If I Knew Then: A Letter to Me on My First Day Teaching

A letter I wrote to myself a few years ago based on this video. I recommend that you do the same - no matter if it is your first year teaching or if you are wrapping up your 25th year like me. 

Happy Summer!


Dear Rexie,

I want you to remember that there will be days when you are tired. Not just a little tired but so tired that you can cry. These days don’t define you and they usually stem from not taking the time to savor the moments. Each and every day there is something that happens in the classroom that should be celebrated and cherished.  

Working with adolescents creates a lot of highs and lows but don’t let the lows get you down. You will always want to do MORE for your kids. Tweak your lesson plans, find the just right way to connect to the non engaged student, build relationships with your students’ families, find the right instructional strategy to meet the needs of all the learners in your room, push all of your students to achieve more and the list goes on and on.

This list could run you so ragged that you will be a tired teacher crossing the finish line, aka the last day of school. By running through the school year without acknowledging that each day matters and what you do matters; you will forget why you became a teacher. Rexie, celebrate each day and reach for every opportunity to collaborate with your colleagues. This is a lesson I learned from them. They are an amazing resource that helped me become the teacher I am today.

With great love and respect,

Older and wiser Rexie

The "I Wish" Song....

This morning I was listening to one of my favorite NPR podcasts, This American Life and today's episode gave me an idea for a great writing lesson. 

 NPR: This American Life: Episode  #259 : Promised Land

In the prologue, Ira Glass explains to the listeners about when he told his sister, a film executive at Disney, that he thought the movie Snow White was old fashioned and seemed like an opera.  She corrected him and said no that what Ira was hearing was the "I Wish"song. The first song that defines the characters purpose, passion, and motivation. I had never thought of this before! He referenced quite a few examples of the first songs.

Snow White -  I'm wishing-- I'm wishing-- for the one I love--Today. I'm hoping-- I'm hoping-- and I'm dreaming of, the nice thing-- the nice thing-- you say-- you say.

Little Mermaid - I want to be where the people are. I wanna see, wanna see them dancin'. Walking around on those-- what do call 'em? Oh-- feet!

Quasimodo

Safe behind these windows and these parapets of stone. Gazing at the people down below me. All my life I watch them as I hide up here alone. Hungry for the histories they show me. All my life I wonder how it feels to pass a day. Not above them, but part of them. And out there--

Dorothy

- Somewhere over the rainbow, way up-- There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.

These songs sung by the main character could be an excellent mentor text. It made me think about using this same idea when writing a story. Why not have your students start with the idea of a song or an event that defines their character. Or if they are working on a memoir why not start in the same way. Critically analyzing the "I wish" songs of movies that your students are most likely very familiar with would be helpful in tying the same ideas to their own writing.

The Life of a Writing Teacher

Love this blog the Two writing teachers.....

Today's post that I received in my email today sums up the life of a writing teacher. I won't even attempt to summarize Jen's words as she hits the nail on the head on describing what it is like to be a writing teacher. No matter the grade level you teach her words will resonate with you.

Thank you Jen for your words.

Jen Schwanke has been an educator for 18 years.  She taught middle school language arts for six years before moving into administration at both the middle school and elementary level.  She is currently a principal for the Dublin City Schools district in Dublin, Ohio.  Follow her on Twitter @JenSchwanke and on Instagram (jenschwanke).  She also blogs about her experiences in learning and leading atjenschwanke.com

Writer's Notebooks

As we begin to think about the end of the school year, teachers begin to consider what they will do differently next year. It is also the time of year that we are asked to create our team supply list for the following school year. So sometimes we need to make these decisions sooner rather than later. After reflecting on what my students used as a writer's notebook, I decided to add a composition notebook to the team supply list again this year.

There are so many different ways for our students to practice their writing skills. I have attended trainings, read books, and blogs that have provided input to what teachers are using in their classrooms with their students. Teachers have successfully used notebooks created from technology, spirals, composition notebooks, folders and many other tools. The key is to find what works for you as the teacher as well as the students.

This school year I asked for my students to purchase a composition notebook to use as their writer's notebook. I have been very pleased with the durability of this tool. The students use this resource on a daily basis in my classroom. The notebook is a place for the students to reference mini lessons, quick writes, mentor texts, rubrics, and so much more.

The following pictures are some examples from my students writer's notebooks. I hope these pictures help you as you make your decisions for next year!

If you are looking for other additional resources or ideas about writer's notebooks check out these two books!

A Writer's Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You by Ralph Fletcher
Notebook Know How - Strategies for the Writer's Notebook by Aimee Buckner

Students grab their class hour's bins. Two bins per hour. Each hour has the students writing notebook. One student from each neighborhood (table group) grabs their neighbor's notebooks - usually 3-5 students per neighborhood.

This year we used an index/table of contents. When the students came into class they added an entry to their notebook as per what was written on the board. The entry is based on each day's mini lesson and a place for direct application of the lesson. 

Brainstorming conference with a student. My help with this conference was done in purple pen. I was helping the students narrow down a free writing idea to a smaller seed idea.

Student's independent editing demons based on conferences and writing feedback

Student example of revision on post it notes from a quick write

Mentor text used to help students see the ways authors use transition words.

NPR - Such a great resource!

Many of us listen to the many great programs on NPR. Have you considered using them in your classroom as mentor texts? My students are currently being immersed in a wide variety of different types of book reviews. We have spent time determining what are the characteristics of a good book reviews. Looking at a wide variety of writing samples - newspapers, magazines, web based, and student writing - have strengthened our understanding of this genre. 

Today and yesterday our 7th grade students listened to book reviews on NPR. Even though these are not written, the students were able to consider additional characteristics that they may want to add to their own book reviews that we will begin writing next week. 

The book reviews on NPR are well done and make great mentor texts. If you are considering having your students write in this genre check out their book reviews. It is also an other great resource for book talking books to consider for your students. 

Great writing resources from ISBE

Another great writing resource is a website called Illinois Writing Matters. This website is developed by the Illinois State Board of Education.

They explain on their homepage their purpose and what they hope their site will provide teachers. Check it out as there are some great rubrics, organizers, and teaching strategies. Each of the text types are supported with resources for all grade levels.

Welcome!

The Illinois State Board of Education Writing website is here to provide you with current research-based support for writing that aligns with the Illinois Learning Standards incorporating the Common Core. On this site, visitors can find grade level specific tools and resources that relate to text types and purposes, production and distribution of writing, research to build and present knowledge and a range of writing.  We welcome your feedback! 

One great place to land for ideas about giving feedback

Twitter is one of my favorite forms of professional development. I can grab an idea while sitting in a waiting room, at soccer practice, or while I am waiting for the color to take to my grey hair.

I follow so many great people on Twitter that are so generous with their own learning. They tweet great ideas, quotes, and sometimes even resources.

I came across this tweet that caught my eye. Thanks to @JoyKirr I am able to share this great resource with you.

Feedback is always something that I am reevaluating and trying to improve upon in my classroom. Joy added great ideas from #sunchat (Twitter chat) to her Live Binder. It is nice to have lots of ideas in one place. Enjoy!!!