For the past several years, I have written, instead of resolutions, intentions. In my previous post, I spent some time reflecting on my completion...or lack thereof...of 2015's Intentions. While I did not complete hardly any to extent to which I had hoped, I have few regrets.
Now, to look forward on this last evening in 2015 to 16 Intentions...and in no certain order...:
For several years now, I have participated in the My One Word Challenge: quiet, peace, fit, smile, completer. These words have had powerful impacts on my life, never wanting to leave any of these words behind. Thus, after a few days contemplation and after having read several pages of Beth Moore's new book Audacious, the word that has chosen me for 2016 is all. More about this word choice to be found here at My Prayer Walk. My intention here focuses more on all people...honestly, I am not sure where I plan to go with this word. 2016 will tell the story of this word. Yes, all the story.
Read. In the previous years, I have focused on reading more...and I do want to read more. More fiction. More nonfiction. Just more. Or I may read less and focus on the content within each more. Here, you may see where my Intention to Read may lead, for I am gathering and listing the challenges and books for my books clubs that I hope to delve within the pages of the many journeys each will encourage.
Become more involved in my professional memberships. Currently, I enjoy presenting and increasing my activity within the Arkansas Reading Association (also serve as secretary for our local reading council) and the Arkansas Teachers for National Board Certification. I hope to be able to write much more about this soon, for these professional organizations remind me of who I was, who I truly am, and who I hope to be.
Enjoy time with My Daughter. Sixteen...and going on much older than I want her to be!...she will be a senior next year, and this Christmas Break has given me the time to peacefully accept that I want that year with her, for I had been contemplating sending out my resume. The Girl has had four heart surgeries, and if I know one thing, we are not promised tomorrow. Therefore, if given the gift of the One Year, I accept it.
Enjoy time with The Husband. He is such a good man, and he loves me. He also enjoys shooting his rifles and is the most excellent of marksmen. He would enjoy my becoming a better markswoman. We also hope to travel a bit across our state and experience its wonders even more on our "dates."
Book Clubs...I so enjoy the ones in which I am involved, both in person and online. I intend to read more of those books. Last year, I waited too close to the deadline/meeting time and then was not able to fully participate in the discussions. Speaking of which, I have two meetings next week...reading I shall be doing!
Book Clubs, Part 2...as much as I love books and reading them, I also enjoy getting to know those involved within these gatherings...teachers, students, my little lady friends at the local book store, and my Jesus Girls in my bible study group. Fellowship every time we gather.
Bible Study: Currently, I very much enjoy Bible study with our Making Choices group, a group of ladies from throughout our area, a group that changes yet remains the same. I also enjoy online studies and have chosen again to follow along with Joanna Weaver's Word of God Speak 2016, while also completing my chronological read of the Bible, which currently coincides with our study of Beth Moore's Jesus The One and Only. As the year progresses, I may choose another online, yet I have learned that sometimes fewer is more.
Ladies on a Mission: This is a new group we began late last fall (met three times), one in which we are organizing again for this year. Our style informal, we plan a mini-lesson, choose an area in our community to visit, create a small gift for that chosen area, then deliver those tokens...an an outreach...while ladies grow closer, fellowshipping.
Music...piano...songs. I so enjoy playing the piano, a gift I have that I don't always understand, for I play by "ear"; therefore, I need to "hear" more songs, so I may play them. So many beautiful songs. Just one a week? 52 songs. That I would love to accomplish!
Quilt. Last year I only made one quilt, yet I have material purchased to probably make 20 or more. I want to make quilts! Quilts for babies...four on their way now. Quilts for friends. Quilts for family. Quilts for me!
Be a friend. To myself. To my students. To my peers. To my friends. To them I would like to give the gift of time and a quiet mouth and a listening ear.
Write. Each year, I intend to blog more. This, I plan again! I am also discovering that I enjoy writing poetry, writing for friends and family on birthday and special occasions. Maybe more poetry will come out of me besides these times and National Poetry Month.
Tammy Time. Downtime. Conference Time. Canning Time. Reading Time. Family Time. Friend Time. Just the gift of time to not be stressed about things that are bigger than I am. The gift of time to not be stressed...just to rest until the answers come.
More organized. My desk. My classroom. My Sunday School area. My car. My house. Yes, ALL areas of my life.
Less teaching. More teaching. In some areas of my life I have resolved to commit less in some areas. Just the way it has to be for now. In other areas, I shall teach more. Oh, for the wisdom to know how to handle both...and handle them well.
There. 16 Intentions. I am very much looking forward to 2016...yes, I am!
Listed below were my 15 Intentions for this past year. Having now looked over them, my first reaction? I'm a failure! I sure was busy, though, to have been such a failure! May we check out this list?
Read and complete more classics. Six is my goal with Rebecca being my first choice.
Have yet to begin Rebecca, which means, no, I did not meet this goal. Read fewer books than in several of my past years. Hummmm.
Complete more professional reads. I have a “basic” ASCD membership and with it, I receive five newly released PD books. I want to read three (front to back) before this year is over.
No, glanced at all of the books. Read none of them. I did complete Reading Nonfiction. This may just be one of those books that changes who I am as a teacher...if I were allowed to change. Maybe those choices will be mine again one day.
Complete more woman-hours improving my marksmanship. Plus, this means quality time with The Hubby. Yes!
No, not nearly enough hours spend on this...although I still appreciate being an owner of several.
Completely learn more gospel songs…especially those in our church song book. So many beautiful songs in that book. Songs I want to learn.
Began the year learning...and learned a few along the way. Not near the number I had hoped to learn, though.
Continue book club involvement:both for our BHS Reads and for the Paper Chase Bookstore. This year, I signed up at Library Thing for the 75’ers…to read 75 books in 2015. (Today, I started the first one!) Here’s a link to my reading intentions for 2015.
Yes (my first!), I did remain involved in these book clubs; even wrote and received a grant for one them!
Complete Bible studieswith the group of ladies that meet at our church. Just really love this time.
Yes! Love the Making Choices Bible Study group. Now, we are studying Beth Moore's Jesus The One and Only (our third study for this year: we also completed Esther and Stronger). Very good time!
Will finish the Old Testament. What an amazing time for me. This read was a chronological one, one I recommend for all. Thus, I did not complete this Intention, but I did complete what I needed for this time.
I began Moore's SSMT...did not finish.
Develop more “complete” relationships with my students. I want to go back to being THAT teacher, the one they remember years later as the caring one, yet the one who has high expectations.
No, probably not for the Spring 2015.
Yes, for Fall 2015, for I had to step back from curriculum expectations and remind myself of a reason I teach...the students, especially when the other reason I teach was stripped from us: curriculum and choices therein. What a year.
Develop more complete professional relations.I would like to become more active on the state level in our reading association and within our state’s National Board organization.
Yes...was just asked to serve on the Arkansas Reading Association Board.
Yes...presented at both of these organizations' state conferences.
Write. Blog on one of my four blogs a minimum of two times a week and possible submit an article to a professional magazine.
Yes...and no. Not nearly what I should have written. Reflection is so powerful.
Moved my blog here. I decided to no longer pay for my Edublogs, and all my other blogs are with Google. Here we are!
Cultivate relationships. With friends. With my children. With my husband. With our families.
Yes...and no. Made a few choices this year that resulted in my withdrawing from some relationships...hummm, maybe this one should go within the next bullet.
I have so enjoyed getting to know the ladies in my book clubs...Paper Chase and Making Choices. I am blessed by theme.
Say no. No.
Maybe?
Teach. Complete my four units of study more.
Yes...for Spring 2015.
No...for Fall 2016. What a semester.
Yes...for Fall 2016. Behavior-wise, I am blessed with some of the best classes I have had in some time. The dynamics of every class is just right. If you are a teacher, you understand what sometimes happens when one class exits and the next enters. Amazing what combinations of students may result!
Peace. Quiet. Fit.Smile.These were my four words for My One Word Challenges for the previous four years. These words have had such tremendous impact on my life. Please, please consider going tomyoneword.org, learning more about this inspiring opportunity, and committing to whatever word chooses you. I don’t want to leave these words behind…want more of all four! Plus, now, I am ready to COMPLETE my next word….
Yes...and no. Need more of these words, also.
Am I a completer? Yes. Completely? Not in the ways I had intended, but I did accomplish much this year, more so for my spiritual self than for my professional self. With that, I am very okay.
Professionally, this fall semester just about resulted in the death of me as a teacher. Sounds dramatic, doesn't it? At times, too much drama was involved, sometimes on my part.
For the first time in my career, I challenged a text...a challenge for which I was not respected and turned quite ugly, probably resulting in damaging my career within the district I teach. I know it resulted in the lowest points in my career.
I will never challenge a text within this district again. While I do definitely see such decisions as part of my job (why should this ever be placed on the shoulders of students...and their parents, when we should make those calls before they get that far?), this point of view, though, is not supported within my building or district. I am to teach whatever is placed before me in a very thick three-ring binder (no, not a textbook...or is it?) and accept whatever content might be within. Here enters my spiritual side...when things become bigger than I am, I have learned to turn them over to Him. This resulted in three texts being pulled. He is the completer. There...I am finally learning.
Now, to begin thinking about 2016. Yes, some of these Intentions will again be placed on my next year's list...along with others. AND, as these years advance, I am allowed to add one more...16 Intentions.
Are you a teacher? Of secondary level students? Then, this is a must read for you.
This past week I shared this book...Reading Nonfiction by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst...at the Arkansas Reading Conference, where one third grade teacher said that, based on the overview, she, too, could use this book's content within her class. Yes, a must read.
With such an emphasis now on nonfiction texts (even within our secondary English classes), close reading strategies remain a pertinent topic. Authors Beers and Probst suggest teaching students the following:
Three BIG Questions
Five Signposts
Seven Strategies for before, during and after reading
At Teachers Pay Teachers, several teachers have created resources for both this book and the authors' previous book Notice and Note. Cute, colorful posters. Bookmarks. Yes, those items that make us happy! AND some of the resources are free!
The primary difference between the two books is that Reading Nonfiction focuses on informational texts, while Notice and Note zones in on literary texts. Both good. Both needed. I hope to work with all the signposts, incorporating them, as I begin even more diligently readying my students to take the ACT Aspire next spring, on which they will be asked to analyze two texts, choose a common claim, and support with three pieces of evidence from the texts. We have worked much practicing this with one text; must now incorporate multiple texts.
These books go nicely with the premise of Penny Kittle's Write Beside Them...a practice I am attempting to journey back (as our new current curriculum has eaten much of my time as I read and prepare and think...that I could have spent creating and writing beside my students...stay tuned for my next post at Treasure Chest of Thoughts).
I would love to host or participate in a book study of either book. Should you know of such a book club or be interested in our creating one, please share!
Yesterday morning I awoke to read an email that no teacher wants to read: a wreck involving six of students...two fatalities...one critical...
Because yesterday was a scheduled professional development and parent-teacher conference day, the beginning of another new norm starts today. As I sit here pondering about what today brings, I picture each class coming, going, coming, going...four times this will happen today, each its own little microcosm of unique individuals, personalities, losses, relationships, all affected in some way by this tragedy that has ricocheted off every member of our school family.
My students (and their families as they visit) love my classroom, for we live in a "homey" room: comfy chairs, lamps, pictures/paintings on the wall. Today, I pray they find comfort and that healing begins as they enter and leave this house of ours.
Today, though, two of our class/family members will be missing: one eased into Heaven during that wreck, another recovers in a hospital. Tomorrow (we are on an A/B block schedule), we will miss another, as he lies critical in another hospital. The others will be missed next door and in many other classes across our building.
I was asked last night by a grieving grandparent/teacher...should she send her granddaughter or allow her to remain home...so many empty seats today.
My reply? I suggested she send her...as I will send my daughter. Today begins healing, as they meet, remember, grieve...and begin our new normal.
This event reminds me that not every day for every student has my classroom always been a home, for I in the busyness of school life get caught up in the just that, of pushing the curriculum, mastering standards, attempting to achieve objectives. Today, though, is not about busyness...today is about celebrating the lives they lived, the memories they shared...today is about life, whether living it here on earth or in that next life.
If you are a Christian, I ask that you pray for my school family today...thank you.
As this quarter ends (wow, the year is one-fourth over!), I should pause here and reflect (much more than I have been!)...
Our district chose to implement a new curriculum this year...from which we are not to deviate.
Going to go out on a limb here and just say (again), that the beauty of any foliage is the blend of all of those colors. We, in education, seem to do this much: take things to extreme. One way is right to expense of all others. Why not just a blend of all the best practices?
You may know where this is going...and to continue the metaphor a bit more: right now I feel like a trunk whose bright and colorful limbs have all but been hacked off. Yes, over time, as I become familiar with unread texts, new limbs will sprout. As the limbs grow and thicken and become covered with greenery, the units will develop with my style and methods, making it mine.
This pruning, though, has now happened four times in my going-on 11 years. How many times can a tree be so severely pruned without killing the tree?
To make matters even more difficult for me (of course, if you listen to the other side, the difficulty lies there!), I have challenged the teaching of two of the texts due to content that I deemed inappropriate for 10th and 12th grade level students. Just to clarify: I did not challenge the topics, just the way the topic was presented.
I will not be challenging any more texts. No gratitude was ever expressed for what could have become negative news in the paper. I was, however, asked if I am a racist. (Yes, quite offensive.) I know I am now viewed as prudish, old-fashioned, too right-wing. Too, too, too...
I support what our principal has always suggested...don't say or do anything in the classroom that you wouldn't want printed on the front page of the local newspaper. Good bar to set. I just can't live up to it anymore. Nor, I suppose, am I expected to do so.
I once saw it as my job to protect my students, their parents. I saw it as my job to not allow offensive texts to enter my classroom. Again...I am not talking about never discussing topics on which we don't all agree. Students should be challenged. I should be challenged. Our job is to encourage their and my thinking.
Please let me clarify, though, just a bit more: think of the most offensive words and descriptive racial and sexual situations that you might imagine. (Well, right up to Fifty Shades of Grey...or so I hear; that's one series I haven't read. Does that make me prudish?!) Yes, that offensive word...that's the one I do not want in my classroom. Yes, those explicit sexual scenes...those have no place in my classroom.
May I give you an example: we have chatted in my room that, at no point, should an adult ever molest a youngster. Ever. Never. Should they know about it and cannot deal with exposing such evilness, all they have to do is tell me. I can deal with it. BUT never should my students have to read in detail about such an incident, about the explicit exposure of body parts and the thoughts of the perpetrator during such exposures or the responses of those being violated...and all the language that usually goes with such writings and occurrences.
Texts are coming up that I do find offensive, texts that I don't want to teach, texts that contain content not appropriate for a classroom. No, I am not going to challenge them. The repercussions have been harsh and long-lasting.
I used to think I would be in education for 40 years. I loved it that much. Now, I just hope to make it through 28 and retirement.
Then...I am able to help a student have dress shoes for Homecoming.
Then...I listen to a student talk about his mom...who has been in jail and now has cancer, and he asks me to pray.
Then...I have to ask another student, "Do you have food in your house?"
Then...I remember. Teaching is not about the job that mine has become. It's about the passion and the compassion.
So, no, I will not challenge anymore texts.
I will protect those involved in such "then" situations. I will encourage them to think. I will help prepare them to have a better life than they have now. That is my passion...and my job.
This past Saturday, I attended a NBCT Leadership Institute...and it was just so inspiring. Truly.
As I sat there, I concluded that the greatest take-away from this day was the reminder that this is the reason I am who I am. Over the past decade, I have changed so much to fit into my district that I often wonder if the "real" me still exists. Then, I attend such a meeting as this one, and those former beliefs and convictions arise again.
Let's pause here; shall we? Has the last decade been "bad"? No. Not all of it. In many ways, my teaching style has grown, evolved. But...I do miss myself from time to time...that teacher I want to be, that teacher I thought I would one day be. But...alas, obviously that was just not meant to be.
Yet...attending such meetings as those hosted by professional organizations offers one time to reflect, to grow, to emulate what the best in the field are implementing. To listen first hand to leaders, sharing current trends and energizing those present, makes me hungry for more such gatherings. (We attend few of these within our district as all of our professional development is provided in-house.)
As I sat there, I concluded also that I have failed to encourage my peers to become National Board Certified Teachers. Then and there, texts began to fly, the first two immediately responding that, yes, this is the year for them.
Then, one of those ideas that just come from nowhere, but somewhere, popped into the brain. What if ATNBC (Arkansas Teachers for National Board Certification) "borrowed" an idea from Arkansas Reading Association (another organization I enjoy) and supported a local county meeting of NBCT's once or twice a year to disseminate updates and to rally those thinking about going through the process? Why not!
Why am I a NBCT? I like that sense of professionalism, of belonging to a group of ever growing peers who have "achieved." The most significant outcome of my having become certified was and continues to be the depth of reflection that this process encourages, thereby, inspiring me to be ever learning.
I have said...every teacher should have to complete the portfolio entries that focus on student achievement and professionalism. Those two alone would revolutionize how teachers view themselves...and how others view this field.
Soooo...yesterday, I began gathering a list of NBCT's in our county...going to spread a bit of this inspiration!
The first week of school is complete. Eight days complete when you add in our first, short, three-day week. Already flying by!
First, may I comment on the dynamics of our year?
English Department: We are having fun. As I noted in the previous post, we have some newbies in our area (I so miss those who chose to take a different path this year). Why are we having more fun this year? I am different (see previous post)...and maybe we are all trying more? The end result, even after just one week...we gather to talk and laugh more. One of us always has a funny to tell, sometimes about our classes, sometimes about ourselves, sometimes others become the focus. Let me clarify...not mean fun...just fun. My Goal: Keep the fun, the camaraderie. Keep it all.
My Classroom: These are as good, if not better, than any or all the classes I have had before. Not sure how the counselors...or was it The Counselor...who arranged these class rosters, but the dynamics in each is just near perfect. Again, I am having fun...and the students seem to enjoy the class as well. Time flies. The bell rings. Next group arrives. (Have heard many positive comments about my classes this year...from the students themselves, from former students, from peers, from my daughter (who is not in my class this year...yay!). Love all this evidence. AND...still learning from bell to bell. Fun!
Outside Our Box: The most negative start to a year I have ever experienced. More negative than all the previous 24 combined. Not one bit of fun yet. None. Yes, enough said...that nicely sums it up.
Now, may we discuss a skill we are teaching in our new curriculum?
In both grades I teach, we have read selections that we analyze for central idea. Then, once that central idea is identified, students prove which technique the writer used to bring that central idea to fruition. For example, in "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love," the poet uses alliteration, consonance, and repetition as the means to proving central ideas relating to his thoughts on love and life. In a speech read by the seniors, the speech writer's central ideas are supported through the techniques of ethos and rhetorical questions. Then, we write about the combination of those two: central idea na d
My Thoughts:
Finding the central ideas are not so difficult for students. Identifying the techniques, though, moves this task up Bloom's.
With this in mind...and knowing our sophomores, are a bit behind on this learning curve...we shifted the method this week, to my providing teacher examples for them to dissect in preparation for their identifying central ideas and techniques and writing about them first in their groups and then solo in next week's lessons.
Using Schafer's "chunk" method works beautifully for this (some teachers refer to this as an 8-sentence paragraph). I like to begin, though, with just the central idea and one "chunk":
Topic Sentence = Central Idea
One Chunk = 3 Sentences
Signal Phrase + Evidence
Commentary/Explanation = Why the "evidence" prove the Central Idea
Commentary/Explanation
For the seniors, this is a review. For the sophomores, we are at Ground Zero, as this is a brand new method for them. As I tell them, though, learn it now...then use this method for the rest of the year. Win-win!
This New Curriculum is not mine; therefore, I am on a steep learning curve as we attempt to remain a day ahead of the students. Thus, sometimes, as in this week, I have to pause, regroup, and come back the next day with a change in methods...from their writing, to my writing the examples, to my creating the models for them to mimic, to my setting them up for success.
Have I mentioned this new curriculum has resulted in my feeling like a first year teacher...too many hours in prep for texts I would never have chosen. But, alas, that is our direction...so now to that direction we will move. The perk? Yes, I am learning.
Now, to wrap my mind around "Civil Disobedience" and "The Palace Thief"...(no, I would never have chosen this second text. From my first initial read, I would say it is too negative...students cheat, teachers not seen in the best light...hummm...we'll see what I think after some analysis.)
What did you learn new in your classroom this week? Where are you on your leaning curve?
Three days down. Three great days! 25 Thoughts on Beginning Year 25...get ready...this list may take a line or two! (If you are a music lover, please consider playing this as you read...just to set the mood...to create a bit of background atmosphere.)
1. A New Curriculum. Yes, I feel like a "new" teacher. While in some aspects that may be all well and good (nice healthy binders!), for me, this means hours of preparation, reading and really learning the new texts and their backgrounds and contexts, for that's just how this brain of mine works. Case in point...finally went to bed at 12:30 AM on Friday morning...after working 4 1/2 hours on the next day's lessons. Yes, will have to develop a better plan for that! Learning something new does remind me of what my students must be experiencing as they sit in our classroom's chairs...:)
2. Two Senior Classes. I really like seniors, for life is just so close to being much more "real." These classes came to me knowing my reputation for being the "hard" teacher. I could see it on their faces. We had a short one-minute chat about that, during which I gave them a few facts relating to what we actually accomplished last year in class: such as, how many essays we actually wrote and how short they were. I have learned that something happens to memories the moment a student leaves my door until the re-telling comes out of their mouths! It is not lying. Just omission of key details. :)
3. Three Sophomore Classes: the most talkative bunch of kids I have had in a long time! These are the newbies in our building as we are a 10-12 campus. Doesn't take long, though, for that deer-in-headlight look to vanish as they learn routines and teacher expectations. Good kids...funny, inquisitive, energetic.
4. Journalism Class. 19 reporters! Oh, my goodness! The most I have ever had in this class. Ever. I am excited about what we will produce this year. My dream of growing this department might happen with this grouping of students. One of the students is a returnee. Definitely a plus.
5. My Room. We are "sail"-ing into learning. My decor has begun the transition from being predominately a cafe-style decor to now adding a few pieces of beachy-themed items. I really like it, as the darker colors are becoming lighter. LOVE the teal blue colors...little yellow...a hint of orange.
6. Began book talks on Friday...checked out three of the Talk of the Day. One non-reader took a book suggestion that I thought he might enjoy. Another drifted in...literally...(note to self: work on that protocol for classroom visits!)...and found one he wants to read. Five books checked out...yay!
7. 20 Minutes a Day: this is our new reading emphasis. I look forward to working with kids and finding something they want to read. As a teacher, I want to do a better job of talking with the students about the content of the books, and I hope to read a lot of the books with them...another reason the new curriculum cannot dominate so much of my free time. Hopefully.
8. Parenthood. I shared some pseudo-science (or is it? I do have 24 years of teaching experience and three kids of my own!) with some classes about how much smarter they are than their parents right now, that, yes, I understand they know more than their parents do. (Wish you could have seen the smiles around the room, for they really do believe this!) I did share that gradually over the upcoming years, their parents would gain in the "smart"-ness area, that one day, years down the road, their parents will actually be some the smartest people they know. BUT, the one exception to this was myself, for I know more about this curriculum topic than they do...yes, I am smartest person in the room. Now, to prove that to them! (When I asked if they knew the term sarcasm, they did. Good.)
9. Humor. These first three days have been fun because that is my decision. I enjoy what I do, I even like this age group (teaching the children on Wednesday evenings at church quickly reminded me where my true calling is!). If I can get a smile out of them during class, then we have accomplished one of my goals for each class this year. So far? Mission accomplished. :)
10. Technology. As all ten hard drives are in the technology hospital receiving new brain transplants (the nine journalism computers and my teacher computer), I have been operating on Plan B. May I just say I LOVE Plan A? Thus, for three days, I have not had my LCD projector nor my document camera nor access to the videos and music via YouTube, for Plan B (a mini computer connected to a much smaller flat-screen TV) does not accommodate all my "necessities." Just an important lesson and reminder: where there's a will, there's a way, though! So...Santa and His Helpers (aka, Mr. Clint and his tech guys) will walk in one day next week with my "new" hard drives, and, yes, Christmas will have arrived early for my journalism class...and for me. Thank you! :)
11. My Department. We have two "newbies" in our department, so much learning and interacting has occurred as we have helped acclimate them to our building and department. Good people, already friends...looking forward to a great year with them.
12. My Department, Part 2. Three of us are returnees, but, as noted above, with our new curriculum, we are all feeling a bit new, which has resulted in much more conversation, as our goal is to ensure our students are being taught the same skills with common assessments across grade levels. While they may learn differently, as teacher methods may vary some, the end result should be the same.
13. My Department, Part 3. A spin-off from #12, because of much closer collaboration, I will be working even closer with Mr. Turner and Ms. Hays with grades 10 and 12. I enjoy this, as, even though I have taught 24 years, I too want to be ever learning. I love to be able to say, "That's a good idea. Let's try that."
14. Book Club - Student Side. This summer I received a grant (Thank you, Citizens Bank!) to purchase $1600+ of new young adult novels to share with students in a book club format. I. Am. Excited. Yes! Working on that this weekend. Oh, where to begin...so many books! Thoughts? I did attend a workshop this summer and received a list, most of which I want to read. This will be fun!
15. Book Club - Teacher Side. Our BHS faculty book club will meet in about a week to discuss our summer reads (we had planned to meet this summer...had too many conflicts). This summer we read I Am the Messenger, Storm Clouds Rolling In, and Go Set a Watchman. NOW, to decide this fall's line-up of books! This, too, will be fun!
16. Book Club - Department Selection. Last year, we had a faculty-wide read...not sure if that will happen again, as the voices are already saying that money is tight. With that in mind, we have several books on our professional shelves that we could read and discuss (another "where there's a will, there's a way" moment), I would like to host one of these just for our department. With so many newbies in our department, this would assist in their learning some of what we have learned over the last several years. Or maybe we could "find" some money for such a book club...need to investigate that some. Thoughts on a teacher-friendly, engaging literacy read?
17. Bulletin Boards. They take me to a happy place. I love looking up ideas. I enjoy creating them. I like putting them up and standing their and looking at them. I am rewarded when I am designated one of the Bulletin Board Queens (thank you!). Crazy, uh? This may be the only area in my life when I would fit into the elementary scene. With all that said, I want to create more this year. I am happily determined to have more time to create such happy places this year. With that said, I no longer have bulletin boards inside my room, as it looks much like a living room would (lamps, easy chairs with pillows...and some tables mixed in), but I have claimed four in the hallways outside my doorway. Just call me crazy...and happy.
18. Fire Code. My room is now fire-code friendly. We learned the day before school started that we could not use any extension cords. None. Well....with 10 computers, two printers, one document camera, one LCD projector, a cart full of Chromebooks, 11 lamps, electric pencil sharpener, one TV, two strands of Christmas lights, and not nearly that many outlets...that math just does not add up! Remember, most classrooms were built before our love of technology arrived. (I do have more than some classrooms, as my room underwent a "redesign" a few years ago...thank you, again!) Not to go too graphic on you, but going "legal" required I spend some time crawling under computer tables, ensuring that all were either plugged directly into the wall or into a power-strip. What a challenge...a puzzle. One I had to work out with total silence in the room (no kids!) as my mind had to circuit like an electrical outlet. AND when I finished yesterday, I had exactly the number and the length of power-strips I needed (yes, power-strips do come with 15+ foot cords). Thank you, Teonia and Carla!
19. Early to Arrive. Let me preface this by saying The Daughter is an early riser and just insists we get to school early (Is there a boy involved in this decision? Hummm...to her credit, though, she has always been like this). Her mother is not. Remember, I am the one who can stay up to 12 or 1 working. Despite that, though, we have arrived at school no later than 7:20. This I like, as it gives me those minutes to plot and plan for a very busy morning.
20. RTI. To meet a state mandate, our building determined to create a slot of time to "respond to intervention." That slot now falls in a "new" class between our two 80-minute classes in the morning. (Yes, the mornings are a blur.) The intents of this class are many: primarily this time is designated to help those before they get too far behind (yes!), advisory, class meetings, pep rallies. All a good thing. Personally, though? I love the advisory concept. (We attempted such a program a few years ago, which did not accomplish as much of its mission as we organizers had hoped.) Here's to high hopes, though, that this one will succeed! I even created a wiki for this class. Of course, I did. If you know me, you probably laughed here. Thank you. :)
21. RTI, Part 2. I like my group of 17 RTI'ers...my 17 advisees. All sophomores, I will "grow" with them for the next three years. I am their teacher momma. :) Good, good kids! (Hummm, maybe this one should have been placed above with the rest of my classes!)
22. My Teacher Children. A change I have appreciated as I have matured (yes, 39 again!) has been "adopting" some of the newbie teachers. (BTW: I encourage your mimicking this model.) Two of them have had babies this year (let me clarify...their wives had babies this year!), so I am a Tam-Tam to two more baby dolls. They are just precious. The most recent was just birthed, born, and took over our worlds. Did I mention she is a baby doll? Just have to mention Baby Jack here also...our Little Man. I like their parents, too! Thus, with the teachers come more, in this case, daughters-in-laws. That's right...family does not have to be biological to be family.
23. The Daughter. I am in this district because of the power of The Daughter. She is a junior this year. Despite opportunities to leave over the years and maybe even grow professionally, I (with the Good Lord's insistence) have chosen to remain and appreciate these last years with her in school.
24. Tam Tam's Brennan. The day before school started, we had a girl day with our Brennan who began pre-school this year. Lunch and shopping...and hearing that little voice say, "Tam Tam." Ahhhhh...she is just precious. (Note: she is having fun and is ready to go again the next day. As I told Daughter Julie, yes, she will probably be a teacher one day. Maybe an English teacher? One can only hope...right?)
25. Community Pep Rally. A yearly tradition hosted together by our senior and junior high buildings, last evening we attended an event along with hundreds of others who are very proud of all our students involved in athletics. This year, The Daughter is an Athletic Trainer (no, mom, not a water girl!), a position that has required her being at school at 6:30 AM since the first week in August (might refer to #19 for more thoughts on that!). For this position, she was recognized last night. Yes, I took a photo or two...okay, maybe just a few...:)
26. (I know...this list does not add up to 25, but then again, I do not teach math!)..."Good class." Quote from a senior boy as he walked out the door on the first...with a smile on his face.
Three days of ELA professional development completed. Questions, decisions, discussions, dissenting voice, all a part of this year's implementation of a new curriculum within our district, who has chosen to utilize EngageNY, a curriculum aligned to Common Core, consisting of four modules with 1-3 units in each.
Some Positives:
Every teacher will know what the other teachers within each grade level are teaching; accountability is arriving.
A completed curriculum, with rubrics and other handouts ready. A huge three-ring binder...healthy, thriving with resources at our disposal.
Common assessments ready to administer, saving hours of discussion and decisions.
PLC time should be much more productive with students truly benefiting from these readied assessments, with the results becoming the focus of RTI.
Concern:
Only one...lack of teacher ownership. That, though, will be remedied at the year progresses, as these units, too, become ours, as choices not ours become just that.
Yes, a daunting task lies before us. No, we do not appreciate change (who does?), for units we worked diligently to create have now been placed on the growing stack of retired units; this curriculum is our fourth in what will be my eleventh year with this district. Thus, once again, I feel like a new teacher, facing the unknown, preparing for the hours of reading and learning (lacking much background knowledge for some of these focuses) that will have to occur this year to be adequately prepared for each class as I will now be teaching two grade levels, instead of just one. Yes, definitely experiencing that new teacher feel. In some ways that should be a compliment as this will begin my 25th year in education. Right?
Additionally, our state has withdrawn from Common Core/PARCC, going with ACT Inspire instead; therefore, we have that learning curve ahead also. More about as the year progresses...
Ever learning, though...that is a compliment my principal recently paid me when introducing me as a grant recipient for one of our local bank's education initiatives. Ever learning. Yes. I would hope that for everyone.
Despite these factors, I am determined to have more fun this year. At a minimum, I have four years to retirement, and I am very much looking forward to returning to that love, that excitement, that enjoyment. Because of that, I have a returned focus, I just have to have a good time this year, maybe be less "hard?" Yes, I have that reputation. In all fairness to my kids, no matter how ready they are for college, no matter how many of them return and thank me, this is just not fair to them...or me...to be the hardest teacher. More about this as the year progresses...
What challenges are you facing as the days quickly pass as the 2015-16 academic year races toward us?
Last evening, I created on a board on Pinterest gathering my thoughts on a new decorative theme for my classroom. Yes, that signals the end of my summer! Usually this occurs right after July 4, but the beginning of the end came early this year!
For the past five years, I have used a Cafe theme. This year, I want to take my color scheme of teal blue, pale yellow, and taupe and give it a nautical-vintage beach feel, using white frames for anchor charts and adding a few nautical pieces around the room.
Sounds soothing to me...might even play beach sounds in the background!
My room, loved my many, has several lamps and comfy chairs, with our seldom using the overhead lighting. My rationale remains...if I am to be there several hours a day, then this room should be homey.
Ideas continue to bounce around in my head: canvasses to paint, frames to build, pieces to be purchased, as I settle on the sea of Classroom 16, preparing to sail into my 25th year of teaching.
After the year that I had last year, to be this excited already is truly a blessing. Being excited...to be redundant...is exciting!
This past week, we spent the first of three days becoming "engaged" (yes, pun intended!) in our new curriculum EngageNY. While a 24-year-veteran, I am traveling back in time to that first year of teaching, for most of the texts are new to all of us. While very scripted, this curriculum will either be a salvation or an anchor around our professional necks, as we have had few to any materials provided the last decade; thus, this material provides tremendous opportunities to work together, allowing us to be on the same page, meeting the same standards, while providing some teacher choice as we proceed.
How do I feel about this?
I really liked the units I had created over the last few years, for they were geared to 12th grade and the upcoming realities of the "real world."
Change can be really good...unless we are just doing it for the sake of change. Since our state waits in limbo on a decision about our remaining with PAARC or switching to ACT Aspire, I wonder how this might affect this decision to move us all (K-12) to this new curriculum.
If we are all held accountable and this actually strengthens our department, then giving it a 100% is my plan.
If not...I will be struggling to give at whatever percent everyone else does, for no more will I bear the weight/anchor of being the "hard" teacher. Time for teamwork...from myself included.
Changes! Changes!
Difference decorations, a more uniform curriculum...yes, I should have much upon which to reflect throughout this academic year.
Sooooo...do you use themes, chosen decorations within your classroom? Ever heard of EngageNY? Has the beginning of the end yet begun for you?
Today, our town and his family paid their last respects to a hometown boy, a former student of mine, one about whom I never heard one negative comment. Not once. Just 19, accepting the loss of his life comes hard. No words. What can one really say? They tried, though. Today, I listened to other former students speak about this football-loving, duck/deer-hunting young man who seemed to care about everyone. Listened, as they stood before a large crowd and overcame their loss and concern about speaking before that crowd, so they could pay that last tribute. In that stand, they gained strength. Earlier today, I shared this memory of Zach with friends on Facebook:
Today, I taught class at Lyon College for UBMS...class was from 12:30-1:30...so we chatted about all the extra vehicles on campus.
Then, I said, "Let me tell you a story." As I told them, teachers aren't the only ones that leave a lasting impression...students leave lasting impressions on their teachers, as well.
Back in the fall of 2013, one morning, we somehow, in a class of three girls and 15-18 football players and Bleacher Creatures, got on the topic of football (again). I shared with them that I was still learning football...had never even been to a game until I became a Pioneer...and that, so far, clapping and booing when everyone else did had worked for me...but...I was ready to do what I always do when I need to learn about something...yes, buy a book, so I asked for title suggestions.
"Football for Dummies," came the reply.
Not sure if the title or my look was the reason for the laughter, but Zach was then quick to say, "No, really, that's what my mom bought when she wanted to learn more!"
I took his advice, purchased the book, showed it to them, and every so often someone would ask if I were reading it, and I would hold the book up...and show the class some annotations.
No, I haven't finished the book...still clapping and booing when everyone else does. I am going to, though...and I will always keep my copy of Football for Dummies.
After class, I walked to Brown Chapel...which was full...then to the Lyon Building to attend via live stream...that impression of Zach I once had and still have was only reinforced during his service.
I think I can speak for all his teachers...thank you, Lisa and Darin, for sharing Zach with us...just as he was a blessing to his family and so many friends, he blessed us.
A fellow teacher replied with this comment:
I agree with you, Tammy, I am so appreciative that parents like his share their children like Zach with us. I fear we do not tell them, parents nor students, enough how much they mean to us and how proud we are to know them.
I don't tell anyone enough that I am proud of them nor how much they mean to me. While I would never want these words to be come empty and meaningless, nor do I want to be few of words in this area of my anymore.
Part of Zach's testimony was how positive he was, how sensitive he was, how loving, caring...he has a left a legacy, a tremendous one.
School's out! Time to relax and read...and read and relax!
So far, these books I am committed to read this summer. Why? From personal experience, I have learned that because of book clubs, I will read what I might not normally have chosen, and for the most part, this has been such a positive experience.
BHS Reads: This is our school book, which I initiated a few years ago.
June: I Am the Messenger
July: Storm Clouds Rolling In
August: Go Tell the Watchman (I should re-read To Kill a Mockingbird first...right?)
BHS Student Book Club...need to finish a some books in the series we began. See here for that list.
Paper Chase Bookstore Book Club
June: Kisses from Katie
July: The Walk by Richard Paul Evans
August: TBA
Online:
Karen Kingsbury: Chasing Sunsets
Talks with Teachers: Here, they choose three books a summer: a nonfiction, a fiction, and a professional development book.
Non-fiction: The votes are in and the first read will be Ken Robinson's The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything.
Fiction: TBA
PD: TBA
Women's Bible Cafe: I have chosen to purchase and participate in their fiction reads, as I am already committed to two other bible studies this summer.
June:The Potluck Club by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson
2015-16 Curriculum Reads: This fall, our district has chosen to teach to a prescripted curriculum. I preparation for this change, I hope to read the following:
Grade 10
The Joy Luck Club
Friday Night's Lights
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Grade 12
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Yellow Woman and the Beauty of the Spirit
Other Recent Purchases
Conversion by Katherin Howe
Plus...due to busy spring schedules, I need to finish reading The Historian and The Secret Garden, both of which I began for Paper Chase Book Club.
Hummm...I had better get started! What is in your To Be Read pile?
These words I have heard about myself...a lot. Maybe one time too many?
I like to think a synonym for those words is high expectations.
I am just not sure anymore.
This school year, especially the latter part of this spring semester, has been a trial by fire. Never in all my first 23 years did I have such a trying time as I have had this year. Obviously, I survived. I did.
Even before I finished with this group of young adults, I had already begun thinking about next year's class. Isn't that just like a teacher?! How, after 24 years, though, can I not be so "hard"? Can I do this? I think I can.
Here are my concerns:
I always work my students bell to bell.
We seldom have time to watch a movie.
I want more for them than they want for themselves.
I give more than 4-5 grades.
Sometimes, I assign homework. Rarely.
Here is how I have changed in the last decade:
We have no textbooks. Six years ago, I received a class of mini-laptops, but wi-fi and maintenance are concerns.
I cover less every year. Much less.
My teaching style is totally different, mostly for the better...I think.
My test scores have decreased.
Every year or so, my department changes its focus. Totally. We will all be newbies again next year: all brand-new units. A fresh start? (My class is almost half-full!)
Below is what my students wrote and read this year:
Five essays (three the first semester; two the second semester).
One full-length text, which we read aloud = Macbeth.
1 resume and cover letter
1 speech
Wrote two poems
Various short texts and short writing assignments
My reality:
Less than half of my students will do any homework outside of class.
At least one-third are happy with a 59.45 = 60% = Passing!
My classes do not contain the AP or those taking concurrent/college credit.
Too many of their reading levels are below grade level.
Common Core says they should all be college and career ready.
The Future
I have requested a list of summative assignments from those teaching the same grade level, explaining that no longer can my class be any harder than the other classes. Right?
This summer, I hope to organize my brain around this concept. I have a minimum of four years left before retirement. Four years to provide guidance, friendship, laughter, encouragement...no more do I want to be the "hard" one.
I have to be the one to change. Change even more.
But Then...
What about those returnees, those graduates who return? Who say,
"Thank you. I was prepared."
"Don't stop teaching that way. It's really helped me this semester."
"I took your advice. It helped my ACT score."
"I was the only one who knew what APA format meant."
Six more days of school. Graduation over. Still nearly drowning! Why? I am editing a book my students wrote, all 250+ pages of it on the 130+ years of our school's history!
This was quite the massive undertaking. Had I known, well, for for once in my life I would have said, "No. No, thank you. Absolutely not."
But I didn't.
This year's group of young adult minds have been the most challenging I have had in some years. Such mass numbers too content with at 59.45, or, in other words, with just passing. No, books may not be published with work that should have earned them a 59.44...that number does not round up, does it? Thus, editing and revising...and revising and editing...these have now become the most important steps in this writing process.
Enough moaning. This cups IS half full!
I had some wonderful, very well-research submissions, and, overall, once printed, this is going to be an awesome project.
The assignment? Choose one academic year, find one story from the assigned school year, and write one page. Sure sounds easy enough to me!
In retrospect, I should have asked for a half page, for, when submitted in single-space format, a half does equal a whole page. Thus, in the editing, I am deleting much empty wording, for in their efforts to meet the assignment's expectations, some became quiet grand at wordsmithing!
Once this editing is complete, the book goes to a "real" printer, for I applied for and obtained a grant to fund this project. Each student who submitted receives a free copy of the book. Very exciting to be a published author!
If your school is coming up on an anniversary, I recommend the project if the data can be found. We are fortunate to have an county historical museum and were able to find much evidence there for the early years. For the latter years, yearbooks became our friends. For some years, we struggled, finding little, for during the war years, yearbooks were not published due to cost. Thankfully, the school was diligent in printing school newspapers. For some years, we struggled, finding little, for yearbooks have walked away. Such a shame, for so much history has vanished.
I am currently on year 1970...yes, I should be editing...instead of writing about editing!
Just one more glance, is that a light I see at the end of this 2014-2015 tunnel? Why, yes, I believe it is! I do hope you are seeing one, also!
Thanks to my friend Rose, I appreciated the time spent with book lovers and writers this past weekend. Fun!
Arkansas's Harding University and Dr. Ken Stamatis host four author weekends a year, bring young adult authors to our state, creating a hiatus for teachers and lovers of the written word. Each seemed to enjoy getting to know Roland Smith, author of novels and non-fiction that seem to particularly appeal to males.
While I do not remember reading any of his works, I do now owned two signed novels: Peak and IQ.
I especially appreciated his discussing the amount of prewriting that goes into writing a novel, all the research that must be conducted, the immersion into a topic. He then reiterated the intensity of the revising and editing process. This, I hope to share with my students who seem to quick to draft and print, often totaling skipping these vital steps.
Check out these authors on the 2015-2016 Young Adult Authors Weekend:
Now, imagine being able to take young adults to meet and listen to these authors! That's my dream...to take two students per session, two that are involved in our student book club. I have a dream...to write a grant and receive the funds to make this happen. I hope. I dream. I will write.
Now, I read...the weekend has arrived, my papers are graded, time for well-deserved reading time!
In honor of National Poetry Month, I am attempting to write a poem a day. Fun!
How Do You Do What You Do?
How do I do what I do?
Let me tell you...
all because of you and you and you!
I so wish you knew
What motivation you inspire,
even as you inquire.
Let me tell you how I do what do...
because of family: husband and daughter.
As athletes need spotters,
So they support me
With love so strong, ears that often long
For change of topic...yet patiently they endure.
My projects, my ideas, they reassure.
Let me tell you more...
This drive spurred on by friends:
Brenda, Donna, Crystal,
With ideas and dreams entrusted,
We decorate, season by season,
Spurred on by one true reason,
One soul to win, one seed to plant,
Fun, food, and fellowship.
Let me tell you more...
This drive spurred by on by friends:
Rose, Joyce, Glenda, Brenda M,
As off to women's conferences attending,
As the Lord our souls mending.
Learning, singing, worshiping.
Let me tell you more...
This drive spurred on by friends:
Katie, Pastor Kenny, Lisa, Zelpha...and more...
Teaching, leading, defending,
Learning, growing, extending.
Again, one goal:
A soul, a seed,
Even if just one.
Let me tell you more...
This drive spurred on by peers:
Amanda, Justin, Kathy, JimBob...and so many more...
Who, every day, through highs and lows,
Who, every day, through losses and gains,
We teach and grow and inspire and..
Sometimes, tough love just demands
That we teach and grow and inspire.
Let me tell you more...
This drive spurred on by siblings dear:
Judy, Janet, and Joe,
Encouraging, praying for me they expound
As their love does mound.
Asking I do less; proud when I do more.
May I tell you why I do what I do?
I am wife, mother, teacher, friend, sister.
I do because that is just who I am.
In celebration of National Poetry Month, I am attempting to write a poem a day. Fun!
Pink Roses
So delicate in color and fragrance,
So pretty petal on petal,
So perfect for the deliverer delivered.
Little did she know that these brought peace
In the midst of the storm.
Little did she know that Powers beyond her,
That gentle tugging of the spirit
To which she responded,
That was the calming of today's storm.
This morning, I asked for peace in the upcoming storm.
This afternoon, peace arrived
In color and fragrance,
Petal on petal,
For the Deliverer delivered.
Today, He used my girl,
Who responded with then quietness in her own way,
For there they lay.
The sign,
The symbol,
The answer.
Sometimes, He calms the storm.
Sometimes, He calms me.
In celebration on National Poetry Month, I am attempting to write a poem a day. Fun! I wrote the following poem as my opening selection for the Poetry Slam the White River Reading Council hosted along with Lyon College's Mortar Board.
Slammin' with The Poetics Meeting tonight with peers, students, And the, oh, so talented speakers of The
Spoken Word. To chant, to feel, to move, to empower Those who sit, who absorb, who then are
moved. What is this Spoken Word? What are these rhymes that lure? What are the motives behind this emotional
tour? The answer: We celebrate the language, The love of words. We celebrate the images they convey, The responses we survey. Then, We empathize with common brothers and
sisters of the Word. No, not a nerd, A fellow writer, a fellow speaker. To revelation, we are a seeker. Tonight, I am slammin’ with the Poetics, Ready now for your words to mix, Along with mine, along with others, Speaking of friends, fathers, and mothers. Tonight,I am slammin’ with the Poetics, As we celebrate language’s ebb and flow, As
our emotions along do tow. What a privilege, what an honor, Now, your turn, Now, on your words we ponder.
In celebration of National Poetry Month, I am attempting to write a poem a day. Fun!
This poem, first published on Faceback, honors my brother...
The Baby, The Brother, The Man
On this day, he became a baby forever To us. The favorite? Sorry, Joe, but no...well, maybe?! You were loved the same as we You were loved as the baby, as the only son, as only you can be. Chubby and cheeky, Many stories we could seek... ...horses, tires, batteries, creeks... for on this day, Joe became a baby forever.
On this day, he became a brother forever To three sisters, oh, so unique. They love him for being the baby, the only son, their only brother. Much kidding, ribbing, joking he did receive... Wait! Don't feel sorry for him yet, For he, though young, was already a pro at poking fun, laughing at us...and with us.
On this day, he began the journey to the man he is... A dad, A friend, A supporter, Yes, still, a brother...and a baby...(!). Through the years, heartache and loss. Through the years, gain and adventures to cross, A mini-Wilford with a dash of Ollie thrown in, With three sisters, Loving him, Guiding him, Yes, one bossing him...or two...or three!
On this day, he is 47. 47! Then, how old is the other three!?
Did I digress? After all, this is about Joe Friel, Who to us is so real, Who likes to arrive and enjoy my meals, Who, always looking for a deal, To us...has so much appeal.
Happy birthday you! Very proud of the baby...the brother...the man Joe Pill is.
