students they can change their life for the better. I'm on book three of the series now (Tricked), and I've enjoyed the cameos from all the fairy tales that are so loved...evil villains and traditional characters alike.

My rating: (the series) 5 out of 5 pages. 

Besides a sucker for fantasy and fairytales, I'm also an amateur detective who loves to solve mysteries. The Thursday Murder Club  is a quick and enjoyable read, so I've opted to continue reading the series. I can't express how cute it is to read about four, British octogenarians take on today's crimes and deliver the rightful punishment with the help of local PD. Each character brings a style and spunk the each case - Elizabeth, the former MI6 agent; Ron, the once fiery union boss; Ibrahim - intellectual psychiatrist; and, newest to the team, Joyce - former nurse who has a knack for knowing more than she lets on. Their personalities are quirky and entertaining, while the cases they have solved are just interesting enough, but don't make you think too incredibly hard. Enjoyable read for sure...added bonus if you're an anglophile. 

My rating: (the series so far) 4 out of 5 pages. 

I hope you've had time to start the year off with good books and new series. Please share your recs with me - my Goodreads bookshelves are always growing!

5 Benefits of Using Duolingo in Gifted Classrooms

 

Guten Tag! Hola! Bonjour! I’ve always wanted to be a polyglot (a person who knows and is able to use several languages), so I would often number my students off in a variety of languages or tell them to enter/exit/stop/go in the hallways using a variety of short commands I had learned. (The limits of my “multiple languages” are really numbers 1-10 and “Where’s the bathroom?”)  Students enjoyed guessing the languages I used at the beginning of the year, but by the end of the year, had developed an interest in some of the languages themselves (and would often start to count off in the language of their choice when given the opportunity)!

My daughter and I are learning German on our Super Duo account (great gift that’s not “stuff,” btw). Even though we have unlimited access in a lot of areas, we learned through the free app for over a year. It’s easy to set up an account, and with most schools being 1:1 or students accessing technology frequently, this is an added bonus when students need to fill time. Duolingo does have classroom access, but I have not looked into the cost or what is included. Let me show you how even an individual Duolingo account can be a game-changer in a gifted classroom.

Top 5 Benefits of Duolingo in Gifted Classes

• Engaging and Interactive Learning: In a gifted class, where minds are always hungry for something stimulating, Duolingo steps up to the plate. The platform turns language learning into a captivating adventure. With its colorful interface, quirky characters, and interactive lessons, students don't just learn a language; they embark on a linguistic journey full of excitement.

• Individualized Progress Tracking: One size does not fit all, especially in a gifted class. Duolingo understands that each student is unique. It tailors lessons based on individual strengths and weaknesses. This personalized approach allows gifted students to move at their own pace, ensuring they are constantly challenged without feeling overwhelmed.

• Accessibility Anytime, Anywhere: Flexibility is the name of the game. Duolingo breaks the chains of traditional classroom learning by providing access to lessons anytime, anywhere. Gifted students, known for their boundless curiosity, can now explore the wonders of language at their convenience. Whether it's during a break, on the bus, or at home, the learning never stops.

• Gamification for Motivation: Duolingo turns language learning into a game – and who doesn't love games? The platform uses a point system, streaks, and levels to keep students motivated. Gifted learners thrive on challenges, and Duolingo's gamified approach provides just that. It transforms the learning process into a fun competition against oneself, fostering a sense of achievement with every milestone reached.

• Diverse Language Options: Gifted classes are a melting pot of talent and diversity. Duolingo recognizes this and offers a wide array of language options. Whether a student is interested in learning Spanish, French, Japanese, or even Klingon, Duolingo has got it covered. This diversity not only caters to individual interests but also promotes a global perspective among gifted learners.

Unfortunately, there are 

Drawbacks to Consider

• Limited Depth in Grammar: While Duolingo excels in making language learning fun, it might fall short in providing an in-depth understanding of grammar rules. Gifted students, who often crave a deep dive into subjects, might find themselves needing additional resources to grasp the intricacies of language structure.

• Lack of Speaking Practice: Language is not just about reading and writing; it's also about speaking. Duolingo, primarily a mobile app, might not offer sufficient opportunities for spoken language practice. Gifted students who enjoy engaging in discussions might find themselves yearning for more interactive speaking exercises.

• Over Reliance on Translation Exercises: Duolingo heavily relies on translation exercises, which, while effective, might not fully develop a student's ability to think in the target language. Gifted students might benefit from a more comprehensive approach that includes activities to enhance their language creativity and expression.

• Limited Cultural Context: Language is deeply rooted in culture, and Duolingo, with its focus on vocabulary and grammar, might not provide enough cultural context. Gifted students who thrive on understanding the broader implications of what they learn might seek additional resources to enrich their language experience.

• Potential for Shallow Understanding: In the pursuit of gamification, there's a risk of students racing through lessons without fully grasping the concepts. Gifted learners, accustomed to delving into the depths of knowledge, might need to balance the game-like elements with a commitment to truly understanding and internalizing the language.

While in the classroom, I had a language center set up my last few years in the classroom, and students engaged at their own comfort level. Reading or listening can be fun, but there are many ways to enhance a gifted student's introductory language experience.

Five Ways to Enhance the Language Experience

• Supplemental Resources: To address the limitations, incorporating supplementary resources is key. Gifted classes can leverage textbooks, literature, and online resources to provide a more comprehensive understanding of grammar rules, cultural nuances, and real-life applications of the language.

• Speaking Clubs and Conversational Practice: Gifted students can organize or participate in speaking clubs where they engage in discussions solely in the target language. This creates a supportive environment for practicing speaking skills, fostering confidence and fluency.

• Cultural Immersion Activities: Bring the language to life by incorporating cultural immersion activities. This can include watching movies, reading literature, or exploring traditional customs related to the language being learned. These activities provide context and deepen the students' connection to the language. I also hosted an International Fair, when working on nonfiction with my class - this goes beyond language learning, but may spotlight other cultures and curiosity in their languages and customs. 

• Peer Collaboration: Gifted classes thrive on collaboration, and language learning is no exception. Encourage peer collaboration by having students work together on Duolingo challenges, share their progress, and exchange tips. This not only enhances the social aspect but also fosters a sense of collective achievement, not just the competitive spirit many gifted students have.

• Reflection and Portfolio Building: Gifted students benefit from reflection and portfolio building. Incorporate regular reflection sessions where students can discuss their language learning journey, challenges faced, and strategies employed. Building a language portfolio showcasing their achievements can be a rewarding way to track progress, as well as be utilized for future evidence if they need to show growth or personal interest.

I personally believe Duolingo is a fantastic tool for language learning in gifted classes, providing an engaging and personalized experience. However, it's crucial to address its
limitations by supplementing it with additional resources and activities. By combining the best of both worlds – the gamified approach of Duolingo and the depth of traditional learning – gifted students can truly unlock the doors to language mastery, or, at the very least, open the door to global interest in their education.

Five Years Later: Living with Classroom PTSD

 PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health problem that can happen after someone goes through a really scary or shocking event. People with PTSD might have bad memories, nightmares, and get really nervous or scared, even when they're safe. It can make daily life tough…and many teachers are experiencing this as they leave the classroom and search for other career opportunities. 

I received an email from my current management, recognizing me for five years with the company at the end of February. I can’t believe I’ve been out of the classroom, and living in the world of instructional design, for FIVE years. When you envision your entire life, from the time you were 7 years old through college and even the first few years teaching, as what “the rest of your life” will look like, it’s shocking to hear how quickly time has gone, living a different reality.

My current team has a running joke that we’re where teachers go to recover from their Classroom PTSD. Over half of my teammates are teachers no longer in the classroom. We remember our administrators standing in our doorway, watching us teach and intimidating us without words. We remember being told “we would never be Teacher of the Year while they were principal”, as we’re surrounded by multiple nominations from peers. We remember being called out into the hallway during school hours and being berated by administration as other students and staff walked by, witnessing our humiliation. We remember when parents would go above our heads, asking for special treatment, when they knew that administration would support them, instead of talking to us as reasonable adults. We remember being treated like a child (Is this how they would treat our students?), degraded, belittled, scolded in all formats - through email, in after school meetings, and impromptu “stop by my office” phone calls. 

We still react in the office as we would in the classroom. I can’t tell you how many times that first week I made sure that I asked permission before I contacted anyone from any team other than ours, making sure I had followed through on the correct “chain of command.” We apologize for taking time off to go to the doctor, even though our management knows our work is already done (probably for a few days out), we have families and lives, and there is no reason to apologize. We still have dreams about being in the classroom and wondering how we got back there - how did we mess up our current position so badly to be sent back?! 

Do I miss the classroom? Parts of it. I miss the relationships that turned from student (or colleague) to family. Learning about what achievements and successes my students accomplished after leaving my slice of 4th grade heaven is my favorite part. I had lunch with some of my former teammates before Winter Break and we talked about how we missed “us.” The collaboration and support is still felt in our group text (after not working as that team for almost 10 years now)! I miss the content - there is so much fun to be had, when learning in fourth and fifth grades. New books to read. New science experiments to conduct. New experiences to connect. 

Will I ever go back to the classroom? Never say never, but I will blurt a hard “I doubt it” pretty quickly. I enjoy the opportunities I’ve had as an instructional designer. As the lover of education I am, I’ve enjoyed being able to learn again, not just teach. I appreciate the respect I get from my team and my management. I thrive when we have deep conversations surrounding educational philosophy or new software that could make new opportunities for those for which we design. I love being able to be a mom and a wife and not have my nights consumed by grading papers or even my thoughts consumed by next day anxiety or fear of administrative repercussion. 

Five years goes so quickly. A lot has happened in education in five years. I’m so thankful for my current team - peers, management, deans, faculty, and other higher education instructional designers. They’ve taught me so much! My call to action for others - Support your teachers. So many good ones are already gone. Don’t traumatize the rest of them. 

Riding the Rollercoaster: Understanding Intense Emotions in the Gifted Classroom

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Spending a lot of time with my own kiddo over the holidays opened my eyes to just how intense her emotions have become. Although it’s typical for a gifted child to have intense emotions, I forget how quickly they can come on, as well as how quickly they will swing from one side of the pendulum to the other, with rarely a “middle ground” to be found on some topics. Gifted kids often experience emotions with a level of intensity that can leave others scratching their heads. Let’s break this down a bit and look at what types of emotional responses they have, as well as the positives, challenges, and how to ride the roller coaster without falling off.

Types of Emotional Responses

• Passion Overload: Gifted students have a knack for diving headfirst into their interests. When they find something they love, their enthusiasm can skyrocket. It's like watching a fireworks display of excitement – dazzling and full of energy.

• Frustration Frenzy: On the flip side, when things don't go as planned or the challenge level drops below their abilities, frustration can take center stage. Imagine trying to solve an advanced math problem, and someone hands you a kindergarten puzzle – not exactly a recipe for happiness!

• Empathy Overdrive: Gifted kids often have a heightened sense of empathy. This means they may feel the joy or pain of others more intensely. Imagine your friend acing a test – you're genuinely thrilled. Now, imagine them facing a setback – your heart sinks with them.

• Perfectionism Peaks: The pursuit of perfection can drive some gifted students to the edge. The fear of failure or not meeting their own sky-high standards can result in stress and anxiety that's off the charts.

Positive Aspects of Intense Emotions

• Passion Unleashed: The boundless passion of gifted students can lead to incredible achievements. When they find their niche, they become unstoppable forces of creativity and innovation.

• Empathetic Leaders: A heightened sense of empathy can transform gifted kids into natural leaders. They're the ones who notice when a classmate is struggling and are the first to lend a helping hand.

• Innovative Problem Solvers: Intense emotions often fuel a desire to solve problems. Gifted students may channel their frustration into finding solutions, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

• Motivated Achievers: The pursuit of perfection can be a double-edged sword, but when channeled positively, it turns gifted students into motivated achievers. They're the ones who set goals and work relentlessly to reach them.

Challenges of Intense Emotions

• Overwhelmed Overdrive: The same intensity that propels gifted students to success can also lead to feeling overwhelmed. Balancing numerous interests and dealing with high expectations can be mentally exhausting.

• Frustration Roadblocks: When faced with challenges below their level, gifted students might feel frustrated and disengaged. This can hinder their ability to thrive in an environment that doesn't cater to their intellectual needs.

• Social Struggles: The heightened emotions of gifted students may make it challenging for them to connect with peers who may not share the same intensity. It's like trying to blend in when you're a neon sign in a room of pastels.

• Burnout Boulevard: The pursuit of perfection and the pressure to excel can lead to burnout. Gifted students may find themselves mentally exhausted and emotionally drained, facing a toll on their well-being.

Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster

• Recognize and Validate: Teachers and parents, take a moment to recognize and validate the emotions of your gifted student . Understanding that their feelings are real and intense can go a long way in building a supportive environment.

• Provide Challenges: Teachers, spice things up! Challenge your gifted students with tasks that stimulate their minds. Boredom is the enemy, and engaging activities can prevent the frustration that comes with monotony.

• Encourage Emotional Expression: Gifted students may benefit from outlets for expressing their emotions. Whether it's through art, writing, or discussions, giving them a platform to share their thoughts can be therapeutic.

• Foster Peer Connections: Help gifted students connect with peers who share similar interests. Building friendships with others who understand the intensity of their emotions can create a sense of belonging.

• Teach Coping Strategies: Equip your young geniuses with coping strategies for handling stress and frustration. Whether it's deep breathing, mindfulness, or time management skills, these tools can help them navigate the emotional rollercoaster.

In the end, the intensity of emotions in a gifted class is like having a powerful engine under the hood – it's about understanding how to steer that energy in the right direction. If you want to read more on the subject, I suggest Living with Intensity by Susan Daniels and Michael M. Piechowski. Reads a bit like a textbook, but extremely informational and insightful.

I encourage teachers and parents alike to embrace the intensity, celebrate the passion, and ride this rollercoaster together. After all, the journey is always more thrilling when you've got a group of enthusiastic, gifted minds by your side!

Top 5 Reads of Winter Break

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After reading through my "first" three posts, I realized they were sorta' boring. I felt like I read papers written for class...so, we're going to change the tone a bit. I'll get the swing of this eventually, and hopefully my tone won't sound so much like a teacher lecturing on at a boring and non-needed PD session, but someone who enjoys the world of education and finds ways to help others enjoy it, too. 

Until then, I'm going to share something I'm truly passionate about...Books! My first Book Banter of 2024 includes the books I read over winter break. 

1. The Phantom Tollbooth (author: Norton Juster) - I really wanted to love this book. So many teachers recommended I should read it - "It's fun to teach", " It's just a good humorous tale". For someone who loves wordplay, I thought it would quickly become one of my new favorites (although the book is over 50 years old). Unfortunately, for me, it was just ok. 

Milo reminds me of many students today, where he's constantly bored and needs to be entertained. Even my own kiddo reflects Milo's "I'm bored" persona on a regular basis. I enjoyed his trip through the tollbooth, but once he entered into a kingdom that had numbers and words fighting (it's always the battle, isn't it? Math vs. Language?), I started to lose my interest. Maybe I've become someone who needs to be entertained constantly, as well. 

My rating: 3 out of 5 pages (instead of stars - what do stars have to do with books?)

2. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (author: Suzanne Collins) - I'm a sucker for a good backstory; Wicked, Maleficent, and now President Snow from the Capitol. I think Suzanne Collins did a phenomenal job of making me question how he got from "there" to "here" and really loving him despite knowing his future was villainous. 

This was the first out of my Christmas presents that I chose to break into and I'm glad I started here. My daughter started asking questions about what I was reading and it lead to watching the movies as a family and (hopefully) a future of rereading the books with her. Since I had read the Gregor the Overlander series earlier in 2023, I was planning to revisit this author anyway. 

Whether underground in a land overrun with rats, bats, and roaches, or fighting off District Tributes in an arena built with death traps, Collins knows how to bring together a series and keep the reader wondering "How did we get here?!" I cannot wait to watch Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I hear it is also phenomenal, but know I am typically more of a "the book is better" person. 

My rating: 4 out of 5 pages (Although it says "The End" on the last page, I feel she could have continued this story to get us even closer to what we know about "today" in Panem.)

3. A Curse for True Love (Once Upon a Broken Heart 3) (author: Stephanie Garber) - I completely forgot I preordered this book back in July. I read the second novel in the series in one day and was utterly perturbed I had to wait for song long to get third one...and then I moved on with life forgetting what magic lied in wait in my packages. If you are a fan of magic and fantasy, alternate fairy tales, and liking the villain, this is the book for you. An easy read (as is the entire series) that truly makes you enjoy hating the good guy. 

Although you don't have to, I'd start with the Caraval series. It sets the scene of how we were able to get to the Great North and adds a little bit of sparkle and glitter to the entire story. Some don't like Stephanie Garber's way of description (mostly in color - “She could see the sting of her rejection in shades of stormy blue, ghosting over his heart like sad morning mist." or “Periwinkle curiosity”), but again, I think it adds to the magic and fantasy. 

There are several characters (Great Families) that I had to look up from the previous novels to remember "who was who" and "who hated who" and "who spurned who," but if you read the series in a decent amount of time, there won't be an issue with mixing up the good from the bad (or pure evil). 

My rating: 5 out of 5 pages (Easy read, fun series, and an ending I was extremely pleased with)

4. A Discovery of Witches (author: Deborah Harkness) - One of the publicity comments on the cover said "The adult version of Harry Potter..." I obviously had to buy the book and test the theory. (And fantasy is obviously the genre theme of my holiday reading presents.) 

Witches, vampires, and demons (because apparently werewolves don't exist?) can be dreadful enemies or great allies in this series. Similar to our good friend Harry, Diana Bishop is coming into her witchy powers later than expected in witch life. The fact it takes place in London was also a good start for me, since I tend to be an anglophile. I'm not sure if it's the accents I hear when I read or the fact everything envisioned is cobblestoned and ivy covered.

I did end up reading the entire All Souls Series and enjoyed the first and third the best. The second novel dragged a bit, but was needed to provide the background for the relationships between the main witches, vampires, and demons (as well as a human or two). The time travel aspect was a little hard for me to believe (not a spoiler - it states it on the cover), but it did provide a feeling of "how long" the wars between groups have been going on and the severity of why they feel the way they do about each other. Again, I love a backstory, but it seemed long winded for what was needed to connect what I loved about books one and three. 

My rating: 4 out of 5 pages (Not quite Harry, but a good read none-the-less. My issues are already stated above.)

5. Six of Crows (author: Leigh Bardugo) - If you've read the Shadow and Bone series, it's worth it to pick up the Six of Crows duology. I originally picked up Shadow and Bone because I wanted to watch the show on Netflix. I found out from other Books Dragons (we're beyond book worms, obviously), that I really needed to also read the Six of Crows duology to know all of the characters. What? I have to read more books before watching tv? Ok...fine...

I think I actually like Six of Crows better than Shadow and Bone (and I gave S&B a 5 out of 5 on Goodreads). The crew of misfits and thieves brought together for this book reminds me of the crew in The Italian Job  or even Ocean's Eleven. Each has a skill or something they bring to the table - but better than either movie, we get to hear and see the perspective of each member of the crew throughout the book. The chapters switch view points of the characters and we learn what they are thinking and feeling in various moments of the heist. My next read will be the next book in the series, Crooked Kingdom. I need to know how this story continues...my hope is it's better than Ocean's Twelve or Thirteen. I had high hopes for those sequels.

My rating: 5 out of 5 pages (The impossible events and characters that think three steps ahead are intriguing to me.)

Share what you're reading! I'm always adding to my TBR pile...