Meet the Author Night... (an idea in the making)

Last night I spent an hour or so perusing some fellow slicers' work.

One piece struck me, and made me want to jump into action.

A secondary teacher posted about publishing kids writing and celebrating their work. In my five years as a first grade teacher, this is something that I have tried to work on. We write different genres and types of narrative, information text, persuasive, and even a bit of poetry (yet to come) throughout the year. We do our own little cheers and celebrate with eachother when a piece is finished or is being revised. We even go next door to the other first grades and share ideas, techniques, and lessons. We often get inspired then too.

But, the celebrating I have yet to set up or accomplish is different. I want to involve families, parents, loved ones. I want parents and guardians to know how really proud the kids and I are of their work.

A couple of years ago, second grade had a night where they invited families to come to school and look at all of their kids writing from the year. I want to do something simliar.

I am dreaming of books and writing notebooks spread across desks, parents and siblings perusing works of my precious 6 and 7 year olds. I see a spring-ish table cloth with cookies, punch, and maybe even some flowers! Dare I dream that interactive writing lines the hallway, leading parents to our room. Here I hope to see eager almost second graders showing their family their internal voice put to paper.
These are my dreams. How can I make them a reality? Has anyone done something similar in a primary classroom? Do you have any advice for me? Are there details I should start dreaming about? Is this even a good idea?

Too early?

It's March. I know, I am stating the obvious. But something weird has already started happening to me. Last week I had an out of body experience where I saw myself take out a little piece of paper and write "Summer" on the top. I then made a (for now) short list of things to do in my classroom over the summer. Things like:
*research phonics lessons
* organize word study sorts
* clean out files

None of these are earth shattering things to do, but I am sure the list will grow in the months to come.
I don't know what made me do it. I had no plan to do it. It just happened.

This past weekend I caught myself again. This time I didn't get out a piece of paper. I just started thinking about things to do this summer- but at home, and for fun!
* work on sewing- make L.O.V.E. t-shirt
* make more bobby-pins with buttons
* read, of course
*take baby J to the park and the pool
*visit family and friends at the lake
* find new recipes and cook new foods.
* ride bikes!

I know I need to stay focused. I have given myself some pep talks on the matter. I still have March, April, and May to teach, learn, guide, and grow. But I can't help myself from looking toward the summer. Is it too early to start dreaming, scheming, and yearning?

The ol' Tube

I grew up watching television. Everything from care bears to Blossom to The Real World. You see, I was a "latch key kid". My parents worked and my big sis was in charge. That meant we got home from school, shoved our shoes and bags out of the way and headed for the TV.
Through high school and college I continued to enjoy watching TV, even though I knew how reading was better for me. I was a great student and even spent many an hour and weekend consummed in a book. However, TV always got the better of me.
I can honestly say I am different now. I have learned in the past three years that oftentimes there is somethign else I could be doing with my time. I have learned to craft a little, write cards to friends, read more, even blog!
Now, before I get up on my high horse about how I don't watch TV that much anymore. There is one TV show that my psuedo-family watches every week: SURVIVOR! That's right. I love watching Jeff Probst in his blue shirt grill the contestants and make them squirm while on the hot seat. It is a ridicuously complicated sociological game. They want to make friends, win challenges, find the idol, and yet stay on top. Those who are in "power" first better watch out, lest they be marked as a threat. And those who don't do much also better look over their shoulder or they will be labeled weak. It is a fine line on Survivor.
So, you better believe tonight at 8pm, my friends and I will be sitting on the couches with the lights turned low, ready and smiling for our hour of the lazy-man's special: TV!

A new idea?

Education is evolving. New schedules. New rules. New mindsets. New curriculum. New teacher practices.

Those of us who are in it daily understand this. We see it, plan it, practice it, think about it, and do it on a daily basis.

Last summer I enrolled in a Master's program. Since that time I have immersed myself in teaching and learning. I have tried to look at both sides of the coin. I even challenged myself to write every day (blog) in the month of July last summer! It was eye-opening!

So, here I sit, trying to write a paper for one of my graduate classes. And I had to think to myself, "If education is changing, why do I have to write all of these papers?!" Surely, I was skilled at writing papers by high school, if not by the end of my undergraduate. But again, in my Master's? Really? In this age of new technology, isn't there any other way to assess my learning and reflection? I wish the professor would set up an individual chat session with each of us where he could ask questions and we could have a dialogue about the subject. That would probably be less time than reading and grading my paper. I would surely be more interested in that kind of assessment than a 3-5 reaction/research paper!

All I'm saying is, if education is changing, then why are research papers still the "go to" assessment for higher education?

Sickbed Guilty Pleasures

sleeping late.
only pajamas.

watching movies.
drinking sprite.

cozy blankets.
fluffly pillows.

new meds.
renewed energy.

good bye.
strep throat.

Sick

Sore throat.
Can't swallow.

No talking.
No teaching.

In bed.
Under covers.

Making plans.
Typing directions.

Need doctor.
Get meds.

Feel better?
Not sick?

It's Bathtime, Baby!

Saturday is bath day at our house. Josiah loves it!
I won't tell you about it... I will let you see for yourself...

Clean baby. Happy baby. Proud Auntie. Great Saturday!