#sol18 April 27

I've been thinking about "favorite places" to read since a twitter feed about  where others read, which said, a bar, public transportation, a library, a bookstore, and a park were other's favorite spots!   Interesting that most of those places are very public and perhaps even noisy! 

I have never read in bar, but I can admit I love reading, thinking, dreaming, and wondering on the train or on a plane, which are busy public places!. However, my favorite spot to read, think, dream, and wonder in nice weather is alone, on my porch and on less perfect days, alone, in my favorite chair. Sometimes, I wonder how I grew up and learned to read, think, dream, and wonder without a quiet porch or a favorite chair! 

Recently, I rediscovered the joy of reading under an old quilt draped precariously over furniture. It's a quiet special reading, thinking, dreaming, wondering spot! 

If you are one of the masses who likes to read in busy, loud places,you might want to try a just for you spot! 

# celebratelu When the Grabber Arrived During Nap Time!

At about half past nap time, the "town" arrived to haul off the old bushes and the piles of sticks.  There was a part of me that wanted to "wake up" toddlers in my care.  They would have been thrilled to watch the "big trucks" and the men in the green vests!  They would have sat on the steps mesmerized by the grabber and the dumper!  It might have been the single most important day in their lives! 

Yet, I knew that nap time is a critical factor in "happy" toddlers and "content" parents.  So, I sat on the steps with the dogs and watched the piles disappear into the huge bin destined to be mulch for the town just like my boys would have done if the branch grabber had not arrived during nap time. 

I hope they are awake next year! 

  

#celebratelu This time, it's not snow.

We're outside

Rain, snow, sleet,

Before the start of school

Holding placards,
Reminders,

Saying good morning
Cheerfully,

To parents and students.

This Friday morning

We were met with gentle

White flakes

Sticking to the trees!

Making teachers smile!

 Even without a contract!
This time, it is not snow.

Can't take it with you.

I used to read, write, and sew in my spare time.  In fact, when my grandchildren were on the horizon, I dreamed of creating clothes worthy of  Jacadi or Dolce and Gabbana  but instead, my spare moments and my table have been consumed by estates!

I've sold stocks, consolidated accounts,  created spreadsheets, paid taxes (including taxes that I never heard of before). I've learned enough about the ins and outs to not only write a book but to also do this as a retirement job!

I'm sure there will be surprises uncovered as you handle most estates and I'm confident that those who have left this world would be shocked at the way estates dissipate during processing.

Most importantly, I have learned that as hard as you might try, you can't take it with you! You can accumulate, invest, and save, but the government and legal system sees what you left will wants an appropriate piece of your pie!

So....
Drink that Starbucks in the morning (if that is what turns you on).
Travel to distant places and explore the world (if that is what turns you on)
Go out to eat a little more frequently (if that is what makes you happy).
Buy yourself flowers, just because (if that is what makes you happy).
Buy the shoes or that shirt or that jacket (if that is what makes you happy).
Spend generously on those you love and care about (while you can).
I guess you can take your credit cards and your checkbooks (but you can't use them).
I promise you can't take your savings nor your investments with you!

#sol18 SPRING Semester

In these parts,

Everybody is complaining

Protracted the winter weather

It has persisted into what should be 

Spring Weather.

Yet, as someone who has lived

The college semester system

For many, many years,

I think Mother Nature

Is just confused because 

She's back in school,

Stressed and working late for an 

Advanced Degree!  

For colleges, universities,

Spring Semester

Starts in the dead of winter

It's dark when grad school starts

We are assured of slick drives home

In weather that is not really 

Spring-like

Yet, the Spring Semester

Ends with flip-flops

Nights when it is too lovely 

To go to class!  

Yet, this weekend,

In spite of the cold,

I saw certain signs

That made me sure

Those days when it's too lovely

To go to class,

Are closer than you might think

When you wake up to snow.  

I sure hope someone

Reminds Mother Nature

You have to keep up the day joh

When you go back to grad school!

Writing Assessment

Dear Grad Students,

SO, on a snowy-spring break morning, I found this really interesting link to a writing assessment from the state of Oregon's Literacy Framework. 

http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/subjects/elarts/writing/writing-framework-assessment.pdf

It's a 70 page document about K-12 writing assessment with focuses on formative and summative assessments from multiple data sources. 

One of the interesting ideas in this document is that
"unlike reading assessments that have been clearly designed for four specific purposes – to screen students for reading difficulties, to monitor students’ progress toward the achievement of grade-level reading goals, to diagnose specific reading difficulties for the purposes of developing and implementing individualized interventions, and to determine whether or not students have met grade-level reading goals – the distinction between types of available writing assessments is not as clear. "

You should really check out this assessment because we are going to be looking at it in class! 

See you soon!

April is Poetry Month: Why poetry?

Yesterday would have been Maya Angelou's 90th birthday.  I think we can all agree her writing and in particular, her poetry, has influenced all of us.  In the many links posted in her honor, I came across this short video of Maya explaining the power of writing poetry.  Perhaps Maya Angelou's most passionate argument in favor of our students writing poetry is the need for concise writing!

I smiled at the both practical and logistical need to write in a concise manner in this busy world where Twitter characters are important glimpses into ideas and news. I remembered an article I read last summer.  I also thought about the power of learning to write poetry in my own life thanks to Two Writing Teachers and their Slice of Life Sharing!   I thought of ALL the copies of Shel Silverstein books students have worn out over the years.  

I am sure reading and writing poetry are important for language development and creativity.

I am sure writing and reading poetry are important for vocabulary development and critical thinking.

I wonder how we can assure reading and writing poetry are part of what we encourage?

I wonder how we can assure writing and reading poetry are part of every month, not just April.

Poetry Matters! 

#sol18 Living in the present

On Sunday, 

Eggs were nestled in the grass

Waiting to be found.

A neighborhood rabbit 

Stopped by with candy

Yet,

A small bit of sand,

Washed from under the patio

Captured the imaginations

Provided enjoyment

Filled trucks with sand.

I thought of the week's sadness

I reflected on the holiday

I wondered how I could be so lucky

I pushed away my sad feelings

I forgot all the work awaiting me

I remembered my OWL

I focused on the moment

As I watched them dig

Do not grieve over the past

Do not be troubled about the future

Live in the present

Make it worth remembering.

  Ida Scott Taylor.

#celebratelu Kindergarten Magic

I haven't joined this celebration in a while; however, "empowered" by March SOL and "inspired" by events in the kindergarten hallway last Thursday, I HAVE to come back!

I knew something special was happening when a one of our kindergarten teachers told me I had to stop by and visit her student's classroom library! I noticed quite a pile of obviously student-created stapled-paper books in the block corner, and to be honest, I could hardly wait to visit!  I grabbed my phone/camera on my way back down the hall; however, the magic in that room on the eve of spring break

"It's just like you write about on your blog," the proud teacher smiled, "writing for real meaningful purposes!"

I skipped back to my room knowing Lucy, Donald and the writing gurus were proud as well.

So on this first day of April, I celebrate teachers, like my colleague, who fosters reading, writing, and creativity in their classrooms while encouraging students to use their emerging knowledge of print to create their own versions of their world.