I’ve been spending this morning planning my literacy coaching work for the year ahead, and I’m realizing that the way I approach technology integration as a coach has everything to do with how likely teacher efforts might truly improve student learning. Those in my learning network often question the effectiveness of leading these efforts by focusing on tech tools first, and I couldn’t agree more. Facilitating processes that enable teachers to identify the learning needs…
…I wore flip flops in a downpour and realized that rainy summers aren’t so bad after all. John spent the day making gelato with Laura, and Nina and I went to the salon to chop our hair short. As I’m writing this, I can hear the girls bickering in their bedroom, which is right above my head. For now, this is okay. For now, it’s simply good to be home again.
I arrived at the Communities for Learning Summer Institute Sunday evening, just in time to welcome my friend and new fellow, Ellen Gray. I met Ellen earlier this year, and over the last few months, I’ve come to enjoy the perspective she lends to the work that I do as a professional and as a mom. Spending a week immersed in thoughtful planning and discourse with her and with all of the fellows who are…
Paula’s post connected with a bunch of different things I’ve had on my mind lately, including the way in which we approach service at home and in schools. Initially, I was most curious about how we might better inspire kids to serve by helping them define their interests and connect them to actions that allow them to give back in some way. Then Chad Ratliff shared Renjie Butalid’s work on Twitter, and it shifted my…
So…….as I was chatting with Alyssa and Sarah last weekend, they spoke to what many of us call authentic learning. Of course, they didn’t use that phraseology–they spoke in their native tongue, describing how some of what kids are asked to do in school is “boring” or “rushed” or “just for a grade”. They weren’t exactly giving their work with me great props either (just in case you thought I was getting off easy), and…
While I haven’t missed being tethered to the computer quite as much as I was during our school year, I have been missing the conversations that are unfolding within various networks here! My blog has also suffered some intentional neglect as I find myself filling up on the reading I’ve waited all winter to get to and planning for the WNY Young Writers’ Studio, which begins in two short weeks! On Sunday, I met with…
Jenn tipped some of us off to the official word on this last night. Read more at her place, and share your thoughts in the comments. Lots to digest and plan for there.
Two days ago, a box of books arrived from Amazon. Not just any books. Copies of some of my favorite books. I like beginning summer by rereading the things that I love the most. It’s almost like meditation for me–the act of revisiting passages I’ve read a thousand times while sitting in the sun or on the sand or out in the back yard while my daughters’ laughter provides background music. Last week, when I…
Just this week…… Larry Ferlazzo shared the link to this series of posts about blogging over twitter. Sean Nash caught my request for examples of Ning in the classroom and sent this link and this link my way. Steve Shann shared his examples as well, and he connected me to James Miscavish who directed to me to this ning and this one. Dean Groom direct-messaged me, pointing out that Ning tends to work best with…
A number of teachers that I know plan to spend at least a part of this summer getting themselves acquainted with Ning in an effort to extend their own learning opportunities or those of their students. I belong to several networks myself, and although my participation in them tends to wax and wane depending on my schedule, there are several that top my personal favorites list, including the English Companion Ning and Working Together to…