About a month ago, All-Write hosted Cris Tovani. I probably should have blogged about the workshop the next day, but I didn't. Instead, I'm blogging about it today after I've had some time to digest the information. First, if you ever have the chance to hear Cris speak, you should jump at the opportunity. She… Continue reading Cris Tovani Thoughts
Month: November 2009
A Different Kind of Pen Pal
I was so honored to chair "Integrating Blogs, Podcasting, and Digital Videos into Fourth and Fifth Grade Language Arts Classes" at NCTE this year. I learned a tremendous amount about the right way to integrate technology into classrooms from these California educators (i.e., Carl Withaus, Gail Desler, Aparna Sinha, Manuel Senna, and Lesley McKillop). What… Continue reading A Different Kind of Pen Pal
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A Thanksgiving Wish for You!
Special thanks to Bonnie Kaplan for this photo. Make a Smilebox greeting
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Mentoring Primary Writers
The past eight days have been exceedingly busy, while also being exceedingly great. First, Ruth was here and we spent a lot of time planning out the final third of our book. Then, I traveled to Philadelphia for the NCTE Annual Convention. On Monday, I was in a new school working with a dynamic group… Continue reading Mentoring Primary Writers
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Chasing Dreams: Part II
I had envisioned being able to share with you some of the dreams on my freshmen's lists. However, Monday we had a lock down drill smack in the middle of block two, altering our plans. Then yesterday we had a fog delay, shrinking class minutes by half. It reminds me how we are constantly determining importance… Continue reading Chasing Dreams: Part II
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Join us for today’s SOLSC!
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Poetry Party
Sylvia Vardell chaired "Poetry Party! Celebrating 2009 NCTE Poetry Award Recipient Lee Bennett Hopkins," which Ruth blogged a little bit about on Friday. This was by far the most fun I've ever had at an NCTE Session since it was complete with food, party favors, and distinguished children's poets who all read original poetry paying… Continue reading Poetry Party
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Chasing Big Dreams: Part I
I rolled into my driveway around 8:30 last night. Andy had given our kids late naps so they could stay up and see me. This may not have been our best parenting move. They were excited, but also tired. Emotions swirled. By 9:45 Andy and I were snuggled on the couch and there were no… Continue reading Chasing Big Dreams: Part I
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Independence in the Primary Classroom Through Talk, Text, and Motivation
Katie Wood Ray, Matt Glover, and Isoke Titilayo Nia hosted a session entitled "Independence in the Primary Writing Workshop," which Ruth and I attended yesterday morning. Ray, Glover, and Nia provided information about the ways to increase young children's independence within the context of a Writing Workshop. Here are my notes from the session, which… Continue reading Independence in the Primary Classroom Through Talk, Text, and Motivation
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Creating Comics from a Real Life Experience
We were fortunate to cross paths into Kevin Hodgson when we were walking through the Convention Center at NCTE this afternoon. He was leading a Tech on-the-Go Presentation about creating digital comics with students. When Kevin asked for a volunteer to make a comic, we stepped up to the plate, creating a comic about our… Continue reading Creating Comics from a Real Life Experience
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Tatum: Using the Pen to Rescue to Power
“Let our testimony be our pen.” – Anonymous African American Male from Chicago I found myself rushing to get my lunch from the Reading Terminal Market so I could eat it while listening to Alfred W. Tatum yesterday afternoon. My sandwich landed up sitting in the bag for an hour and 15 minutes since I… Continue reading Tatum: Using the Pen to Rescue to Power
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Swirling Thoughts from NCTE
Today was a good day, but what day at NCTE isn't? Since we just finished our last session and have dinner plans in a few minutes, you're getting a list of swirling thoughts. Expect more blog posts about NCTE in the future. Choice matters. Today I’ve been inspired to stand up and defend student choice… Continue reading Swirling Thoughts from NCTE
