Disability Simulation and Dreams

Use link below

I went through the learning disability simulations on this PBS site (look under the Attention and Reading tabs) as I was preparing to teach a class about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) adaptations. It was a scary reminder of the perspective of so many of our students - of all ages.

I must have been thinking about learning differences as I drifted off to sleep because I woke up in a panic, dreaming I was in a large auditorium with the room spinning around and the Ted Talk garbled! I think I screamed, "Make it stop," but perhaps I only dreamed that too.

I guess I needed the reminder of how necessary it is to adapt our learning for the diverse learners in all our classes. Thanks again PBS for providing life-long learning.

#sol2019 My heart grew

She arrived early,
In a hurry, determined,
Teeny, tiny,
 
Safely,
A grandchild.
A miracle.

The first time,
I could feel
That section of my heart
Focused on love
Grow as I watched my child
Hold her daughter.
Three days later,
My heart stretched until it hurt
As my child
Held his son.

Fifteen months later,
I breathed in that
Newborn smell, again,
I could feel my heart grow
Three sizes that day.
A few months later
I watched a big sister
Fall in love and
My heart filled my chest.

And now,
Cecelia
Has caused my heart
To expand,
yet again.

Perhaps
These miracles have contributed
To a few extra pounds.....
Or perhaps they are
Reasons to head to the gym
And to eat healthy
And to give praise.

A Teacher Makes a Difference

We gathered
To celebrate her life and legacies
Among them...
A passionate teacher,
Nearly a thousand students,
It's hard to fathom the impact, influence,
She made a difference.

Memories
A classroom filled
Books, baby dolls, bird nests,
Music and children's voices.
She made memories.

I knew her
In another era
When the Gessell Developmental Screenings,
Determined whether to "red shirt" children.
When new ideas were challenging
The status quo in education.
She embraced Child-Centered Education.

I remember,
Our words and our actions
Impact lives
Our words and our actions
Our our legacy
Teachers make a difference.

#sol19 6:30

At 6:30,

The sun has not yet risen,

The day is still waiting,
Full of potential.

Last year, I was already on the road
Listening to traffic reports
Longing for a snow delay
Learning to be readers on the agenda
Smiling at how lucky I was.

Some days, now, I've walked a mile,

Scored a NJT senior discount ticket

Settled into a seat on the train,

With those from 25-75
Scanned model lessons, notes,

Smiled at how lucky I am.

Some days, now, I'm in the pool,

Swimming in my designated lane,

Satisfying the exercise requirement

Stimulating my muscles and my mind,
With those from 55-95

Smiling at how lucky I am.

Some days, now, I'm nestled under the covers,

Savoring the NY Times,

Speculating the state of the world,

Sneaking extra minutes on the pillow,
Alone,

Smiling at how lucky I am.

At 6:30,

I'm heading, again,

Towards a new day. 

Cast Iron Pans and Pipes

I have a small cast iron pan that has become the perfect way to scramble two eggs or saute a couple of shrimp.It only about 5 years old and I suspect it will outlive me. I carefully maintain the surface and season it regularly thinking of my mom, who would not bequeath me one of her own aged (50 years old) pans as she feared I would not have the patience to maintain it!

I was thinking of my mom's treasured pans yesterday as a crew replaced some old cast iron heating pipes from my basement in a day long marathon. '"You know," the foreman said to me mid-job, "these pipes often last forever unless people try to get all fancy and wrap them up! I think that is where the rust came from that softened that pipe!"

I wanted to scream, "Don't blame me! I didn't build the now broken open box nor did I wrap the pipes.  I inherited this mess!" But, of course I just nodded, smiling as I listened to his wisdom. I could imagine my mom was smiling as I assured him I would care for the pipes properly - out in the open - during my tenure in this old house!

Cast iron (grey cast iron) is a historical type of pipe manufactured in the 19th and 20th centuries that is used as pressure pipe for transmission of water and sewage. ... Most grey cast iron pipes that are in service were manufactured by either pitcasting or spin casting.

#SOL 2019: WIth a Book in Your Lap

When your world is rocked

By the birth of your baby sister,

When your mom and dad

Are away, recovering,

When the midday sun 

Warms the couch just right,

When the book has been read

Enough so you can "read" it yourself.

It's time for a nap 

With a book in your lap!

PS I've been busy, too.  

I could use a nap, too!

One way I'm like Melinda & Michelle: OLW

I am like Melinda Gates in one way! I have stopped establishing resolutions that are more than likely to fail and more than likely to leave me disappointed in myself! 

About 6 years ago, thanks to inspiration from fellow bloggers at Two Writing Teachers, I stopped resolving to lose weight, to exercise more, to eat right,or to become organized because those are lifelong areas of self improvement for me! Instead, I began to choose One Little Word to focus my reflection in the new year. It's been a powerful tool (for me) and my past OLWs have become part of the fabric of my life.

I was reflecting on my OLW for 2019 as I stuffed calamari with a new, untried recipe that featured spinach   I wondered if I should have stayed with the traditional recipe....and if my children would notice. I wondered if they might complain about my attempt to nourish them by infusing veggies from nature?                                                                                                                                                  I found my mind wandering toward my OWL as I walked the rain soaked trail on the first morning of the new year. I thought about the profound changes in the past year: leaving a job that defined me and students I cared for as if they were my own. While I miss my struggling readers, the changes have nourished my soul in ways I could not have imagined. I've found energy to sew, read and work on a long abandoned book.  

My internet friend Michelle's post about her OLW caused me to pause and check with a dictionary, but ultimately she confirmed the OLW that was already swirling within me. 

This year, I do hope to NOURISH  and nurture my precious grandchildren as they are growing oh so fast!  I also need to NOURISH my own body and mind with a healthy lifestyle and new experiences. While I cannot turn back the hands of time, I can NOURISH myself and be the best me.  

I'm mindful of the potential power of OLW as I reflect on my past OLWs. When I chose JOY (2014) we  had a joyful year that culminated in a never-to-happen-again-huge-family-celebration. When I chose WHY NOT? (2015) the heavens sent two tiny miracles three days apart! Then, in 2016, as my world crumbled around me, I  chose PERSISTENCE and clung to that word as I moved into a new life. Then, in 2017 I chose HOPE and 2 more miracles were born. Last year, realizing more big changes were ahead, I chose PRESENT in order to focus on the moment rather than on the cliffs ahead. 

So, choosing a OLW is not an "easy" way out of resolutions!  In fact, I think it challenges me to be mindful of my eating, exercising, reading, writing, family, friends, and even my spiritual life. Phew!

No choice but to pause

At Christmas

We have no choice but to pause

As shopping halts,

Traffic dissipates,

The focus on gifting fades.

No choice but to pause

As we think of

Those we love.
Our children,
Their children,
Our nieces, nephews, cousins,
Our friends.

No choice but to pause

As we think of

Tables, pews, couches,
Where we once sat,
Places where we gathered
To celebrate family and friendship.

No choice but to pause

As thoughts of those 

No longer in our lives

Fill our hearts
Like my mother
Who would have been 88 today,
My brother, who would have
Gobbled too many gingerbread.

In just a few hours,
The hustle and bustle of returns, bargains.
Works, business, travel, adventure,
Living,
Will overtake the pause
Of Christmas
Yet thought of people,
Rather than gifts
Will linger as today's pause
Gives way to tomorrow.

The Days Are Getting Longer

I remember feeling rushed for time on this darkest day of the year, the first day of winter. I remember crating lists for the grocery store and for gifts while attending faculty or team meetings. I remember waking up in a cold sweat not sure if I could get "it" all done before the big day. I remember still needing a tree and still unsure of gifts. I remember feeling pressured to make the holiday "great" for others. I remember feeling rushed and wishing I could add a day to the calendar.  I remember feeling sad as the holidays descended on this darkest day of the year.

This morning, on the darkest day of the year, the first day of winter, I was stuck in traffic for nearly an hour due to a car hitting a utility pole on a major thoroughfare. Later, I watched a pricey Ferrari scoot around traffic in order to get ahead of the crowd. This afternoon, the darkest day of the year, the first day of winter. I watched an SUV skirt under the descending gates of an oncoming train.  He/she made it with seconds to spare.  I could feel the tension and stress in each of these drivers and am grateful that while stressed, I do not ever remember traveling so fast or taking such risks on tdays are his darkest day of the year. 

As the Grinch states so well, Christmas will come without ribbons or tags,  It will come without packages, boxes or bags. 

As the Farmers Almanac confirms, tomorrow is going to be longer and brighter! 

As Annie sang and as those of us who have lost or been desolate know, the sun will come out tomorrow.

As the calendar promises, there are still 4 days for whatever needs to get done.

As store managers promise, stores will open early tomorrow and in most places, on Sunday, and on Monday.

As those of us who have been around the block a few times know, the days are now getting longer and there will be time to get done what must be done....and the rest of it really doesn't matter...

As those of us who have been around the block a few times know, Christmas will come will come without boxes or tags.  Christmas never comes from a store. Christmas may be a date on the calendar; the real meaning of Christmas is a celebration of hope and new beginnings.  

As Clarence says in It's a Wonderful Life, "Each man's life touches so many other lives.  When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole."

Hang in there.  Don't drive crazy.  Don't rush safety. The days are getting longer, for sure.

\

Good-bye Students

I've had hundreds of antsy young readers who finally cracked the code as the year came to a close. I've had  scores of reluctant writers who finally transformed an idea into a text as the year wrapped up. I'm always sad to see the year of learning and growing come to an end.

I've had many eager grad students and a few reluctant ones as well over the years, Sometimes, I'm lucky enough to have students more than once in their journeys to be effective teachers with strong research-based foundations and abundant teaching strategies. I'm always sad to see the semester of learning and growing come to an end.

I've gotten mugs, soaps, and a few poignant thank you notes over the years. It's those notes and the reflections that I treasure as they remind me that while our paths diverge at the end of the semester, our shared journey has made a difference.  

I got one of those notes today.

"Thank you for always believing in me and empowering me to become a better teacher..... It is very emotional for me to say goodbye"

That, sums it up for me as well. As another semester comes to a close, I know I've done my job, but it is very hard to say good-bye!