You all know that I have numerous writing and reading rock stars in my life.... Penny Kittle, The Great Patricia, Stephanie Harvey, Ralph Fletcher.... hell, the list goes on and on. I love to read their books and gain as much knowledge as possible. It excites me to soak up this information and then give it a go in my own community. I love it when I see the words on a page trickle down to my treasures and see them glow with excitement.... that is teaching, learning, and practice rolled into one. IT IS THE GREATEST GIFT anyone can give me as a teacher.
Well, this week, I was again blown away by Frank Serrafini. HE IS A READING ROCK STAR I TELL YOU! I was sitting at the conference room listening to him speak and seriously I wanted to stand up and shout, "AMEN! CAN I GET A WITNESS?" Frank was speaking to a group of teachers about assessment, discussions, and other wonderful topics in reading. Not only does he give research to back up his thoughts, but what he says is simply what good teaching is.... no bells or whistles, no gimmicks, no glitter and feathers- just good researched teaching.
I am always impressed with Frank and his presentations. Kudos to you Frank- not only do I walk away with so many thoughts and things to think about when I am finished listening you to, but I get a laugh too!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
decisions...
I have been doing some serious thinking the past week. Decisions that may change my future drastically and I am scared- nervous- excited-and did I say scared? I am not sure what will happen or where this road will take me, but I feel that something has to change in this teaching life of mine. Something that will allow me to grow and to be challenged by the people around me. I want to better myself for the sake of my students, and for my own selfish needs.
Is that wrong of me? Wrong that I want something more for myself as well? I am playing this mental and emotional tennis with my own needs and the needs of my school and class. Which comes first? Which needs are the most important? Which one will have the most profound influence on my teaching?
I wish decisions could be easier... easier to handle....easier to adjust to....easier to sort out.
Is that wrong of me? Wrong that I want something more for myself as well? I am playing this mental and emotional tennis with my own needs and the needs of my school and class. Which comes first? Which needs are the most important? Which one will have the most profound influence on my teaching?
I wish decisions could be easier... easier to handle....easier to adjust to....easier to sort out.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Dear Treasures,
How can I put into words what I am feeling today? You have been mine for two years- two years of laughing, talking, crying, discussing, arguing, and growing. WE have become a family because each and everyone of you believed in our promises to each other. WE made a choice to live in our small community and make it work, even when making it work was so very hard. WE became a family because YOU believed in what WE were creating.... WE were creating a family. A family is a hard thing to break up and it is tugging at the core of my soul. I am sad and my heart hurts.
Just like a parent I am so very proud of each and everyone of you! I am proud to call you my family, my children, my treasures. But just like a parent, it is hard to let the strings unravel and watch you drift off to your next journey. I know I must let you go, but it is hard to watch you go. Please remember these final words before you go....
- You have impacted me more than you will ever know. YOU have made me a better teacher by challenging me, questioning me, talking with me, and letting me know your thoughts each and everyday! You let me into your hearts and I thank you for trusting me.
- You are writers and readers. During these two years you have all become such powerful writers with such an amazing voice. Continue on this journey, make your voice be known to all who will listen.
- No matter what you do in life, NO ONE can ever take the love of learning from you. I have told you this everyday. I will continue to tell you this.... learn, capture, create.
- I love you. I love each and everyone of you! I love what you have become and who are going to be. I tell people that I have twenty-four children plus two of my own. I do- I have twenty-four of the most dynamic, beautiful, ornery, wonderful children of this world. You will always have a place in my heart and my classroom.
You are amazing 106-
I thank you for allowing me to travel on this journey with you!
- Mrs. B
How can I put into words what I am feeling today? You have been mine for two years- two years of laughing, talking, crying, discussing, arguing, and growing. WE have become a family because each and everyone of you believed in our promises to each other. WE made a choice to live in our small community and make it work, even when making it work was so very hard. WE became a family because YOU believed in what WE were creating.... WE were creating a family. A family is a hard thing to break up and it is tugging at the core of my soul. I am sad and my heart hurts.
Just like a parent I am so very proud of each and everyone of you! I am proud to call you my family, my children, my treasures. But just like a parent, it is hard to let the strings unravel and watch you drift off to your next journey. I know I must let you go, but it is hard to watch you go. Please remember these final words before you go....
- You have impacted me more than you will ever know. YOU have made me a better teacher by challenging me, questioning me, talking with me, and letting me know your thoughts each and everyday! You let me into your hearts and I thank you for trusting me.
- You are writers and readers. During these two years you have all become such powerful writers with such an amazing voice. Continue on this journey, make your voice be known to all who will listen.
- No matter what you do in life, NO ONE can ever take the love of learning from you. I have told you this everyday. I will continue to tell you this.... learn, capture, create.
- I love you. I love each and everyone of you! I love what you have become and who are going to be. I tell people that I have twenty-four children plus two of my own. I do- I have twenty-four of the most dynamic, beautiful, ornery, wonderful children of this world. You will always have a place in my heart and my classroom.
You are amazing 106-
I thank you for allowing me to travel on this journey with you!
- Mrs. B
Sunday, May 17, 2009
the end is near
I have ten days-only ten days with the treasures that I have had for two years. Like a family we have shared our ups, downs, smiles, tears, frustrations, fears, and celebrations together. How do you just end two years with 24 children who have become my own? It will be bitter sweet. I am so excited to see them go on and show others what awesome people they are becoming, but just like my own, I want to shelter them from all the realities in this world.
I am not sure how these next ten days will pan out- lots' of smiles, jokes, reflecting, hugs, and yes- tears. Tears of joy, excitement, and loss. I am losing my children-losing a piece of me. Will I love another class the same way that I've loved these treasures? They are amazing... truly amazing.
The end is near. sigh.
I am not sure how these next ten days will pan out- lots' of smiles, jokes, reflecting, hugs, and yes- tears. Tears of joy, excitement, and loss. I am losing my children-losing a piece of me. Will I love another class the same way that I've loved these treasures? They are amazing... truly amazing.
The end is near. sigh.
Monday, April 6, 2009
where have you been?
O.K. - so life had taken me by the pants and given me a good beating! Whoa, I have been busy with... well... LIFE! In the short and skinny of it all this is what I have been doing:
- Went to New York City for a wonderful conference in March! I heart this city! Everything about it- the smells, the noise, the language, the culture, the life it brings at all hours of the night! I always had a plan that I would live there and teach. Well life took over, love wrapped it's arms around me, and I am here in my hometown. I am not sad, mad, or regret staying around the people that I love and the place I have lived all my life. However, NYC will always be right there at the tip of this lil' old country girls heart!
- My treasures and I have been busy!!! We have had teachers come and go to watch our community rock out their wonderful words and thoughts. As I have opened my door for others to learn and challenge their own thinking, I find that it has raised my students thinking as well. They feel this sense of responsibility to be the best they can be and show these adults what our treasures in the Fort are capable of! They are the best.... writing, thinking, discussing, challenging- ahhh! I heart my class.
- Speaking of class, we are moving along in our persuasive pieces. My students are on their way to some wonderful letters, essays, and editorials. I know that they are excited to send their thoughts, ideas, and opinions to the audiences they want to address.
Our conferring moments have been in this midst of change.... they are starting to take more and more responsibility for what they are writing and what others are doing. Today one of treasures kindly poked her little head in and stated, "Mrs. B-Can I talk with ------ after you are done. I think that I have some ideas for her that might help." Well, la de da and slap my grandma! My little writer! After I was done they went and conferred with each other. Melt my heart.....
- As the year trickles to an end and it wraps around my heart like a thick piece of metal, I start to become very, very, very sad. I have loved these treasures for TWO YEARS!! TWO YEARS of very hard work! Two years of loving them like they were my own! TWO YEARS is a long time for goodness sake! It will be hard for me... it already is. I look at them- laugh with them- cry with them- talk with them. *sigh* Did I tell you I heart my class?
- I am currently working on a present for them- I have been practicing hand stamped jewelery.
It is the most beautiful and unique thing that I have done in a long time. I have thought about a word that matches each one of my students personality. Each student will get a letter explaining why I picked that word for them, and why they were important to me. What I am hoping to do is to stamp that word on a silver disc or silver dog tag. HOWEVER, do you know how hard it is to find 28 silver discs or dog tags that a teacher can afford???? If anyone knows of anyone who has these supplies, please send them my way!
- I am reading the Twilight books- Yes I admit it.... I love Edward and want to be his vampire woman. Seriously, I would even take Jacob and be his werewolf lady. Love the books and find that I am up WAY TOO LATE reading it!
- I have found a wonderful professional book by Jennifer Serravallo & Gravity (love her name) Goldberg. It is entitled, Conferring with Readers: Supporting Each Student's Growth & Independence. I was lucky enough to hear Jennifer speak while in New York and told myself if anything else, I am so buying this book (great purchase). Thanks Jennifer and Gravity, your book rocks! Not only does it have great ideas that anyone can use, but it also validates everything that I am doing in my room and want for my treasures. Very reassuring to read and know that yes, I am doing something good in this teaching life.
- I am just being a mom. Caught in the taxi mode... my little diva and her dance and my big guy-guy and baseball. I love watching them and supporting them in what they love to do- it is wonderful to see.
We met with my son's teacher for conferences today. He is a good boy who loves school and loves learning. Being a teacher doesn't make is easier to go to these conference days you know! It still makes my stomach a mess and my head hurt. I want so badly for my children to be what I wasn't in school. To soak up learning and to have teachers who loved them for being, well, them.
My son and daughter did have those teachers this year- those individuals who loved them for all of what was wonderful about their little personalities and still loved them for everything that they haven't yet become. If anything, it has taught me to be A PROACTIVE PARENT! To ask questions, to hunt for the best of the best and demand that my child be apart of that community. My children are worth that fight- they are worth those demands, and I won't sit by and watch my little ones stuck in just the middle-of-the-road kind of teacher! They got the best this year, and it has paid off! Thanks Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Biebrich.... you are loved more than you will every know!
WHEW! Life of a mom/wife/sister/daughter/friend/teacher girl!
- Went to New York City for a wonderful conference in March! I heart this city! Everything about it- the smells, the noise, the language, the culture, the life it brings at all hours of the night! I always had a plan that I would live there and teach. Well life took over, love wrapped it's arms around me, and I am here in my hometown. I am not sad, mad, or regret staying around the people that I love and the place I have lived all my life. However, NYC will always be right there at the tip of this lil' old country girls heart!
- My treasures and I have been busy!!! We have had teachers come and go to watch our community rock out their wonderful words and thoughts. As I have opened my door for others to learn and challenge their own thinking, I find that it has raised my students thinking as well. They feel this sense of responsibility to be the best they can be and show these adults what our treasures in the Fort are capable of! They are the best.... writing, thinking, discussing, challenging- ahhh! I heart my class.
- Speaking of class, we are moving along in our persuasive pieces. My students are on their way to some wonderful letters, essays, and editorials. I know that they are excited to send their thoughts, ideas, and opinions to the audiences they want to address.
Our conferring moments have been in this midst of change.... they are starting to take more and more responsibility for what they are writing and what others are doing. Today one of treasures kindly poked her little head in and stated, "Mrs. B-Can I talk with ------ after you are done. I think that I have some ideas for her that might help." Well, la de da and slap my grandma! My little writer! After I was done they went and conferred with each other. Melt my heart.....
- As the year trickles to an end and it wraps around my heart like a thick piece of metal, I start to become very, very, very sad. I have loved these treasures for TWO YEARS!! TWO YEARS of very hard work! Two years of loving them like they were my own! TWO YEARS is a long time for goodness sake! It will be hard for me... it already is. I look at them- laugh with them- cry with them- talk with them. *sigh* Did I tell you I heart my class?
- I am currently working on a present for them- I have been practicing hand stamped jewelery.
It is the most beautiful and unique thing that I have done in a long time. I have thought about a word that matches each one of my students personality. Each student will get a letter explaining why I picked that word for them, and why they were important to me. What I am hoping to do is to stamp that word on a silver disc or silver dog tag. HOWEVER, do you know how hard it is to find 28 silver discs or dog tags that a teacher can afford???? If anyone knows of anyone who has these supplies, please send them my way!
- I am reading the Twilight books- Yes I admit it.... I love Edward and want to be his vampire woman. Seriously, I would even take Jacob and be his werewolf lady. Love the books and find that I am up WAY TOO LATE reading it!
- I have found a wonderful professional book by Jennifer Serravallo & Gravity (love her name) Goldberg. It is entitled, Conferring with Readers: Supporting Each Student's Growth & Independence. I was lucky enough to hear Jennifer speak while in New York and told myself if anything else, I am so buying this book (great purchase). Thanks Jennifer and Gravity, your book rocks! Not only does it have great ideas that anyone can use, but it also validates everything that I am doing in my room and want for my treasures. Very reassuring to read and know that yes, I am doing something good in this teaching life.
- I am just being a mom. Caught in the taxi mode... my little diva and her dance and my big guy-guy and baseball. I love watching them and supporting them in what they love to do- it is wonderful to see.
We met with my son's teacher for conferences today. He is a good boy who loves school and loves learning. Being a teacher doesn't make is easier to go to these conference days you know! It still makes my stomach a mess and my head hurt. I want so badly for my children to be what I wasn't in school. To soak up learning and to have teachers who loved them for being, well, them.
My son and daughter did have those teachers this year- those individuals who loved them for all of what was wonderful about their little personalities and still loved them for everything that they haven't yet become. If anything, it has taught me to be A PROACTIVE PARENT! To ask questions, to hunt for the best of the best and demand that my child be apart of that community. My children are worth that fight- they are worth those demands, and I won't sit by and watch my little ones stuck in just the middle-of-the-road kind of teacher! They got the best this year, and it has paid off! Thanks Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Biebrich.... you are loved more than you will every know!
WHEW! Life of a mom/wife/sister/daughter/friend/teacher girl!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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