tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21271135114529453612024-03-14T01:03:04.990-05:00AM Literacy Learning Logearly morning reflections on teaching and learningToday’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-78634780393663600812014-06-23T10:30:00.000-05:002014-06-23T10:43:15.504-05:00Ann Marie's Learning Journey New Blog--Closing This One Down Dear Friends,<br />
I have created a new blog, documenting my learning journey as Alabama's Teacher of the Year for 2014-15. My new blog is<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://amclearningjourney.blogspot.com/">Ann Marie's Learning Journey</a></span>, and I'll be posting my thinking, learning, teaching, reflecting, and fun as I learn daily in my classroom, with kids and teachers of our state and with those from around the country and world this year.<br />
<br />
Please join me in the conversation. I hope this blog can be a place that represents the honest and hopeful voices for the future of education, and also as Ellen, one of my wise fourth graders said, a place "where conversations spark, voices rise, and mindsets grow."<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zwl7J9e7Ln8/U6hGP22cIjI/AAAAAAAAA0s/Dzpy7JF8m80/s1600/DSC02758+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zwl7J9e7Ln8/U6hGP22cIjI/AAAAAAAAA0s/Dzpy7JF8m80/s1600/DSC02758+-+Version+2.JPG" height="66" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">part of a letter Ellen wrote at the end of fourth grade this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
With thankfulness and hope,<br />
Ann Marie<br />
<br />Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-13013636415384463772014-04-20T11:13:00.002-05:002014-04-20T11:14:39.546-05:00 If Not For Franki: It's Her Birthday, And She's the One Who's Given the Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vF5t6SzHCvw/U1OqDUMkAVI/AAAAAAAAAyo/FdJc41PGnxc/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vF5t6SzHCvw/U1OqDUMkAVI/AAAAAAAAAyo/FdJc41PGnxc/s1600/photo.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
I feel incredibly blessed to have Franki Sibberson as a friend and colleague. She has touched the lives of adults and children all over the country and world, and today we have the grand opportunity (thanks to Mary Lee Hahn's brilliant idea) to celebrate her!<br />
<div>
Mary Lee's post was my mentor text because I can hear Franki's voice loud and clear as I think of the many ways to celebrate (or curse) her today. ;) <br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
So here are just a few "if not for Franki" moments in my life....of how she's helped me be a better friend, a stronger teacher, a reflective educator, a first time author, a connected social media girl, a versatile shopper, an eater of delicious treats, a lover of fine Starbucks (tea for her and lattes for me), and the subject of some hideous, yet hysterically funny photos.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<b><u>You introduced me to the state of Ohio. Is it possible that some of my dearest friends live within a ten mile radius of you? Why, yes, yes, it is. It's your ability to help friends make friends with each other. Thanks for all the new, long-distance, lifelong friends!</u></b></div>
<div>
<i>"Do you know__________? You should. You will love him/her! Let me introduce you."</i></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<b><u>You nudged me to write and publish (okay harassed, but in a loving sort of way).</u></b></div>
<div>
<i>"You should write a book! I'll call Philippa. You should write for Choice Literacy! I'll call Brenda. You should start a blog. If Mary Lee and I can do it, so can you! You should write for Bill and me! We are so ready for this book to be done. Are you almost done with that digital literacy piece? Have you booked your ticket for the writing retreat?!"</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>You got me thinking and wishing and then attending and presenting at local and national conferences.</u></b></div>
<div>
<i>"Dublin Literacy Conference is in February. You should present. Want to write a proposal for NCTE? Brenda, Karen, Bill, Tony, Katie, Kathy, Cathy, Debbie....anyone I can sucker into saying yes will help!"</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u style="font-weight: bold;">You encouraged me to get connected and build my network of connected educators.</u> <i>"Are you on Twitter? You should be. It's awesome." What about Google+? Want to have a Google hangout? It has costumes! Bill Bass will teach us. " Why don't you join the RunTeacherRun Facebook page? Or the Digital Literacy one? Want to Skype or Hangout on Friday with our classes about Genius Hour? Did you see those awesome pictures that Brenda posted on Facebook from NCTE? </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<b><u>You made me think that I might like running and Pure Barre. Enough for me to buy some hundred-fifty dollar sneakers and those stupid black pure barre socks with grips on the bottom.</u></b></div>
<div>
<i>"Want to run with Katherine Sokolowski and me at AllWrite? We're dressing as Baby Mouse!" "I'm into Hot Yoga now. What about you? Have you tried Pure Barre yet? I think I'm going to start blogging about it all and then tweet about it and then maybe we can write an exercise article for Brenda?!"</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If not for you Franki, my life wouldn't be as rich and as wonderful as it is today. What a gift you are!</div>
<div>
Hmm....It's your birthday, and you're the one who's given all the gifts.</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Have a great day!</b></div>
<div>
<b>We love you,</b></div>
<div>
<b>Ann Marie</b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-6188056884600559122014-02-20T05:55:00.003-06:002014-02-20T05:56:06.303-06:00Empowered Fourth Graders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tybqnZJckCI/UwXspbq51bI/AAAAAAAAAxM/jLpTxOF9d5A/s1600/DSC00843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tybqnZJckCI/UwXspbq51bI/AAAAAAAAAxM/jLpTxOF9d5A/s1600/DSC00843.JPG" height="200" width="186" /></a></div>
For me, being a full time classroom teacher means being a part time writer and inconsistent blogger. My days are spent soaking up the joy, the engagement, and the precious "ah ha" learning and teaching moments with my students. Being in fourth grade this year has opened my eyes to the true (and amazing) capabilities of middle grade children and the<i> power</i> of student empowerment.<br />
<br />
Empowering these children so that they can share writing, projects, problem solving, new thinking and learning to a worldwide audience has been my number one priority this year.<br />
<br />
I'm a full time learner/teacher and and inconsistent writer/blogger . However, my students are full time writers, readers, mathematicians, communicators, collaborators, creators, innovators, and activists. Below is a link to our class website--one that's changing daily, growing slowly, and run completely by a group of amazing nine and ten year olds. On the pages of the site you will see evidence of their learning, their mistakes, their passions, and their voices. It's a window into the classroom and a place to celebrate the learning journeys of these children. Enjoy and please follow the kids here and on Twitter @TheCorgillKids.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thecorgillkids.weebly.com/">The Corgill Kids' Website</a><br />
<br />
You can follow my new (and old) thinking here as well: <br />
<a href="http://www.collaborativeclassroom.org/building-community-forever-learners-three-essentials">The Collaborative Classroom</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OZDGE7p_EU/UwXsqJCp0qI/AAAAAAAAAxc/tZgME_s55mU/s1600/DSC00837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OZDGE7p_EU/UwXsqJCp0qI/AAAAAAAAAxc/tZgME_s55mU/s1600/DSC00837.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-92004064067013025572013-12-19T16:21:00.002-06:002013-12-19T16:21:52.471-06:00Honored To Be A Guest Blogger for Kirby LarsonIf you're a teacher, librarian, or book lover, and you don't know Kirby Larson, then do not pass go.....go directly to the bookstore or library and get her books! She's amazing and my students and I are huge fans!<br />
I was honored to write a guest blog for her today.<br />
Check it out here: <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; direction: ltr; outline: none; text-decoration: none; unicode-bidi: embed;"><a class="twitter-timeline-link activeLink dir-ltr tco-link" data-url="http://kirbyslane.blogspot.com" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/G6JDoMJj7W" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); direction: ltr; outline: none; text-decoration: none; unicode-bidi: embed;" target="_blank">kirbyslane.blogspo</a>t.com</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; direction: ltr; outline: none; text-decoration: none; unicode-bidi: embed;">Then, go buy all her books for some great reading over the holidays!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; direction: ltr; outline: none; text-decoration: none; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></span>
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all,<br />
Ann MarieToday’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-46739205899243994972013-09-30T05:26:00.001-05:002013-09-30T05:26:07.622-05:00Our Class WebsiteMy fourth grade class is blogging and keeping a class website. Please visit and let us know if you would like to connect with us on Kidblog.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have a great week of learning!<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
http://thecorgillkids.weebly.com/index.html</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxiesOXPXv4/UklRnR_o_OI/AAAAAAAAAq8/MH026rWOH0M/s1600/DSC08772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxiesOXPXv4/UklRnR_o_OI/AAAAAAAAAq8/MH026rWOH0M/s640/DSC08772.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-62865862790450895212013-07-04T12:27:00.000-05:002013-07-04T12:27:07.129-05:00Common Core, Curriculum Units, and Common Sense<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Good teachers, effective teachers, matter much more than particular curriculum materials, pedagogical approaches, or "proven programs" </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">(Allington & Johnston, 2001; Darling-Hammond, 1999; Duffy, 1997; Pressley, et al, 2001; Sanders, 1998; Taylor, Pearson, Clark & Walpole, 2000).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDsin9B31m0/UdWt9C_8UaI/AAAAAAAAAqM/UbbuYbJY-GE/s1600/DSC00603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDsin9B31m0/UdWt9C_8UaI/AAAAAAAAAqM/UbbuYbJY-GE/s320/DSC00603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">I am a sucker for creative advertising and marketing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">If this "never before seen on TV and can only be ordered within the next 17 hours and 4.5 minutes" product promises to melt away the body fat, plump the lips, grow the plants, whiten the bathroom grout, or bring shine back to the hair, I'm all over it. I can so easily get sucked in to Consumer-ville.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">And I have cabinets full of stuff that made promises and didn't deliver. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">And these companies have my money. Dang it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i>Fortunately</i>, over the years, I have tamed my impulsivity to purchase the hot-off-the-market product that promises the skinniest body, greenest plants, or whitest teeth and bathroom grout...... with <i>common sense</i>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I've learned....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">A fat busting pill in a bottle won't make me skinny. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I have to work at getting my body healthy. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I make wise decisions to exercise, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, drink water and watch portion sizes. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">A bag of fertilizer won't miraculously grow a garden full of flowers. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I have to work at growing that garden.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I make informed decisions about when and how much to water, which plant needs an extra bit of fertilizer, and how to prune the stalks and stems.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">A container of whitening agent isn't going to clean the bathroom grout by itself.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I have to work at keeping that bathroom clean.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I make timely decisions about when to clean so that the shower tile isn't a grimy mess. I practice my grout cleaning technique over and over, so that I can be both effective and efficient in my cleaning.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i>Unfortunately</i>, we are in a time in education where it feels like the Common Core and the hot off the press current curriculum units have plowed their way ahead of our common sense.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">And educators....it's up to us to make sure we don't allow ourselves to simply become curriculum consumers. It's imperative that our common sense and knowledge of best practice is at the forefront of the work with do with children, colleagues, and all those invested in preparing future generations for a world that looks very different than it looked when we were in school.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Wouldn't you agree that we want the children in our classrooms to become forever learners? We want the children in our classrooms to be questioners, creators, innovators, and critical thinkers. We want the children in our classrooms to enter the workforce and world as autonomous, independent, thoughtful, and reflective human beings.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">So if this is what we want for our students, then this is what we have to be as their teachers. We have to practice what we preach. We can no longer be mindless consumers of box after box of new curriculum materials, without making wise decisions in how to use those materials </span><i style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>based on the learners in our classrooms.</b></i><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">We cannot just accept the curriculum sets, the binders, the online resources at face value. Companies and publishers, and authors sometimes throw around words like <i>best practice</i>,<i> grade level specific</i>, and the classic new line....<i>common core aligned </i>in the name of making a buck or two....or three million. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Don't get me wrong. There are lots of amazing, well-researched professional resources out there for us to learn from.... but not to imitate word for word. It's our job to innovate, not imitate.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Do not</u><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"> let Unit One, Lesson 12, page 3 trump what you know about the children you work with every day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">It's imperative that we read, we think, we question, we create, we innovate, and we teach for and learn with </span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 16px;">the children in our classrooms, </b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">using the supports and the resources we've been given wisely and well. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Let's use our knowledge and our common sense to make wise teaching decisions, informed teaching decisions, and timely teaching decisions for the forever learners in our care.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Happy Independence Day! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">love,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Ann Marie</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-36323327668212446862013-07-02T11:59:00.000-05:002013-07-02T11:59:19.716-05:00Authentically Yours....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.(page 49)” </b></span></span></div>
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/162578.Bren_Brown" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Brené Brown</a>, <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/7261277" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are</a></i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADfxzBDNq8o/UdMGxr5vYDI/AAAAAAAAAp8/YLwn2bhXeDM/s500/eccb5fc191480fcf4b415f0f946e2211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADfxzBDNq8o/UdMGxr5vYDI/AAAAAAAAAp8/YLwn2bhXeDM/s320/eccb5fc191480fcf4b415f0f946e2211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am <b>a declarer</b>, <b>a starter</b>, <b>a goal setter, a wanna be a socially networked, literate, super human educator</b>.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
However...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I run from discipline. I procrastinate. I perseverate. I think and plan more than I produce.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
I<b> declared</b> to be the #1000giftsofsummer blogger who would document every day's gifts in photos over the entire summer. </div>
<div style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Yes I did.</div>
<div style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
Three days of great photos, several days pass, and then I'm so many days out of the new blogging routine, I'm onto creating a mosaic of June photographs with zero writing to go with the pictures. </div>
<div style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
I'm grateful for the gifts of summer, but I'm so over photographing and blogging about them on July 2. </div>
<div>
<div style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">I <b>started</b> the Couch to 5K routine (for the 5th time this year). On the outside I am new running shoes and the Nike Fuel Band and the tracker of calories on My Fitness Pal app.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
But underneath I'm the resort to eating baking chocolate because there's nothing sweet in the house, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
the I'll start tomorrow because I'm already at 3,200 calories after the frozen margarita with salt and a basket of chips </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and by the way....my running shoes gave me a huge heel blister.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I <b>set the goal</b> to work all of June on workshops, book writing, presentations, and new school year preparation... and then have July to relax, not set a morning alarm, do exactly as I pleased in this fantastic summer month.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Great goal. Great big fat unrealistic goal.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I meet with my new fourth grade team in exactly one month, and I have thirty unread fourth grade novels stacked in my bedroom, a reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and word study curriculum to read and learn, writing to finish, and four workshops to create. All before school starts on August 7th.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b>Socially networked. </b>I'm 90% stalking and retweeting the social media gurus who've already done the hard work.<br />
<b>Literate.</b> Sometimes I click "read" on Goodreads even if I'm only on page 18.<br />
<b>Super Human. </b>What does that even mean?<br />
<br />
What I've realized as I write this post is this:<br />
<br />
I am not great at blogging regularly, exercising daily, working responsibly, or even living realistically.<br />
<br />
But I am passionate, reflective, honest, growing, hardworking when I want to be (at the very last second), and loved. I've learned that being me is the best person I can be. I'm thankful to have strengths that I can use and share with family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. I'm also thankful for the struggles that I can be so very okay with admitting.<br />
Happy Summer Everyone!<br />
<br />
Authentically yours,<br />
Ann Marie<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-22539913278311720492013-06-20T07:01:00.001-05:002013-06-20T07:01:33.810-05:00#1000giftsofsummercollageI've been so busy enjoying summer and all the learning (and relaxing) opportunities that I haven't posted my daily gifts pictures in a while. For now, here's a collage of the latest gifts of summer. Some photos were taken during the school year but they directly connect to the blessings I've received this summer. Can't wait to share about this past week. I'm off to learn and plan our first writing study with my new fourth grade team, but for now, here's a peek of the beauty of summer in photographs!<br />
love,<br />
Ann Marie<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rBOJkGfRiM8/UcLvElFrlEI/AAAAAAAAAps/xnvI8v7gcxM/s1600/%231000giftscollageJune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rBOJkGfRiM8/UcLvElFrlEI/AAAAAAAAAps/xnvI8v7gcxM/s320/%231000giftscollageJune.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-44104322100545017462013-06-10T19:52:00.002-05:002013-06-10T20:00:06.806-05:00#1000giftsofsummer Gifts from Workshop Preparation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I've been at the computer and at my kitchen table for days going through student work, reading, and preparing for upcoming summer workshops. The gifts that were hidden in piles of paperwork, shoved in dusty files, and nestled in the middle of a professional book or two have made the work feel more like a joyful trip down memory lane. </span></div>
To the children of Birmingham, AL I've had the privilege of teaching and learning alongside these past few years...thank you all!<br />
Take a look at the photos below. I've been reminded of what's important in our teaching and learning lives these past several days by children from second to sixth grade.<br />
love,<br />
Ann Marie<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2KFzA8p0ho/UbZzlYqegjI/AAAAAAAAAoA/LGcynlA3nsw/s1600/Berginbookprobsolve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R2KFzA8p0ho/UbZzlYqegjI/AAAAAAAAAoA/LGcynlA3nsw/s320/Berginbookprobsolve.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ05aG70ag0/UbZzrWyHOlI/AAAAAAAAAoI/_ue0HzApuow/s1600/dosanddontsmoira.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ05aG70ag0/UbZzrWyHOlI/AAAAAAAAAoI/_ue0HzApuow/s320/dosanddontsmoira.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrqcFRdVeic/UbZzucGrJfI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/5-npohiNx7E/s1600/dosanddonts1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrqcFRdVeic/UbZzucGrJfI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/5-npohiNx7E/s320/dosanddonts1.JPG" width="233" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_zCsSLh8Ko8/UbZzxg2WJ7I/AAAAAAAAAoY/i7O3Gy54K3E/s1600/dosanddonts2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_zCsSLh8Ko8/UbZzxg2WJ7I/AAAAAAAAAoY/i7O3Gy54K3E/s320/dosanddonts2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPXqGEJ9kNg/UbZz1dPzt2I/AAAAAAAAAog/ZaaU-Weq2-A/s1600/dosanddonts3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPXqGEJ9kNg/UbZz1dPzt2I/AAAAAAAAAog/ZaaU-Weq2-A/s320/dosanddonts3.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A12LdOW8kXk/UbZz48LTL-I/AAAAAAAAAoo/xUGhv55abuo/s1600/endofyeargoals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A12LdOW8kXk/UbZz48LTL-I/AAAAAAAAAoo/xUGhv55abuo/s320/endofyeargoals.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DddnjhMRUQ/UbZz-DEQR3I/AAAAAAAAAow/bJ8WB9g9dLA/s1600/haydenquote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DddnjhMRUQ/UbZz-DEQR3I/AAAAAAAAAow/bJ8WB9g9dLA/s320/haydenquote.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRx5GOcIEbY/UbZ0B_cZWFI/AAAAAAAAAo4/A1_KrJAsvq8/s1600/carolinetweet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="78" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRx5GOcIEbY/UbZ0B_cZWFI/AAAAAAAAAo4/A1_KrJAsvq8/s320/carolinetweet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vK0rcUMOlPE/UbZ0IwtHOXI/AAAAAAAAApA/v_jcsBrsFhE/s1600/jaelatweet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vK0rcUMOlPE/UbZ0IwtHOXI/AAAAAAAAApA/v_jcsBrsFhE/s320/jaelatweet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0Anyu3RQMA/UbZ0Mtcl0KI/AAAAAAAAApI/oTRYsyg2Sv4/s1600/jaredtweet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="77" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0Anyu3RQMA/UbZ0Mtcl0KI/AAAAAAAAApI/oTRYsyg2Sv4/s320/jaredtweet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKrCxUAA6-U/UbZ0Q8a2-2I/AAAAAAAAApQ/1UcEIh3lzVc/s1600/jaylinre3flect.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKrCxUAA6-U/UbZ0Q8a2-2I/AAAAAAAAApQ/1UcEIh3lzVc/s320/jaylinre3flect.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DxKgqvgC5h4/UbZ0WzGAMTI/AAAAAAAAApY/vXzvKmeM5M4/s1600/logan'stweet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DxKgqvgC5h4/UbZ0WzGAMTI/AAAAAAAAApY/vXzvKmeM5M4/s320/logan'stweet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-22998684163255419932013-06-07T15:41:00.000-05:002013-06-07T15:42:26.177-05:00#1000giftsofsummer Day 4 and 5 and an Important Side NoteFirst, the side note. I will continue to blog about my teaching and thinking about teaching, but for now, I'm enjoying this 1000 gifts photo project. I'm sure it will somehow evolve into something I can or will use in my teaching or in our 4th grade classroom this year, and it may even end up as a blog post itself at summer's end. But for now...Day 4 and 5 of #1000giftsofsummer.<br />
<br />
June 6, 2013: My Man and Meningitis<br />
<br />
<div class="post" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3f312e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 40px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="entry clearfix" style="background-color: transparent; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 4px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Christian, my six year old nephew, also known as “My Man”, is the June 6th gift for #1000giftsofsummer. He is one of the five nephew and niece gifts I have in my life . Christian was at the beach with his family this week, but spent a good part of the vacation in the hospital with meningitis. Thankfully, it’s the less severe kind and he’s going to be better soon!</div>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2489" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: #eeeeee; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;">
<img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2489" height="328" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07334-1-500x328.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
My First Letter From Christian</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<dl class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2490" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 478px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2490" height="500" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07337-1-468x500.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="468" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My First Book From Christian, with the brilliant title, AUNT REE’S<br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<dl class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2491" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2491" height="373" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/photo-2-500x373.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hospitals Are No Fun!</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a name='more'></a><br /></dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b>June 7, 2013: Rain</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
1. Having a garage is a gift when it rains.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
2. Patio/Balcony plants get watered when it rains.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
3. Video project progress is made when it rains.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2496" height="265" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07232-500x332.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm taking this photo from inside the garage (where it's not raining)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2496" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;">
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<dl class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2497" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2497" height="334" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07265-500x418.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3f312e; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: start;">Notice the blurry geranium in the foreground about the burst with blooms (because of rain)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<dl class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2498" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2498" height="265" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07341-500x332.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Year in Video Project in Progress (because rain makes me want to stay inside)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</dl>
</div>
</dd></dl>
</div>
</div>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2496" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;">
<div class="mceTemp" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</dd></dl>
</div>
</dd></dl>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="tags" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-36014980527069009482013-06-04T22:12:00.002-05:002013-06-04T22:12:49.854-05:00My 1000 Gifts of Summer Project<div class="post" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3f312e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 40px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="entry clearfix" style="background-color: transparent; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 4px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I think what has kept me from blogging regularly is that I think anything I write and post has to be really good and teach something really big or have a really big meaning. What I've realized is that I need to take more time to stop and celebrate the little, daily accomplishments in my teaching, learning, and life and not worry so much about how important or thought provoking or brainy my blogs are. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sims, one of my sweet second graders, gave me the book, </span><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One Thousand Gifts </em><span style="background-color: transparent;">by Anne Voscamp as an end of year present. I’m still reading it, and I love it….but as I was reading the other night, I thought it might be fun to capture the daily gifts in my life this summer as photographs.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> This post includes my first three days of #1000giftsofsummerproject. (technically it's the #198giftsofsummerproject...not exactly enough days for 1000 photos before I go back to school.)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">This post includes the first three days of my project.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b>DAY 1: Funny Gifts</b></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
All three of these gifts came from my friend, Jeff, who loves to make people laugh. </div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
1. A bear stick for protection (in case I go bear hunting in my Homewood, AL neighborhood)</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
2. A "house warming" and 40th birthday present (This guy has a twin and both statues still sit on either side of my fireplace because they make me laugh.)</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
3. An original piece of art to hang in my classroom....that he painted himself, while painting with his granddaughter one afternoon. </div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2469" height="332" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07218-500x332.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2470" height="498" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07219-500x498.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2471" height="350" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07220-500x350.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="tags" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
</div>
<div id="comments" style="background-color: white; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; clear: both; color: #3f312e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b>DAY 2: The Gift of Time for Summer Projects</b></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I’m thankful for the gift of having time to pursue summer projects, and the happiness that will come from completing these three projects.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
1. A Year’s Worth of Video Footage Project….Seeing what footage I actually have…really watching the footage…sorting and categorizing the footage…editing the footage…showcasing the amazing thinking and work of the Corgill kids in the footage…maybe even talking to a documentary filmmaker about the footage…</div>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2476" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: #eeeeee; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;">
<img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2476" height="332" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07222-1-500x332.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Video Project</div>
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
2. Organizing the Jewelry Drawers Project….So I don’t have to untangle necklaces and find the matching earring that goes with the lonely single one I want to wear.</div>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2477" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: #eeeeee; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;">
<img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2477" height="332" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07227-500x332.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Organizing the Jewelry Drawers Project</div>
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
3. Repainting the Bird House For My Patio Project….so it’s not faded from the sun anymore or a memory of a wedding gift from a bad marriage.... and is a happy and bright red, with a brown roof instead of the ugly, faded, washed out, too many hours in the rainy weather look it has now.</div>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_2478" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: #eeeeee; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 10px 15px 10px 0px; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;">
<img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2478" height="332" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/DSC07223-500x332.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Repainting the Birdhouse Project</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b>DAY 3: Three Things That Make Me Smile and Clap!</b></div>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_2481" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0.4em 0px 1.625em; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;">
<img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2481" height="278" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/Image-8-500x278.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Greatest Billboard Ever</div>
</div>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_2483" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0.4em 0px 1.625em; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 383px;">
<img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2483" height="500" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/Image-1-2-373x500.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="373" /><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
My Next Summer Reading Stack!</div>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<dl class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_2484" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0.4em 0px 1.625em; max-width: 96%; outline: 0px; padding: 9px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 510px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2484" height="500" src="http://files.kidblog.org/158057/files/Image-2-1-500x500.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border: 3px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="" width="500" /></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">Quote I Love From Venspired on Facebook!</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">I like to end my posts the same way my friend and former principal, Phyllis Faust, ended her daily emails to our school faculty....<b>to the possibilities</b></dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">So...to the possibilities and the gifts of tomorrow!</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">love,</dd><dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Ann Marie</dd></dl>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-89057698275456611602013-06-03T21:36:00.000-05:002013-06-03T21:36:17.552-05:00My Global Twitter PLC and Inspiration to Blog Again<br /><div class="entry clearfix" style="background-color: white; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; color: #3f312e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 4px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you are reading this post, you are probably shocked that I'm actually blogging....since my last post was in November of 2012. I don't know what happened, but I just quit blogging publicly. Just quit. Just like that. For no particular reason. Maybe from fear of not having enough important things to say....maybe I used time (or lack of it) as an excuse...or that I blogged with my students on our kidblog account so that was enough? Who knows?! But I'm back....at least more than I was six months ago.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Why? Well..I was reading my Twitter feed this past week, I clicked on a link and read a post that really resonated with me. The post was from one of my <span style="background-color: transparent;">#nevermetinpersonbutoneofmymanyawesometwittercolleagues.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">Justin Stortz, @newfirewithin, thanks for reminding me that it is our passion for teaching and learning and children that keeps us doing the work that we do. Thanks for inspiring me to get back to writing because in order to be a great teacher of writing, I have to keep writing daily, good or bad, and get my voice out into the world. Blogging more frequently will allow me to live out that passionate writing life and show my fourth graders this upcoming year how to write with passion and get their voices out into the world too. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Just in case you didn't know..... <a href="https://twitter.com/">Twitter</a> is one of the greatest gifts and opportunities for a global professional learning community and worldwide friendships.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Follow me <a href="https://twitter.com/acorgill">@acorgill</a> and follow <a href="https://twitter.com/newfirewithin">@newfirewithin</a> too.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-5570220934106154252012-11-25T21:10:00.000-06:002012-11-25T21:10:37.689-06:00Dear Families and Colleagues...A Letter About My Learning From NCTE<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> November
2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Dear Families
and Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> I’ve been at the computer on and off
today trying to sum up my learning experience at this year’s National Council
of Teachers of English conference (#NCTE12). I couldn’t help but be reminded of
a quote from Shelley Harwayne, former principal of the Manhattan New School and
Superintendent of New York City Public Schools. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Shelley once
said, <i>“If you know the <b>what</b> and the <b>why</b>, then you can invent your own <b>how</b>.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I wrote Shelley’s
words on a paper napkin and kept it in my wallet for years until it
disintegrated, but her words and her influence still ring true in my teaching
practice and professional development to this day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I started
thinking about <i>why</i>, the <i>what</i>, and the <i>how </i>of NCTE and what makes it a non-negotiable professional conference
for me each year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">WHY?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">WHY</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> have I attended this
conference every single year since 1997?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because
it’s the like the Academy Awards for literacy teaching and learning, and I’m
the fan standing on the edge of the red carpet with my autograph book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because
it’s the one time every year I get to see and learn from many friends and
colleagues from all over the country and world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because
it’s where thousands of colleagues are gathered in one place willing to share
their knowledge, expertise, and passion for our profession. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because
I have the opportunity to present with talented colleagues and share my new
thinking from the classroom, even if it makes me so nervous I could throw up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because
I know I will be pushed out of my comfort zone to try new, cutting edge
teaching practices, be affirmed for the work I do, participate in committee
work, and rethink and revise my long held beliefs about teaching and learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because
I can count on meeting new, amazing people each year and learning so much it
takes the plane ride home and all of Thanksgiving holiday just to process the
experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because
there’s always the grand opportunity to go home and share my learning, notes
(and stack of new books) with great colleagues and families<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And
most importantly….Because my kids deserve a teacher who isn’t just a
teacher--but a learner first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thanks to my
principal, Betsy Bell, and Mountain Brook City Schools for believing in
teachers and ongoing professional development. Thanks to my administrators, coaches, colleagues,
and students at Cherokee Bend for cheering me on and sharing the learning
experience via Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and conversations back at home. Thanks
to all of you, the Corgill Kid families, for understanding the importance of
“teacher as learner” too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And finally,
thanks to my colleagues and friends all over the country who shared their
professional expertise at NCTE, Las Vegas 2012.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What happened
in Vegas, won’t stay in Vegas this year. Those Vegas happenings will transform
classrooms, teachers, students, and schools across the nation and world. Thank
you, all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">WHAT?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">WHAT </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">in the world did I do
in Vegas for 5 days???<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Here’s NCTE,
Las Vegas 2012 in photos, tweets, session titles, and learning takeaways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PHOTOS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nih3EC97cYQ/ULLcMbv4xkI/AAAAAAAAAkA/GBigJspWMM8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-25+at+9.02.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nih3EC97cYQ/ULLcMbv4xkI/AAAAAAAAAkA/GBigJspWMM8/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-11-25+at+9.02.25+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I met so many of my Twitter friends in person this year (I will write more about these amazing people in a blog very soon) If you aren't already on Twitter, it's the most amazing professional learning community I have ever experienced! </span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I looked over and was watching @frankisibberson and @billbass tweeting away using Tweet Deck...I, of course, had no clue how to do this, but guess what?! I learned because of them! Here's a screen shot of my Tweet Deck from tonight's #titletalk hosted by @donalynbooks and @colbysharp!</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vr3brp0sbc/ULLXKzdKUsI/AAAAAAAAAjA/atmybPmW4jU/s1600/IMG_1519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vr3brp0sbc/ULLXKzdKUsI/AAAAAAAAAjA/atmybPmW4jU/s320/IMG_1519.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here’s my autograph book (It was my iPad cover this year!)….with the signatures of so many of my teaching heroes. I started this at last year’s NCTE in Chicago just to “fancy up” my homemade notebook, a paper notebook stapled together in the hotel lobby Kinkos. Now I think it’s the best tradition ever. I am blessed to have learned from each of these brilliant educators! You all inspire me! Hollywood can’t touch this! ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Seriously, this treasure will help me to teach children the power of having mentors who can influence your life and work in positive ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAPqP_UbuSk/ULLXWV1lH1I/AAAAAAAAAjI/2H-zdcn4s9c/s1600/IMG_1484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAPqP_UbuSk/ULLXWV1lH1I/AAAAAAAAAjI/2H-zdcn4s9c/s320/IMG_1484.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is the opening keynote, with Sir Ken Robinson….Can I just say…it was AMAZING?!!! The proof is in the crowd! Look at all the teachers who chose to learn instead of gamble or sleep at 8:00 in the morning!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eevmDAyL0X0/ULLXnurwCiI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/t4TDiBbUvoo/s1600/IMG_1491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eevmDAyL0X0/ULLXnurwCiI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/t4TDiBbUvoo/s320/IMG_1491.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Thursday night, I wandered to the 3</span><sup style="font-family: Arial; text-align: start;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; text-align: start;"> floor of the convention center by accident and heard this glorious voice echoing out of the grand ballroom. I stood at the back of the room and quietly listened to Natalie Merchant practicing for the Opening Session. She has recently written a book of songs inspired by classic children’s poetry. My friend, blogger, and poet herself, Mary Lee Hahn, wrote the amazing teacher’s guide to go along with the book, </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Leave Your Sleep. </i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; text-align: start;">Ms. Merchant’s book will be a special part of our last week of this poetry writing study, and her CD will be playing at our poetry gallery walk celebration on Friday. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18g1CEFjpIg/ULLYRHBvubI/AAAAAAAAAjc/KmzLghmPbkM/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18g1CEFjpIg/ULLYRHBvubI/AAAAAAAAAjc/KmzLghmPbkM/s320/IMG_1538.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; text-align: start;">I’ve always flown home on Sunday morning and have never had the opportunity to stay for the book sale and “closing of the exhibits”. Below is a photo of my Vegas winnings in the form of books!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S4eVjP_Z9D0/ULLZ2_nyi3I/AAAAAAAAAj0/MrUC5wZZaDE/s1600/IMG_1547.MOV" height="266" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D5891cd8ca239eec8%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1356490460%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D21859C22CA55974BB412561BA54E2C3A0E6D8942.3E8ED8C75A360D38B93CD2B08A016EDC737DEE81%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D5891cd8ca239eec8%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1356490460%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D21859C22CA55974BB412561BA54E2C3A0E6D8942.3E8ED8C75A360D38B93CD2B08A016EDC737DEE81%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Now…to my
ultimate gambling experience with Franki Sibberson and Amy Ludwig
Vanderwater. I know you wish you could
win big like me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
$1.40!!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">SESSIONS and
TWEETS</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I was fortunate
to be able to attend the sessions below and soak in the wise words of these
amazing educators. Their words are
already informing and strengthening my practice. This year, instead of taking pages of notes,
I decided to listen carefully, filter wisely, and try to tweet as I learned….in
140 characters or less! Search under the
#NCTE12 hashtag for highlights and follow me on Twitter! @acorgill
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In the coming
weeks, I am going to reflect on each session specifically and how the speakers
and their content are informing and refining my teaching practice. I'll send email and Twitter updates when a new blog is posted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Opening
Keynote</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">: Sir Ken Robinson, PhD<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If you have
never heard Ken Robinson speak, I encourage you to watch these TED
talks—AWESOME!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html">http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html">http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rethinking Text Types:
We Are All Storytellers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Kelly Gallagher, Penny Kittle, Thomas Newkirk<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Power of Choice:
Strengthening Independence in Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tony Keefer, Patrick Allen, and Ann Marie Corgill--I got to present with two amazing friends and educators and can't wait to tell you all about them soon! @tonykeefer and @ColoReader<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Writing The World:
Fostering Creativity, Originality, and a Passion for Writing At School <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Laura Robb, Ralph Fletcher, Georgia Heard<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Slight Shifts in Our Teaching Can Pave the Way for Great
Strides in Student Learning: How
Students Benefit When We Value Approximation, Offer Choice, and Adjust the
Language of Our Teaching<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Kathy Collins, Stephanie Parsons, Matt Glover, Ginny
Lockwood<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Texts Don’t Write Themselves-Authors (And Illustrators!) Do:
Reframing the Idea of Mentor Texts in the Writing Workshop<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Katie Ray, Lisa Cleaveland, and Marlee Frazee <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ignite Spotlight: Common Standards/Uncommon Teaching—Focus on
Supporting Teachers as They Implement Common Core Standards in Their Teaching</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sarah Brown
Wessling, Franki Sibberson, Stella Villalba<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Where Do Poems Come From?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, Laura Purdie Salas, Leslea Newman, Janet
Wong, and, Mary Lee Hahn<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">HOW?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">HOW will this one conference impact teaching and learning
for your child and for us as a group of learners?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">First of all,
this conference has caused me to think, rethink, and revise my practice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m reminded
of how critical it is for us to think for ourselves as educators <i><u>and</u></i> be willing to revise that thinking. We should never allow another person,
politician, state mandate, or curriculum guide to give us permission <b>not </b>to think anymore. We have to be the
model for our students and our children so that they can and will become collaborative
as well as independent thinkers and learners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Right now I’m thinking about….</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span>· the importance of creativity in the classroom<br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>· the incredible value of storytelling and relationships among students, teachers, classrooms, schools, and school districts<br />
<br />
· the prevalence of digital media and how it can enhance or deter an elementary student’s motivation<br />
<br />
· the power of joy and respect in a child’s academic, social, and emotional growth<br />
<br />
· the critical need for choice across all curricular areas and throughout a child’s school day<br />
<br />
· the need for trust between students and teachers, teachers and teachers, teachers and administrators, local school districts and national leaders.<br />
<br />
· the role of digital literacy in an early elementary classroom and how do we use technology enhance our already good practices rather than using technology to replace those practices with not so good ones.<br />
<br />
· the power of poetry in the lives of our young writers and readers and the influence that poetry can have on a life far beyond our physical reach<br />
<br />
· the need to resist the teaching so we can learn from our students, resist the answering so that we may question our students, and resist the talking so we can listen to our students. They deserve our respect.<br />
<br />
· the importance of loving what you do. If we don’t love our work, we shouldn’t do it. It’s our job to make school a place where students want to come and learn every day. It is also our hope that our state and nation understands that teachers need the same support and excitement for the work we do.<br />
<br />
· the reason for asking why? If we always know the “why” in our practice, then we can invent our own “how”, and make teaching and learning work for the students in our classes.<br />
<br />
· the ability and the respect to always believe in children. Bottom line is this: Children matter more than data and test scores. When numbers begin to matter more than children, then we need to rethink our decisions and our beliefs.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank you for giving m</span>e <span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">the opportunity to teach and learn with your children. I will link upcoming blogs in an email as I
continue to process this amazing learning experience.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Have a great
week,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ann Marie </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "ArialMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: ArialMT;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-72291589015820786492012-08-20T05:29:00.000-05:002012-08-20T05:29:17.084-05:00The Learning Landscape: Fertile Ground for Growing Today I will meet my new class of second graders, and we will begin our teaching and learning journey together for the 2012-2013 school year. I have to say a special thank you to my new principal, Betsy Bell, and my colleagues at Cherokee Bend for inviting me to be a part of such a special place....and for supporting me in every way possible as I prepared over the summer for this school year to begin. Words don't do my excitement justice! I'd also like to thank my friends and colleagues across Birmingham and across the nation and world for being my giant professional learning community. My life and my teaching are enriched and strengthened by all of you every single day. Happy New School Year to you all!<br />
<br />
Below you'll find pictures of my new classroom. After the initial classroom setup, I couldn't just be satisfied and walk away. I was constantly thinking about how this space would support the learners in my care. Somehow, I managed to spend all summer stopping by to add the perfect book, to re-arrange the furniture (I only re-arranged four times), check the color scheme, make lists for the Office Depot and Dollar Store trips, and make sure my beliefs about teaching and learning were evident the minute anyone entered the classroom. This is what I want: <br />
1. I want this classroom to build on each child's intrinsic motivation. I can't motivate my students to want to read, write, problem solve, talk, think, learn....but I can create an environment that invites and encourages those kinds of behaviors.<br />
<br />
2. I want this classroom to be one where the students do the thinking and problem solving. They are the ones who should be doing the hard work. It is my job to make our room a place where I facilitate their talk and their thinking and learning. My job is to "put myself out of a job."<br />
<br />
3. I want this classroom to support student academic AND social growth. If the room could talk, it would say, "Come....join me on the cozy rug to have conversation." or "Let's problem solve together at the table or listen in on the writing conference Miss Corgill is having." or "Welcome to OUR room. It's a place that recognizes that the head and the heart are in one body and that every person in this room is valued and important."<br />
<br />
4. I want this classroom be filled with accessible materials and to be a place where students can apprentice themselves to the authors and scientists and mathematicians that line the shelves of the classroom. I want it to be a place where each child says, "I can do that! I can be that! I can solve that!"<br />
<br />
5. Finally, I want this room to be a place that honors our school wide norms. Each day, we will inhabit this space and think in this space and learn in this space because: It's a place where we can and will be safe. It's a place where we can and will value ourself and others. And finally, it's a place where we all can and will do our best.<br />
<br />
It is my hope that this classroom brings happiness to the learners that will grow here this year. A very happy teacher will be waiting at the door!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q--CPFBLVPI/UDIP-mCzCxI/AAAAAAAAAhs/ba4kKXhWH9U/s1600/IMG_0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q--CPFBLVPI/UDIP-mCzCxI/AAAAAAAAAhs/ba4kKXhWH9U/s320/IMG_0582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z91r8Rk0WIk/UDIQND9sz_I/AAAAAAAAAh0/NF12azmTy2o/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z91r8Rk0WIk/UDIQND9sz_I/AAAAAAAAAh0/NF12azmTy2o/s320/IMG_0579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eKzGad9BfJk/UDIQO2sCO6I/AAAAAAAAAh8/GT08B_0sVT8/s1600/IMG_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eKzGad9BfJk/UDIQO2sCO6I/AAAAAAAAAh8/GT08B_0sVT8/s320/IMG_0580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G9aMKZKr3oo/UDIQQlV1xwI/AAAAAAAAAiE/sSo_Rz3ZQ4A/s1600/IMG_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G9aMKZKr3oo/UDIQQlV1xwI/AAAAAAAAAiE/sSo_Rz3ZQ4A/s320/IMG_0581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9QF4SXyWAw/UDIQVBU384I/AAAAAAAAAiM/SHHDrlGNH5w/s1600/IMG_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I9QF4SXyWAw/UDIQVBU384I/AAAAAAAAAiM/SHHDrlGNH5w/s320/IMG_0595.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bG2jGrDusT8/UDIQaC48A1I/AAAAAAAAAiY/rxVYpTe7Z-U/s1600/IMG_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bG2jGrDusT8/UDIQaC48A1I/AAAAAAAAAiY/rxVYpTe7Z-U/s320/IMG_0593.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBfh0r1Ly-g/UDIQjT7cyzI/AAAAAAAAAig/QZ6A8N34jPc/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBfh0r1Ly-g/UDIQjT7cyzI/AAAAAAAAAig/QZ6A8N34jPc/s320/IMG_0592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TSHFebR2ucs/UDIQngTIVII/AAAAAAAAAio/TIbE62xK33M/s1600/IMG_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TSHFebR2ucs/UDIQngTIVII/AAAAAAAAAio/TIbE62xK33M/s320/IMG_0584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-51022530842956249842012-08-11T18:43:00.000-05:002012-08-13T06:15:42.546-05:00August 10 for 10........ on the 13th: Ten Picture Books For Building Classroom Community<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O__YCYT7vTE/UCZLHBv6F5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/3qgcc_hRBZ8/s1600/pb%2B10%2Bfor%2B10%2B015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O__YCYT7vTE/UCZLHBv6F5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/3qgcc_hRBZ8/s200/pb%2B10%2Bfor%2B10%2B015.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I totally missed it. It was the third annual <a href="http://reflectandrefine.blogspot.com/2012/07/picture-book-addicts-unite-join-us.html">Picture Book 10 for 10 Event</a>(#pb10for10) hosted by my amazing teaching and blogging friends, <a href="http://reflectandrefine.blogspot.com/">Cathy Mere</a> and <a href="http://www.enjoy-embracelearning.blogspot.com/">Mandy Robek</a>. I look forward to this day every year, reading everyone's list, being introduced to new blogging friends and new books, and then making my own book wish list....and participating in this event myself. On time. On AUGUST 10th. I missed it.....
But never fear....the day on the calendar cannot stop me! In total Ann Marie fashion, I am breaking the rules and posting my list, not just at the very last minute, but three days late!
I'm excited to have the opportunity to teach second grade at Cherokee Bend Elementary this year, and I've been thinking lots about those cute little faces that will enter the door on August 20th. I've also been thinking about the picture books I'll share with these children in the first weeks of school. My list this year consists of some new and some old favorites to help build classroom community (in no particular order).
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PYNLdhxHM0/UCjd-soVVwI/AAAAAAAAAgE/NStIhqZTBNw/s1600/collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PYNLdhxHM0/UCjd-soVVwI/AAAAAAAAAgE/NStIhqZTBNw/s320/collage1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hY4gTg0DvPA/UCjeEnArrwI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/SkEN6rwV9yg/s1600/collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hY4gTg0DvPA/UCjeEnArrwI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/SkEN6rwV9yg/s320/collage2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
1. <i><b>I Know a Lot of Things</b> by Ann and Paul Rand</i> </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
2.<i> <b>Beautiful Oops</b> by Barney Saltzberg</i></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
3. <i> <b>Being Friends</b> by Karen Beaumont</i>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
4. <i><b> The Little Hummingbird</b> by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas</i>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
5.<i> <b> Woolbur</b> by Leslie Helakoski</i>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
6. <i><b>How To Lose All Your Friends</b> by Nancy Carlson</i>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
7.<i> <b> Zero</b> by Kathryn Otoshi</i>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
8.<i> <b> Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are</b> by Maris Dismondy</i>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
9. <i> <b>Some Helpful Tips For a Better World and a Happier Life</b> by Rebecca Doughty</i>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2gvwJOOJXY/UCjhdOG5kNI/AAAAAAAAAgo/Em66RkxinJs/s1600/classheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2gvwJOOJXY/UCjhdOG5kNI/AAAAAAAAAgo/Em66RkxinJs/s320/classheart.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
10.<i><b> Those Shoes</b> by Maribeth Boelts </i></blockquote>
Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-15568261781157923472012-05-16T05:47:00.000-05:002012-05-16T05:47:44.485-05:00The Reflection Series: Part 1If you haven't already, you must read <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1053966.The_Short_and_Incredibly_Happy_Life_of_Riley">The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley</a>. <a href="http://stenhouse.com/html/authorbios_65.htm">Bob Wortman</a> introduced me to this book at a literacy conference in Birmingham last fall. It made me think about about how much we rush rush rush in this world to do more, buy more, receive more, eat more, and skip over the happiness, the growth, and the joy of today....simply to move quickly in the to race to the top.
Fortunately, Riley, the main character in this book, reminds us to be happy just where we are and dwell in the moments of these fast moving days.
In classrooms across the country, it's that time of year to stop and look back at the work, the learning, the growth, and the memories made with your students. It's time to find out what they internalized and what they will go away with as they walk out the doors of our classrooms on the last day of school.
As tempting as it may be to "cover one more thing" or shove a few more standards down the throats of the children in our classrooms.....my advice is DON'T DO IT.
It's time to release our inner Riley....slow down....dwell in the happy moments of today....celebrate student growth.....and reflect.
This post will be the first in a series of ways we can slow down, reflect, and give our students time to celebrate their growth as learners and as people.
Last week I asked my students to name the top three things that helped them grow as readers writers and people. Below are a few of the student responses. Try it in your classroom today. You will be amazed, surprised, and will feel the need to cheer and mail the responses to Arne Duncan with a LEAVE US ALONE WE KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS message attached to the front of the envelope.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TdDe7L0RBgo/T7OFWaNsnxI/AAAAAAAAAb0/RmoMw68etRM/s1600/IMG_2754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="126" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TdDe7L0RBgo/T7OFWaNsnxI/AAAAAAAAAb0/RmoMw68etRM/s200/IMG_2754.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRX5DgMXZbM/T7OFWti3bqI/AAAAAAAAAcA/oV98hP_WJ4Y/s1600/IMG_2755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="130" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRX5DgMXZbM/T7OFWti3bqI/AAAAAAAAAcA/oV98hP_WJ4Y/s200/IMG_2755.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z29wFsS9U-Y/T7OFXNoCRAI/AAAAAAAAAcM/c3-Z-rI6sCQ/s1600/IMG_2759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="121" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z29wFsS9U-Y/T7OFXNoCRAI/AAAAAAAAAcM/c3-Z-rI6sCQ/s200/IMG_2759.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYr-sFsPhTg/T7OFXV4ofsI/AAAAAAAAAcY/pr_rKTDsarA/s1600/IMG_2762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="124" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYr-sFsPhTg/T7OFXV4ofsI/AAAAAAAAAcY/pr_rKTDsarA/s200/IMG_2762.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLiZnZBqsCk/T7OFX75YXII/AAAAAAAAAck/XZjN-x1dlC4/s1600/IMG_2767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="118" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLiZnZBqsCk/T7OFX75YXII/AAAAAAAAAck/XZjN-x1dlC4/s200/IMG_2767.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUwCiyyxJhg/T7OFty1H8gI/AAAAAAAAAcw/iMVJ9wO78IM/s1600/IMG_2774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUwCiyyxJhg/T7OFty1H8gI/AAAAAAAAAcw/iMVJ9wO78IM/s200/IMG_2774.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1Dj-l6k2XI/T7OFuWBSJHI/AAAAAAAAAc8/0cOoK5DMU0E/s1600/IMG_2772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="134" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1Dj-l6k2XI/T7OFuWBSJHI/AAAAAAAAAc8/0cOoK5DMU0E/s200/IMG_2772.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-MnJMjrFO8/T7OFu1GwK0I/AAAAAAAAAdI/8EVdS6WF0_E/s1600/IMG_2770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="110" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-MnJMjrFO8/T7OFu1GwK0I/AAAAAAAAAdI/8EVdS6WF0_E/s200/IMG_2770.jpg" /></a></div>Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-8305986620088022692012-05-15T05:25:00.000-05:002012-05-15T05:31:27.825-05:00Preparing the Soil for GrowthJust as soil has to be prepared for the growth of your favorite garden flowers, the classroom requires that same preparation and tender loving care....for the children who will grow to be readers, writers, mathematicians, social scientists, and incredible human beings inside (and outside) those four walls.
Yesterday, my friend Andrea emailed me about classroom setup. We have about two weeks of school left in the year, and she's already thinking about next year's classroom arrangement!
I'm thinking about just making it through the day without my amazing student teacher, who's been by my side for the last seven weeks. Our room will feel different today. Someone special will be missing from the thinking, talking, writing, reading, and learning.
Environment is important, but what makes a classroom come to life are the people who inhabit that space with you every single day.
Today's post is for you, Andrea, and anyone who's already thinking about arranging or re-arranging your classroom to fit the needs of the children in your care.
Below are several shots of classrooms of mine over the years....
Hope this helps!
love,
AM
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kP2ZqKBU-qg/T7IwN17As_I/AAAAAAAAAbk/QST13gQvAcQ/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kP2ZqKBU-qg/T7IwN17As_I/AAAAAAAAAbk/QST13gQvAcQ/s200/IMG_1194.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jfhGc3VD41E/T7ItWZqiwuI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/tglTLBT_9FE/s1600/DSC01429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jfhGc3VD41E/T7ItWZqiwuI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/tglTLBT_9FE/s200/DSC01429.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xiwJQ10WFU/T7Itci9e8CI/AAAAAAAAAac/XBq8ujIbVNI/s1600/DSC01432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xiwJQ10WFU/T7Itci9e8CI/AAAAAAAAAac/XBq8ujIbVNI/s200/DSC01432.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HgBPICn8bng/T7ItjUNkKuI/AAAAAAAAAao/tsDXsRQl124/s1600/DSC01439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HgBPICn8bng/T7ItjUNkKuI/AAAAAAAAAao/tsDXsRQl124/s200/DSC01439.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jgVIeJSAGA/T7ItqcpXE1I/AAAAAAAAAa0/3nLARW1XjGM/s1600/IMG_1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--jgVIeJSAGA/T7ItqcpXE1I/AAAAAAAAAa0/3nLARW1XjGM/s200/IMG_1973.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AT8Cc2rroXQ/T7Iu1sdXgLI/AAAAAAAAAbY/d2XlA59PO6k/s1600/IMG_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AT8Cc2rroXQ/T7Iu1sdXgLI/AAAAAAAAAbY/d2XlA59PO6k/s200/IMG_1972.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKNN9mfFdrA/T7ItBAjjFXI/AAAAAAAAAaE/rZwG3OyFWsw/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKNN9mfFdrA/T7ItBAjjFXI/AAAAAAAAAaE/rZwG3OyFWsw/s200/IMG_1193.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5PWz5xSDkFo/T7IqXCQhtMI/AAAAAAAAAYw/r1ffO1XViw0/s1600/meetingarea4thfloorMNSa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5PWz5xSDkFo/T7IqXCQhtMI/AAAAAAAAAYw/r1ffO1XViw0/s200/meetingarea4thfloorMNSa.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDfb6C6vrkI/T7IqekoeiuI/AAAAAAAAAY8/LO_HNXkRl4o/s1600/rromshotbvl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDfb6C6vrkI/T7IqekoeiuI/AAAAAAAAAY8/LO_HNXkRl4o/s200/rromshotbvl.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2CC69bm1Ak/T7IrNKg_ivI/AAAAAAAAAZI/p5AmJmqxlro/s1600/selfportraits2ndfloorMNS_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2CC69bm1Ak/T7IrNKg_ivI/AAAAAAAAAZI/p5AmJmqxlro/s200/selfportraits2ndfloorMNS_2.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MuBBPwTvIf8/T7IrNuZu0BI/AAAAAAAAAZU/U3ZBgpbx7Ro/s1600/writingconftable2ndMNS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MuBBPwTvIf8/T7IrNuZu0BI/AAAAAAAAAZU/U3ZBgpbx7Ro/s200/writingconftable2ndMNS.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZ_7-sErm-Q/T7IrOIX_5jI/AAAAAAAAAZg/opmDxifzA80/s1600/guidedwritingarea2ndMNS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZ_7-sErm-Q/T7IrOIX_5jI/AAAAAAAAAZg/opmDxifzA80/s200/guidedwritingarea2ndMNS.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2YhYw-1PQZw/T7IrOhmRW0I/AAAAAAAAAZs/eQWK4iS5Bh8/s1600/writingsupply2ndMNS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2YhYw-1PQZw/T7IrOhmRW0I/AAAAAAAAAZs/eQWK4iS5Bh8/s200/writingsupply2ndMNS.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3aRrsMvICm0/T7IrPbu6uNI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/xvczhftlFL4/s1600/IMG_2287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3aRrsMvICm0/T7IrPbu6uNI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/xvczhftlFL4/s200/IMG_2287.jpg" /></a></div>Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-11758638157071203322012-03-31T08:09:00.002-05:002012-03-31T08:15:56.016-05:00Slice 31: Night Covered The Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pslicVbjbm4/T3cB1f-aY2I/AAAAAAAAAYk/OZvfKkscOR4/s1600/sliceoflifebutton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pslicVbjbm4/T3cB1f-aY2I/AAAAAAAAAYk/OZvfKkscOR4/s200/sliceoflifebutton.gif" /></a></div><br />
Slice of Life 31: Night Covered the Road<br />
<br />
Twilight……when the sun has played hard and shined bright but is tired and slowly sinking behind the horizon. I know you’re wondering at this point why Ralph Fletcher didn’t have me co-author Twilight Comes Twice with him, aren’t you? ☺ <br />
<br />
When I set out on this Slice of Life Journey, I didn’t realize my journey began at twilight. I wrote my little heart out for nine days (well, almost nine days… rule breaking a little and combining two slices into one here and there). <br />
I was on a roll. In these 31 days, I was going to write and comment and learn from so many of you about your lives, your passions, your talents, your gifts. And I would cheer you on to keep writing. You wrote back and gave me encouragement. You gave me insight. You made me think. Your words gave me ideas. Your words made me smile. The writing journey had begun.<br />
<br />
And then, the sun dropped behind the horizon and night covered my world. The darkness became so dark, so pitch black like tar I stopped dead in my tracks. Fear and sadness and self-doubt and hopelessness settled in, and it was all I could do to even turn the computer on to read work email that absolutely required a response. <br />
<br />
The <i>I have nothing to say</i>…..<i>It’s supposed to be perfect</i>….<i>People are counting on you to be smart and wise</i>…<i>No one will notice if you haven’t written</i>….<i>Who cares</i>….<i>Just get through the day</i>…Those commanding voices filled the night air. Day poured tar into my soul and night suffocated me.<br />
<br />
But sometimes in the dead of night, when you think all the world is fast asleep, there are friends out there who find you. Even though that friend’s eyes haven’t adjusted to the light, she senses your presence, sees your outline in the darkness, and points to the brightest star in the sky. <br />
<i><br />
When you set out on a journey<br />
And the night covers the road ahead,<br />
That’s when you discover the stars.</i><br />
<br />
I can’t promise that there will always be starry nights, but what I can do is love today and live it the best that I can. Thank you all for being inspirations, new and old friends, writing…and life-living mentors to me. <a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/">Ruth and Stacey</a>, even thought the journey didn’t play out as planned, thank you both for giving us all this opportunity to discover ourselves in the darkness and in the light.<br />
<i><br />
Normal day, let me be aware<br />
Of the treasure you are<br />
Let me learn from you, love you<br />
Bless you before you depart.<br />
Let me not pass you by<br />
In the quest of some <br />
Rare and perfect tomorrow. –Mary Jean Irion</i><br />
<br />
To the possibilities of this sunny day and the coming starry night,<br />
AMToday’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-82511121344152297982012-03-09T05:18:00.000-06:002012-03-09T05:18:27.430-06:00Slice 8 and 9: TGI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_OImaFoy2SU/T1nlhMZ8jzI/AAAAAAAAAYY/fshBBY3kJr4/s1600/sliceoflifebutton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_OImaFoy2SU/T1nlhMZ8jzI/AAAAAAAAAYY/fshBBY3kJr4/s200/sliceoflifebutton.gif" /></a></div><br />
TGIF. Thank Goodness It's Friday. I say it every week with gusto. Fridays make the Mondays and hard days tolerable, but today instead of TGIF, it's <b>TGI</b>....<br />
<br />
<b>TGI. Thank Goodness I.<i></i></b><br />
<br />
<b>Thank Goodness I...</b><br />
<br />
TGI-have <a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/">Ruth and Stacey </a>and the countless friends across the country and all over twitter who remind me of the power of writing and community and standing up for what's right for children<br />
<br />
TGI-have an alarm clock that sounds at 4:00am so I can wake up to coffee and get some writing on the page before school (that is, unless I turn it off...yesterday's reason for no writing)<br />
<br />
TGI-have a job learning from 120 sixth graders every day about reading, writing, and life as a middle schooler<br />
<br />
TGI-have a<a href="https://www.trussvillecityschools.com/Staff/Phyllis.Faust/default.aspx"> principal</a> and friend who is a true instructional leader. She trusts me to think deeper, work smarter, and try harder to give myself the benefit of the doubt...and to do what my gut says is right for children every day.<br />
<br />
TGI-have friends and family who pull me out of work mode and say "Let's play. Let's watch a movie. Let's have wine and cookies. Let's go on vacation. Let's take a nap. Let's eat at that great new restaurant. Let's stay up past our bedtime and tell stories. Let's read a book that has nothing to do with school. Let's remember that life is short and our days are gifts."<br />
<br />
TGI-have the weekend to work and play... and be thankful to God for the people and opportunities I have in this incredible life of mine.<br />
<br />
TGI-have one more cup of coffee...because it's only 5:15am......<br />
<br />
To the possibilities of this new day,<br />
AMToday’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-63742393733605801672012-03-07T05:34:00.000-06:002012-03-07T05:34:13.076-06:00Slice 7: World Read Aloud Day, The Story of John Richardson<b>Thank You, Mr. Falker: The Story of John Richardson</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyMJY-dYJ-4/T1dFGWu2NJI/AAAAAAAAAYA/oxhPzdk2WvA/s1600/sliceoflifebutton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyMJY-dYJ-4/T1dFGWu2NJI/AAAAAAAAAYA/oxhPzdk2WvA/s200/sliceoflifebutton.gif" /></a></div>Re-reading books I love is one of my most favorite things to do. Re-telling happy stories is also a favorite. So, for Slice 7 I'm re-telling a story about a favorite reader and writer that seems most fitting on March 7th, World Read Aloud Day. <br />
<br />
The story begins almost 14 years ago in my third grade classroom in Birmingham, AL. John, a favorite custodian and friend to all the Corgill Kids, stopped by every day to empty the trash, refill the paper towel dispenser, and soak in a bit of reading workshop. One day John was browsing the picture book shelves with several third graders, and picked up the book, <i>Thank You Mr. Falker</i> by Patricia Polacco. I love everything Patricia Polacco, and told John he had chosen one of my favorites....but I didn't share what the story was about. He asked if he could take the book home to read, and of course, I was happy that he would be reading this book to his children and grandchildren.<br />
<br />
Days passed and I had forgotten that John borrowed the book. He still continued to visit us every day, and he always asked the children about their reading and their book choices. <br />
On one of those ordinary reading workshop days weeks later, John brought the book back and asked if he could speak to me privately. He had <i>Thank You Mr. Falker </i>in his hand as he spoke. <br />
<br />
"I have a secret to tell you, Ann Marie. I can't read. Will you be my Mr. Falker?"<br />
<br />
Thinking for weeks now that this man had been reading this book to his grandchildren and enjoying it at home, I was stunned. I learned that John, this kind, hardworking man in his mid-sixties, couldn't read and had gone through his entire life pretending. He made it through ninth grade without a single teacher learning his secret. He worked an entire career in a factory without a single person knowing his secret. And now, he was working in our school, a place full of readers--a place that called him to be a reader too. <br />
I learned later that John had his wife read the book to him at home. It was simply a miracle that he chose <i>Thank You, Mr. Falker</i> from our shelves.<br />
<br />
From that day forward, John and I met in the early morning hours before school and during the summer learning to read. We read books together that John later read to his favorite groups of kindergarten students. We read books together that John would then share with my students in our reading workshop and morning meeting times. Soon after, John began to write too in his shiny blue writer's notebook. Poetry became a favorite of his, and he read and wrote lots of poetry on those mornings together.<br />
<br />
I’m happy to say that because of Patricia Polacco's <i>Thank You, Mr. Falker</i> and two years of early morning reading workshops, John Richardson, and I met to read, write, and talk---and my friend, who learned to read in his 60's, reads, writes, and shares with others how being a reader and a writer has changed his life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_7xtTRbIJc/T1dB821aT6I/AAAAAAAAAWg/JWoHwrBQzG8/s1600/DSC01105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_7xtTRbIJc/T1dB821aT6I/AAAAAAAAAWg/JWoHwrBQzG8/s200/DSC01105.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
John now speaks at his church and reads scripture to the congregation, shares his struggle (and triumph!) in literacy with groups in the community, is still invited to read to classes of students—and is still writing poetry! In fact, I have a framed copy of one of his first poems, “<i>The Great Red Bird</i>”. <br />
I’d say it’s a “freeing” piece of work, about a little bird returning to his nest and learning to fly.<br />
<i><br />
<br />
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain, Or help a fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.” --Emily Dickinson</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kFnyDNn4HA/T1dGE9Q16dI/AAAAAAAAAYM/BuOiLbwb198/s1600/wrad2012badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="120" width="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kFnyDNn4HA/T1dGE9Q16dI/AAAAAAAAAYM/BuOiLbwb198/s200/wrad2012badge.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
To the possibilities of this new day.....<br />
love,<br />
AMToday’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-60601989916869414982012-03-06T05:52:00.000-06:002012-03-06T05:52:04.506-06:00Slice 5 and 6: Two-A-Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYNUZFIC4K0/T1X5154WBfI/AAAAAAAAAVw/BO-iVxqJo-U/s1600/sliceoflifebutton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYNUZFIC4K0/T1X5154WBfI/AAAAAAAAAVw/BO-iVxqJo-U/s200/sliceoflifebutton.gif" /></a></div><br />
Two-A-Days, sometimes referred to as Hell Week or Double Sessions, is a term in American football to describe when a team holds practice twice a day.<br />
<br />
Two-A-Days, sometimes referred to as Hell Week (middle school 9 weeks testing and grades and report cards) or Double Writing sessions, is a term in AM's Slice of Life Writing Challenge to describe when she writes a two day slice blog because she didn't do it the day before.<br />
<br />
So....I think I'll try poetry today. A kind of listy poem, with a bit of repetition. <br />
<br />
It's called <i>Not. Doesn't. Isn't. <b>Are.</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Not. Doesn't. Isn't. <b>Are.</b></i><br />
by Ann Marie Corgill<br />
<br />
review sheets, made common<br />
so we can all test the same thing<br />
because in this crazy world<br />
we act as if kids are the same<br />
They're not.<br />
<br />
tests, made multiple choice<br />
so they're easy to score<br />
because in this crazy world<br />
we act as if a multiple choice answer tells us something<br />
It doesn't.<br />
<br />
classes, made 47 minutes<br />
so we can teach writing and embed grammar and spelling and punctuation and vocabulary <br />
because in this crazy world<br />
we act as if that's enough time<br />
It isn't.<br />
<br />
children, made differently<br />
so their passions, their talents, their challenges, their personalities fill our days and our heads and our teaching and our learning<br />
because in this crazy world<br />
we act as if they are the most important thing in this teaching world.<br />
<b>They are.</b>Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-40893462107923818732012-03-04T21:25:00.000-06:002012-03-04T21:25:48.290-06:00Slice 3 AND 4: Rulebreakers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVbzHP_HC3Q/T1Qx2N4Un-I/AAAAAAAAAVk/NPvLjefv3R8/s1600/sliceoflifebutton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVbzHP_HC3Q/T1Qx2N4Un-I/AAAAAAAAAVk/NPvLjefv3R8/s200/sliceoflifebutton.gif" /></a></div><br />
It’s Day 4 of the Slice of Life Challenge, and I’ve already broken the rules. As I confessed my sins earlier in a tweet to <a href="http://keeferto.typepad.com/blog/">@TonyKeefer</a> about not posting yesterday, this is the response I got: “You are quite the rebel. <a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/">@ruth_ayers</a> should throw you out ☺” <br />
Thankfully Ruth hasn’t thrown me out yet, and Tony is now trying to save face with tweets like #rulebreakers are my favorites….. <br />
<br />
This got me thinking….I propose that #rulebreakers4kids be a new hashtag, and when we “break a rule” for the good of the children in our classrooms, we send it out to everyone. It’s important that our voices are heard…and most importantly that our students’ voices and learning opportunities and passions and intrinsic motivation and curiosity don’t get squelched because of mandates or tests or rules or rule-makers who have never darkened the door of our classrooms.<br />
<br />
If I had to tweet under the #rulerbreakers4kids hashtag, what could I have tweeted from our classroom over the years? <br />
Hmmmm….. the tweets might go something like this….. <br />
<br />
• Hid workbooks district paid thousands 4 behind new “facing out” bookshelves<br />
• Moved teacher’s desk 2 storage 2day, put books n writing supplies n its place<br />
• Turned in a blank textbook inventory sheet. not. using. them.<br />
• Q: Test prep or writing and conferring? A: writing and conferring<br />
• Told kids I hate homework as much as them n will fight 4 less!<br />
• Let class shred homework reading logs 2 day. Reading. More impt than recording.<br />
• Said AR is stupid. People heard me.<br />
• Said grammar worksheets are stupid. People heard me.<br />
• Said tests and grades are stupid. People heard me.<br />
• I care about children more than data. Hope the newspaper prints that.<br />
• Merit pay 4 high scores? Fire me. I refuse 2 extinguish the fire n my students.<br />
• Writing persuasive essay ab banning homework 2 model how 2 write persuasive essay. <br />
• Spent $300 @ Office Depot. Needed sharpie markers watercolors n photo paper 4 publishing. Will eat ramen noodles this month.<br />
• Writing prompts r crap. Despite what u’ve heard ab crap as fertilizer, it doesn’t grow writers.<br />
<br />
And I could go on and on and on….I’m a rulebreaker4kids.They deserve to have teachers stand up for them and do what’s right even if it’s not popular….and even if we have to break a few rules in the process.<br />
<br />
to the possibilities for rule-breaking for kids tomorrow,<br />
AMToday’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-91642158984803877202012-03-02T16:12:00.002-06:002012-03-02T16:23:53.506-06:00Intrinsic Motivation: How To Build On It, Not Kill It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-di6TnaIMtEE/T1E6teXyOdI/AAAAAAAAAUo/tsJbOl-6IH4/s1600/sliceoflifebutton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-di6TnaIMtEE/T1E6teXyOdI/AAAAAAAAAUo/tsJbOl-6IH4/s200/sliceoflifebutton.gif" /></a></div><br />
My friend, Aimee Buckner Haisten, author of <a href="http://lexami.com/contact.htm"><i>Notebook Know How</i> and <i>Notebook Connections</i></a> once said to me, "When a colleague, parent, administrator, or student enters your classroom, he/she should know immediately what you value." <br />
<br />
When you enter our classroom, you won't find charts with stickers or stars to signal who's read the most pages or is winning the contest for best spelling. You won't find papers with grades marked in red with the highest scoring papers hanging on the wall. You won't see rules posted anywhere or those "teacher supply store" motivational posters and quotes. You won't find supplies hoarded in individual desks, and a teacher's desk is nowhere to be found. <br />
<br />
Why? I'm not a teacher who believes that students are motivated by points, grades, money, contests, fear, or any kind of extrinsic factor. What do I believe in? I believe in <b>children<i></i></b> and I work my hardest not to kill the intrinsic motivation students naturally bring with them to school. We can't ever force a child to be motivated, but we can create democratic, collaborative work spaces that stimulate curiosity, invite choice, and honor the children who live and learn there every single day. <br />
<br />
I begin every year setting up the classroom with guiding principle #1 in my head and heart: Build On Intrinsic Motivation, and then allow the room to grow with the children from the first day of school. Below are a few pictures of our classrooms (both primary and middle school) over the past few years.....<br />
It's a privilege to learn from my students and be intrinsically motivated to be a better teacher because of them.<br />
<br />
And as Phyllis (my fabulous principal and friend) says...<br />
To the possibilities of this next month of writing and learning from writers everywhere!<br />
AM<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILMqk0SlD2A/T1FEVLdUWJI/AAAAAAAAAU0/yHN2RKKvuMk/s1600/DSC01432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILMqk0SlD2A/T1FEVLdUWJI/AAAAAAAAAU0/yHN2RKKvuMk/s200/DSC01432.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InJVjYnrl6I/T1FEu0w1p6I/AAAAAAAAAVA/HpID_ewD8RU/s1600/DSC01436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InJVjYnrl6I/T1FEu0w1p6I/AAAAAAAAAVA/HpID_ewD8RU/s200/DSC01436.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o__8wecXLAI/T1FFOICdFjI/AAAAAAAAAVM/TsL9uDIG4P4/s1600/IMG_1300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o__8wecXLAI/T1FFOICdFjI/AAAAAAAAAVM/TsL9uDIG4P4/s200/IMG_1300.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbwjiMm7dGM/T1FFp7gl5jI/AAAAAAAAAVY/jkd0xifHkQA/s1600/IMG_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbwjiMm7dGM/T1FFp7gl5jI/AAAAAAAAAVY/jkd0xifHkQA/s200/IMG_1972.JPG" /></a></div>Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-1345211608519759512012-03-01T04:49:00.000-06:002012-03-01T04:49:03.215-06:00Slice of Life Day 1: Guiding Principles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPWEahg__00/T09UBPu_KCI/AAAAAAAAAUc/qH3aTPQT2J0/s1600/sliceoflifebutton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nPWEahg__00/T09UBPu_KCI/AAAAAAAAAUc/qH3aTPQT2J0/s200/sliceoflifebutton.gif" /></a></div><br />
For the 2010-2011 school year, I decided to take the year off from the classroom---so that I could write and be a newlywed. In retrospect, neither the writing nor the marriage worked so well, but I did have one grand opportunity that year. I was able to do some part time literacy consulting work with my friends at the Developmental Studies Center in Oakland, California. These educators and friends helped me to truly realize the power of both the academic and social growth of the child and the impact of intentional teaching around these two areas of development.<br />
I’m back in the classroom (with sixth graders this year) and continue to learn from these wise and thoughtful colleagues at DSC, along with countless other amazing educators across the country so that I may give my students the best care and instruction I have to offer. I have embraced DSC’s guiding principles to do just that—guide me in the right direction when the pressure, the tests, the scripts, the scores, the mandates, “the pile-it-on, more is more” mentality weigh heavily on me. Here they are. Six key principles to help me to always do what’s right for children:<br />
<br />
1. Build on Intrinsic Motivation<br />
2. Build an Inclusive Learning Community<br />
3. Integrate Academics with Social and Ethical Learning<br />
4. Set up the Learning Situation so the Students do the Thinking<br />
5. Provide Academic Rigor and Accessibility<br />
6. Advance Teacher Practice<br />
<br />
More tomorrow about how these principles have come to life in our classroom this year…<br />
<br />
As my wonderful principal, Phyllis Faust, says to us every day…<br />
To the possibilities……<br />
Xoxo,<br />
AMToday’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2127113511452945361.post-18047936970911034322012-02-29T18:06:00.000-06:002012-02-29T18:06:10.655-06:00Happy Slice of Life Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hxLXQDKKlo/T061ZOyogjI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/2WLL5NWQD7E/s1600/sliceoflifebutton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hxLXQDKKlo/T061ZOyogjI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/2WLL5NWQD7E/s200/sliceoflifebutton.gif" /></a></div><br />
Ruth Ayers and Stacey Shubitz, at <a href="http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/">Two Writing Teachers</a> have challenged us to begin a new habit.....writing every day for the next 30 days. They say it takes 30 days to build a habit. I am so not into habits like this because I more often than not...okay....all of the time...don't EVER develop the habit. Sort of like the "I'm going to have a P90X body and eating the chocolate cake on day three" kind of habit. 30 days is a dang long time to do the same thing over and over and over. BUT, I have to admit that Ruth and Stacey are right. This writing challenge is important. It's important for my students. It's important for my growth as a teacher and as a person. It's important that I learn to recognize that my own writing and my own life have special meaning and that I will learn tons from the online community of writers participating along with me in this challenge. It's just important that I suck it up and do it. If I want to be the writing teacher my students deserve, then they need a teacher who's doing exactly what I expect them to do every single day: WRITE. <br />
<br />
<br />
Before I begin I have a confession. I'm a procrastinator. I do everything at the VERY LAST SECOND. If I don't absolutely HAVE to do it, I won't. I will choose to do something else....like organize the shoes in my closet....throw out the experiments in my refrigerator, read twitter and re-tweet for hours....make a to-do list of all the things that I won't do until the VERY LAST SECOND. I do everything I can do to avoid writing. <br />
<br />
So tomorrow, I'll begin to develop this new habit....of writing when I really don't have to(or want to)....when there's no deadline...no one counting on receiving my draft....no one waiting to hear a response...no one wondering why in the world that girl hasn't finished her work yet....posting my "slices of life".....defined by Webster as this-<a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slice-of-life">slice of life</a><br />
<br />
I have no clue what I'll post from day to day, and I think that might be the reason I feel butterflies and a bit of anxiety over not knowing what I'll say....This has got to be the feeling my 6th graders feel constantly. Wow. I'm already stepping into their shoes so it will help us all in the long run. Thanks, Ruth and Stacey, for pushing us all to do this.<br />
<br />
One more thing.<br />
Honestly and regretfully, I do have a draft of something that's due first thing in the morning.....so my slice might be that last minute article draft for a possible future professional journal publication. It'll be scary to put it out there for others to read, but, oh well. Here goes.....<br />
<br />
Happy Slice of Life Eve!<br />
AM<br />
#slice2012<strike><strike></strike></strike>Today’s Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895339781248459038noreply@blogger.com0