Sunday, February 19, 2017

For the Love of Challenge

For the last few weeks, several students in every class have been challenging me to the most pages read contest.  One read over 3,000 pages.  In his words, "I usually watch a movie.  I just didn't.  I read instead."

I read, also.  Then, I slacked off, wanting some of them to win.  Several I beat...two, including the one above, beat me.

What is it that makes us just love a good competition?  Whether the extrinsic reward of "beating" others or the intrinsic reward of achieving, competition pushes us, motivates us, compels us.  While negative consequences may occur as some get left out, some seldom win, the positives seem, in my experience, to outweigh the negative.

This competition was a win-win.  The students read.  I read.

And the winners?  Sweet treats on Valentine's Day...aka, Gillmore Brownies, which resulted in my baking 11 batches of Double Brownies = 22 brownie mixies, 5+ cups of water, 11 cups of oil, and 44 eggs.

Yes, they are sweet kids...figuratively...and literally!

We'll not tell them that I had planned to treat them to this favorite treat...shhhhhh.  :)

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Grade Sheets...and Such

In my English 10 classes, I handed back a recently written three-chunk paragraph and asked them to create a grade sheet determining how much each component/part/sentence would be worth.  I heard...

  • "We made this worth too much."
  • "This is hard."
  • "I am just going to wait on Mrs. Gillmore to give us the points."
Interesting.

Should do this more often...before they write.  I know this.  Why do I not do what I know I should?  

You know the answer:  this assignment came to me on the spur of the moment...and it was a good one...of course!  Then, as they began handing them in, I knew...I knew they, too, had written on the spur of the moment.  Thus, today...we slowed down, worked on a common grade sheet, and then took the time to rewrite, this time earning the points on the grade sheet.

Good day in English 10.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Literacy Giants...or just too biased?

Living in this country is such a privilege, one we cannot appreciate, for we have always been blessed in such a way.

With that said...

Throughout my 26-year career in education in the literacy field, I have come to admire and respect and somewhat faithfully follow some of whom I refer to as the Literacy Giants.  I purchase their books, read their blogs, "follow" and "friend" them on social media, and attend conferences just to hear them speak...and maybe even obtain their autographs!

Until.

This election.

Where sides seem to be enemies.  Where one is a deplorable if not on the right side.

I will not apologize for who I am...an educated, white woman who lives in the South who does not go barefoot and have only once been pregnant in my 50 years.

I have read their posts, nearly all political, all alienating approximately 50% of their readers.

I read...and read.

Then, I began to mute and hide their posts, for I do not read their tirades to change my political views.  I read to grow professionally. Of this, I so wish these Giants would remain cognizant.  My not purchasing their books will not break their bank accounts, and, honestly, should one ever happen on this post, certainly, the response would be a further attempt to belittle me.

I so hope I am wrong, for I want the Literacy Giants to continue making money off of 100% of their readers, followers, purchasers of paper products (and digital ones, also...just enjoyed that alliteration!).

Part of the privilege of living in this country remains having diverse opinions.  Goodness, people, we haven't agreed since the founding of this nation.  Before that even.  When this opportunity no longer exists, what will we have?  Not America.

I love America.  She is I.  I am She.

Disagree with me.  Accept me.  Work with me.  Teach me.

Do not shut me down.  Do not shut me out.

Please remain the Giants you are to me. Help me to continue to grow professionally.

Thank you.