using what I learned

I used a variation of Liz's lesson a few weeks ago. A third grade teacher requested only three fairy tales from me and one fractured tale. So, I asked her if I could provide additional resources. With my fingers crossed and my toes and my eyes (okay, not really the eyes) I added that a friend of mine had used the fractured tales to compare and contrast with Venn Diagrams and offered her a stack of tales (Red Riding hood on a moped, a girl climbing the bean stalk, the three armadillos...35 books in all) and she loved it. I also found a website that has animated fractured tales (dinosaurs crossing a t-rex's bridge was a riot). She loved it and thanked me twice.

This week I am collaborating with 1-3rd grade teachers. I am reading a Alphabet book, WHAT PETE ATE FROM A-Z. Then students are browsing the 40 that I have in the library with the task of evaluating the books. We are making a chart of what makes a good alphabet book. Then we discussed theme (topics) and voted on a class theme. I provided teachers with an alphabet and gave them the student created charts to hang in their rooms and students are creating their own books in class. At the end of the project we will have them bound and available to the class. 6+1 traits of idea generation, organization, and publication are all involved...woohooo!!!

a long, long time ago

During the summer, Julie, or maybe someone else, mentioned some questions about challenged texts and intellectional and academic freedom to preserve a study of classics. Well, tonight, unable to sleep and resisting, for the time being, chocolate, I ran across an article that I thought might be of assistance. ttp://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/cens/107616.htm

21st Century Excuse

One of my students said this when explaining why his assigned blog post was not posted,

"The blog ate my post."

Fall Retreat info

We wrote, wrote, and wrote some more. Writing endorphins pumping....oh, and three pounds of M &M's and three pots of coffee were consumed in the process.

For those who missed the writing retreat, I hope that you can carve a few minutes out of your Sunday to write. One of the articles that I distributed http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/1949 suggested that we all keep a "possible article file" of ideas. There are several more suggestions worth reading...

Laura

What a Difference

Like "the Man" I to have experienced a paradigm shift in my classroom. And it is ALL due to the wonderful guidance of Keri and Casey and the three weeks of OWP this summer. Everyday I walk into my classes excited and ready to go. What a change from last year! I think my colleagues also feel and see the changes in my teaching and they are encouraged and inspired. Even a History teacher asked about the OWP this morning as I was explaining my enthusiasm. I can't wait to get to the retreat this weekend and write and share! Hope to see you there! (Ok, my poetry is not so good.)

Follow up

I realized at the follow up meeting just how much fun I had last summer. I was priviledged to join the group once again. I am a competitive person that likes to feel like a winner, and I felt all summer long like I was playing for a winning team. I enjoyed seeing the various styles and ideas of teaching, and I enjoyed the fact that the "walls were knocked down" as everybody was free to express themselves and professionally let loose. This is an awesome group with awesome ideas.