The 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!

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:
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.

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."

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."

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!"

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.

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!

August 10 for 10........ on the 13th: Ten Picture Books For Building Classroom Community

I totally missed it. It was the third annual Picture Book 10 for 10 Event(#pb10for10) hosted by my amazing teaching and blogging friends, Cathy Mere and Mandy Robek. 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).

1. I Know a Lot of Things by Ann and Paul Rand 

2. Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg

3. Being Friends by Karen Beaumont

4. The Little Hummingbird by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas

5. Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski

6. How To Lose All Your Friends by Nancy Carlson

7. Zero by Kathryn Otoshi

8. Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are by Maris Dismondy

9. Some Helpful Tips For a Better World and a Happier Life by Rebecca Doughty

10. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts   

The Reflection Series: Part 1

If you haven't already, you must read The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley. Bob Wortman 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.

Preparing the Soil for Growth

Just 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

Slice 31: Night Covered The Road

Slice of Life 31: Night Covered the Road

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? ☺

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).
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.

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.

The I have nothing to say…..It’s supposed to be perfect….People are counting on you to be smart and wise…No one will notice if you haven’t written….Who cares….Just get through the day…Those commanding voices filled the night air. Day poured tar into my soul and night suffocated me.

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.

When you set out on a journey
And the night covers the road ahead,
That’s when you discover the stars.

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. Ruth and Stacey, 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.

Normal day, let me be aware
Of the treasure you are
Let me learn from you, love you
Bless you before you depart.
Let me not pass you by
In the quest of some
Rare and perfect tomorrow. –Mary Jean Irion

To the possibilities of this sunny day and the coming starry night,
AM

Slice 8 and 9: TGI

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 TGI....

TGI. Thank Goodness I.

Thank Goodness I...

TGI-have Ruth and Stacey 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

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)

TGI-have a job learning from 120 sixth graders every day about reading, writing, and life as a middle schooler

TGI-have a principal 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.

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."

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.

TGI-have one more cup of coffee...because it's only 5:15am......

To the possibilities of this new day,
AM

Slice 7: World Read Aloud Day, The Story of John Richardson

Thank You, Mr. Falker: The Story of John Richardson

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.

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, Thank You Mr. Falker 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.

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.
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 Thank You Mr. Falker in his hand as he spoke.

"I have a secret to tell you, Ann Marie. I can't read. Will you be my Mr. Falker?"

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.
I learned later that John had his wife read the book to him at home. It was simply a miracle that he chose Thank You, Mr. Falker from our shelves.

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.

I’m happy to say that because of Patricia Polacco's Thank You, Mr. Falker 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.

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, “The Great Red Bird”.
I’d say it’s a “freeing” piece of work, about a little bird returning to his nest and learning to fly.


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

To the possibilities of this new day.....
love,
AM