Reading Comprehension Difficulties

If you read this blog and you are a teacher or a teacher wanna-be, you know that our mindset is an important factor in reading comprehension.  So for the rest of you non-teachers, let me just say that I have some proof that our mind can play important roles in what we think we read!
On Friday, I sent an invited post I had written to the Nerdy Book Club.  I was "pumped" because the chance to be published on such as awesome site is about as good as it gets for a Nerdy Book person like me (remember I met my husband in an library - making me as nerdy as it gets) !  Then, Saturday morning, I got a note from Colby, one of the moderators at the Nerdy Book Club, inviting me to the publication of my post.  I was like a kid on Christmas morning. 
Anita Ferreri anita.ferreri@gmail.com...
When: Thu Aug 9, 2012 (EDT)
Who: Nerdy Book Club Guest Blogger*
Going? Yes - Maybe - No
Now, I am sure you read that the publication date is AUGUST 9th, but guess who was so excited that they READ it as July 9th and was excited beyond belief for 2 days?  Good guess! 
PS. Set your calendars now! 

Thinking about next year? Think about Literacy Cafes

I just read this post and love this idea
http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/literacy-cafes/

I love the idea of celebrating books and bringing them the life in classrooms. 
In the context of the new standards, we want our classrooms to be environments where our students thinking deeply about texts and this works along those lines. 

For more information about the books and cafés that Alyson Beecher has done, check out her blog: www.kidlitfrenzy.com

Wow - I can't wait to try this! 

Bridge Over Vast Divide

Cain and Able are the "poster children" for the the story I am about to tell; however, the tale is not just the story of siblings, it is a tale of how love and hate lie next to one another in the human soul threatening human relationships.
 
This tale begins long ago when they went separate ways fueled by words spoken under the most stressful of times.  While their love was intense, so was their need to be recognized and respected.  It was a separation they both thought would bring them peace; however, it was a separation that eroded their souls and made loving unconditionally difficult.  Those around them saw the sadness in their eyes.  It was a separation that slowly allowed hatred to grow like a cancer in their hearts. Those around them saw their great sadness creep into their lives.  Those who knew them both, hoped time would heal their wounds and that one of them would open the door to a reconciliation.  Those who knew them both, watched with sadness as time went on and no one budged.  Yet, how could they admit they wished the words had never been said. 

One day, many years later, those who knew them both connected on the internet's interactive web. Those peripheral connections grew and morphed into new relationships where caring and commonality were clearly evident in spite of the vast divide.  One day, many years later, those who knew them both realized that while they could not change the past, they could change the future.  And they did. Over the years that ensued, there were shared stories and glimpses of lives that were connected by love.  Yet, those who knew them both could not stop the hate, fueled by the need to forgive and forget, that grew in their souls.

One day, many years later, after those whose words had fueled the divide had passed on, someone attempted to retell the story of the vast divide.  There were questions about who might have said what and about why they did not try to settle.  We'll never if someone tried and their attempts were rebuked but we do know that their progeny have built a bridge over the great divide connecting those whose roots are deeper than words.  It was likely a move fueled by an awareness that humans are measured not by what they achieve but rather by how they live their lives.

This short story ends with the message about the power of words from a song .

If I could turn back time...

I'd take back those words that hurt you...
I don't know why I said the things I said... 
Words are like weapons they wound sometimes.

What do teachers do? They canoe, too.

Ever wonder what teachers do when the kids all leave for the summer? This is the seventh in a series of posts (I don't know how many) about what teachers do during the summer. After book sorting, clutter cleaning, reflecting, curriculum mapping , they continue to engage in fun activities like camping, traveling or in my case, canoeing. 
As you can see, it was quite an undertaking to get the big ol' canoe on top of our compact sized car; however, we did and it was indeed a "seaworthy" vessel as we explored our local pond.   It was not quite as flashy as the sailboat we watched traverse the lake; however, it was still a pretty wonderful afternoon relaxing, exploring and enjoying nature's gifts. 
There is an 'ol family story (one member of my family has been known to tell) about the "best" days to be a boat owner suggesting that the first and the last days are supposed to be the best! While this ol' canoe has been around for a few years, I hope to prove that ol' family story wrong and make more happy memories aboard our "boat." 
And, to the family member who stores this vessel at our place, thanks! 

Natural Fireworks

While the Macy's sponsored fireworks (that we watched on TV) were amazing, 

the fireworks nature provided us were certainly among the best.

Fourth of July Memories

Like everyone who knew "Kitty," I loved her.  She came into my life as a "package deal" when I chose to share my life with her son; however, I would have chosen her to be a friend if our lives had merged under different circumstances.  She was born on the Fourth of July; however, she was more than a "firecracker."  She was the "pilot light" that kept her family strong and together.  The  timing of her birth always made the holiday special and meant that a family celebration was in order.  There would be a picnic, somewhere, along with watermelon, blueberries and some form of a cheesecake (covered with berries) to commemorate the day.  She would not have been happy to wake up to rain on the Fourth of July (as we did today); however, she would have been optimistic for the potential the day held and she would have been  "tickled pink" with the blueberry muffins I am about to make! 

A Brave, New, Wonderful World

We discussed gifts, but not gifts wrapped in bows like you are thinking.  We talked about the gifts others dream of having, like a sense of beauty and and eye for creating.  We talked about how these gifts could sustain life.  Then the discussion morphed to one about selling ourselves in a new world, virtual marketplace, on the Internet.
"It's scary," she said quietly, "putting yourself out there for others to evaluate."
"I know that," I responded, "the first time I linked to Slice of Life I was scared to death. But, it gets easier and the feedback from others will fuel your resolve, just you wait and see."
Thoughts whirled through my head as I reflected on the significance of your conversation.  All that we do, the first time, from going to kindergarten, to heading for college, starting a new job, agreeing to share our lives with others......is scary, in the beginning, because it is new and outside of our experiences.  It creates the sense of angst that we feel in our bones and teeth because it changes the way we "stand" before others.  I know, I am doing that right now.  While it's not exactly the brave new world of Adolf Huxley (thank goodness), it is a new world that challenges us to bravely embrace new ways of working, living and loving.  With all its challenges, it's a wonderful world. 

Prayers, Dreams, Small Miracles

I pray

When I need a favor,

I dream

Of lives where peace,

Love and harmony prevail

I am thankful

For small miracles

Sunrises on the dock,

Sunsets on the deck,

Safe journeys to far away places,

Safekeeping on the edge of disaster,
Choosing to find joy amidst
The challenges of our daily lives.

Reflecting on the summer session

One of my fantastic grad students who is now blogging at  http://mrsrowesbulletinboard.blogspot.com wrote a great reflection on the semester
I am paraphrasing her words which pretty much sum effective reading instruction today -
YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT HER BLOG FOR THE FULL STORY. http://mrsrowesbulletinboard.blogspot.com/2012/06/eight-valuable-take-aways.html

Research

Interactive Storybook Reading

Analyzing running records

Work collaboratively with your peers

Level cautiously

Do guided reading

Don't quiz

Do small groups.

About blueberries: Picking, reading and writing

Ever wonder what teachers do when the kids all leave for the summer? This is the sixth in a series of posts (I don't know how many) about what teachers do during the summer.  After book sorting, they clean out the clutter.   Simultaneously, teachers are reflecting about the year.  Some days, they head back to school to review curriculum maps based on new ideas and mandates such as the CCSS.  Then, they clean their homes and start some projects,

Some days, they do "fun" activities with their families such as picking blueberries.  "Just a few," was my mantra when whe headed into the fields; however, there were 8 pounds of blueberries in the bucket when we left the field.  Fortunately, there was no pre and post weighing of the customers! 

You know you are a teacher when you are thinking about the  classic blueberry tale as you pop those warm blueberries into your mouth.  

You know you've taught rhyming if the words to Jamberry (One berry, two berry, pick me a blueberry) are swarming your head! 


Then further down the row, as the heat of the day burns your neck, you're thinking about more poignant berry books.  As sad as the tale is, you can still, after many years, "see" the story unfold in your mind.   

Then, you reflect on your own life a bit wondering if you took your own kids to pick blueberries enough when they were young.  You wonder why YOU don't stop to do this more often and why you missed strawberry picking this year.

Later, your draft a chapter in your own book about the simple joy of picking blueberries and promise to make time to "pick berries" every season.