Beginning Writers

They are beginning

Writers

Now 

Using words they know

And words they can approximate

Proudly labeling their pictures

Proudly writing.

I see a dog too!

 I see a house. I can see a fox, too.

I see Beary smiling proudly

As those writers

Blossom in the Spring.

#sol Bulk Trash of Spring

Every spring,

The piles take root,

Along the edge of driveways,

Nestled among the forsythia blossoms,

Resting patiently, expectantly,

Assured there will be "pickers"

Who will scoop up chairs, tables, desks,

High chairs, cribs, play yards, bikes,

Old doors, windows, washers,

Cabinets, sinks, toilets,

Bookcases, bureaus, lawn chairs.

Some of it is clearly trash, 

Broken beyond use and destined

For a dump somewhere.

Yet most of the pile,

Cast out in a rash of spring cleaning,

Could still be used.

Most was replaced by a society

That values new, clean, bright and shiny.

That disparages old, ratty, worn and broken.

Those piles seem huge on Monday morning,  

Carefully assembled on the weekend,

Cleared by "pickers" who know the ropes,

Arriving on Monday with 

Trucks, trailers, minivans,

With a keen eye they discern

The potential of each piece of trash

Knowing what might become treasure.

It's a socio-economic-recycling-ecosystem! 

PS: These are not my local photos of trash as I cannot drive and shoot!  

Common Core Challenges

                                                           Image from Google Images

In hallways, in faculty rooms, in team meetings, in board rooms, on soccer sidelines,and around kitchen tables, a new Great Debate has ensued. Looking at the tests, from afar, this week has certainly fueled  questions. Were they easy? Were they hard? Were kids prepared?  Do workbooks aligned with the CCS prepare kids best? How should we best prepare kids for the tests AND to be avid, eager, lifelong readers and writers? 

This is MY blog and I do not KNOW the answer; however, THIS is MY thinking!

The CC shift encourages us to challenge all readers with more complex texts that may be "outside" their comfort zone.  It encourages rereading and analysis.  It encourages us to focus on the author's chosen words and meaning rather than on our own connection to the text. Is this something we can all do?  Yes indeed.  Truth be told, some of us may have become a little too comfortable making text-to-self connections a bit too much.

The CC shift asks readers to unpack the text themselves and challenges the take a picture walk mentality.  While I can't totally dismiss the value of taking a picture walk and understanding the author or the text genre, it is possible that perhaps, some of us may have gone a little too far with this. Perhaps we "forgot" that we were scaffolding our support and empowering readers? 

The CC shift encourages us to use text-dependent questions. This focus has changed my own teaching of reading even for beginners.  We talk about author's words and find "proof" right there in the text rather than from our memories.  

The CC shift says that we should focus on reading rather than on strategies.  I think some of us may have gone a little overboard with those old Strategies that Work.  It's not about identifying strategies, it's about using them! 

I guess you could infer that I am not opposed to the standards and I am willing to rethink my teaching and student learning.  

• I do think we need to plan our teaching and student learning, perhaps more carefully than some of us have in the past. You need focused planning for focused teaching. 
• I do think we need to pull our students (and ourselves) outside of our comfort zone with challenging texts and a focus on reflecting on what we learn from texts. Reading in our comfort zone is just one part of preparation for life-long reading. 
• I do think that real, meaningful texts and real, meaningful discussions are the best test preparation.
• Teachers, who understand theory and practice, not programs, not workbooks, teacher life-long readers and writers.
• I do think test question writers should have at least a Master's Degree in Education :)

#celebratelu15 Snow, scores, and synergy.

Thanks to Ruth's encouragement, I am celebrating.  My stress level is high; however, when I stop to reflect, there is a lot to celebrate!

First, I join Lucy in celebrating what was certainly/hopefully/most likely/I hope the last snow flurries of the season!  I tried to remember the excitement of the first snow flurries way, way back in October as I shook my head in awe of the winter that lasted three seasons!

Next, I celebrate the end of  CCS testing for this year. We've still got some assessments pending, but with the biggies out of the way, I can join teachers, parents, and decision makers in reading/reflecting/thinking/rethinking/pondering the plethora of articles/commentaries/discussions about testing/teachers/students/evaluations/and testing impact. Late Friday afternoon, long after the tests had been packed up, my colleagues and I sat and reflected on what matters for kids/learning/standards and pondered how we can best empower our students to be lifelong readers, writers, mathematicians, learners. The Governor may also be questioning/thinking/wondering/reflecting as he was quoted as saying, "For at least the next five years, they (grades on CCS tests) won't count at all for students."  Now that is something to celebrate - for students! 

Finally, I celebrate motivational tidbits on social media.  I'm not sure how we got through the day-to-day stress of living without them! It's like daily sermon/public service/reminder/motivation. Somehow, the synergy - the combined effects - of the reminders really does help keep me grounded in what is important!  So, I'm trying to figure out how we can do this for kids in our schools - perhaps hallway signs on testing days?

Earth Day Was Yesterday and Everyday

Let's Get This Over With!

"Can I do the rest of my tests now?" he asked as he turned in Day 1's booklet.

I suspect I smiled one of those 'I hear you but can't help you smiles.'

"If I do it now, I will be done and I can go back to regular school!" he added seriously as if he might be able to change my mind.

"I wish I could do that, buddy," I replied earnestly, "but tomorrow's tests are all in a big vault somewhere waiting." In two more days, we'll be back to regular school!"

"That's great," he smiled and somehow, I think he really meant it.      

#sol15 Getting to know you, getting to know all about you

Remember the lyrics Julie Andrews sang from The King and I? 

It's a very ancient saying,

But a true and honest thought

That if you become a teacher

By your pupils you'll be taught

As I launched a "mini" biography unit of study on the heels of the ELA, one of my third graders asked, "Does someone have to be famous to get a biography?"  

"You can write a biography about anyone, even someone like me!" I replied smiling.  Recognizing a teachable moment, I suggested that each of the students in my small group write down two facts about me.  I told them to make sure they backed up their statements with details telling why and together we penned the first statement about "me."

"She was nice when she let us make follow directions snowflakes.  The directions were hard so she showed us another way."

The five students got right down to work....not a moment of hesitation!  And, then, they shared......

From a student who has worked with me for 3 years, "She is nice because she let us eat maple sugar last year when we read Little Runner." We've read hundreds of books, shared hundreds of stickers, discussed thousands of characters and she remember Little Runner thanks to a few moments with some dried up maple syrup!  . 

Another student eagerly shared, "She is old, but not too old.  Not as old as Mrs. XX but older than Mrs. XX."  What could I say in response?  Thank you!  

Finally, the clincher that made it hard not to laugh out loud, "She tries to look pretty because she wears earrings."  It's not that I look pretty, you can be sure of that, I just try using every trick in the book to look as good as I can.  I guess I should get some more fine-school-jewels from TJ Maxx!  

Battered and bruised around the edges, I left school this afternoon with those lyrics dancing in my head!   

I'ts a very ancient saying,

But a true and honest thought

That if you become a teacher

By your pupils you'll be taught

As a teacher I've been learning

You'll forgive me if I boast

And I've now become an expert

On the subject I like most

Getting to know you

Getting to know you

Getting to know all about you

Getting to like you

Getting to hope you like me

Getting to know you

Putting it my way

But nicely

You are precisely

My cup of tea

Getting to know you

Getting to know all about you

Getting to like you

Getting to hope you like me

Getting to know you

Putting it my way

But nicely

You are precisely

My cup of tea

Getting to know you

Getting to feel free and easy

When I am with you

Getting to know what to say

Haven't you noticed

Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?

Because of all the beautiful and new

Things I'm learning about you

Day by day
Getting to know you

Getting to feel free and easy

When I am with you

Getting to know what to say

Haven't you noticed

Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?

Because of all the beautiful and new

Things I'm learning about you

Day by day

The King And I 

4 Easy Tips and Tricks for Creating Visually Engaging Rubrics | Edutopia

4 Easy Tips and Tricks for Creating Visually Engaging Rubrics | Edutopia

#celebratelu2015 When did that happen?

I've missed a few "celebration" Saturdays.

Slice-of-life, busyness, life-stuff, family-stuff, 

Disappointments, disagreements, disillusionment,
Worries, concerns, paper to read.

Then, as I ran out the school door,

Rushing to meet with a new care-giving team,

Worried that I would be late,

Concerned that I might add stress to a difficult time,

These, magical spring blossoms took my breath away.

Where had they come from?

When did this happen, I wondered?

Then, as I finally pulled into the driveway,

Rushing to maybe connect with my husband,

Hoping for a moment to talk,

Before I collapsed into a heap,

I noticed these beauties popping up between the rocks.

Where did they come from?

When did this happen, I wondered? 

So this morning,

I celebrate buds, blossoms,

Reminders.

Awaken Spring

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

—Percy Bysshe Shelle

Time, time, time

I've spent lots of time, lately,

With my mother.

Day merging into night,

Night merging into day.

We haven't gone anywhere,

Although we did catch

"The Antique Roadshow."

We haven't eaten much

Although we did share

Some Town House crackers.

I've had time to reflect,

On making time,

While we can,

Walk and share dreams, 

Talk and share thoughts,

"Break bread,"

Make memories.

She's weak and tired,

Yet, still fighting, 

Still feisty at times.

Still wanting to be in control.
She sleeps a lot at this time,
Those awake interactions,
Not all pleasant.

She may not tell me

But I know she appreciates
My gift, all I can give now, time.

I've had lots of time,

 To reflect  

Lots of time 

Thinking about life

Passing by  

Like the sand in an hourglass.

#sol15 The daffodils are ready to bloom

I'm sharing this poem about today's testing season,

with a comparison to this season's late daffodils....

I'm sure that this poem, like my work with learners

 is not finished after they "bloom" today!

They're peeking out,

Finally,

Bits of springtime brightness, 

Wrapped in green stalks,

Cautiously, 

Not sure they are ready 

Yet finally prepared

For whatever

April has in store.

They're bright-eyed
This April morning,
Moms, dads, said,
"Just do you best!"

As their "buds,"
In growing bodies,
Eager minds,

Arrive cautiously, 

Yet confidently,

Not sure they are ready,

Yet prepared 

For whatever lies ahead.

Like April weather,

Today
May be a moment to bloom.

May cast a passing shadow,
May challenge buds (like April snows),

May be a necessary part of life,

Like rain, wind, and sun,

May be the topic of heated debate,

Diverse viewpoints.

Yet, with certainty,

We will support and care for

Each bud

Who like daffodils, 

Will each shine brightly,

In their own time.

     

Flashback: What I was thinking last year!

I wrote this post one year ago today, after reading a post about the impending testing season.  This year, on the eve of testing, my thoughts are again angst-infused.



Learning To Be Writers and Readers: In The 21st Century: Testing, 1,2,3: I read Kate's post the other day. I hear you and agree we seem to have gone a bit overboard on the testing bandwagon.  I wonder about s...

#digipoetry Weekends

Some weekends 

Are filled with
Preparing, catching up

Endless housework, 

Piles of laundry,

Heaps of homework, 

Stacks of report cards

Mounds of dishes,

Wagons of weeds.

Busy, fulfilling,

Looking ahead,
Gratefully.

Other weekends

Are filled with
Birthdays,bashes,
Celebrations, guests, 

Shopping, family

Bike-riding, hiking,

Baseball, lacrosse.

Travel, dreams,,

Filling hearts, souls
Prayerfully, gratefully. 

Some weekends

Are lost

To care giving,
Illness, sadness,

Temperature taking,
Tough love giving,

Sleep deprivation,

Quiet desperation
Sitting, waiting,
Clock watching,
With a side of knitting,
A wee bit of reading,
A spot of writing,
Prayerfully, hopefully.
Grateful for
Three kinds of weekends.

The Coaching Model

The Coaching Model

12 Choices to Help You Step Back from Burnout

12 Choices to Help You Step Back from Burnout

#digipoetry Bonnets adorned with bows

Pin curls peeking beneath

Bonnets adorned with bows,
Keep them on,

Bright spring jackets,

Sweaters underneath,
Keep them warm,

White gloves,

Keep them clean,
Patent leather shoes,

Polished until

You could see your reflection.
Keep them clean.
Long ago, Easter!

#digipoetry We Can Start Anew

I knelt-stood-sat
Reflecting
Death, sadness, despair,

Fresh new life, joy, hope.
On Good Friday.
Assured
We are forgiven,
We can start anew.

Edutopia Share: What It Means to be a Great Teacher

In light of all the negative press (particularly this week in NYS), it's a good thing we have articles like this reprinted to keep teachers going during the darkest of days. The Heart of Teaching: What It Means to be a Great Teacher

The short version is that kindness, compassion, empathy, inspiration and positive energy contributes to great teaching.  Perhaps it is the Passover-Easter season talking to me, but I thought that kindness, compassion, empathy, inspiration, and positive energy were at the goals for begin a good human?

The Heart of Teaching: What It Means to be a Great Teacher

RELATED TAGS: Teacher Development,All Grades,All Subjects

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Rusul Alrubail , Educator-in-Residence at Design Cofounders

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#digipoetry Desiderata

On this Good Friday-Passover celebration day, this poem is in my head and my heart.

  Desiderata 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy. 

Max Ehrmann   ~ 1920

#digipoetry It's Snowing: April Fools

The angry sky darkened, again,

Ice and snow descended, again,

On Spring Break, again.

"I'm not shoveling," again.

"April Fools," Mother Nature smirked,

It looked and felt like winter, again.

It's too bad she doesn't know

Silly jokes, like first graders do!  

Or Pac-Man Maps, like Google! 

  

#poetrymonth April is For Poetry (Edutopia share)

Here is the link to  Brett Vogelsinger's Poetry Month Kick Off Post on Edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/brisk-bright-approaches-poetry-month-brett-vogelsinger?utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=brisk-bright-national-poetry-month&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_term=second-image

I thought of my grad students as I read his post. Some of them dislike poetry, others avoid it, and still others think it must rhyme no matter how I try to convince them otherwise!  I can't say I have always been a fan; however, learned the power of poetry as I watched my struggling readers and writers embrace it back in the pre-CCS days when poetry was consistently a unit of writing study.  I now realize it is the most empowering of genres and it the one that forces readers to think and writers to be concise with their words.

I love his suggested strategies for poetry in the link above!