The View From Here

October 15, 2014Uncategorizedclassroom perspective, Grant Wiggins, Juliet Bell, Kepler's Dream, Shadowing studentspaulabourque

This week I read a fascinating post on Grant Wiggin’s blog entitled A Veteran Teacher Turned Coach Shadows 2 students for 2 Days – a Sobering Lesson Learned. She said of the experience, “I waited fourteen years to do something that I should have done my first year of teaching: shadow a student for a day. It was so eye-opening that I wish I could go back to every class of students I ever had right now and change a minimum of ten things…”

She goes on to share her experience and her reflections on her 3 key takeaways:

Students sit all day, and sitting is exhausting.
High School students are sitting passively and listening during approximately 90% of their classes.
You feel a little bit like a nuisance all day long.

It got me wondering what takeaways we might have if we were to shadow our elementary school students. I suspect we might find a few similar observations, but I also think that being in a self-contained classroom would have its own idiosyncrasies. I am sure I would have a lot more empathy for the students in my classes/ lessons, and some deeper insights into how they perceive the role of the teacher and the tasks they are given. I would love to take a day and just be a part of a class, not as the teacher or coach. I would like to try to follow the rules. No checking email. No going to the bathroom without permission from another person. No getting up when my back hurt or my leg falls asleep. I would need to do what was asked, when it was asked, and probably do it more quietly than I am used to. I would have to sit next to people who might annoy me or bother me and just ‘ignore them’. I would have to listen to people share answers that are incorrect or ideas that are confusing and not jump in with help or clarifying questions. I wouldn’t do it to critique other teachers, I would only want to experience the view from the other side of the desk to help inform my own teaching. (The last thing we need is more teacher bashing!)

So I’m not suggesting this to ‘dis’ teachers or the structures we have set up in our classrooms. I am truly curious about to walk a mile in another’s shoes. What does our classroom look like from the viewpoint of a child sitting in front of us? What are their concerns, questions or frustrations? What would a student think of my interactions or my directions? Would this experience cause me to change anything about my classroom or my discourse?

What do you think YOUR students might be experiencing that you hadn’t considered before? Would YOU want to be a student in your own classroom all day long? Knowing how much thought and intention goes into planning and engagement in our schools, I think many of us would answer yes, but I am wondering if we might tweak a few things with a different perspective. I’ll let you know if I get a chance to try this out. I’d love to hear YOUR perspective.

What’s On My Book Radar?

I’ve been trying to finish this book for a few weeks now. Attempting to balance my professional reading, my writing and my family life has left my personal reading with the ‘short stick’. As soon as I click “post” on this blog tonight, however, I am crawling under the covers to complete Kepler’s Dream. In this middle grade novel, Ella has been sent to stay with her eccentric grandmother when her own mother is ill with leukemia and undergoing a stem cell transplant. Staying with her father “wasn’t an option”. When her grandmother’s prized book Kepler’s Dream goes missing one evening the plot begins to read like the game CLUE. I love what Donalyn Miller posted on Goodreads in her review…”Books have bindings made of glue and thread and they bind us to each other, too. This quiet book about family, loss, and books touched me. It isn’t perfect, but it’s beautiful. Just like life.”

As I was searching the web for an image of the book I came across an article in Albuquerque News announcing that principal photography for the feature film “Kepler’s Dream” began in August. So if you want to be in-the-know with your students who love books that become films, you can encourage them to check out Kepler’s Dream by Juliet Bell.

Happy Reading!

What About Volume Writing?

October 8, 2014UncategorizedBrad Meltzer, high volume reading, high volume writing, Maine Literacy Council, Ordinary People Who Changed the Worldpaulabourque

After last week’s Maine Literacy Council Fall Book Bonanza I had a longer list of TBR (to be read) books and an eagerness to dive into some of those new titles as soon as possible. I love being a part of reading celebrations and sharing that sense of community with other readers.

One of the activities we did, was to create a grafitti wall where teachers could share new or favorite titles and a wall where they shared ideas for building a community of readers in their classrooms. Some teachers shared ideas for encouraging reading with their students.

I’ve been thinking quite a bit these last few years about increasing the volume of reading in our students’ lives. At our schools we have hosted 25 Book Challenge (for half a year), 40 Book Challenge (for the full year) as well as Summer Reading Challenges (Summer Kids), Maine Student Book Award Challenges, and classroom reading incentives. The goal for all of these has been to encourage volume reading. Much has been written on the importance of high volume reading to foster fluency, increase vocabulary, deepen comprehension and expand a students’ world view. I don’t think I could find an educator who would dispute the importance of increasing the reading that most of our students do.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the importance of high volume writing. As with any skill, the more you do it, the more opportunity you have to grow and become stronger. Again, I don’t think any teachers would argue that more writing wouldn’t be a good thing for our students. So where are the challenges and incentives to help us promote a greater volume of writing from our students? Where are the studies that analyze its effects on student learning and skills? Where are the tips for encouraging students to engage in more writing?

I’m not sure we need to wait for someone to conduct a study or promote a product to help us encourage more writing from our students. I guess we just need to put it on our radar and look for those opportunities and create those supports. So maybe we can share our thinking, ideas, and approaches for increasing the volume of writing in our classrooms and in our students’ lives. Let me know what you are thinking? Let me know what you are trying. I’ll do the same.

How are YOU promoting volume writing in your schools?

WHAT’S ON MY BOOK RADAR?

One way to promote more writing, might be to introduce books that kids may want to try versions of their own. This collection of biographies by Brad Meltzer just might be a good choice. The message in this series of books is that we can all be heroes. He show us this by revealing the childhood lives of some very famous people. They weren’t always heroes, they were first kids, just like our students. They stretched their thinking, made good choices and weren’t afraid to take chances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crcvIaJv_q4

For the Love of Good Books

September 24, 2014Uncategorizedpaulabourque

This post will be short and sweet, as this week I am elbow deep in preparations for a wonderful book event next week. Our Maine Literacy Council, formerly the Maine Reading Association, is hosting our 3rd annual Open House Book Bonanza! I love this event because it is an opportunity to see what is new in children’s literature for 2014 as well as network with people who love books and reading as much as I do!

As president of the Maine Literacy Council I will be honing my emcee skills as my colleagues and I book talk some of our favorite reads of the year thus far. We will also be showcasing Maine’s Student Book Award nominees for this school year. I always leave events like this with by TBR (to be read) list multiplying exponentially!

We spend a lot of our days helping students find those just right books. We believe that there are books out there waiting for each reader to connect with. We know how exciting it is when a kid experiences “book love”. But what about our friends and colleagues? How can we create a lifelong joy of reading and live what we teach?

Well, Book Bonanzas or Book Nights might be one way. It’s certainly one that I look forward to. However, time constraints are a reality in our lives that we sometimes have difficulty overcoming. If a night doesn’t work for you and your colleagues, what are some other ways you can share those titles and build a community of grown up readers?

Incorporate a 5 minute book talk at staff meetings. Encourage staff to sign up and share a new or favorite book. Think about the evaluating, summarizing and synthesizing skills we could practice as we prepare our talks!
Start a staff room book review board. Post a copy of a book jacket on a refrigerator door or bulletin board with your review of the book. If others have read it, invite them to post their own review. Change it up each month or keep an ongoing collection of book reviews.
You might like this if….create a 2 column staff favorite list. On one side is the title of a loved book, in the other column teachers can recommend other books you might like based on the genre, author, series, etc.
Book Bunch Facebook group…invite staff (or friends) to join a group on Facebook devoted to talking up and recommending good books. You could discuss a book several of you are reading or simply post titles, recommendations and requests on the page that others could comment.
Book Groups….a classic, but a good one. There’s nothing quite like sharing the reading experience of a good book with others and seeing what they took away from it or how they respond to it.
Goodreads is the world’s largest site for readers to connect and recommend books. Their mission is “to help people find and share books they love”. What a fantastic way to belong to a huge community of readers. They’ll recommend titles based upon your reviews and your likes. You can see what your friends are reading and what is trending.

What are some other suggestions you might have for sharing the love of reading and good books with your friends and colleagues? I would love to hear them!

In the meantime, if you are in Maine next week…consider yourself invited!

Click below for the Book Bonanza Invitation

https://www.smore.com/x1nr-maine-reading-associaton?embed=1

Seek and You Shall Find

September 17, 2014UncategorizedBrown Girl Dreaming, New Teacher, Perceptions, The Fourteenth Goldfish, We Were Liarspaulabourque

Trying to get back into the blogging routine at the start of the school year was a little tougher than I had anticipated. One of my favorite tasks as a literacy coach is to support the new teachers in our district. This year we have seven at the elementary level, and that is quite a lot by our usual standards. I’ve spent days in classrooms and evenings messaging them on Facebook or scouring the web for resources. It has been terrific and they have been amazing! Their energy, enthusiasm and passion for teaching is contagious. Even though I have been incredibly busy, I am energized.

Watching them prepare their classes and then step out of the role of student and into the role of teacher has been humbling. They are tired, but they push through. They get frustrated, but they persist. They find success and they are eager to share it. It reminds me just how hard and yet rewarding teaching is for all of us.

Some people think of new teachers as naive. I choose to think of them as ‘fresh’! They don’t have the baggage of preconceived notions about certain kids, their families or other staff members. They are looking for the best in all of us, and they continually see it. It doesn’t mean they are blind to student behaviors or deaf to parent comments. It means they perceive them through a lens that is not jaded or biased. They seek to understand, not to judge. Experience will eventually shape many of these perceptions, but I think this group of new teachers are providing us with some great experience as well.

SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND

I have always believed that you will see whatever it is that you are looking for. Our beliefs shape our perception. Think about experiences you have had with some negative people (if you have been lucky enough to never meet any-use your imagination). Comments like, “This class is so lazy.” or “These kids just don’t get it.” are supported by examples of students who don’t try, who refuse to make attempts or who submit sloppy work. You would think that is all that exists in that classroom. What are the odds of that?

Think about experiences you have had with positive people. Comments like, “These kids really care about each other.” or “This is such a great group of kids.” are supported by examples of students who are kind to one another, polite, encouraging or well behaved. What are the odds that every moment in that classroom is blissful behavior?

Our reality is shaped by our perception.

That isn’t to say that all you have to do is chant, “This class is the best in the school!” and the students will miraculously transform into brilliant scholars and benevolent classmates. But if you look for opportunities to ‘catch them’ being kind or trying hard-you will see it. When you notice it, they will repeat it! Some days and with some classes, we need to look really hard. But I promise you-if you look, really look with an open mind and an open heart, you will see what you are looking for. Being around these new teachers lately has reminded me of that. I want to carry that with me as the energy and engagement ebbs and flows during the course of our school year. I wish that for every teacher I work with.

What will you look for tomorrow?

What’s On My Book Radar?

I can happily report that I met my Book a Day Challenge for the summer. It wasn’t as hard as I thought when I could read a few picture books a day to catch up! I read some amazing books this summer. Here are a few:

I felt like a kid on Christmas morning when this book arrived in the mail. I headed for the beach and soaked up the sun as I swam through the chapters. Jackie Woodson’s words were like candy to me, and I just couldn’t stop. The memoir of her childhood, told in verse is poignant and profound and perfect!

Another “beach read” was We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. At first I thought it would be a trifling tale of privileged “summer people” who feel sorry for themselves with their first world problems. Boy was I surprised! Sure it was a story about privilege and power, but just below that superficial surface is a story of human tragedy and forgiveness that will leave you thinking about this family long after you close up the book and leave the beach!

Time to lighten the mood with this fun story from Jenni Holm (Baby Mouse, Squish and Amelia May author). When a bossy boy shows up at her school, who looks a lot like her grandfather, Ellie gets some science and life lessons she never could have imagined. A well written, thoughtful and thought provoking story that makes me appreciate this author even more than I have for years. A quick read-you’ll love it!

Welcome New Teachers!

August 20, 2014Uncategorizedpaulabourque

One of the best parts of my job as a literacy coach is working with new teachers. I love their energy, passion and joy; especially as they prepare for their first days in the classroom. I have spent the last week working with some fantastic new hires to our district and I feel energized by that connection. I have thought a lot over the years about how to best welcome new teachers into our fold. How do we support them, without overloading them? They cannot possibly absorb all of the organizational knowledge and history of a school and ‘get up to speed’ with the rest of the staff on every initiative we’ve been immersed in over the years. So, I am trying to keep my tips simple. Here are a few of the things new teachers and I have talked about recently.

JUST BE THERE

Focus on the kids, not the curriculum for the first few weeks of school. The kids will want to know 2 things when they come into your classroom. 1. Do I have any friends? 2. Does my teacher like me? Your biggest job is to make sure they can answer YES to both of those questions. Creating a classroom community of inclusion, kindness and collaboration takes time. Take that time right at the start to lay the foundation. Create positive relationships with every one of your students. Learn their names. Learn something about them. Let them learn about you!

Set expectations and help everyone find success with them. How do you want them to enter the room? How do you want them to speak up in class? How do you want them to work independently? Make sure they know what it should look like and sound like and feel like and then practice it. Consider every part of the day a teaching opportunity. Kids talking too loud? Great teaching opportunity. Kids having trouble sharing? Great teaching opportunity. Kids jockeying for position in line? Great teaching opportunity.

Seek to understand. It takes time to figure out why some kids are shy, why some are angry, why some are impulsive. Everyone is different and we believe this (on a surface level) yet we frustrate ourselves when we can’t make them all quiet, or patient, or considerate. The same way we know not every child learns to read at the same pace, we need to remember that not every child learns to “do school” at the same pace. Try not to show your frustration, they need to hear and believe the message “I have faith in you. I know you can do this.”

Be patient with yourself! Things won’t go the way you planned. It’s ok. Kids won’t do everything you tell them to. It’s ok. Your beautifully organized classroom will get trashed. It’s ok. It’s not because you are new, believe me. It is happening in every classroom up and down the hall. THAT is what school is about…learning, problem solving, creativity, adapting. Don’t stress about the things you weren’t able to do – the kids will never know!! Don’t stress that things aren’t perfect – they never will be!!

Laugh a lot-it’s usually pretty hilarious! Kids will take a cue from how you react to situations. A little laughter and levity can reduce tension and anxiety and help you hit that ‘restart’ button! Say you’re sorry-model that courtesy whenever possible. Simple comments like “I’m sorry boys and girls, I forgot to show you how I expected you to line up. My fault! Let’s try that again” will go a long way in creating a nurturing classroom climate. Share your problem solving-when things don’t go the way you envision, demonstrate how people are flexible and creative in working through it. “I can’t find that graphic organizer I wanted to show you so I’m going to create my own- they are really just a way to organize our thinking so I’ll show you how I organize my thinking.” Model and notice kindness-They expect kindness from the teacher, but they may not notice it in their classmates. Look for examples, comment on them and you will see an abundance. It could be a public announcement like, “Thank you Marc for sharing your space on the rug.” or you might talk to Marc in private, “I notice when you come to the rug that you make room for your friends. That is a really kind thing to do to help others feel welcome.” Some kids don’t like to be singled out, others relish the spotlight, once you get to know your kids you will get a better sense of their needs.

FOR STAFF WELCOMING NEW TEACHERS

Here’s what I have learned from watching veteran teachers who are masters at welcoming new teachers:

Listen-It’s easy to want to share lots of ideas and activities with new teachers. They can be easily overwhelmed with information. Veteran teachers who ask, “How’s it going?” and then listen, wait, and listen more, allow the new teacher time to process what their questions, concerns and anxieties might be. They let the new teachers know that their thoughts are legit and important. I know personally I sometimes feel like I have asked a silly question if somebody fires back a quick fix answer that makes me think, “Oh, I probably should have known that.” Veteran teachers know that responding to questions is as much about building a relationship as it is offering information. Veterans also know that when new teachers are sharing concerns that they aren’t always looking for someone to fix it, they sometimes just need to share and think out loud to someone they trust. I often see veterans nod and agree and then sometimes ask, “Do you want to know what I did?” to let the new teacher know that we’ve all been in that boat and had to work things out.

Do Things WITH them- I’ve seen veteran teachers volunteer to do a duty with the new teacher to mentor them through playground or lunchroom routines. I’ve seen them roll up their sleeves and sort books, staple paper to bulletin boards, or fill out name tags. Veteran teachers offer to help plan lessons to get the new teacher off to a good start. I’ve seen principals and staff take a new teacher out to lunch or have get-togethers with all staff to build relationships beyond the school walls. This time together is so much more helpful and valued by new teachers than a donation of extra classroom materials (though they truly do appreciate ‘stuff’ so they don’t have to buy it-they are usually broke!)

Give Specific Praise-Veteran teachers know that new teachers won’t get everything “right” in that first year and that they don’t need reminding of that. Pointing out what they are doing “wrong” isn’t helpful, it often reinforces the anxiety or lack of confidence that can hit new teachers. The veterans I have learned from give specific praise to reinforce the great things new teachers are doing. “Wow, I notice you made your class line up 3 times until they got it right. Every kid knows that expectation now.” Because other teachers are busy in their own classrooms and can’t notice the new teachers routines, I’ve watched assistant teachers (ed techs), coaches and principals provide that praise during the day.

Give Them Opportunities to Share-It’s hard to always be on the receiving end of the help hot line! It is empowering to have opportunities to share as well. I have seen some new teachers share ideas in teachers rooms only to be met with, “Yeah, been there, done that.” or “That might work in your classroom.” The veteran teachers who are most welcoming not only listen and welcome new ideas, they seek them out. They’ll ask new teachers “Hey what have you learned about_______?” or “I saw that project your kids did, can you show me where you got that idea?” Those veteran teachers seek to include new teachers and their energy, passion and ideas into the school culture. They realize we are all better together than we are alone.

These first few days and weeks of school are magical moments. They are filled with anticipation, excitement, fear, hope, joy… for students AND teachers. As Charles Dickens said, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” May we all embrace these next few weeks as a time to build community, to celebrate differences and to lighten the burdens of another. Welcome new teachers, we’ve been waiting for you!

What’s On My Book Radar?

I am quickly running out of time for summer reading….AHHHHH! Luckily I had time for this gem. Nine years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. My only understanding came from news reports and accounts told from an adult’s perspective (Dave Egger’s Zeitoun). Julie T. Lamana was a literacy specialist in Louisiana when Katrina devastated her state. She gained some amazing insights into the survivors’ experiences and put them to paper in her fictional middle grade novel Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere. I couldn’t put this book down, I wanted to see what would happen to Armani Curtis as she tried to celebrate her tenth birthday in the Lower Nines of New Orleans. I can only say that I felt like I was there, and have greater insight into the chaos, frustration and pain that the victims endured. Though a tragic story it is filled with hope and bravery and love as told through the eyes of a ten year old child who had to grow up much too fast!.

Stand on Your Desk

August 12, 2014UncategorizedDead Poet's Society, I Kill the Mockingbird, Linda Rief, Robin Williamspaulabourque

“I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way.” -Robin Williams (as John Keating in Dead Poet’s Society)

Many of us are in shock as the news of Robin William’s death reverberates throughout the media landscape. We are in disbelief that the man who moved us with laughter in his comedy and tears in his drama is gone. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, are abuzz with condolences and remembrances. Many are posting or asking others what their favorite Robin Williams’ movie or quote was. I think teachers can easily relate to the passionate teacher he portrayed (John Keating) in Dead Poet’s Society or the insightful therapist (Dr. Sean Maguire) in Good Will Hunting. Both characters pushed young men to discover their talents and live their lives fully-a desire most of us have for our own students.

I was just beginning my teaching career when Dead Poet’s Society was released. My first year of teaching was incredibly difficult and many times I fought the urge to give up and and walk away. Though I didn’t teach preppy high school boys, I was completely inspired by this fictional teacher’s approach to life and learning. I held onto the belief that teachers do make a difference, and though they may not be rewarded by society for their efforts, the impact on the lives of their students is incredibly rewarding. I stayed in teaching.

I did not know Robin Williams personally, the characters he portrayed were not real, and yet my experiences with his work and his persona have impacted my life. Every experience we have shapes who we are. Every event, book, movie, play, poem, song, dream or relationship has an impact on who we are, how we think, how we work. I will take some time this week to revisit and remember some of those experiences he gave me, and be grateful for his talented life. I am reminded that we are only here briefly on this planet, and that every moment counts. I want to make my moments count. I want to “stand on my desk” and remember to look at things in a different way.

As we go back into our classrooms, maybe we can reflect on this, and be inspired by this. Be brave, do good things, and your body of work will live on long after you are gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQrVf71NjyQ

What’s on My Book Radar

Talk about “doing good things”, this book is a testament to great teaching! I love Linda Rief. She is the real deal when it comes to walking the talk! My son is going into 8th grade and I wish she was going to be his teacher. So excited to get my hands on this book and learn from one of the best. If you use a workshop model of reading and writing in your middle grade or middle school classroom, this book is a must for your professional library!

So many books, so little time! As my summer is quickly coming to a close, there are still so many books I want to read. I Kill the Mockingbird has been one of them. Three friends try to create a buzz about reading their late teacher’s favorite book (To Kill a Mockingbird). They hatch a plan to create a shortage of the book in their community, thereby creating a demand. A perfect book for fanatic readers!

Picture Book 10 for 10 is back! Reflect and Refine blogger Cathy and Enjoy and Embrace Learning‘s Mandy have hosted this event the past 5 years. They share their top 10 “Can’t live without” picture books and invite others to post their own selections of 10 picture books. What are your “Go to” picture books that you love?

Happy Reading.

Happy Anniversary, Teachers!

August 6, 2014Uncategorizedpaulabourque

Today I am celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary, and I don’t want to spend it with this computer, so I’ll be brief. Naturally my thoughts turn this week to the importance of anniversaries. For many of us, like me today, we celebrate wedding anniversaries or other dates of significant importance in our lives. It is the perfect time to stop, remember and reflect. Today I am remembering why I chose to share my life with this wonderful man. He is the most patient, kind, gentle, intelligent and even-tempered man I know and I loved that about him. I am reflecting on why we chose to build a life together. I wanted someone to share my happiness and my sorrows. I wanted to create a family filled with love and joy. So today I don’t just remember those hopes, I reflect on how I am living them and keeping them as true today as they were 20 years ago.

This month, many teachers will be celebrating their “Teaching Anniversary “. While some give this little thought, others will spend time remembering those first days, weeks and year(s) of teaching. This anniversary is the perfect time to stop, remember and reflect. We cannot possibly remember everything but each teacher can easily conjure up images of incredible highs and lows no matter how long their career. Try to laugh at the gaffs and pause at the poignancy of those memories. As Martina McBride sang, “Every laugh line on your face made you who you are today,” or Kelly Clarkson mused, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!”

So as you are preparing your rooms and yourselves to go back into the classroom, I encourage you to celebrate your anniversary. Take time to remember the big and small moments that celebrate YOU as a teacher. But also take time to reflect on why you chose teaching as a career. What is it you wanted about teaching that would bring meaning to your life? Then as you step back into the classroom, bring that with you. Keep those hopes and dreams you had as a new teacher alive in your heart. Maybe you’ll find that you worry less about those bulletin boards, name tags, desk arrangements and school supplies and you’ll look forward to those faces looking up to you and those hearts ready to love you. You might embrace the challenge of those daring you to teach them or reach them. You might remember that making a difference requires making things different and that’s rarely easy. If your preparation doesn’t bring some joy or excited anticipation the way that first year did, ask yourself why? Anniversaries offer us opportunities to rekindle the magic. Life is too short to live without that magic.

Ocean field trip with my first graders, 20 years ago.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

What’s on My Book Radar?

Not exactly a beach book, but this is a must read for anyone who’s “First World Problems” are causing them angst. There are many books about the holocaust, most are not appropriate for school aged children to bear witness to, but The Boy on The Wooden Box is a powerful memoir about resilience, compassion and real heroes in life. Leon Leyson’s remarkable memoir takes us from the ghettos of Krakow to Oskar Schindler’s factory, and introduces us to one of the biggest heroes of the Holocaust.

A better ‘beach book ‘ might be The Summer I Saved the World in 65 Days. Nina Ross believes that simple kindness can change the world and she begins to live what she believes with subtle but profound results. Wish I had started reading this one at the beginning of the summer! Great read for ending a school year and launching kids into a summer of kindness.

HAPPY READING

Why Vacation Makes Me a Better Teacher

July 30, 2014UncategorizedAldo Zelnick, Boston, Freedom Trail, Karla Oceanak, Neil Gaiman, Teaching, Vacationpaulabourque

Cappucino at Cafe Vittoria (North End of Boston)

I spent the past weekend (plus a day) in Boston with my sisters and a friend from college (Southern Illinois University) that I hadn’t seen in over 20 years. When I first met Cheryl, she was a criminal justice major and I was a theater major. I suppose it is somewhat ironic that it led us to jobs that are very similar in education-me as a literacy coach in Maine and Cheryl as director of instructional support at the Indian Community School in Milwaukee.

As we talked and shared some great times together I realized how important it is for teachers to LIVE life outside of school, to immerse themselves in the history, culture, geography, and people of the world around them. This is the world we are trying to prepare our students for. Our goal isn’t to create successful students that exists only within the four walls of the classroom, it is to create citizens who appreciate and contribute to their communities and society in ways that enhance us all. We can’t guide our students toward that which we do not appreciate, understand or experience for ourselves! In the information age with the internet and variety of technology it is easy to forget how important first hand experiences are in shaping our understanding and appreciation of the world. I reflected on several examples this weekend which enhanced my life experience and in essence, will make me a better teacher.

HISTORY

Just mention the word Boston and images of colonial America and the American revolution come to mind. It is one thing to read about history, it is another to walk the same steps, view the same documents and surround yourself with the artifacts that define our history. We walked the Freedom Trail past the Old North Church, Paul Revere’s home, Faneuil Hall, the old state house (site of Boston Massacre) and through Boston Common. The city is dripping with history that teachers can bring to life in their classrooms.

We were also fortunate that one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta was on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, (along with two manuscript copies of the Declaration of Independence-one penned by Thomas Jefferson and one by John Adams, and the Sons of Liberty Bowl created by Paul Revere). I contemplated more than once, the significance of these artifacts in advocating the rights of individuals, and how that relates to the advocacy of student rights teachers champion each day. A teacher who can convey the relevance of historic documents and artifacts to our lives today, can help her students embrace their own role in the ongoing history of our society-to help them appreciate that our actions create the history for future generations.

CULTURE

While at the MFA, we also took in the incredible art on display. We were mesmerized by the ancient cultures of Egypt with the ornate artwork accompanying the dead into the after life, by the icons of the Renaissance, the illuminating strokes of the impressionists, the intricate strokes of the realists, and the whimsical strokes of the abstract expressionists. I was juxtaposing the interpretation of the world these artists displayed in their work, with the writing my students create to interpret and explain their world. Each brush stroke is like a pencil stroke, resulting in the culmination of a ‘masterpiece’ when the creator is finished. Each technique so different, each interpreted so differently, each awaiting the eye of the beholder.

GEOGRAPHY

Getting out and exploring the geography of your surroundings can not only be awe inspiring but eye opening. I reflected on how small the known geography of my students’ world is for most of them and how important it is for teachers to broaden their horizons to create possibilities. How would their thinking be different if they could envision the narrow cobblestone street of the North End of Boston while reading about immigrants, or hear the seagulls surrounding an incoming fishing boat heavy with the aroma of their catch as they study industry, or walk the varied coastlines of sand and rocky shores as they study weathering and geology. I contemplated ways to bring those experiences into the classroom for our students who are limited in their direct observation of the world outside of their neighborhoods. A teacher’s experiences shape the way they share, I want my own children’s teachers to share the world with them.

PEOPLE

Probably one of the most important reasons teachers need a vacation from their schools, is to interact with people from varying professions, regions, cultures, etc. The school year can keep us pretty insulated within the world of academia. The opportunity to immerse ourselves in other regions or communities helps us develop empathy, compassion, understanding, and appreciation for people who do not necessarily think, believe or live the way we do. We break down the walls of “otherness” when we meet and engage with a variety of people from different walks of life. Surprisingly, you often don’t really need to travel too far to experience this variety. If teachers don’t expand their worldview, they are limiting the educational opportunities they could offer their students as well as their ability to appreciate the uniqueness of individuals as human beings and not just students.

Make Way for Ducklings sculptures in Boston’s Public Garden

Now, I know a lot of people would argue that teachers could do this on weekends or on the week vacation many people get. Some could, but most spend weekends regrouping, recuperating and refocusing on their families, personal needs and even more work. It is only when those needs are met that teachers can engage in the ‘research’ of the world around them-can explore ways to bring the world into their classrooms. If society saw education as an investment in the lives of our children and our future, they would encourage their teachers to have as many rich experiences in life and as deep an understanding of the world as possible. They would honor the need for a break from the classroom for teachers AND students. (I will talk another time on why I think breaks from school are just as important for students.)

As Maya Angelou said, “You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.” Everything I have done this summer, will influence how I teach the rest of my life. My vacations make me a better teacher because I work hard, play hard and immerse myself in the “real world” that I am preparing my students to thrive in.

What’s on My Book Radar?

On my train ride home from Boston I devoured Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane. I was totally absorbed by this mesmerizing tale of the adventurous friendship between a young boy and his neighbor, Lettie Hempstock, as they try to save their community from a supernatural being that has invaded the town. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but fan’s of Gaiman’s fantasy style will LOVE this latest offering. Easily read in an afternoon, but will stay with you for much, much longer!

Also recommended is a series introduced to me by my longtime college friend, Cheryl Weber. Welcome to the world of Aldo Zelnick!

http://www.aldozelnick.com/books

Aldo is a 10 year old boy who lives with his family in Colorado. His story is told through a series of graphic novel books whose titles are presented in alphabetical order (Artsy Fartsy, Bogus, Cahoots…) The author, Karla Oceanak, also offers a glossary of words that correlate to that letter of the alphabet- a feature I thought would really turn kids onto vocabulary in a fun way. This series would be the elementary age equivalent to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but with a regional Rocky Mountain flare. (Talk about bringing the world into your classroom!).

So if you are looking for a series to engage younger readers who aspire to read Diary of a Wimpy kid, but aren’t quite ready to comprehend the tragicomedy of middle school- you might want to check out this series. You might have to do some searching though, as they are not on the shelves of many local libraries or bookstores just yet.

Slow Down, Look Around

July 24, 2014UncategorizedGratitude, Maine, Orphan Train, Summerpaulabourque

Many teachers I know are familiar with the analogy of summer vacation being like a weekend; June is the Friday, July is the Saturday and August is the Sunday. We tend to respond the same way to our summers as we do to our weekends, often driven by the same thoughts and behaviors. As I write this, on my “Saturday evening”, I am pausing to reflect and project on the time I call vacation. As much as I try, I cannot slow time, but I know I can be more present in the moments I am given, and that is about as close as I can come to deceleration.

So yesterday I decided that I was going to slow down and really look around. I wanted to try to be present in each moment I could, appreciate how beautiful my world is and be grateful for the life I have. I tried not to worry about ‘to do’ lists, work awaiting me at home or school, curriculum, manuscripts, housework, etc. Whatever I was doing, or wherever I was, I wanted to experience it fully.

As you can see, it did not stop time-the day passed, as all do. But I can already see that parts of that day are going to travel forward with me. Some of the images, some of the thoughts, some of the feelings I experienced made a strong enough impression that I hope will sustain me when life seems to be racing far too fast. When I revisit these images on those crazy days to come, I hope some of that peace and gratitude will revisit my spirit.

Now I happen to think I am incredibly lucky to live in a breathtakingly beautiful place. Maine has such diverse natural beauty that I can’t possibly experience it all in a single day, so I chose a few of my favorites to savor for my day. Wherever you live, you can find beauty as well. Let yourself be drawn to the places that fill you with awe and gratitude; a park, a cornfield, a stream, a city skyline or your backyard. When you find it, slow down. Look around. Tune out the rest of the world for just a few moments. Become awash with the sounds, the smells, the spectacle of what is in front of you and around you. Draw it, photograph it, write about it so that you can return to it when you need to.

We cannot slow or stop time, but we can capture moments with intention, focus and gratefulness. We can share them or stash them away for future reminiscence. Where will you slow down and look around and capture a moment?

May you savor your summer and replenish your spirit, wherever you are.

What’s on My Book Radar?

I just finished Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. I am not sure how this part of our nation’s history was something I knew almost nothing about. From the 1850’s to the 1930’s children categorized as orphans from cities and towns on the east coast, boarded trains and were shipped west. Though the benevolent intention was to find good homes for these unwanted children, that was not always the outcome. Baker beautifully weaves the life of 90 year old Vivian, a former train rider, with Molly, a young foster child in Maine as the strike up an unlikely friendship. You will truly appreciate how luck plays such a dramatic role in the fate of so many lives. I couldn’t help but think of our modern day ‘orphan’ crisis on the southern borders of our country right now as I read about the disparate acts of kindness or contempt that these helpless children faced. History does have a way of repeating itself.

#TeachersWrite

July 9, 2014Uncategorized#TeachersWrite, Gae Polisner, Jen Vincent, Jo Knowles, Kate Messner, Teachers Write, Virtual Writing Camppaulabourque

What are you doing this summer? Want to participate in the hottest camp around? Teachers Write is a virtual camp for teachers to create, develop and share writing with published authors who donate their time to mentor, encourage and provide feedback to teachers . As founder Kate Messner describes it, “Teachers Write is a community of teachers and librarians who believe that people teaching writing should walk the walk.”

I’ve become more and more convinced that teachers of writing should be teachers who write. That’s not to say we all need a goal to be a published author, but that we experience the highs and lows, the joys and the struggles of the writing process we are teaching our students. I first blogged (Teacher of Writing or Writing Teacher) about this in March after #Engchat on Twitter with Kelly Gallagher, Penny Kittle and Georgia Heard. I was struck by a quote from Donald Graves…

“You can’t call yourself a writing teacher if you are not writing yourself. “

That became a call to action for me. I needed to “Be the change I wished to see in the world.” (Gandhi) I had already been journaling daily and blogging weekly, but I started trying out some of the assignments that kids were being asked to do, and not finding them easy! I had a great deal more empathy for those novice writers and could better anticipate the supports that they may need to find success. I could appreciate the commitment and stamina it took to stay with a piece of writing that you didn’t feel invested in. One of the biggest perks that I hadn’t anticipated, was an even deeper appreciation for the books I was reading. The turn of a phrase, the imagery, the word choice, or structure of a book suddenly tasted sweeter!

It also gave me the courage to try my hand at some professional writing. I’ve immersed myself in reading, research and reflection on my teaching/coaching to help me compose some ideas around the teaching of writing. I have made a commitment to this project for the summer that will be shared with precious little else (my family, #Teachers Write and my #BookaDay challenge!).

If you are looking for a challenge this summer to take your thinking and teaching to a whole new level, I would strongly encourage you to sign up for Teachers Write and visit Kate Messner’s webpage to get started. You’ve only missed a few days as it runs July 7-August 15. You can follow Kate on Twitter @KateMessner as well as fellow authors and mentors Gae Polisner @GaePo, Jo Knowles @JoKnowles, Jen Vincent @mentor texts. There will also be guest authors throughout the ‘camp’ so you definitely do not want to miss out!

Kate asks that you support these authors by buying or checking out their books this summer. It’s also a great way to appreciate the thinking of these mentors when you are familiar with their work! So do yourself a favor this summer and join one of the BEST summer camps going! You don’t have to post your work, but if you do you will receive encouragement and support from some of the best in the business!!

HAPPY WRITING!!

What’s on My Book Radar?

I just finished these two books for my #BookaDay Challenge and I am ready to dive into some #TeachersWrite author books.

Nothing like a bit of fantasy during those summer evenings reading on the deck or hammock. These were amazingly quick reads as I was sucked right into the engaging plots. Time travel in SLB and legends and lore in TNG! LOVED them both!