Let's Get This Party Started!

School in my kids district, and the district I work in starts tomorrow.  For some of you, it's already started.  No matter when school starts for you this year, one question remains: are you looking at it as the time to get the party started? It's time we create an environment at school that is like a party!  We want everyone to attend, we want them to bring their positive attitude, we want them to participate, and we want to offer fun for all. 

What do you do in your classroom and school to celebrate, make kids WANT to come every day, and make it fun? We have to be intentional about making school feel like a place where it's ok to have fun while still learning.  We have to ensure we send the party invites, provide the party updates and reminders, and be sure we include everyone, as the more, the merrier.  There are 5 tips I believe we need to creating a great environment for our students, staff, and parents that will make them want to come to school each day:

1) Invite everyone to the party: communication is critical.  Using social media and as many means as possible to reach the most is crucial: Use email, text messages (like Remind), Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and do it far enough in advance.  Too often we aren't communicating well enough what is going on soon enough. 

2) Create a party atmosphere: school does NOT have to be boring, mundane, and serious business.  Have dance party breaks, starting class with a funny video, playing games like Kahoot, and finding any way to celebrate success are essential for a fun learning environment. Mixing up the routine, listening to and including student ideas for what to do, and taking risks to try something crazy and new all set the tone for the classroom or school you lead.  Laugh, dance, and turn up the music!

3) Keep it going: most of us come into a party pumped up and ready to have a good time.  The key ingredient to a good party is it keeps going, and no one wants to leave.  We have to find ways to keep the good vibes going all year, not just the first week, month, quarter, and semester.  Having students involved in sharing ideas, creating celebrations, and trying new things keeps the mojo going.  A stagnate party has people start leaving early and getting bored.  Be about ensuring you keep the party going all year.

4) A good host checks in: a good party host checks in throughout the party to ensure everyone is doing well and having fun.  In our classrooms and schools, are you present?  Are the host who is constantly checking around, and checking in with your guests (your students, parents, etc)?  We have to listen to our stakeholders, intentionally check in on how they are doing, and adjust course if things aren't going as well as they should. When you build the relationships, you can tell when things aren't going well. If you truly know your guests, you can read how it's going and adjust accordingly.  Build those relationships from day one, so you can have success with feedback and adjustment.  Asking, "what else can I get you, what do you need to have a great time" and monitoring all your guests is imperative.

5) Ensure people want to come back: anytime you attend a good party, the next time the same host is throwing a party, you want to come.  We need to create our schools and classrooms to be the same way--we want our guests to want to come back.  We want them to want to bang down the doors and be excited to come back again and again. When you make learning fun, when you have surprises and they don't know what to expect, and when you innovate, take risks, and try new things, your guests want to come back for more.  

This year, what will you do to create an environment where students can't wait to enter your school and classroom?  What will you do to make it feel like a good party that everyone hears about it and wants to attend?  Make learning fun, create that unforgettable experience, and remember to smile, laugh, and turn on the music!

Bring the Fire!

As a new school year is about to begin, it's imperative we bring fire and passion to school!  Whether a classroom teacher, administrator, or other staff member, we have a morale obligation to bring the fire and passion to our schools! Dave Burgess (@burgessdave on Twitter) and the entire #tlap and #LeadLAP tribe focus on making classrooms and schools engaging for students.  Being innovative educators and relevant for our students isn't just for some educators, it needs to be for ALL staff.  Kids need to have a strong desire to come to your classroom and school every day, and that doesn't just magically happen.  It takes intentionality and inner passion and fire from educators to create the environment that draws students in.  It takes a commitment to be innovative and find numerous ways to engage today's students.

There are numerous ways to bring the fire and engagement and hook students from day one; doing BreakoutEDU, having students do short iMovies, scavenger hunts, Flipgrid, impromptu class dance parties for breaks, and utilizing technology to code, 3-D print, and allow students to create versus just consume.  Get on Twitter and ask around, and you can find hundreds of effective ideas! We need the adults to have a fire in their bellies to bring their A+ game each and every day.

Having a fire in your soul for kids and wanting to build relationships and show you genuinely care is critical.  Looking students in the eyes, giving high fives, knowing their names, and celebrating their successes are all part of building that class or school that is on fire for kids!

This year the challenge is simple: BRING THE FIRE to your classroom and school site!  What will you do to engage students on a daily basis?  What will you do to build relationships with students?  What will you do to be innovative for your students?  As an educator, bring your fire and passion, and watch it spread!