Now what? Making it real.

Safely back at home with my mind full of tips and tools and sound bytes, I am reminded that you can't do it all tomorrow. We have posted a tremendous amount of information that doesn't even scrape the surface of what we saw, heard, and tried during this conference. I imagine it is overwhelming to read and identify what is useful for YOU in a manageable way. So, below is a list of strategies, tools, resources, etc. that I could walk through with you (and sometimes explore more in depth alongside you) ASAP if one or two suit your fancy moving forward into the new year. Many of these cross disciplinary boundaries. Think creatively!

• Using graphic novels in a Primary School age classroom
• Using keynote (an iPad app) to create digital picture books written and narrated by students
• Setting up a blog for communication of classroom information (newsletter, dailys, etc.)
• Strategies for helping students collect ideas for writing (heart maps, fingerprints, hand maps, writing territories, memory chains, etc.)
• Using mentor texts (fiction and informational) as a regular part of writing workshop
• Using a simple acronym (CLAPS) to structure narrative (imaginative or creative)
• Growing as a writer yourself (and the importance of being a writer as a teacher of writing)
• Tangible activities for LA related professional development
• Creating a "tool kit" for conferencing with writers during Writing Workshop when they struggle and helping them solve the problem and move forward successfully
• Websites and apps for the iPad that allow students to read/watch/listen to digital picture books
• Using kidblog or edublog with student as co-authors and responders

Please contact me to set up a time to meet one-on-one if something here piques your interest!

--CMSchilly

Free Technology For Teachers

Blog by Richard Byrne that highlights innovative websites, apps, and ideas for integrating technology in the classroom. You can get an RSS feed to automatically update you when new ideas are posted.

https://www.freetech4teachers.com

Couldn't get much GREEN-er

Still in a twittery mess after seeing my most favorite YA author, John Green.
















...and coming out January10, 2012:



m. mcm.


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Location:E 11th St,Chicago,United States

Weaving a personal world wide web

"We are in a CULTURAL revolution as well in a technical revolution."

As educators, we must be open to several possibilities -- we must "shoot for the moon."

For many, the interweb machine is a daunting monster, waiting to gobble fledgling tech-niks alive. In this case, shooting for the moon is a tough order to fill.

So... Make the moon your goal, but first, get into orbit!

The first step to orbit is to declare your mission status:
_____ building a rocket
_____ on the launch pad
_____ been to space a few times
_____ in orbit already

Next, choose a platform for your mission. There are sites out there allowing educators to:
*link students to specific sites
*give students directions with ease
*collect student work
*give assessments
*invite student comments
*display student work
*post reminders for students AND colleagues
*archive lessons

Scoop It

Blogger

Google Docs

Google Goggles

Young Writers Program

National Writing Project

Practice with social media gives students:
*digital decoding skills
*an understanding of how to effectively communicate publicly in writing
*familiarity and comfort with sharing their ideas and written work on a public platform

USING THE INTERWEB MACHINE: It is more than just a skill, it is a means of interfacing with ideas and with the world. It is a mode of thinking and expressing in all grades.

m. mcm.

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21st Century Reading/Writing workshop

I just attended a workshop by two ELA teachers from a middle school in Texas that has gone almost completely digital as far as the technology and devices used to read, write, blog, and respond in all subjects. They shared projects, websites, and web based student management applications that they all use both at home and at school that truly harness the Web 2.0 platform, which I believe, is the direction of education.

Students are allowed any and all wifi enabled devices (including iPhones and iPads) to manage digital assignment organizers, upload blog posts, create and update websites, and share ideas, both in and out of school. The foundation of their strict acceptable use policy is that all postings "must be kind, must be necessary, and must be true." They prefaced their presentation with the fact that their school had one computer lab and one laptop cart two years ago, and children were not allowed to access wifi... Many of the technologies and applications that children now use effortlessly didn't even exist a couple years ago.

The projects that were shared and the level of writing that children were posting online for their school community to read was incredible. Below is a link to their website that catalogues many of the apps and web based resources they incorporate. Most are 100% free of charge.

Twobytes@atime

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Writing to Improve Reading Comprehension

We explored written responses as part of daily reading practice. Going beyond the verbal response and asking children to explain what they know and why they know it in different ways.

Some great questions to ask readers to write about:
What did you do as a good reader?
What strategy did you use today that helped you?

For Sharon Taberski's PowerPoint slides go to:
Sharontaberski.com
Select: WORKS at the top of the page
Select: Writing Supports Reading Comprehension

I have not read it yet, but Laura Robb referred us to a Carnegie Foundation Study at: www.carnegie.org/literacy
Title: Evidence for how writing can improve reading


- Lynne



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Location:S Wabash Ave,Chicago,United States

Finding the time

I attended a session about developing the writing craft as an adult and as a teacher. It is to the benefit of the students when the teacher is practicing what they are preaching, so to speak. There was a lot of discussion about what to write and how to share what you write, and the question of when to find the time was posed. Finding the time to write personally and creatively can be difficult when you're spending a large portion of your time either writing professionally or reading to provide feedback on the work of others.

Organizing a teacher writing group is something I have considered for a long time at TPS, knowing we have many talented and passionate writers within the faculty. It would be a time to write together, or share our creative prose or poetry. Would anyone be interested in this? Would anyone be willing to join a group and meet after school once in a while, maybe once a month, to share pieces and discuss writing, maybe receive feedback?

-Jackie


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Tablet PCs via iPad

With our recommendation from NYSAIS about technology in mind, I went to a session where the focus was how to use tablet pcs in the classroom. It basically seemed like a laptop with SMARTboard capabilities. Considering the wonders of the splash top app, I'd rather stick with the iPad and invest in a stylus.

I did learn more about the program OneNote and will consider looking into it more at home. Seems like a great way organize your lessons, grades, and personal lists of to dos in one spot. However, I believe there are a couple of apps similar to that for the iPad, too.

Overall, this session made me appreciate how invested in technology we are as a school and the emphasis placed on all teachers developing a comfort level with the tools available to us.

-Jackie
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Books For Children Part 2, Pam Munoz Ryan

After lunch and several award presentations, Pam Munoz Ryan took the stage. She shared her journey to the dreamer with story and photographs. She moved through the experiences that first made her a reader and then a writer. We were treated to a reading of Toney Boloney, a book inspired by her son, and her most recent book, The Dreamer which is quite powerful.

One of the things that I love about hearing an author read their work aloud is the opportunity to hear the pausing and intonation exactly as it was meant to be. The anecdotes and explanations were just icing on the cake.

Two favorite quotes:

"As artists and writers we write and draw without knowing whose lives we touch."

"My reasons for writing are inextricably woven around my reasons for reading."

-Lynne



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Books For Children Luncheon

Charlie Jackson's Guide to Not Reading

I just had a great lunch with new author Tommy Greenwald. The story was inspired by his three boys.




We all loved his book themed t shirt! Look at the back! A book for those reluctant readers out there.



-Lynne

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Sorry! Try this link instead....

www.whoisharrisburdick.com

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Who is Harris Burdick?

Bumped into Chris Van Allsburg last night before a mesmerizing presentation about children's literature and it's implications as a springboard for student writing...he's an impressive individual with a quick wit and an even more imaginative mind. Check out this website, narrated by Lemony Snicket, that promotes his newest book, The Chronicles of Harris Burdick

www.whoisharrisburdick.com


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freaking OUT!

I just met Simone Elkeles, gave her my card, and she's sending me 25 Perfect Chemistry posters!!!! Some TPS girls (past and present) and E. Betti are going to freak OUT!

Graphic novels in primary school

The current presenter just shared a graphic novel unit she did with second graders.
Part 1: immersion in graphic novels (see document on her website for list of K-4 recommendations)
Part 2: writing own graphic novels and related mini lessons
Part 3: use of PhotoStory to record voiceovers and post to class blog(edublog)

Check out her resources here

-CMSchilly

Online posters?

Interesting possibilities? I haven't explored it yet, but am in a presentation on using technology with readers and Glogster was referenced.

Anybody want to play with it and let us know what you think? Yes or yes?

-CMSchilly

Fly Me to the Moon

The best way to kick off a great session...

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Learning From Storytelling

My sketch of a blank visual portrait outline:






Three teachers use this often as an outline for oral storytelling. The children's versions are much more attractive! Depending on the age group, they use words or pictures to think through their story before telling it aloud. Each child practices a few times, trying to add detail and more expression as they share with their audience.

One first grade teacher used the video camera on her tablet to record her students "story podcasts."

It got me wondering, the idea of a visual portrait to outline a story seems as if it will help to expand the details available to a storyteller of any age. Most children speak with greater detail than their writing. We often share as a Pre or post-writing activity, but why not use it as the activity?

If we develop oral storytelling skills, then that experience should also impact written storytelling.

-Lynne

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Interesting Technology Option for early childhood and up

A website with interesting possibilities: teacher or student created sideshows with many options for sharing comments.


ed.voicethread.com


- Lynne



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Billy part two

Should have added this before.....



The great Billy Collins signing Lori's book :)
-Jackie

Met Billy Collins

Met and listened to the FABULOUS Billy Collins. I was unfamiliar with his work prior to today. After listening to his humorous opening comments and his amazing poems, I am now officially a fan as well! I recommend everyone check out the poem, "Schoolville" and "What She Said." Very funny.


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Initial images

Enjoy a few snapshots from the first day.

Possible writing prompts? Vignettes?

























m. mcm.


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Books Books BOOKS!

Grabbed some great titles this afternoon:

Writing notebooks

Romeo & Juliet

Grammar

MORE grammar!

Lesson plans (writing)

Media-rich classrooms

m. mcm.




Hello, twinkle-tinkle ceiling!

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Hey ps teachers

http://www.candacefleming.com/

Teacher's Guide for Story Structure

Grammar project

I would love to discuss this back at school. The Grammar Project started as a question from a teacher to a member of Fordham's faculty, and it evolved into a committee forming to think, ask questions about grammar of each other, and develop a plan for grammar instruction in the classroom. It included teachers from all areas of the school, and it was a voluntary committee. The product was an excellent model for teaching grammar in the classroom and knowing just what to teach. I will try to find the wiki address later.

Something to think about: Would this benefit TPS? Should we gather members of all disciplines to discuss grammar in the classroom and how to help students learn how to edit their own and one another's work?

"High cost errors" was a phrase they used frequently in terms of reading and correcting a student's written work. Essentially, what errors undermine the author's voice and impair his or her ability to communicate ideas to the reader? They suggested taking those high cost errors and teaching to those first. Another interesting point of discussion was the frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed we as teachers find ourselves struggling with when trying to read and correct student work. When the author's ability to communicate with the reader is compromised, the reader focuses less on the content of the work and more on the errors within the work. I have some very interesting tips, advice, and practical use ideas from this session that I'd be willing to share at a meeting or professional development day.

-Jackie




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ANSWER ME!

"Reading is both an emotional and cognitive journey." -presenter person

What is a book/text that changed you?

(presenter read an example from food critic Michael Spurn who wrote about the Sear's catalogue)

Share titles with us below! No need to explain why, but you can if you want


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TPS WRITERS UNITE!

Visited a session that discussed something called Writers Week. Definitely something to consider at TPS, though perhaps on a smaller scale: Writers Day. It is wildly successful at the high school and junior high level, and it involves bringing everyone - famous authors, community authors, student authors, and even faculty - to share writing at an ongoing assembly throughout the day. Teachers, typically English teachers, bring their students down to the auditorium when a reader is of particular interest to that class. They recommend having two people coordinate such an event because it takes time and considerable work to put it together, but the end product is a community completely invested in and excited about writing. Just a thought...

Jackie


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This book was just mentioned as a powerful mentor text for children both in examining the text for examples of quality narrative writing and in examining larger ideas of character development and choice-making. The presenter read it aloud to 4th grade and used it as a group reading book with 7th grade.

Larger questions: What books do you use as mentor texts for your age writers? How do you draw attention to higher level analysis of text at any age?



- Colleen

To the races!

Yesterday evening we attended the opening general session. After a lot of introductions and award presentations they introduced the keynote speaker, Natasha Trethewey. You can read a quick bio and some of her poems here .

For lack of a better term for the genre, she is something of a historical poet, taking events from the public record (Katrina, Civil War, etc.) and her personal record (her parents experience as a mixed race couple, her school experience in Mississippi, etc.) and using poetry to make sense and tell a story in a new way. After speaking briefly on her goals as a poet and educator (summary: to foster awareness about public versus personal historical record and the intersection of personal and public histories) she read many of her poems.

Afterwards over some sushi and sake we agreed that, while her work was thought provoking and a definite embodiment of the term "language art" we wished she and NCTE had directed the opening session more towards the path and the teachers (intentional or no) who influenced her growth as a writer along the way. That is why we are here: we are a captive, teachable audience who is eager to become more able to teach.

Wireless access is costly and sometimes limited, many of us will be posting in the evening. Please check back. In the meantime...we leave you with this amusing photo from the Blackstone Hotel. Time to TASTE!



- Jackie, Lynne, Morgan, Maddie, & Colleen