Tracey+Jensen,+Flip,+Stratford3

=Put a Short Activity/Lesson/Project Title Here=

Students will collaborate on Blog. They will help each other with AP Physics problems || Please identify opportunities for differentiation. Students will focus on projects they are interested in or need work in. They will ask the questions they need and share their own knowledge (thereby cementing it) with their peers. ||
 * **Title** ||< Phlipping Physics ||
 * **Subject**: ||< Physics ||
 * **Grade**: ||< 12 ||
 * **Time Frame**: ||< 6 weeks ||
 * **Summary:** ||< Write a SHORT summary of the activity/project/lesson here
 * **Tasks**: ||< 1) Describe the main steps of the activity/lesson/project here
 * Students will research a physics topic from this unit online, in text or via news
 * Students will locate news articles, cartoons, labs, or other interesting items and upload
 * Students will comment on other student's blogs.
 * Be sure to highlight opportunities for students to practice/employ an "early adopter" or lifelong learning skill ||
 * Objectives: ||< * What TEKS or other objectives does this activity/lesson project meet? ||
 * Assessment: ||< How will you assess the students learning?
 * Resources: ||< * What resources will be needed? Computer ||
 * **Teacher**
 * Reflections:** || Please share what went well, what was challenging and what you might tweak or modify for your next round.... ||
 * **Examples**: ||< * Links to teacher or student work examples. ||

Discussion:include component="comments" page="Tracey Jensen, Flip, Stratford3" limit="100"
As a learner:

Anything that opens me up for criticism.
 * How do you define vulnerability?**

By recognizing that everyone is imperfect - not just me. I found years ago, that by selecting areas to be vulnerable, others respond very positively. I also learned to control the areas of openness in my life. Everything is not for everyone. I keep private things private, but I have found by sharing certain, small things with my students they learn more.
 * What about this process makes you feel vulnerable?**
 * || Everything! I am discussing my class and my philosophy of teaching with people I know will disagree with me. ||
 * How are you allowing yourself, your professional learning to be 'seen'?**
 * || I'm not sure. I am sharing all of the resources I use with the group of Early Adopters and trying to share with my peers ||
 * In what way(s) have you found the courage to be 'imperfect'?**

For example: Friday, I had one of my more rebellious students (eyebrow pierced, attitude) asked me a personal question (Have I ever smoked crack). He was testing me. I assured him, no - I had seen the damage drugs do to people and I don't like losing control. He started opening up and talking about himself. He had been considering dropping out of school. I told him dropping out was a bad idea- I had done it my senior year. He was shocked! I quickly went on to tell him how doors were closed to me and how hard it was to go back to high school, make up all the work and finish so I could go to college! By the end of the story (with just about those words - nothing long or detailed) the entire table was listening. One boy alluded that I must have been through some pretty hard things (I heard: HE has been through some hard things!), and I had the chance to tell this table of students that it is not what you go through in life, but how you handle things that make you who you are.

So, being vulnerable opened up a great opportunity to encourage a group of kids to finish what they started - high school and to hang in there in some challenging family situations Now, they have no idea why I dropped out or any personal detail that could get me fired, but they had the idea that I was some 'genius' who had lived a charmed live who never made mistakes who could never understand them. As they left, I overheard one of the boys say, "Wow man! She is my hero"

The people who are the hardest to work with, usually have the greatest needs, and who feel the most alone.
 * What a-ha! moments, elements of a 'spiritual awakening' (or a 'breakdown' - smile!) have you experienced? What might these insights suggested to you?**

Once you find out what is really driving your kids - you can really help them. No student (or person) likes an arrogant, pompous, Know It All - especially the pompous arrogant Know It All's!! Sometimes you have to look beneath the attitude and grimy exterior to find your real student. Only then can you help them learn.
 * **What strategies are you using through this process that might benefit your students as well?**

I need to be with the kids - not on stage in front of them I need to help - not do for Listening can be a more valuable teaching tool than talking. Few of my students will go on to be physicists - but all will go on to be people. I have to remember that and see if I can help them discover who the best person they can be is, and how to find that person.
 * What story is unfolding from your research?**