This weekend I learned of a first grade club. "The teachers don't know about it," Sam (my first grade son) said, "So keep it quiet." "What is it?" "It's the Bad Word Club. I'm not in it, though." But you know a lot about it, I thought. "How do you know about it?" "Ohhhh, you… Continue reading Bad Word Club
Category: Reflective Practice
Trusting Myself
Expectations of common core, teacher evaluation, and what it means to be literate in the 21st century can sometimes pile up and overwhelm me. There is so much new information coming at me -- things to consider about text types, what opinion writing looks like with primary students, how to use technology as a tool… Continue reading Trusting Myself
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Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 3 of 3}
The third part of the conference was led by Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan. They inspired me to stick to my beliefs. One of the ideas they talked about is a Framework for Change. In order for change to occur, they suggest systems need: Vision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan If any of these items… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 3 of 3}
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Hitting the Reset Button
You can change your attitude, your priorities, or your thinking on any day. You just have to commit yourself to a new mindset or way of life.
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Big Realization from a Tiny Mouse
I have an irrational fear of mice. It is bad news. My husband has established a preemptive strike in our basement and garage. He engages in an impossible battle to keep our home, which is surrounded by fields, mouse free. He tries to tell me almost everyone has to deal with mice. He says it… Continue reading Big Realization from a Tiny Mouse
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Enough
I want you to know you are enough. Enough. As in you are good enough. Enough. As in I've had enough. Enough. As in I have enough time. You are enough. I think this is a state of mind. You choose to believe you are enough. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up wishing we… Continue reading Enough
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On my mind…
It's one of those days. You know, where you wonder if you really want to keep doing this? It's one of those days. You know, where you are positive you are doing exactly what you are made to do? Yes, one of those days. Where the hard and the pay off are all rolled into… Continue reading On my mind…
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Because of WMS…
I began my career as a seventh grade language arts teacher at Wawasee Middle School. Thirteen years later, I remain in the same district, but in a different position. My career path has taken me into hundreds of classrooms. I've been able to learn about writers from preschool to college. I've developed many diverse relationships.… Continue reading Because of WMS…
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Writing Because…
One of the reasons I appreciate the opportunity to lead professional development is I get to continue pushing myself to new understandings and deeper learning. Every time I speak or work with a group of teachers, I gain a clarity and energy for teaching writers. When this doesn't happen, when my learning ceases, when I'm… Continue reading Writing Because…
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Vintage Ayres {2007}: The Heart of It All
I'm smiling at the phrase Vintage Ayres. It's a little bit of a smirk because, really, am I old enough to qualify as vintage? Maybe not. But definitely so in blog years. I began blogging in March 2006. My first blog was called Inspiring Readers and Writers and it has since been moved to private… Continue reading Vintage Ayres {2007}: The Heart of It All
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Rest.
Rest. Why does this seem like a dirty four letter word? I've been doing a lot of thinking about rest. We were on fall break last week. You might think I took rest to the extreme considering I checked-out and didn't even blog on Friday. Unfortunately this isn't the truth. I crammed in as much… Continue reading Rest.
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Christy Is…
Last week I had the privileged of observing Christy Rush-Levine with her eighth grade language arts classes. Deb Gaby, the reading coach in my district, along with two middle school teachers went with me to check out Christy's approach to remediation. At the heart of her work is reading and writing workshop. I began a list a… Continue reading Christy Is…
