tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-931485173818876962024-03-19T05:25:51.350-04:00Wild Child's Mossy Oak MusingsWild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-23946359536175879192021-02-07T16:31:00.005-05:002022-03-15T12:37:33.262-04:00Teaching Poetry In a Virtual World<div class="MsoNormal">
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<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Greetings teacher friends! It has been far too long since I've written about my teaching life. Like everyone else, I've been surviving the pandemic, quarantining, teaching virtually and now hybrid. I often thought of writing and the things I wanted to say to my teaching colleagues across the globe, but after 7+ hours on my computer, my eyes couldn't take more screen time. Blue light glasses only provide minimal relief. But I'm back and excited to be writing again. Today, I'm welcoming my poet friend, Andrew Green from Potato Hill Poetry, as a guest blogger.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>I first met Andrew in a weekend workshop in Phoenix, Arizona.
As a teacher-learner, I watched as he inspired us to experience poetry as
writers, teachers and learners. And I thought to myself, “This is something
special.” Fast forward fifteen years. I am teaching in Michigan, and I
stumble over Andrew’s materials in my filing cabinet. I find his
website. I reach out to him. He travels from Boston to Michigan to be our
writer-in-residence. I watch our students, eating poetry out of the palm
of his hand. I think to myself, “His work. It’s still something special.”
He brings a unique perspective to teaching the as he travels the greater
New England area and the rest of the United States. And yes, he’s still
something pretty special.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And now, he travels virtually. My colleagues and I have just booked Andrew for our March is Reading Month celebrations. I couldn't be more excited to welcome his mastery into our classroom again. </span></div>
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<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">. . .</div><blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When we feel love and
kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but
it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">—Dalai Lama, XIV</span></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: 0.5in;">I work as a poet in the
schools. My job is to inspire, motivate, and encourage kids to read and write
poetry. I do this by sharing my love of poetry with them. I read them poems. I
share my writing notebooks and writing habits with them. We read poems out loud
and talk about them. We write poems together on the board and then we all write
our own. If we have time, we revise them. Finally, we share and celebrate them
in pairs and as a large group. We notice what we like. We ask questions about
things we don’t understand. We encourage revision. We applaud the effort. And
kids love it. Especially the sharing out loud.</span></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It’s that simple. The trick is to help each student find
a connection to poetry. This can be done by sharing many different poems so
that students see all the ways poems can be written. Once students discover a
poem about a subject they like, suddenly a light goes off. Bingo. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Poetry speaks to me. Poetry is about
something I care about. Poetry has purpose and pleasure and power.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This year, we took the act
of kindness as one of our main themes to </span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">explore in our poetry. We talked about
what kindness is and how we show it? We talked about the different ways people
can be kind to each other. </span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We read poems about
kindness and then we went on “Kindness Hunts” to see where and how we might
witness it. We discovered these acts all around us.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: medium; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><blockquote>Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.</blockquote></span></i></div><div style="font-size: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 96px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">—Henry James</span></span></div></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Kindness was everywhere. In
our classrooms, lunchrooms, at recess, on the playground, in our kitchens and
homes, on the sports fields, in parking lots and stores, on the sidewalks and
in traffic.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And we wrote about it. We
wrote poems describing what we observed. We shared them. We passed them on to
others. We gave them as gifts.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When writing poems about
acts of kindness, one learns that there are many different kinds of kindness.
There are small momentary kindnesses to strangers – holding the door for
someone, picking up someone’s dropped pencil, letting someone slide into the
long line of morning traffic.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There are planned
kindnesses – writing a poem for someone, taking a day off from work to stay
home and nurse someone back to health, surprising </span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">someone with a special
gift.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And then, there are the
daily kindnesses to those we love: packing a lunch for someone, driving someone
to school in the morning, helping someone with homework or reading them a story
before bed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Poetry is one place to
acknowledge these acts of kindness, to write them down and measure them out, to
describe them in words on the page. By describing these moments on the page, we
make them come to life in a poem – it’s a way of saying thank you to those who
make our lives better.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_QX-zfoBzZl_qyqSCx3kG78IFJ5VboMgG8dpSRtdUynn-dVu0D4UVqWON0tOILRUSkLaA26CQh_1EBsb8KonWwg9IJWaYJEPkbRMnBGbJxH66AiUKbZfgyGwvQ3-w-JoAZ4i_T_JdAel/s1600/Slide3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_QX-zfoBzZl_qyqSCx3kG78IFJ5VboMgG8dpSRtdUynn-dVu0D4UVqWON0tOILRUSkLaA26CQh_1EBsb8KonWwg9IJWaYJEPkbRMnBGbJxH66AiUKbZfgyGwvQ3-w-JoAZ4i_T_JdAel/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing
Time:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you write a poem about
an act of kindness you have many choices.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your job is to write a lot
about a little act of kindness you witness. Here are some questions,
strategies, and thoughts to consider when writing:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Questions
to Ponder when Writing:</span></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What are different
types of kindnesses you can write about?</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a good classroom topic for discussion as a pre-writing exercise.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What kinds of things
can you include in your poem?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will the five senses
help you to convey the scene?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 4.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What observations
can you make about the people, the setting, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> the light, the time of day, the
weather?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Could you include a
line (or more) of dialogue – what are people actually saying?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What are some
examples of your topic that you could show us?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What struck you the
most about this act of kindness?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will the Five W’s
help you? Who? What? When? Where? Why?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How did the people
involved act and react?</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What thoughts do you have about this act of kindness?</span></span><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ten Exercises for Writing a Poem on
Kindness:</span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write a poem about an act of kindness that you observe
between two people. This could be in a coffee shop or school cafeteria or
anywhere you observe people.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 2.</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write a poem about an act of kindness that someone you live </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
with does for you each and every day.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 3.</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write a poem about a friend who does something kind for you. What do they do that makes you feel good about yourself </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">and about them?</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 4.</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write a poem about a relative and some act of kindness they
have done for you in the past.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5.</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write a poem about an act of kindness you have done fo<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">r<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span>someone else. Don’t be bashful. Describe it in detail.</span></span></span></span></span></div></div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6.</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Write a poem about an act of kindness from a teacher or
coach.</span></span></span></span></span></div></div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7.</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write a portrait poem describing a person you know who is
kind to you.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8.</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write a poem describing your thoughts on what kindness is
and why it’s important.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9.</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write a poem using only simile or metaphor describing what
kindness is.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write a poem about the kindness
of a pet or an animal or something from the natural world.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember,
the best poems are those that don’t tell us, but show us and therefore leave
the conclusions up to the reader. Put on your discovery hat and go discover
kindness out there. Then write your poems. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.</i></blockquote>
<i>
</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 96px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">—Aesop</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are a few sample poems:</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">At The Grocery Store</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By Andrew Green</span></span></div>
</span><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As he walks up behind her</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">She turns</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">At the last minute</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And decides</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To hold the door for him</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Who gladly accepts</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And in return</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Holds the inside door for her</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Each of them</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Thanking the other</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For that brief moment</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Before they scurry on their way</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He to the produce aisle</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For a box of strawberries</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">She to the deli</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For a quarter pound of pastrami.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>The
Kindness of Grass</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By Maisie </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The first
thing you do</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Is see the
grass.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It catches
your eye.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You smell
the grass.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It smells
as beautiful</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As
perfume.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The grass
is as fresh </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As a
strawberry just picked</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From the
patch.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I love the
grass.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It tickles
between your toes</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And it’s
as soft as your pillow.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<h1 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></h1>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By Samantha
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He stops
unloading the light bulbs</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Out of his
red van</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To push me
on the swings</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With his
dirty hands</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He hugs
and kisses me good-bye</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Every day
sending me</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Well
wishes</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He always
has time</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After his
long and weary days</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To play
with me</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On the
hoverboards</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He kills
the evil spiders</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When I am
too scared to</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He asks me
how</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My day was
every day</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After
school</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He kisses
me good night</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Each
night.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<h1 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Flute</span></span></h1>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By Findlay</span></span><br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">B flat, F,
F, G, F, D, E flat, F —</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mr. Harlow
stopped me.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He told
me:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chin up, elbows down.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I
continued:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">F, G, G, F
—</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My hands
started to hurt.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">D, C.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He told
me:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Take a break.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I calmed
down and continued:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">B flat, B
flat, B flat, B flat —</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I felt
dizzy.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Then Mr.
Harlow stopped me again</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And said:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Smaller embouchure,</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Slower breathing.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It helped.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I kept
playing. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">. . .</div></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #201f1e;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you're getting tired of the same old virtual routine with your classes or struggling to teach poetry in a virtual setting, why not shake things up a little and offer them a poetry writing workshop with Andrew? Andrew </span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Green, who founded Potato Hill Poetry in 1994, has conducted thousands of writing and poetry workshops for students and teachers in schools across the country. Now, he is offering Virtual Poetry Writing Workshops for students and teachers of grades 1-8. Join in the fun! </span></span></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Geneva, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Class size: 10-25.<span class="x_Apple-tab-span" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></span></b><b class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Geneva, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Class time: 45-60 minutes. Fee: $125-250 per class. <span class="x_Apple-tab-span" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span>References available.</span></b></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Geneva, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Now Scheduling Winter/Spring/Fall 2021</span></b></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Geneva, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Website: </span></b><a class="" data-auth="Verified" href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.potatohill.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C1eb51c258edc4ee9e9f308d8b3df95dc%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637457120154551987%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=uYJuWKOpBEROzPG8nhGVemMKyg18ic2F1hvzRgszNw0%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="http://www.potatohill.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" shash="u37mde51Hq0e00zg4Lsgc1c+JsCBb6fgjq10r/2sYN3F6dNQVIy8k5hwApdQRwdM8oTMHgSyY3btPyAx0U9BMPXZnib1t5YzXXOYYGmthnF2eiQ2OHXXwgMRsMa952mI6yGSRsfo8kY4oc1jQ5f+qppfbXYeBeeSc1HsmA3E5SQ=" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Protected by Outlook: http://www.potatohill.com/. Click or tap to follow the link."><b class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Geneva, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">www.potatohill.com</span></b></a><b class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Geneva, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Email: <a class="" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="mailto:info@potatohill.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">info@potatohill.com</a></span></b></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Geneva, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Online Poetry Writing Activities from Potato Hill Poetry: </span></b><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Geneva, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">© 2020</span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Geneva, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 14pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></p></span></div></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-88636742769338654602020-06-24T14:52:00.001-04:002022-03-15T12:37:43.357-04:00Cages & Cheetahs: The Untaming of Teachers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvcC2E7K2TjALay3VJyG-qKPbTVThddWOZXqE5BNm5Cf_SEbAk-N8hSDCi1eLkbld-eZ5CJK9mP9gYDlQTDQXrkSHMLCqkfdWEKGPjIGiELmyQve6nsTp28RcpXCgTw3_BCwws5WVlwab/s1600/Untamed+Book+Post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvcC2E7K2TjALay3VJyG-qKPbTVThddWOZXqE5BNm5Cf_SEbAk-N8hSDCi1eLkbld-eZ5CJK9mP9gYDlQTDQXrkSHMLCqkfdWEKGPjIGiELmyQve6nsTp28RcpXCgTw3_BCwws5WVlwab/s1600/Untamed+Book+Post.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You are a goddamn cheetah.</span></blockquote>
-Glennon Doyle, <i>Untamed</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-size: large;">A cheetah. We are all "goddamn cheetahs." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Glennon Doyle's new book, <i>Untamed, </i>begins with a memoir in which she takes her daughter to a zoo. While there, they watch Tabitha the cheetah's feeding. Once Tabitha is away from her handlers and the crowd, Doyle observes the changes in the cheetah. In the field, Tabitha's head becomes high; she stalks the periphery and paces. Her eyes stare at something beyond the fence. It's as if the big cat remembers her wildness. Doyle imagines a conversation with Tabitha in which she admits her dissatisfaction with her zoo life. Tabitha longs for something more...something that doesn't exist. Doyle assures Tabitha that she's not ungrateful or crazy...she's a goddamn cheetah. The memoir reads like a parable. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't blogged since Pandemic Panic set in on March 13. On March 16, I began teaching online, every day, five days a week. I spent the remainder of my time creating curriculum resources that would help me teach the grade level standards my district tagged as imperative for the remainder of the school year. I was quarantined by myself, away from family members and loved ones. I only left the house for trail hikes and groceries. The rest of the time, I paced inside my cage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I snagged <i>Untamed </i>during a hurried trip to Target for toilet paper, and it sat on my coffee table until I reunited with my podcast friends to discuss our summer episodes. Lo and behold! They had all purchased it, too. <i>Untamed</i> is the first book in our summer reading series for teachers. And of course, we have curated some recipes to go with your reading of this powerful book!</span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cages</span></h3>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOZlztg9DzW8cjFK2gXWKg3QzHGG09QaaD1hAOLR8-MF2VQRpjRioeIJjmMdrAvKmOlESHaUz1cLfFtwIVTk9zZEFDoLw6WuV0jzEYwO7PI2huhXs2BXiOJvFPaY_eOC0boRZe6zrM-vp/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOZlztg9DzW8cjFK2gXWKg3QzHGG09QaaD1hAOLR8-MF2VQRpjRioeIJjmMdrAvKmOlESHaUz1cLfFtwIVTk9zZEFDoLw6WuV0jzEYwO7PI2huhXs2BXiOJvFPaY_eOC0boRZe6zrM-vp/s400/Slide1.JPG" width="308" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I love the way this memoir/self-help book is organized. The first memoirs are about the cages in which women find themselves, either built by society, family or self. They are expected to marry, child-bear and rear, housekeep, and have a career. But what if those expectations aren't what they want? What if they're cheetahs, instead? I couldn't help thinking about the cages we teachers enter as we move through our careers. What realities do we have thrust upon us? The standardized tests, the unrealistic expectations, the lack of respect, the acceptance of that lack of respect, of resources, of adequate pay, of public derision and distrust. In this section of her book, Doyle encourages her readers to <i style="font-weight: bold;">feel all of the feelings</i>. It reminds me of the stories I've told myself at low points in my career, when I've wanted to give up. I stuff the feelings down, because coming out of that cage feels a bit terrifying. If I admit that I'm unhappy or dissatisfied, then I must do something about it. If I can't admit my feelings to myself, how can I possibly grow from them? </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Keys</span></h3>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGiIAXdhIxRy0YQcInqQtiM7LReNReGobh0u9qgRifrb1Pc98lb3QOUY0MzSQvq6zvPu5DDhXEdNG8zLR5u6VZG6DupeHIJtGokVJaXRzq24oVLKy2f2oqt4dRBxu47Q1QHP9vd6X0lbi/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGiIAXdhIxRy0YQcInqQtiM7LReNReGobh0u9qgRifrb1Pc98lb3QOUY0MzSQvq6zvPu5DDhXEdNG8zLR5u6VZG6DupeHIJtGokVJaXRzq24oVLKy2f2oqt4dRBxu47Q1QHP9vd6X0lbi/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="308" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This section is my favorite. Doyle passes us a few hacksaws so we can break out of our cages. Her short memoirs are action plans. My favorite one is "Be Still and Know." She talks about getting quiet inside in order to listen to herself. When I think about how many voices I allow in my decision-making (my colleagues, my parent, my friends, my sibling, my principal), I realize that I seldom listen to my own voice. And then I must ask the question: Do I trust myself? This part of the book <i>moved me into action. </i>As teachers, how often do we listen to our own voices? How often do we assert our voices?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Free</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the final section of <i>Untamed, </i>I found myself reflecting on two words: Burning and building. Glennon's analogy about burning the old cages to build new realities for ourselves reminds me of an article I read about the Australian wildfires. When Australia was done burning, within weeks, new growth appeared. Green appeared everywhere. In this section, she talks about her own burning and building, and it is inspiring. Again, I asked myself hard questions: What are my beliefs about myself as a teacher? As a </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">human being? What do I need to edit? And finally, what will take its place?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZjCqo6KzVBRIZ_4HqW64b_El5RM-xUlFPmXit18vEpKp8jj3xJKzuyiEj8YOy934m0RlcG7wfEvCTVzsBfX8ieE0Qyi84okMiR2kMJX1CGmumZvJAE9MbfdmUaEbLvysmWzu-FsVfLyy/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZjCqo6KzVBRIZ_4HqW64b_El5RM-xUlFPmXit18vEpKp8jj3xJKzuyiEj8YOy934m0RlcG7wfEvCTVzsBfX8ieE0Qyi84okMiR2kMJX1CGmumZvJAE9MbfdmUaEbLvysmWzu-FsVfLyy/s400/Slide5.JPG" width="307" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI2sfH4etV34Vr5pb7FEmVuAYi3vauqn27q2Rq6-OP3-8S9cDZhhnWwf1hIXhFvtEuw_nRAtu3zo1apuvlGHxob0xlfFs_pjGgElkEbIyp3usAtI3iSbhiFEnVpyW9Djf9o9Vn5qNxSr-/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI2sfH4etV34Vr5pb7FEmVuAYi3vauqn27q2Rq6-OP3-8S9cDZhhnWwf1hIXhFvtEuw_nRAtu3zo1apuvlGHxob0xlfFs_pjGgElkEbIyp3usAtI3iSbhiFEnVpyW9Djf9o9Vn5qNxSr-/s400/Slide4.JPG" width="307" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This read is the perfect book to reflect on our quarantine, our school year, and our personal lives. We had a great time discussing it. You can listen to We Teach So Hard right <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827#episodeGuid=92c718e3-a530-48b7-b216-27aa30b06645">HERE</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">P.S. It's good to be back with you, my readers. I've missed you. Until next time, I'll be burning and building! Click below to find out more. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/4-Ways-to-Thrive-in-the-New-Year-Reflection-Pages-2930560" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5ocmQShZZ1ct8NMFAcHRnNj4nzv2fswwhyphenhyphenJIHVvpzVSBEcfY7o8txC9m_3DPAEOmXWxzX7RAiVan5ddl1VgVCn3Kxj9cau_sxbpuOFQsiD6JgeQ9Slo3IjRrF3ESsGb2wJhzyeKk9mlX/s200/original-2930560-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Simplicity-Challenge-Self-Care-Goal-Setting-For-Teachers-3591252"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAciUDkO0AaHeDLDB5rKHyhBNw4QYPYI33M3LzrbplFPxd4NWOrsYWfmtYppy7V-QkpJ2sDf4FqAkeyB9d4SZJsJKLWJN6D7h7g8ZNBbtlappPC-J1ZDg9u8142d-UvISZWWBclrEMKDF/s200/Simplicity+challenge+graphic.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-66197382359360280672020-03-22T17:09:00.003-04:002022-03-15T12:37:53.195-04:00Small Wonders & e. e. cummings: Poetry and Mindfulness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEyFmAiRPGLC4WifyDIpSPfUXYRKkqMw3RwHmI93gCeG6XGgNSlomkzzZqTGu8eYWLJzHzD-VtSjaLmAwNbhW03hyphenhyphenFTzzXZhWCFLC9cEBHVWNznBUFffF_RNk__bp2mEKaO54pyGTKrTJ/s1600/blog+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEyFmAiRPGLC4WifyDIpSPfUXYRKkqMw3RwHmI93gCeG6XGgNSlomkzzZqTGu8eYWLJzHzD-VtSjaLmAwNbhW03hyphenhyphenFTzzXZhWCFLC9cEBHVWNznBUFffF_RNk__bp2mEKaO54pyGTKrTJ/s1600/blog+graphic.jpg" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.</span></blockquote>
-e. e. cummings<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was my father who taught me how to observe the world. After watching him with my nieces and nephew, I'm sure my education began at a very young age, but what I remember most are the forced nature hikes through the state forest behind our house. I say, "forced" because my mom made me go with him. She had some cockamamie idea that getting my nose out of my book so I could get some fresh air might be good for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our nature hikes, my dad would point out animal scat and tracks. He taught me how to find deer crossings and showed me where the bucks used trees to rub the velvet off their antlers. He taught me to identify trees by their bark and leaves. I learned to always walk away from bear cubs...quickly. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEividtvZHvVXI9hb9w6GRJ_MYQ4LKLyrGadFPC94_F2LescAZdNaXmCQqdd8cXVIicsPZlcU6ywvvcddaSAngTusHuW-mTqIVllFT1lShBv9Tqbjn9HqeSO9zJZAg4Ll9OkmSGnhrnXD37w/s1600/book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEividtvZHvVXI9hb9w6GRJ_MYQ4LKLyrGadFPC94_F2LescAZdNaXmCQqdd8cXVIicsPZlcU6ywvvcddaSAngTusHuW-mTqIVllFT1lShBv9Tqbjn9HqeSO9zJZAg4Ll9OkmSGnhrnXD37w/s320/book+cover.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">To be a poet, one must be a close observer of the world. One of my new favorite poetry book discoveries is <i>enormous SMALLNESS A Story of E. E. Cummings</i> by Matthew Burgess. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think of this books as a hybrid text, because it tells the story of how e. e. cummings became a poet, from childhood to adulthood, but it also weaves his poetry into the story. Throughout the book, readers see how cummings learned to observe and experience the world around him. The title especially makes my heart strings zing. As a teacher and poet, I want my students to know that paying attention to the little things in life is often what makes life joyful. It makes us mindful of the present moment.</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Activity #1</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've chosen three of Cummings' poems to share with my students. They just happen to be on the end pages of the book. Reading his poems are like unwrapping a puzzle box. The language play is so much fun, as are his inventive line breaks. One of my favorite things to do is experiment with how we read his poems out loud. We read them as he wrote them, trying to pay attention to the way he has broken up lines and words. Then, I challenge my students to rewrite the poems with their own line breaks. We read them again and discover how powerful line breaks are in poems. With this activity, we're examining Cummings' writer's craft and answering the question: Why did he write it like that?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMDkW9CSmOug1WmnYpFVT6lKXs1BDJgU9qtx4tfxnooRW-MlkFQ0aSkZEeUaf67HyJG_d7y4eq-vv3XGb5XY8mF9K9EeYi2Wh-_HmGP83s3oNU5R1IIu5OXV2uYmZdaadOhbnt8nQQkWe/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMDkW9CSmOug1WmnYpFVT6lKXs1BDJgU9qtx4tfxnooRW-MlkFQ0aSkZEeUaf67HyJG_d7y4eq-vv3XGb5XY8mF9K9EeYi2Wh-_HmGP83s3oNU5R1IIu5OXV2uYmZdaadOhbnt8nQQkWe/s640/Slide5.JPG" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw25M6Q3Vk3wXx0UIS1vfNXZRkYTn3fPizh3etAiYCmnUbNT-y6EjTtBOimBBVE2sYPrePRkKToG2pjADqsO3NQqv6aPhJnP_Zc53B5o_2CmDX6hjQLaAkbAviZ8woPvOw2qBJ4hsCc0x/s1600/Slide6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMw25M6Q3Vk3wXx0UIS1vfNXZRkYTn3fPizh3etAiYCmnUbNT-y6EjTtBOimBBVE2sYPrePRkKToG2pjADqsO3NQqv6aPhJnP_Zc53B5o_2CmDX6hjQLaAkbAviZ8woPvOw2qBJ4hsCc0x/s640/Slide6.JPG" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Activity #2</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next, we talk about mood and imagery. We reread the poems and highlight images and language that jumps out at us. I curate a collection of visual arts and ask my students to pair the art with the selected poems. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg6GJIqImx3PqRSsNUCLRsNBTEM719cZfSFFkIYau-ELofasjDlBojpNl_f2nWfQ-HxeOD_cZKzEpbE23ZUQbBeAdyVYvtrBKtJePJcWE-Rdfknl1Asj5iVrAOo6U6rUIkH28DhRWx4cr/s1600/love+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg6GJIqImx3PqRSsNUCLRsNBTEM719cZfSFFkIYau-ELofasjDlBojpNl_f2nWfQ-HxeOD_cZKzEpbE23ZUQbBeAdyVYvtrBKtJePJcWE-Rdfknl1Asj5iVrAOo6U6rUIkH28DhRWx4cr/s320/love+flight.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Love Flight of a Pink Candy Heart" Florence Stettheimer</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They spend a lot of time discussing their choices. The best part of this activity is that my students must think deeply about the poet's language, imagery, and meaning when pairing the poems and artwork. Check out the three paintings below. Which poem (shown above) would you pair them with? Why? I'd love to hear your thinking in the comments!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvm2Ig3D9Z42j5VDfHGOHhvn47I04GyFMNmk1oiyHrvkZev8jAsRRPsQci5tywd6CvAZbKYOEffensR9Q_PjxuK6355SuvfVMoY6Pn_nb3n7YB66emzIIRS3IPY0J1L7z1Jx_QcHYUzIlr/s1600/lake+george+reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="123" data-original-width="205" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvm2Ig3D9Z42j5VDfHGOHhvn47I04GyFMNmk1oiyHrvkZev8jAsRRPsQci5tywd6CvAZbKYOEffensR9Q_PjxuK6355SuvfVMoY6Pn_nb3n7YB66emzIIRS3IPY0J1L7z1Jx_QcHYUzIlr/s400/lake+george+reflection.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Lake George Reflection" Georgia O'Keeffe</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02BxdxlZg-9WX_yxhGqpQ9tM7b7KuTvsbtXrlPoMU0Lsz7i6Wi36bysl2qG4YyueqwPPDJI2YNL2wFNOG_sAM3YpYAApVj70kZ3sTRNE0SLpyHKtfVGfY-V4cA41r-QWOTH9CXwRDuskC/s1600/peach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="221" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02BxdxlZg-9WX_yxhGqpQ9tM7b7KuTvsbtXrlPoMU0Lsz7i6Wi36bysl2qG4YyueqwPPDJI2YNL2wFNOG_sAM3YpYAApVj70kZ3sTRNE0SLpyHKtfVGfY-V4cA41r-QWOTH9CXwRDuskC/s320/peach.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Pink Peach Tree" Vincent Van Gogh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Activity #3</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8O6-MQ-dm4L2yiy2dDMLmF5bPKkIUdf5A__jD-GeLRZo6dMAyHZEGXC4_91YOYfnZ6gtLgUpNyr_H5lX_oVZF1uCe1uPOtVKb0wVUjZU3UioatknhCix-DOyjjjQ31a0DwWOwp5bOFyQg/s1600/feather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8O6-MQ-dm4L2yiy2dDMLmF5bPKkIUdf5A__jD-GeLRZo6dMAyHZEGXC4_91YOYfnZ6gtLgUpNyr_H5lX_oVZF1uCe1uPOtVKb0wVUjZU3UioatknhCix-DOyjjjQ31a0DwWOwp5bOFyQg/s200/feather.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I´ve been hoarding a collection of Altoids tins. This past fall, I sent out an email to my entire school district asking teachers to save the tins for me. I was rewarded with over 60 tins. Before our covid-19 quarantine, I brought them home and began to find small treasures to place in each tin. My plan was for each student to receive a gift-wrapped tin. Upon opening their tin, they would closely observe the treasure in their tin. Now, I'm uploading photographs into my Google Classroom site. Each student will choose a photograph to use for his/her prewriting and poetry writing exercises. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNu2A0SC5AajIpqgWfVhYTkLq1jn-T3ybk65E1BvfQhVj1qzKDTs4JqIzyS-eXJEk2E4qjHCK6PGGuZI1Pfj-QRmjD5p72-lb8_MI05x3NmuafvIInxy3HgE_tPIpVEfU6ApmbcsNfESk/s1600/acorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNu2A0SC5AajIpqgWfVhYTkLq1jn-T3ybk65E1BvfQhVj1qzKDTs4JqIzyS-eXJEk2E4qjHCK6PGGuZI1Pfj-QRmjD5p72-lb8_MI05x3NmuafvIInxy3HgE_tPIpVEfU6ApmbcsNfESk/s200/acorn.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7wdImqORXUd4nucqH_PK_dpmTBxuRASVLlKp1xvrdG70BIkOJyUH_15aq9PcKsKP-w5lF6VnOxQCgCKZtK64Uj41zpVjFoeT_xgTWOfxJHf3sIDihGb-8QdN8pLWbBCeX3DSYATL1Hih/s1600/shell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7wdImqORXUd4nucqH_PK_dpmTBxuRASVLlKp1xvrdG70BIkOJyUH_15aq9PcKsKP-w5lF6VnOxQCgCKZtK64Uj41zpVjFoeT_xgTWOfxJHf3sIDihGb-8QdN8pLWbBCeX3DSYATL1Hih/s200/shell.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NN5TZ3IWFudmbGkwHlJVmNRdEgkn5AoOkWnj4mIWDmoJqXcmZ-q26hGe-KrHIDTa3vkl4MxscWZuWV-pdBJiMw7isscA6NsA0FyDvnn-S19KQJIPnEyPTRUk02wWKn11eMCyLCfT_9VT/s1600/10X3+blog+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NN5TZ3IWFudmbGkwHlJVmNRdEgkn5AoOkWnj4mIWDmoJqXcmZ-q26hGe-KrHIDTa3vkl4MxscWZuWV-pdBJiMw7isscA6NsA0FyDvnn-S19KQJIPnEyPTRUk02wWKn11eMCyLCfT_9VT/s320/10X3+blog+graphic.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The pre-writing routine I'm going to use with my students is called 10X3. It was developed by Project Zero. It helps students look deeply at an object or picture. The cool thing about this routine is that it's generic enough to be used for any type of writing. My students will use it to capture their descriptive writing ideas for a small wonder poem. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'll be writing all kinds of poetry in the next few weeks. This is a routine I'll be tapping into. As students develop their poems, we'll be sharing them in our Google Classroom site. If our quarantine goes longer (as I'm anticipating it will), we're going to have a virtual Poetry Slam using Google Meet or Zoom. I'll keep you posted on how that goes!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qBiFAw6BWbM_NKpXCMU7jXaXs0R79CtBxb_DnJcgjY__rdFqI8hu-oRR5FAxYC5t-3IAkdhR-th-Xnin4Z4dIIi53gd1rYStGKt1cFCpgeLHe7TvLiW55VR6GCGMkAvmUPG7Gh4K9u2h/s1600/lemonade+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qBiFAw6BWbM_NKpXCMU7jXaXs0R79CtBxb_DnJcgjY__rdFqI8hu-oRR5FAxYC5t-3IAkdhR-th-Xnin4Z4dIIi53gd1rYStGKt1cFCpgeLHe7TvLiW55VR6GCGMkAvmUPG7Gh4K9u2h/s320/lemonade+graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There's nothing easy about this covid-19 quarantine. The fear is paralyzing. The schooling and routines that would've grounded our students is gone. I'm trying to help them make a little lemonade from the lemons they've been served. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope the freebies below will help you out with your online teaching efforts. Please take care of yourselves. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s200/Signature.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Click the pictures below to access the free Google resources.</div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cOZGCxG2z_yzMDTnM8TJYt4PQo4eX8AAlC4kdzGokXc/edit?usp=copy" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgXaY1gV6xSwKdWMR_UfNbr0buIyFVGxHodyaSwJb52YZxfcMTBDQY16pAHXcuOcQTAuZ9Zc0DKJ8MltNNc6rSBahYECz9dOKOnm-J8FzoCCnwzytET78kEsonTihbgi3OjRrHLmOtOhz/s200/10X3+blog+graphic.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Found-Poetry-Resource-for-Descriptive-Writing-and-Reading-4246655"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjUt0LMszO85LLNIsN49hWdh1_uWACnkpEa4Q2ZCYIGV1SgC0eD9GrRFbsZvhV7811HIda40oZEcijJm9nsjuo9Pshnvot-MgvpjmrdK4sD38bfqiugXsgUvBtAra8eiKKAu7B11UHroy/s200/freebie+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827?i=1000468782293" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_qxNCBplEniG3Xo3iEnRGyn8nGL2yQBsCyBv6apUAaK8JZz5zhItiqNElImJwreelH6lmO_M5phR1xRAIAC5men00fC2eNPKqC0Cn57T29P1PIBo9z7LO6eS1nMFMXOnnHiWLpj_Y0Cr/s200/poetry.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">You can access the newest episode of the We Teach So Hard podcast by clicking on the graphic to the left. It's all about using poetry in your classroom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, be sure to stop by Retta, Deann, and Kathie's blogs. They're chocked full of teaching ideas and resources for more poetry-themed books. You do NOT want to miss out on these posts! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMOWyeMwy2XjsOR38bz_iGMeD4niyRPPAFIwC4IXxsyfpu6X-5hMJ4qAxfxMM_ZIeXYnP7FcItuXQP44gRvI_G867qYSxg3N2yJ3duzEtB63aB1zt1eJb6GM446sTHdJE5ahz6IZAmhBN/s1600/Poetry+title%255B4396%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMOWyeMwy2XjsOR38bz_iGMeD4niyRPPAFIwC4IXxsyfpu6X-5hMJ4qAxfxMM_ZIeXYnP7FcItuXQP44gRvI_G867qYSxg3N2yJ3duzEtB63aB1zt1eJb6GM446sTHdJE5ahz6IZAmhBN/s320/Poetry+title%255B4396%255D.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com%2F2020%2F03%2Ffinding-our-voices-through-poetry.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C2bcccbdfab8548b62a0a08d7ce7c1e97%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637204904786869138&sdata=LkuUvpciWh1HDoxMZcmkQmvzBvnwipP9ldA%2FH9My%2BHo%3D&reserved=0" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">https://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/2020/03/finding-our-voices-through-poetry.html</a> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsocrateslantern.com%2F2020%2F03%2Fthe-sounds-of-poetry.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C0786a354aa0c4f6e3dd308d7ce8a3dc3%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637204965439345785&sdata=iN%2BSIwX%2FvV%2FW2Cmhko%2FbKnW10V%2Fc2fkCRrQ22swF1Cc%3D&reserved=0" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">https://socrateslantern.com/2020/03/the-sounds-of-poetry.html</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/2020/03/why-students-must-experience-poetry.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/2020/03/why-students-must-experience-poetry.html</span></a></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-28212270745271183372020-03-15T20:06:00.002-04:002022-03-15T12:38:02.690-04:00Teaching Data, Graphing & Scientific Process With Paper Airplanes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnqRgrjzifwm-SYBEaedQWiRbCe8bnKxqlQ2M9TLe90CbCPKRqQYw3EvaTx5KRB7pfiST1Z_XS7izUllUHSyvNDdSH42DzTmKOA8XjU8NB-M_uyZ1rHqhtI3qJDqaef23GlKFeJsz8IEN/s1600/Airplane+Post+2nd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnqRgrjzifwm-SYBEaedQWiRbCe8bnKxqlQ2M9TLe90CbCPKRqQYw3EvaTx5KRB7pfiST1Z_XS7izUllUHSyvNDdSH42DzTmKOA8XjU8NB-M_uyZ1rHqhtI3qJDqaef23GlKFeJsz8IEN/s1600/Airplane+Post+2nd.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This story begins like many of my teaching stories begin...curriculum crunch! </span><span style="font-size: large;">With mandated state testing occurring in April, I needed a high-interest way to combine several learning goals in math, science and language arts. So my fifth grade kiddos and I flew off into "the wild blue yonder" together, because let's face it, after state testing, everyone's brains are mush. Worksheets and internet learning programs just don't cut it. We had been sitting in front of our computers for weeks as we clicked answers on a screen. We needed to move!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMR1BYdmE9UvnGpxJDwbjuEzro-UWsyAxM0TLrs5l_9GoEjni34BMDXQM22Gg3Or6y4AHddxeTyAf_GzA9bQwdjTqw93ELM8iYxIZwJulQeAIa865cEHeNkey5sjealpj0etyyhulWBM-/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="1440" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMR1BYdmE9UvnGpxJDwbjuEzro-UWsyAxM0TLrs5l_9GoEjni34BMDXQM22Gg3Or6y4AHddxeTyAf_GzA9bQwdjTqw93ELM8iYxIZwJulQeAIa865cEHeNkey5sjealpj0etyyhulWBM-/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We began by researching types of paper airplanes on the internet. Students identified a type they wanted to fold. They took their research sheets home, finished their research there and brought their completed airplane back to school. When I used this project in summer school, we did the research together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17tt_AMWOEe8QzLm3C_BxOoagoaKDY5UOS6vSAEjOEY3GEgb6Wj2CxMmDm544dQ4TWs5BqNYQe0hqifPRh1_WOFlYhCspGx9FLWxmVKbpcbcY5mXxOojl0KolAvxWv8dzuz3wPTrNGoL9/s1600/sample+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17tt_AMWOEe8QzLm3C_BxOoagoaKDY5UOS6vSAEjOEY3GEgb6Wj2CxMmDm544dQ4TWs5BqNYQe0hqifPRh1_WOFlYhCspGx9FLWxmVKbpcbcY5mXxOojl0KolAvxWv8dzuz3wPTrNGoL9/s320/sample+2.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Once they had their airplanes at school, we shared their different designs. We read about thrust, force, and aerodynamics and watched some online videos about aviation and design. Then my kids were ready to fly. One of our learning targets in this project was to learn about the scientific process. Students wrote hypotheses before testing their planes. They conducted five flight trials and recorded their distances in inches. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My kids needed more practice with converting customary measurements, so after they had recorded their data in inches, they converted it into feet and yards. We were able to review range, median, mode and mean as well. I used this project to also teach my students about line plots by plotting our class data together. In addition, we reviewed bar graphs and learned about line graphs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This portion of the project took us about a week of one-hour sessions. However, we had touched on so many math and science </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1LyQuu7XNHw2SGYxWmwhgzfwdeOgXcAtifc2VgELZYwjK5V0VNdzoT0wLLJbVe3CWpqUdSpEg8L-nKpVXPK2-XuPTW62U5sS5A53tQp6LyJFet84tNWXMUX3Wr2acFpma4jGE4JBQjsi/s1600/data+chart+sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1LyQuu7XNHw2SGYxWmwhgzfwdeOgXcAtifc2VgELZYwjK5V0VNdzoT0wLLJbVe3CWpqUdSpEg8L-nKpVXPK2-XuPTW62U5sS5A53tQp6LyJFet84tNWXMUX3Wr2acFpma4jGE4JBQjsi/s320/data+chart+sample.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">concepts, it was worth every minute. Plus, my fifth graders were ENGAGED! For this time of year, that felt miraculous! After this, I was ready to teach more about controls and variables. We spent time learning about why controls and variables are so important in the scientific process. I used a lunch room example in our discussions. If the lunch ladies wanted to know which pizza was the most popular with fifth graders, and they ordered pepperoni pizza from Little Caesar's and cheese pizza from Jet's Pizza, would they be able to answer their question? My kiddos determined that all pizza needed to be ordered from the same restaurant in order for the question to be answered with accuracy. From this discussion, we</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOYhwjlNDtNxkWdk8IA3c1N0K1GhqcX21Y0qA7Eqaq2bz8GdKreGa4-7DnWI74EX8xVz4Y_P_CuU5Uv-MMF749sz_uwlB-fJUpnPC1emnAStdt6f8vsrhs-f1Iz2d6JNAcFdXEUvlM_n9/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOYhwjlNDtNxkWdk8IA3c1N0K1GhqcX21Y0qA7Eqaq2bz8GdKreGa4-7DnWI74EX8xVz4Y_P_CuU5Uv-MMF749sz_uwlB-fJUpnPC1emnAStdt6f8vsrhs-f1Iz2d6JNAcFdXEUvlM_n9/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">moved on to applying control and variable to our paper airplane investigation. I gave each student the folding directions for a basic dart airplane. These airplanes became the control for the assessment phase of this project. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X9KtQpvBlLTRmXMTA4VzNGzu0yME6raCjJ9azRIDQ2fBRvunKkh-vDhYVSb9ojMeHZLlD63WnRb3DNcLpJirbYqf_N5a7vVoQxJrjSfjY4K8IXehDN51U_OkZXfDCUAWPsteXm6oznXD/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="1440" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X9KtQpvBlLTRmXMTA4VzNGzu0yME6raCjJ9azRIDQ2fBRvunKkh-vDhYVSb9ojMeHZLlD63WnRb3DNcLpJirbYqf_N5a7vVoQxJrjSfjY4K8IXehDN51U_OkZXfDCUAWPsteXm6oznXD/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I wanted to test my students ability to conduct the experiment on their own. I designed this part to assess their mastery of these concepts: Measurement, customary measurement conversion, graphing skills (coordinate, line and line plot), problem-solving, writing a math/science response, comparing and contrasting two sets of data, and identifying the control and variable of an experiment. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRkNhA2pJVVYVHdY9-Ix7Gnh_1QgTDXkmXoLJOAXMRVC-92lwQq8bVRWpmSMKvW6zoTHJd0PIiQL2LaEMVRrIFXGTW8mthQkbUHQiBRoHbancMTi1F1EsZjrLHyP5nZ09PqGt-1RiBAkI/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRkNhA2pJVVYVHdY9-Ix7Gnh_1QgTDXkmXoLJOAXMRVC-92lwQq8bVRWpmSMKvW6zoTHJd0PIiQL2LaEMVRrIFXGTW8mthQkbUHQiBRoHbancMTi1F1EsZjrLHyP5nZ09PqGt-1RiBAkI/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My kids flew their control airplanes, recorded their data and analyzed it. Next, they took that same airplane and added one feature to it. This became their variable. Some students taped the fold together. Others added a paperclip to the bottom of the plane. Some taped a rudder on. There were many different variable designs. However, each plane only had ONE variable. Then they tested their airplanes</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6sApfySZ5ikPOcJ-oGZ4_xllPhLs1CZUa3v3r4l1GBo8Smb1BWUFWDAe_h-178VrUG8B0BpJ7D5otuPNUAZQiNLWo5sR2hkjJnhPm2_T4pU4XDoFoJj855L_AgTc1DNJwyNn-Ud4xImR/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6sApfySZ5ikPOcJ-oGZ4_xllPhLs1CZUa3v3r4l1GBo8Smb1BWUFWDAe_h-178VrUG8B0BpJ7D5otuPNUAZQiNLWo5sR2hkjJnhPm2_T4pU4XDoFoJj855L_AgTc1DNJwyNn-Ud4xImR/s320/Slide4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">again and recorded their data once more. Finally, they created line graphs showing the two sets of data, and wrote compare/contrast responses that analyzed their data and made conclusions about their variables. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I developed a quick rubric for my assessment. I had shared this rubric with my kids at the beginning of the assessment phase of this project, so that they would understand the target expectations. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJYwly8EbaUTz5sQCCKB_3fAUILnhLJl2eVkjJ4k58xftQ8tr6AxV23gij8_wwPYodCqZguPtJKm2qeYN3ChJTh_ybhw3iFxPoOnDJO_ictEyg012nH-DtGyFCll2mOev0vkEykO5bKdN/s1600/rubric+sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJYwly8EbaUTz5sQCCKB_3fAUILnhLJl2eVkjJ4k58xftQ8tr6AxV23gij8_wwPYodCqZguPtJKm2qeYN3ChJTh_ybhw3iFxPoOnDJO_ictEyg012nH-DtGyFCll2mOev0vkEykO5bKdN/s320/rubric+sample.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This project rocked our world for two weeks, but it also saved our sanity. We have so many curriculum expectations, and I've found that melding subjects into creative learning experiences is the way to go. My kiddos were engaged, excited, and on fire!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've also used this in my summer school teaching experiences. Summer school is often a special kind of misery for many of our kids, isn't it? It needs to be focused, but it MUST be fun, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">P.S. Be sure to check out the links below. I've included some free resources you can use with your kiddos when you're teaching them remotely. Such a stressful time. I hope they help you in some way. Simply click on the images to access and download.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s200/Signature.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can access this project below, by clicking on the image.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Measurement-Graphing-Math-Project-Based-Learning-Paper-Airplane-Fun-2621095"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5B7kCGk1q9Xyyt8r-WSMepVBn7ImCnbh7tETwKdc2nkpTlOdKx6sHAj2S5i2X7yPRN8cLO8ll3-z5LutdvUVui21tSnmECD1vhHPCnCi5cnihOZOFAVluMzGWafPkOo8yFrYeredjO1_8/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/10-20-30-Math-Card-Game-for-Upper-Elementary-3969945" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKJs20mPvytrPJBdjELUiZWH6yccTn-MHD8QCOZ7gEu36Bk6eL8cH1UH-8el56QSf8ypE5-1gWY68R7bupSQNV8pD7tMj2KM2PUCchvNFK1LAJVeG8wR_2wbY31ATvo7sAnCbjBULR0mk/s200/102030+square+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Found-Poetry-Resource-for-Descriptive-Writing-and-Reading-4246655" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhlD5Xd0jZFX1Fb36FZyOEkCXI9LzryGuNXR7qdcZaEq8swv4bB1gv-LYjBxhBXkIZhooxxBdmPIDYAhKfMh63nedzIKOhlpsd2vwK3Hck1AFIRCiAsK9PDRNakcB8o-DIvXhI7dZy7Nl/s200/freebie+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXh93YhNkefzt9H0vt2fVTFotTq3bWDySgFJ4RFvcMGt3i2YY9Qm9Cb4a9L_8E8X8IR5v4xr9Ck7ltxY2NAKM-QOUNMnJCaqvGBPUNdQTxdVpnnczPmjQRQ1-oxReL-EtwiBYUnYLkXs0/s1600/2019-2020+Teacher+Talk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="614" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXh93YhNkefzt9H0vt2fVTFotTq3bWDySgFJ4RFvcMGt3i2YY9Qm9Cb4a9L_8E8X8IR5v4xr9Ck7ltxY2NAKM-QOUNMnJCaqvGBPUNdQTxdVpnnczPmjQRQ1-oxReL-EtwiBYUnYLkXs0/s200/2019-2020+Teacher+Talk.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-5009081056773596812020-03-01T14:55:00.004-05:002022-03-15T12:38:11.314-04:00Klimt & Katze: A Literacy and Art Project Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz879hze-RIjewXMosxahbFGtf8dvQyhD3ifGpd7_YFdZ6DohUqGwabJWCIxlbdOVh5a6NgBI4Rq4LldQUjFY0fu-o3VOnJA15IXwlYmroE69xlN8N3WU9GTL5LML3D2WZXD1uxKFuMLfT/s1600/main+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz879hze-RIjewXMosxahbFGtf8dvQyhD3ifGpd7_YFdZ6DohUqGwabJWCIxlbdOVh5a6NgBI4Rq4LldQUjFY0fu-o3VOnJA15IXwlYmroE69xlN8N3WU9GTL5LML3D2WZXD1uxKFuMLfT/s1600/main+graphic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can remember it like it was yesterday. Instead of teaching the American Revolutionary War with a textbook, Mr. Zabel decided we would settle the matter with a court case. Each of us chose an identity to adopt. I was on the colonist side, and I chose Patrick Henry. We researched the events leading up to the war, worked as a legal team to form a case. We searched for evidence to prove our right to independence. I remember the moment I discovered an article about King George and porphyria. I was on top of the world. Here was evidence that the king could be suffering from hysteria, hallucinations, psychosis and depression. We brought the article to court and won our case for the colonists!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's the first memory I have of learning coming alive for me. I was in seventh grade. When I think about my two years in his 7th and 8th grade classroom, I remember being a consistently engaged learner. Why? Because we did projects, we had choice, and our learning opportunities often meshed together multiple subjects. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As teachers, we know that our students learn best when they are able to hook new learning onto what they already know. Mr. Zabel knew this, and so do I. It's why I love multidisciplinary projects so much. When I'm faced with teaching something that feels a bit "dry," I look for unique ways to connect the dots for my students.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCCGw5hzjtuWyymC8k_h2Qur84ugMmlU4DiD-jyBuMc2ngxdTy87uR0rfr6DJbigI4AB5gvwcnhnJmHY6egEuOZKXfYykvhT2pjNqV51LMWq-1nbXIS2QzVIsIXR8lTNzk0Jq-aqVZbmp/s1600/klimt+books.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCCGw5hzjtuWyymC8k_h2Qur84ugMmlU4DiD-jyBuMc2ngxdTy87uR0rfr6DJbigI4AB5gvwcnhnJmHY6egEuOZKXfYykvhT2pjNqV51LMWq-1nbXIS2QzVIsIXR8lTNzk0Jq-aqVZbmp/s200/klimt+books.png" width="154" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I was beginning a unit on nonfiction text and needed to teach text structures. Because I was a student who loved the arts, it's a not-so-secret passion of mine to incorporate it into everything I do in my classroom. I had recently read a book I picked up at a used bookstore about artists and their cats, and it reminded me of a famous photo I had seen of Gustav Klimt with his favorite feline, Katze. That's how it all began. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We started by reading a couple of picture books about Klimt. We also read a biography that I wrote about Klimt. We did this to get acquainted with the artist and his art. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-MdLSOTby4TJvskqeUiRgQx_nMiHLbC3ZxtciezDuavqsSIiiNcAfKFzDYF5zPr_AOhPS080q65Wly0yuq5_IBOlwaeihpYD9VVO51nfHxO-92i8-JBG0XEf5K3QwrcJ82XcK2NNxDpu/s1600/nonfiction2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-MdLSOTby4TJvskqeUiRgQx_nMiHLbC3ZxtciezDuavqsSIiiNcAfKFzDYF5zPr_AOhPS080q65Wly0yuq5_IBOlwaeihpYD9VVO51nfHxO-92i8-JBG0XEf5K3QwrcJ82XcK2NNxDpu/s320/nonfiction2.png" width="244" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Then we looked at some of his art. We used visible thinking routines called "Color, Shape, Lines" and "10X2." The pieces I chose for our art response activity were "Portrait of Emilie Floge," "The Kiss," "The Tree of Life," and "Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer." The visible thinking routines help students really dig into a painting. It was interesting to listen in on their discussions as they dissected what they were seeing. They noticed the gold leaf and patterns of symbols right away. They also noticed how the patterns seem to repeat from painting to painting. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4q-DZ8KCsEi-kJtlvrBmwKTu7PvqqAGKvK6vp-kf243hcBb8F4O-cgu3KQrj8ApJSIKXt9mpfcHQ0q9SM5mC5HRbHntQLNjow40bwPKJ2al-g13zYnCvtNi7ITfqLrzENMrwWTedtdbF/s1600/nonfiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4q-DZ8KCsEi-kJtlvrBmwKTu7PvqqAGKvK6vp-kf243hcBb8F4O-cgu3KQrj8ApJSIKXt9mpfcHQ0q9SM5mC5HRbHntQLNjow40bwPKJ2al-g13zYnCvtNi7ITfqLrzENMrwWTedtdbF/s320/nonfiction.png" width="245" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">For the next session, we read a series of short nonfiction articles about Gustav's beloved pets, the cat. I wrote each article so that it would model these text structures: Problem-solution, compare-contrast, sequence, description, and cause-effect. We spent a couple of days discussing these articles. Finally, students used what we had studied in our nonfiction unit to identify the text structures of each passage. They proved their claims by using textual evidence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a blast in the next two phases of the project. Each student chose a cat photograph. Using the photos, we played The Explanation Game in small groups. This thinking routine is a game-like discussion strategy that teaches students how to elaborate. Then students completed two more pre-writing activities about their chosen pictures. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBR35wAy1qDcQiicpWf1oaZ372aL6oRcYf9WqHAt6dZ1QWmQrVbyLxpzph3Av5DZcAqzuB9Kr0tIb3fQ4l_TQPe0z3Gc7yVEdfign13DsChef0fDvBIw6Lz8bgEwhxu3_uNbm1z2IbtoB/s1600/poetry+example.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBR35wAy1qDcQiicpWf1oaZ372aL6oRcYf9WqHAt6dZ1QWmQrVbyLxpzph3Av5DZcAqzuB9Kr0tIb3fQ4l_TQPe0z3Gc7yVEdfign13DsChef0fDvBIw6Lz8bgEwhxu3_uNbm1z2IbtoB/s200/poetry+example.png" width="153" /></a>Finally, we began to write our poems about cats. I taught them how to write a Rictometer poem. This poetry form is like a cross between haiku and cinquain. This format is tons of fun. I modeled writing one for my students: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The One That Got Away</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My snack,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tender whiskers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Toes and tails, button eyes, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He'll squeak and scurry while I play</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mouse hockey with my velvet paws,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until my claws, unsheathed and sharp, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pounce and swat 'til he streaks</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind the couch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My snack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By Tracy Willis</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81j4nexmnqepbR7HE5VzMIXCnDYNq1479tWSMC5svJke3zZQzexQNW7UD4Wn-hwAxtAW36Dw5-zVqR7lvm5QPc69Fw9wOkpf2i2h51WPobIO8SNfRgPMOjcaNOfg7foxU3OrTketGMtkv/s1600/art+example.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81j4nexmnqepbR7HE5VzMIXCnDYNq1479tWSMC5svJke3zZQzexQNW7UD4Wn-hwAxtAW36Dw5-zVqR7lvm5QPc69Fw9wOkpf2i2h51WPobIO8SNfRgPMOjcaNOfg7foxU3OrTketGMtkv/s200/art+example.png" width="153" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPmw2cfGImajuvl695x9cPUMFmm7fFwie63HcbSVu5HP9khEgqMpEExRz3p-TBjCm8wdA-5hhu8O5AUgeQYv1eQkV8RKufPfLwSKxMsa1N2k_nKc7SMLPLjCuhIr0W9752eYmww5oNseE/s1600/photo+examples.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPmw2cfGImajuvl695x9cPUMFmm7fFwie63HcbSVu5HP9khEgqMpEExRz3p-TBjCm8wdA-5hhu8O5AUgeQYv1eQkV8RKufPfLwSKxMsa1N2k_nKc7SMLPLjCuhIr0W9752eYmww5oNseE/s320/photo+examples.png" width="246" /></a>Our final part of the project was to create a Klimt-inspired cat. Students used cat outlines that I copied for them on cardstock. The only other thing I had to buy was metallic gold Sharpies. I bought enough so that I had one marker for each pair of students. They also used colored pencils, Crayola markers, and black Sharpies. We looked at Klimt's art again before beginning, and I encouraged them to choose one painting as the inspiration for their cats. This part of the project took about two sessions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My students voted for this as their favorite project from the whole school year! What I love about it is that I don't lose rigor or student engagement because I implemented the arts and meshed reading, writing and art together in one unit. In fact, my students developed their critical thinking skills and had fun...imagine that!</span></div>
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-Gustav Klimt<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're looking for multidisciplinary projects for your classroom, check these out. These particular projects bring reading, writing, and art together and teach critical thinking skills. Click the images below to learn more!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Poetry-Writing-Art-Project-Poppies-Pantoum-with-Georgia-OKeefe-3091880" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxKP_4xHMfMWvRenip2q21m54VWIJ06TgbXxP3KkLrR_IdzC70XE5N5jtTzaZUsFztq9Hcw5pSEO-HXRWCpXXhk1EJowCoY5p0Xd88yJ28mTI_U9R5FmSGRkedQxxcNICBsXNfBsk-ack/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Writing-Nonfiction-Reading-Art-Project-5285918" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qlxkXUVGk6nkf8Ltxl2ZRbKxtRRezt6VWfUkVJ8udW4hoFCoKpZDmRLSb6yg1W7RCF7RCeha23fV5Q785pRIuntAGOmt4BOL8BloIEd3Wb84UvrZE0Kg2tbxRBHWd7huGVY_gK6YRni2/s200/square+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/EARTH-DAY-Aboriginal-Reading-Writing-Art-Project-Where-Do-I-Belong-3898426" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s200/Signature.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/EARTH-DAY-Aboriginal-Reading-Writing-Art-Project-Where-Do-I-Belong-3898426" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBiB50A14b_sfm1DJ-aQp2tRFRUV-nHQ9Q6axz63aMhR-JGHJfBApbwKWRhGFqKIrBpLtXVHGEB6f8z4QuyseXxeSbOSHl_z3hH38rrwnPqDJYeAak14uyjOBnKvk8AvwFAbqvyXDcTfD/s200/Square+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-64051971391667813702020-02-23T12:56:00.002-05:002022-03-15T12:32:45.158-04:00Vincent Van Gogh, Constellations & Coordinate Graphs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsuOE9UNHf1oPjyt7n9D8P-wAzMntG3NN4vwHNU2Ut3LJC82vh6jyvQhhogqOwNwk1QlIUn007SRraWHbL5wrrRtsT_aJao7nQF5OQKIEwXI3kn3uml5XHhlcfKdaHUA0i6FfpXvMhglj/s1600/Presentation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsuOE9UNHf1oPjyt7n9D8P-wAzMntG3NN4vwHNU2Ut3LJC82vh6jyvQhhogqOwNwk1QlIUn007SRraWHbL5wrrRtsT_aJao7nQF5OQKIEwXI3kn3uml5XHhlcfKdaHUA0i6FfpXvMhglj/s1600/Presentation1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, our students give us the best ideas. We were mucking through our solar system unit in science, reading about how the night sky is charted, when Charlie said, "This kind of reminds me of how we graph points."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love moments like this. It's like everything kind of slows down, and our brains begin to connect the dots (no pun intended). Charlie's response was the catalyst for this project. To this day, he likes to say that he added the spice to our fifth grade coordinate graphing unit. And he would be right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I went home that night and began to pull resources together for a multi-disciplinary project. There was one Common Core State Standard that had been causing grief...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5.G.A.2 Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was the "real world" part that perplexed me. The next week, we got down to business. We began by reading about Vincent Van Gogh. I chose this artist because "Starry Night" is a painting that most students recognize, and I wanted to bring our study of constellations into the math class. I found two children's books that did a nice job.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuQ8pMADnDzUCBi4MNXjVJEImQrKkh0npoLvtgs8njwAyuicpYXRp2Yo4HYnYQZYjgJD5STaO3E5QGYva4qu42HN_M5aGOM1V50JmZl-Munwo-lZ2uqQ_-S5b7BKGU2ySk677pZvXu4qE/s1600/katie+and+the+starry+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="175" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuQ8pMADnDzUCBi4MNXjVJEImQrKkh0npoLvtgs8njwAyuicpYXRp2Yo4HYnYQZYjgJD5STaO3E5QGYva4qu42HN_M5aGOM1V50JmZl-Munwo-lZ2uqQ_-S5b7BKGU2ySk677pZvXu4qE/s200/katie+and+the+starry+night.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In <i>Katie and the Starry Night, </i>a young girls visits famous paintings. When she view's Van Gogh's "Starry Night," the stars come tumbling out of the painting. She experiences the painting as she attempts to round up the rogue stars.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KnpvgSU2u6ofvjbvDP4S5JS6oXMyjVkLvDUQIvvxcq58eUpH1RtQrYcHJtCR_uE-B_TjU2Ot69aqQ1xUzolsNx2HkwXUhSsgxB7b-952KLpH-qt7kImBBa3pzrISoeMx3n70iH0dxQmY/s1600/vincent+cant+sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="199" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KnpvgSU2u6ofvjbvDP4S5JS6oXMyjVkLvDUQIvvxcq58eUpH1RtQrYcHJtCR_uE-B_TjU2Ot69aqQ1xUzolsNx2HkwXUhSsgxB7b-952KLpH-qt7kImBBa3pzrISoeMx3n70iH0dxQmY/s200/vincent+cant+sleep.jpg" width="157" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">In <i>Vincent Can't Sleep</i>, readers experience the night sky through Vincent's sleepless eyes. This book explores how Vincent's lifelong insomnia provided inspiration for one of his greatest works. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In addition, we read a straight biographical sketch that I wrote about Van Gogh. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5l0UOl39Gk2Tdz4ivTg8a5QXLOlgbIWkQzTzQ3T-YqyEmAG2nn8OpmW0_ql3j-dCfJPloBJJoI9ZnosauUtLL2yJWZ4huekYHpoxeq8u8kQw8Kz_BOl6tADTDzFSn1uQVHnOLele1XYF/s1600/preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1408" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5l0UOl39Gk2Tdz4ivTg8a5QXLOlgbIWkQzTzQ3T-YqyEmAG2nn8OpmW0_ql3j-dCfJPloBJJoI9ZnosauUtLL2yJWZ4huekYHpoxeq8u8kQw8Kz_BOl6tADTDzFSn1uQVHnOLele1XYF/s320/preview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After reading the books, biography and a quotation biography that I created for my students, students responded to the readings by using the Step Inside thinking routine. You can read more about that <a href="https://pz.harvard.edu/resources/step-inside">here</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptsLrucAx8Fd5mOob9kMyttokLtMTjECB63s8M-ATnbXRSfWDA5F967Gwq3YhCaMuFOwgp3U2N5B2qddIKt1hg2-pzTuxObapuIh3QcPqnmkenfDlWM8JwUul_2DIFtH6PwTp5Vl4BZBo/s1600/stars+quote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1408" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptsLrucAx8Fd5mOob9kMyttokLtMTjECB63s8M-ATnbXRSfWDA5F967Gwq3YhCaMuFOwgp3U2N5B2qddIKt1hg2-pzTuxObapuIh3QcPqnmkenfDlWM8JwUul_2DIFtH6PwTp5Vl4BZBo/s320/stars+quote.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also spent some time observing "Starry Night" up close and personal using our SMART board, so it would be projected big enough for us to notice small details. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Later on in the week, we researched different constellations. We extended our science learning a bit and read about some of the myths associated with the constellations. I created constellation cards for my students to use. I also curated a list of websites about constellations and uploaded them in our Google Classroom site. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, we were ready to begin reviewing our coordinate graphing concepts. We practice graphing X and Y coordinate data and applying increase and decrease rules to that data. Students accepted a commission from a wealthy patron who wanted a night sky with one constellation picture created for her home. It must be inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night." My kids chose a favorite constellation and graphed it on a small coordinate grid. They recorded the coordinates for their constellations. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPvkrwvImY7VAah2EFWTTloMleTWJdfEN99AqwOc5cV3fOQ_AeHyw8d8dySTN0M4NelGlP1whJeJO6H7rgWd4qfIfA3OSoeCa7QnMSRxpGthOQlQGFROllF9Ff3aygVEP2HH9z6X86Aoa/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1408" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPvkrwvImY7VAah2EFWTTloMleTWJdfEN99AqwOc5cV3fOQ_AeHyw8d8dySTN0M4NelGlP1whJeJO6H7rgWd4qfIfA3OSoeCa7QnMSRxpGthOQlQGFROllF9Ff3aygVEP2HH9z6X86Aoa/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Then, real life came traipsing in all over their artistic dreams. The wealthy patron wrote them a letter explaining that she wanted the picture to be double the size. It had to be larger. At this point in the project, students demonstrated that they could write a mathematical rule for their X and Y coordinates, apply it, and graph them to create an art piece double the size of the original. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1xVHPRjMDf9eJMjQlYlogpKXrdGoRgrz257kM5lx7tFgpEUXmV-ZyNYuv1WB9t1zjcUO3gTCkyv2651i5Y3gxJZjlbjjWCyJJpG29dYc0iL56RuEnFdAFczLaiWlHNaz5uG0ISRDfb9F/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1408" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1xVHPRjMDf9eJMjQlYlogpKXrdGoRgrz257kM5lx7tFgpEUXmV-ZyNYuv1WB9t1zjcUO3gTCkyv2651i5Y3gxJZjlbjjWCyJJpG29dYc0iL56RuEnFdAFczLaiWlHNaz5uG0ISRDfb9F/s200/Slide3.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">After doing this, they used oil pastels to create their art piece inspired by Vincent Van Gogh. Then, they cut out an horizon scape that I had printed on 11"X 17" paper. They traced these on black construction paper and glued them to the bottom part of their night skies. This made their art look similar to Van Gogh's. Instead of painting a village scape, they used black construction paper cities, forests, lighthouses, etc. for a silhouetted effect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last step of this project was a student learning statement in which I required my students to reflect on what they learned about coordinate graphing, rules, constellations and Vincent Van Gogh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I absolutely love about this project is that I could combine some really rigorous literacy goals with science concepts and equally challenging math goals. And my students were ON FIRE with enthusiasm and engagement. Charlie actually said, "This has something for everyone, Ms. Willis!" And again, he would be right. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s200/Signature.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can find the Starry Night project by clicking on the picture below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Coordinate-Graphing-Math-Art-Literacy-Science-Project-5257983"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWKZCx5xNlWa75ZHmlXFRhmxDPITXytgoUZOr2QN6YMDSPwnXMO2e1-C2AkZDIciQyS0Mx8gBl3c4KTnT61m6TE9LT7EXPRjVm4KKuFa6hX9tS8FxH8ThoK2OrSJfVe8bvbr5MWLNPaQ6/s200/square+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And if you like multi-disciplinary projects like this one, you have to check out the ones below! They will rock your classroom world!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Art-Project-Based-Learning-Piet-Mondrian-Fractions-Decimals-Percents-2493557" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrzc6xJRWMsM1gCKtOTKijcQXKu3UdHCJqdTMj14cCwPw10k1KFMmKKVK-jk1-7YvcSPxC8276QzdCAUsyMO29t83r59TGfuocWSs528yuBxzEpHbT549GgIJc3Fd8AmhfjDtth9irt3M/s200/cover.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Art-Project-Based-Learning-Monet-Perimeter-Area-Metric-Measurement-2581062" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDLyD5OVIiQFJpu7vOecA-khYBM_BHmG_YmvUkhQ7XOscEHSWpqPsBMJ8A9O6SxB3rr5PLFh379b5OrhYXAZhbs_oSWiVO6IuCZQ6ENSJJoBrWLrKKttG50xJCrfmMjCDMU_W2JAU-zi-/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Art-Project-Based-Learning-Illuminated-Angles-Measuring-Classifying-2967240" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1248" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEMjaNti5Drlsd46m4K2lefkEFzWtHHpJG2JXLJK44pHoJhe9qMkConIkW9gpIKZLPN8RgeGw6wYWjnaxqJo9eN8IYm2SB4X_JTg67Nil7nlxwwrJJv6x_b8dgvBSvCWon2PaJc2gV3gJ/s200/Illuminated+Angles.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Art-Project-Based-Kandinsky-Literacy-Circumference-Problem-Solving-3024970" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JC9mE3DNXxtC_l5R7X_JbjL1zSRhcSsICihbw6RqlYNbm5PfevVHE1JfhRpDiGrZlj337w2DVkQQXVZBzX_X9zXo-FoNSDMd38s_wm1tzsL9Co52el7cgoO_-Tv-XlPS9QqcrITuIJlV/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Project-Based-Learning-Math-Art-Geometry-Transformations-3962091"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9C4veExt7cA9N9DxxuQewHRiFMqPWehaMPDRHv2D05tNAY7CpiJdwvsGGqreynQkHHSDCiDYqEytfsVPRvnG64iunyEWMAH2INE-wRq7ih2E4n8rZTdJ_wUZsUG0nKnY8dWN6iZoeloE/s200/square+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-13975401711015480402020-02-11T12:28:00.001-05:002022-03-15T12:38:21.772-04:00The Thing With Feathers: Children's Literature for Teaching Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-75E_YpFGeysj4JXDjBKlr_xyM-6CVUNYgr4UNYoHlgKMG_jbE2Mw7QPtYlb_es3PgGQN01nBvjUKtzh9BP5kf8BaRAAKsH6NXNPJP6nmR0LIyNmIFwPslAshTGGZkpNvm_p9xSxWMRW/s1600/Hope+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-75E_YpFGeysj4JXDjBKlr_xyM-6CVUNYgr4UNYoHlgKMG_jbE2Mw7QPtYlb_es3PgGQN01nBvjUKtzh9BP5kf8BaRAAKsH6NXNPJP6nmR0LIyNmIFwPslAshTGGZkpNvm_p9xSxWMRW/s1600/Hope+post.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvzStsfyUXJkM6idWhyphenhyphenY-g9EGDi5UyPVwn2iHpGIspgjBd4x8bTkSzRl2CWNnuU6OzpH99UkSzigdbQeEOIS0Ox8xQRlOlNNvI7pIVoLKK_LnLBvLnwbZE9wARib_82gyUgtRxDQZJaCT/s1600/hope+quote+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="1056" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvzStsfyUXJkM6idWhyphenhyphenY-g9EGDi5UyPVwn2iHpGIspgjBd4x8bTkSzRl2CWNnuU6OzpH99UkSzigdbQeEOIS0Ox8xQRlOlNNvI7pIVoLKK_LnLBvLnwbZE9wARib_82gyUgtRxDQZJaCT/s640/hope+quote+graphic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The other day, while I was wasting time on social media, I saw another post about a child who committed suicide. According to The Jason Foundation's 2017 statistics, suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24. When did we lose our hope? How do we talk to our students about hope and connection?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">HOPE is this month's Book Talk-Theme Talk in my podcast group, We Teach So Hard. This theme has become one of our recent favorite podcast episodes, but it also feels timely and necessary. We've chosen some stellar hope-themed literature to share with you.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VU3aLsYenjqdSrjoYwgR_9qmGEzcBYxBZUDSM2O0DFvnlu3ZZY60XEXFL-Eul2jTvu9-a0ysINy9ZoH3a_R1ITssbKPZ9JtkhH2g31vXSLWO2d_cqEZ69hIDk1lf5R1Oo-OkU6RqMzfg/s1600/bookshopee+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VU3aLsYenjqdSrjoYwgR_9qmGEzcBYxBZUDSM2O0DFvnlu3ZZY60XEXFL-Eul2jTvu9-a0ysINy9ZoH3a_R1ITssbKPZ9JtkhH2g31vXSLWO2d_cqEZ69hIDk1lf5R1Oo-OkU6RqMzfg/s320/bookshopee+.jpg" width="247" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i>An Angel for Solomon Singer</i>, by Cynthia Rylant, tells the story of how a poor, friendless man wanders the streets of New York City. He misses his rural life he had growing up and wishes for beauty and meaning in his life. Things begin to change for Solomon when he finds a special cafe "where dreams come true." Solomon discovers friendship, connection and hope in the cafe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm also recommending <i>Train to Somewhere</i> by Eve Bunting. The central character of the story is Marianne, a small girl secretly dreaming of being reunited with her mother, who promised to return for her after she makes a new life for them in the West. Marianne is left at an orphanage. The picture book begins with Marianne riding one of the orphan trains with other children, all of whom will be placed with families at each stop. Marianne's hopes and anxieties about finding her mother at one of the train stops are palpable. At each stop, all 13 of Marianne's companions are adopted. On the final stop, an older couple waits for her. They were planning on adopting a boy. Instead, they adopt Marianne while comforting her with, "Sometimes what you get turns out to be better than what you wanted in the first place."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both of these books are fantastic for teaching about mood, as well theme. One of my favorite ways to teach mood is to introduce a plot mountain to my students. We chart the story on the plot mountain. I tell my students to think about the part of the story when the character's struggles seem almost insurmountable. That's the summit of the plot mountain. Everything before that is rising action to that pivotal point of struggle. Everything after that is falling action. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then, I play excerpts from 4-6 instrumental music recordings. We discuss which music would make the best soundtrack for the points on the plot mountain. Students think about mood, the emotions of the characters during their struggles. There's something about bringing music to literature that really excites kids. They love creating "play lists" for these picture books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because I was a music teacher, long ago in another space and time, I used to have a piano in my room. I would play excerpts for students to build a soundtrack for our picture book read-alouds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another way I've approached this is to provide a list of Youtube instrumental tracks that I've curated. Students explore the list and then create the playlist for the book. Finally, they write a reflection that explains their choices and their thinking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The illustrations in both of these books are gorgeous...and wonderfully moody. If you choose not to use a plot mountain with your students, simply pairing music selections with specific story illustrations is powerful, too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Music-Integration-in-Your-Classroom-2670968" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="263" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2Ob81b3UOQRfLNjDVVJ2RmHPIFysR37HEeq4MJHjQ2bzVgrEGjhaSgjfgBV2l-f6v8d5xYvvkeFXklKuHvrfN2atUax5ydqnLhAbxgRCGkiB_KVw_P1CrpUMhizz-hmNs5ZttK_ig3uI/s200/music+image.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">However you choose to teach your students about hope, my wish for you and your students feel truly connected and valued. I've included a free resource to help you when incorporating music into your other academic subjects. Click the graphic to the left!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to visit my podcast buddies' blog posts about their hope-themed books and teaching ideas. You won't be sorry!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-SBb_gW_s6uTjSAB9nhR-5xqnEq-YOvJHUD0uO81ZOhabtYe_k6arMLv667_NL5n6ru-7a9VDew9hPSVh5Y-Tmk4_quqeN0GirNrath84BisWmgOnk6fVGhgJNY3ZkilBNwKPztj0ywn/s1600/Hope+books+pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-SBb_gW_s6uTjSAB9nhR-5xqnEq-YOvJHUD0uO81ZOhabtYe_k6arMLv667_NL5n6ru-7a9VDew9hPSVh5Y-Tmk4_quqeN0GirNrath84BisWmgOnk6fVGhgJNY3ZkilBNwKPztj0ywn/s320/Hope+books+pin.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a data-auth="Verified" href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.triedandtrueteachingtools.com%2F2020%2F02%2Fbringing-hope-in-times-of-angst.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C055dbaaec46a40bd3c7d08d7ae580373%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637169565347137929&sdata=mm2GDv%2BLVVR7VlLdSUGFLJ%2BWQbS0l1Z1PoagAiTbkRc%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/2020/02/bringing-hope-in-times-of-angst.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" shash="B6dYIpt0B39tC0pHV1b4n81cXV01Qfu+6DrscywZ62XmB8ncExB4xgocqlRVYyPDDr/SPh1yydla2QX8ZpzVDhm4GCV5VoLd7aYWjDf6OFGxuDOzVSWz4cyrI7gx4zpxXa4ELYX3DJxLZdipWitfU7k+nHuIXnGC0H1U+Zp4F50=" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Protected by Outlook: https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/2020/02/bringing-hope-in-times-of-angst.html. Click or tap to follow the link.">Bringing Hope in Times of Angst</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "segoe ui" , "segoe ui web (west european)" , "segoe ui" , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "roboto" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> // Tried & True Teaching Tools</span></div>
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<a data-auth="Verified" href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsocrateslantern.com%2F2020%2F02%2Fhope-is-a-four-letter-word.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C22664888ebd645551e3808d7aea617af%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637169900692566179&sdata=iGAqJ6J1j1nZrJzez7uxB6Op7vAo%2BdqJfB3W4TmQ8DQ%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://socrateslantern.com/2020/02/hope-is-a-four-letter-word.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" shash="c9IFjXM6auXL0vBdERhXoaDiWtEAFoFKp0IAlCuqfrDIB9km54Gw+Esx+PZJ3thGCj1YxSmUT8b9CHl1KHHZnkb0k0Uf2F3pptYnGKvRfu3mkwUIIPjDQzYa63z+X7+o3vW43kh33PyVkpKe7Orc8JdOJQq5CYr0/PvO19nAB6Q=" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Protected by Outlook: https://socrateslantern.com/2020/02/hope-is-a-four-letter-word.html. Click or tap to follow the link.">Hope is a 4-Letter Word</a> // Socrates Lantern</div>
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<a href="http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/2020/02/the-thing-with-feathers-childrens.html">The Thing with Feathers: Children's Literature for Teaching Hope</a> // Wild Child's Mossy Oak Musings</div>
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<a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com%2F2020%2F02%2Ffinding-hope.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cde8d100a2c4a4cbd45c808d7af00cf45%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637170290317250374&sdata=nQQvuha1CFbEmxEhRRqyweu5y%2Fn%2BLDdJLbmnY27OkUg%3D&reserved=0">Finding Hope</a> // Rainbow City Learning</div>
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<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827#episodeGuid=f93a7213-f98a-4f3e-82cc-32b9955d03ad" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOhi1hws0BFE2tgNTeHiLB5aIsxu1_SURNCD1Rsh0kPr5ic0me5dmkKejjw3aREh4aMIDnJc6pMFku_cQCUAxUwPFezqJJpFuh7bvsok5tA9uZn6FSg4bJMWPqpPCD-nGTWnL_w8VSV4P/s1600/we+teach+so+hard.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">If you're looking for a great podcast episode to round out your week, give our Book Talk Theme Talk Hope Episode a listen! Click the We Teach So Hard graphic to listen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you like my arts integration ideas in this blog post, you may be interested in these other teaching ideas...they're creative, rigorous, and engaging!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Black-Out-Poetry-Civil-Rights-Reading-Writing-Art-Project-4320114" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOjzKqeLFAEPZ6sx93Rr8G3JfcnV-otmlLM5vsdqW2zbGUAP0Q5C5eheXm3vbz9TxFGShq5w4RgRgcDw9eOFYWBCRlRrrweCCRz7_a4h_QWwmygOm6WRtaXtQWwYpCrjuYcq14Ba2qVts/s200/found+poetry.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Black-Out-Poetry-Civil-Rights-Reading-Writing-Art-Project-4320114" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbR90UW08eHx2m_bU6_bHv3AJU6yCh0O5hmkbC00Gc369_VEs7JDlYiO9rw2tqMjDut06xybRHrlVbaoW41CqtgQPuvCi3timMN8tJAf4ZFBZYAEcfCguV9ilOphHKIub3JPJKl_VaXZu/s200/okeefe.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dear-Langston-Hughes-Explorations-in-Poetry-Point-of-View-Theme-3010924" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYSVcU9braZ3Ksepc3oh8ED_FPTbV-UUXniUZylyRQeAU345zwqSGY6WpbMfgRM9lyHqishSOD8Pi1VuVoboONBSGeQ3QC3YGmJkcrgBJ_2eaj-UvGTagj5T04thwt9CPQ-O-kB0r2A-Y/s200/hughes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s200/Signature.png" width="200" /></a>Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-33185672208870055572020-01-12T14:51:00.001-05:002022-03-15T12:38:30.688-04:00Love is in the Air: Using Kid Lit to Teach Discourse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lxq6Z7JpNk_OeNlK_9GprPf9l446v_1-lNwv8vOuAz58D1x4ujqJbPTVBWfsU93AB4mbKzmJWddzQZDuKdPhcWC752887Jlavzo2iDWwUBasbKLG-uJeZVlA8thXIIlQcDyUKCBH00tC/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lxq6Z7JpNk_OeNlK_9GprPf9l446v_1-lNwv8vOuAz58D1x4ujqJbPTVBWfsU93AB4mbKzmJWddzQZDuKdPhcWC752887Jlavzo2iDWwUBasbKLG-uJeZVlA8thXIIlQcDyUKCBH00tC/s1600/Slide1.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, getting students to talk feels like a traumatic trip to the beauty shop. Stick with me here. You walk into the salon with grand expectations. You've pinned several haircut photos highlighting the life-changing style you desire. You've agonized over auburn vs. chocolate brown, and whether or not either color will age you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You sit in the chair and share your vision with the hair wizard. She smiles her knowing smile and turns you around, away from the mirror. You hum as you flip through the latest issue of Cosmopolitan and think to yourself, "I'm not too old to read this magazine. I'm still relevant." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, she flicks off the protective cape covering your shoulders and spins you around to face the mirror. For a fleeting moment, you struggle to adjust your face into an emotionless mask. "What the hell was she thinking?" you wonder. "Was I speaking Greek?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first time I asked my students to talk independently about a book chapter we read together was just like that. I came to them with big expectations. I told them what I wanted. They smiled their knowing fifth grader smiles... and did something entirely different. Why? Because discourse, conversation, discussion skills (whatever you choose to call it) need to be directly taught. So, I rolled up my sleeves and developed discourse mini lessons to teach my expectations. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaWbU9pZBiG0Dl6OMoVbRoG69ghjgoy77N30PcVbUxWCWncq3Yl_WCsnQ8ZhLvYiveYeWS6yFwE2t2awWiHnqBqGqnE1FO37Oz0pW5YERAvw-L9SL91Ma_guTeN2y5xsutMyVh-zsAHsA/s1600/Discourse%252C+Of+Course.blog+overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaWbU9pZBiG0Dl6OMoVbRoG69ghjgoy77N30PcVbUxWCWncq3Yl_WCsnQ8ZhLvYiveYeWS6yFwE2t2awWiHnqBqGqnE1FO37Oz0pW5YERAvw-L9SL91Ma_guTeN2y5xsutMyVh-zsAHsA/s320/Discourse%252C+Of+Course.blog+overview.jpg" width="246" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">So how do I make sure that our attempts at discourse aren't like a traumatic trip to the hair salon? I make our discourse goals transparent. Before hand, we talk a great deal about what makes a great conversation. We list the skills on chart paper. Then, I use these skills for my mini-lessons over the next couple of weeks. You can see the list we generated on the Yakity-Yak mini poster. Each of these became a series of whole group and small group lessons. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large;">Every time I taught a discourse lesson, we created a poster as a memory tool for the skills that they learned. We used table top tents to remind ourselves of the expectations. However, the most powerful practice we did was to reflect on our discourse skills after every formal discussion. Students asked themselves, "What did I do well this time? What are my be-sure-to's for next time?" And then, they also reflected on how their thinking changed as a result of the discourse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now it's mid January, and I'm preparing my literature choices for February and thinking about how I will continue to grow my students' discourse skills. January is always a month of review, isn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've selected three books with a common theme of love to share. All of them explore relationships with grandparents or older relatives. I want my students to engage in compare/contrast talk and writing over the course of this mini-unit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The three texts I'm using are below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxjLgq-eyEn2xAEjwf2EhJHrqpfE3ITHhvM2GqNCSqfgKr6u_J6nbHhOtTA_QE6vNxC07z1-y2WzhRUiK2ud_B3gZpBeFrkz8lyKOLLprOnRy3l8eJ0LGj4eJuUPVNPNB69w8qbWxKQ8g/s1600/Hundred+penny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxjLgq-eyEn2xAEjwf2EhJHrqpfE3ITHhvM2GqNCSqfgKr6u_J6nbHhOtTA_QE6vNxC07z1-y2WzhRUiK2ud_B3gZpBeFrkz8lyKOLLprOnRy3l8eJ0LGj4eJuUPVNPNB69w8qbWxKQ8g/s1600/Hundred+penny.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In <i>The Hundred Penny Box, </i>Michael's great-great aunt Dewbert is 100 years old. She has a penny for every years she's been alive. Together, they play a game. Michael chooses a penny from her collection and she tells him what happened in the year it was minted. She keeps her pennies in an old wooden box she calls her hundred penny box. She tells him that her life is in that box. Taking the box from her would be like taking her life from her. Michael grows to see that things are changing for Aunt Dewbert. Her mind is growing feeble, and sometimes she's confused. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvmr-k9MTY1xN2tAAWp0EdmaTDGqp5GPaZWoYARd_Lz3TcW70TIiO6zieBxsmdfWh5N7vYvw_zV7pRo-Fh9ZFsUwtY0kTGik7Ulcel_leJ5tswplvftL9VMP5WmAysJBjPYX9YGv6yt3M/s1600/song+and+dance+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvmr-k9MTY1xN2tAAWp0EdmaTDGqp5GPaZWoYARd_Lz3TcW70TIiO6zieBxsmdfWh5N7vYvw_zV7pRo-Fh9ZFsUwtY0kTGik7Ulcel_leJ5tswplvftL9VMP5WmAysJBjPYX9YGv6yt3M/s1600/song+and+dance+man.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Three children follow their grandpa up into the attic where he pulls out his old bowler hat, his tap shoes, and his gold-tipped cane. He relives his vaudeville days on the stage for them so the children can see what it was like to be a song and dance man.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa3XYyBoesvwtExSSiFNkputkGzwBojqYEFqomegS0NGhf9py8cDl7foNza4WEYoa_E0KFg8fQUMroftFHWjwg0nWgBOpHMJmG7SyqHIGXKb0ppdwtl5MdbaIE-UooE3YMkGJnehZUy_U/s1600/The+war+with+grandpa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa3XYyBoesvwtExSSiFNkputkGzwBojqYEFqomegS0NGhf9py8cDl7foNza4WEYoa_E0KFg8fQUMroftFHWjwg0nWgBOpHMJmG7SyqHIGXKb0ppdwtl5MdbaIE-UooE3YMkGJnehZUy_U/s1600/The+war+with+grandpa.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Peter is thrilled that Grandpa is coming to live with his family. That is, until Grandpa moves right into Peter’s room, forcing him upstairs. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Peter loves his grandpa but wants his room back. He has no choice but to declare war! With the help of his friends, Peter devises outrageous plans to make Grandpa surrender the room. But Grandpa is tougher than he looks. Rather than give in, Grandpa plans to get even.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">We'll be using these books to review our discourse skills, write compare/contrast essays, and discuss characters' view points. I'm so excited to stretch my learners a little more!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lessons-Materials-for-Student-Discourse-GROWING-PRODUCT-5158554" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN-X36Ckp0uDU8qlGFsKe61t3UPoP8tQl_4keDwgSnvoG55A-7J4uvRGy0gfbYteqKRX6khADXw3h6Q7jGU6DxxILhEnQqIiAKa5VzX_eB0yDKNJX9Yri2enILpgy7Ph6SuqPMsJqIJ2y/s320/Discourse%252C+Of+Course+cover.jpg" width="247" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Interested in accessing the discourse lessons and materials I developed while teaching my kiddos? You can snag this growing product right now at a low cost. Currently, it includes the colored posters, table tent, and student reflection sheets I used with my students. By February 9, 2020, the price will be going up when 8 discourse lessons and their interactive notebook pages are added. Click on the picture to the right. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">You MUST visit Kathie, Retta, and Deann's blogposts to read about more awesome love-themed book recommendations and lesson ideas. Be sure to stop by and listen to our podcast about the books, too. It's a great episode!</span></span></div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-77799571477724503832019-12-01T19:58:00.002-05:002022-03-15T12:38:46.867-04:00Honesty-Themed Books For Your Reader's Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NhZ80YOsNguUKuXrfuqSVAskOTyas-Tq6GkqPh5MWErpQaOIkbo89Mpb7DvJ4cvS3Txf_1WonFCrwctodDWaK9HBdeuvUllOJOV-Fav_cDwXAIP99nZo9dsojz6SsfzM-qP9R2aCxcdP/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NhZ80YOsNguUKuXrfuqSVAskOTyas-Tq6GkqPh5MWErpQaOIkbo89Mpb7DvJ4cvS3Txf_1WonFCrwctodDWaK9HBdeuvUllOJOV-Fav_cDwXAIP99nZo9dsojz6SsfzM-qP9R2aCxcdP/s1600/Slide1.JPG" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.</span></blockquote>
-Thomas Jefferson<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Emptying my dad's change jar out on the living floor is one of my favorite childhood memories. My sister and I were always fleecing my father for his spare change. Early on, we learned about the power that pennies could wield at Dan's Convenience Store down the road. And on hot summer days, we rode our bikes around one-armed or no-handed while we slurped down orange sherbet pop-ups that we'd bought with our begged spare change. Spare change meant sugar, bike rides, and sticky fingers when the ice cream inevitably dripped down our hands and handlebars.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr5rszOyOT2OMM2MKt3he-t6E79X1R2Tva08J6OafcCz8mX-zfien-WbrZWIUPNL0zdbKUKD8Nfu9myzwHt-apc0bS9u6M3MGnUamE2nSEj-2WZsMiFLNmJ_UWOMjVlHrcnV2qNLqciXU/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="123" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSr5rszOyOT2OMM2MKt3he-t6E79X1R2Tva08J6OafcCz8mX-zfien-WbrZWIUPNL0zdbKUKD8Nfu9myzwHt-apc0bS9u6M3MGnUamE2nSEj-2WZsMiFLNmJ_UWOMjVlHrcnV2qNLqciXU/s320/book.jpg" width="246" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">So when I discovered <i>The Hard Times Jar</i> by Ethel Footman Smothers, published in 2003, my own happy childhood memories were triggered. Instead, my students and I found a beautifully written book that provides a window into a household with a very different reality. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Emma Turner is a little girl who loves books. She loves reading them and writing them. She dreams of owning her own "store-bought" book, but she and her family are migrant workers. There isn't money for extras like store-bought books. Emma decides she'll use some of the money she makes picking apples to purchase her own book. But then, her mother announces that she won't be picking apples this year because she'll be going to school for the first time. Emma is devastated, until she discovers that her classroom is filled with real books. Emma is in heaven! The only rule is that she can't take the books home with her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Emma breaks the rule and takes the book home. She has to confess to her teacher about what she has done. Her mother, realizing that this honest action was very hard for Emma, gives her money from the hard times jar for her very own book, because hard times aren't just about not having bread or milk. Sometimes, hard times are about doing hard things, like being honest when you've done something wrong. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Irx8B-Wb894DmuTNFymCdsdhjek0gijxiNewwaIGt-Cf48MeOLen4Y6CbafHo7FcDtMVQ0iTyClGttjVVG_pp4lVRmTOJlNj4BzFeOMuwAT40rAYwsw811ohk5ua1MPtv2Ui4P7v66Kp/s1600/Theme+bookmark+freebie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Irx8B-Wb894DmuTNFymCdsdhjek0gijxiNewwaIGt-Cf48MeOLen4Y6CbafHo7FcDtMVQ0iTyClGttjVVG_pp4lVRmTOJlNj4BzFeOMuwAT40rAYwsw811ohk5ua1MPtv2Ui4P7v66Kp/s320/Theme+bookmark+freebie.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This book has become one of my new favorites in my Empathy Project (you can read about that <a href="http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/2019/09/a-classroom-action-research-story.html">HERE</a> or <a href="http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/2019/10/the-empathy-project-update-explorations.html">HERE</a>). However, good children's literature is rich with multiple themes. Honesty is a big lesson in this picture book. I'll be using this book over the next week to teach about theme. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite ways to teach my students about theme is to have them reflect on theme over the course of several picture book read alouds. We begin by placing a sticky note on a designated page in our reader's notebook. They date the sticky note, and write their definition of honesty. Then we read the first picture book, <i>The Hard Times Jar</i>. We discuss the theme of honesty and how it played out in the book. Then they place a second sticky note, write the book title at the top of it, and write a new definition of honesty, based on the book we just read together. They also write a statement of how their thinking changed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next, we read 3-4 more books with an honesty theme. Each time, we add another sticky note and our thinking about the theme in our reader's notebooks. The most powerful part of this is when students explain how their thinking changes every time we read a new book. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I give them a sentence strip. They place their sticky notes in order from first to last in order to see the evolution of their thinking. They describe this evolution with a discussion buddy. At the very end, they write about it in a very short essay. I use that essay as a reading and writing assessment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My students love this approach because they get to talk about their thinking. I love it because I can see how their thinking develops over time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Theme-Bookmarks-Freebie-5062052" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PNPVlJgJ-nqTMgBGDH1ZBo_pzH4pZmE07xg1sLA7iRXvQ2tsXV_m96VpKVgeHVceBgpVdLwpO_x-4MERSSQMRWElhpLOffIlxjSEF6D48__U-pKdxDrpdIgdLHsiUhYsXGXDL1yVw4zC/s200/theme+bookmark+square+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I've made a featured freebie for the month of December, just for you! You can snag the theme bookmarks I give my students for free. They're like an anchor chart on a bookmark. Simply click the picture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827#episodeGuid=0a8528ec-d02e-a916-955b-2a549fd3e77e" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqokVhOgyeuu8SJXtMDLzA_g9JUklbp5qda5C_nkoQlh4L3Qapni4_PairMa_vQg0a0O70ESDt6NUyUxzQo3huik95q1hxG8WMBfKHuRoo1hW6a_0orfCJ5LsyXwV6mFoLpFRfWmpvMDG/s200/teachertip+slide.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">You can hear more about honesty-themed books by listening to our latest Book Talk-Theme Talk episode. My podcast buddies had a ball talking about these books and our ideas for how to use them in our classrooms. Click the picture to access the episode.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjq9ZWq9mXAzbVnU0g8EQ77-sWNcEwMxN7UJSW7sXxFgzM_WM_uhp2x0VjeSicR_DnwFgYvlOlsBOYRdOobzCgov7tH0eAFTaq-2-VFtNsa-5r8Y143n4BkKJt7DD0291tWyvcx6WHvwP/s1600/November+Honesty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjq9ZWq9mXAzbVnU0g8EQ77-sWNcEwMxN7UJSW7sXxFgzM_WM_uhp2x0VjeSicR_DnwFgYvlOlsBOYRdOobzCgov7tH0eAFTaq-2-VFtNsa-5r8Y143n4BkKJt7DD0291tWyvcx6WHvwP/s320/November+Honesty.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">OR, you can read about the other honesty-themed books I'll be using in my theme talks by visiting my podcast buddies' blog posts below. They've written about some fantastic books and have included some great teaching ideas to go with them!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/2019/12/honesty-themed-books-for-your-readers.html">http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/2019/12/honesty-themed-books-for-your-readers.html</a></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-35940164818975567532019-11-17T15:17:00.001-05:002022-03-15T12:38:55.272-04:00Gentle Rebellion 101: A Teaching Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time, there was a fearsome dandelion fighter. Every week, he rode a 20 horsepower mower across an immaculate lawn... a lawn manicured so carefully that when the neighborhood association whipped out its Home Depot measuring tape, no matter where they measured, his grass was exactly 1 1/2 inches tall. At the end of each weekly battle, the warrior strutted across his lawn with a hoe in hand and grubbed out each dandelion green that his weed and feed fertilizer had not killed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now next door to the lawnmower knight, there lived a young girl. Her favorite past time was to lay in the tall grass and weave dandelion crowns for Gracie, her dog, and Eddie Spaghetti, her marmalade cat. Every evening after the knight had retired to his suburban castle, she picked fluffy white dandelion heads and gently blew them across the knight's lawn. Then she closed her eyes and dreamed about a yellow sea of dandelions and all the beautiful crowns, necklaces and bracelets she would create for the neighborhood strays. It was an act of Gentle Rebellion.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG0unoJZGulOsqGceTyn2PSdsr0cUJOANoNmJPCFz-FJ__y7ok_7FM2OvIpftzDjaiQz3KjlGAUX7ooYZxeUjQ17MwaQ1f2rJZhm4pwbnTCmEhrdpnrvinKhScjQQCV7SYcoY3Y5kr-Eo/s1600/Slide6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG0unoJZGulOsqGceTyn2PSdsr0cUJOANoNmJPCFz-FJ__y7ok_7FM2OvIpftzDjaiQz3KjlGAUX7ooYZxeUjQ17MwaQ1f2rJZhm4pwbnTCmEhrdpnrvinKhScjQQCV7SYcoY3Y5kr-Eo/s400/Slide6.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last Friday, I was lucky enough to attend a free professional development day at the Detroit Institute of Art. I had just spent three mind-numbing, soul-sucking weeks of teaching, grading, planning building professional development, attending leadership meetings, and teaching a weekly night class at a local university. Add parent-teacher conferences and some health challenges, and it was the perfect storm. I thought about not going. I wasn't feeling well. I could easily stay home. I was past exhaustion, but I went. The conference was on creativity, and I had been looking forward to it for weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I arrived at the Detroit Institute of Art and was given a free copy of <i>Say Something</i> by Peter H. Reynolds, a free copy of <i>Start with a Dot</i>, also by Reynolds, a number of free art posters for my classroom, and a little museum notebook for note-taking. I nestled down into the lecture hall and mourned the cup of coffee I had left in my car. When Reynolds walked out onto the stage, one of the first things he said was, "Education needs gentle rebels. Lean outside the box without getting fired." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I forgot about my coffee. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxXuwoYIPW4J5jLIF6My8oaR_WAard06unDfTKIPY-wh2O50A2xjCXL0fWVdirn0Bv77uBvap1hd6iaUY1_GAkTDFMrHUJA5TsMMhZVgGlB856t5t4NTHfophfxPILQktRh46aAe8eK1c/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxXuwoYIPW4J5jLIF6My8oaR_WAard06unDfTKIPY-wh2O50A2xjCXL0fWVdirn0Bv77uBvap1hd6iaUY1_GAkTDFMrHUJA5TsMMhZVgGlB856t5t4NTHfophfxPILQktRh46aAe8eK1c/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="306" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">He told his story. The one about doodling all throughout his school career...the one about his boundless energy, and the math teacher who changed everything for him. The math teacher who asked him if he had ever thought about illustrating math concepts. The math teacher who suggested he make an animated movie, and then helped him do it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the time Peter H. Reynolds was done speaking, I felt two things I hadn't felt in a while...alive and valued. I know I sound like I'm spewing sentimental drivel, but he reminded me of something I had forgotten. Once again, I had forgotten to take care of myself, and I had overlooked my impact on my colleagues and students. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Skkkz1SBvZF_7bQVGfPkZOx0RhWe7J4K-KHxAmail53GE_PIZ4MEvistaNbuqyXbqwTtOhcRr2coMJ4kySJxOCtJ5h9kbhDX0VPLlE9oloyYveain4UZJqs-yWQjcwbUt6ccINXJ4xMV/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Skkkz1SBvZF_7bQVGfPkZOx0RhWe7J4K-KHxAmail53GE_PIZ4MEvistaNbuqyXbqwTtOhcRr2coMJ4kySJxOCtJ5h9kbhDX0VPLlE9oloyYveain4UZJqs-yWQjcwbUt6ccINXJ4xMV/s320/Slide5.JPG" width="246" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">His keynote was the start of a fabulous learning day. We learned how to use visible thinking strategies and art in order to teach empathy . We were given the opportunity to engage in deep conversations about art. We learned about creative exploration and used junk and stamp pads to create our own works of art, and then discussed ways we could use the same thinking and creating processes in our classrooms. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMdb5SHRWsDEqH06mfFwbhCKuLZheV9umpPGsEgSldv0BqtT-0JGCUgcgH73cuPDf_ZyjubX0hUfxY-iCQhBerQNEC02UueD2vCeuJKSQChWi2HVIutjccUX6J1CYFdPEVwM2oTW1i-2p/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMdb5SHRWsDEqH06mfFwbhCKuLZheV9umpPGsEgSldv0BqtT-0JGCUgcgH73cuPDf_ZyjubX0hUfxY-iCQhBerQNEC02UueD2vCeuJKSQChWi2HVIutjccUX6J1CYFdPEVwM2oTW1i-2p/s320/Slide4.JPG" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We painted and drew, all the while brainstorming ways to incorporate creativity into our every day classroom lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The art institute filled our bellies with amazing food (no boxed lunches here), and we were given time to talk and think with the colleagues around us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And throughout it all, Peter H. Reynolds sat with us, painted with us, talked with us, ate with us, and quite frankly, held up a mirror for us to remember our own worth and power. It was an amazing day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIXdmLdnKzo_FVGVfEu1Y1aQ18EKVGTRtkQdPjS52K1tBEjQX2PQ8Q9Y1xJD6AuHbHvU2s6H5YcquU_LCLZAoIZ2EcRTGZS8Z66UzOdBnOIY8VJXQuJleKKcjMMXMiZEm_1ZreUkLlxh0/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIXdmLdnKzo_FVGVfEu1Y1aQ18EKVGTRtkQdPjS52K1tBEjQX2PQ8Q9Y1xJD6AuHbHvU2s6H5YcquU_LCLZAoIZ2EcRTGZS8Z66UzOdBnOIY8VJXQuJleKKcjMMXMiZEm_1ZreUkLlxh0/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Peter talked about gentle rebels, I pictured the hundreds of dandelion seeds that float delicately from my yard into my neighbor's yard. Often times in education, initiatives are <b>rolled out</b> (like a steamroller), <b> </b>ideas are <b>brainstormed </b>(always makes me think of barnstorming), concepts are <b>scripted</b> and <b>managed</b> like a lawn cut so short that noone wants to walk on it because it's uncomfortably prickly. I was relieved when reminded that it only takes one whispering seed of creativity and belief to float into the fertile young minds in my classroom. I'll have a new crop of dandelions before I know it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">P.S. If you ever get a chance to hear and see Peter H. Reynolds present, do it. You won't be sorry. While you're at it, buy his books. All of them. </span></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-77749206820963033632019-10-13T11:12:00.003-04:002022-03-15T12:39:04.944-04:00The Empathy Project Update: Explorations into Empathy, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There are times I hate being a kid. Here I am waiting to see which team will choose me for some pick up basketball. And the decision rests on some stupid game of Rock Paper Scissors.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">-<i>Just Kidding</i> by Trudy Ludwig</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Last month, I wrote about The Empathy Project, a year-long action research project that a colleague and I designed (you can read about that <a href="http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/2019/09/a-classroom-action-research-story.html">HERE</a>). With our school year well under way, we tackled our first book, <i>Just Kidding </i>by Trudy Ludwig.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Before our first read, we set up a page in our reader's notebooks. We wrote the book title and date of our first entry on the first sticky note. Students responded to the prompt, "What is empathy?" I was surprised by the variety of responses students wrote. Some said empathy was knowing how someone felt. One child said that you had to do something to help the other person for it to be empathy. Another student thought it was more like sympathy or pity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Then, we completed our first read of <i>Just Kidding. </i>Students' initial reactions to the text were varied. Some sat, knowingly nodding their heads. Others groaned when the bully uttered the words "Just kidding," the first time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was my first time sharing this book with a class. If you don't know the book, please accept this blog post as my hearty recommendation. D.J. is the main character who is repeatedly bullied by Vince. Vince makes fun of his name, his soccer prowess, his clothing. When D.J. protests, Vince always adds on, "I was just kidding. Can't you take a joke?" This further demoralizes D.J., and he feels confused and doesn't know how to respond. He eventually gets help from his dad, older brother, and his school principal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What really makes this book special, is the way D.J. is taught to deflect Vince's statements. He learns to deflect Vince's taunts without meanness, or aggression. By doing so, Vince loses his power over the situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In our discussions of the book, my students practiced using the technique that D.J. learns. They really focused on how he is able to turn the situations around. Because I wanted my students to really process the story, I led them in a 4Cs thinking routine from <i>Making Thinking Visible</i> by Church, Ritchart, and Morrison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 4Cs thinking routine uses four quadrants, and I think it's one of most powerful thinking routines for reader response. The first quadrant is "Connections." My students talked and wrote about their personal connections to the story. However, I required that they also use evidence from the story to strengthen their connections. In fact, using evidence is my grade level's SMART goal this year, so we worked hard to do that for each quadrant.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WIik2Sz9XVEaYO3mQ6jXmfSk3dCtx6TlMsP9k6ZPIbMWLzmtD1i6F67zHB1U9v_xJWo5wOq0jA0KuJbTYHU-K_8Po462TAbZfvvUnkzJzteycE1FAz8NcePY5R2ltWCYVm1kDj0as80m/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="768" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WIik2Sz9XVEaYO3mQ6jXmfSk3dCtx6TlMsP9k6ZPIbMWLzmtD1i6F67zHB1U9v_xJWo5wOq0jA0KuJbTYHU-K_8Po462TAbZfvvUnkzJzteycE1FAz8NcePY5R2ltWCYVm1kDj0as80m/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The second quadrant is "Challenge." What do you challenge about the character's actions or reactions? Do you agree or disagree? The third quadrant is "Concepts." What are the important concepts from this story (think: THEME)? And lastly, "Change." How has your thinking about the story changed? We used the "At first I thought...but now I think...because..." sentence stems for this response. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We read <i>Just Kidding </i>a total of five times by the time we were finished with the 4Cs thinking routine. We explored one quadrant per day. Because of this, when it came time to meet via Google hangouts with our buddy class, our discourse was rich and deep.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our meet up day, we met our fifth grade discourse buddies online right after lunch. Both classrooms of fifth graders had prepared at least two questions they wanted to pose to the other class for discussion. Since it was our first meeting, we met as a whole class so that my teaching colleague and I could make introductions and help facilitate. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3e_R6nSCKMXYaWZ01BqZYN5CmDdeISUksYdMARZQppTl127c36ruHGwgDgLjv1i2-PQU8zdluqsvOFzuH5Y2KlDTp0jffMIcIHEYoieza_ux0mbf6ko5KvH6ExgJbNDc3mjiwS6bbsjO5/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="768" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3e_R6nSCKMXYaWZ01BqZYN5CmDdeISUksYdMARZQppTl127c36ruHGwgDgLjv1i2-PQU8zdluqsvOFzuH5Y2KlDTp0jffMIcIHEYoieza_ux0mbf6ko5KvH6ExgJbNDc3mjiwS6bbsjO5/s320/Slide4.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Nancie's students had prepared their thoughts and questions on notecards, while my students had their reader's notebooks on hand. Both of us had discourse stems displayed for our students to use when introducing questions and responding. They were over-the-moon-excited! We discussed the book and shared our understandings of empathy for about 20 minutes. After umpteen million years of teaching, I don't think I've ever seen students more engaged in a literature discussion. After we finished our meet up, my students returned to their reader's notebooks to write a second definition of empathy. We shared how our thinking had changed as a result of reading <i>Just Kidding </i>engaging in discourse with another class. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We meet again at the end of October. We'll be reading and discussing <i>Each Kindness </i>by Jacqueline Woodson. This time, however, our students will meet online in partnerships or groups of three for their online book discussion. Stay tuned! I'll be back in a couple of weeks to fill you in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Interested in learning more about visible thinking? Check out this website and resources:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For other great book recommendations about bullying and empathy, check out the We Teach So Hard podcast. Our newest episode showcases three more books! Click the picture below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This month I've linked up with some fabulous Teacher Talk authors. Check out their ideas below!</span></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-26940447375419949072019-09-08T21:49:00.001-04:002022-03-15T12:39:14.713-04:00Teaching Perseverance: Powerful Books to Change A Student's Mindset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOQ2md8YCtQUv6AUsGKMnyiflxE5GV1epuE7f5lyi7iD9Mul0sl7iwmuvOf3UAAWhK3csGA7FfZvBmYow6F_Tm3cEPxAYD82L656bhyphenhyphenz0H9uROLK-Mz_WjUL5V_JYnRxNZkb2DmCWAw2Y/s1600/podcast+perseverance+BLOG+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOQ2md8YCtQUv6AUsGKMnyiflxE5GV1epuE7f5lyi7iD9Mul0sl7iwmuvOf3UAAWhK3csGA7FfZvBmYow6F_Tm3cEPxAYD82L656bhyphenhyphenz0H9uROLK-Mz_WjUL5V_JYnRxNZkb2DmCWAw2Y/s1600/podcast+perseverance+BLOG+image.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this world, we are not perfect. We can only do our best.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">-Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I have one goal as a teacher, it's that my students don't dance with perfectionism the way I have my entire life. It's an exhausting dance, and I've tangoed, fox-trotted, and step-ball-changed my way through my entire life trying to learn that my very best is always good enough. It's a crappy way to experience life, always feeling like you're never quite good enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I talk about <i>perseverance</i> with my students, I always use books. Good children's literature gives kids a chance to vicariously experience someone else's struggle, to see themselves in similar episodes of struggle, and finally to explore ways of working through it. However as an embattled perfectionist, <i style="font-weight: bold;">how</i> I talk about perseverance is really important. I teach my students to ask themselves 3 questions: </span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Have I done my very best? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">How do I know I've done my very best?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Is there anything else I can try before I feel I am done with this struggle?</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNa_LFG1Xj7mOYoMQFPOJcmqYRbqWlqxmNnWJKKi2aFj9wdCygHKEO5z796fyF01ejfgalJXUV_UZcrkUwiCHUozcEGx0dR7RxtjSXoNw0Zh235gT2c1sA9w5ERlMZLS7MZE3oCoZaD3gI/s1600/Perseverance+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNa_LFG1Xj7mOYoMQFPOJcmqYRbqWlqxmNnWJKKi2aFj9wdCygHKEO5z796fyF01ejfgalJXUV_UZcrkUwiCHUozcEGx0dR7RxtjSXoNw0Zh235gT2c1sA9w5ERlMZLS7MZE3oCoZaD3gI/s400/Perseverance+book.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of years ago, I stumbled onto a little gem of a book, <i>Emmanuel's Dream The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah. </i>It has become one of my favorite books to use when teaching theme and perseverance. It's narrative nonfiction, which means that's it's a true story that sounds like a fiction story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Emmanuel is born with a birth defect. Only one of his legs functions normally. In Ghana, his home country, birth defects are viewed as curses and families are expected and encouraged to kill or abandon their children to the elements. Emmanuel's father leaves, but his mother makes the courageous decision to save her child and raise him. She tells him that he can do anything he wants to do, but that he'll have to work for it, and Emmanuel does just that, in ways that his mother could never have imagined. In the end, Emmanuel becomes a national hero and focuses a spotlight on his country's treatment of its disabled citizens. Emmanuel's actions are inspiring and remarkable, but this young man is a picture of perseverance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I teach theme in reader's workshop, I first review retelling and summarizing with my students. I do this because I want them to be able focus on the character's struggle and resolution. I usually use a story chart to map out the parts of the story. The story chart includes the setting, characters, 3 important story events, the problem, resolution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After we map out the story, together or in small groups, we turn our attention to the struggle and resolution. What was the character's conflict? How was it resolved? Because I teach fifth graders, it's usually at this point when I introduce types of literary conflict commonly found in fiction and narrative nonfiction: Character vs. self, character vs. character, and character vs. society/nature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My students usually identify Emmanuel's struggle as "character vs. society." We use a <i>Making Thinking Visible</i> thinking routine (by Church, Morrison & Ritchart) called "Step Inside." Using this routine helps us to step inside Emmanuel's shoes to try to think, feel, and perceive the world as he does. You can find out more about that <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Wild-Child-Designs/Search:visible+thinking">HERE</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I define theme this way:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_Lv-b8v6bDy0byt2uaEqJU_9nBqOffDG9cEXzdKtqeafc3Uj7Ni1UjRGobK89gY8EIWXykciIm6HtnxrIpSP7zIWCaUaIfCpYgd8krvn1hQj23JPIBgRe-gHpZcz0w8FgFs1uK-CbkjB/s1600/Theme+poster+perseverance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_Lv-b8v6bDy0byt2uaEqJU_9nBqOffDG9cEXzdKtqeafc3Uj7Ni1UjRGobK89gY8EIWXykciIm6HtnxrIpSP7zIWCaUaIfCpYgd8krvn1hQj23JPIBgRe-gHpZcz0w8FgFs1uK-CbkjB/s400/Theme+poster+perseverance.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By focusing on the character's struggles, my kids have an easier time identifying themes. Because of Emmanuel's willingness to do the hard stuff, like hop to miles to school on one leg or travel 2 hours away to the city to get a job to support his sick mother and younger siblings, he was able to overcome society's expectations of him. He showed perseverance when the situation could have overwhelmed him. In our small group discussions, we revisit our 3 questions about perseverance:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Did Emmanuel do his very best?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">How do we know he did his very best?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">What more could he have done to help the situation?</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For our final look at this book, I ask my students to create newspaper headlines that will summarize a theme. This is also a visible thinking routine, and it demands that students "go deep." The headline can't summarize the story. It must summarize the big ideas or themes of the story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love that these theme lessons work with any fiction or narrative fiction book. You need <i>Emmanuel's Dream</i> in your classroom library. It's a testament to the power of one person. Be sure to check out the links below. There are 2 youtube videos about Emmanuel's journey, as well as link to his non-profit website, because he continues to dream...</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHUDh82sZYs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHUDh82sZYs</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSnGo5wmNGc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSnGo5wmNGc</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.emmanuelsdream.org/">http://www.emmanuelsdream.org</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like the theme and conflict mini posters in this post? You can grab them for free by subscribing to this blog! They're this month's featured freebie for subscribers!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s200/Signature.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't forget to visit Kathie, Retta and Deann's blogs about other fantastic titles and lesson ideas for teaching perseverance. I'll see you over there!</span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlyFlmhyRGx3Pwm2sjobZrSBrvXrvgNxXVysunTmtY5nKDxMe9GoxKINyL3PDdsQ_EQRpb4p_j_skvU-5JKIhzWThUyQ42ALt-UFN96BsiItYh5Poccv8pSwySmh2Rabm-72kioySiXUp/s320/Perseverance+pin+2.jpg" width="224" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/2019/09/teaching-perseverance-powerful-books-to.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Teaching Perseverance: Powerful Books to Change a Student’s
Mindset</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/2019/09/books-to-teach-perseverance.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Books to Teach
Perseverance</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://socrateslantern.com/2019/09/never-give-up-persevere.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Never Give Up. . .
Persevere!</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/2019/09/using-arts-to-teach-perseverance.html"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Using the Arts to Teach
Perseverance</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or, check out our newest episode of the We Teach So Hard podcast. It's our monthly book talk and we're exploding with ideas for perseverance-themed picture books. Click the picture to access!</span></div>
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<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827?i=1000449861708"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDndNE_rJS3IR2SB-zzNDgxuEjqz0tHAN4HDwc6yKUmSgJ93lNVBfgb-bVOmYpN7Jn_Bj4ycKGv2MCHvWPi5fbv0KDxyElrZQm6NNKBA3FhQklQPcRrMHqzJjz4BRJ5aYDZNFRY6eIjJFw/s400/perseverance+pin+image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've linked up with some fabulous teacher-bloggers this month. Be sure to check out their posts below!</span></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-75917302954493869012019-09-02T18:15:00.001-04:002022-03-15T12:39:25.584-04:00A Classroom Action Research Story: The Empathy Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0PYMKeE2t2kQZ28qqPx5XSfuz5AKMZhNX9q7LYuo0i86Y0rQnsHkush9WrBhdp09Q9mOvEcQtEZgGGIH7GHx3z4w5h_muuBDkixq8XQKRurLBGkn1_toOEBG4p2LYjm29DYxv_q_rhBF/s1600/Empathy+Project+Post+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0PYMKeE2t2kQZ28qqPx5XSfuz5AKMZhNX9q7LYuo0i86Y0rQnsHkush9WrBhdp09Q9mOvEcQtEZgGGIH7GHx3z4w5h_muuBDkixq8XQKRurLBGkn1_toOEBG4p2LYjm29DYxv_q_rhBF/s1600/Empathy+Project+Post+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm writing this on the eve of a brand new school year. My fifth graders will arrive tomorrow morning, and we'll be boogie-ing our way into the new year. Tomorrow will mark the beginning of my 27th year of teaching. Not bad for someone who, after her first day of teaching, told her veteran teacher mom that "This will not be the rest of my life. It's okay, for now." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here I am. I have to admit that when I peel back the layers of crap imposed on us...crap that isn't teaching...I still love my job. In fact, I adore it. I'm still curious. I still approach teaching like a research project. Every year, I investigate a pedagogical question. This year is no different. After listening to Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle at our state reading conference, my colleague Nancie and I put our heads together and asked "What if?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if we selected 9 empathy-themed picture books and shared them with our students, one per month? What if we used the picture books to help our students develop a definition and awareness of empathy? What if our students met online across our school district to discuss the books within discourse groups, using flip grid or google hangouts? What would happen to their listening and speaking skills? What if we tracked those skills using WAPT/WIDA? What if our students self-assessed their discourse skills?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-WQKXO04RRena6OL3mGNZ8l9lesMWnRb_Wn5hvqWdbk_o_CbuGrDwZw6df-1NMk9wdLAFl9Vev5OKv-qR6XcPp8Oz2banS0fVU14Ze2plZ7WyecDAPncTZdMps202Rd5_Wacwf5Tc3U/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="768" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-WQKXO04RRena6OL3mGNZ8l9lesMWnRb_Wn5hvqWdbk_o_CbuGrDwZw6df-1NMk9wdLAFl9Vev5OKv-qR6XcPp8Oz2banS0fVU14Ze2plZ7WyecDAPncTZdMps202Rd5_Wacwf5Tc3U/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Action research makes my heart sing. It always has. I like pondering questions, developing hypotheses, and tracking data. There's nothing like the rush of success or the surprise of unexpected results. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've found that when I share my action research with my students, they are genuinely interested. They, too, ask questions and keep up on "how we're doing" with our classroom learning experiences. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nancie and I developed 3 essential questions for our students:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"> What is empathy?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> Why is it important?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"> How does discourse impact your every day life?</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These three questions will guide our shared readings and discussions as we collaborate every month across our school district. Students will return to the first question every month, in order to revise their definitions after reading the selected picture book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before our first online meet up, Nancie and I will be teaching discourse strategies. I'll be introducing sentence stems for discussion, engaging in visible thinking routines that foster student conversations, and using open-ended learning investigations. Both of us will introduce Jennifer Serravallo's Conversation Learning Progression continuum to our students, because we want them to be able to self-assess their conversation skills. Later on, we'll be using that particular continuum to do our own formative assessment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Within the first three weeks of school, we'll be administering the WAPT test to our whole class. We're doing this with the help of our bilingual support staff. We're doing this so we can get some baseline data on the four quadrants: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing. We've found that even when students aren't English language learners, they have weak areas. We want to be able to see everyone's starting points so we can better measure growth later on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In addition, during the week of our online meetups, Nancie and I will be using Serravallo's conversation continuum to assess where our students are as they talk. We'll be conferencing with our students about their progress, too. This is our sole focus during this week. Our goal is that by the close of the school year, our students will be at the end of Serravallo's Conversation Learning Progression continuum: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thinks flexibly, allowing one’s own opinions to be changed and/ or considering new perspectives and uses empathy to understand others’ ideas, especially when others’ opinions differ from one’s own.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">We'll repeat the WAPT again in January and May to measure progress. I'm predicting that we'll see an increase in our students' listening and speaking scores, but I wouldn't be surprised to also see a spike in writing due to verbal rehearsal and expression. Both of these things develop writing skills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nancie and I worked hard to choose the books. We wanted books that honored diversity. We wanted meaty books with strong characters. We wanted empathy-themed books. These are the books we chose:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Just Kidding</i> by Trudy Ludwig</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>One Green Apple</i> by Eve Bunting</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Be Good To Eddie Lee </i>by Virginia Fleming</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Hard Times Jar </i> by Ethel Footman Smothers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Ruby's Wish </i>by Shirin Yim Bridges</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thank You, Mr. Falker </i>by Patricia Polacco</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A Thirst For Home </i>by Christine Leronimo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes & Friendship </i>by Irene Latham & Charles Waters</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Each Kindness </i>by Jacqueline Woodson</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be writing about The Empathy Project's progress throughout this school year. Be sure to check back the first week of each month to read more about our progress and findings. We're so excited! Our first book is <i>Just Kidding</i> by Trudy Ludwig, and it's powerful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking for some ways to support your reader's and writer's workshops? You can read more <a href="http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/search?q=reader%27s+workshop">HERE</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Plus, I offer many resources (some free) to help your kiddos take off! Click the picture below to discover more. </span></div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-64197327011903680612019-08-21T16:06:00.003-04:002022-03-15T12:39:34.409-04:0050 is Nifty! Come Celebrate With Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a nifty fifty celebration and you're cordially invited! We Teach So Hard, my podcast group, is celebrating our 50th podcast episode. We've put together a giveaway in honor of you, our listeners and readers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's an easy peasy kind of giveaway (you don't have to follow 50 million people to enter). There are three ways for you to enter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click the giveaway graphic below and …</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Write one reason you love teaching in the comments of the Facebook post the graphic below directs you to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Tag a teacher friend or two in a separate comment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. OR...visit our podcast on iTunes and drop us a comment and rating. You can do that <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827">HERE</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each action you take counts as an entry. The raffle drawing will be help in a Facebook live video on Monday, August 26, at 7:00 p.m. You could win everything pictured in this graphic! What are you waiting for? You deserve it because you teach so hard!</span></div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-49171997771008726052019-08-18T16:19:00.001-04:002022-03-15T12:39:41.448-04:00Math Games: Observing Your Students Makes Back-To-School A Breeze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was in the toy aisle at Target the other day and spied a giant set of dominoes. It was a thing of beauty to behold. I was instantly transported back a gazillion years to my grandma's kitchen table. We sat hunched over the domino tiles. Her left hand cupped her never-empty coffee cup. There was a small plate of windmill cookies off to the side. She used her index finger to sweep up my cookie crumbs while I labored over my next move. My grandma and me, we were fierce domino players. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because she was a fourth grade teacher, when my grandma taught you how to play a game, you learned strategy. It was discussed and developed. I learned to visualize several moves ahead. I learned patterns of play. I learned what tiles were best to hold back until the end and which tiles were best to play first.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To this day, I adore playing games because of my Grandma Eller. As a classroom teacher, they are one of my favorite ways to teach concepts, strategy, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. At the start of a new school year, math games are my absolute <i style="font-weight: bold;">favorite</i> way to get to know my new students. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I use math games at the very beginning of the school year, I make sure that they are skill review. I don't want to use games that teach new concepts because I want to watch my students interacting independently. If I have to step in to reteach new math concepts, I can't observe. I want to be able to see how Andrew interacts with others when he's losing. I want to know how Bella handles mistakes, or how Tom behaves when he trounces Emily. I also want to see who has a hard time with reviewing concepts. This is a tip off for me that someone may need some remediation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a wheelie stool that I scoot around on the first couple weeks of school as I watch my students play math games. I make sure I visit each group. Students will find me if they need help with concepts, but when they come to me to settle disagreements during game play, I tell them they must solve the problems themselves. This gives me a lot of information about their abilities to collaborate and negotiate. I also look for the helpers. These are students who will try to help a partner who is stuck mathematically, even though it's a competitive situation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I'm scooting around, I carry a pencil and clipboard with an observation sheet attached. I watch, listen and record what I see on my observation pages. I've developed this sheet after years of teaching and find that it helps me hone in on my students who will need some social skills, discourse, or mathematical boosting. After each game play session, I plan lessons to address some of what I saw. This continues throughout the first month of school, until my stud</span><span style="font-size: large;">ents' skills have improved. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you'd like my observational pages, be sure to subscribe (via email) to this blog! At the beginning of every month, I send my subscribers updates and a free goodie. The observational pages are September's freebie!</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBwy19gl_MtquzZCEklRXqcMMzNqHtkPM3pHgDzFGOxwBSIndPgWsWheYVfG9SCUSzBehunNutX2kPnq_mKhduwbqtlZRcAZQGstFoGZVsKxqibu4224eBwACX2qmAK565mMxv7P4tXXk/s1600/windmill+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBwy19gl_MtquzZCEklRXqcMMzNqHtkPM3pHgDzFGOxwBSIndPgWsWheYVfG9SCUSzBehunNutX2kPnq_mKhduwbqtlZRcAZQGstFoGZVsKxqibu4224eBwACX2qmAK565mMxv7P4tXXk/s320/windmill+cookies.jpg" width="302" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Game play will always be one of my favorite ways to teach concepts and review expectations for collaboration and discourse. But it is also my favorite because I'm transported back to the taste of almond windmill cookies and the click of domino tiles...and my grandma's laughter, warm and loving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're looking for classroom games, take a look below. There are a couple of freebies in the line up, too. Simply click on the graphic. Enjoy!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Wild-Child-Designs/Search:math+games"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_eqDLb1FQcm4J_U5ez9woK3SLrB0Yj_ubZxI2-QQ2yNqrTySf8igQsbeOqeXUUky0ADQ8xoRQvBn6A5zy7zaOQvLG-m0ItdzQ8UerfBtyh9t9aM8TCE8r2TMEqpgTKLry0WsGTYE3NOj/s400/bts+math+blog+post+product+graphic.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This month, I've linked up with some fabulous teachers for Teacher Talk. There are some great back-to-school classroom ideas here! Check them out below!</span></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-71606443800294611192019-08-11T14:26:00.004-04:002022-03-15T12:41:37.853-04:004 Books About Belonging For Your Back-to-School Read Alouds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjv_p8l98gqPW3a3J-NlO6gpRY7-B4DB2NZ-H1M5PhaGqrvVKLokSLTnPX0ytNQUyHOXpD8sSq7n1JOqunee9Q_d9K8cEhjZz-sJqGC39fgGjB2pBpGKN3rddCIW4P9mZf88x8uYKvZYu/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjv_p8l98gqPW3a3J-NlO6gpRY7-B4DB2NZ-H1M5PhaGqrvVKLokSLTnPX0ytNQUyHOXpD8sSq7n1JOqunee9Q_d9K8cEhjZz-sJqGC39fgGjB2pBpGKN3rddCIW4P9mZf88x8uYKvZYu/s1600/Slide1.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still remember it. The memory can still knot my throat up in a tight little ball of hurt. I was in second grade in a split 2/3 classroom. I was the only girl in second grade so all of my girl friends were third graders. Her name was Christine. She had blonde hair and blue eyes and a flock of followers that only a third grade girl who learns her leadership powers early could command. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She marched up and down the aisles of the classroom before school had officially started and handed a pink sparkly envelope to each of the girls. I waited eagerly for her to pass my desk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I watched her pass each envelope, one to Lisa, another to Laura, the next one to Brooke, until there weren't anymore left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I remember nothing more about that week. The moment of realization that I was not included and the aftermath when I had to listen to every girl recount every sugary, annoying detail is what has stuck with me for 42 years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was the first time I felt invisible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'That was the best pool party ever!'</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'I'm so glad you guys had fun!' says Madison. Everybody did except Brian. He wasn't invited.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That is one of the reasons why <i>The Invisible Boy </i>by Trudy Ludwig appeals to me. I think most of my students will probably "get it," because after 27 years of teaching, I've realized that everyone can tell you a story about not belonging, about exclusion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only Brian is left, still waiting and hoping.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Invisible Boy</i> is about a boy named Brian who gets very little attention at school. His teacher is busy managing the larger-than-life behaviors of other students, his peers pick the best players for recess games, and when both teams have equal numbers of players, Brian is left out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Outside of school, his classmates attend a pool party, but Brian isn't invited. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Everything changes for Brian when Justin arrives at school. Justin's character acts as a mediator for Brian and his peers. Because of Justin's inclusiveness, Brian's classmates realize his value and importance. In the end, Brian is included. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year, I plan to use this book as one of my early read alouds. I have four learning activities in mind to help us crystallize our thinking about belonging and inclusiveness.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sykw7Ho16L3zjNYNfxOYjlw-uZOwMZvnKlIdp3yiHM7a0lB2jKmqu23ZUWLeEexO06jJ2UCDpkRFOAoyVVhNKwg5iNa14y-snyRtC_FhEmilpVnt_40xieV-c6J1JrzUcpvnamMyizrN/s1600/11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="475" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sykw7Ho16L3zjNYNfxOYjlw-uZOwMZvnKlIdp3yiHM7a0lB2jKmqu23ZUWLeEexO06jJ2UCDpkRFOAoyVVhNKwg5iNa14y-snyRtC_FhEmilpVnt_40xieV-c6J1JrzUcpvnamMyizrN/s200/11.png" width="65" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The first thinking activity is a visible thinking routine called Step Inside. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Step Inside thinking routine structures students’ thinking and deepens their understanding about a person/thing. It focuses on perspective and asks kids to hypothesize using three core questions: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> 1. What can the person or thing perceive? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> 2. What might the person or thing know about
or believe? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> 3. What might the person or thing care about?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We'll be discussing these questions together, and then I'll ask my students to do some writing as if they were Brian...I'll be asking them to step inside his shoes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2y1O1NNA77WYeA2Hzpnetl1B6ORCKmINol_iPQqP5sMrZzuvCCuoJBGR1zcZ-Ilj4gQkJBi7PSrMljp1uraUILLM4dxPH3IIuQDwqc0CoILMNq8b_2QzrSEvbftIQhOMf8N7eK2oAgY11/s1600/22.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="818" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2y1O1NNA77WYeA2Hzpnetl1B6ORCKmINol_iPQqP5sMrZzuvCCuoJBGR1zcZ-Ilj4gQkJBi7PSrMljp1uraUILLM4dxPH3IIuQDwqc0CoILMNq8b_2QzrSEvbftIQhOMf8N7eK2oAgY11/s200/22.png" width="125" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There are some fabulous discussion questions in the back of the book. They're meaty questions that require students to connect to the characters. I'll be taking some of these questions and writing them in the center of a chalk talk board. During chalk talk, students stay at a question board for a determined amount of time, and the activity is done in <b>complete silence</b>. They share their thinking, circle responses they find interesting from other people, write a question or comment on someone else's response or draw lines from their own responses to their classmates' responses if they see connections. When the timer goes off, students rotate to the next chalk talk board. This continues until students have been at all boards. After, we view the boards together and discuss them. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSex53YAJGaWzWeoBeMYW2vbqPe54ui0KaPJX08jRiB28E8JFM_TU0C3TfTO87FcL9oJB2FXE5BFpHsQbhmqnrkPIeKI1tugPko_Zc38MvCmwO-HRdNLpw0_YatZ83svztLesE8fkzTtNM/s1600/33.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="577" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSex53YAJGaWzWeoBeMYW2vbqPe54ui0KaPJX08jRiB28E8JFM_TU0C3TfTO87FcL9oJB2FXE5BFpHsQbhmqnrkPIeKI1tugPko_Zc38MvCmwO-HRdNLpw0_YatZ83svztLesE8fkzTtNM/s200/33.png" width="84" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The third activity I want to do with the book involves the illustrations and photography. The illustrations of <i>The Invisible Boy</i> are beautiful and vibrant. One noticeable thing about Brian is that he's the only character in black and white. However, as his status with his classmates changes, as he become visible to them, he gradually gains color, until he's fully colored by the end of the book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My students will take two photos of themselves, a black and white version and a colored version. While viewing the black and white version, they'll write about a time when they felt invisible. For the colored version, they'll write about how it feels to "belong." These will be displayed in our classroom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1VZwGdW5U_uZ7FfmUKF0gENPHiWyIRT4vjWM8ZIjedj3Y98NbgVEbfukiaWMyS0TKy5-PNNLBAMO0HFE_5JpVFOz25cjTiKhxGee0ejQmaw5MyQlvxnSXlZ1qG2VnCRA6MrTAI1V-ahP/s1600/44.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="707" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1VZwGdW5U_uZ7FfmUKF0gENPHiWyIRT4vjWM8ZIjedj3Y98NbgVEbfukiaWMyS0TKy5-PNNLBAMO0HFE_5JpVFOz25cjTiKhxGee0ejQmaw5MyQlvxnSXlZ1qG2VnCRA6MrTAI1V-ahP/s200/44.png" width="90" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The fourth and final thing we'll do to end our book study is to create a list of ways we can help others to feel belonging. This list will be displayed throughout the school year and revisited periodically.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It's not just about sparkly pink birthday invitations anymore. As teachers, we can't help but turn on the nightly news and have the breath sucked out of our bodies as we see the heavy cost of "not belonging." Human beings need connection to survive. There are stacks upon stacks of research supporting our fundamental need for connection and belonging. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It starts with us, doesn't it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a member of the We Teach So Hard podcast group, I'm excited to tell you about our monthly themed book talks. The second week of every month, we'll be introducing a new literature theme with book recommendations, ideas for using the books with your students, and resources. Be sure to tune in and subscribe. Click the picture below to listen!</span><br />
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<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teac-so-hard/id1420471827#episodeGuid=ed4b2832-c706-9d82-dcb5-c8eaf435f8a1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTgYHjvb2t1_E7q4vdaRgapoAlQZvbr4tKX20vEPmc32Z5hk308Dm7E4agDkix_oSpzdQKhHCwTzLVN7HMvcrrSp9L2nsgSR76eqcw-a9FymhXIYx9uwMGtMb2w2liK2r_lc55ciCtHTg/s320/teacher+tip+%252321+belonging.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Keep reading below for three more fantastic belonging-themed picture books recommended by Kathie, Retta & Deann to support your back-to-school lessons. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnB9BH3Tg_GZma_jC_J-FM4G1nKup3_KWuphRIsJ1VwEoEAuOic8QuDFQCn7YsvFqeUIoMKEaNgGdWs_ZmpfyaUOHzbyKtsJC5FLkJ_ffb4F0UIBt9M3_bBQSmr9vMMhKsVF_dhMgyM0Z/s1600/Belonging+image%255B3442%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnB9BH3Tg_GZma_jC_J-FM4G1nKup3_KWuphRIsJ1VwEoEAuOic8QuDFQCn7YsvFqeUIoMKEaNgGdWs_ZmpfyaUOHzbyKtsJC5FLkJ_ffb4F0UIBt9M3_bBQSmr9vMMhKsVF_dhMgyM0Z/s320/Belonging+image%255B3442%255D.jpg" width="224" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/2019/08/4-books-about-belonging-for-your-back.html">4
Books About Belonging for Your Back-to-School Read Alouds</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://socrateslantern.com/2019/08/read-aloud-book-discussion-about-belonging.html">Read
Aloud Book Discussion About Belonging</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/2019/08/teaching-importance-of-belonging.html">Teaching
the Importance of Belonging</a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/2019/08/instilling-sense-of-belonging.html"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Instilling
a Sense of Belonging</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Interested in reading more about visible thinking routines? I write about them a great deal because they've changed my teaching life in dramatic ways. If interested, you can read more about that adventure <a href="http://www.mossyoakmusings.com/search?q=making+thinking+visible+%2B+cultures+of+thinking&updated-max=2016-05-12T10:28:00-07:00&max-results=20&start=0&by-date=false">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or, check out this resource:</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Making-Thinking-Visible-Growing-MEGA-Bundle-2279599"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmL_vHQDscdodj6dSopGNiU0KvSfC7HhZZ0RIFoJL7sxdjjehyuvnvriOwdJl1kfeyfZZhl_oxbgGZvuQiEtE7_PDo07kgaoXNStUNwol2ljn75nPmWuR1_TsbH4C3oq5uJnUzFCshuwMd/s320/Bundle+Cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-81324011183912343992019-08-05T21:28:00.004-04:002022-03-15T12:41:44.797-04:00Ex-Husbands, Control & Windmills: A Teacher's New Year Musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28D96FBT3-CHUpusLNRQnhnMrK_IQ4_pkAQL4cx9v7-M8YuSgAUk2qqay90SSGbD-rk-NibuKoKMAIi47heRccA_-9EZPgCpFUGCu62oc4QQaAMOjglN3Eo_xxhO9jif82J1eJy5LN0G8/s1600/Control+Meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28D96FBT3-CHUpusLNRQnhnMrK_IQ4_pkAQL4cx9v7-M8YuSgAUk2qqay90SSGbD-rk-NibuKoKMAIi47heRccA_-9EZPgCpFUGCu62oc4QQaAMOjglN3Eo_xxhO9jif82J1eJy5LN0G8/s1600/Control+Meme.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can only control myself, my actions, my work ethic, and my attitude.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"> -Ali Krieger</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My ex-husband had a theory about teachers. He believed that we like to be in control. "You're large and in charge kind of people," he'd remind me when we'd talk about my work situations and colleagues. Or better yet, "Don't talk to me like I'm one of your students!" when we debated one of my opinions about our life together. Looking back, we can laugh together about these conversations, but I think he might have been right about our need to control our environments, our students, and our teaching practices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was thinking about him today as I organized some teaching materials. I stood in front of my desk with my hands on my hips and caught my reflection in the window. What I saw made me giggle. I definitely looked like an in-charge control freak. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpMModazNg7KoYlpzJwFCWnQH0PqooWeBF0TojIbYeKaYI8oqZZ4GTrBuyI8YtK0zWOOXOcg6bZkLntOhsVkl0ogmn1bkezH-7JOv_wvSCJbQK_8WCuttgsO-fiXmhCVG2TGEyKlhfZGP/s1600/windmills-4278679__480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpMModazNg7KoYlpzJwFCWnQH0PqooWeBF0TojIbYeKaYI8oqZZ4GTrBuyI8YtK0zWOOXOcg6bZkLntOhsVkl0ogmn1bkezH-7JOv_wvSCJbQK_8WCuttgsO-fiXmhCVG2TGEyKlhfZGP/s320/windmills-4278679__480.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">My goal for this school year is to let go of the things I can't control. So often, we teachers </span><span style="font-size: large;">expend our energies fighting foes we have no hope of conquering. Like Don Quixote charging windmills, we wring our hands over our school district or state's policies. We focus on what our students are lacking, or fixate on staff lounge conversations. We compare our failings and successes to those of our colleagues. It's true that we can hope to have some influence over policies or laws. We can try to address our students' home lives, and we can engage in collegial conversations. But at the end of the day, when our efforts aren't impactful, we have a choice. We can continue to charge the windmill or we can focus on what we <i>can </i>control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year, I'm going to be focusing on my what's in my circle of control. I think I'll feel happier. I think I'll feel less stressed. And, I think I'll do my job better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking for a way to decompress this year? You might enjoy these resources.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We Teach So Hard is a podcast just for teachers. Each week, three teaching friends and I tackle classroom topics, talk about kid lit, laugh, cry and rage a little. Give us a listen in the car on your way to work! Click the picture to listen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdcGgGM_czeEj74ZQE8vYwfdcdA4Y0czpKE3UPTskEjkR0vTDQerodGgYEwj-DVCTJUjxqINQCca5OSUVDhVivmkAl_D4641pZA7fbv1T2XOJmzMvafBkjwSAqUUFxGqGQJTvMobbfymC/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're looking for a little simplicity in your life, this challenge is just for you. I revisit it at the start of every school year. Click the picture to read more about it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Simplicity-Challenge-Self-Care-Goal-Setting-For-Teachers-3591252"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7O9uKjAbKjk1Ew9sVDh1gZfcOkzrdI1t73sxPLyToNSsG28fmIZncNpcrfa4rzVCC-b1HL50Ejqui9yvi_KwSCCpPwbbZdf5ADSVz7sW2EK4dw4hAH-KiISz3jeiK0B6hx-GTMtt8LB-/s320/Cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-34453286062482971292019-07-28T14:14:00.002-04:002022-03-15T12:41:51.807-04:00Making Lemonade From Lemons: Creating Your Own Back-To-School PD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu32vjeCJmU4jMqYwN6v-TSWhk5WnHpRqN_fTj7BTUh94UKyzaXKyJsxScsqkiqbbJEBoSDinheDP1OZtghy-zgN6ENH3Mx9znbdoToMCgPCYN1ypBoVDSRsMSG2OXFTMGfLFqDFwTWIf/s1600/header+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu32vjeCJmU4jMqYwN6v-TSWhk5WnHpRqN_fTj7BTUh94UKyzaXKyJsxScsqkiqbbJEBoSDinheDP1OZtghy-zgN6ENH3Mx9znbdoToMCgPCYN1ypBoVDSRsMSG2OXFTMGfLFqDFwTWIf/s1600/header+graphic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The morning began at 8:00 a.m. My butt was numb, and the math-publishing-company-consultant was racing through the teacher's manual at break neck speed. I'd given out my last two ibuprofen to a fellow sufferer. We still had two hours to go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why does professional development so often feel like hell? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a theory that consultants often suffer from educational amnesia. They <i>know </i>the research, but choose to forget it. What's good for our kids is good for adult learners too. Professional Development is at its best when it's teacher-driven, teacher-centered, collaborative and interactive. And just like student learners, we <i>love </i>choice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So why not take responsibility for our own learning? My teaching posse and I did just that last week. We planned an <i>unconference</i>. Our definition of an unconference includes three things: Camaraderie, choice, and commitment. It was a tremendous experience! The best part? ANYONE can do this for themselves!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We talked about destinations and venues. It had to be fun. It had to be somewhere all of us could afford.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_LcmlmOnynerLS8otA6RfIr5OiRnx6Sp831RhO2dhje459hewQmxmqZnJ0PGhyphenhyphenGOSQS6CkTGMvykZyoapr04iuYXku0ioSKZAFcoc1JmjtbB1cISU-ylm7c_eAdatszTMm6ywfEtG9LA/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_LcmlmOnynerLS8otA6RfIr5OiRnx6Sp831RhO2dhje459hewQmxmqZnJ0PGhyphenhyphenGOSQS6CkTGMvykZyoapr04iuYXku0ioSKZAFcoc1JmjtbB1cISU-ylm7c_eAdatszTMm6ywfEtG9LA/s320/Slide4.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Retta was the point person who made the reservations and researched activities for us. My job was to lead the conversation about the content of our professional development sessions. What did each of us want to learn? What are our strengths? What could each of us teach? I also printed our conference t-shirts and put together our swag bags. Retta and I took the lead on these things because we're both from Michigan and are very familiar with the venue. We acted as hosts. Kathie came from California, and Deann flew in from Connecticut. Even though we've been podcasting together for a little over a year, none of us had met Deann! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r1ZdY1VC1uf9C8dYfzRBR0-UQwg7Ht3JU1nQX9D0KayU_1J5T1bov7DJ6s16RAvYA-DeIj22jOMlIhSO-do9oaMcHGpcxQS4visgOmsVBddh_Pv46Nx19wjZVZ0iR1h9gH5YBbQYMOSS/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="816" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8r1ZdY1VC1uf9C8dYfzRBR0-UQwg7Ht3JU1nQX9D0KayU_1J5T1bov7DJ6s16RAvYA-DeIj22jOMlIhSO-do9oaMcHGpcxQS4visgOmsVBddh_Pv46Nx19wjZVZ0iR1h9gH5YBbQYMOSS/s400/Slide1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We chose Mackinac Island which is located in the straits between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Automobiles aren't allowed on this island. Everyone travels by horse-drawn carriages or bicycles. It had the best of all worlds: Forest, lake, beach, shopping, yummy restaurants, and most importantly sunsets and a bookstore. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWOYSjDk1HvQgg7Y5z7KeonWdhERVGx_X6jHZ3h0UXHkMFlssQoEnn6HZo9l7Au5WFtzZKwRkzL1w9L1YfnCpvuqDsUT8sD4KDA3CU27UtbkJzwkTyTe_UF58TQR2YBfjlKsfUH8OJuSM/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWOYSjDk1HvQgg7Y5z7KeonWdhERVGx_X6jHZ3h0UXHkMFlssQoEnn6HZo9l7Au5WFtzZKwRkzL1w9L1YfnCpvuqDsUT8sD4KDA3CU27UtbkJzwkTyTe_UF58TQR2YBfjlKsfUH8OJuSM/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Learning should be fun. Period. We chose a destination that would allow us to decompress and "percolate" in between our learning sessions. Often times, the learning continued as we bicycled and ate our weight in fudge and ice cream. It truly was magical.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjQlOmc02p0Dpm7TstY4DNhS81rec9AcXwcOCgklT8xBFHMLtE4APt5zJR3fdms4Li500NtP8oxiRKuSPLSYHwr8LbI8EPyVda_0FaQSf6MRFHrC_-t7LZiCIuLkMhdlfqrsbZr_CPL0Z/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="816" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjQlOmc02p0Dpm7TstY4DNhS81rec9AcXwcOCgklT8xBFHMLtE4APt5zJR3fdms4Li500NtP8oxiRKuSPLSYHwr8LbI8EPyVda_0FaQSf6MRFHrC_-t7LZiCIuLkMhdlfqrsbZr_CPL0Z/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The second important component of our unconference was choice. We spent a long time on a conference call talking about our areas of expertise and need. Kathie is an organizational wizard. Retta makes every lesson feel special and engaging by approaching content creatively. Deann's an expert at cooperative learning and differentiation, and my strength is infusing art, music and movement into all subject areas. By the end of our phone call, each of us knew what we were presenting at the unconference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The coolest thing is how tailored this became for our needs. It was relevant to us as teachers and learners. We spent time on our own developing our presentations. Some of us provided handouts or videos. Plus, we were able to practice some of what we were learning right then and there. All of us walked away with an action plan for when we returned home, and we agreed to check in with each other on our progress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovTVc9lHoejPvQbGa4V0Mjwrw1YxM9TZ2dPCpG9llAkk6BJCh2v0PUpWyrvbaCs4LF4kATWVVKMW78ZHAN43CCIZuOci_Hvt8TQRkse37DEd9ZkEwmGi0fzHACV7Or4WZuUAuvCibQFpc/s1600/trans2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovTVc9lHoejPvQbGa4V0Mjwrw1YxM9TZ2dPCpG9llAkk6BJCh2v0PUpWyrvbaCs4LF4kATWVVKMW78ZHAN43CCIZuOci_Hvt8TQRkse37DEd9ZkEwmGi0fzHACV7Or4WZuUAuvCibQFpc/s320/trans2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy1e9Se2Issc2hrzrhbQnrJ2E0fncjzucikStZi3zValseg2e4sSB59GGuN_pO6lwVEi0rvOo7RXqjFMhRVURNdpVYECAvEH5jFAspUrmFXRC7EgVY93D-SpkCzFALjEei7VuAu8sBqnz/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="816" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy1e9Se2Issc2hrzrhbQnrJ2E0fncjzucikStZi3zValseg2e4sSB59GGuN_pO6lwVEi0rvOo7RXqjFMhRVURNdpVYECAvEH5jFAspUrmFXRC7EgVY93D-SpkCzFALjEei7VuAu8sBqnz/s400/Slide3.JPG" width="400" /></a>Commitment. It's a heavy word, but when you're planning an unconference with your gang, it's needed. We spent the week at a fantastic vacation destination that was chocked full of touristy possibilities. It was essential that we remembered our purpose for being there. Each night, we talked about the next day. We read through the tourist brochures and discussed what we wanted to see. Sometimes, we split up to explore and adventure, other times we stayed together. Once those things were decided, we agreed on a work window. Then, we stuck to our guns. One late afternoon, we returned to our condo later than expected. The horse-drawn carriage taxis run on island time, and we had to stop for some Mackinac Fudge ice cream. We still honored our commitment. We worked later into the evening to make up the time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can honestly say that this was one of the best learning experiences I've ever had. I came home with tons of new ideas to try with my new students. I feel charged up and ready to go! We chose a vacation destination, but that's not always possible or affordable. You can do the same thing, but keep it local. Go to an art museum together or host a teacher slumber party. However you choose to collaborate at an unconference, remember the 3 Cs: Camaraderie, Choice & Commitment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grab the FREE Unconference Cheat Sheet below to help you plan your own professional development opportunity. Then, gather your posse and pack your suitcase!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Planning-A-Professional-DevelopmentUnconference-Tip-Sheet-4735511"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eibpac6qcrCd9wHmDbUcuNSEIHAqmSsE0DeaxB-KZKypSMnTc98sdTYLUZlnchLzx66UzanduETRJl7QbMOySEKFJPSmeJubiJpTLLMpwwQZAHvSAvafIB0KKNJajeKHdyN30ezRt24m/s320/freebie+blog+cover.jpg" width="246" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to listen to our new podcast episode about planning your own unconference! Click on the picture below. Don't forget to check out the posts about professional development from my podcast posse, Kathie, Retta and Deann. Their links are below, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com%2F2019%2F07%2Fplan-teacher-pd-that-you-will-love.html&data=02%7C01%7C%7C51157eec8ec740bce47d08d713b0c245%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636999522198209809&sdata=hwmkr%2BcKGSQ3TLZK2JoIRgaXH4LnspljvlRuRPmyQCI%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/2019/07/plan-teacher-pd-that-you-will-love.html" shash="RlGxU0UM/HBCwlrNQwNTXB6VR3vz17ptRbePQ8/rBg5LZ9sxEJFAELZ3Y44d5+SlKd9N8McjqopmkU9G92zMWI5JSe5HlfNt2hyDs0qz4AcBaGkvJ31mOV6+1yHfveIL/+3TZeqfGBqSNQrM0ATsvOXS/wUKnkV+2a+bfoBCdgw=" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Plan a Teacher PD That You Will Love</a></div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-54756447578648167212019-07-08T13:58:00.001-04:002022-03-15T12:41:59.243-04:00One Cool Way to Leap Content-Area Vocabulary in a Single Bound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhOZCGZ6S_nvU_47bPhZf0avyIEuwLq_6KY91FKz38JVTnBKOZbZ-d7iVgKF4GTohyhP82fHNHFd8FrBaDy6pkfP5itXNbaEu2fDEloLVKwBYv76sB0KqrK0EEWZAtgSdI9pjTUQ0xvIV/s1600/vocab+superhero+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhOZCGZ6S_nvU_47bPhZf0avyIEuwLq_6KY91FKz38JVTnBKOZbZ-d7iVgKF4GTohyhP82fHNHFd8FrBaDy6pkfP5itXNbaEu2fDEloLVKwBYv76sB0KqrK0EEWZAtgSdI9pjTUQ0xvIV/s1600/vocab+superhero+post.jpg" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">Copy the words on your paper. Then use a dictionary to find the definitions. Write the definitions next to each word on your paper. Memorize them. You have a test on Friday.</span></blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS-vvCWwIfPSbEDSKhUmLplTKth_C5DMaLSLr_iN1u70r-kScmGRmkwH84QmWhCcnq75tstzd2nvXTPyV3K2ngB7qMtGwL-nkeGWU_HdkFob6qizZmbKe8Mxyfsd7jTBumPTnvaVKxd8Y/s1600/raised+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="864" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS-vvCWwIfPSbEDSKhUmLplTKth_C5DMaLSLr_iN1u70r-kScmGRmkwH84QmWhCcnq75tstzd2nvXTPyV3K2ngB7qMtGwL-nkeGWU_HdkFob6qizZmbKe8Mxyfsd7jTBumPTnvaVKxd8Y/s320/raised+hands.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Raise your hand if you rolled your eyes or groaned after reading those directions. And yet, I'd bet you a Starbucks coffee that this was your experience learning in vocabulary in elementary and middle school! I know it was mine. As a student, nothing could make my eyes gloss over faster than directions like the ones above. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a teacher, I needed to find more interactive ways to introduce unit vocabulary in content-area subjects. I finally found one that engaged my students, made the words "stick," and helped my kiddos think about the words in context. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithaIeFm8k9st8NbovU30AWvhUFYjME9JLiqRF2_hWzY2lfuMANSPjGp-xHe-bcSta2Pim-Kk2fUzPoUfX_2iMX-Z1PsbGbDfTXXFkK_uHghcb47MknMrbF814Tj1weKrWUufDEaJS_NfV/s1600/wordcloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithaIeFm8k9st8NbovU30AWvhUFYjME9JLiqRF2_hWzY2lfuMANSPjGp-xHe-bcSta2Pim-Kk2fUzPoUfX_2iMX-Z1PsbGbDfTXXFkK_uHghcb47MknMrbF814Tj1weKrWUufDEaJS_NfV/s320/wordcloud.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">In fifth grade math, fractions comprise a huge part of our curriculum. It's vocab heavy, and quite frankly, nothing makes most fifth graders break out into nervous sweats like fractions. With this webbing approach, we begin by brainstorming and predicting fraction words we might encounter in our unit. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Students work in table groups to generate a list of fraction words. They write these on post-its. Then, each group reports out to the whole group. I made a whole-group list on our whiteboard. We discussed any words that are unfamiliar before moving on to the second step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second step is what makes this strategy so powerful. Students must talk about the words and negotiate with each other. I give each group a sheet of paper with concentric rings. The word <i>fraction </i>goes in the center ring. Students work in groups to sort the words from the whole-group list. The words most related to the central word go in the closest ring. However, they must also identify how those words are related to each other. Are some more connected to each other than others? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIueAXFOaOrySXrpLKwklr6qWmtljk41ahPivGlQXtNmDecYoh7cUQ3fNBvhFbCy5KBW0I4suJ_bj2SxKwxV9ZJ-Vf0E13I6CVI-N0-_l-vClpkugEUrjF6rqoyl8R9_0NtPI76JtHkozY/s1600/superhero+webbing+example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIueAXFOaOrySXrpLKwklr6qWmtljk41ahPivGlQXtNmDecYoh7cUQ3fNBvhFbCy5KBW0I4suJ_bj2SxKwxV9ZJ-Vf0E13I6CVI-N0-_l-vClpkugEUrjF6rqoyl8R9_0NtPI76JtHkozY/s400/superhero+webbing+example.jpg" width="306" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">My kiddos engage in some pretty deep discussions, and sometimes the debate becomes heated. However, they are also learning to defend their thinking with evidence. That means that they are using #3 and 4 in the Standards for Mathematical Practice. They're constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others, and modeling with mathematics to support their opinions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After small groups plot their words on the concentric web, they meet with another small group to compare their collective thinking. Again, debate occurs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't say it enough: This little strategy has rocked our world in my classroom, in ALL subject areas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year, I took it one step further and asked my students, "If the word <i>equivalent</i> was a superhero, what would his/her powers be?" I did an example to show them what I meant. I would make Equivalent Woman. She would be a superhero who fought to make all situations balanced and fair. She would be called in to decide tough cases where equations weren't equal. Having a hard time installing carpet? Equivalent Woman to the rescue! She'll make sure that you can convert those fractional measurements accurately. I created a superhero symbol/logo for Equivalent Woman. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I asked each student to choose one of our unit vocabulary words. They weren't allowed to choose a word that someone else had already chosen. Together, we developed a series of questions to help us think about the word and superhero character.</span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">What is the formal definition of the word?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">What do I think it means in my own words?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">What real-life problems could my superhero solve, and how would those problems relate to the definition.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">How would my superhero be dressed? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">What is my superhero's logo? </span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a blast with this! In the end, my kiddos created superhero posters for our unit vocabulary. These were on display throughout the unit, and because they were student-created, they were CONSISTENTLY used by my students. You can check out some of their rough drafts below:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0m3dB4tmV7ZrpQSmRiJ4b3A3M7-smjdjvtN7vpSBwLDsUq0G11q6q2k5OYwkLziiz7vI3F7TRxK26Nr29arzgDWVUPx84Je_3EougOVvaYqaZJEjjW44-Ay5vWDoMa597PBtfvvBGz49m/s1600/examples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="864" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0m3dB4tmV7ZrpQSmRiJ4b3A3M7-smjdjvtN7vpSBwLDsUq0G11q6q2k5OYwkLziiz7vI3F7TRxK26Nr29arzgDWVUPx84Je_3EougOVvaYqaZJEjjW44-Ay5vWDoMa597PBtfvvBGz49m/s640/examples.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite thing about this approach is that my kids come away with increased understanding and retention of the vocabulary... and they're engaged. REALLY ENGAGED. No one had to copy 20 definitions out a Merriam-Webster Dictionary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Interested in reading more about how I teach content-area and tier 2 vocabulary? Click <a href="https://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/2018/07/diving-into-academic-vocabulary.html">HERE</a> and <a href="https://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/2018/07/vocabulary-instruction-in-readers.html">HERE</a>.<span id="goog_276588721"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_276588722"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Or you can check out these resources! Just click on the picture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vocabulary-Superheroes-Content-Vocabulary-Project-for-Upper-Elementary-4671480"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9Y2jmkBXqedP4Snnhjb67k_LFg8_KVdrAn65XBBSTNH4iEbpzuw0qOFOy6SfZQzk4Pm1v_aNXwg2mT7kp4XNN61hbuRUvj2N4VqdcBWFOLCq8LTXd_DJul0aRNMv7123tQ1Valz4g_UH/s320/square+cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-32074971637297748172019-06-23T19:33:00.002-04:002022-03-15T12:42:09.488-04:00 A Summer Reads Series for Teachers: The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusF6tt5Y6J5lXw_sJ-cBF7TPSpASd4L33Vwm-kcZjtUjNbuy21m_sFxM96L5lWzUZU1tR5URj-9y7TDLpfyqlrTvRmYByC4CUoQuYDZQ2p-qOL8RIJGiTW1FQhyphenhyphenX2nWWo4d420Ki9nUNr/s1600/Summer+REads+Series+header+Samurai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusF6tt5Y6J5lXw_sJ-cBF7TPSpASd4L33Vwm-kcZjtUjNbuy21m_sFxM96L5lWzUZU1tR5URj-9y7TDLpfyqlrTvRmYByC4CUoQuYDZQ2p-qOL8RIJGiTW1FQhyphenhyphenX2nWWo4d420Ki9nUNr/s1600/Summer+REads+Series+header+Samurai.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> The garden is a world filled with secrets. Slowly, I see more each day. The black pines twist and turn to form graceful shapes, while the moss is a carpet of green that invites you to sit by the pond. Even the stone lanterns, which dimly light the way at night, allow you to see only so much.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's summer! Finally. I began my summer by revisiting an old favorite, <i>The Samurai's Garden </i> by Gail Tsukiyama. I chose this first read, because by the time school is out, I'm wired so tightly that I need a little Zen meditation. That's what this gorgeously written story does for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It tells the story of Stephen Chan, a 20-year-old Chinese student who leaves school in Canton to recuperate from tuberculosis at his family's beach house in Tarumi, Japan. Once there, he meets Matsu, the gruff caretaker whose family has served Stephen's family for generations. Behind his abrupt exterior, Matsu has the heart of a Samurai. As Matsu and Sachi's heartbreaking stories unfold, Stephen heals. The novel is set during the 1930s, with mounting tensions as Japan invades China. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each week, over the next month, my podcast group and I will be discussing fabulous pleasure reads for teachers and offering fun freebies that accompany the books. <i>The Samurai's Garden </i>is our first recommendation. Before you listen to our podcasts, be sure to read the books, because there are spoilers! These are some of the questions we discussed...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to check out my <b>featured freebie</b> for our We Teach So Hard listeners. The gorgeous quotation cards will keep you Zen throughout the year. Click the picture below to access.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Wild-Child-Designs"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdbA4FKXHdDcGvfer1DOwA7p1YM6DijqjW94qFhpH5C7-q-YghK-GcMyWdkt9JAFoJTqWJRat5BAPRzGIAibnPPV5lrIwo4G2UC5NFqiGf1XrEUALp3-7GMoGau_KHEUzEZfXm_y5QXQs/s320/Samurai+Cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once you've read the book, listen to our book discussion on the WE TEACH SO HARD podcast. Just click the picture below to listen.</span><br />
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-23998416098962564742019-04-07T18:03:00.003-04:002022-03-15T12:42:28.006-04:00Exploring Patterns With Project-Based Learning: Rotations, Reflections & Translations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Ms. Willis, this is hard!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I was looking for a way to cement my students' learning in geometry, one that would include exploring spatial relationships, patterning, and translations, rotations, and reflections (slides, flips and turns). I also wanted to explore this using visible thinking routines because I find that every time I use these routines, my students take ownership of their learning. This was a 4-day process. I hesitated because of the amount of time I knew it would take up, but I'm so glad I pushed forward with my idea. The rewards were well worth the time.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Day 1</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I began by showing examples of tessellations. I used a mini-definition poster that I created to explain what a tessellation is and then gave each student a tessellation photo card. These tag cards are photos from nature and man-made structures, as well as computer-generated patterns, and they all are examples of tessellations, except for one card. I used that card to challenge students to use the mini-definition poster to determine whether or not it was a tessellating pattern. They determined that it isn't, and they would be right! Each student received a numbered card. We spent some time looking at each other's cards. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVNp9qEi6TINXW1VXkNyI8LNebiKsJv_eUFv08D1u8HLmDC4DMMKd6Apof7k83__r0XZhemqAEfFJ8dBS3GVYvrdPlw6gQXOtE5HAsfpmxbDRSnRdwaDVzztyHtqv1f95qCMNNyw-GX7L/s1600/photo+2+-+Copy+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVNp9qEi6TINXW1VXkNyI8LNebiKsJv_eUFv08D1u8HLmDC4DMMKd6Apof7k83__r0XZhemqAEfFJ8dBS3GVYvrdPlw6gQXOtE5HAsfpmxbDRSnRdwaDVzztyHtqv1f95qCMNNyw-GX7L/s400/photo+2+-+Copy+%252811%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Then I put my tessellation card on the document camera to project it on the Smart Board. Using a response sheet, I modeled my thinking about my tessellation. The response sheet used questions combining "See, Think, & Wonder" and "3-2-1" thinking routines. For example, we wrote three math words that described our tessellating pattern. We also wrote two questions we had about what we were seeing. We described what we were seeing on our cards, as well as what we were thinking about what we were observing. Doing this gave students an opportunity to practice using their math vocabulary, and it gave me an opportunity for a formative assessment as I wandered the room conducting my own observations. We also wrote a simile for each of our patterns. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After using the response sheet, students sat in groups of three to share their thoughts, questions, and observations. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Day 2</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Day 2 was eagerly anticipated by my students. I issued "the challenge" to them: Create your own tessellating pattern using pattern blocks; your tessellation MUST include rotation, reflection, and translation. I gave each student a paper on which to create so they had boundaries for their tessellations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I allowed students time to explore with the pattern blocks while I watched. One of the things I noticed that the majority of them were struggling with is that they began to make pictures instead of patterns. I approached many students, asking them the question, "What comes next?" When they couldn't answer the question, it was a tip off for them that they were not creating a pattern. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOKzyWt3XWFlZdyJRitBXd1ZvMb-Suhh8YP5GZcJOYnWmDwbEwif0-eEEfxTO3zRdVNghTNByJl1SThlDqaUjYFqGurTjZI6cyR9sUpBR-1UOTpAN9qAR44fFemGG5MDt4hZH3VA6spyy/s1600/tesselltion5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOKzyWt3XWFlZdyJRitBXd1ZvMb-Suhh8YP5GZcJOYnWmDwbEwif0-eEEfxTO3zRdVNghTNByJl1SThlDqaUjYFqGurTjZI6cyR9sUpBR-1UOTpAN9qAR44fFemGG5MDt4hZH3VA6spyy/s320/tesselltion5.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I called students together and modeled the difference between making a cool picture and making a pattern. As I made my pattern, I repeated it out loud for students to hear, "Hexagon, parallelogram, parallelogram, trapezoid...hexagon, parallelogram, parallelogram, trapezoid..." This seemed to turn the collective light bulb on for them. They went back to their own workspaces to complete their patterns. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vnGVtc50oZnQv_PwSuR2uxXVCZlXgb7Au5_hIHQGEOyx0EFJklp9PFb-qpkgxx7HyqSSd2JtBdXPELij35RlTVqmNKkrV_bGlbYiiLx0z2YgGVQsl9ayMmJ9A_l01HSzRZ6tXXygFOCt/s1600/tessellation4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vnGVtc50oZnQv_PwSuR2uxXVCZlXgb7Au5_hIHQGEOyx0EFJklp9PFb-qpkgxx7HyqSSd2JtBdXPELij35RlTVqmNKkrV_bGlbYiiLx0z2YgGVQsl9ayMmJ9A_l01HSzRZ6tXXygFOCt/s320/tessellation4.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">At the end of this session, all students had a pattern block tessellation. I took pictures of these on my phone and uploaded them to my classroom computer so I could print copies for them to refer to the next day. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Day 3</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6I3oUbjdGKELNBjQfKvAGYkco3-N66oikx1lVI-ZjyBOBCQyOmZrkqgiKurAoHkzBQDsikzK0dJjolnmc7NnRDKidlxTfsM2_M8uoEMnVdnJzrlui15cZbpcCxt9qc32gQf2mu9WrZCp9/s1600/photo+1+-+Copy+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6I3oUbjdGKELNBjQfKvAGYkco3-N66oikx1lVI-ZjyBOBCQyOmZrkqgiKurAoHkzBQDsikzK0dJjolnmc7NnRDKidlxTfsM2_M8uoEMnVdnJzrlui15cZbpcCxt9qc32gQf2mu9WrZCp9/s320/photo+1+-+Copy+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By the time day 3 rolled around, student excitement was pretty high. We revisited the photos of our tessellations from the day before. Then, I gave students the direction guide for making their paper tessellations, as well as the rubric I developed. I wanted them to know the learning targets for this assessment BEFORE they began their final project. After we read through both of these documents together, students began coloring and cutting their paper pattern blocks. The paper pattern blocks are another resource I created. They arranged these on an 8x8 inch square of black construction paper, gluing only after they had practiced their patterns again. <b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This took all of our math session for day 3. As I walked around monitoring, I reminded students to keep their rubric in sight so they would remember the learning targets. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Day 4</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Day 4 was spent writing about our tessellations. I provided a writing page on which students recorded their thinking and descriptions of their tessellating patterns. They were required to use math vocabulary from a word bank in their explanations. This gave students another opportunity to practice using math vocabulary in their writing. It also allowed me to check, once again, for their understanding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Finally, I asked students to take out their rubric sheets and self-assess their tessellation projects and writing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I am very please with how this project went. One of my students who has high math ability gave me the ultimate compliment. He said, "Ms. Willis, this is hard!" What is always interesting to me is WHO finds this project difficult. Many of my students who are average or lower skilled math students loved this project and found it to be "just right" for them. Some of my very high math students were challenged by it! I love this. That same student told me that "open-ended assignments are harder" for him. I love that he knows this about himself. Projects like this leave room for everyone to succeed, don't they? I saw very complicated patterns over the four days of this project, but I also saw very simple patterns. Project-based learning allows for flexibility with differentiation and gives us, as educators, a window into students' thinking that we might not see otherwise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Another student asked at the end of the fourth session, "When can we do another math project, Ms. Willis?" I can hardly wait. I've got coordinate geometry and Van Gogh on my brain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you liked reading about this interdisciplinary project, then you should check out the links below! Simply click on the pictures. They're great sanity savers for your end-of-year lessons. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Art-Project-Based-Learning-Geometry-Tantalizing-Tessellations-2227362"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU4uQNwhy9e1b8jPvIcAO9V81IDqqmjFSWj-C1GjMY2DRnD1RjTC0XXknltWcR-bWYC8mj_j1n_2_7V3rAuPLZMd-_BUi_ASX66nvwScOC4S0PrIMExixV_1d7TwiowQRDXAWkyT2F35N/s200/tessellations.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-77856553672579269762019-03-25T07:25:00.003-04:002022-03-15T12:42:35.007-04:003 + Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span data-dobid="hdw">em·u·late</span></div>
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<span class="lr_dct_ph XpoqFe">/ˈemyəˌlāt/</span><span class="lr_dct_spkr lr_dct_spkr_off" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQlfQBMAB6BAgKEAg" jsaction="dob.p" role="button" style="display: inline-block; height: 16px; margin: 0px 2px 4px 5px; opacity: 0.55; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;" tabindex="0" title="Listen"><input height="14" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAA4AAAAOCAQAAAC1QeVaAAAAi0lEQVQokWNgQAYyQFzGsIJBnwED8DNcBpK+DM8YfjMUokqxMRxg+A9m8TJsBLLSEFKMDCuBAv/hCncxfGWQhUn2gaVAktkMXkBSHmh0OwNU8D9csoHhO4MikN7BcAGb5H+GYiDdCTQYq2QubkkkY/E6CLtXdiJ7BTMQMnAHXxFm6IICvhwY8AYQLgCw2U9d90B8BAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" style="font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;" type="image" width="14" /></span></div>
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<i>verb</i></div>
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match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation.</div>
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<span class="vmod">"lesser men trying to emulate his greatness"</span></div>
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<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">synonyms:</td><td style="padding: 0px;"><span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="imitate" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQCg" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">imitate</span>, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="copy" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQCw" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">copy</span>, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="reproduce" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQDA" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">reproduce</span>, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="mimic" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQDQ" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">mimic</span>, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="mirror" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQDg" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">mirror</span>, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="echo" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQDw" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">echo</span>, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="follow" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQEA" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">follow</span>, model oneself on, take as a model, take as an example; <span data-log-string="synonyms-more-click" jsaction="dob.m"></span><br />
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<span data-log-string="synonyms-more-click" jsaction="dob.m"><span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="match" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQEg" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">match</span>, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="equal" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQEw" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">equal</span>, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="parallel" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQFA" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">parallel</span>, be the equal of, be on a par with, be in the same league as, come near to, come close to, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="approximate" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQFQ" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">approximate</span>; </span></div>
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<span data-log-string="synonyms-more-click" jsaction="dob.m">compete with, contend with, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="rival" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQFg" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">rival</span>, vie with, <span class="SDZsVb" data-term-for-update="surpass" data-ved="2ahUKEwif06fX6prhAhVFAqwKHeSjCyIQ_SowAHoECAoQFw" jsaction="dob.uwt" role="link" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">surpass</span>; </span></div>
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<span data-log-string="synonyms-more-click" jsaction="dob.m"><i style="padding-right: 4px;">informal</i>take a leaf out of someone's book</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"When we teach our students how to become writers, we want them to first read, then analyze, and finally emulate."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't remember who said this. I was sitting in our state's literacy conference listening to four of my teaching heroes speak: Pernille Ripp, Stephanie Harvey, Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle. As is often the case with me when I swim in a sea of ideas, I remember the ideas, but can't remember whose ocean I was in at the time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Emulate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a fabulous word, though. If I could offer any earth shattering tips for writing poetry with students, this word would be at the center of all my efforts. If you want to break out of the "write a haiku...now write a diamonte poem" rut, check out the 3 lesson ideas below. Let me add that we read and discuss each poem in our reader's workshop block, before I use them as writing models for my students. That's imperative! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-z3pvyI6hCZ9XoMlDxrdNZ_ETr__76y0LpL3S2U3itezzLIesi33Uix28bparrljHXABSFeMKy4W5tBjQISce7SCtzs2vzxHugZWC7sDl-F6yjuCo911tntE2qJlhy9KGeq2SJK77HIb/s1600/dbaldwin-pokeyspots-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-z3pvyI6hCZ9XoMlDxrdNZ_ETr__76y0LpL3S2U3itezzLIesi33Uix28bparrljHXABSFeMKy4W5tBjQISce7SCtzs2vzxHugZWC7sDl-F6yjuCo911tntE2qJlhy9KGeq2SJK77HIb/s200/dbaldwin-pokeyspots-1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9YkObeyAsvsdlTb9p4CMfUmFJ87EROO2aiNCoFAxgaQavmafX2X-03M2Yah1aN1yQfqfskm2PrnT0LJob_zTdweo-pvDCCLkQuwpk704UlHLJTyBFkWKJigutSs8yTAHtTAzeiwztZk7/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9YkObeyAsvsdlTb9p4CMfUmFJ87EROO2aiNCoFAxgaQavmafX2X-03M2Yah1aN1yQfqfskm2PrnT0LJob_zTdweo-pvDCCLkQuwpk704UlHLJTyBFkWKJigutSs8yTAHtTAzeiwztZk7/s400/Slide4.JPG" width="304" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I love using Carl Sandburg's poem "Telephone Wire" for teaching personification. After we've unpacked our thinking about it, we start to notice how he has structured the poem. I give each student a key. I've collected stray keys for years and keep them on a huge ring in my desk. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We brainstorm. What features does my key have? Is that hole an eye? Are the jagged edges teeth? Does my key open doors or diaries? Does it lock things? What does it keep secret? What would my key say if it could talk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We fill our white board with tons of ideas about the purpose of our keys. Then, we each choose one of those ideas, and brainstorm vocabulary that would be associated with that particular idea. For example, I might choose "diary." Some of the words I associate with diary might be: Glittery, lock, lined pages, secrets, crushes, best friend fights, mad at my mother. Then, I begin to write a poem for my students, making sure that I talk about the structure of Sandburg's poem as I try to craft my own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the some of my students' efforts! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE7_oodqkvav_axYaHk5rh__46oHYQBsW_VBQMv5CoVcAIlhF52X6OLL20dzEI-j7xvLkOoSE0304Cu1-mD6ZB6t8lv_0yrJjK8BKG5fcFAhaEdNW6e5j3fEyT0q7HN4blrm_lRRiv-St/s1600/Slide7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE7_oodqkvav_axYaHk5rh__46oHYQBsW_VBQMv5CoVcAIlhF52X6OLL20dzEI-j7xvLkOoSE0304Cu1-mD6ZB6t8lv_0yrJjK8BKG5fcFAhaEdNW6e5j3fEyT0q7HN4blrm_lRRiv-St/s400/Slide7.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI27wEfKi_a5vsqvSDzjrdF2661zCAfa74lNermvLj4U9THldUjzhZOk3tQnTbMS8bh6heDlu9wjsjRK9edIBu5yOTz5oz1Q3ZuaRkPJ5Qm7KnkHu8dGu5Q1ywqZ9Vhg3xcFdtE4EstEvb/s1600/Slide8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI27wEfKi_a5vsqvSDzjrdF2661zCAfa74lNermvLj4U9THldUjzhZOk3tQnTbMS8bh6heDlu9wjsjRK9edIBu5yOTz5oz1Q3ZuaRkPJ5Qm7KnkHu8dGu5Q1ywqZ9Vhg3xcFdtE4EstEvb/s400/Slide8.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Jh8zMtceDL4fr0eCAlUo0WL5vEOJz4CGlBtrcinOZQwkDDj1WgFYmKs_treoN3hm8pjjoxr_vBebrcdvlMjSuC31zOKhwLqY3LswFpjwB5Hw80_74qQjgmaKahDMg56IpUS5utMjYPiI/s1600/dbaldwin-pokeyspots-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Jh8zMtceDL4fr0eCAlUo0WL5vEOJz4CGlBtrcinOZQwkDDj1WgFYmKs_treoN3hm8pjjoxr_vBebrcdvlMjSuC31zOKhwLqY3LswFpjwB5Hw80_74qQjgmaKahDMg56IpUS5utMjYPiI/s200/dbaldwin-pokeyspots-2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkcQlR72GTuhZCX2Z4ukqhRydXrb8IhHwWFuESGABiZPPlxgqrxuydv1ZT57XO2BJzFtuwlZAZZWcRVK4rq1s0CwKppF-vz2g2Gp2g1Xr1tvDx4u3s4o5iSU-lo4R9Kynxe2jGU7gqyx8/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkcQlR72GTuhZCX2Z4ukqhRydXrb8IhHwWFuESGABiZPPlxgqrxuydv1ZT57XO2BJzFtuwlZAZZWcRVK4rq1s0CwKppF-vz2g2Gp2g1Xr1tvDx4u3s4o5iSU-lo4R9Kynxe2jGU7gqyx8/s400/Slide3.JPG" width="306" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">When I teach metaphor, I love to share Langston Hughes' "Mother to Son." We talk about how a staircase can be a metaphor for life. We explore the meaning behind the images. Fourth and fifth grade students can "get" this poem. It also gives us a glimpse at how writers use dialect in thei</span><span style="font-size: large;">r writing. Again, we take note of the structure Hughes uses. We brainstorm again. If we were going to offer advice to someone, who would we offer it to and what would that advice be? We create a list of ideas on the white board. One side is who we might write our poems to, and the other side is the advice we would offer. The kids LOVE this lesson. Check out their poems below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamgws1hjJg-DmgAqEREoTxAtRoUs-l9koLAjNcEBa23U_YgbtMqAyF0u1jSn7C37296HcjHobzR_o9yPZ9ll2dsuG8g42HMr4ovxD2lOtLvCF7KiBvxCe3QfHd7ovy7MpUo5helN2lHow/s1600/Slide6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamgws1hjJg-DmgAqEREoTxAtRoUs-l9koLAjNcEBa23U_YgbtMqAyF0u1jSn7C37296HcjHobzR_o9yPZ9ll2dsuG8g42HMr4ovxD2lOtLvCF7KiBvxCe3QfHd7ovy7MpUo5helN2lHow/s640/Slide6.JPG" width="486" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsSOqsH6Z8dPdoAT11AH0d9wwQnR0W7Blo7XgqrjxXKL-olle4vCHKhBLx1yLSldifnsFL7TdwXJXjxR19PhU-ROghFlcd51Pw0-Cl9ZglhabVj0fYGTKVPez9rd1XhSJz0mIHOdbHtAv/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsSOqsH6Z8dPdoAT11AH0d9wwQnR0W7Blo7XgqrjxXKL-olle4vCHKhBLx1yLSldifnsFL7TdwXJXjxR19PhU-ROghFlcd51Pw0-Cl9ZglhabVj0fYGTKVPez9rd1XhSJz0mIHOdbHtAv/s640/Slide5.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtZ8uKgsk1BRvRITZQWvCr_hm_5e7ZHPDk7XXwZ_ADP-4J5VeSpuW3kK2uUur936CXceUK938QO5rcC4HIjZUMUmJJ1kGN42MUqCMeyHRHOzmvGlbQ3-1yp872Vku6hPp78NnzidHVmPy/s1600/dbaldwin-pokeyspots-3.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtZ8uKgsk1BRvRITZQWvCr_hm_5e7ZHPDk7XXwZ_ADP-4J5VeSpuW3kK2uUur936CXceUK938QO5rcC4HIjZUMUmJJ1kGN42MUqCMeyHRHOzmvGlbQ3-1yp872Vku6hPp78NnzidHVmPy/s320/dbaldwin-pokeyspots-3.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Poetry can be found in the mundane happenings of life. One of my favorite poetry lessons uses "This is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams. After we discuss it and explore the poem's structure, we think of all the things we'd rather say in a note to someone than in person. Kids come up with the coolest ideas. Check out their list:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Why I didn't clean my room.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">That I broke my dad's hammer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I broke the window with my baseball, accidentally.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I cut Barbie's hair off (my sister was really mad).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I found my mom's chocolate stash.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I tangled my dad's fishing pole in the tree.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I broke my mom's vase.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I ate the frosting off of one side of the birthday cake.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't brush my teeth.</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Their guilty confessions are hysterical and a window into their childhoods. I don't have any student examples from this lesson, but you can check out the poem I wrote with them as a model!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4h7AERmC6etx_Rz76AdPnuTevmcX7zQWDWrUZOT53o84PsFmb90Facs1rw-bOt-1XW_f9h8BzEcieZ-BsVevxxEPi3pAuQdsRLxMj7fe8lAZljJF5WaZSCLiDUmmrppDktMZOME3erRQV/s1600/Slide9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4h7AERmC6etx_Rz76AdPnuTevmcX7zQWDWrUZOT53o84PsFmb90Facs1rw-bOt-1XW_f9h8BzEcieZ-BsVevxxEPi3pAuQdsRLxMj7fe8lAZljJF5WaZSCLiDUmmrppDktMZOME3erRQV/s640/Slide9.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could write and write about using poetry in my classroom (in fact, I have). It truly is one of my life-long passions. Poetry teaches us what it means to be human, and it helps us recognize and empathize with other people's humanity. Try reading an 800 year old haiku by Issa, Basho, or Buson. To me, the thrill is realizing that their realities were not unlike mine today. And that connects us...that connects us all.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao6ScYP_vVwWCZjSDCdidMJqR-APEDNALabw_AQWAV_rNcn19wsFuG27Q1ccqhCYk3kU2ru7CjrEBjLPMJPBzKECHoEQwKtqjgn2_grqoyy0Q4iXH5fnvEXMb6scoUuE3LwIwE3c7g8Hh/s200/Signature.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This week, our We Teach So Hard podcast episode is all about ideas for National Poetry Month. Stop by an give us a listen. Just click on the picture to access!</span></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827?mt=2&i=1000433215886"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-3jaXJjJZJ0hzW2HePmWOOmbDVsgQuV5EpNwD9nvxPd__4yIX9dquuvhvbD5cYo5QyN_fd5UCPBohZi-cpt8KIESk9Y6jQijmYrpdTNUVPKq13X3nwMjsnwS89EqwafwlW1jVB87qevq/s320/55557260_317388372301037_9053271725407469568_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've gathered a wealth of poetry ideas for your classroom. Visit below!</span></div>
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<a href="http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/2017/04/poppies-pantoums-poetry-comes-alive.html">Poppies & Pantoums: Poetry Comes Alive With Georgia O'Keefe</a></div>
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<a href="http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/2018/07/a-fresh-start-4-ways-to-foster-sense-of.html">4 Ways to Foster a Sense of Belonging</a></div>
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<a href="http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-kindess-poetry-project-10-writing.html">The Kindness Poetry Project: 10 Writing Exercises From Poet Andrew Green</a></div>
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<a href="http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/2019/01/roses-are-red-using-poetry-in-readers.html">Roses Are Red: Using Poetry In Reader's Workshop</a></div>
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<a href="http://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/2018/12/poetry-descriptive-reading-and-writing.html">Poetry & Descriptive Reading and Writing: A Teacher's Story of How "Fluff" Led to Rigor</a></div>
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<br />Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-89008186345797152872019-03-09T21:48:00.002-05:002022-03-15T12:42:41.760-04:00Striving & Thriving: Remembering Purpose in the Reading Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We sat huddled around our small table. We were delving into </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Rules</i><span style="font-size: large;"> by Cynthia Lord. Charlotte hunched over her book. Mya absentmindedly twirled her poker-straight red hair, and Bella's nose was so close to the page that she looked cross-eyed...the price one pays when one forgets her glasses. Aiden sat on his knees and bounced up and down as he read. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were at <i style="font-weight: bold;">that</i> chapter, that chapter in all good books where you can feel the characters shift, and it feels like the electrical charge that hangs in the air right before a thunderstorm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Catherine, the main character, forgets to care about what others think and wheels Jason in his wheelchair out to the parking lot. He has just revealed that he sometimes wishes he would die. She describes the boundless freedom that is running, and he asks her to show him. She runs through the parking lot as fast as she can while pushing his wheelchair while he demands that she run faster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I read aloud, I can feel the knot forming in the back of my throat, and I think, "Oh damn. Here I go again. I'm gonna cry in front of them. Again." My voice tightens, and my students shift forward in their seats. Aiden's butt finally hits the seat of his chair and stays there. Mya's hand snakes out to the counter behind her and grabs the tissue box and nudges it toward me. They are patient with me. By now they know that good books can have powerful effects on readers, and that their teacher is a crybaby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Together, they theorize that I'm crying because I'm happy. Catherine has helped Jason, and as Aiden says, "Jason's helping Catherine remember what's important. And it's not what everyone else thinks." This from the boy, who at the beginning of the year, spent more time shopping for books than reading them. As I listen to each of my readers interact with the chapter, my nerdy reading teacher heart swells with pride, and the tears in my eyes become more about them than Catherine and Jason. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This weekend, I've been with "my people" at the Michigan Reading Association Conference. I've swooned in the presence of Stephanie Harvey, but drew the line at asking her to sign my chest (Wink, wink. She signed a copy of her book for me instead). Pernille Ripp made my heart skip a beat when she said, "It is time for us to become reading warriors." And I basked in the glow of Donalyn Miller's brilliance as she signed her newest masterpiece. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everywhere I went this weekend, I heard the same messages: </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Reading is about behaviors, not abilities. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">In order for students to be motivated and engaged readers, they must value reading. In order for them to value reading, there must be <b>collaboration, choice,</b> <b>relevance</b> and meaningful <b>purpose</b>.</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Our students must have access to texts, and those texts must be culturally relevant. </span> </li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's as if all my teaching heroes skyped with each other before they came to present, and they agreed upon common messages. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The funny thing is, when I left school on Friday to attend this conference, I was in the foulest mood. I felt drained and cranky, and my famously brutal teacher self talk had kicked in. I bet you know what I'm talking about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"You suck."</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"You're not doing anything well."</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"You're not doing enough."</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"Maybe Starbucks will hire you."</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But when I attend conferences, there are so many windows and mirrors. There are presenters who hold a mirror up for me so I can glimpse myself and my practice and realize that I'm on track. And, there are those presenters that take me to the window to appreciate a new landscape of pedagogy. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The opportunity to reflect is priceless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Without it, I would forget about Friday afternoon moments like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> "Ms. Willis! We didn't do First Chapter Fridays today. Can we do it on Monday? I need a new book!" Aiden calls out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My butt-in-the-air striving reader is beginning to thrive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I remember to pay attention, I am amazed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This month, I'm linking up with other fab educators. Visit them below!</span></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-35163300969501687352019-02-26T20:12:00.001-05:002022-03-15T12:42:51.399-04:003 Ways to Keep Your Sanity for March is Reading Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every February, I begin to brace myself. The "March is Reading Month" committee begins meeting to plan the month for our school. I get a tension headache just thinking about it. It's not that I don't love the reading activities and the intent behind the month-long focus. I love reading. I love helping my kids learn to love reading. But, I've noticed a trend in the planned celebrations over the last few years. The teachers are working hard, and the students are not. The whole month feels like a never-ending circus, and I feel like a demented clown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong. The celebrations and special events are great entertainment. Some common March happenings are that every teacher decorates his or her door according to a favorite book. Some of the doors are Pinterest-worthy works of art. Prizes are bought and given out for meeting reading goals. Volunteers dress up as book characters and visit classrooms. Other community volunteers visit classrooms to read books to students. Sometimes, local celebrities come to read. It's fantastic fun! Over 26 years of teaching in different school districts, the most I've seen students do during the month of March is to read across a reading calendar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Again, let me say it: There's nothing wrong with celebrating reading in these ways. But I have to ask...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHwW20S1F_EBGhSv5-kLV7vtcGrPfOwcVuQRuZplZ1qusvJQGDL5B32_gezgpCiM5pFgpnYnUG56Qks7WEpPjEAGejqg3OVsBSq6VIqPS091gbE4QURpRFJYN66mmm5It0Oq1btPd0HH2/s1600/clown+q1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHwW20S1F_EBGhSv5-kLV7vtcGrPfOwcVuQRuZplZ1qusvJQGDL5B32_gezgpCiM5pFgpnYnUG56Qks7WEpPjEAGejqg3OVsBSq6VIqPS091gbE4QURpRFJYN66mmm5It0Oq1btPd0HH2/s640/clown+q1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the ways I've coped with the upheaval of March Is Reading Month is to make my students and their learning the center of the celebrations. If we have to decorate our door, my students decorate it, using it as a reader response activity. It doesn't look like a Pinterest-inspired door, but my kids learned something. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRhracEIelQKl_4aTBNNXfbMkoeLSJ07FIxe6YlEEYQWXGKl_5oGAutUjCU5WYDnrGKoobFXPrgMdTmgjWSrAbzK8kaCikiZvfMVEvxdNuLft1FfN_hPgCLaHpW1j9P6XEXGQ5BjUL3CM/s1600/Slide9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRhracEIelQKl_4aTBNNXfbMkoeLSJ07FIxe6YlEEYQWXGKl_5oGAutUjCU5WYDnrGKoobFXPrgMdTmgjWSrAbzK8kaCikiZvfMVEvxdNuLft1FfN_hPgCLaHpW1j9P6XEXGQ5BjUL3CM/s200/Slide9.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That reading calendar? I turned it into a Reading Genre Book Challenge. We discuss how we want our reading to be as balanced as our diets. It's normal for readers (adults included) to focus on a couple of their favorite genres when selecting reading materials. This challenge helps students break away from their reading trends to try something new. They use the month to earn a total of ten brag tags, one for each genre. They chart their success in their data notebooks, and spend time reflecting on their preferences and how they change over the course of the challenge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another thing that really stresses me out about reading month is that when all of the special stuff is added into our schedule, I have a hard time keeping my instructional oars in the water. So over the years, I've learned to find ways to incorporate our day-to-day learning goals like persuasive writing, literature critique, using direct quotations as evidence, and comparing and contrasting texts.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPO2YBMMcI4BGvGz6Hj_vHxRLmeEthyphenhyphenWrVQYgoPPZi5Gp2NSz_KbL-5ufHIy0YDuxcW4BDpiwiRj1niHWdqvvNx-KOdTUdSYvnQ5DdvpSbeC5MhTqyCAsTDXhb3Rjk59Dtb8F0p3y-ysF/s1600/collage+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPO2YBMMcI4BGvGz6Hj_vHxRLmeEthyphenhyphenWrVQYgoPPZi5Gp2NSz_KbL-5ufHIy0YDuxcW4BDpiwiRj1niHWdqvvNx-KOdTUdSYvnQ5DdvpSbeC5MhTqyCAsTDXhb3Rjk59Dtb8F0p3y-ysF/s320/collage+1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Every year, my students and I hold an election. We review the major mentor texts that we read over the entire school year. We discuss them. We share our opinions about our favorites and our least favorites. Then, we vote to elect our Book-of-the-Year for room 13. In doing this my students revisit mentor texts, write persuasive essays about the book they think should get</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJKOU4yRWq3aU-eI2ILaBJM0Cr6-49FiiXj3xxDUgmuqnNNV_Y1zC38yZ9U8ZcH9h4nXgoASZdltPg5reRc2M5CKk_13Sc9SG9fpo51XgwghXXx82zHlTD2j0GtPpGFITA3f2gbMfVvh3/s1600/collage+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJKOU4yRWq3aU-eI2ILaBJM0Cr6-49FiiXj3xxDUgmuqnNNV_Y1zC38yZ9U8ZcH9h4nXgoASZdltPg5reRc2M5CKk_13Sc9SG9fpo51XgwghXXx82zHlTD2j0GtPpGFITA3f2gbMfVvh3/s320/collage+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the award, practice reading their essays publicly, and discuss the merits of each book with their peers. We end with a red carpet event. Think of it as the Oscars for books. I've written about his idea extensively. You can read more about it<a href="https://mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/2019/02/valuing-student-voice-to-create-love-of.html"> HERE</a>. It's a FAVORITE project in my classroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In March, we also research our favorite authors. I began this practice after seeing how over-the-moon excited my kids became when Avi answered our letters. We had finished reading <i>Perloo the Bold</i> as part of our character study unit. I asked my students to write a letter to him, and I used their letters as an assessment piece. After he responded, they found his website and read everything they could find about him. They were fascinated with his blog and his photographs. They talked about him as if he was a personal friend. And of course, there was a run on Avi books in our school media center. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So in March, I ask students to identify their favorite authors. I have a list of author websites I've compiled that includes the biggies. They research their authors, take notes, and then create a pennant flag about him or her. They LOVE this assignment, and I love how it gets them talking about authors, books, and author's craft.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The best part about all of these activities is that my students are doing most of the work. I'm still teaching to our learning standards, but students are engaged and having a blast...and there's not a circus clown in sight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can find some of these student-centered ideas for March Is Reading Month or Read Across America week below. Just click on the pictures. </span></div>
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-Book-Genre-Reading-Challenge-3646450" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-85QQndYGg4sVZBwg2CL17Ls8pwWcn-lPMHv0iIjlEBSn1bC8fV98v7G4tE5P8ASRemUy96ctfioBbIfVDw0m-7WUXtdK6Q1GXYIJBwoTAAIp3mThtUV-xyqL5nTsBWPJj-XYcc_cpVp/s200/square+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-of-the-Year-Red-Carpet-Awards-Persuasive-Writing-Critical-Thinking-3645730" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8RwUDWQ6AG27yB-3BYN_ZVtWyyS8BhkVIcM_Zg6bQ0d0-P_0-XDF5hYKmCcsz5CkQzgTxAoMqybzjBM946M_mZZ-Jr-lC2IuASRNEo3qVJ2cJ67hX7JvdvMnS1zNIbIfqWyKaUc-jvyp/s200/product+square.jpg" width="200" /></a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Readers-Workshop-Author-Research-Pennant-Project-4403085"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRW75kwyrvbAP1PkQWexE5BWNPwIR8NmKBQgmznpQy1GQUIfT_lQnz5i-NBmUMlpukPIydXr0VHCKrLqzklGqWCjJlh4iUFGYvX-4Fmdzx6l7KSb7brBSNOrmYMCQGP7Du_WRzNFhiZuI/s200/square+cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Be sure to listen to the We Teach So Hard podcast this week. We're talking about even more reading ideas! Click our logo below. </span><br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827?mt=2#episodeGuid=bbf0b658-b058-d77c-2a50-8cf052193e23"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uayqsJxxoRizspD5AKVWSt62JF0KQ_lH4yf2ahYhoO_zOLFebf-VpTuBibsDKAczWMH0TcNm2226TJAM4dDpXz7JeVN5P88SKpVLASuZyrExJi3D4uKTT1a6Sj1kVXo7WQ0rW__G5wNn/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Be sure to visit Kathie, Retta and Deann at their blogs. They're chocked full of fantastic student-centered reading ideas!</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; color: #0563c1; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Ways to Keep Your Sanity During March is Reading Month</span></div>
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Wild Child’s Mossy Oak Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03308856606793797473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-93148517381887696.post-52562152390704791862019-02-17T15:55:00.001-05:002022-03-15T12:42:59.759-04:00Teacher Shoes: The Story of a Teacher's Vow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_MnsvfW9jSTRvP4bmxuRE4qfMEvKfN6nCjdJ0-6Y9OzzRKEMogY5anBdW4GqnSKOxdlvdGOI6TMZYSAUE-pKrLxrmWEKCVYVxoimspXXh-mSz0C_GuwUfey9MI5CpMDY9CcBUua551y1/s1600/main+graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_MnsvfW9jSTRvP4bmxuRE4qfMEvKfN6nCjdJ0-6Y9OzzRKEMogY5anBdW4GqnSKOxdlvdGOI6TMZYSAUE-pKrLxrmWEKCVYVxoimspXXh-mSz0C_GuwUfey9MI5CpMDY9CcBUua551y1/s1600/main+graphic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These boots were made for walkin', and that's just what they'll do. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you.</span></blockquote>
Nancy Sinatra<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the time I was a small child, I've been fascinated by shoes. Maybe it's because I had to wear corrective shoes until I was in third or fourth grade. I longed to wear girly sandals or gym shoes. My corrective shoes were shit-brown lace-ups with clunky soles. Sometimes, I even had to wear orthotic inserts inside my ugly shoes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEBlqeMHMuhz9NVn0SXhDjniZ6vzsM76r6nFcA2gV-DpXonJRR0wEQavhIuAAKisk4wVtwgpWjPqqlS84MNmBHYxcGOdOxqM-vCmKdYIGOqIja_h6YMecUyvRx9l7_pLqTATnlicC0wHd/s1600/sas+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEBlqeMHMuhz9NVn0SXhDjniZ6vzsM76r6nFcA2gV-DpXonJRR0wEQavhIuAAKisk4wVtwgpWjPqqlS84MNmBHYxcGOdOxqM-vCmKdYIGOqIja_h6YMecUyvRx9l7_pLqTATnlicC0wHd/s320/sas+shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">When I finally decided to be a teacher, after years of avoiding the "you should be a teacher" talks from my teacher mom and grandmother, I took a vow. I swore to my mother that I would never wear teacher shoes. Those were the days when every teacher I knew wore SAS shoes, either gray, navy, black or brown, to match their polyester pantsuits. To me, there's something about certain pairs of shoes that can make me feel powerful, even when I'm not. SAS shoes were <b>not </b>power shoes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjfVCyrdInqW0Bl4Yl1HKs4m0M3xLrW-h05HUdzyevFsCJj54-Ttc9W-hTSuM-8ojTlnLuhjaV1FEqGzZeQlVtay8Qg9ewJ0dPxQU6kJ7fH8F9dLb13Q7Q8Hp_FHIxy9VEADxzvxzpBE-/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjfVCyrdInqW0Bl4Yl1HKs4m0M3xLrW-h05HUdzyevFsCJj54-Ttc9W-hTSuM-8ojTlnLuhjaV1FEqGzZeQlVtay8Qg9ewJ0dPxQU6kJ7fH8F9dLb13Q7Q8Hp_FHIxy9VEADxzvxzpBE-/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I celebrated my first year of teaching by purchasing a fantastic pair of pumps. They were red silk with Chinese-style brocade embroidered on them. They were magnificent. With steely resolve, I teetered through my first year of teaching, and my sixth grade girls adored my shoes as much as I did. My feet hurt, but dang! They looked good. My student-teaching supervising teacher, who I had stayed in contact with, coveted them. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj874RLoAosiNQH9srZt06uiUHwCqv0g7DROienj3dTZDhvD5ybzth5ckqT_FGk6qNbgyMxOujVTuCIvZye1xVOi6lxXM7scbEVWXwNAqckWhAse2LM3_qVyNpODSxtZ1S5l2TqD6I4svzM/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj874RLoAosiNQH9srZt06uiUHwCqv0g7DROienj3dTZDhvD5ybzth5ckqT_FGk6qNbgyMxOujVTuCIvZye1xVOi6lxXM7scbEVWXwNAqckWhAse2LM3_qVyNpODSxtZ1S5l2TqD6I4svzM/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Flash forward fifteen years. I was wandering the shoe aisles in T.J. Maxx when I spotted them. They were gorgeous. Cole Haan calf hair leopard print stilettos...with Nike Air Technology! Even the discount store price was more than I wanted to spend...$150. I believe in miracles. Do you? Two weeks later, there was one pair left, and they were in my size and marked down to $24.99. It was destiny. I wore them every chance I got, usually with a monochromatic outfit in black or chocolate brown. My mother closed her mouth and shook her head. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMSzfzvvN7ex4w7QEU_jMtaIx6t4YXNixLDG2-W4sjSGuqxNJRVABYpMbimeMplZQj_ulCE70hMpLyEYFOgDJeLGD9LL2N2zJn7mFdhqN7Gg94YvXORcGObUk8mCGapcaQq78MxwhwQPT/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMSzfzvvN7ex4w7QEU_jMtaIx6t4YXNixLDG2-W4sjSGuqxNJRVABYpMbimeMplZQj_ulCE70hMpLyEYFOgDJeLGD9LL2N2zJn7mFdhqN7Gg94YvXORcGObUk8mCGapcaQq78MxwhwQPT/s320/Slide4.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Then we entered the age of the clog. While everyone around me wore Dansko and Born clogs that reminded me of those dreaded SAS shoes, I rocked Rocket Dog wooden clogs. They looked great on jean day with my dark boot-cut jeans and turquoise velvet blazer. Everyone could hear me walking, heel-toe-heel-toe. I worked the front hallway like it was a catwalk. My coworker said she always knew when I had arrived at school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The universe has a way of teaching us lessons. As I power walked down the hallway on my way to my next coaching appointment, the skinny heel of my fabulous fawn-colored, suede, spike-heeled bootie caught a seam in the tile. I went flying and landed on my back. I rolled around on the floor while 22 passing kindergartners pointed and yelled, "Look! Look at the lady!" My angry ankle swelled until I had to limp in my stocking feet out to my car to go to urgent care. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hours later on my couch, I thought about my vow. If I had been wearing SAS shoes, I wouldn't have fallen. It's true. If I'm honest with myself, my vow was never about the shoes. I think it was about wanting to be ME, my own kind of teacher. I wanted to carve out my own teaching identity, different than my mom's or grandmother's. But when I was an 18 year old high school graduate contemplating a teaching career, that meant I wouldn't wear those shoes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're in the mood for a good laugh, be sure to check out our podcast! This week's episode is all about teacher fashions throughout the years. We laughed until we cried recording it! Click the picture below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/we-teach-so-hard/id1420471827?mt=2#episodeGuid=0ce8d4e6-a62e-8209-723d-3aca8b75e3a2"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW5PFTu6cyc41Wd-g6_Yd2YPrZngbJTr-YpIQBvv4c06WiLD5RLhfMuP40zx2UcXQFueA5JUvobWmpVZyossB3rfusHIBE8MeRglJBOqxG-3Raz5PJEYPepeSeZEARl3V7z0X-bFAf2wT/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Be sure to check out my podcast buddies' teacher fashion blog posts below! Retta, Kathie & Deann will keep you smiling!</span></div>
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