Celebrating with Joy

It is 3:47 on Saturday afternoon. I have been thinking about this post for several days almost a week.  When I know that I'm going to be writing about celebrations, I think differently about my days.  When I know that my One Little Word is choice I think differently about my days.  Both of these pieces fit nicely together for me. I was going to post about my learning at All Write, but I realized I already posted with several-- possibly over a hundred tweets.  When I came home, I had to disconnect from social media and thinking about teaching. I was on Allwrite overload which was a fantastic thing, but I needed a few days to come down from the learning.

I just returned from my Choice Literacy writing retreat and the life lessons along with the gift of time to write was almost surreal for me.  A gift wrapped up in belly laughing conversations, rich talk about our biggest best question and then tie it with a bow for hours of writing time. A priceless celebration, thank you Brenda.

Finally I learned something about myself, and I have to give credit to Ruth for encouraging us at her keynote to make sure we tell our story.  In addition to my husband who has been gently nudging me this summer to realize that my fun time is mostly school related.  When I finished with my nightly responsibilities of being a teacher during the school year, I would spend the rest of the evening reading teacher blogs or checking in on twitter.  I would read another professional book or choose to blog about my day.  I have to admit most of my summer has had the similar schedule.

I am celebrating today that I found joy in my morning routine not checking twitter, Facebook or blogs.  Starting my day with eating some amazing granola that I brought home from the INN at Cedar Falls, weeding the gardens, visiting the farmer's market, going to the library to pick up five new books, fixing lunch and eating with my husband on the back deck.  Took a 20 minute nap (which my CL friends will enjoy knowing because our editor told us too) and read my new book:  brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson.

I made the choice to choose joy, and it was the best decision of the day.  Off to start dinner on the grill and keep reading. Thanks to Ruth Ayres for her weekly link-up, Celebrate this Week. You can link up  HERE. 

Once a Teacher Always a Teacher

I was going to take this week off from blogging because I look forward to the time with my family, and I had promised them that my school book bag would be put away in the corner. But the teacher in me never turns off.  I was always going to be a teacher ask my mom. Being an only child, I always had friends in my pretend classroom including my favorite student Karen Valentine from Room 222 for those of you old enough to remember that show. I set up a library in our back bedroom, and my parents would come and check books out.  I actually typed the cards for each book on a typewriter, and my mom let me tape them in the back of my books.  I remember begging for a date stamp so I could stamp the books as they were checked out from MY library.

Visiting Boston Public Library-great place to start our visit!

I arrived home from #NCTE13 with so much excitement and a huge pile of books to share with my students. We all gathered around the table and I told them the stories of each book.  I let them find the autographs and wow did they think I was a superhero with Lunch Lady and Baby Mouse signed to Mrs. Caplin's Class.  When my colleagues asked me about the conference the first word I used was contagious.  Being with 7,000 educators (I heard that was a record) who all loved literacy and wanted to learn more was infectious.  I was lucky enough to be with several colleagues from Dublin and surrounding districts, and then my extended friends through NCFL, Choice Literacy, Dublin Lit Conference and Literacy Connection. I was able to be apart of a wide variety of conversations that ranged from favorite books, BEST practices, integration of technology, extending the walls of the classroom and some great conversations about Common Core that shifted my thinking. I am still reflecting on my notes, and I am positive I will be writing more blogs about how I will connect my experiences in Boston with my learning community in Ohio.  

But let's flashback to my week off from blogging.  Our daughter arrived home finally after a flight delay, cancelled flight, standby and final arrival in Columbus.  She is sleeping peacefully on the couch.  Our son is out cutting wood with my husband so that we can continue to build huge fires as we begin to create our new Thanksgiving memories.  I am always a teacher and my thoughts continue to float back to NCTE13, and I take every small moment when possible to read a blog or catch up with my friends who I now know personally.  As Thanksgiving knocks on the door tomorrow,  I am thankful for my family but also for my extended family in education. Those that help me grow, challenge my thinking, cheering for me when I am unsure (yes I am still thinking about IT) and best of all supporting me through blogging and twitter. 

August OLW: Gratitude

August is coming to an end as I reflect (which was my 2012 OLW) I realize that my Choice Literacy writing retreat has once again helped me learn more about myself than I even realized. Having the experience of trying something "out of my box" has helped me grow as an educator.  I think differently about writing now.  I learned the importance of a community of writers.  A group of people who support each other and  are willing to say not only compliments but also criticisms that help you strengthen a skill.  These experiences have allowed me to think differently about this group of fifth graders.  I understand again what it feels like to be scared when you're not quite sure of an answer and several people are waiting for your response.  When you can't find your verbal voice, but you are willing to write your response down in a notebook first to bring security to your words.  To literally not know the answer or know the "lead" you have been thinking about for what seems like hours.  Until I was allowed the chance to have these experiences, I had forgotten what it was like to be nervous or not have the courage to speak up.  I feel gratitude for Brenda for inviting me to the retreat along with our writing group that has now formed and meets on a monthly basis.  Gratitude from one writer to the next writer.

Slice of Life: Summer Doesn't Mean Stop

The Tuesday Slice of Life Writing Community is hosted by Stacey and Ruth at 

Two Writing Teachers 

School starts Thursday and as I protect my last two days of summer for checking a few more things off my to do list, I realize that summer does not have to stop. Yes by the dates on the calendar but not the parts that have enhanced my life and helped me grow professionally.  

I have had several learning experiences this summer that have allowed me to have conversations that will carry over into my classroom. Conversations beyond the three types of required writing. Now my focus will be on smaller pieces of writing and continuing to collect stronger mentor texts.  Thinking not about the parts of a persuasive piece but how to allow my students a wider audience for their pieces. I have created a class website in addition to a class twitter account (@228bes) which will "break down the walls." Other conversations involved time both in and out of school. In class, I must allow that additional time for deep conversations although the LP book says shift gears to science. 

Summer is about BIG ideas and time to think. So why can't BIG thinking continue into the new school year? During our Choice Literacy writing retreat, we discussed habits. A huge part of habits include how we use our time. One of our mentor text that we were given is The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen, I wrote these two quotes down as my "cues" as the school year starts.

 "I can also tell you your relationship with time is far more subjective that you might imagine." 

"Once you become conscious that your relationship with time is not something that happens to you but a dynamic orchestrated by you through dozens of large and small choices you make every day." 

Ever since we became empty nesters, my morning routine has been stagnant with no thought required. I now will read my new "cues" which will help me set my new routine. In addition my "rewards" will encourage me not to give up on my routine. My husband says I have opened my box and allowed new opportunities to be methodically planned. He is absolutely correct in order to change old patterns, I have to create new ones. 

As I start my 26th year of teaching, I have realized more than ever education is changing, I need to continue my summer conversations so that the energy of summer flows into the new school year. My summer colleagues is a community that I want to continue and connect with throughout the school year.  Just because summer is over, it doesn't mean to stop thinking BIG. It just means the transition of new routines and integrating them into the new school year. 

Remembering to locate those special writing places in our lives.
My morning view.

OLW: Gratitude for Time to Write

There are times in my life when I know that my next steps are going to be difficult.  Not because I was in danger or a loved one is hurting, but because those steps are going to lead me down a path that I am not comfortable walking.

A journey begins with a first step. My first step started three years ago when I pushed the word “publish” on my blog.  My path meandered along with blogging, and I was thrilled to have a place to share my thoughts. Choosing to take some bigger steps along with much encouragement and even more pushing from friends, I accepted a gracious offer to begin writing for Choice Literacy early last year.

My journey in writing continued as I attended Choice Literacy’s Writing retreat in Hocking Hills. My first steps felt like a young child learning to walk as I entered the lodge to start our day. I wasn’t sure of expectations, and the only thing I knew was that I was going to be given a gift---wrapped in time. Several hours a day to write, reflect, and confer with an amazing group of writers.

I often wonder why I don’t always embrace opportunities like this. I always tend to lean on the frightened side. The side that almost makes me say no but then I realize that I will be in a community of writers with all similar goals.  I will be in an environment that will not only nurture but also help me to understand that I am a writer.  I had the chance to stop time and think about my life as a writer. That was the biggest gift of all for me in the retreat. Time to hit the pause button on life and envision myself as a writer. Brenda, Choice Literacy editor, reminded us about the importance of time as she read from The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen

       “ …I can’t tell you exactly how you can make time for writing, but I assure you that you can.  I can also tell you that your relationship with time is more subjective that you might imagine.  The best way to get a handle on how much authority you actually have over your time is to start becoming aware of how you are spending it.”

I was reminded of so many lessons that I had lost somewhere in my busy life. Lessons that involve finally saying out loud “I am a writer.” Learning that I am in control of my time and when I choose one thing I lose something else. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “waste time well.”  For me as I continue down a winding path that has opened to so many different avenues I have gratitude for the experiences and most of all I am thankful because I had the courage to take that next little step.

This is my cue card that I chose to place next to my
computer to help me remember the lessons learned.

#300

I never know when to share those moments that make me so happy I could scream from the tallest mountain but since OH is void of any mountains I have decided to share one of my exciting moments on my blog. Today is number 300 post...who knew until I checked my design tab? 

Compliments of Google images (thanks Mary Lee for teaching me to give credit to photos)

I never imagined starting my blog on August 7, 2010 would lead to 300 posts.  I remember wondering if I could do this all by myself because so many friends had a blogging partner.  I remember several Central OH bloggers holding my hand virtually telling me it was going to be ok and it is.  A HUGE thanks to all my cheerleaders in OH. 

Last year's OLW was reflection and this year's OLW is gratitude.  Both powerful words for me as I think about all of the amazing opportunities that have happened because of the connections that I have made through my blog along with twitter.  The new family that I have found and enjoy working with at National Center for Family Literacy along with having the opportunity to write for Choice Literacy. All my virtual friends that I have never met but still feel like I know is amazing.  Who knew that I would become friends with so many authors when 3 years ago I was just reading their books and wishing that I could meet them.  The connections I have made are priceless.   

As my summer begins and one of my favorite parts is becoming a full time student again-learning from others by reading blogs, articles and twitter chats (#5thchat and #titletalk). By attending professional conferences and having conversations that will enrich my learning and taking the time to read and write which will lead to several more blog posts and my ever growing community of learners.  Thanks to my family and friends, I couldn't have done it without all of you!!