NFL Five Themes of Geography Final Project

Now that my students understand the Themes of Geography via our NFL worksheets, they divide into small groups and create a NEW NFL team to be based in the United States.

Some student groups will ask about having a team in another country, this leads to a GREAT class discussion on the problems the NFL might face with establishing Pro Teams in other countries: the travel distance (and time zone change) is one that really gets the students talking! At that point, they want their team to do well in weekly games, and choose to stay in the USA.

I have created a rubric to guide them.

After going over the rubric, I ask students to find a new city for their team. They must have a city that fits the NFL requirements. Generally, that means they need to justify the population, hotels, etc., compared to three other NFL cities.

Once the city is picked, students go on to create a new team name, new team helmet, stadium type, the NFL teams their team will play, how teams and fans travel / participate with the team, and any other information they want to include.

I usually let the students pick how to present the information. Some will choose Prezi, others Google Slides, and some will branch out into other formats.

On presentation day, most dress up. I tell them they are the new team owners, presenting to the NFL commission and current owners, trying to convince everyone the NFL NEEDS this team.

I know these lessons could transport over to any sport. I'm currently getting into Rugby, and I think I may try a mini-lesson with Rugby teams world wide.

NFL Human and Environment Interaction & Movement

For the final part of the NFL lessons on the Five Themes of Geography, I combine Human and Environment Interaction and Movement.

We start by discussing what Human Environment Interaction is. Students usually understand this concept better than Regions or Place.

If they are struggling, I mention common things:

• What do you wear if it is going to be hot out? 
• What do you wear if it is going to be cold out? 
• Why do you change what you wear if it is hot / cold? 

After that, my students look up the information to fill out the worksheet about the Super Bowl locations. 

This usually takes them awhile, I let them do it in pairs, and suggest they use the NFL Super Bowl History site.  This site provides most the information. The only thing it doesn't, is the style of the building that hosted the Super Bowl. 

This provides a great lesson on using Google Search - highlight the stadium name and click search. I will have students who don't do this. Instead, they will just try and look at Google Images and figure it out. (Usually, they miss the type this way.)

On Day Two, we discuss what we notice. 

For instance: 

• Why are most outdoor games in the Southern United States? 
• Why are most domed games in the Northern United States? 
• Why do some stadiums have new names -- even when it is the same building (Cowboy Stadium vs. AT&T stadium is a great example)? 
• Why might these places be picked? 

Most my students agree, they would rather go someplace warm in the middle of Winter to watch the Super Bowl, than be in places Winter might also be. 

This discussion also then leads into the Movement discussion. This discussion includes how do teams get to games, how do fans get to games, what if you can't attend a game... how does Human Environment Interaction then allow people to be involved where they are in the World? 

At this point, the students have covered all the themes of Geography.

They then break into small groups and start designing a NEW NFL team. 

NFL Regions 3

During this lesson, I have student look at the map they created with the Locations of all the NFL teams.

We then go to look at the list of current NFL divisions.
The students sometimes notice the way things are set up, but most often I then show them the 2014 NFL Division map.

At this point, even students who are not interested in the NFL see some issues:

• Why does Miami play New England? 
• Why does Seattle play Saint Louis? 

Of course, they have more questions, but these always make an appearance! 

We then discuss what these places may have in common to be a region. 

The next step:

Students reorganize the NFL Divisions based on the geographic land-forms, landmarks, or any other system that they can justify. I have them circle their new groups on this map. I then have them fill out a worksheet. 

I do NOT allow them to just say the cardinal directions. The new divisions may include a cardinal direction, but it must also include other geographic information. 

The next day, we discuss the newly arranged divisions and decide which student / student group came up with the best map for Regions. 

NFL Place Lesson 2

Last night, I posted the Location portion of my NFL project.

Today, I am going to share how we study Place.

First off, I always find Place and Region to be the HARDEST for students to understand.
Perhaps, it is because they are more abstract.

In order to understand PLACE, we discuss what all NFL locations have in common. The students realize that most teams are around population centers, which lead to having enough food options, hotels, etc.
This helps students understand the start of PLACE.

Next, we read this article to see how teams go their particular name. During this time, students start to make the connection to what an area's local history, local landmarks, and geographical features have to do with the naming of a team.

Finally, we are on to researching new team names. The key thing is to remind students to base the name off of a REALISTIC information for the area.

The worksheet I use.
Then, students draw a picture of the newly named team on the back of the worksheet.

This always leads to an insightful discussion the next day on why someone picked the name they did. Plus, if a name doesn't initially make sense, the students discuss and find out why it would. (I always like using Cincinnati's history as a reason for the name I give!)

Most often, by the end of this lesson, many of my students have a much more concrete idea about Place.

How to Teach Geography... with the NFL - Part 1 - Location

YEARS AGO - SEVEN, TO BE EXACT....

A FORMER EIGHTH GRADE TEACHER GIFTED ME,
A PACKET.

THAT PACKET CHANGED HOW I TEACH THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY....

FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The premise is simple. 

Use the NFL to show students how MR. HELP  is relevant in EVERY aspect of life.

I've tweaked this project over the years, and I am pretty content with how it is RIGHT now! 

My students are to the stage of working on their own projects.

First, I start with the worksheet about location. 

This one is simple. 

We go through and write down all the locations and names of the teams. 

Students are always amazed that the NY Jets / NY Giants share a stadium, that the Arizona Cardinals aren't in Phoenix (and don't have their own stadium), that the Dallas Cowboys aren't in Dallas, etc. 

This leads to a wonderful discussion on why those LOCATIONS are picked versus where the name conveys they are from. 

I number this map

My worksheet that students fill out. 

This usually takes two days. 

One to research and one to discuss! 

See blog post coming - NFL - Part 2 - Place.

Re-Energized via PLN!

The school year is back on! 
We've been back for a week: it's time to start blogging ideas again! 

Last night, I took part in two wonderful Twitter chats #sdedchat and #worldgeochat 

I love my building staff, but I love to reconnect and make new connections with my PLN. 

Things I took away: 

NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK! 

I've gotten some great ideas for my students from chatting with these other wonderful teachers! 

I want to try a zombie escape - much like @SrtaLisa  did for her students: Seriously WAY cool! 

I also want to do more with Mystery Skypes / Mystery Hangouts this year -- planning is already in progress! 

I also realized I have valuable "stuff" to contribute. 

When I started to teach geography, another teacher gave me a packet they got from a meeting - teaching the Five Themes of Geography by using the NFL. I've tweaked it some each year, and soon I'll have this year's revamps done. Pages will come soon! 

I also shared the MR. HELP for geography - something I stumbled on YEARS ago on the web - sorry, no idea who came up with it. 
M - ovement
R- egions
H - uman
E - nviroment Interaction
L - ocation
P - lace

PLN, You seriously rock - because you expand my learning everyday! 

Extensions... Extensions EVERYWHERE... #GAFESUMMIT SD

I've been traveling for a week and still gone. HOWEVER, I'm FINALLY starting to put what I've learned from my notes into the blog! 

I'm sure this should become at least two posts - so where to start?

FIRST - even if you think you know all GOOGLE - go, even just to get reminded of cool features. (You'll find out even more cool features!)

I had finally just really started using my chrome browser extensions - I've found so many more that I think could help me teach even better this coming year. So, that make sense to start there.

EXTENSIONS

• Google Tone (Chirp on tablets / phones) - I think this could be a neat way to send links to kids, but I also see them overriding the tone with their own.. so will just have to try it. 
• One Tab - to save all those tabs into one and save battery power until you need the tab. I also like the idea to save links to the kids that way - than just giving them one link / QR code to get all the links. I probably will use this more than Google Tone. 
• Tab Scissors - This splits all the tabs in one browser pane into two - use Tab Glue to put them back together. (I have students who might use this vs. just separating tabs into other panes.)
• ColorPick Eyedropper - why I never tried this is beyond me. Get the color code for any color you are trying to match in a presentation!!! (Have used this TONS making new presentations!) 
• Snagit - Pick just parts of a web page, etc to capture... No more full-screen shots for most of my stuff!!! 

EXTENSIONS I WAS ALREADY USING / Always open: 

• Save to Google Drive - well, because I like having it all in my Drive. 
• Grammarly - Autocorrect for documents, web pages, any typing really! 
• +FlipIt - It's how I've been saving my blogs to read. My goal - create a magazine this year for / with my students for articles we discuss. 
• Extensity - to save battery power by limiting all the other Extensions that I don't use as often. 
• Google Voice - so I can check my voicemail, sent texts to parents, etc, right from my browser. 

EXTENSIONS I use with students throughout the year: 

• Diigo - so handy to have students annotate pages. THIS MAY NOT WORK since the last Chrome update. IF SO, I WILL BE SAD!!!
• Easybib - so easy for students to cite most sources. You must teach them that if it extension doesn't pull the information, they will have to fill it in... or you end up with a bunch of NA.NA.NA. ND information to try and track down their work... NOT FUN!
• GoogleCast - I have a Chromecast, this makes it easy for students to share their work with the entire class on the interactive board! 

EXTENSIONS I need to utilize and see how they work for my Students: 

• BeeLine Reader - to help read on a screen. It color gradients a line / whole page. I also has a dyslexic friendly font. I liked it the bit I've used it so far. 
• Clearly - links the information / highlights, etc to your Evernote account - I wish this went to Google Drive for the students. 
• Skimzee - To help summarize articles / pages for those students who can't read, yet, at the article level. 
• Readline - highlight what you want and it pulls it up word by word for you to read - I can see this being very helpful for some students that get distracted / overwhelmed by reading. 
• CraftyText - put a banner over top of any website. 

WHHHAATTT?!?

This post took a couple of days to complete.

I've stewed over it for a bit.

I had a community member ask me where I was working this Summer.

My response was home, getting new ideas and plans for next year's class.

Their response, oh so you aren't working...

WHHHAAATTT?

I have an entire book bag of professional books I want to read to help me become better.

I've been working on creating new lessons, thanks to those new books, and also to my tweeps giving me new ideas.

I'm challenging myself: via home projects, work for school, and also working as needed on the school janitorial staff.

So, I didn't even know how to response to the comment.

It floored me, it upset me, and it has motivated me to work even more for my next year's group.

Bottom line: a good teacher is always challenging wanting to grow, so while we may not be in a classroom, we are learning. We are preparing, we are connecting with others, we are seeking input and changing because of that input.

So, yes, I am working.

My Dog's Insights

I've been debating what to write about today. 

I think anyone knows my pets are my kids. They motivate me to do many things, and people who know me joke if they have to come back as a pet, they'd want me to be their owner.

That thought is guiding today's post. My youngest dog - Kaydee - is a "pit mix." I am pretty sure that she is coonhound, but that is beside the point.

Kaydee was adopted by us at four months old. Her bio from the Humane Society said she was "the more outgoing" of a two dog owner surrender.

My mom and sister drove her out to her new home on International Pi Day: 3/14/12. I've had her now for a while, yet she still has issues. 

She isn't trusting when someone is holding anything that resembles a stick, bat, fly swatter, anything. She doesn't like loud noises, silverware being clinked with anything, or sometimes just random noises. She gives warnings, then snaps... if she runs to her kennel, you have to just leave her alone and eventually try to coach her out. She suffers from anxiety when left alone - serious anxiety - if Allie (the older dog) isn't with her, you can hear Kaydee bawling from five blocks away. She's always waiting to greet everyone the minute they arrive home... I think she can tell that we are coming from three blocks away. 

However, she is still an awesome "dog." She is willing to try new things: yesterday, she actually let us hold a flyswatter next to her and she didn't just run away.  The last thunderstorm, she wanted to run to her kennel but listened to me about just sitting with me. She is starting to not run when something scares her: she analyzes it first, especially if we tell her it is ok. 

So, how on earth does this relate to teaching? 

Kaydee reminds me that I need to realize each student comes with their own fears, problems, challenges. 

I need to keep having patience with them, just like my Kaydee. They all have their own rewards / benefits - they make my life more interesting, and sometimes challenging. 

I NEED to find what motivates them, what makes them happy, and what they fear (such as risk taking). When I know this, I can help them through the problem areas and push them to achieve even more in what they enjoy, and help expand their knowledge. 

#Reflection

Today I participated in #westedchat and #worldgeochat.

I look forward to both of these Twitter chats - they rejuvenate me and help me refocus on what I want to redo for next year. I teach ELA, Reading, Spelling, Geography and US History. I find that it's good to have my Seventh grade most of their day because we can change up what we are doing within my scheduled time.

I reflect on an hourly basis, but taking time in the Summer helps see the bigger picture for the coming school year. I know what standards I need to teach, but how to get them done are always a bigger question.

The new Seventh-grade class is always a challenge - I've not had these students, so I don't know for sure what we can accomplish right from the start. Next year, the Eighth graders will be familiar, but some despise history, that I want to come up with new ways to get them engaged. (Hence, the Summer reading and rereadings - #TLAP, Top 20 Teachers, Wooden, They Call Me Coach, and any other books I grab onto!)

I also know that PBL will be a bigger part of my classroom in the coming year. I like students leading the learning: with me as a support.

In order to help my new students go from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, I am going to restart the class based off the book Top 20 Teens. I use quite a few of these ideas in my teaching, but the students who read a copy of it -- and followed it said that it really did help! (Some read it as my "self-improvement" book genre requirement.)

SIDE NOTE:
Since I also teach ELA, I started a hybrid of Donalyn Miller's program. Most of our school does AR reading for 25% of the grade: I switched, but couldn't just say "read." I started Reader's Notebooks, genre requirements per quarter, parent reflection questions, and participation points for reading in class. I also set that for the 25% grade that each student could read 5 books. I set large requirements for these five per quarter, most the requirements were a genre or a general type of book: each quarter had several choice books. For instance, we were doing a Holocaust unit in Geography, so one was a Holocaust book.

So, the first book we will do is Top 20 Teens, then we can also blog and reflect on the lessons within it.

That will hopefully lead to a more "risk taking" group: I'll support, I'll keep learning, I'll keep reflecting. I'll take risks: there will be failures: I will see them as FIRST ATTEMPTS IN LEARNING. :)

Graduation Day

Today was graduation day for the Faith Longhorns. I look back to these students as Seventh graders and admire how much they have grown. Many know what they will do in college; others are still working on figuring that out. No matter what, I hope the world is ready... once they find what they want to do: EVERYONE else watch out.

My Eighth grade students move on to High School this next year. This is when I'm glad I work in a small school: I'll still be able to see them, support them and watch them mature into the young adults of high school.

My best wishes to BOTH groups!

#Helpful

Today, I'm 34... one more year... AND PRESIDENCY HERE I COME 😀

I figure it is the one way I can get my students to remember parts of the Constitution.

We have TWO days of school left.. That's it.

With that, I should get to this topic: helpful.

Last year, I worked for our janitor. That's when I realized how much work needs to be done each Summer.

I've always prepped my room, this year, I'm taking extra time to make sure that the boxes are sturdy, well taped up.

My classroom info on each box... On each side... Never know what side might be showing when it is moved.

All the blue sticky DAP off my walls, along with the tape... and any other stuff from my walls.

I'm also making sure there is NOTHING on the bottom, sides, or top of student desks. I scraped WAY TO MUCH GUM last Summer...

Seriously, I've got pictures of gum... a half full garbage can full.

I'm also going to leave a nice sketch of how I would like things reset... Just to save time and the newly waxed floor.

Oh, and if the garbage is full, because students will relish throwing everything away... Help empty it. (Although I didn't get to mine in time tonight!!)
So, please...

Think of the summer staff... Their job makes our job easier in the Fall.

One goal - Summer Bloggin'

I've started following #edblogaday

I LOVE IT! It has helped me find my passion and why my blogging reflections are important.

Plus, I am going to take this moment to share my class blog: http://longhorns7.blogspot.com/

I've just started it, but this Summer my incoming Seventh Graders have a chance to blog about their reading AND earn extra credit for each blog post.

I am hoping that this opportunity for them will keep them reading. My current class are putting up reasons students can and should read over the Summer.

On top of that, I love the new possibility that students can blog via sending me an email. That also means they will need to remember their school email and password :) WIN for me next Fall!

Finally, since I am asking them to blog, it helps keep me on track for my blogging!

Happy Reading!

Ms. Mielke

Things I Learned This Week... And why I love the end-of-year!

I love the end of the year! Not for the reasons you think....

This time of year allows me to try ALL kinds of projects for next year. My current students give me feedback on what works with it, how to tweek it for other students and are blatantly honest because of the trust we have built all year.

Every year, I use Google Forms for feedback at the end of year. I use this from each class to help form next year. This year, I can already guess my students will want more genius hour projects! In our final five days, they are requesting a mini genius hour project.

They also want a #mysteryskype ... I'm trying to get one done!

#Thankful

 

The past couple of days have been crazy – we are down to FOUR days of school.

 

My students are starting to get in the end of year mode.

 

Translation: we are starting to not want to do things.

 

They are finishing most tests for me today. Next week, realistically, we only have two days. The other two are plum full of activities.

 

However, I am still thankful for this time. I’ve been reflecting on their growth this year. (NOT just height – although I’m almost the shortest one again!)

 

They have grown, they have challenged each other, they have risen to levels they didn’t think possible at the beginning of the year.

 

I look forward to seeing what they end up doing – not just over the next school years, but in life. We have so many creative students, they just need guidance in how to direct their thoughts.

 

I am proud of each and everyone one of them – even if we have had our differences through the year.

 

I am also thankful that we found the folders from our graduating Seniors. They completed the Top 20 course in Middle School since then, we have a new school building, and I’ve been looking for those folders for two years. Our Supt. came in yesterday and announced they were found! He then went and handed them out to the Seniors.

 

It allowed me time to reflect again on how much the Class of 2015 has grown since Middle School, and I can’t wait to see what they do afterwards!

 

#TeachingIs

Today, I received a wonderful surprise.

It came at the right time - when I was wondering if we have done enough this year. We only have SEVEN days of school left. I keep thinking what we should have done different, how I could have improved.

I also was thinking of all the things yet to do - including all the "end-of-year-extras:" like final tests, final grades, checking materials back in, packing up the room, celebrations, and several wrap up projects.

I love my students - they are my "kids." I set high standards because I want them to succeed in life. I see good in all of them: each is unique. Sometimes though, I need the reminders of why I teach. A physical gift isn't important, but it is a reminder. It is the thought that someone took the time to remind me of those great moments, like when a student has that "ah ha moment" or says "I can do this!", or those you-had-to-be-there to understand how funny it was moments!

So, that flower is much more than just a flower.

PLN Power

I can say going to #TIE15 has re-energized me. I am more excited about school, but bummed that the school year is almost over. There is so much more to do!!! Seeing my PLN twerps helped, and reconnecting with Twitter chats are amazing!!!

When I first started Twitter, I thought it would be for posting "I ate pizza...." but I WAS WRONG!!! I can instantly connect with wonderful teachers, consultants, and classrooms!!! THEY HELP ME SO MUCH!

Beyond that, I like using it in my classroom for trending hash tags. These provide opportunities for real time discussions of the world and how events unfold.

#CelebrateMonday

A new hash tag appeared on Twitter day (or new to me). I love the idea; instead of all the negative about it being Monday focus on the positive.

I know it helped me keeping all that in mind! I'm not in Nepal, Boston, or any where I don't feel safe. I've got great students.

Sometimes, I need the remind that life isn't all doom and gloom; sure those same students may grate on my nerves when things aren't going well, but then they do something AMAZING, COMPASSIONATE, KIND, ETC... And that reminds me of how great we as a group are!!!

We started international projects today, their curiosity is sparked, they are finishing #geniushour projects, they are reading, they are making connections to the larger World, they are growing (Seriously, I'm the second shortest in the class!!), they are making choices and dealing with the consequences. They are becoming adults.

On the home front: I love coming home and relaxing, petting my boys (cats), playing ball with my girls (dogs). I love reading. I love my family, even when we don't see each other enough!

Peace!

Excited!

So, I've been accused of using Twitter to much ;). I'm okay with that. Here's why: the ability to "meet" people online and plan a project in minutes! My online PLN is providing learning opportunities outside of my four walls! We are close to getting a #mysteryskype, and we are developing two videos to share with other schools. ALL THIS is the past 48 hours!

Maker Space

I realized something today, #makerspaces are really about letting people get creative... While providing the directions to assist. I helped build a new cabinet. 

That then got me thinking about my own growing up on the farm. We had #makerspaces all around. The sandpile, the grove, a friend's pond, the camper... really anywhere outside. In icky weather there were boxes, and all kinds of things to make into a project. It just took some creativity.

I didn't know if I had what it takes for creating a space... I now know I do. I've got the technology skills to assist AND plenty of creativity!

STEM - Day 3 Reflection

K (Potassium!) - today was pretty awesome. I know I don't directly teach Science, but man I can come up with ways to use the information from today to make some amazing Geography lessons. 

First, let us start with Biomass - basically, any living thing. HOWEVER, imagine if we as humans could take items - like corn stalks - 

13 Days

So, I've not done my blog for a LONG time.
#TIE15 got me thinking about it again.
I've reflected daily, but not shared those reflections. I've only got thirteen days before this school year is over... Seriously, where has the year gone???!!!???
I have set my goals:
1. Help my students finish up the year strong!
2. Try three new things from TIE.. Kahoot, Augmented Reality project (I'm going to surprise my students with one of their projects.
3. Share more: Tweet, Blog and Email.

I like feeling more connected to my online PLN. I've missed the interaction.