tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88628486038406746692024-03-12T17:24:00.530-07:00Live * Life * Learn!"When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind." —Dr. Wayne DyerSuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-85200539520897378032018-08-13T23:08:00.000-07:002018-08-13T23:08:08.730-07:00Meeting Our Basic Needs: Exercise, Nutrition, and Sleep<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> It’s almost time for teachers to head back into the classroom. Summer traditionally has been a time for teachers to rest, re-charge, spend time with families, friends, and take some much needed time for themselves. Many teachers even spend time learning - taking part in professional development opportunities to increase their level of confidence and self-efficacy in the classroom.
Before heading back to the classroom, there’s one thing that teachers can do to help make the new school year more successful - and that's to take a few minutes and develop a self-care plan for themselves. Too often once the new school year begins with all the demands of the school day, teachers are all too likely to let their own basic needs fall by the wayside even while strongly encouraging their students to eat healthy, get plenty of rest, and exercise. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Research has shown that eating a healthy diet, getting adequate rest, and exercise everyday helps us to think more clearly, keep our energy level high, we have more patience, it promotes a positive attitude, lowers the risk of serious disease, improves our immunity levels, and basically we just plain feel better! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">So what are the daily requirements? Below is a table with the recommended daily requirements for nutrition, water,exercise, and sleep. The left side of the table lists the recommendations, the right side of the table has space for you to jot down your plan. Make daily planning for your own self care a routine that you follow regularly this year. It just may make this the best school year ever!</span></div>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-41987563030204068312018-08-13T22:53:00.002-07:002018-08-13T22:53:50.605-07:00Finding Rewarding Professional Development<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Professional development - as teachers it is important that we keeping learning, that we develop a mindset of being lifelong learners. The majority of teachers are social creatures, we enjoy being around people, we learn best working together with like-minded colleagues. Too often though professional development for teachers can be too much of “sit and get”, or information that is geared toward a large group and may not meet the individual needs of the teachers. Research shows that teachers with greater confidence in their ability to teach will be more positive in the classroom and have greater motivation to teach. How best to develop this self-efficacy in teachers? Offer teachers more opportunities to plan professional development that will best meet their needs. </span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-64847271-7fff-12fa-2d07-851d31576cc8"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">How can teachers improve their performance? Here are a few tips….</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> 1. The first step is to reflect on your needs - what do you already do well? What can you improve? What areas are you interested in learning more about?</span></span></div>
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2. After you’ve identified your areas of interest/improvement there are several options for professional development:</span></span></div>
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a. Attend educational conferences, seminars, workshops, or online webinars.
b. Create an online PLN (personal learning network). Find colleagues on Twitter in your area of interest. There is much information that is available online for free. Many teachers freely share ideas, resources, lessons, etc to help others. There are also regular weekly and special chats on all kinds of educational topics.
c. Join professional organizations and subscribe to their scholarly journals. These organizations often offer regional and local chapters that often provide speakers and other educational opportunities,
d. Observe your colleagues - this can be a wonderful opportunity to learn new teaching and classroom management techniques.
e. Form a study group with like-minded colleagues. This can be a book study, a curriculum study, or just a chance to share ideas and successful classroom techniques. </span></span></div>
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One final note - Once you have planned what type of professional development is best for you and your needs, set goals, what do you hope accomplish? What will the outcome of the professional development be? May school administrators require this final step before approving any professional development plan.
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-48905058719408082062018-08-13T22:44:00.000-07:002018-08-13T22:44:04.541-07:00How to Manage Stress...<br />
We all know that stress can ruin even the best laid plans. Many careers have come to a screeching halt (or slowed down considerably) due to stress. Many of us even know people who have had major career changes due to high stress levels at what they once thought to be their “dream” job. What can be done to manage stress before it takes over your life? Here are a few ideas…<br />
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1. Identify situations that cause you stress - can you control them? Most often if they are causing you stress it’s because you can’t control them. When a stressful situation strikes have a list of stress reducing activities at the ready to help you manage - take deep breaths, meditate, go for a walk, practice positive mental imaging.<br />
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2. Plan your priorities - Take care of the most important tasks and people first.<br />
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3. Let it go! Don't over analyze situations. Don't assume the worst in a situation. Talk to people if you’re not sure you understand what they said or their intentions. Keep positive!<br />
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4. Be able to say “no”. Don’t commit to a task/activity just to be liked or accepted by someone.<br />
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5. Let go of your past mistakes. Nobody's perfect. Accept that you are human and move on.<br />
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6. Let your anger and frustration out. If someone or something has upset you, discuss it! Nothing is ever solved by keeping it bottled up. Talk it out - then let go. Don't hold a grudge, it just zaps your energy and weighs you down.<br />
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7. Think positive and smile more. Try to find the good in even the most stressful of situations. Research has shown that smiling not only helps others respond more positively toward you, but smiling actually sends signals to your brain that help to remove stress!<br />
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8. Take care of yourself! Get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, exercise daily and drink lots of water. This is information we’ve all heard before but how many of us make time for ourselves to really do this?<br />
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9. Focus on the kids. When you’re in the classroom - shut out all the other “stuff” and just enjoy teaching and helping students reach their full potential. After all that’s the reason we got into teaching in the first place, for the kids right?<br />
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-12393995282112664172018-08-13T22:35:00.002-07:002018-08-13T22:36:30.707-07:00Learning to Say No!<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">As teachers we are natually busy. We have not only our curriculum to teach, but we take on the added roles of classroom guidance counselor, technology problem solver, photocopier, mediator, etc. Then there are the endless committees, focus groups, and work teams that administrators ask teachers to be a part of. And somewhere amongst all of this is the lesson planning and grading assessments. How to right it all in? Learn to say “no”. Learning to say “no” is actually one of the top skills veteran teachers recommend new teachers learn and learn fast.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c76f47e4-7fff-1759-8fd9-11a1af6d3a7a"></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-88f7728e-7fff-0c8a-7ad9-adbcb4e704ad"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately many teachers have difficulty saying “no”. They want to be viewed as a team player. One piece of advice that may help is to consider your “why”. Why did you become a teacher? Why are you teaching the subject and/or grade level you teach? Keeping your focus sharp and clean will help you to say no to requests that move you away from your goals and more towards busy work.</span></span></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-70997993202510377832015-07-18T22:22:00.004-07:002015-07-18T22:22:44.755-07:00Digital Reading: What's Essential in Grades3-8, Chapter 3<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MaJfpcHz570/Vasz64FE_QI/AAAAAAAABGM/w09yfKBLRcc/s1600/digitalread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MaJfpcHz570/Vasz64FE_QI/AAAAAAAABGM/w09yfKBLRcc/s200/digitalread.jpg" width="160" /></a>Chapter 3 in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Digital
Reading:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s Essential in
Grades 3-8</i>, dealt with the issue of how to make digital learning authentic
for students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Workshop should not be
designed around the technology; instead the technology should fit the need of
that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were so many great
ideas in this chapter that helped me to reflect on the technology I’m currently
using with my students, why I’m using it (does it fit the purpose), and what
else we could include.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
take-aways from the chapter for me were:</div>
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One of our goals should be to expose the students to several different kinds of
technology and then let the students chose the technology that best fits their
needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This could include the type
of text they choose to read, the type of response, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For teachers this means that we need to
feel comfortable giving up some control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The easy way to teach is to assign the text and then assign the type of
response we want the student to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately by not allowing student choice we too often receive
mediocre responses. Students don’t buy into the text or the response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key is choice for the text, the
response, and the technology!</div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> * </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“Being readers ourselves is the best tool we
have to keep our classroom workshops authentic.” p.30<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teachers need to do what they ask their students to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the past few years I have regularly
read books and kept a reader’s notebook along with my students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I felt very self-conscious
sharing my journal entries out loud with my classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the students listened and asked questions!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And after a little while I began to
notice something, students were writing more and the quality of the entries
began to improve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was just
the encouragement I needed to continue writing and sharing.</div>
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for every tool; what she did have to do was explain herself as she was teaching
so that students could not only see what she was doing with a specific tool but
also know why she was doing it.” p.31 This is something that was always a
roadblock for me when it came to adding new technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt as if I needed to become an
expert first, before I introduced the tool to my students, otherwise I wouldn’t
want to try it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This too is a control
issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to feel comfortable introducing
students to the tools, sharing with them how I use it, and talking through the
choices I make while I demonstrate using it. Then I need to let the students
try it out for themselves and make their own decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will increase their ownership of
the tool. And in fact I can learn from them!</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> * </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->There are so many online tools that can enhance
the reading workshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of them
we’ve already been using:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>KIdBlog,
Twitter, Skype, Edmodo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One goal I
have for this year is to make read-aloud more interactive for the
students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tools such as Padlet and
Corkulous are definitely something I want to try for student responses and formative
assessments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of these tools
are also great for allowing students to see what their classmates think of the
text, which helps to further build our reading community.</div>
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Now on to chapter 4!</div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-18574635287235950622015-07-14T16:14:00.001-07:002015-07-14T16:16:18.898-07:00 Digital Reading: What Essential in Grades 3-8, Chapters 1 & 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This summer I was excited to learn about
the cyberPD group on Twitter that was going to be reading the book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Digital Reading:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s Essential in Grades 3-8 </i>during July. As both a
sixth grade literacy teacher and someone that enjoys using technology, I was
excited to read this book and challenged myself to write about my reflections
as I read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has proved
more difficult than I originally thought as the book is filled with both great
ideas and questions to ponder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thankfully I have my own copy of the book so I can freely mark the text
as I read, then go back and reread, and then finally get my thoughts down on
paper (digital paper in this case).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One important take-away that I’ve discovered so far is that I’m terrible
with deadlines during the summer, so while the #cyberPD group will be buzzing
through this book in one month’s time, it may take me a week or so longer. This
is just my reading/reflecting style (an important idea I need to remember when
working with students). Following is my post for chapters 1 and 2. </div>
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As I began reading, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Digital Reading:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s Essential in Grades 3-8 </i>by Franki Sibberson and
William Bass, I felt fairly confident that I was already doing an adequate job
of integrating digital reading into our daily reading workshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I allowed to students to read novels on
devices that they brought from home, students weekly read nonfiction articles
on both Wonderopolis and Newsela. We even had online book discussion groups on
Edmodo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However the issue of
access, brought up in chapter one, had been a concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What to about the students that did not
have online access at home?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
could I best help them feel connected? Then I realized that I needed to become
more intentional about how I integrate technology use in our literacy
classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is more to
helping students become literate in this digital age than just having them read
texts online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to reflect on
how we are using technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are students
able to use digital tools in meaningful ways that help them feel more connected
and improve their understanding of complex text?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we using technology in an authentic manner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I agree with the authors that as
teachers we are preparing our students to live and work in a digital world,
therefore we need to encourage them to view technology as a tool that increases
and improves their literacy skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am concerned that many of the students I teach, while they have been
exposed to technology all their lives, and most use it on a daily basis, are
still at what the author refers to as the “superficial level.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know how to text, play games, post
pictures and videos, but they are not truly digitally literate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a golden opportunity for teachers
to, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“support our students’ literacy by
helping them intentionally use digital tools for learning and make these tools
part of their daily lives.” </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This of course means that as the teacher, I need to be more
intentional in how I integrate technology into workshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It cannot simply be an add-on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Technology must be integrated in such a
way that students view it as a necessary part or of their day-to-day work
activities, a tool that will help them to understand increasingly complex text.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The three anchors of workshop, of
authenticity, intentionality, and connectedness help to provide a basis or framework
for how we organize reading workshop and make meaningful choices to include
technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When planning lessons,
our priority needs to be engagement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If students aren’t engaged, they won’t learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to be intentional in our choices for both reading and
technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping lessons authentic
will help students see the meaning in the lessons and transfer skills they’ve learned,
hopefully helping them to form connections, to see the relevance, and gain new understandings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Using a workshop format to teach
reading allows many avenues to include technology while still staying true to
the basic tenets or workshop:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>time, choice and response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While I felt I already was doing a good job of integrating technology, the
author’s list, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What Role Do Digital Texts
Play in My Literacy Workshop?”</i> gave me so many more questions to consider
as I plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, I had used
nonfiction digital texts for mini-lessons, but why not blogs as well?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would be a great tie-in with
writing workshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
As a teacher today, I need to
remember I’m teaching students that have always lived in the digital age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order for them to grow as readers
and become truly literate, they need to be comfortable using different types of
technology as tools to help them make sense and interact with the texts they
read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Digital tools need to be
included in all facets of the workshop format, in both intentional and
meaningful ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will
challenge me to think in new ways, to look at my practices, to adjust my teaching,
and to grow and learn alongside my students in this ever-evolving era of
technology. </div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-328529686725864342015-07-09T21:36:00.000-07:002015-07-09T21:36:50.673-07:00Who does that?<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who does that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Someone asked me that question today and it stopped me
cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I honestly did not have an
answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know how to
respond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiCbxalG8eM/VZ9LTW2cLfI/AAAAAAAABFA/mk823DFZIOw/s1600/lost%2Btrack%2Bof%2Btime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiCbxalG8eM/VZ9LTW2cLfI/AAAAAAAABFA/mk823DFZIOw/s320/lost%2Btrack%2Bof%2Btime.jpg" width="239" /></a>I had been out running errands and decided to treat myself
and stop at the bookstore. I hadn’t really planned on purchasing anything (I’m
making a conscious effort to utilize the library more). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once at the store however I was so excited
to discover <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lost Track of Time</i> by
Paige Britt, that I just couldn’t resist it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, the book is sized slightly larger than other
books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoever thought this up is
a genius!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eye was drawn to the
book first because of its size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
I noticed the cover, beautiful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The colors and illustrations work together to grab attention immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So of course, I had to pick up the book
and start paging through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
noticed the pages! (This book hits it from all angles)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pages are shiny and smooth (love
the feel). And there are these incredible sketch-like purple illustrations
sprinkled throughout the book, just enough to pique the imagination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally I turned to the inside front cover
to find out more about the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbelievable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story is about a young girl,
Penelope, whose passion is to become a writer. Unfortunately, her mother does
not share her passion and instead believes the key to success is to be busy and
productive every minute of every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then one day the unthinkable happens, Penelope finds herself with a
completely free, unscheduled day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
could this happen?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She doesn’t
have time to ponder the question because before she knows it, she has fallen through
the "hole” in her schedule and landed in the “Realm of Possibility”! I
didn’t have to read anymore, I was sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">needed</i> this book!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I was paying for the book, I shared with the store clerk how
excited I was to have discovered this new book. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed her quizzical expression;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
explained to her how I am a teacher and every year I have a Mock Newbery Cub
for my students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spend September
through January reading and reviewing new middle grade novels, trying to
determine the next winner of the John Newbery Award. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went on to explain that while I do purchase several books
for the students to read, I also check out 50 to 60 books from the public
library so there are enough copies for all the students to share. In
preparation for the launch of the club in September, I spend my summer
“discovering” and reading new 2015 middle grade novels to include in the club. Now
I truly enjoy discussing our Mock Newbery Club, and I know I tend to get a
little excited and talk fast, so I slowed down and took a breath when I noticed
the clerk’s expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next
thing she said was, </div>
I could see she didn’t
understand my excitement.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who does that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was struck speechless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That question had never occurred to me. I love what I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teaching, reading, and sharing books
are my passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just stared at
the clerk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then I answered, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I do.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-37580171312068183322015-06-22T10:34:00.004-07:002015-06-22T10:34:51.793-07:00Making a Difference...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The classroom has been packed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve waved good-bye to all the students as the buses pulled
away one last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is always
a bittersweet event, for teachers as well as students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prospect of a summer filled with
warm weather, time to be outside, time to relax and enjoy favorite activities,
time to just unwind, all of this makes summer a welcome respite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet I had a student say to me this
year, “I bet you’re looking forward to not having to deal with all these crazy
kids soon.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she said that, I
stopped cold and didn’t say anything for a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just looked at her as a million thoughts and images flashed
through my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then I spoke.
I explained that no, I would miss all the students terribly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her how the students are the
reason I love teaching as much as I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love coming to school every day and seeing all my students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love reading wonderful books with
them, getting excited over great books, and discussing the books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also love writing with my students,
seeing the excitement they have when their writing takes off, and then the
eagerness everyone has to share their writing once I become brave enough to
share my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally, I look
forward to coming to school everyday and laughing with my students, because no
matter how stressful life can be, my students can always make me laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we’re in the classroom, whether
we’re immersed in reading or writing, we are a community of learners that
shares not only knowledge but also empathy, concern for each other, and
humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quietly explained all
this to my student, and to others who by this time had wandered over to listen,
curious after catching tidbits of my impassioned declaration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this moment I hoped my students
realized how very much they all meant to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as teachers sometimes we never really know for sure if
we’ve reached our students, if we actually did make a difference in their
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Another school year has ended.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
So on the last day of school, when
I returned to my classroom after waving good-bye to the buses filled with students,
I found a note hastily scrawled on the chalkboard from one of my students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this note I received the best gift
of all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had made a difference.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GY3TD0teh6c/VYhGqbK6tkI/AAAAAAAABC8/cdjyYpD6qWk/s1600/Olivia%2Bedited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GY3TD0teh6c/VYhGqbK6tkI/AAAAAAAABC8/cdjyYpD6qWk/s320/Olivia%2Bedited.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-49332712819332550752015-04-25T20:21:00.000-07:002015-04-25T20:21:04.800-07:00Stars and Wishes: How a Mini Lesson Helped Me to Reflect on the Power of Positive Talk<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Lately there’s been more and more
discussion about the need for teachers to talk less and have the students talk
more.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The adage,</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“The one who’s doing the talking, is doing
the learning’’, has been gaining in popularity.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Long story short, if we want kids to learn more, they need to be the
ones doing the talking.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Hence, the need
for teachers to develop more opportunities for students to collaborate with
each other in a constructive, meaningful manner has never been more important.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Peer conferences are one avenue that our
class has been exploring to provide just such opportunities.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This week students
completed their persuasive writing rough drafts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always thought of persuasive writing as
the writing genre with the most power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I introduce persuasive writing, I share examples of how the “pen is
mightier than the sword”. It is in this writing genre that students truly begin
to see the power words can have. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
After previewing several persuasive
topics and editorials, students are then free to choose their own topics for
their persuasive essays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are mini
lessons throughout the workshop on writing thesis statements, claims, research,
supporting evidence, counterclaims, outlining, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally the rough drafts are complete and
we’re ready to start revising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But before
we can start the work of making our writing even more powerful, we need to
share it with others we trust, here is where the power of peer conferences and
feedback can make all the difference in student writing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During peer
conferences, it is important that the author reads his writing out loud to his
or her partner. Writers need to hear how the words they’ve written sound when
read aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much revision can be started
with just this simple step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it
is important that the partner, the listener, have some direction to
follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too often the student doing the
listening may be unsure what kind of help to provide the author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple guidelines, such as a form to fill out
while listening, will help the student to shape her thoughts into feedback that
will be helpful to the writer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xDPiXOzpkYU/VTxVgLje6sI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/Zy3nCv62KGM/s1600/formA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xDPiXOzpkYU/VTxVgLje6sI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/Zy3nCv62KGM/s1600/formA.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The conference/feedback
form used for our persuasive writing provides areas for the listener to record
the thesis statement, supporting reasons, and counterclaims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also areas to note the type of
evidence that is included for each supporting reason (this is an important
area, adding more supporting evidence is a frequent area of revision with
persuasive pieces).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the most
important part of the form is on the back, the “stars and wishes” section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began including “stars and wishes” on writing
conference forms a few years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is how I explain it to the students:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><i>“Stars”
are what you like about the writing. Everyone
needs to hear something good about his or her writing. We all need to hear positive comments about the
things we do. </i>Then I offer the
students the following analogy: <i> if the principal were to come into my
classroom everyday and tell me all the things I was doing wrong, what would
happen? Eventually I would just give up.
I would feel like what’s the use?
I can’t do anything right, so I just wouldn’t try anymore. People, all people, need to hear what they
are doing right, so find something you like about your partner's paper and
share it with them as a “star”. The “wishes”
section is for something you “wished” you had heard in your partner’s
paper. Give your partner an area to focus
on.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOIMQdXqVnI/VTxViqD1nUI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/EqS2Gbq_dN4/s1600/form%2Bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOIMQdXqVnI/VTxViqD1nUI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/EqS2Gbq_dN4/s1600/form%2Bb.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Then the magic happens, I get to
walk around the room and listen in on the writing conferences. So much good writing,
listening and feedback in one room is inspiring!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as I was doing this, I was also thinking
about the advice I gave the students concerning the “stars”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too often, too many of us hear only what
we’re doing wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all need to hear
the “stars”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as adults, we need
that positive feedback to continue to grow as learners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-22864172505955426682014-12-09T18:33:00.003-08:002014-12-09T18:38:56.430-08:00This is why I teach....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UeqPtqK6D6Y/VIew2kbkR9I/AAAAAAAAA5E/lRH6-P2Vzwk/s1600/IMG_3957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UeqPtqK6D6Y/VIew2kbkR9I/AAAAAAAAA5E/lRH6-P2Vzwk/s1600/IMG_3957.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today our Mock Newbery club held one of its bimonthly meetings for December. I didn’t have to ask twice when I told the kids it’s alright to bring their lunches to my classroom. Seventeen happy, excited students brought their bag lunches, hot lunches, milk, snacks, and most importantly, their 2014 Newbery contender books to my classroom so they could eat and discuss the great stories they been reading for the past two weeks. This has got to be the highlight to my week, listening to my students eagerly discuss the books that made them laugh, cry and shudder in fear, all the while ensuring their classmates that, “this is a book you </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to read!” What truly made this moment memorable was that I have been reading the books right along with the students. I was able to share in their excitement. I fell in love with the Beedle in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Snicker of Magic</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. (“Can we please start our own Beedle club?”) I cried at the gym when I read </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Million Ways Home</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and I got fighting mad during the eagle scene in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Half a Chance</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Some of us have decided to try writing verse after reading </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brown Girl Dreaming</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Crossover</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, while we all fell in love with Jackson Greene and his band of conspirators in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Great Greene Heist</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Finally </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Fourteen Goldfish</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has captured many hearts and has students looking at their grandparents in a whole new light.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3650d74a-3209-39b7-8599-1124da9fe42e"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is why I teach. I teach for the kids. I teach to make a difference in their lives, both now and in the future. Look at all the smiling faces. So many students just happy to be a part of a group that loves books. These kids are on their way to becoming lifelong readers. This is why I teach.</span></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-58681496158839415042014-07-18T10:28:00.001-07:002014-07-18T10:28:57.635-07:00Chapters 2 & 3: Getting to Know Our Students & Planning for a Successful Year
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWO5FirZYVk/U8lZMX1bxsI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/96sECW_HjQ4/s1600/ReadWriteTeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWO5FirZYVk/U8lZMX1bxsI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/96sECW_HjQ4/s1600/ReadWriteTeach.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few years ago, I remember sitting in the bleachers at opening
session listening to our superintendent deliver his yearly “welcome back” speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his talk that day he shared with us
an encounter he had had with some students over the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the town’s Fourth of July
celebration, he had asked these students, “What is one piece of advice you wish
you could share with your new teachers?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told us that the students wanted their teachers to take the time to
get to know them. To get know who they really were, not just as students, put
as people too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To find out what
they’re interested in, their hobbies, what’s easy for them, and what’s
hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a nutshell, the students
wanted their new teachers to build relationships with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted their new teachers to see
them as more than just students. They wanted their new teachers to care about
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I thought about these
ideas, I thought about my own three boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The teachers they liked the best, the classes they were the most
successful in, were usually the classes where the teachers had taken the time
to build relationships with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a parent, I deeply appreciated this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted my children to not only be successful, but to like
school and enjoy learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Teachers that take the time to build relationships with students honor
that request. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In chapter two of <u>Read, Write, Teach</u>, Linda shares
with us not only her beliefs on the importance of relationship building, but
also several strategies, classroom routines, and even team challenges that help
to facilitate this process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
the covers of the Reader’s/Writer’s notebooks become an opportunity for getting
to know students. Linda has her students create collages of things they care
deeply about on the covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Following her reflective style, Linda gathers evidence and takes careful
anecdotal notes on the students as they participate in each activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She learns valuable information about
her students, how they learn, their interests, what they care about, and how they
work with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is well on
her way to building lasting relationships with each and every student within
the first few weeks of school!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In chapter three, Linda allows us a peek inside her planning
process for reading-writing workshop. Actually it’s more than a “peek”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Linda generously shares her curriculum
overview, the expectations she has for workshop and the writer’s-reader’s
notebook, a pamphlet of information for parents (perfect for open house night!),
and other forms and strategies she utilizes to help workshop run smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I felt as if I had found a
mentor. This is exactly the type of information I was searching for when I
first starting teaching workshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Linda offers us ready-to-go ideas that she developed through years of
research, working with students and constantly asking for their feedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, asking for feedback and
allowing for student choice, are reoccurring themes throughout her planning
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What this chapter gives
us is a framework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This framework,
combined with feedback from our own students and the power of choice built into
the structure, will provide for a powerful readers/writers workshop.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-33801899495331772152014-07-12T09:45:00.001-07:002014-07-12T09:58:54.054-07:00Chapter One: Grounding Our Choices in Beliefs<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PKWczSl379Q/U8FmCPKqIbI/AAAAAAAAAyE/AYDJuQbKdxo/s1600/ReadWriteTeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PKWczSl379Q/U8FmCPKqIbI/AAAAAAAAAyE/AYDJuQbKdxo/s1600/ReadWriteTeach.jpg" /></a>Reading chapter one of Read Write Teach, I felt as if I had
finally found a mentor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone
who not only shares my beliefs about reading, writing, teaching and how
children learn, but also is able to nudge me forward on my journey as a teacher
with her thoughtful and reflective questioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So often I found myself writing in the margins, “yes!” or
“love this!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Linda sets goals to
not only help her students grow as readers and writers but to help them actually
enjoy both reading and writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She wants them to read and write with their hearts as well as their heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shows them the value in being
literate, how it allows a person to be in control of their own destiny, to have
more choices and opportunities in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Linda is a reflective educator who clarifies her thinking by questioning
herself, and her students, in order to continue to grow and improve as a
teacher.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout the chapter, Linda stresses the importance of
getting to know your students as people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She stresses the importance of forming trusting relationships with
students and forming classroom communities in which students feel safe. Linda
learns about her students’ interests, strengths and weaknesses through their writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She earns their trust by modeling and demonstrating
her own processes as a reader and writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She shares her readers/writers notebook with her students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her students come to understand that
she does not expect them to do something she doesn’t do herself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Linda’s beliefs about writing remind us that student writing
needs to be authentic and for real audiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students need to be reading and writing on a continual
basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing is reading and
stronger readers become stronger writers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Writing is social.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writers
need to share their writing and receive feedback that moves them forward in the
writing process. Students need to write for real reasons and care about the
topics they write about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students
need choice, time and models in order to grow as writers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“We want our efforts
to mean something by knowing our words affect someone or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The writer may be writing to clarifying
her own thinking - thus, the writing is for self first, but then, often, when done
well, speaks to a larger audience, whether it is intentional or unintentional.”(p.17)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just reading this chapter inspires me to write, and isn’t
that what good writing is supposed to do? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Words are
sacred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They deserve respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you get the right ones, in the right
order, you can nudge the world a little.” (p.5)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-88258569450040297222014-07-11T20:47:00.002-07:002014-07-11T20:52:53.801-07:00Just a Little Perspective From a Stranger......<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes we just need a little perspective from a stranger…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love the heat, the sun, the laziness of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love being able to spend time with my family, see friends,
garden, and just sit outside and read as the birds sing. Yes, summer can be
paradise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as many teachers can
attest to, the end of the school year is always bittersweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I’m looking forward to the laid
back days of sunshine, I’m also feeling a bit sad about missing my students,
kids I’ve spent the last nine months with, five days a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve come to think of these students
not just as students, but as “my kids”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then suddenly, our time is done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, when I run into former students
at the public library, or receive an email telling me about a great book
someone just finished reading and had to share with me, I get that familiar
rush of excitement knowing that my students, “my kids”, are still thinking
about me too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fridays in summer frequently mean long walks through the neighborhood
with my husband, visiting rummage sales looking for treasures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I happened upon a pair of high-back
bar stools and a high, narrow table that would be perfect to use as a desk with
the bar stools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately my
teacher radar clicked on. This would be wonderful in my classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could picture two students sitting on
the stools at the desk, working on a project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even had the perfect corner of my classroom in mind. Excitedly,
I started talking about my possible plans for the furniture (to no one in particular,
that’s what happens when teachers have a lot of alone time), the man in charge
of the rummage sale asked me what I taught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I shared with him that I taught 6<sup>th</sup> grade
reading and writing his eyes lit up, although another customer at the rummage
chimed in, “Oh, you wouldn’t want my boys, they’re terrors in the classroom!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which of course, led to another discussion
of how I’m the mother of three boys, and how much I love boys, and how I’m sure
I would enjoy having her sons as students. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I just can’t help myself; I love talking about kids
and education.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96FqiL-xDq4/U8CvdnsAWKI/AAAAAAAAAwE/lah0gt5Ti9s/s1600/sparkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96FqiL-xDq4/U8CvdnsAWKI/AAAAAAAAAwE/lah0gt5Ti9s/s1600/sparkle.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>I decided I really needed to have the stools and table for school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked the owner if he would be
willing to make a deal for the set, as I wanted them for my classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled at me and said, "Since
you’re a teacher, I’d be happy to help you out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved my sixth grade teacher. She made me feel excited
about going to school and learning. When she got excited about something her
eyes sparkled. I saw that same sparkle just now in your eyes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had the biggest smile on his face
when he told me this. I laughed and thanked him, but as my husband and I walked
home I couldn’t help but think about his words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do get excited when I talk about school and my students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I never realized it was so easy
to see my excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m glad
it shows, because if it makes others remember happy days in school, then
definitely it’s a good thing!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-31534072417721717292014-07-06T19:14:00.000-07:002014-07-06T19:14:05.996-07:00Read, Write, Teach - Introduction
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<br />
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As I read the introduction to <u>Read, Write, Teach</u> by
Linda Rief, I felt myself just itching to pick up a pen and start writing my
own stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love Linda’s idea: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3O4G6zKYpw0/U7oCDP9CERI/AAAAAAAAAvI/qUQWzxKVDU0/s1600/read+write+teach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3O4G6zKYpw0/U7oCDP9CERI/AAAAAAAAAvI/qUQWzxKVDU0/s1600/read+write+teach.jpg" /></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Story shows that we
are thinking, feeling human beings with connections and relationships to each
other.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our students are so much more than numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are so much more than the data
spewed out by the endless tests and assessments we are required to administer
each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing allows our
students to give voice to who they are, to share their ideas, feelings and
thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing allows students
to build relationships while awakening new possibilities, not only with others,
but within themselves as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reading and writing have always been my passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love being able to teach both subjects
everyday to my students. I am someone who could easily get lost in the
discussion of a favorite book, or the writing of a story. When teaching
writing, I do try and write along with my students, and frequently do get lost
in the flow of the words and have to pull myself away. I share Linda’s beliefs:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I want my students to
know me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want them to know my
stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read them my drafts of
writing because I also want them to know I value what I ask them to do enough
to do it myself.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s hard to describe to someone who’s never taught writing
this way, but some kind of magic happens when teachers write alongside their
students and then share their drafts aloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By no means do I considered myself a “writer”, but many
times I’ve witnessed students glued to their seats, completely engaged, as I’ve
read my drafts to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
encouragement means the world to me. But what is even more important is the
relationship building forged by our sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The students learn about things that matter to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learn about what matters to them. They
learn that I care about their opinions and ideas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a feeling this book, <u>Read, Write, Teach</u>, will
open a whole new world of possibilities for us! </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-59164005541458338862014-03-26T17:20:00.002-07:002014-03-26T17:20:48.883-07:00Calm in my Perfect StormSo many times when I tell people what I do for a living I hear back, "How do you do it? I could never last a day.” Usually when I hear that I think how lucky I am because I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I’ve had other jobs in my life but none that can even come close to offering the satisfaction I get from teaching reading and writing to 75+ sixth graders everyday. Yes, I’m exhausted when I get home, and there are very few nights I go home empty handed. More likely I’m loaded down with not one, but two tote bags filled with papers to read, feedback to be give and lessons to plan. I do as much as I can after dinner, fall asleep late, and then get up at the crack of dawn (or earlier) to start again. By now you might be thinking, is she crazy? Why would anyone one continue to do this day after day? (And I haven’t even gotten into the nitty gritty details of my job.) I guess it’s just something you have to experience for yourself. Once that bell rings at 8:20 in the morning, my homeroom students arrive at their lockers, call out greetings to their friends and come into the classroom. I enter autopilot, top speed. It’s show time. I have my game plan ready for the day. I call it a game plan because it’s flexible. I’m prepared for the expected and the unexpected. But what’s truly amazing is that I am able to keep going at this speed until 3:30 pm, when the last student heads out the door at the end of the day. During the day I am almost constantly in motion, whether I’m delivering a lesson, conferring, on lunchroom duty, facilitating writing club, some part of me is always moving, especially my mind. Even after the kids go home, I usually don’t slow down until it’s finally time for me to call it a day and head home, again with tote bags in tow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hWsg5HulbM/UzNuLxz777I/AAAAAAAAAsM/HY0qagSPbd0/s1600/starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hWsg5HulbM/UzNuLxz777I/AAAAAAAAAsM/HY0qagSPbd0/s1600/starbucks.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Today there was a calm in my “perfect storm”. While in the library, moving between helping students look for books, advising two groups on their text structure posters, and trying to keep the noise level to a low hum, I look up and see my son in the midst of all of this. It took a minute for my mind to register what I was seeing it was so unexpected. And then I noticed what he had in his hands, Starbucks! He had come in the middle of the morning to bring me a hot Chai Latte! For the first time in I don’t know how long, my autopilot stopped in the middle of the day. I was stunned. Even the students stopped for a moment (yes, that’s very unusual). Then I hugged my son, the students went into overdrive asking me questions, then asking my son questions, and soon it was back to the happy continuous buzz of daily life at school. My days are nonstop and hectic on a regular basis but I can’t imagine it any other way. If anything the pace has truly helped me to appreciate the simpler things in life like family and a hot Chai Latte in the middle of the day.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-89088661146927315322014-03-24T18:49:00.002-07:002014-03-24T18:49:49.147-07:00100 Words 100 Days Challenge via #Engchat
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Today I rushed home from school to take part in a Twitter
chat about writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the only
sixth grade ELA teacher in my school I sometimes feel like an island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twitter chats allow me to not only
share ideas, but also gather tons of inspiration from teachers and experts
around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight was no
exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large group of ELA
teachers voiced their concerns, shared ideas, and offered inspiration on how to
teach writing, offer feedback, and develop the writing habit not only in
students, but in teachers as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After an hour of this fast-paced back and forth tweeting many of us
echoed the same sentiments in our tweets, we were ready to grab notebooks,
pens, keyboards, etc. and start writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then the challenge was made:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>100 words for 100 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t even know who first offered the challenge, but it caught on and was
quickly retweeted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here I am,
writing, officially starting my first day of the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will I write about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure: school, writing, reading,
education, life in the classroom, most likely a mix of all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’ll be writing and isn’t that what
the challenge was all about it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feedback is welcome but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stars and wishes</i></b> only please!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-1027557323248528052014-02-21T16:29:00.002-08:002014-02-21T16:29:33.244-08:00Sneak-Read!
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a student ‘sneak-read’ today… </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I’m celebrating!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a student that came into my classroom at the beginning of the
year and stared at the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I wanted to be sure he was listening I would get down on the floor
and look up at him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This student
not only was uninterested in reading, I was having a difficult time trying to
find books to appeal to him because of his unresponsiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never seen anything like it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And today…. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I actually had to tell him to close his book for a moment
so he could participate in our mini lesson on making inferences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I promised him he could continue
to read and use his book to practice inferring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He agreed, albeit begrudgingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth be told, I would have loved to have just let him
continue reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been
waiting a long time for this day and I just want to revel it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The site of this student so engrossed
in a book that he was able shut out all distractions around him, made me feel
like I had just won the lottery!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems hard to believe but last week I had another student
make a profound revelation that set my heart racing as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After our mini lesson in workshop, the
student looked up at me, smiled and commented, “I used to just read to be
‘done’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I get it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I stared at him in what I can
only image was shock and asked him to repeat his statement. I had to be sure I
had heard him right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He repeated
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had him heard correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to jump up and down and clap
my hand and dance around the classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had made a difference!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what we reading teachers dream of, students that
“get reading”. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. I could use a dose of this every day
but feel so lucky to have experienced it two weeks in a row. I can only hope we have started a
trend.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-50523162085663744052014-02-13T17:48:00.000-08:002014-02-13T17:49:19.676-08:00The Power of "Believe"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';">This year
our principal challenged all of us to choose our “word” for the year. A word to inspire us not only as we
start the year, but to provide a focus for ourselves and our students as we
move though the challenges of the coming school year. Without hesitation I chose the word “believe”. This has been my unofficial “word” for
many years. When I’ve had challenges
in life, whether as a teen, a college student, a mom, a teacher, I’ve focused
on the power of believe, believing everything would be all right. Believing I
could do what others told me was impossible. Believing I could achieve my dreams. Believing my children could achieve
their dreams. So it was
natural that I chose “believe” as the word for my classroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
didn’t do anything special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I simply
wrote the word in red marker across a sheet of typing paper and posted it on
the chalkboard in the front of the classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told the students that it was our “word” for the
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our classroom there would
be no giving up, no “it’s too hard”, no excuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This became our classroom policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a student complains that something is too hard, I simply
walk to the chalkboard and point to “believe”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that doesn’t do the trick, we all remind the student to
believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has almost become a chat
for us, “Believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can do it. PMA
(positive mental attitude)! Believe!” Corny as it may sound, it works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The student sees that I believe,
classmates believe, finally the student begins to believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';">Is it the
power of the word at work? Is it the power of realizing that the teacher and
classmates believe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it the
positive energy generated?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever the reason, the energy created is palpable and students are
changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believe in
themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';">
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</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When
you enter this classroom…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
you’re a reader<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
you’re a writer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
in the power of books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
in the power of words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
that you’re smart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
you deserve respect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
others deserve respect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
we all matter, always<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
that you’ll try your hardest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
that “OK” is not enough<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
in doing your best<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
the best in others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
honesty is the only way<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
in the possible<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
in the impossible<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Most
of all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When
you enter this classroom…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Believe
you’ll never stop believing in yourself!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-79014897607259800822013-10-16T18:44:00.002-07:002013-10-16T18:44:46.861-07:00Writing... Enjoying the Process!
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJfx-mi6JFc/Ul9AsFfMSfI/AAAAAAAAAmk/tuXl62aj3xw/s1600/10-16a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJfx-mi6JFc/Ul9AsFfMSfI/AAAAAAAAAmk/tuXl62aj3xw/s320/10-16a.jpg" width="320" /></a>We’re taking a different approach to blogging this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve read so many good ideas
via Twitter about “paper blogging” that I thought we’d try something different
and start with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not that
I’m new to blogging with students. My class was quite successful last year with
their reading blogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was
just my homeroom that I taught reading to last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year I have 78 students, three different classes, and
they’re all excited about blogging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So this week we’ve been working on writing book recommendations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been taking it slowly, reading examples
of both good and not-so good reviews, brainstorming characteristics of good
book reviews, completing graphic organizers as part of the prewrite process,
and finally moving on to the rough drafts today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was amazing to watch as the students became completely engaged
in writing their recommendations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
students moved through the writing process from rough draft, to peer
conferencing, to revising with very few snags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking it slowly really paid off!</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GIPYTlgE4cc/Ul9AwDzx_AI/AAAAAAAAAms/72VR98M9R6E/s1600/10-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GIPYTlgE4cc/Ul9AwDzx_AI/AAAAAAAAAms/72VR98M9R6E/s320/10-16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the magic started as I began to walk around the
classroom and the students eagerly asked me to listen to their writing. The
best part of my day was sitting with the students and listening to them read
their book recommendations. It was the best of both worlds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were talking about writing, getting excited
about great books, and sharing ideas.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-17741748590093152782013-09-30T19:24:00.001-07:002013-09-30T19:24:17.635-07:00Mock Newbery Book Club is Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It's finally here! Tomorrow is our first official meeting of the Pleasant View Mock Newbery Book Club for sixth graders! We'll be discussing why the Newbery Award is so special and what it takes for a book to win the award. Students will then have an opportunity to review several past winners of both the Newbery Award and the Newbery Honor Award. Everyone will then choose a past award winner or honor book to read for the first two weeks. At our next meeting we'll compare notes and determine what it took for these books to win the award. Then it's off to the 2013 books and our search for the next Newbery winner!<br />
<br />Check out these book trailers for a few past winners of the Newbery Award and Honor Award:<br />
<br /><u>Holes</u> by Louis Sachar<br />1999 Newbery Award<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/P2JnEiHnbic?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<u>The Giver</u> by Lois Lowery</div>
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1994 Newbery Award</div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wUvKBStnIJM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<u>Maniac Magee</u> by Jerry Spinelli </div>
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1991 Newbery Award </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BhMCagQ1TIk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<u>Turtle in Paradise</u> by Jennifer Holm</div>
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2011 Newbery Honor</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jiRVDqYwCGs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-23342130582763260602013-09-06T21:22:00.001-07:002013-09-06T21:52:57.187-07:00Writing and dreams, a powerful combination....still<br />
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Traditionally our sixth grade writer’s workshop begins the
year with a formative writing assessment. Students are given a prompt, asked to brainstorm ideas, write a rough draft, and a final copy. Since the purpose of this assessment is to see
what the students already know, they aren’t allowed to conference with peers or
teachers for help, ideas, anything. I
dreaded giving this assessment probably as much as the students did. It seemed hypocritical to ask the students to
write this way when it’s not at all how we teach writing. Yet year after year, this is what we
did. Until this year. Finally this year I was told it was not
necessary to administer the assessment!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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However, I still wanted to collect a writing sample from the
students. I needed to know them better
as writers. Then, while lesson planning
late one night (that’s when I get my best brainstorming inspirations), it hit me. Together the students and I would read the <i>Time for Kids</i> article about the 50<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. I then wrote my own “dream” speech to use as
a model and posted it on my blog.
Finally for the assessment, the students would write their own “dream”
speech.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The lesson couldn’t have gone better. Many of the students were immediately taken
in by the article. They had heard of
Martin Luther King Jr. but for the most part had been unfamiliar with the extreme
discrimination of the time. They were
aghast when they learned of the segregated schools, libraries, and even water
fountains. I then shared my blog with
the class by displaying my “dream” speech on the Smart board and read it
aloud. One class of students actually
clapped when I finished reading the post!
Later in the day when I was describing the lesson to another teacher and how I had read my post
to the class to model, a student overhead and said he liked the post so much he
wanted to run up and hug me (it’s only the 4<sup>th</sup> day of school)!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now it’s Friday night. I’m home in my pjs and reading the students’
dream speeches. (Isn’t this a typical Friday night for teachers?) I have to
admit I wasn’t prepared for what the students wrote. I had been expecting dreams of wanting good
grades, more recess, less homework and I did read several essays with these wishes. But then there were the truly heartfelt
dreams:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>I
have a dream that I will get more respect from others.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I
have a dream that you won’t get criticized for what you say or do in class.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I
wish we could read any book we want, and not just around a lexile range.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I
have a dream that the subjects I struggle with will be easier.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>I
have a dream that I will get straight A’s for my mom</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now it was my turn to want to run and hug someone. I had told the students I would not force
them to read their dream speech aloud. I
guess they believed me. This is going to
be a great year!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-12423640352378140222013-09-04T17:48:00.000-07:002013-09-05T07:58:41.676-07:00My Dream...Tomorrow in writer's workshop the students and I will be reading an article about the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech. As I read the article through myself I got the idea of having the students use it to inspire their own "I Have a Dream" speech. Of course I knew then that I would need a model for them, so here is my "I Have a Dream".<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>I have a dream that this year my students will embrace learning. They will come to school looking forward to learning. They will not worry if an assignment is being graded or how much it’s worth. They will be motivated to learn for the sake of knowledge and self-fulfillment. They will not simply complete an assignment to be “done”. They will challenge themselves to not only finish their work, but also to comprehend it. They will look for ways to extend their learning into the real world.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I have a dream that this year my students will all become not simply better readers, but life-long readers. They will read not because they have to, but because they want to. They will learn how to choose books that appeal to them, books they will stick with and not abandon. They will be able to understand what they read, and know which strategies to use if meaning does break down.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I have a dream for myself too this year. I dream that this year I will read more everyday. I will read books of my own choosing, books that I read because I WANT to read them. I will write about the books I read because I know that I do some of my best thinking on paper. I’ll write what I think of the books, revise my writing until it sounds like me, and then post it to my blog so that I can share my thoughts with others.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I have a dream that this will be the best school year ever!</i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-52167150140408758612013-09-01T17:25:00.001-07:002013-09-01T17:25:26.135-07:00Open for Learning!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Well, it’s Sunday and after 5 hours of work today my
classroom is DONE (almost)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This year our school will be implementing the middle school model for fifth and sixth grade, which means I'll be teaching reading and writing workshop to three sixth grade sections each day. So I needed to make some changes this year. </span>I
wonder if anyone is truly able to pull his or her room together in the time
allotted during pre session? Or should we say “pre season," because with all the
physical labor involved in unpacking a classroom and getting everything ready
for the students, I honestly feel as if I’ve been in training camp. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I’ve got the broken nails and sore muscles
to prove it!) Not to mention the three half days of “strategy” sessions we attended! So I’ve got the room presentable, I’ve got a game plan down, one
more day to tie up loose ends (and maybe get some reading in) and it’s GO time!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax5_wQCxhT8/UiPUgTFMm4I/AAAAAAAAAlM/ydWE2MWGicU/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax5_wQCxhT8/UiPUgTFMm4I/AAAAAAAAAlM/ydWE2MWGicU/s320/IMG_1233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
On my front table I display a book I'm currently reading (and keep a list of students that request it as soon as I finish!).<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Il-1fXa-V_M/UiPTwUOW4cI/AAAAAAAAAj8/tdreOhcauhM/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Il-1fXa-V_M/UiPTwUOW4cI/AAAAAAAAAj8/tdreOhcauhM/s320/IMG_1224.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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New this year, I'll be displaying all the books I read. <br />
This is my summer reading list. Nineteen and counting! It was quite the conversation starter during open house.<br />
Got this idea from Twitter...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ldxpcBa6kc/UiPTtM-nGaI/AAAAAAAAAj0/HxVNLyYZXiE/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ldxpcBa6kc/UiPTtM-nGaI/AAAAAAAAAj0/HxVNLyYZXiE/s320/IMG_1225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Also new this year, the "Newbery Nook". This is where all Newbery award winning books (including honor books) will be kept and all 2013 new releases. I'm hoping to start a Mock Newbery club this year. We'll start by reading past winners and then move on to books published in 2013.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4FzTIY9Ybk/UiPUAOLR7xI/AAAAAAAAAkM/lcABINCMw2A/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4FzTIY9Ybk/UiPUAOLR7xI/AAAAAAAAAkM/lcABINCMw2A/s320/IMG_1226.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Common Core front and center! It's hard to see in the picture, but on the white strips are Common Core standards written as "I can..." statements. I will be changing these to align with the current workshop lesson. The strips are laminated and have magentas on the back so they're super easy to change out.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkovwJBi-NY/UiPUGKZiZMI/AAAAAAAAAkc/6JhYubXPaxo/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkovwJBi-NY/UiPUGKZiZMI/AAAAAAAAAkc/6JhYubXPaxo/s320/IMG_1227.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"This class is something to "Tweet" about! Great idea I found on Pinterest! We also have out Twitter handle displayed so hopefully people will follow us. :) @PV6Reads<br />
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Finally the class library, my favorite part of the room! These photos are of the fiction section which has two separate seating areas for students. The books are in baskets, arranged by genre. The nonfiction section is currently being categorized and labeled.<br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-44367369272659740862013-08-27T17:13:00.000-07:002013-08-27T17:13:30.770-07:00New Teacher + New Classroom = Excitement!
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7yQBH_wjtyE/Uh07MGk8IjI/AAAAAAAAAio/Xz_cs_cGrvE/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7yQBH_wjtyE/Uh07MGk8IjI/AAAAAAAAAio/Xz_cs_cGrvE/s320/IMG_1193.JPG" width="320" /></a>As many of us are returning to our classrooms, pulling
things together, trying to come up with new ways of arranging our room to inspire
our students, I had the unique opportunity to observe (and help when asked!) my
son pull together his very first classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the idea of a new job and first classroom is exciting enough,
but then throw into the mix that he is going to be teaching in the elementary school
he graduated from, in a classroom that he actually learned in….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well to me, as his mom and a teacher
myself, I am just so proud!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
also amazed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His classroom would easily
have qualified for my “dream” classroom when I started teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know parents are going to walk into
his room and immediately be put at ease, this is definitely a classroom where students
will be engaged and motivated to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can feel the energy as you enter room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Students sit at tables so all class supplies are organized on the middle shelving unit.<br />
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Even though he'll be teaching math, science and social studies, he still has a great classroom library!<br />
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Garrett found the great metal racks under his chalkboard and Smart Board at Ikea.<br />
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I just love all the color in this room!<br />
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This is the back of a portable shelving unit that stores all his math manipulatives. He decided to pull it away from the wall, extend the top, add a groove in the wood to support iPads - instant work station for students!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UthUpNFUc8/Uh07otXg9rI/AAAAAAAAAjM/yUf__IX1dt8/s1600/IMG_1201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UthUpNFUc8/Uh07otXg9rI/AAAAAAAAAjM/yUf__IX1dt8/s200/IMG_1201.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8862848603840674669.post-14485827416206821782013-08-18T22:26:00.000-07:002013-08-18T22:26:22.856-07:00Picture Books - Mentor Texts Part 2
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One aspect of summer that I just truly love is having the
time to sit and enjoy picture books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Notice I didn’t write “read” picture books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not simply reading the books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so much more than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This summer I have happily checked out dozens of picture
books from the library at a time and then reveled in being able to just sit and
page through the books as I read them, marveling over their illustrations,
frequently get a good chuckle, and then reflecting on how I can share them with
my students. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As mentioned in an
earlier post, I like to use picture books to not only share my love of reading
but also as springboards into mini lessons for both reader’s and writer’s
workshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are few of my
recent finds:</div>
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<u>It’s a Book</u> by Lane Smith</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Tb00pDRsUg/UhGr2ZyeXLI/AAAAAAAAAhM/AVRH07Sky4w/s1600/its+a+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Tb00pDRsUg/UhGr2ZyeXLI/AAAAAAAAAhM/AVRH07Sky4w/s200/its+a+book.jpg" width="154" /></a> This book is about the exasperation one friend feels as he
tries to describe what a book is to his friend, a donkey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Donkey is all about high tech so he has
some trouble understanding the concept of reading a book, something with no
bells, whistles, cords, passwords, etc, for the shear pleasure of falling into
the book.</div>
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After reading this book (and I LOVED it) I read about the
controversy over the use of a certain word in the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry, but this book made me laugh out
loud and we all need that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
anyone finds the word offensive or questionable just say “bleep” when you come
to it and let the kids use their imagination. </div>
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Mentor text:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will be using this book at the beginning of the year to help
explain/demonstrate to my students how I feel about books and reading.</div>
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<u>Bluffton</u> by Matt Phelan</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRtV2VZx4nU/UhGsILFcwpI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Y154378CPdo/s1600/bluffton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRtV2VZx4nU/UhGsILFcwpI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Y154378CPdo/s200/bluffton.jpg" width="168" /></a> This is a historical fiction graphic novel of one boy’s
experience when vaudeville performers came to spend summers in his town on the
shore of Lake Michigan in the early 1900’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henry gets to know the fun loving actors and finds a summer
best friend in a young vaudevillian his own age, Buster Keaton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boys enjoy their summer days to the
fullest, each finding aspects of the other’s life more interesting/exciting
than their own. </div>
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Historical fiction fascinates me and this book did not
disappoint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living so close to Michigan
(actually grew up on the Wisconsin of the Lake) I had never heard of Bluffton
or the vaudeville summer retreat so I immediately took to Google to find out
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t this what we hope our
students will do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was excited to
find that the author actually includes some factual historical information
about the real Actors’ Colony in Bluffton and the famous people that summered
there.</div>
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Mentor text:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are so many possibilities for this book!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be great as a mentor text for a unit on
inquiry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides the historical
aspect, the book brings up the issue of the problem of child labor in the
1900’s. (Is there really a Gerry Society?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about the contraptions that Buster designs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Possibly a springboard into a science
unit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, this book will be a
wonderful mentor text for teaching inference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with many graphic novels, much of the story is told
through the illustrations rather than the text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through careful examination of the pictures students will
learn much more of the story and gain valuable insights to the characters.</div>
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<u>14 Cows for America</u> by Carmen Agra Deedy</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HCFzRYez8A0/UhGsSvd_WkI/AAAAAAAAAhc/8USqwDn2YUg/s1600/14+cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HCFzRYez8A0/UhGsSvd_WkI/AAAAAAAAAhc/8USqwDn2YUg/s200/14+cows.jpg" width="200" /></a> I first learned about this book last week when attending a Donalyn
Miller seminar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first thought
after her book talk?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why hadn’t I
ever heard of this book before?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately
after the seminar I went to the library and checked the book out. It left me
speechless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story is about a
remote village in Kenya and a Maasai tribe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They learn of the 9/11 tragedy in America and they are so
moved they want to do something to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This book touched my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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Mentor text:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will be using this book to promote discussion on 9/11 this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As sixth graders the majority of my
students were not even alive when the attacks occurred, yet I know they will be
curious and have many questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This book gives a new and touching perspective of how a different
culture thousands of miles away reacted to the tragedy. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02410669678022542655noreply@blogger.com0