It's Time to Think About Summer Reading

For those of us in NY, the school year is at the 90% mark and we still have lots of important teaching/learning days ahead of us.  I'm planning mini-units on writing quick poems and responses about what you read for my second graders.  I have plans to introduce series books and talk about the best graphic novels with my third graders.  I can't wait to begin my words in the sand (paper) mini unit with kindergartners and perhaps the best part of June will be to show my first graders how far they have come as readers (a few days on self reflection). 

Like the NY TIMES, I am also beginning to think about what I will read this summer.  There is a list near my desk of teacher and kids books that I hope to download, read and savor.  There is also a stack of books that my mother has already read waiting for me!  SO, when this article appeared in my feed, I knew that the Times wanted to remind me to look ahead to the days that teachers "get" as not only rewards for working very hard all year through, but also as a chance to prepare for the students that will come our way next year. 

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/what-youre-reading-this-summer-the-results-of-our-survey/

So now you know what I will be doing when the kids leave, writing, reading and getting ready for the new year (that starts in September for teachers - no in January)! 

Vocabulary Instruction Can Be Fun

My grad students and I read about vocabulary strategies this week (Ellery, V. (2009). Vocabulary.  In Creating Strategic Readers (129-169).  Newark, DE: International Reading Association.). 

Check out the mini lessons they did for the Four Corners Strategy (above) and the List / Group Strategy below!  Pretty great work!

You can find out more about these strategies by checking out this blog post!
http://somethoughtsonliteracy.blogspot.com/2012/05/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-ja-x_29.html

Summer Writing Camp (for TEACHERS!)

Long, long ago (before some of you were even born), I went to a National Writing Project Summer program for a week.  It changed the way I thought about and taught writing.  Since then I have also attended summer writing workshops at Teachers College that have strengthened my resolve and helped me to reflect on my own writing. During this past year, I have begun participating in Two Writing Teachers' sponsored virtual writing / sharing experiences and it has encouraged me to write publicly not just about my profession, but also about "slices of my life!"

Today, I found this link on my Facebook (it's not just for sharing our travels anymore) page. 

What a great idea:  SUMMER WRITING CAMP for teachers and librarians. 

I'll be participating! 

http://www.katemessner.com/announcing-teachers-write-a-virtual-summer-writing-camp-for-teachers-librarians/

Starstruck in Stormville

We have deer, wild turkeys and buffalo, but no grocery store.  We have a maximum security prison and a (new) pizzeria; however, our "claim to fame" is a "flea market" at a small, retired airport on Saturdays and Sundays of holiday weekends.  It's big and has a mix of old (antiques and junk), new (out of date cosmetics and knock off clothing) and foodstuff (from farm grown spring garlic to fried oreos).  While it's fun to walk around and look at relics of my childhood that I have already thrown out, I go to buy veggies from a farmer who consistently sells the BEST fresh radishes, kale, beets and garlic! Such was my purpose late Saturday afternoon as the storm clouds rolled into Stormville (this really was the closest shopping location)!  I was hoping there would be some veggies left.  I was NOT in my wildest dreams expecting the HGTV crews, lights and cameras!  I can now assure you that those reality TV shows really do go out of their way to find out of the way places and capture small town America at its finest flea and garlic seeking moments!

Just Sharing: Creating Multiple Choice Questions

Most elementary teachers do not use multiple choice questions to assess learning on a regular basis.   I'm guessing many of us do not consider writing multiple choice questions to be an area of strength.  I guess that is why THIS article jumped out at me as I read this morning.  Perhaps we do NOT need to buy all those artificial test practice books.....
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2012/05/designing-common-core-multiple-choice-questions

Just Saying

Just saying....I mentor some pretty amazing teachers! 
http://msdillerliteracy.blogspot.com/2012/05/invitation-you-can-get-invitation-in.html

Writing About Reading

I'm challenging my grad students to write about their reading in a variety of genre during this Summer I semester.  ONE of the ways they can publicly share is through this blog.  It's a bit scary at first; but it gets easier and easier as you share your writing with others!  HONESTLY! 
There is also something WONDERFUL that happens WHEN your share....but rather then tell you about it....I hope you will find it out for yourself...you know...the CONSTRUCTIVIST way! 

Tea Time

It started the usual way
Bills; power points; laundry; vacuuming; scrubbing; exercising; cooking; care-giving.
I was feeling a bit guilty as I passed my husband
Saturday afternoon lawn mowing was on his agenda.
  I felt a bit stressed, but I rushed out. 

Then, I entered Maize's Tea House 

I was transformed in time and space to a world
Where time to talk and share is valued.

You don't rush when you do afternoon tea;

 Instead, you linger much like tea leaves in a pot.

You embrace tiny tomato and goat cheese sandwiches, trying them all. 

You savor homemade scones with cream and lemon curd,
You feel like a princess. 

You smile as little girls describe the sweetness
Finding melting sugar cubes in the bottom of a cup. 
My heart was full as I sipped my Lady Londenberry (no sugar cube needed).  

Thinking about the sweetness of sharing an afternoon,
Women from four to four plus many,
Talking, laughing, reflecting, and loving,
Inspired by our time with the tea.  

       

Storybirds

I didn't think of it, but I sure wish I did.  Think of the "school publishing centers" of the '90s where dedicated parents typed up and published children's stories meets new century!  I'm hoping it might be a way to encourage reluctant readers?  NO matter what, the potential of technology to encourage and support writers is pretty amazing! 
http://storybird.com/books/all-about-bats-3/?token=8tutrd

Inspiration and Perspiration (Racing Minds)

I woke up this morning with my mind racing (too bad that doesn't burn calories)!  I was  thinking about teachers – those already in the profession - the great ones who have retired and the great ones whose retirement celebrations were this week - and those who dream of entering this wonderful profession where we really do make a difference every day by what we do.  I suspect that some of the mind racing was do to the intermingling of angst about restructuring teacher evaluation processes while simultaneously revamping curriculum and raising levels of achievement.  I really do support these initiatives (at least in theory) because it is through change that we all force ourselves to look at what we do through new lenses. (Even changing a classroom is probably a good thing - but the thought of all that packing! ) I really do think we ALL need to look critically at our practice and can ALL improve on aspects of our professional (and personal lives).   I am confident that setting goals (raising expectations, losing weight, exercising, writing every day) helps us to make them part of our being and increases our chance at change. 
Yet, all of these thoughts were contributing to me being wide awake at a time on Saturday morning when I should have been asleep!
So I logged onto catch up with Two Writing Teachers and there was this great interview with Talor Mail that was definitely what I needed this morning as I write up the summary and reflect on my personal and professional goals for this school year that is drawing to a close - so quickly.  I must admit that I had never heard of Mail before (and I read a lot)!  It helped me to remember that we (teachers) need to advocate for our profession and be leaders WHILE being inspirations to our students. We guide them through the curriculum and the multiple land mines of life supporting, encouraging and caring. We really do make a difference.