A Slice of Life...

Ms. O's Button.

How sweet...

My cousin and I worked this summer to do a collage of b/w photo of Ms. O's body parts.

I didn't get memed, but....

Passion...my passion for writing is the passion I have to learn to be a fantastic writing teacher. I have bucked writing for so long in my personal life, but I want so badly to enjoy it.
This pic was taken near the beginning of the school year. We were launching our writer's notebooks with a toast. Students were encouraged to toast to the adventures ahead of us in writing.

Slice of Life

No words needed...

Motivational Monday

I look forward to the idea of beginning Mondays on a positive note.
My motivation for beginning a new, exciting week, full of building community, learning, and trying, is this:
I redid my lesson plans to make things work for me and my kiddos. I have made a goal for myself to stick to the times and make Reader's Workshop my priority.
I have exciting news to report....I accomplished my goal. I was able to stick to my times and we did a great mini-lesson on metacognition. The kids began their Independent Reading and used post it notes to try their hand at "hearing that little voice inside their head" that constantly talks, asks questions, makes connections.... They wrote down what they heard from that voice and responded to it. I was so excited to see kids making connections and using contect clues to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words. I have to say, this was my first successful lesson. I have begun our "Umbrella of Understanding" and will have to confer with my friends Jen and Sarah to see how to post a picture of that. (I am excited about this visual.)
So...All in all, it was a Monday that was motivating for me. I am excited about the week and where our Reading will take us!

Questions to Ponder

Sarah at Amicks Articles posted some questions and answers about herself. I loved the questions and thought maybe this would be a great way to get myself back into the blog-o-sphere.
How would someone find you in a crowd? I'm not so sure they would. I tend to be the type of person who blends. I think that maybe one thing that may set me apart at times is my laugh. It isn't abnoxious...I don't think. I can be loud though!

If you had a secret room in you house what would be in it? There would be a chaise lounge so soft and inviting, a plush blanket, soft lighting, a window with a view of the ocean (New England style in the fall), whisperings of music, and a stack of books. Kids books, sappy books, murder mysteries, etc....

Where do you like to walk to from your house? I walk to the pond. Water=Peaceful to me.

How will you change as you grow? I will become a stronger individual. I will learn to stand up for myself and not let people get me down. I will learn to breathe in and out, relax, and smile through the hard times. I will slow down, enjoy life, and not allow myself to be bogged down.

What sort of animal would you like to be? I'd like to be a bottle nosed dolphin. They swim in warm currents, always wear a smile, and defend themselves to the end from the sharks of the world.

Thanks Sarah.

A Thousand Thanks!

Here I am. Back after a not so brief break. I feel inspired to write and to blog again.
Today myself and 3 friends went on a road trip! We traveled to Coldwater, Michigan to experience Patricia Polacco. When we arrived she was already in the midst of speaking to the crowd. She spoke of her life experiences and beliefs on NCLB. She spoke of her support of educators and the roles they play in the lives of children. She awed and inspired me. Later, she signed books. She was so gracious. She seems to be a real down to earth person. WOW! She mentioned she is great friends with JK Rowling....yes THE JK Rowling. And still so down to earth. I appreciate people like this.
After returning to Fort Wayne, my oh so dear friends proceeded to help me organize my huge piles of Readers Workshop and Writers Workshop lessons into binders and also to find mini-lessons within different texts. I so appreciate them. These 1,000 thanks are for you. Without your support and encouragement I'd be so incredibly lost.
Thanks for a phenomenal day!

Poetry Friday....My first one EVER!

After attending the All Write! Conference this past week, I was inspired to really get my hands on some poetry. I purchased a book titled This Place I know: Poems of Comfort . It is an anthology of poetry selected by Georgia Heard. She felt inspired to put together something for the children of 9/11. This is her dedication to children of the world who are dealing with personal pain or pain due to global tragedies.

To You

by Karla Kuskin

I think I could walk

through the simmering sand

if I held your hand.

I think I could swim

the skin shivering sea

if you would accompany me.

And run on ragged, windy heights,

climb rugged rocks

and walk on air:

I think I could do anything at all,

if you were there.