Rooted in Literacy

This past month (time flies...faster and faster!), I attend the 45th Annual Literacy Conference and had the best of times.  Yes!  Absolutely!

This was my second year to serve on the Conference Committee...what a rewarding experience...that took many hours to accomplish!  BUT...well worth it!

Some highlights:

• On Thursday, I presented with my two students from my Lyon College methods class.  They/we worked on a project for the semester and presented their projects to a group of about 25.  Fun!  Also, this will look amazing on their resumes.  Yay!   
• Also, on Thursday, the authors who participated in the ARA Book Club met with some of the participants.  I am just such a nerd, but I totally loved this!  Danny Brassell, Monique Wild, Amanda Mayeaux, Jonathan Friesen...sweet!
• On Thursday evening during dinner, authors Louis Sachar and Jane Feber sat at our table.  Yes,  I asked about the next book...but made no progress as this is top secret info!  
• On Friday, I hosted a two-hour institute on blogging, a tool I enjoy and encourage my students to utilize.  Although the attendance was lower (as were all the sessions), those there seemed to enjoy and take home some ideas they might implement with their own students.  Yay!
• The time spent with like-minded peers was priceless and always needed. 

Already, I am looking forward to next year!  Join us!

Telling My Story...one chapter at a time...

Several years ago, a group of us across the states read and discussed Penny Kittle's book Write Beside Them...and I was changed.  For the better.  Now, as I assign a paper, a poem, a novella (!), I complete that assignment right along with my students, sometimes finding changes that must be made, sometimes making additions to improve the thinking process.

This year, my students and I are writing a story...My Story...a story about why we are who we are because of...a family member, a hobby, a choice made...or not.  Just short chapters, totaling a novella.  Short chapters, using James Patterson's chapter lengths as a model, for this project needs to be obtainable.  Therefore, we write a chapter at a time, reviewing and editing, deleting, changing, until one day next April, we publish.

For each class, I have am writing a different version of My Story.  When all these pages are totaled, mine may be a novel!

• My Daughter and Two Sisters:  Their Stories
• Family Members
• Hobbies
• Education

This past week, we drafted two chapters, and I shared with them the messiness of drafting!   Some of the chapters, I drafted, sitting here at home in my chair; others I drafted in front of them, with all my thoughts displayed on the big screen via the document camera and LCD projector.

Located in their three-binders for my class, this project is ever with them.  One, that should we have snow this year (yes!), we may continue to add to as the snowflakes fall and as we fulfill a waiver commitment granted by our state department to engage with students digitally on such days that, due to inclement weather, we have to dismiss school.  Win win!

More about this...as I develop this project more...:)

My Favorite Trend: Book Clubs

Last evening, I met with two book clubs...yes, two in one day!

Our local White River Reading Council met to discuss our adult read The Fall of Marigolds (this is also our BHS Reads Faculty Book Club book for the month).  The purpose of this group is to spread the love of literacy within our community.  As I looked around, I noted only teachers.  As I sat, I listened to the discussion about involving more community.  Hummm...on this I need to work!

Later, for the Arkansas Reading Association, I helped host our fourth author/book this year...Danny Brassell's The Reading Makeover.  Using Facebook Video, a new format for us, participants engaged with the author for an hour, discussing his love for reading, his passion for poetry, and his joy in spreading the love of literacy.

For both groups, I wish more, I want more, I see more.  How does one spread the love of literacy? The answer:  One has to be in love with literacy.  This I do not observe from those whose supposed passions are for books and more books.

Why not?

1. Time.  Isn't life just too crazy busy?  After a full day, after checking in to all social media sites, after vegging for just a few minutes/hours, what time remains for books?  The brain just needs a break, right?  For me, this answer exudes too much, too many excuses for not engaging with the text of a novel.  
2. Money.  Books cost.  That is the dollars and cents of this argument, especially the latest and most popular.  
3. Talk-time.  Some teachers treat books talks as a passing trend.  Myself included?  As I think back on the previous five weeks of school (yes, five already!), the number I have talked is dismal, all hidden by the facade of "we have so much to cover today."
4. Hummmm...must stop this list, for I simply see a list of excuses beginning to pile up...larger and higher.

One take-away from last night's book club...read more poetry.  While this may sound as if I am digressing, I hope to connect a love of words to topics and connect to books...and a true passion of mine...yes, literacy!

Today, I will find time to read!

What are you reading good?

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In hopes of building our community of readers, I invite YOU to join either or both of the above book clubs!  Please join us!

• White River Reading Council Book Club
• Arkansas Reading Association Book Club

Write Wrong v. Write Right

Originally posted at Secondary English Methods.
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From my student intern (and she is not the first) who questioned why seniors cannot...or do not...write better than they do.  To this observation, I have several responses.

The Argument

1. We teach the "regular" students, meaning that, because of advanced classes, more of the "better writers" may not be in our classes.
2. English teachers are not writers, meaning that we do not practice what we preach; therefore, teachers themselves do not grow as writers and prefer to not model this in front of their students.
3. Teachers continue to teach as they always have, resulting in their students learning (or not) what they have always taught.
4. Teachers do not assign enough writing, and, as the saying goes, "practice does make perfect"...or, at least, more perfect...or not perfect, in this case, as students then do not write much, if any.

Now...take a few seconds, and re-read 1-4.  With whom do lack of writing skills lie?

Your answer?

The answer:  teachers.

Agree?  Disagree?

Pause for a moment and consider...would you write much more for this class than what I have assigned?  Are you writing much now?  Have you grown as a writer because of your college classes?

Now, for the other side of the argument = 

Yes, The Counter-Argument

1. Too many students are happy with a 59.45%.  They truly do not care to learn enough to master any skill being taught.
2. Some students just truly do not like to write.  Yes.  Those beings are really out there.  (Here's where you reply, "Sure glad I am not such a student!")

The Rebuttal

1. Do students truly dislike writing...or have they just not been taught The How?
2. Do these students dislike writing...or have they just not written enough?  Please see #2-4 in The Argument Section.
3. Are we beginning to go in circles?  Not accomplishing much, are we?
4. Accomplishment then becomes the answer.  See below!

The Gillmore Answer

1. Teach the kids to write.  Sentences.  Chunks.  Paragraphs.  Essays.  Just have them write!
2. Find a method that speaks to you, that drives your writing, that helps your students master The Unknown...aka The Land of Writing.
3. This happened for me when I attended my first Step UP to Writing workshop.
4. This continued when I learned about Jane Schaffer's Model.
5. This continued as I read...and read...
6. Are you reading?
7. Interesting, isn't it?  Good writers are good readers.  OR are good readers just good writers?  AND great writers are tremendous readers.  OR are write-beside-them writers absolutely the most ferocious readers? Are we going in circles again...OR are we witnessing a pattern that is true?

The Model

When all is said and done, YOU are the model...every day...from bell to bell.  Your writing skills, with a doubt, directly impact your students.  Every day.  Therefore, be a writer; assign writing; write with your students.  Just write right.

Good luck!

Two Weeks Down...

My 27th year is off to a grand beginning.  Shall I share?

• New Curriculum...in an old sort of way.  For the first time in several years, we have been the liberty to pick and choose and create units and lessons geared towards our students.  I have so enjoyed teaching/leading/discussing Beowulf...gearing up for a discussion about how trends and daily concerns transcend time.  
• Student Intern:  This semester Ms. Jordan will learn, grow, teach...maybe even make a mistake or two...as her decision to teach solidifies within her.  I am a bit mixed, as I always am, about handing over classes to her, for I do enjoy teaching, yet I know someone needs to pay back for those who made these very decisions for me...and, well, having a bit of time to plan and prepare more, that is always fun, as I do so enjoy making and creating lessons!  Welcome, Jordan!
• Methods Class:  Three years have passed since I last taught this class for Lyon College, which means English teacher graduates for our local schools!  A perk of this class is personal, as I am ever encouraged to research and learn and evaluate current literacy trends.  More learning in store for me!
• Awesome Classes:  Again, I am appreciating the dynamics of each of my classes.  This is always interesting to witness each year.  The mix of personalities, backgrounds, interests...all adding up to every class always being unique...while the same, for kids are kids.  Right?
• Clubs:  Student leaders have already been in to question and plan for this upcoming year.  I like that, for, one, this keeps me on my toes!  Two, watching these leaders further grow is just a perk.  They truly are our future;  they make me ever proud.  Also, I am again going to host a student book club and am excited about Scholastic's Teen Book Club options.  Very excited, as I have already begun filling out my own book order!

What are some highlights of your year thus far?  Good luck!

And We Are Off!

Beginning Day 9 this morning of Year 27! Good start already!

Just a couple of quick highlights:

• I am enjoying working with the curriculum our department is choosing for our students.  Eng 12...Beowulf.  Eng 10...Antigone.  Have I said...I love creating lessons?!  I do...in a thematic sort of way.
• Great combinations of students.  This is always interesting to watch as the dynamics of classes begin to distinguish themselves.  Interesting.

More later...really!

Year 27 Intentions: Happy New School Year!

Year 27 begins in less than 48 hours!  Never has a year started that I have not been ready.  Just part of that calling rising up within me, I suppose.

Below...Welcome to Cafe 16!  As I wrote on an earlier blog post, I added a bit more orange/coral to my room, which I really like.

CAFE = Collaborating, Analyzing, Facilitating, Elaborating

I posted these pics on a Facebook secondary English teacher group and was validated for my room design.  Our human natures are just weird, deceptive, and often in need of a pat on the human nature head.  I have received 170+ likes and some complimentary comments...and Open House was fun; loved seeing the newbie faces light up, with one student saying, "And this room will be like this all year?"  Yes.  All year!

Yet.

Those two negative comments.

Then, I read a quote on Facebook (which I cannot find at the moment!) about how many seconds are in a week (604,800),  yet a 30 second negative comment can dominate those other 604,770 seconds.

True.

Which leads me to my Intentions (more attainable than resolutions) for 2017-2018 as I prepare to begin my 27th first day of teaching...

Wait!  Shall we do a bit more math:  13 head start/elementary/high school + 4 college + 27 teacher = 44 first days of school for me!  I like that number!

2017-2018 Intentions:

1. Water off a duck's back.  While I am still learning, I am the veteran.  I have achieved that status.  I know my students.  I know what they appreciate.  I know what they need to know to be "College and Career Ready."  I am the best person in the room to help achieve that this year. Therefore, whatever comes along, whatever is said to me or about me, just let it roll off, for I am the professional in the room.  (That must be a bit what a recovering alcoholic must feel when she repeats the AAA motto:  I am a teacher.  I will always be a teacher.)  Yes!  (First step:  buy a ream of paper to print Day 1 handout for seniors...as we are out...already.  Reminder to self:  water off a duck's back!) NOTE:  A district goal is to go paperless.  Therefore, the "snow syndrome" kicked in...as in at the first hint of snow, the egg, bread, and milk shelves empty in the grocery store.  Goodness!  Water off a duck's back!  (Another side note:  One year, I gave every student a yellow duck, which they named and used as a character in various assignments that year.  Still have mine...except she is teal blue.  Just had a thought:  She shall be my mascot this year!)  
2. Laugh.  Can't life in a school building be stressful!?  Our new superintendent's motto is "Kids First."  Love it.  (Some job descriptions may need to be rewritten.  There.  Did I just say that?)  Seriously, though, as I told The Husband just this week, most of the people in my building are there because they truly want to work with kids.  Blessed, I am.  Therefore, the joy of the job needs to exude from me!  
3. Be crafty...as in make more cute bulletin boards and continue Room Design 101.  Seriously (again), I do enjoy making and creating...those bulletin boats are the only elementary characteristic I embody, so I should have fun with it!  (For those who thought crafty might mean sneaky...well...shhhh...:)
4. Read.  We have new curriculum (again...not sure what number this makes in my 13 years there)...well, not quite new as this is some of the curriculum I used to teach; therefore, I am very...yes, very!...excited to teach some of the texts which I truly think students need exposure.  Beowulf...King Arthur...Canterbury Tales..I know...fun!  These kids of mine are going to read more...just more!  AND they need to read for fun; therefore, I, again, will be buying books they want to read and committing to read books with them.  (Sleep...do I really need sleep?!)
5. Read.  This year, I want to activate...and keep activated...our BHS Reads...the faculty AND the student book club.  I love books clubs, so much so that I hardly have time to read because I have so many books to read!  Where to begin!  Therefore, I am nearly always reading multiple books, a skill I once said I could not do.  Yes, I can.  Just like multi-tasking.  
6. Teach.  When my students leave me in May, they will be better writers, readers, and thinkers.  No explanation needed for this one.

What are your intentions for 2017-2018?  Whether it is just to simply survive day to day (you will) or to accomplish the unaccomplishable (no, that is not officially a Webster word...but it should be)...you will!  

Good luck...and Happy New School Year!