Mr Hammerlund

While I was living in Asakusa, I never had the desire to cross the river to the east. Then after I moved, they built the Skytree. Skytree Last week I was in Tokyo and had the chance to go to the Tokyo Skytree. I lived within walking distance of this place for three years, before it was built, then moved out of the city, and when I did make it back to Tokyo, never took the time (or had the time) to make the trip to Oshiage where the Skytree sits. the view                               the ariel view It was interesting to compare the view from the top (well, the midpoint observation deck) and the street. It got me thinking about a song. only when we get to see, the aerial view, will the patterns show, we'll know what to do. Nada Surf - Inside of Love Now is the time when I can take a look at the ariel view and see where to go and leave 2015 behind. I...

I often think about what I did or said and relive moments in my life trying to think of ways I could have made them better. It's weird and it is probably not healthy, but this is the way I have been since I remember. If unchecked it can spiral into rumination. summer fireworks in Japan Recently I feel left wondering if I  could have said something in a different way after an encounter with someone. Questions like these race around my head: Could I have extended the conversation?  Could I have been nicer? Could I have been more engaging? Could I have left a question more inviting?  How could I have made my conversation partner feel better?  Don't Wait There was another post in my drafts entitled "don't wait". I decided to combine these posts since there seemed to be a theme running through both of them. That theme - there is never a good time, so don't wait. Don't wait to say what you want to say. Don't put things off. If you are ...

The above clip was taken at our Hour of Code event. These first graders were helping each other work through a coding app. They would then periodically cheer when they accomplished something. While I was watching this, I kept thinking of the editorial in the Washington Post called " I gave my students iPads — then wished I could take them back ".  I was biased from the start since I think iPads are a great learning tool. I can see uses for them throughout K-12. If you have the right apps on them - apps that allow for creativity, visual thinking, and flexibility in demonstrating their skills.  Students should be pushed to share knowledge and teach each other. Students should be encouraged to help each other overcome technical challenges (without doing the action for the studetn who needs help). Students should be free to express themselves while working, and be free to have a quiet space when they need it.

I sat down to talk with our third-grade team last week about lessons in digital citizenship. I was excited to get going on helping students use technology more responsibly and be more aware of how they are using technology. I had already been planning a push with digital citizenship lessons to start off next school year, and this will be a great opportunity to try out some lessons with a great group of students. The cat who liked the dog kennel. I do feel like I dropped the ball this year, and perhaps let some students down who got into trouble due to their irresponsible choices while using their computers. I could have got some lessons in with most of the grades in the beginning of the year that may have gotten some of those students to think. Most of our problems are minor offences, which is a highly subjective term. My philosophy is usually to have a conversation with a student who makes a questionable choice.  For these lessons, I want to make them as interactiv...

This has been sitting in my drafts folder since August. Today I was looking for a post idea and came across this draft called, "What Makes a Good Day?" It all started one day when I had a meeting to check in with my principal. It was the beginning of the school year, and she asked me how my day was and I replied saying that it had been good. She replied, "What makes a good day for you?" I liked this question because it is one of those that turns a question around and forces a thoughtful answer.  What does this have to do with the post? Nothing except I made it a few years ago and it needs to live somewhere other than a hard drive. I think I answered something about accomplishing something or helping other teachers. Now a few months later, and I am completely addicted to the feeling of accomplishment: whether it's making something or helping someone,  these are what make my days recently. And I've been really lucky to be involved with some i...

I recently saw a quote that said: "      he who conquers, endures I thought about this for a while, and while it may be true, endure has another meaning. So, this could be turned around to say: "      he who endures ... conquers  Endurance is essential to success and it is something that has been on my mind for a few weeks. When I arrived at KAS in August, after being in the city for a month through the heat of July, the superintendent warned me of feeling tired around Thanksgiving. Well, here we are. Ready for the holiday break. And I'm not one to count down days either. It's just caught up to me.