Literacy Learning Zone

Tangled i stare and wonder a tangled mess of cords and light bulbs where do i begin unraveling the twisted confusion i stare and ponder how this messy web resembles the heap of resources articles, blog posts, webinars, books suggestions overloading my brain from clarity i stare  and flounder not knowing where  to start unraveling this confinement knowing i just need to start doing the work i stare and consider starting at one end slowing weaving in and out taking my time carefully making knowledgeable decisions i stare  and admire the organization of streamlining of ideas as the lightbulbs are shedding light on new understanding

The Slice of Life is hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ As a teacher, of course, I enjoy my summers.  It's not the three months that most people think it is. (But you already know that.)  It is still plenty of time to be missing the kids like crazy, but I'm currently not missing the busy schedule and daily stresses of wanting to do more and be better in the classroom and also at home.  Summer is a time when I can breathe (my one little word ) and do so much more -- always thinking about getting ready for a fresh new year of possibility.    I'm enjoying my long days with my five year old daughters.  ...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers In celebration of Picture Book Month , we are reading picture books.  Picture books to remember. I shared the title of a recently published book with our school librarian.  I shared it with our school social worker and psychologist.  I shared it with a teacher who mentioned she had a student crying every day at recess because she was feeling ignored. This is a picture book to remember. My second grade group of four boys spotted the new book on the whiteboard ledge first. "Oooo, can you read that book?  Pleeeease!" "I'm sorry, our time together is up.  It's time to go--" "C'mon!  Just read the first page!" "Ok! Ok!  I can't say no to that, especially because it is one of my newest favorite ...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers I have taken a much-needed break from Twitter the last couple weeks, or maybe it's even been months.  You see, it can be very addicting and overwhelming and time consuming.   However, I had to return.   I love being able to learn from committed, caring, courageous, curious educators from all over the world right from my laptop or phone. Constant professional development that fits my needs. Picking and choosing articles to read. Blog posts to think about and respond to. Conversations to engage in.   With a little bit of free time this weekend, (OK.  Late, really late Friday night and my hubby was out of town), I jumped into Twitterland, and this tweet caught my eye: I didn't hesitate.  I clicked to watch - go ahead and take 5 minutes to watch this video of "Why I Stay" if you haven't seen it yet. I watched it.  Twice. ...

I'm a very organized person.  I have my piles, but I have organized piles.  But I'm running into some organization issues this week.  You see, I've been blogging for almost six months. I have blogs and awesome educators and writers that I follow daily, reading posts, thinking, reflecting, and commenting if I feel the need to respond.  That's all been manageable. This week I joined millions of other world wide users:  I'm on Twitter .  Many have referred to it as microblogging.  You receive a snippet of information (140 characters or less) and usually a link to read more.  I really do love it and understand now why so many people utilize this social networking service to deepen and extend their knowledge.  I've made many new connections and I'm learning more each day. I realize that those "voices" out there have great ideas, books, and strategies to share and they are really just like me:  a teacher who wants to make a difference. ...

Part of my mission  when I jumped into this blogging world was to become active in the online community of educators that have so much to offer and share.  On the Stenhouse blog , I listened to a podcast  that described a Personal Learning Network (PLN) as your own personal teacher's lounge with great educators and colleagues that you have hand selected: to be inspired, to be challenged, to learn from each other, to grow together, and that have experience, enthusiasm, and great ideas to share! That is one reason why I started writing my own blog.  My initial goal for the blog was to share powerful lessons and creative learning opportunities with students.  I'm doing a little of that, but I've really taken ideas shared by others and created my own writing journal to practice my writer's craft so that I can better teach my students.  All thanks to the Two Writing Teachers and their supportive community of writers!  In just a few short months after I ...