#sol23 Images of War

 

Long ago, the images of the war

The growing death count

Arrived only with the evening news

On radio or later television,

The personal stories rarely told.

Yet, the words and images

Impacted even those far away

Now, the news and images of atrocities 

Arrive quickly with details

Filling continual news and social media

With personal stories and faces

With images of lives and livelihoods lost,

That live in our heads and ravage our hearts,

No matter who, what or where we are.

As I've struggled over the past few days,

I've thought about the Fred Rogers quote

Circulated in the days after 9-1-1

We all need to help, donate, pray for peace.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, 
  my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. 
You will always find people who are helping.”
― Fred Rogers

#sol23 Workshops AND SoR

 

Yes, I've read and looked critically at the hype on Science of Reading, as my "job" in a Graduate School of Education means I must stay on top of "What's Hot."  I've encouraged teachers to embrace the new name for the 5 pillars of literacy, NOT just phonics. 

Yes, I pushed to bring Fundations, many years ago, into my school believing that a set phonics/word study program would support decoding and spelling. I researched and looked critically at the program. It was NEVER meant to be a READING program.  

Yes, I've read and looked critically at Anita Archer, and other's work on Explicit Teaching and recognize the benefits of direct instruction in some aspects of language learning. I agree there are concepts/skills/ times when direct teaching is beneficial.

Yes, I've read and looked critically at Scarborough's Rope Theory and recognize the benefit of considering reading as as the complex activity it is.  

Yes, I also look critically at as well as embrace Reading & Writing Workshops that have changed teaching and learning in many positive ways and have supported generations of students who embrace reading not just as a task but as a means to learn and grow and connect.  

Yes, I was surprised this week when I read that Teachers College Reading and Writing Program had been disbanded, even though I have heard teachers talking about the end of Reading Records and Balanced Literacy.  I'm not sure how much the renaming will change things or if the political and economic climate are factors.

Yes, I've been in this business long enough to know that there is no one way to reach all readers and those of us who want to reach everyone need to embrace the 5 Pillars of Reading along with meaningful ways to grow readers and writers, in spaces where they read books they enjoy and write about meaningful topics.

Yes, in my opinion, we need to focus less on the business of selling programs and more on empowering teachers to reach all the diverse students in their classes.

Yes, this is a bit of a rant.  Thanks for letting get my thoughts down on paper,

#teacher education August 31 That First Day of School Feeling

 

It's here, again, marked by advertisements for backpacks and social media pictures of children with smiles marked by nervous excitement and a clear awareness of the busy road ahead.  

It's here, again, for me as I begin another school year!  I really did think I was going to "retire"; but, a couple of courses I really wanted to teach were offered and I accepted!  

Those first day of school jitters I have had since I was 5 are back, just like always,  I was awake at 3 and antsy as I await for class to begin later. I've reviewed my class lists and my slides. I have a new notebook and a sharpened pencil ready.  I have a new outfit ready to go.  

Crazy as it seems, after many, many first days of school, the feelings are the same!  As the sun breaks through on this late August morning, I am grateful for one more semester supporting teachers so they can support students.!

#sol23 A Wise Sage

"Had the best day, yesterday," Mary said as we waited,

"sitting on the porch, listening to the rain, talking to my grandchildren.

Now they are older and we have become 

good friends with shared history.

It wasn't always this way. 

It used to be port-a-cribs and fighting over toys. 

I used to be sad as I watched them get older, 

driving, graduating and now getting married.

Now, I know the best days are right now!"

I'm pretty sure Mary is a wise sage 

who knew I needed to hear that 

before another little-one

kayaked into the pond of life. 

 

#sol23 August 8 Birthday Cards

 

I went birthday card shopping at the nearby Hallmark Paper Store hoping to find just the right card for a couple of upcoming family birthdays. Just a few years ago, the store was half-filled with cards; today, cards are tucked into two rows at the back of the store with clothes and  tchotchke filling the space. 

I had already been to my local CVS and there was not a single card at any price that fit any of my birthday card needs, TO be honest, even at the local card home base, the pickings were thin.

I stood in the aisle thinking about last week's post about mail and I started wondering if  cards are going the way of letter writing?  I thought about my Grandmother's special birthday book where every birth, death, marriage, divorce and address change was recorded. 

Then, I turned red with shame, because to be honest, I have long been HORRIBLE about remembering and sending birthday cards and Google is my address book!

Perhaps, this should be my birthday resolution?  

#sol23 August 1 Mail

In education, we are constantly trying to add, modify, rethink our practices in order to

best meet the needs of our communities.....perhaps others should try to do this?

No one sends me letters
No one sends invitations,

I don't even get bills in the mail, 

Anymore!

I dread going to the post office

Lines are long,

Options confusing

Cost of a stamp 66 cents!

Perhaps we need to rethink

The cost and delivery of daily mail

We're not the same nation we were

in 1775 when Ben Franklin was the 

Postmaster. 

We're not the same as when

Daily mail started in 1902. 

#sol23 July 25 You Have Money

 

For teachers, there are no 'end of the year' bonuses, nor are there 'bonuses' for helping struggling exceed their goals. There are simply the 'pay steps' in full view of anyone who wants to search the internet.

So, when my niece sent me a note saying, simply, 'you have money' on an unclaimed funds site, it felt like sort of a 'once in a lifetime bonus' that I immediately explored.

Magically, in just a week, the unclaimed funds were at my house as if they had been sitting out there in cyberspace just waiting to be found! While a far cry from an annual bonus for a CEO, it was a lovely surprise.

Leading me to an unexpected dilemma of what to do with my 'windfall.'  I realize I don't have the stress I would have if I won the lottery, but I don't want to put my found money into my general funds!  

I could provide finder fees to my nieces; that would be fair.  OR

I could go to a spa for a massage; that would be fun. OR

I could donate it to the local back to school backpacks for kids fund; that would be generous. OR

I could go on a shopping spree; that would be fun, but I don't need anything. OR

I could take a lucky someone to dinner and a movie; but, it would be hard to decide who to take!

Thank heavens I did not win the lottery!  I would be a mess!

#SOL23 July18 A Tree Fell On Me

 

Let me go back to the beginning of the story. 

"How did you fare in the storm last night," I asked expecting to hear of a power and or internet outage in her rural, woodsy area that was clearly in the path of horrific storms that have plagued our area this summer. 

"Well", she began, "the biggest challenge was hail that really didn't last long but really banged up my roof and destroyed my garden.  It also left me with a tree branch that is hanging over my house.  Amazingly, I only lost power for just a few minutes this time."  We reminisced about past storms where she was out of power and internet for weeks and I thought things were in a good place.

Until she called to talk about the report from the insurance adjuster who found a destroyed roof, damaged gutters, mangled screens, and at least one tree that needed immediate removal. "I am trying to find a roofer, carpenter and tree removal service that can be here asap," she said with urgency.  I was a little concerned until she assured me she knew a great tree removal service and so I was optimistic she was in a good place. 

"Well," she began the next message, "a tree fell on me and I spent the day in the ER. You know the drill, CAT scans, x-rays, and lots of stitches to close the hole in my head.  I'm going to be OK, but now my porch is destroyed."  I was a lot concerned, but returned the call to offer care and support.  

For so many in our area, a pattern of intense summer storms with flooding rains and damaging hail has resulted in damaged homes, businesses, and roads.  I'm not really sure if this is due to 'global warming' or just bad luck, but the old song about "Rain, rain, go away," is playing on repeat around here. 

sol23 July 4 Beginnings & Endings

 

June is always a busy month for those of us in education as it marks the beginning of summer vacation and the ending of the school year.  

I've wondered how "anyone" would plan a wedding or other big event that might wait during June!  Yet, the calendar, inevitably fills with special celebrations as we work towards that longest day each year!

This year, I witnessed a Christening, wedding, graduations, retirement, and a celebration of life. 

I've reminisced and remembered how such moments have marked my own life. 

I've wondered how the trajectory of others might unfold?  

I've thought about the powerful sunsets (thanks in part to Canadian wildfires) and the days that mark endings to chapters of our lives.

I've remembered that we all, walk towards the future, towards new, unknown beginnings every day. 

 

SOL 23 I Have Flowers!

In my old life, I had an enormous hydrangea that bloomed with proficiency and energy all summer long underneath the dryer vent in a location where few ventured!  I really don't think it saw much pruning and I am sure it never saw a watering can come near.  In fact, the only time I went near was to pluck those ever present and abundant blooms. One time, I provided about 75 magnificent purple-blue blooms for a wedding

When I moved into my just for me house at the end of one summer a few years ago, I noticed there were a few hydrangea bushes in this backyard garden.  I looked forward to their blooms brightening my table the next summer.

That first summer, there may have been a few buds consumed by deer, but there were certainly nothing close to a flower. 

The next couple of years, with time on my hands and energy to spare, I pruned and shaped and fertilized those flowers determined to make them bloom. I planted lavender and garlic. There was nothing close to a flower.

I decided to approach my "flowers" as if they were a research project last fall and began to scour the internet and read every book the library had to offer.  I found MANY contradictory ideas and suggestions.  I really had to take some ideas and let others lie.  

Here is what I did, but I cannot promise it will work for you!

I learned you should prune VERY carefully and if you must, only prune a little and then only in the spring.  Just let those ugly branches be! ( Just like I had done to the magnificent hydrangea underneath my dryer!)

I learned that the fertilizer I was using was the wrong one. Instead, use a slow release fertilizer high in phosphate after they are budding in July.  Or use nothing !  (oops)

I also learned NOT to overwater!  In fact, only add a bit of water if they are dropping for a couple of days! (double oops)

I also learned that sometimes, human hair can serve as a deer repellant and so I asked my local salon for a bag of hair! and spread it all around.  (double weird)

This year, I have flowers.