The end is near…

…of the end of first semester. My very first “real” semester that is. I can’t believe how quickly this semester has gone by. Just a few months ago I was narrowing down my potential list of teaching jobs. And now here I am…at a school I love, doing what I love:  teaching.

I’ll include my top ten thoughts on this semester in a few days after I give my finals (all on Wednesday), turn my grades in (all by Thursday), pack and head to spend my holiday break with a graduation celebration and my family (as in arriving with them at some point Thursday night). Did I mention how long I’ll be on the road? HA! I’ll just leave it at that

However, here are a few notes I’ve deciphered from my sticky notes:

• I know I’ve mentioned it before, but sometimes students get so frustrated at you because you won’t give them the easy answer. (In other words, I make them “think.”) I never realized how much resistance some kids have to this idea…I know I can’t be the only one out there facing this type of resistance, right?
• Something I’ve always done with every class/group of students I’ve worked with is write one thing they really liked and one thing they really didn’t like over the course of the semester. I encourage them to be completely honest (they don’t have to put their names) because I greatly value what they have to say. Though I had a range of responses there were several similar trends including the following: many LOVED the book trailer projects, many HATED grammar, many wanted more flexibility with turning in assignments late (because I do not accept late work — this response was actually only dominant in one of my classes), and many appreciated all of the hands-on “stuff” we do to keep English class engaging.
• With finals around the corner, I thought it was cool that students were talking about using Quizlet. As in creating a quiz and sharing it with the class (particularly with vocabulary).
• Kids are kids no matter where you teach.
• And last but not least…I love teaching.

And on that note, I wish everyone the best as he/she heads into the homestretch!

Blah

Yep, that about sums me up right now. Doesn’t help that I’m sick, too, but blah just seems to be the way I feel right now.

I’m not sure what it is…Yes, it’s the end of the semester. Yes, it’s the end of my very first real teaching semester (though I’ve taught, student taught, and took classes before so I’m used to being very “busy”.) But I don’t think either one of those are “it” (and “it” being why I feel blah).

My teaching is going well (in fact, I’ve had some of my best classes recently and can’t wait to share those with you all), my coaching is going well (though I still haven’t found my happy medium zone between former athlete and coach), and my grading is ready to go as we finish up the school year and head into finals. (And I even have my Christmas shopping done, ha! )

Yet despite all of these great things going on, I’m still blah. And then it hit me tonight as I finished up my official NCTE recap: I need me time. I’m not talking about the me time where I’m going out and running sprints or getting a pedicure (though both are great examples of me time!). I’m talking about reading and writing for ME. I went back through some of my boxes (still stacked from the second move after the flood) and found some of my graduate work. From essays to poems, I realized how much I used to write…going back through my work made me realize the power of writing and reminded me of why I want my students to understand that they are active writers (and readers) in their lives too. I want them to know what that power is about.

I also sat in the middle of my floor and looked at the books around me (though not that many anymore sadly after yet again the flood). But the bottom line is that I need books in my life. I go through phases where I read a lot and then when I don’t read (aside from prepping for my classes). But phases doesn’t work for me. I need some composition studies,  visual theory, YAL, Milton, hooks, and Barthes. I also need books like this, this, and this.

I need reading and writing for me  to avoid this blah…I don’t know why I stopped. (And isn’t it ironic this is the same question I ask myself about my students?) I don’t know why it feels easier said than done. But I’m determined to make them a priority next semester…

My “official” NCTE recap

As I mentioned before, I haven’t stopped reflecting about NCTE. In fact, if anything I keep realizing more and more how important reflection is…And with that said, let me officially recap my NCTE experience.

To start off, I attended the opening session with Teri Lesesne in which I got a ton of ideas for YA Literature for my students. The idea of moving kids from book to book, creating a “reading ladder,” so we don’t lose them is one that has stuck with me. And stemming from the idea behind creating reading ladders led me to think about writing ladders and how we engage, challenge, and keep students as active writers, too. I think new technologies aid in the ladder for writing, such as blogs and yes, even texts and tweets! In the end, however, it’s all about finding connections for our students to help them see they are already active readers and writers in their every day lives (and this is something I feel very strongly about which you all already know!).

Another interesting idea that I am still pondering after one of the sessions…how do the ideas behind

The start of my NCTE journey…

First, all of my NCTE posts are done! I just need to tidy them up and remember to push “publish!” So have no fear…They will be streaming into your RSS feeds very soon However, this post actually starts my NCTE journey with a thought that I had when asked how my first year of teaching was going so far…Let me explain.

I have a confession to make (as I sigh heavily with disappointment): I haven’t fully utilized my class nings in all the ways I hoped and all the ways they should be. I think it’s a good thing I am acknowledging this point though, and a good thing that I have a new goal to set for myself. To be honest, I don’t know why I haven’t. I could say time or maybe lack of really knowing everything a ning does as I’ve been learning

Exhausted, yet refreshed

Yes. Exhausted, yet refreshed is exactly how I feel coming off of an amazing time in Philly for the NCTE National Convention. With six presentations, I was constantly on the go-go-go. But I still met amazing people, learned a lot, and shared my ideas with educators from all over. (Oh, and can’t forget eating the amazing food from the market!)

I caught a glimpse of a note someone had down stating that if you don’t reflect within 48 hours of the convention, you wouldn’t do it. I, however, disagree (at least in my case) because I haven’t stopped reflecting! And now that I have a bit of time to sit down and catch my breath, I plan on writing about my NCTE experience in the next few posts…

But first…a few initial comments:

If you haven’t heard about the National Writing Project, I suggest you check it out. I was fortunate enough to check in with the NWP crowd as NWP also had its convention in Philly during NCTE. Smart work being down there.

After reading this blog post on PLNs (personal learning networks), I am reminded that one of the most important things about all of the web 2.0/social networking/online “stuff” in general is that they all have the potential to create very powerful communities. The communities I have joined help connect me to teachers all over…teachers who are willing to try/learn/play with new ideas…teachers who push my own thinking on pedagogy. Though there are a lot of teachers who are active members in their PLNs, there are still too many out there who do not utilize/fully appreciate/understand their importance. And at least in my experience, these people are often the ones who treat their classrooms like islands, who don’t value new literacies, and who need PLNs the most.

My point here? Teachers need to remember to grow and learn, too. We need to model what learning looks like for our students. We need to be open-minded and become problem solvers willing to adapt to our students changing needs. We need to be comfortable with the fact that technology integration can connect us with people all over…sometimes in ways that no longer make us the “expert” in the room…and we need to be ok with that. We need to embrace change. We need to always try/learn/play.

And with that said, be on the lookout for more insight into the NCTE Convention!

Busy week!

This weekend I have been preparing for a HUGE upcoming week. Here’s the line up…

1. Grade upload week: every two weeks we upload our grades (though I usually put mine in as assignments are graded) for a mini grade report. I’ve never had this set-up before (only uploading grades at the midterm and end of term). With that said, I feel like I’m still getting used to the two-week grade schedule. Also, though my use of “electronic gradebooks” has included a few different programs depending on the school I was working at, I’m wondering if there are any user-friendly, not “clunky” freeware versions out there? I’m just being picky, but our grading site was being picky this weekend which made me a bit frustrated!
2. NCTE!!! That’s right, headed to Philly this week for the National Convention. I am presenting twice, teaching two “tech talk” sessions, and potentially helping present for a research session. And of course, can’t forget attending as many sessions and learning as much as I can! Talk about BUSY! I’m going to be working/running around everywhere from sun up to sun down (but I think that’s part of the fun ) Anyway, I’m very excited and can’t wait!
3. Since I’ll be attending/working/learning at NCTE, I have to prepare plans for my substitutes! Now, me being me, I’m very particular about my written instructions. I want to be as clear as I can and have everything ready to go for them. Post-its and color coded folders. Enough said.
4. Prepping for a grammar test the Monday after the Convention. I’m handing my students an outline of what they will need to study for the test before I leave. I debated giving a Monday test (hey, I know what it’s like for the students, too!), but want to get the grammar done before Thanksgiving break AND the final exam. I’ve already told them about it, so it’s on their radar which will hopefully help some.
5. First basketball game. And I’m missing it. *sigh* It’s tough being pulled in two different directions being a teacher and coach, but I think the girls understand (at least I hope they do).

Anyway, it’s back to last minute things on this Sunday evening to make sure I have everything ready to go! Guess that means I need to get some laundry going too, ha!

Have a great week everyone!

TwiHaiku

I can’t believe it: TwiHaiku. You’ve got to check it out! Talk about a new way to bring Twitter into the classroom!

The description from the website is as follows:

TwiHaiku – Twitter Poetry, is a free Twitter application that lets you share your thoughts, feelings, views or ideas about anything in a poetic manner.

Your short verses are reviewed, discussed and rated by broad audience, and moderated selection is uploaded to twiHaiku Twitter page so anyone may subscribe and follow the best collection of free short verse poetry online.

I don’t know why this is so intriguing to me, but it really is. (Probably because it’s another real world example of what we do in the classroom in a way that students “get” <in other words, a way to integrate technology with a purpose…and a fresh focus behind student writing in a “different” format>). Anyway, I had to share…I’m interested to search around and see what it’s all about!

Oh, basketball!

By the way, thought I’d just say I’m surviving (and enjoying) being “Coach.” I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a group of very hard working young ladies.

I still find that I hold back a lot — keeping my inner uber competitive athletic self in check. But that inner self isn’t far away…in fact it’s dying to be released. I haven’t found that happy medium between coach and athlete yet.

Yet…

 

Podcasting & Grammar

My students keep making little random grammar chants (and reciting some from their elementary days) to help them remember everything from gerunds to prepositions. So, I thought about a way to connect all of it together. And my answer: podcasts!

Some of you are already familiar with my podcast channel here, but you all get the idea. I like Gcast a lot (super user friendly). To me, podcasts are a great way to publish student work, to have students reflect on their work, to set up walk throughs of museums/literature/etc. — the list continues.

So, I’m looking to incorporate a podcast channel in my class where students come up with various ideas/songs/etc. Then, we broadcast! Perhaps share with some of our lower school (LS) companions and with anyone else out there who needs some grammar info. in his/her life!

Stay tuned!

Gallery Idea!

I mentioned before that I really wanted to figure out something to incorporate into the National Day on Writing’s Online Gallery. And I realized I don’t think I mentioned that I did it! Well, my students’ work hasn’t been submitted yet; however, I did set up our gallery!

OK, so I may be way more interested than most of the kids are about our gallery, but I know some of them thought it was “neat” (and all of them were amused by the challenge of creating our gallery name). I think it’s going to be great…

BUT I’m not 100% sure what the writing will be comprised of that is filtering into our gallery. And then it hit me (and I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before!)….digital literacy narratives.

Again, a huge focus in my classroom is on why English matters (and the fact that we read/write every day of our lives). With that in mind, I think it would be helpful to combine many of our discussions into the foundation for how my students have become the readers/writers they are today. Plus, I have had them writing a lot about what they read/write over the weekend for example. I let them be the judge of what they consider reading/writing and then we discuss what they did. Long story short, I just think creating a narrative about their personal reading/writing journey would be beneficial to help them see the bigger picture of all we do in class. Adding it in a digital format just makes them think about their writing in another way.

I’m excited. I thought I’d have them do it before the end of this semester….but now I’m thinking this is a project we are going to continually build. Thus, spring semester seems better to me…that way they can really apply all of what they have learned and thought about over the year into a great narrative!