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

#cyberPD Book Selections For a decade, #cyberPD has been an anticipated summer event to connect educators near and far in collaborative professional conversation. Through blogs, Twitter, and various digital media, participants share thinking around a common professional title featured for discussion. Though the main event is in July of each year, the conversations and connections carry across the year. Since #cyberPD's first event, we've grown from a group of less than 15 to a community of over 150 educators.   We have found this community to be powerful and the conversations have helped us grow in our journey as educators. These conversations have pushed us, made us uncomfortable, and allowed us the chance to see things from different perspectives. It’s amazing to think that #cyberPD was a pioneer for online book clubs and this community made it possible!   Yet, here we are today. When we got ready to “share our bookstacks,” COVID was in full swing and teachers we...

The world is flipped upside down. Trying to wrap my brain around it. Staying silent to listen To hear the cries. Hard to focus and concentrate Or think about anything else. Staying silent to listen To hear the power of words. Reading, sorting, gathering Resources, videos, book titles, blog posts. Staying silent to listen To hear the stories. To really, really l.i.s.t.e.n. Trying to hear all sides of a  very complicated issue and timeline. Staying silent to listen To open my eyes. Wanting to teach my daughters What is true and right and just. Staying silent to listen To hear what I can do. Capturing the essence of what I need to do in my classroom. Staying silent to listen To hear and deeply understand. Trying to wrap my brain around  this world that is flipped upside down.

It's the 8th Annual  #cyberPD Summer Event! Join in our  #cyberPD Google+ Community  to participate!  We want YOU to join in the conversations! This July we are reading and learning together around the new title  from Sara Ahmed  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * My Thoughts and Reflections for Week 3: Chapter 5 & 6 "You have to be able to see the humanity in others before you can activate your empathy by self-identifying and making connections ."   (Ahmed, p.103) Takeaways:  Sara shares two more lessons that will provide a great depth on reflection and conversation, both geared towards upper grades. Our Universe of Obligation: Naming people and groups that we feel responsibility for, those that you will be an upstander for, and how this circle may include o...

It's the 8th Annual  #cyberPD Summer Event! Join in our  #cyberPD Google+ Community  to participate! We want YOU to join in the conversations! This July we are reading and learning together around the new title from Sara Ahmed  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * My Thoughts and Reflections for Week 2: A Little Late Chapter 3: Being Candid "We have come a long way together and I am watching  your minds and hearts grow a little stronger every day ."   (Ahmed, p.73) Takeaways:  At first I thought ... social comprehension was more of a SEL approach. Now I think ... social comprehension is an inquiry approach at it's best with the students' as the curriculum and students asking the most important questions that matter to them.  At first I though...

    It's the 8th Annual  #cyberPD Summer Event! Join in our  #cyberPD Google+ Community  to participate! We want YOU to join in the conversations! This July we are reading and learning together around the new title from Sara Ahmed  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * My Thoughts and Reflections "... we will give ourselves permission to create learning conditions where kids can ask the question they want to ask, muddle through how to say the things they are thinking, and have tough conversations. We will be proactive in this pursuit. Truthfully, we will not have all the answers. No one does ."  (Ahmed, p.xxii) An Introduction to  Social Comprehension and Strategies to Prepare You for the Work Ahead :  Takeaways:  This introduction was packed...