Literacy Learning Zone

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers During the summer months, it would seem life would slow down and I would be tapping the keyboard for some inspiration. Not true. Life in the summer with active three year olds, and as a teacher that never wants to stop learning and reading, is FULL of stories. So, for this slice, I could write . . . *about the frustrating "nap time" that ended in no nap (and a bit of destruction in the bedroom when I left them for quiet time) yesterday with my three year old daughters. *a letter to my girls about how much I love and adore them even when I'm angry or frustrated. (And then I read  THIS   and I am enough.) *about learning how to balance being a mom and trying to still take care of ME *about how I spend my time throughout the day and wonder how I can re-prioritize time ...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers It's been almost two weeks. Looking back, I can say it was pretty easy.  They were ready. But I can't take all the credit.  "They" say not to rush or force the issue. It started on the one day the girls went to school two weeks ago.  They were ready. "Three other girls were starting, so I included your two girls.  Have you started at home?" "Um, well, no. We've been busy traveling and lots of things going on and . . . " My excuses poured out.  Are they ready now? The next day we started.  It was the push I needed - fearing only the worst. And we haven't looked back! We talked about listening to our bodies.  Now they tell me when they are ready. I can't believe I can say this:  My three year olds are potty trained!  (Almost) no more di...

This summer I am participating in the  #cyberPD  conversations about the book by  Alan November   titled  Who Owns The Learning? Preparing Students for Success in the Digital Age. As always, thanks for taking the time to read and share YOUR voice! You can visit the conversations this week: Chapters 5 & 6 at Laura's blog:  Ruminate and Invigorate   A compilation of all the #cyberPD posts at  Jog the Web: Who Owns the Learning? #cyberPD 2013 More sharing on the #cyberPD2013 Pinterest board *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * "I think the process of education is collaboration. The idea of school should be collaboration and communication with people that are different from you and see the world with different eyes "  Alan November quoting Garth Holman (p.87) My Thoughts and Reflections Can I be honest with you?  I'm am SO reli...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers ** Sorry if you visited earlier and received an error message.  Apparently it is NOT a good idea to leave out any devices with open windows when curious three year olds like to press buttons on EVERYTHING! Yes, this post was deleted . . . with no one to blame but myself!  (Grr...) But with some patience and research, I was able to retrieve and repost -- working on editing! Whew!  That's another post! ** Ah, new book love.  To fall in love with a new book is a feeling like no other. This has already made my "top ten picture book list" ( #pb10for10 ). And that is a tough list to get on.  Imagine narrowing your most favorite, prized picture books to a list of ten.  Then that you ca...

This summer I am participating in the  #cyberPD  conversations about the book by  Alan November   titled  Who Owns The Learning? Preparing Students for Success in the Digital Age. Whew!  After reading these two chapters, I didn't think I would have much to say.  Was I ever wrong!  Thanks for taking the time to read and share YOUR voice! You can visit the conversations this week about Chapters 3 & 4 at Jill's blog:   My Primary Passion   or a compilation of all the #cyberPD posts at Jog the Web: Who Owns the Learning? #cyberPD 2013 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * "As long as you're asking what's next, you'll get there.   But never be content with where you're at "  Alan November quoting Darren Kuropatwa (p.47). My Thoughts and Reflections As I read chapter 3: The Student as Scribe, I shook my head in agreement and furiously sc...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers On July 12th, my husband and I will celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary.  It's quite amazing to think that it seems like just yesterday, yet so much has happened since the day we married.  And to only think, it's really still the beginning . . . with so many years of ups and downs to come! it seems like just a year ago we walked down the aisle a picture perfect day to celebrate our love my best friend the one I trust the most makes me laugh and reminds me what is important every day isn't easy there are disagreements quiet and conversations but we always work it out you listen you care you protect you love you hold you snuggle you are my rock to celebrate our love on a picture perfect day we walked down the aisle ten years ago

Another opportunity to learn right beside you ( Cathy ) and you ( Laura ) and you ( Jill ) and YOU (Yes, YOU!)?  I'm in! This summer I am participating (again) in the #cyberPD conversations about the book by Alan November titled Who Owns The Learning? Preparing Students for Success in the Digital Age. Reading any PD book grows my thinking and gets me wondering about the implications in my school and more specifically, in my resource classroom.  This title was not in my original #cyberPD summer book stack, but I wasn't about to miss out on the conversations and learning.  Opening up the conversation to educators across the globe, exponentially   e x p a n d s  my thinking and learning.  Because YOU just might: Pick a phrase from the book that I missed and share your thoughts.   Ask a really good deep question that makes me ponder.   Share your insights to your understanding and the implications in your classroom. ...and...

Slice of Life  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers My Mom , my girls, and I took a little road trip during our vacation -- Two hours in the car through the hills and valleys of Arkansas over the state line into Missouri.  We landed ourselves in Branson -- the "Puts the show in show me state" town.  All sorts of attractions to see and places to go, but we were there for only one reason.  (Well, actually, two -- the first stop was at the winery.) The other attraction was to meet with the ONE, the ONLY, real-life slicer and comment extraordinaire ... elsie ! Yes, Elsie in real life! (I know some of you recently connected with her and many others are wishing it was you!) I wasn't nervous about meeting Elsie because one knows through her stories, her words, and her comments that she is quite possibly the sweetest person on earth.  She...