I'd like to thank the Academy...

FOREVER ago, sweet Holly gave my blog quite the honor, the Liebster and Sunshine Awards.  

The Liebster is really just a way to get to know small bloggers.  Liebster, in German, means endearing, valued, lovely, etc. The Sunshine Award is similar to the Liebster Award in the sense that you get to know small bloggers, but bloggers are nominated if someone feels that your blog brings a little more happiness into the world and you positively inspire others. 



 


I am so touched because I really love reading Holly's blog, Finding My Everyday Happy.  In it, she writes with such honesty about living and teaching with OCD and Anxiety.  Holly is an incredible teacher who blesses our ESL kiddos (and me!) in big ways every day. 

Liebster Award and Sunshine Awards Rules:

1. Tell us 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the questions that the tagger has asked of you.

3. Create 12 questions for those you want to nominate

4. Choose bloggers give this award to and link them in your post. This one I have seen people do many different numbers. Some nominate 5 people. Others nominate 11. You can see what I did below!

5. Go to their blog and let them know they've been nominated.

6. You may not nominate the person who nominated you.

So FINALLY, here is my response to Holly's questions! 

Eleven facts about me:
1. I consider my most embarrasing moment throwing up on the bus in seventh grade. All down the aisle.
2. I love, love, love lists, organization, planners, etc. I doubt there is a single person who knows me well that would be surprised by this statement.
3. My New Year's resolution was to learn how to make macarons.  I have only attempted it once, with much guidance and little success.  But the study of macaron eating baking has been a ton of fun.
4. One of my favorite movies of all time is Jurassic Park.
5. When I was little I wanted to have a different job every day of the week: dolphin trainer, skydiver, ballerina, teacher, and mom.
6. I have been skydiving (after deciding the night before to go) and would love to do it again.
7.  I have been white water rafting, spelunking, rappelling, and have run two marathons, but I still consider myself a wuss when it comes to sports. I hate jump roping and dodgeball. I am always the last girl standing there with all the balls on her side who is afraid to throw them because the boys will catch it and she will be out.
8. I have both my undergrad degree and masters from Miami University.  Man, I love that place.
9. I am getting married on Valentine's Day.  It's always been one of my favorite days of the year, even when I was a single gal.
10. With the exception of my first few months of life, I have always lived in Ohio.  When I was born, my parents lived in Michigan.
11. My sister and cousins and I have a secret language.  You can ask about it, but you will probably think I'm real weird (as if you don't already) when I explain it.


Here are the questions Holly asked me to answer.

1. What is your favorite go-to meal? Chicken and broccoli.  Or Chipotle.  
2. If you had a day to yourself, how would you spend it?  Waking up to coffee and a good book, going for a run, getting lunch with a group of friends, working in my garden, and maybe read some more by the pool.  Or going shopping!  
3. If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? This one is all of a sudden really hard... let's go with quirky, positive, and organized.  
4. What is one goal you have for the next month? Get my classroom ready.  
5. Why did you start blogging? Honestly?  I wanted a free pencil sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies.  Ha ha!  Plus it helps me keep track of resources I have used and ideas.  And it's a great way to be a more reflective teacher.  
6. What is your favorite aspect about your chosen profession or something enjoy doing with your life? I love getting to be the first one to introduce students to a new idea, author, time period, etc.  It's so fun actually seeing those light bulbs go off and know I had a hand in it!  And I could hang out with 10-year-olds all day long.  They are my people.
7. If you could learn any language in the world, what would it be and why?  Hmm, maybe Spanish or Chinese because they seem so practical.  But really, I don't know when I would use them.  
8. If you won a dream vacation of your choice, where would you go?  Probably Australia and New Zealand.   
9. What are you reading/listening to right now? Do you have a favorite quote or lyric? I just started reading The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan.  Holly loaned it to me.  Her writing style is so fresh and memorable.  It's really been sticking with me.  
10. What is your best memory from the past week? Laughing with my fiance Brian.  
11. Is there anything that you dream of doing in your life? A must on your "life to do list"? I want to write a children's book.  
12. What are you grateful for today? Colleagues who inspire me. (I'm teaching a class this week and next for the Ohio Writing Project and there are some awesome teachers from all over the area in it!)

So here are my nominees!

My nominees for the Sunshine award are:
1. Liz at Life in Projects.  I love seeing what she's up to... it's always something new.
2. Lisa at Making Home Homemade.  She is a dear friend and talented designer.

My nominees for the Liebster award are:
1. Kathleen (my sister) at Presbydestrian: Presbyterianism on the Ground.  Her writing is just so dang fun to read.  Where'd she get all that talent?!
2. Janelle at Simply Love.  Her photography is amazing.  And I want to go to every one of the parties she has thrown.  It's been fun to reconnect with her (we were in the same undergrad education cohort) via blogging.
3. Chelsea at Endeavors of Innovative Teaching.  She is brand-spanking new at blogging and I am so excited to read more!



So those of you nominated should (if you would like to--please feel no obligation!!):
1) Link back to my blog
2) answer the questions below
3) nominate others for the award(s) you were nominated
4) write 12 questions that each has to answer.

1. What does your name mean?  What does it mean to you?  
2. What was the last thing you bought?  
3. What is your favorite summertime (or anytime) snack?  
4. What new skill do you wish you could learn?  
5. Why did you start blogging? (stole this one from Holly, but I really love it!)  
6. What is one of your favorite pieces of jewelry?  Why?  
7. What was your dream job when you were 10?  
8. What is your favorite hair or beauty product?  
9. What is your favorite font?  
10. What physical feature do you like best about yourself?  
11. What was your favorite book when you were a kid?  
12. What are you grateful for today? (Another one stolen from Holly)

Have fun, ladies!  Can't wait to read your responses!

Writing Prompts

This week I am teaching a class for the Ohio Writing Project on content-area literacy (more on that later).  I just love the energy I get from an OWP class.  It's such a wonderful time of thinking and reflecting and re-energizing my teaching.

One of the added bonuses (and a core tenet of the National Writing Project) is time for my own writing!  Here are some prompts that have been inspiring me to write:

 And my own "Guarding your Benches" prompt.

In my classroom, I have a bin full of prompts generated by students over the years from our writing marathons.

I hope you've found time for some writing this summer!

The Hardest Part of Teaching

Just read this powerful article from Peter Greene called, "The Hard Part."  Definitely worth a read, but here was the most powerful part for me:

Teaching is like painting a huge Victorian mansion. And you don't actually have enough paint. And when you get to some sections of the house it turns out the wood is a little rotten or not ready for the paint. And about every hour some supervisor comes around and asks you to get down off the ladder and explain why you aren't making faster progress. And some days the weather is terrible. So it takes all your art and skill and experience to do a job where the house still ends up looking good.

Here's to the amazing teachers I know who are giving all they can to make that house look good :)  You inspire me!

Summer Book Purchases

A few weeks ago I was at the Eric Carle Picture Book Museum in Amherst Massachusetts (AKA the BEST gift shop/bookstore ever).  I can never get out of there without buying at least a few new books.

This year I walked out with signed copies of two books I can't WAIT to use for our regions unit, both by Diane Siebert.

The first is Sierra.

The second is Heartland.  Both have beautiful illustrations and lovely, poetic text with great details!  They're just begging to be a mentor text!

 

I have Mojave already, so I'm excited to add more to my collection.

I added Mississippi to my wishlist!

Another great one for your consideration is Tour America: A Journey through Poems and Art, perfect for a regions study!

Guest Blogger Bette: OWP Take-Aways

I have hit the guest blogger jackpot! Chelsea was talking up my blog and another awesome Ohio Writing Project colleague asked to share her summer take-aways....uh, heck yeah! So without further ado, I will let Bette introduce herself! Thanks again, Bette (and Chelsea!)

Hi, my name is Bette Williams. I am a kindergarten teacher at Bogan Elementary. I have taught kindergarten for 15 years. I really enjoy writing activities in my classroom and try to combine the activity with a craft for a culminating activity as often as possible. I am currently in the Ohio Writer's Project 4 week summer session where I have met some amazing teachers and have been getting great ideas to  include in my writer's workshop this school year. Here are my thoughts for a kindergarten character study.

What you need: 

-Several different versions of the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears such as: Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks by Nancy Loewen.

 

 

-A character web of Goldilocks using the traditional story.

-Several colors of construction paper, tissue paper, googly eyes , markers and glue.

1. Read the traditional story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Fill out the character web together as a class, brainstorming ideas as students copy responses onto individual papers (you can do this as a class, depending upon the time of year and student ability).

2. Read Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks by Nancy Loewen.This story is a modern version of Goldilocks. She takes a dare from Red Riding Hood to visit the bears home while they are away. The kids will love how Goldilocks uses  her cell phone to take pictures as proof of her adventure. Discuss the difference in this view point. How is Goldilocks the same/different? 

3. Again brainstorm ideas for a character web of Goldilocks. How is this character web different? How is it the same?

4. Create a Goldilocks using the supplies listed above. Goldilocks should match the character web created. Is she a traditional Goldilocks or does she look more modern? Let the kids really experiment with this project. I have the basic shapes available, arms, legs, head and a trapezoid for the body. Students can change the body shape , and skin color, and add googly eyes.

Other books your students may enjoy:

 

Beware the Bears by Alan MacDonald

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett

Yours Truly, Goldilocks by Alma Flor Ada (this text works for letter writing and is a great book to pair with upper class buddies. For example my class works with a third grade classroom.)

Common Core: I can statements

K.RL.1    I can ask and answer questions about what was read.

K.RL.2    I can retell a story.

K.RL.3    I can name the characters , setting , and events in a story.

K.RL.9    I can compare characters and events from different stories.

K.RI.9     I can compare two stories

Guest Blogger Chelsea: OWP Poetry Take-Aways

Back by popular demand (okay, she actually asked if she could write something for me...even better!), I have a post for you today from the one and only Chelsea Wirtz.  

Chelsea wrote a great post for me a few months ago (has it been THAT long?!) using Screencast on Exploding the Moment that you should check out here along with an introduction to Mrs. Wirtz too.  I'm so glad she's drinking the OWP Kool-Aid and can't wait to steal hear more of the great ideas she has worked on this summer!  Be sure to check out hew new blog here.

When I thought about going back to school for my Master’s degree, (after not being a students for four years!!) the idea of joining a program and adding yet another thing to my plate was exciting, stressful, and yes, overwhelming.  Many friends (including Amy!) suggested that I try an Ohio Writing Project class to see if it might be something I’d be interested in.  I took an OWP weekend workshop in February called "Revision and Reflection."  Needless to say, I was instantly hooked.  When the workshop ended on Sunday afternoon, I left with a plethora of resources that I could use in my very own classroom.  This was the first class that I had ever attended where I didn’t feel like I was just completing busy work.  I knew that OWP’s courses would help me become a better teacher. 

Lucky for me, OWP offers of Master of Arts in Teaching in English program, in which you earn a Master’s degree through their courses and research.  The first step to this program is to complete OWP’s four-week class, a workshop called "Teaching of Writing."  Throughout the past four weeks, I’ve met some phenomenal teachers, made some friendships that I know will last a lifetime, and gained a variety of ideas that I plan to implement in my own classroom. 

Although this summer seems to be sneaking away quickly before my very own eyes, I’m excited to try some of the great ideas my friends have given me.  I’m truly inspired to spice things up!

This year, I plan to teach poetry at the beginning of the year as a personal writing unit.  In my experience, 5^th graders are hesitant to write poetry, but through Love That Dog by Sharon Creech, they gain an appreciation and love for poetry.  My goal is to deepen this love.  During my OWP four-week experience, I gained some insight that I’m excited to share with all of the poetry-loving teachers out there!  Below are my top three favorite ideas that I’m excited to try out in just a few short months!

1. This I Believe

The This I believe project is one that awakens the heart and observes who each participant is individually.  According to www.NPR.org, “During its four-year run on NPR, This I Believe engaged listeners in a discussion of the core beliefs that guide their daily lives.  [NPR] heard from people of all walks of life – the very young and the very old, the famous and the previously unknown.”  What better way the start the year off by asking your students what they believe.  How many opportunities do children get to tell others what’s most important to them?  This is an excellent way to get your students thinking about what makes them unique, and I’m quite sure that you will instantly learn a great deal about your kids by the end of this activity. 

You might start this activity by showing students an example for inspiration.  For his 100^th day of school Tarak Mclain, a seven year old from Austin Texas, chose to write 100 This I believe statements.  Listen to Tarak read thirty of his statements using this link: Tarak Mclain

After hearing Tarak’s ideas, have students create a list of This I believe statements in their Writer’s Notebook.  You can specify a number, if you wish, or have students write as many as they can think of.  Have students choose their top ideas to form a This I Believe poem. 

This I Believe by Chelsea Wirtz

I believe in exceptions to the rule.

I believe in compromises.

I believe in laughter and fun.

I believe in the motto “everything happens for a reason”

I believe in making the most of each day.

I believe in being thankful for what I have.

I believe in giving back to my community.

I believe in thinking of others before myself.

I believe in saying “I love you” before I hang up the phone or leave for the day.

I believe in walking in someone else’s shoes before reacting.

I believe in second chances.

I believe in getting to know new people.

I believe in “it’s okay to be different."

I believe in the motto “God will only give you when you can handle."

I believe in kindness.

I believe in “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Another great way to incorporate this activity into your classroom is to have students write statements about which rules they think should be applied to the classroom.  This would be an excellent way to create a “classroom constitution”.   

2. 6 Word Memoirs

This activity is one that would be fantastic to use to get kids to START writing, especially at the beginning of the year!  I mean hey, you only have to write six words!  Easy, right?

 The idea of a 6 Word Memoir is to tell a story in just six words.  If you try this out on your own, you may realize that it’s probably harder than you initially expected. 

Examples of 6 Word Memoirs:

·         Going back to school is difficult.

·         Who knew I was still shy?

·         Huge weight is off my shoulders.

·         Some people need to open up.

·         Classroom community makes the room exciting.

This would definitely lead to some fascinating stories that I’m sure your students would be excited to expand on in their Writer’s Notebook!    

Visit http://www.sixwordmemoirs.com/ to see how your students can post their memoirs on the official 6 Word Memoir site!

3. Class Symphony

For this poem, students will choose their favorite song.  Encourage students to not only consider the most popular songs that are currently playing, but songs that also have a deeper meaning to them personally. 

Then, have the kids write their favorite line(s) on a sheet of paper or a sentence strip.  Post the lyrics on a bulletin board or wall, and there you go – you have your very own class symphony.  It’s amazing how beautiful the words to the many different songs sound when you read them together as one.

I hope you can use these ideas to build a safe and fun writing community for your kiddos!  Happy writing!

-Chelsea

Rest in Peace, Mr. Walter Dean Myers

Did you hear that beloved author Walter Dean Myers passed away yesterday??  I am so sad to lose this great author and poet!

Any teacher who has read Love That Dog no doubt feels a strong connection to this sweet and talented man.  I will forever think of his sense of humor during this reader's theatre performance of the book.

For those not as familiar with his work, in his career spanning over 45 years, Walter Dean Myers wrote more than 100 books for children of all ages. His impressive body of work includes two Newbery Honor Books, three National Book Award Finalists, and six Coretta Scott King Award/Honor-winning books, among MANY other honors, especially for his work representing African American boys in young adult literature. I highly recommend you honor him by picking up any of the following.

 

More info, including a short obituary can be found at his website.

Rest in peace, Mr. Walter Dean Myers.