Recharging, Reflecting, Revising

The last school year brought many firsts for me -- my first year using the Responsive Classroom approach, first year as co-president of the union, first year with a full time para in the classroom to support a student, the first time I had a brand new to the country non-English speaker, and my first year taking on a student teacher. It was a busy, busy year.

Looking back, I am not surprised that the blog fell by the wayside (as did my time to connect with educators on Twitter) as the first months were overwhelming. Once I stopped writing somewhat regularly, it was no longer a habit. I've taken some time to recharge my batteries this summer and now I need to dust off the blog and get back into the habit.

This week, I am taking a course at the University of New Hampshire's Literacy Institute. It is my fifth summer taking a course at the Institute, and I returned this year to many friendly faces and in just the first day was filled with ideas and excitement for the school year. I started attending the Literacy Institute after I had obtained my Masters degree and rediscovered my love of learning. I came across a brochure by chance and a course piqued my interest. Each summer I returned, motivated to earn credits to earn a bit more in my paycheck. This summer I have no financial incentive--I've reached the max number of credits. I just love learning and working with other educators who feel the same.

One thing I rediscover each year at the Literacy Institute is my absolute fear of writing, sharing my writing, and avoidance of writing. Not coincidentally, writing is also the area of instruction I am constantly searching for tips and tricks. This week I am taking a course on Social and Emotional Learning in the Reader's-Writer's workshop with Mike Anderson (@balancedteacher). After writing today, we shared some thoughts on the Social and Emotional Learning competencies used while writing and sharing our writing. What do we do when we are stuck? How do we come up with an idea? How can I share my story that I don't feel is good when someone else shared a great story?

Mike said something that struck a chord with me: "It would be impossible to coach kids if we didn't know what to do." How am I going to support my students as writers if I am not writing myself?

So this is my restart, my do over. I am dusting off this blog to reflect on my practice in order to learn, and as a habit of writing. I also began a notebook to practice writing in a different way with sketchnotes:

I can take the time to analyze why I haven't been writing, what I have been doing instead, or I can just get back to it. I know the analysis would just be another form of avoidance. So here I go again....Writing used to be a huge part of my life, and I am bringing it back.

“A ship is always safe at shore, but that is not what it’s built for.” 

–Albert Einstein

I saw this last week and it has been sticking with me. I may be adding it to the front of my plan book as it is a reminder that this year is a year of change, a year of risks, and a year to venture out into the unknown for the best of the students.

For the last week I have been getting my classroom ready,

prepping morning messages and planning morning meetings for the first week,








and just trying to plan the many mini-lessons it will take to model and practice the many routines of learning. Oh yeah, and did I mention the district trainings and meetings and copying and meeting my wonderful students and families?!?

So as I sit here on the night before school begins with my students I have some jitters, some unfinished odds and ends, and so many ideas to implement. Rather than staying safe on the shore, I'm ready to sail out into the unknown to do what is right for my students.

The First Six Weeks of School

When I started on this reflective blog journey a little over a month ago, I envisioned having much more figured out by now. I will be face to face with students in my classroom two weeks from today and I still have many ideas floating and jumbled.

Last week, having just finished my Responsive Classroom course, I was at the beach with my family. Trying to embrace the chance to relax and unwind, I didn't take (much) professional reading with me. I read for pleasure, I slept in, I went on excursions and all the while the ideas were percolating. My intent was for the ideas to fall into place and organize themselves, but no such luck. They multiplied. Like bunnies.

So now here I sit on the couch, intent on organizing my ideas. As I learned in my RC course I need to focus on the first six weeks of school, and I left that week with a bit of a plan for how that works (And I need to make this need clear to admin who typically expect us to jump into programs on day 2 or 3) Thinking through all that I must model, the teacher language I must use and what I want to accomplish I have to think through what I want to do this year, and what I want to introduce.

Procedures - This is a given in 1st grade, but it is going to be even more important this year. I need to model EVERYTHING, and model some more. If things get off track, I've got to stop and remodel.

Morning Meeting/Closing Circle - This is everything! Though it is a chunk of my schedule the safe community it will build will have greater impact down the road and as the routine is established I can begin to weave in academics.

Reader's/Writer's Workshop - I have not had a true workshop for reading or writing in the past. Actually I haven't even been a great model for writing in the past few years. I read a great article connecting the first six weeks of school and writers workshop which I will read and reread over the next couple weeks. I've also got some amazing ideas from Kathy Collins and thanks to her book, Growing Readers I know this is the year I can do it and do it right.

Seesaw - I am very excited to begin using this app to support my students in creating digital portfolios of their progress. I want to start that first week, even with something as simple as a picture, modeling and supporting students in their first steps towards digital literacy.

Mindsets - I've mentioned before my desire to teach my students what it takes to have a growth mindset and to be flexible and resilient learners. I need to be guiding them through discovering the elements of a growth mindset and spotting it in themselves and others. I think I will be referencing and rereading A Mindset for Learning many times this year!

Inquiry - Even if it is just one topic this year, I want my students to experience and learn through true inquiry. This will be a challenge for me, as my large team often wants to be teaching the same thing, on the same day, with the same final outcome. If I am letting student interest guide the learning it may not lined up with the designated team topic. I know if I can show my team and administration that students can meet objectives and show growth while exploring their own learning, I will be able to incorporate inquiry more in the future.

I am slowly building a map for the year, and a plan for the first six weeks. When I lay the groundwork properly I know my students will be prepared for an amazing year of learning.

It really works!

Two weeks ago I had just dipped my toes into the world of Twitter. Last night I was finally, totally and completely sold. Twitter works.

In the morning I put a question out to the Twitter world. Not much happened and I tried to actually relax for a bit on summer vacation. Before dinner I happened to check (since I felt I had neglected doing the work I said I would do this summer, with Twitter being a tiny piece) and I had SO MANY responses to my questions!!! And as I started thanking people for their great ideas, conversations started and kept going. I began to build my PLN, build my tribe and feel the power of Twitter.

Later I dove into my second Twitter chat. I at least knew what to expect this time! Chatting with other teachers about A Mindset for Learning (ah-mazing!) gave me new ideas and helped to clarify my vision as to how I can bring joy back into the classroom while helping my students build necessary traits for lifelong learning.

So thank you Twitter. You're changing my PD practices and changing how I can connect with others, in the best interest of my students.

Discovery Journey

"We learn more, think differently, and do better when we have regular access to others who help us reflect on our craft and discover new opportunities." 

(Muhtaris & Ziemke p 25)

I'm taking a class this week which is completely and unexpectedly exactly what I need right now. At times I feel so secluded in my school surrounded by 30+ staff members, many with teaching experience that exceeds my years on this planet. I am one on a team of eight teachers, and we are teachers with very different styles who do not always collaborate with ease. There are mandates coming down from above and I do not feel that each of these will be what is best for student learning. I want to empower my students to think, to ask questions and to always be curious. I want to change the way things are run, I want to empower the teachers around me, I want to be part of a tribe of teachers doing the same.

Each year I take an inspiring class and I say, "I will do things differently this year! I will change it all to do what is best for students!" But August comes, my enthusiasm has waned and I return to school following directions of which program to teach, and changing just a little thing or two. Reading Amplify by Katie Muhtaris & Kristin Ziemke I am feeling a new enthusiasm that I can carry into the new year. I fee less secluded. This week I joined Twitter and in just two days I feel that I am beginning to connect with other likeminded teachers. But I am also connecting with those who think differently and I look forward to seeing where conversations can go. I know continuing to connect and talk through the summer and far beyond will keep me from falling into old habits. 

This year I have to do it differently. I want to take my day, my week, my year and look at what I can do to empower the students to be constantly curious. I think it will a Discovery Journey to see what I can do, where I can take the students and who I can meet along the way.