James Sturtevant Hacking Engagement

Latest Episodes:

82-Class Clown Mangagement Nov 19, 2017

Show notes

Many teachers cringe when they hear “humor in the classroom” because it brings to mind the class clown--the scourge of serious learning. First of all, I want to note that not all class clowns are problematic. Some kids are just delightfully funny and have skills to use their humor without harm or disruption. However, there are class clowns that seem to be “the scourge” because teachers just do not know how to deal with them. In the past, many class clowns faced frightening consequences. (Back in the day, they probably took the brunt of the corporal punishment meted out at the principal’s office.) But regardless of the consequences, every school still had class clowns. It is not acceptable to violate the Geneva Convention; so let’s explore a better way to live with class clowns.
Teaching is a tough existence if you are at odds with your students. You can learn to welcome them, appreciate their humor, and keep them from disrupting or dismantling classroom plans or relationships. I’ll share some tips that I have learned from working at this challenge.
The most effective way to manage class clowns is to connect with them. Education would be a dull enterprise without their humor. Embrace that they exist, and try to get them on your side. And that dear listener...is what this episode will help you do!

81-Make a Kid Feel Great...Give them a Verbal Praise Coupon...Starring Catherine Cook and Audrey Justice Nov 13, 2017

Show notes

Just the other day...I was cruising down the hallway at my school and I landed on the business end of 3 outstanding compliments in the span of about 5 minutes. These compliments were totally unsolicited and really hit the spot! I felt an adrenaline rush for the remainder of the day as a result. I'll bet you've experienced an unexpected compliment, or two. Didn't you feel like it was Christmas morning?
Unfortunately, many are reluctant to praise their fellow man. What a pity. Don't just think, Wow...my buddy is looking really fit. Tell them! They probably need to hear it and it will inspire them to keep working out.
When it comes to students, teachers frequently compliment kids on their academic efforts, but how about expanding our repertoire? That's what this episode is about. Two of my original sources...Freshmen Catherine Cook and Audrey Justice will explain the power of teachers paying kids compliments.
I'm going to promote a systematic, premeditated, and public way to do just that. The verbal praise coupon is a way to bond with your kids, make them feel great, and perhaps elevate them in the eyes of their peers. If you're tired of awarding the same old extra credit, this episode is for you.

80-The Powerful Sarcasm Lesson Plan Nov 07, 2017

Show notes

One fine day in my little education world...I witnessed the negative power of sarcasm. I was hanging with a colleague who became frustrated with a student's lack of effort. The young man did not have his assignment. Instead of asking the kid...
What happened?
Were you unclear on instructions?
Tell me what's up.
Let me help.
my teacher comrade responded to the news of the student's lack of preparation with sarcasm, "Wow...that's really going to prepare you to compete in the global economy!" This volley was well received by the rest of the class. There was much laughter and a few of the young guy's classmates tossed in some verbal darts aimed at the youngster to support their teacher. The young man laughed too, although he blushed. I wondered if he was really okay with the barb.
This entire episode might seem innocent. I'll argue however, that it was a poor relational move on the instructor's part. The teacher absolutely elevated himself at the expense of his student. I don't know if the kid was injured by the comment, but it's conceivable that the sarcasm could have reinforced many of the insecurities the boy already had about himself. While his exterior was saying, "Good one Mr. X. You got me there!" Internally, he may have thought, Wow. I guess it's true. Maybe, I am irresponsible. Maybe, I do have a bleak future.
I certainly don't know if these thoughts were deviling this kid, but why risk it? I'll argue that you should purge sarcasm from your classroom. This may be a tall order because sarcasm can be a vice. At the time of consumption it feels real good, but the aftershocks can be unsavory. Let's get rid of this tendency and your students can help in this process.

79-Inspire your Kids to Embrace the 6 Degrees of Separation...Starring Russell Doup Oct 30, 2017

Show notes

Russell Doup is my nephew. Russell Doup is a 25-year-old stockbroker and former Ohio State football player. Russell Doup is living with his uncle...yours truly...while he builds his client base. Consequently, we hang out a lot. About a month ago, we watched The Founder the story of Ray Kroc who was the force behind McDonald's. We both loved the movie. Ray, played by Michael Keaton, was a champion networker. He used this skill to transform a small hamburger stand in California into a dominant multinational corporation. Russell is a 24/7 networker. We agreed that the movie was inspirational and it inspired a passionate conversation about networking.
Watching the movie challenged me to inventory all the times I've benefited from networking. I met my lovely wife through social networking (this was old school social networking prior to the internet...I'm talking 1988). Every teaching interview I've landing was the result of personal and direct networking. As Russell and I sat on the couch and discussed the implications of The Founder, a thought struck me, Networking is darned important, but schools don't teach kids how to do it. I turned to my nephew and asked if he ever learned about networking in school. He responded negatively. My experience as a student was the same. In the midst of this Eureka moment, I knew I had to do an episode on networking featuring my networking nephew!

78-DEINSTITUTIONALIZE your Classroom...Starring Casey Ewy, Heather Smith, Haley Smith, and Richard Hancock Oct 24, 2017

Show notes

On a brilliant October afternoon a couple of decades ago, the fire alarm shattered the tranquility. Our school was experiencing a gas leak. The students and staff hurriedly spilled out of the building and marched on to the practice football field. We were told to stay put and wait till the all clear signal could be issued. You've probably experienced such situations...1,000 adolescents herded outside and told to wait patiently. It was bedlam!
What I found so interesting was the reactions of the kids. They exited their institutionalized classrooms into a beautiful day and immediately came to life. As they frolicked in the afternoon sun, one droll young man approached me and said the following, Mr. Sturtevant...our staff much looks better in artificial lighting. I laughed uproariously, but the comment struck me. Just maybe it takes removing kids from a bland, sterile, uniform, institutionalized setting to stoke their creative juices and find joy.
And here dear reader, is where Dr. Casey Ewy makes a dramatic appearance. Dr. Casey teaches at Susan B. Anthony Middle School in Manhattan Kansas. Dr. Casey is all about DEINSTITUTIONALIZING classrooms. Her objective is to build a family atmosphere in her room which will bolster relationships, ignite creativity, and stoke engagement. Joining her on today's episode is her team of like-minded colleagues Richard Hancock, Haley Smith, and Heather Smith.

77-Flipgrid is a Powerful Little Tool that's a Blast...Starring Aharon Rockwell Oct 17, 2017

Show notes

When evaluating a new tech tool, I must be able to use it within 5 minutes...or I just bag it. If I can't figure it out by then, my students will be lost. I was conducting a PD session in Ft. Worth this past summer. A young lady called me over and said, "Have you heard of Flipgrid and if so, have you used it?" My answer was, No and no. I made a mental note to try it when the school year started, but I remember thinking...It has to pass my ease of use test. Last week was 8 weeks in and I finally got around to it. I'm glad I did!
Flipgrid is a cool way to encourage student voice. You record a video question and then kids record a 1 to 90-second video on their smartphones or Chromebooks in response. I mastered Flipgrid in about 3 minutes. My students figured it out in 2. This tool is great in terms of providing a creative vehicle for student expression. In last week's episode, Chrissy Romano warned that ostentatious presentation tools like Flipgrid might unravel introverted kids. My response, which Chrissy liked by the way, was to take anxiety away by permitting students who were uncomfortable to interview someone.
To help me in my Flipgrid explanation quest is an awesome original source. Aharon Rockwell is a freshman and in my Global Studies class. Aharon knew I had a podcast and approached me about being a guest. I jumped at his offer and I'm glad I did. He's a great guest!

76-Quit Trying to Turn your Introverts into Extroverts...Starring Chrissy Romano Oct 10, 2017

Show notes

A number of years ago, I took the Myers & Briggs personality assessment. I was tabbed an ENFP. When I read the description of my type, I was thrilled. I thought, Yup that's me and I'm glad it's me.
My enthusiasm, particularly for the E classification which stands for extrovert, was well-founded. Being an extrovert is the gold standard in America, particularly in our schools. As students, extroverts are the volunteers, the kids who make cheesy videos, the guys who march up to the homecoming queen and ask them out (my wife was a homecoming queen), and the students who inject levity into drab academic settings. As teachers, extroverts are the hams. Even worse, many extroverts seem determined to transform quiet contemplative students into mini versions of them. Extroverts say things like, I'm going to pull you out of your shell, or... Put yourself out there. I've done this! I must change!
And here's where my stunning guest, Chrissy Romano-Arribato from the Garden State, makes her grand entrance. As impressive as Chrissy truly is, I invited her on this episode because she's a proud introvert. She's going to help blowhards like me help the 1/3rd of my students that are introverted.

75-The National Anthem, Code Switching, and an EPIC Teachable Moment...Starring Marlena Gross-Taylor Oct 01, 2017

Show notes

I became politically aware in 1968...my 7th year of existence. The world seemed on fire. The young Jimmy Sturtevant was busy being a kid, but events kept invading my innocence. In April of that year, Martin Luther King was assassinated. Just weeks later, Robert Kennedy suffered the same fate. The insanity of the Democratic convention in Chicago monopolized TV coverage, but what really captivated the young me was the Mexico City Olympic Games. I watched in wonder as one African-American athlete after another shattered world records in the high altitude of Central Mexico. One black American gold medal winner climbed the podium, donned a black glove, raised his fist in the air, and then bowed his head during the National Anthem.
This moment came back to me this past week when the NFL/National Anthem controversy descended. I knew that I had to do an episode on this topic. My objective is not to promote my views, but rather to help brother and sister educators navigate the rhetorical minefield that is this issue. I also knew that I needed help. I decided to share my mic with someone who doesn't look like me...someone who has had a different life experience. And that my dear listener...is where my good buddy Marlena Gross Taylor makes a dramatic entrance.
In this episode, Marlena and I will break down this issue and build you up in the process. We'll give you courage to tackle your fears and take on this controversy confidently.

74-Peergrade takes Student Collaboration to an Unprecedented Level...Starring David Kofoed Wind and Kristen Spayde Sep 26, 2017

Show notes

I like to think that I have a wonderful rapport with my students. And yet…I’m still their teacher which is a significant barrier. I also have 40 years on my kids. To them, I’m someone who has a lot more yesterdays than tomorrows. My observations on their lives, while I hope respected and valued, does not carry the weight of a peer.
Just 4 sentences into this intro, the wonderful word peer makes its grand entrance. Peer acceptance, peer constructive criticism, peer praise, and peer collaboration are the powerful fuels that ignite and propel the outstanding education tool called Peergrade. Anyone who’s taught for more than 5 minutes knows the power of peer influence.
In this episode, I’ll interview David Kofoed Wind the founder of Peergrade. Peergrade is a marvelous way to capitalize on kid’s natural inclination to listen to their peers. This tool randomly assigns student creations to classmates and then guides and monitors evaluations. Peer feedback is not only highly valued but it’s also welcomed because it’s often couched in contemporary youth vernacular. Kids understand how to communicate with other kids. And finally, a student evaluator who focuses on just one narrative written by just one peer does not suffer eye-strain and fatigue that teachers often experience wading through 100 student narratives. A 1 on1 evaluation experience is a fresher, focused, and perhaps more useful interaction.
Joining me in the Room 111 Studios is Kristen Spayde. Kristen may sound familiar. She starred in Episode 39 about going paperless and in Episode 58 when we dished with the HyperDocs Girls. Please give this awesome tool a try!

73-Impose the 15-Word Gauntlet on your Students...Starring Arielle Brown and Ashlynn Hathaway Sep 19, 2017

Show notes

f you've taught for any time what so ever, you've probably suffered through painfully boring student presentations. And if you were bored, think of the other students. Let’s strive to make such presentations are:
More attractive
More engaging
Less time-consuming
More interactive
In order to create such presentations, your kids must first run the gauntlet.
According to various sources, fifteen to twenty words is the average sentence length. That seemed long, till I actually wrote a sentence:
When I was in high school, I would have laughed uproariously
if anyone had informed me that I was destined to be a teacher. (24 words)
This will be a wonderful challenge for your students. They may revolt. Not only is it important to reduce the number of words, the limit will also hopefully dissuade copying and pasting. This awful practice flirts with plagiarism and makes for exceedingly dull presentations as students drone the words of another.

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