The Other Side

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life.  Read more slices or add you own here.

Twenty-three years ago we built our house next to my in-laws on a dead end street. At that time we were surrounded by elderly people.  As we had children and as they grew up, they would visit our neighbors. There was Jan across the street, Pat and Lee behind us, and Glen on the corner. I am sure our children brought each of them a little smile and a daily dose of sunshine.

Some of the neighbors have passed on while others have moved closer to their own children due to health reasons.  Our neighborhood has changed dynamics.  We now have five year old Lizzie behind us, two year old Courtney on the corner, seven year old Lane and the newest kids, Zoe and Sam across the street.  New children have arrived to provide the smiles and sunshine.

And we have become the "old" neighbors.  

Now, Courtney, while running barefoot in the grass, waves to Dave as he rides his bike up the path.  Lizzie brings us cherry tomatoes from her garden and "baby" pine cones from under the hemlock tree.  Lane draws us pictures for the refrigerator and "works" with Dave in the yard, and Zoe and Sam create and play in imaginary places on our bridge in the ditch.

Maybe being on the other side is not so bad after all.

Celebrate Turn #26

Each week Ruth Ayres extends an invitation to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week.

When I chose my OLW - turn, I knew my life would be full of turns this year.  I have had to take an extended break from blogging because all of my extra time and energy needed to go toward my family.  So, although I have not celebrated through my words, I have celebrated with you in spirit and through my heart.

I have come to the point in parenting where a kiss and a bandaid no longer make things better.  And realizing this has been very hard.  I have mentioned that my daughter is a first year teacher.  Her road has been anything but smooth.

This week she and I sat and watched The Voice together.  There were no tears, no frustration, no lesson plans, and no emails.  Only smiles, laughter, and a bowl of popcorn between us.  That might seem small to many, for us it was huge.  It has been a long time since we have had a moment like that.

That night after I took my shower and came out of the bathroom, the house was dark and everyone was in bed.  I sat on the couch and listened to the rhythmic breathing of my life. Sitting in the dark living room with only the nightlight illuminating the room, I smiled and tried to hold back the tears.  All was well, even if it was just for one small moment.

When we are going through the hard parts of life, we wonder if we will ever get through them.  When we are going through the easy parts, we don't want them to end. But I know that both parts are necessary and both parts need to be celebrated.  

I don't have a specific celebration this week like I usually do.

I am just celebrating...

the hard and the easy

the smiles and the tears

the past and the present.

And for now, that is enough for me.

Have a great week and may you find many celebrations along the way.

Taking Responsibility

Two years ago when I was observed by an administrator, I received an ineffective mark on a classroom management category due to the behavior and talking out by one particular student.  This student was one of those who made me want to pull my hair out and question my decision to become a teacher and at the same time, reminded me of why I did.

I argued the evaluation, pleaded my case, and reminded my administrator of the progress Dante had made that year due to the interventions I put into place.  I was told that I was ultimately responsible for my students' behavior in my classroom.  Although I disagreed, I accepted it and moved on.

Because I switched grade levels last year, I had the privilege of having Dante as a student again.  I have to admit, this was not something I was looking forward to, but what a joy it was to have him for the second time.  He has made so much progress, and I could see the caring, young man Dante has become.  He has a heart of gold.  And if I ever need anyone to save me or to stick up for me, Dante would be first in line.

When I had Dante read this and asked for
permission to publish this post, he got a little teary-eyed.

This year he is an office cadet and frequently delivers messages to me.  The first day that he came to my room, he stood at my door, smiled, and said, "How is my favorite teacher of all time?"  Then he came in and gave me a hug.  Believe me when I say, he would not have said this two years ago.

Looking back on that evaluation, I know I cannot possibly be responsible for our students' behaviors, but we can be responsible for those relationships.  Those relationships that make a difference.

I am proud to have that ineffective on my evaluation because it reminds me that relationships do matter.  It reminds me of Dante and all the other future students I will have who need someone to believe in them.  I know I gave him all I had, and I believe it has made a difference in his life.

And I will gladly take full responsibility for that.

Turns

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life.  Read more slices or add you own here.

It has been over a month since I have written a slice.  

Many reasons.

Experiencing...

        the life turns of parenting young adult children.

Questioning...

     what to do when a kiss and a bandaid no longer make things "all better."

Remembering...

     to breathe when it seems that every breath I take is momentarlily held

Releasing...

     tears...mine...theirs...ours

Praying...

     that through hard turns we become stronger.

Celebrate Turn #25

Each week Ruth Ayres extends an invitation to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week.

Today I celebrate "those moments."

My daughter has been on a roller coaster these last two weeks.  And I don't mean the exhilarating raise your hands in the air and scream with excitement thriller rides.

I mean the one with jerky turns that smash you against the sides and where you are holding on for dear life and wondering when and if this nightmare is ever going to end.

She started her first year of teaching.  I am sure you all remember it well.  But sitting on the sidelines and watching as a mother has left me emotionally drained.  I leave my school literally sick to my stomach because I am so worried about what state of mind Megan will be in when she comes home.  I look at her face when she walks through the door, and I know what kind of day it was...again.

But this week we had a breakthrough.

She has a student who is making her day tough.  She spent hours creating behavior interventions to put into place for this student.  She talked to the special ed teacher, who was also her student teaching cooperating teacher, and she thought it looked like a good plan.

One day this week she came home with a different look on her face.  I didn't ask about her day; I waited for her to tell me.

And she did.  And she had that look we have all experienced.  She told me her interventions worked and the class had a wonderful day.

I said to her while holding back tears, "Now you know how it feels to believe you have made a difference.  You have to celebrate this moment and hold on to it tight.  Because these are the moments that are going to get you through."

I know she is going to make it through this difficult first year.  We all made it by holding on to those moments when we knew why we decided to become teachers.  I know she will too.

Today I celebrate "those moments."

Have a great week and may you find many celebrations along the way.

Celebrate Turn #24

Each week Ruth Ayres extends an invitation to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week.

Today I celebrate the first day of school.

There is nothing like the first day school ~ the excitement AND all the chaos that accompanies it!

We started school this week, and looking at the first two days, I think it will be a great year. Two years ago I moved from 4th to 6th, which means I have many of the same students I had during my last year at 4th grade.  That class holds a special place in my heart, and I am excited to share a classroom with them again.

Here they are together as 4th graders ~ my how they have changed!

It was also the first day of school for Megan, my daughter! Here we are on our teacher day...and no, we had no idea what the other one was going to wear!

To those of you returning to school this week ~ I celebrate your first day.  May you have a wonderful year with your new students and as always, may you find many celebrations along the way!

Today I celebrate the first day of school.

An Unplanned Book Talk

Today was my first day of school.  Our periods were shortened, each one only 25 minutes, due to teaching school-wide behavior expectations.  I did not have any book talks planned because I did not think I would have time.

After I taught the lesson, I found myself with a few extra minutes to spare.  As any prepared teacher would do, I pulled something out of my "bag of tricks."  Our first unit is Making Choices, so I had prepared ahead of time a stack of cards with some "would you rather" questions.

I asked a student to pull one out and to read it.

"Would you rather know the future or be able to fly."

As they turned and talked about their choices, I immediately thought about the book, All the Answers by Kate Messner.  The main character in the book finds a pencil, and it gives her a glimpse of what it might be like to know the future.

Perfect tie-in to the book!  Instant book talk.

I immediately went to my bookshelf, pulled the book, and talked it up.  I knew they were hooked when many of them asked, "Oh, can I read that one first?"

I love it when I stumble upon a book talk.

A Letter to a First Year Teacher

My daughter's first day of school is tomorrow.  She will be in the third grade...as a teacher.

Today, I offer some words to not only her, but to all new teachers.

Dear Megan,

I know you are experiencing many different feelings tonight as you think about your first day of school tomorrow as a first year teacher.  You are excited, nervous, scared and probably every feeling in between.

As you open your door and your heart to your students, I want you to remember three things.

Relationships matter.  These first few days and weeks you will spend time teaching classroom rules, procedures, and behavior expectations.  You will plan lessons with student-friendly objectives which meet your state standards. But none of these mean a thing if you do not build those relationships first.  Student learning will not occur without a meaningful relationship with you, their teacher.  Each child needs to know they matter.

Your students have names.  Many people will tell you your students are a number, a test score, a reading level, and even a label.  But they are your students first and foremost.  Don't let the educational culture get in the way of your passion for teaching or the reason why you are there.  Look at that class list and remember Jaxon and Brooklyn and Alexis and Zach and...

It is not going to be easy.  Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions, but also one of the most difficult.  You will come home frustrated, exhausted, and some days even in tears.  I will help you pick up the pieces because that's what moms do, but I will also tell you to hold on to the memories that will become permanently etched in your heart.  

Those smiles when the lightbulb comes on.  

The high fives when they finally "get it."  

The hugs you freely give because you know they don't get one at home.

The time you spend together reading books like Charlotte's Web and The One and Only Ivan.

The stories they write which will make you laugh and will even break your heart.  

Hold on to these and remember why you became a teacher in the first place.  Not everyone receives the privilege of going to work everyday and making a difference in the life of a child.

You do.

I am proud to call you my daughter, and now honored to call you a colleague. 

Love, 
Mom

Celebrate Turn #23

Each week Ruth Ayres extends an invitation to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week.

Today I celebrate little love!

This past week my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.  Twenty-five years ago we eloped.  Click here to read the story about My Elopement Day.

The funny thing is, we both forgot about it being our anniversary.  I think summer has gone by so fast they we both didn't realize the end of the month was upon us.

But this is characteristic of our life together.  We don't need special days, big celebrations, or any other type of pomp and circumstance.  We have little love.

Little love is helping out without asking or without expecting.

It's knowing I am taken care of and knowing he is proud of that.

It's looking at our children and seeing a part of him, a part of me, knowing that our love will be carried on.

It's sitting together without saying a word, yet finding comfort in the silence.

Little love is simple love.  And that is all I need.

simple people
simple ceremony
simple bands

simple love

...simply forever

Today I celebrate little love.

Have a super week and may you find little celebrations along the way.

Celebrate Turn #22

Each week Ruth Ayres extends an invitation to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week.

Today I celebrate new teachers.

I consider myself lucky because I get to relive the excitement felt by new teachers, although vicariously through my daughter.  I have not seen her much this week because she has been working almost everyday, all day, in her new third grade classroom.

But I do get to see that new teacher excitement of... 

• new supplies of crayons, markers, and notebooks
• bulletin board ideas coming to life
• libraires reorganized
• pencil caddies full of pencils, sharpened and ready to go
• desks arranged and rearranged and rearranged again trying to find the perfect spot
• empty lesson plan books ready to be filled with wonderful ideas

And I am loving every minute of it!

Yes, Megan is a member of camp give-them-a-pencil!

Today I celebrate new teachers who give me hope that teaching is still a desired and fulfilling profession. 

Have a great week and may you find many celebrations along the way!

My Little Book Box

Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place to share our Slice of Life.  Read more slices or add you own here.

I have realized the older I get, the more I forget.  This has been especially true when it comes to remembering books I have read.  I am sure some of it is age, but I think the number of books I read also contributes to this problem.  

I knew I wanted to add more book talks this year in my classroom.  After reading about one minute book talks in Kelly Hallagher's new book, In the Best Interest of Students, I knew this was something I wanted to include.  Not remembering what books are about makes this idea difficult.  

Thinking about a possible solution, I knew I needed to start recording what I read, and I wanted something I could access easily.  I knew I did not want a binder; it would be too clunky.  I knew I did not want something digital; it could have technological problems when I need to access it.

I decided on a box.  A simple file card box.  

For each book I read, I will write a short book "commercial" or a quick note that I want to read to students and file it my box.  When it is time for a one minute book talk, I simply find the card and~voila~ I can "remember" what the book is about!  This will also be beneficial when students come and ask me about a book.  Instead of saying I have read it, but I don't remember it, I can simply grab the card and read it to them or let them read the card themselves.

Each card will have the title, the author, a very short summary about the book, a reference to a part I want to read in the book, and other books by the same author.  I also wrote the genre in the top right hand corner so I know where the book is located in my classroom library.

Hopefully this is a simple thing that will help me remember, because unfortunately, I am not getting any younger and I do not plan to stop reading any time soon.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers cohost It's Monday! What Are You Reading?  Be sure and stop by to participate or see what others are reading and recommending this week.

What I Have Read Lately

The Last Best Days of Summer by Valerie Hobbs

This is a book about growing up, growing old, and growing different. I have to admit I was a little skeptical about how the author could bring together a middle school girl who wants to be popular, a grandmother with the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, and a boy with Downs Syndrome. But Hobbs creates a beautiful story connecting the lives of these three characters through a lesson about centering - that place to go to when you want to do the right thing.

Masterminds by Gordon Korman

This book was amazing.  It will probably end up being my favorite read of the summer and maybe even the year - it was that good.  It is classic Korman in that it is a page-turning adventure.  But his twist in the plot is what makes it "masterful!"  I cannot tell you about it because it would ruin the surprise - so you will just have to read it for yourself!

How to Outswim a Shark without a Snorkel by Jess Keating

This is the second book in the series, My Life is a Zoo.  I love the main character, Ana, for her spunk and her curiosity about growing up.  I see so many of my students in her.  I read this book after I heard Kate Roberts speak at All Write.  This was the first book in which I used some of Kate's ideas about writing about reading.  I found it very interesting that I was able to write long about something deep from a fun book.  This will be an excellent lesson for me when we return to school.

Fort by Cynthia DeFelice

Fort is a coming-of-age story about two friends who...build a fort...for the summer.  But at the same time, they get revenge on bullies who make fun of a boy with Autism and find an unexpected friend.  This is a perfect read for those students who think they do not like to read, especially boys.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

I was one of the lucky people who received an ARC from nErDcamp in Michigan last week.  This book was everything people said it would be.  It is a story of a boy who has an imaginary friend, Crenshaw, who seems to appear when Jackson needs him most.  This book is due out in September and is one you and your students will want to read.

Currently Reading

The writing in this book is beautiful.  So many lines I wanted to highlight and return to read again.

On Deck

Celebrate Turn #21

Each week Ruth Ayres extends an invitation to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week. 

Today I celebrate pencils.

Some of you may think this is an odd celebration.  I would too, if I hadn't heard Ruth's presentation at nErDcamp in Michigan this week.

I know I can never adequately summarize her presentation.  Because I was hanging on her every word, I did not take great notes.  So just let me tell you about my take-away from her session.

My teaching team has two different views on what to do when students come to class without a pencil.  Some think we are not teaching students to be responsible if we constantly give a pencil to students who come to class without one. Some teachers do not want to continuously replenish their stock of pencils because they have given students all of their supply.

Then others think, how are they supposed to do the work if they do not have a pencil.

I have always belonged to camp "give them a pencil."  Now after hearing Ruth's presentation, I still have the belief but with a different perspective.

Ruth explained that students' basic needs to be met before creativity, or specifically writing, can happen.  She showed a jar of colored pencils which represented  their many different stories, unique stories full of color which need to be written.

She then had us list behaviors we see when students do not want to write.  For example, staring out the window, fake writing, erasing everything they wrote because it was not perfect, and not having a pencil.  She wrote each one of these behaviors on a piece of tape and slowly began placing them on the jar so that we could no longer see their "stories."

Ruth then explained that these behaviors can represent an unmet need, a need we may never know about or a need we choose to ignore.

These behaviors cover up the stories which reside inside of them - the stories they may never write and we may never read.

If we can recognize this behavior, we can change our reaction.  

When we change our reaction, we give them hope.

Think about your reactions when a student does not have a pencil.  Maybe now you understand why...

Today I celebrate pencils.

Just for clarification...these are words from Ruth's presentation.  I in no way want to be given credit for them.  This post is validation and celebration that I am doing the right thing by giving students pencils.

What Kind of Teacher Am I?

This is a series of blog posts I hope to write over the summer to reflect on my first year as a 6th grade middle school language arts teacher.  Donalyn Miller said this week at nErDcampMI, teachers need to be reflective.  This is my attempt. 

I went to this UNconference with my teacher-friend, Kristen.  It was a six hour drive, so we had a lot of time for our own "car PD."  We talked about new ideas we wanted to add, changes we wanted to make, and basically tried to solve the world's educational problems.

During one of our conversations, we talked about the teachers who kids do not want to have.  I looked at her and said, "I don't ever want to be the teacher who kids don't want."

I have been thinking about this since our discussion.  I do not need to be the cool teacher.  I mean, I am 50+ years old for crying out loud.  Nobody's cool at 50 in the eyes of a middle schooler.

I do not have to be liked.  The world is full of people we do not like, but we all must learn to get along.

I began to think about what I want students to remember about me and the time they spent in my classroom.

She...

helped me when I was confused and 

celebrated when I finally understood

pushed me when I needed challenged and

smiled when I pushed myself 

respected me when my behavior didn't meet her expectation and

praised me when I did it right

avoided overusing the red pen and

gave me positive feedback when I wrote something well

understood when I didn't have time to read and

handed me a book that was "just for me" when I needed one

but most of all...

she cared about me when I felt no one else did

Celebrate Turn #20

Each week Ruth Ayres extends an invitation to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week. 

Today I celebrate turns...

which also happens to be my one little word this year.

I celebrate the the two year anniversary of this space, my blog.  My first official post was in April of 2013, but I did not start writing regularly until July.  When I think about how this space has turned my teaching life around, I am amazed.  The connections I have made, the lessons I have learned, and the confidence I now have as a person who writes, are all wrapped up in this little space.  

Unfortunately, this space can steal much of my time and control many of my thoughts.  Because of that, I decided I needed to unplug for awhile.  I spent a few weeks away from social media so that I could take my turn.  I finally got into a routine of walking and eating better which was the reason for choosing my OLW.  Read that story here.  I feel better, and the best part is - I do not feel guilty.  

This was also the year for life turns.  I have written before that both of my kids graduated this year.  Last week my daughter officially received her teaching license and will be teaching third grade this fall, and my son registered for classes at our local university.  It has been a proud parent week!

When fall arrives, it will be another time for turns as they each discover their new paths and try to find their way.  It is not easy as a parent to stand back and watch or to let them go, but I guess that is why we give them roots and wings - to make it on their own, but to remember from where they came.

Where am I headed

along this path 

called life

twisting,

turning,

tumbling,

finding my way

one day at a time

Today I celebrate turns.

Have a great July 4th weekend and may you find many celebrations along the way.

Does Your Classroom Show What You Value?

This is a series of blog posts I hope to write over the summer to reflect on my first year as a 6th grade middle school language arts teacher.  Teaching is hard.  Reflecting on teaching is even harder.  Reflecting points out my mistakes and flaws, but encourages change; it highlights my successes, yet motivates me to become better.

Does your classroom show what you value?

Last winter my principal came into my classroom with a consultant for our middle and high schools.  When my principal introduced us, he said, "Can you tell she likes books?"

He could not have paid me a higher compliment.  I want people to enter my classroom and immediately know what I value.  But what else does my classroom say about me?  

I value books and reading.  I have a rather large classroom library, and I display books everywhere.  I share my own reading life with my students by displaying books I have read and what I am currently reading on our classroom door.  Reading is who I am.

I value talk and collaboration.  I have my desks in pods or groups, not in rows.  I use turn and talk many times throughout my lessons and class discussions, and I think arranging my room this way invites talk.  This is important to me.

I value visible student thinking.  I use anchor charts, not store-bought educational charts, to build a literacy culture.  I use anchor charts to record the content and strategies I am teaching and the processes of student thinking.  Anchor charts keep current learning accessible to students and provide an anchor for new learning.  Because anchor charts are created by students, they have more ownership in their learning.  My anchor charts are my classroom wallpaper.

As I start to set up my classroom for next year, I want to look at it with new eyes.  I want to see if my classroom really shows what I value.  If I walked in your classroom, what would I see?  What do you value?