tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76059267635986759582024-03-18T04:23:55.859-07:00Forever in FirstA First Grade BlogTammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comBlogger688125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-61800828756326060552021-05-14T17:38:00.005-07:002021-05-14T17:38:39.864-07:00Empowerment > Engagement<p>The title of this post might give the impression that I'm giving engagement a bad rap. Engagement is a good thing. It increases the odds that students will willingly get on the bus. Yet empowerment invites them to sit in the driver's seat. I have been on a quest the last few years, with the help of the Idaho Coaching Network, to find ways to move students to the front of the bus more frequently. Though I can confidently claim that I'm heading in the right direction, my pursuit of increasing empowerment has left me with more questions than answers. This post is a short and sweet summary of this journey.</p><p>My narrative began with the following essential question.</p><p>How can I empower my students by creating more opportunities for inquiry, curiosity, and research?</p><p>This question led me to the following books.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVRecfldZTWkV34tf4tgl7ClL-GGAmrEG4rUmlzLpi9OYKhjXJ76gCL4ZYXkX6o21TGxQl55y_LYd_T8jcqtaEogxvgifZ_-RBJpZ_ssjLGQVvVa7pZSdQ4eFs5J-XFO5asfLuAnmWes/s572/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.24.25+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="454" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVRecfldZTWkV34tf4tgl7ClL-GGAmrEG4rUmlzLpi9OYKhjXJ76gCL4ZYXkX6o21TGxQl55y_LYd_T8jcqtaEogxvgifZ_-RBJpZ_ssjLGQVvVa7pZSdQ4eFs5J-XFO5asfLuAnmWes/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.24.25+PM.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaFZCImkKrTLKn8gh1d_bplHObtZHa5g8KvSeSeKhLnbOQaES15A7UYAQhWdhfWEWrGUMCiUNCP-spP-LQa5sf6vfBmTdKBNhvlI9V2GkLyevhQMmzp7lfWta4VKb00rLYI793KnQmE4/s1048/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.26.02+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="834" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaFZCImkKrTLKn8gh1d_bplHObtZHa5g8KvSeSeKhLnbOQaES15A7UYAQhWdhfWEWrGUMCiUNCP-spP-LQa5sf6vfBmTdKBNhvlI9V2GkLyevhQMmzp7lfWta4VKb00rLYI793KnQmE4/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.26.02+PM.png" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxvwCxmun8-soeRPYuJcHI-C-xTKsY7hdLWFJwHidwzW6Msvif3EcqDJsJ060gpXG68sGW48Ebi2xakw5oL-Wbz9KkcpLN5rnGSfdyouB09CE5JrbuvH7iqgA9cQFlvDIBmiwUku6SQo/s988/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.25.46+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="786" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxvwCxmun8-soeRPYuJcHI-C-xTKsY7hdLWFJwHidwzW6Msvif3EcqDJsJ060gpXG68sGW48Ebi2xakw5oL-Wbz9KkcpLN5rnGSfdyouB09CE5JrbuvH7iqgA9cQFlvDIBmiwUku6SQo/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.25.46+PM.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85FZd3o0Syhjx4N5vNq_cIxiAFtSUPAq5_R2PaJFSIOx6sV-WWiYjfWxL5VDAtmCLbF13CycCgApBRIfny_M7ASnnMbkk1vXOtQHRKUmraLN5HjKw7CfqyLePoJOWD-a630hxA3ZL_5s/s628/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.25.25+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85FZd3o0Syhjx4N5vNq_cIxiAFtSUPAq5_R2PaJFSIOx6sV-WWiYjfWxL5VDAtmCLbF13CycCgApBRIfny_M7ASnnMbkk1vXOtQHRKUmraLN5HjKw7CfqyLePoJOWD-a630hxA3ZL_5s/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.25.25+PM.png" /></a></div></div><p>These books led me to the following inquiry projects.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3irWz5m22FRrTSWNwAeJrRbWis42LafD1SeX-7C8e8WC4AN06PMudCfBReMCJBct-wDk6gb0BM3Ds-Yca9Bny1s6SpO5OCss7Cg0pyTg_W7R91EhBpdPpYs4FYrrxtubkiSe5Mg2Hsm4/s1366/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.16+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3irWz5m22FRrTSWNwAeJrRbWis42LafD1SeX-7C8e8WC4AN06PMudCfBReMCJBct-wDk6gb0BM3Ds-Yca9Bny1s6SpO5OCss7Cg0pyTg_W7R91EhBpdPpYs4FYrrxtubkiSe5Mg2Hsm4/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.16+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYkwpeWiWYXPKj9qKBFx6KEpjyJ0R-4gWMqmfo30Rsz9QkfdPjZ05QIlhtZgzhWmFP67eLt0pw1bfXF8CdN7YR9q6hJ6bGDCl7YY4nmlmvFmBq7ssT31Sv6fQ4VmFysyYg8MVkmoAGEY/s1136/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.46+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYkwpeWiWYXPKj9qKBFx6KEpjyJ0R-4gWMqmfo30Rsz9QkfdPjZ05QIlhtZgzhWmFP67eLt0pw1bfXF8CdN7YR9q6hJ6bGDCl7YY4nmlmvFmBq7ssT31Sv6fQ4VmFysyYg8MVkmoAGEY/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.46+AM.png" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb8lYhUjcP0zWLq3sKDKLjrjbQ1alNQo7Qy3YHymV3MO9vnM1eRvn03SVugtaE75ppQsLHAhi3BQB4xNWdVQl9667v5pAoTI8NyfO8hua7mu409RF_4ezcUQY1SQO6RPxLjb1vnnQ2H0/s1538/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.16+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb8lYhUjcP0zWLq3sKDKLjrjbQ1alNQo7Qy3YHymV3MO9vnM1eRvn03SVugtaE75ppQsLHAhi3BQB4xNWdVQl9667v5pAoTI8NyfO8hua7mu409RF_4ezcUQY1SQO6RPxLjb1vnnQ2H0/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.16+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FrInYxnQwGAs8om2kHk9wSkfBfLcCDK6h2m5PMyZJv_E3PwrBsI_SHyy-1G517VYXyuAhMHyaJL4NQGq93eO8TTBgRgi2Jt1kN856Kuqsg3UI5KHY3KuBHR3OjFmdJGs8z3jPCxGvk8/s1574/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.32+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FrInYxnQwGAs8om2kHk9wSkfBfLcCDK6h2m5PMyZJv_E3PwrBsI_SHyy-1G517VYXyuAhMHyaJL4NQGq93eO8TTBgRgi2Jt1kN856Kuqsg3UI5KHY3KuBHR3OjFmdJGs8z3jPCxGvk8/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.32+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXZSNoT65Ll1D79RJ8YlwbePNFMMFx4mVPh2D5GFphAQd_5pQAj-z0QPU0af52TgAelDzaISSkCZ3nNEcSNqU4fOE7smXtcBkiOpiQZPuoCyopBwFPaguC-_XiDyU1ur5oYs5Ysgkw6Y/s2548/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.45+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="2548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXZSNoT65Ll1D79RJ8YlwbePNFMMFx4mVPh2D5GFphAQd_5pQAj-z0QPU0af52TgAelDzaISSkCZ3nNEcSNqU4fOE7smXtcBkiOpiQZPuoCyopBwFPaguC-_XiDyU1ur5oYs5Ysgkw6Y/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.45+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUitV3DPfhlK8w_yzE2qKzepEbv_y3G2ZxXPy77EVNFPJCeK6vl0-HxGxXuINXc49URIRaIXmceOSZVCdQoa9MW9zUlw6fVK5klVvdckTj6LGJCXaBGzzrrTxp8CRlseR4LbOztfQzLsc/s2554/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.46.00+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="2554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUitV3DPfhlK8w_yzE2qKzepEbv_y3G2ZxXPy77EVNFPJCeK6vl0-HxGxXuINXc49URIRaIXmceOSZVCdQoa9MW9zUlw6fVK5klVvdckTj6LGJCXaBGzzrrTxp8CRlseR4LbOztfQzLsc/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.46.00+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Although reading these books was the right and best place to start, they still left me with numerous questions. </p><p>What does inquiry look like on a daily basis?</p><p>How does it look different at the beginning of the year as opposed to the end? </p><p>How do I scaffold the research process with young students who can't easily access texts or resources?</p><p>How do I still teach required curriculum?</p><p>How do I find comfortable and manageable routines, while at the same time, keeping it fresh?</p><p>It's a good thing there is expiration date on finding answers to my questions. Next year, I plan to continue iterating and building on all that I've put in place. Though I have very few answers, I choose to take David Wolfe's advice when he says, "Until further notice, celebrate everything."</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>
<img align="left" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/jennwarwick1/TammysSig2.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
</p>
Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-77662356336971544312021-05-14T17:32:00.001-07:002021-05-31T23:45:27.960-07:00Empowerment > Engagement<p>The title of this post might give the impression that I'm giving engagement a bad rap. Engagement is a good thing. It increases the odds that students will willingly get on the bus. Yet empowerment invites them to sit in the driver's seat. I have been on a quest the last few years, with the help of the Idaho Coaching Network, to find ways to move students to the front of the bus more frequently. Though I can confidently claim that I'm heading in the right direction, my pursuit of increasing empowerment has left me with more questions than answers. This post is a short and sweet summary of this journey.</p><p>My narrative began with the following essential question.</p><p>How can I empower my students by creating more opportunities for inquiry, curiosity, and research?</p><p>This question led me to the following books.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVRecfldZTWkV34tf4tgl7ClL-GGAmrEG4rUmlzLpi9OYKhjXJ76gCL4ZYXkX6o21TGxQl55y_LYd_T8jcqtaEogxvgifZ_-RBJpZ_ssjLGQVvVa7pZSdQ4eFs5J-XFO5asfLuAnmWes/s572/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.24.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="454" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVRecfldZTWkV34tf4tgl7ClL-GGAmrEG4rUmlzLpi9OYKhjXJ76gCL4ZYXkX6o21TGxQl55y_LYd_T8jcqtaEogxvgifZ_-RBJpZ_ssjLGQVvVa7pZSdQ4eFs5J-XFO5asfLuAnmWes/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.24.25+PM.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaFZCImkKrTLKn8gh1d_bplHObtZHa5g8KvSeSeKhLnbOQaES15A7UYAQhWdhfWEWrGUMCiUNCP-spP-LQa5sf6vfBmTdKBNhvlI9V2GkLyevhQMmzp7lfWta4VKb00rLYI793KnQmE4/s1048/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.26.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="834" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaFZCImkKrTLKn8gh1d_bplHObtZHa5g8KvSeSeKhLnbOQaES15A7UYAQhWdhfWEWrGUMCiUNCP-spP-LQa5sf6vfBmTdKBNhvlI9V2GkLyevhQMmzp7lfWta4VKb00rLYI793KnQmE4/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.26.02+PM.png" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxvwCxmun8-soeRPYuJcHI-C-xTKsY7hdLWFJwHidwzW6Msvif3EcqDJsJ060gpXG68sGW48Ebi2xakw5oL-Wbz9KkcpLN5rnGSfdyouB09CE5JrbuvH7iqgA9cQFlvDIBmiwUku6SQo/s988/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.25.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="786" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxvwCxmun8-soeRPYuJcHI-C-xTKsY7hdLWFJwHidwzW6Msvif3EcqDJsJ060gpXG68sGW48Ebi2xakw5oL-Wbz9KkcpLN5rnGSfdyouB09CE5JrbuvH7iqgA9cQFlvDIBmiwUku6SQo/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.25.46+PM.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85FZd3o0Syhjx4N5vNq_cIxiAFtSUPAq5_R2PaJFSIOx6sV-WWiYjfWxL5VDAtmCLbF13CycCgApBRIfny_M7ASnnMbkk1vXOtQHRKUmraLN5HjKw7CfqyLePoJOWD-a630hxA3ZL_5s/s628/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.25.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85FZd3o0Syhjx4N5vNq_cIxiAFtSUPAq5_R2PaJFSIOx6sV-WWiYjfWxL5VDAtmCLbF13CycCgApBRIfny_M7ASnnMbkk1vXOtQHRKUmraLN5HjKw7CfqyLePoJOWD-a630hxA3ZL_5s/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-14+at+6.25.25+PM.png" /></a></div></div><p>These books led me to the following inquiry projects.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3irWz5m22FRrTSWNwAeJrRbWis42LafD1SeX-7C8e8WC4AN06PMudCfBReMCJBct-wDk6gb0BM3Ds-Yca9Bny1s6SpO5OCss7Cg0pyTg_W7R91EhBpdPpYs4FYrrxtubkiSe5Mg2Hsm4/s1366/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.16+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3irWz5m22FRrTSWNwAeJrRbWis42LafD1SeX-7C8e8WC4AN06PMudCfBReMCJBct-wDk6gb0BM3Ds-Yca9Bny1s6SpO5OCss7Cg0pyTg_W7R91EhBpdPpYs4FYrrxtubkiSe5Mg2Hsm4/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.16+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYkwpeWiWYXPKj9qKBFx6KEpjyJ0R-4gWMqmfo30Rsz9QkfdPjZ05QIlhtZgzhWmFP67eLt0pw1bfXF8CdN7YR9q6hJ6bGDCl7YY4nmlmvFmBq7ssT31Sv6fQ4VmFysyYg8MVkmoAGEY/s1136/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYkwpeWiWYXPKj9qKBFx6KEpjyJ0R-4gWMqmfo30Rsz9QkfdPjZ05QIlhtZgzhWmFP67eLt0pw1bfXF8CdN7YR9q6hJ6bGDCl7YY4nmlmvFmBq7ssT31Sv6fQ4VmFysyYg8MVkmoAGEY/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.46+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb8lYhUjcP0zWLq3sKDKLjrjbQ1alNQo7Qy3YHymV3MO9vnM1eRvn03SVugtaE75ppQsLHAhi3BQB4xNWdVQl9667v5pAoTI8NyfO8hua7mu409RF_4ezcUQY1SQO6RPxLjb1vnnQ2H0/s1538/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.16+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb8lYhUjcP0zWLq3sKDKLjrjbQ1alNQo7Qy3YHymV3MO9vnM1eRvn03SVugtaE75ppQsLHAhi3BQB4xNWdVQl9667v5pAoTI8NyfO8hua7mu409RF_4ezcUQY1SQO6RPxLjb1vnnQ2H0/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.16+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FrInYxnQwGAs8om2kHk9wSkfBfLcCDK6h2m5PMyZJv_E3PwrBsI_SHyy-1G517VYXyuAhMHyaJL4NQGq93eO8TTBgRgi2Jt1kN856Kuqsg3UI5KHY3KuBHR3OjFmdJGs8z3jPCxGvk8/s1574/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FrInYxnQwGAs8om2kHk9wSkfBfLcCDK6h2m5PMyZJv_E3PwrBsI_SHyy-1G517VYXyuAhMHyaJL4NQGq93eO8TTBgRgi2Jt1kN856Kuqsg3UI5KHY3KuBHR3OjFmdJGs8z3jPCxGvk8/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.32+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXZSNoT65Ll1D79RJ8YlwbePNFMMFx4mVPh2D5GFphAQd_5pQAj-z0QPU0af52TgAelDzaISSkCZ3nNEcSNqU4fOE7smXtcBkiOpiQZPuoCyopBwFPaguC-_XiDyU1ur5oYs5Ysgkw6Y/s2548/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="2548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXZSNoT65Ll1D79RJ8YlwbePNFMMFx4mVPh2D5GFphAQd_5pQAj-z0QPU0af52TgAelDzaISSkCZ3nNEcSNqU4fOE7smXtcBkiOpiQZPuoCyopBwFPaguC-_XiDyU1ur5oYs5Ysgkw6Y/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.45+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUitV3DPfhlK8w_yzE2qKzepEbv_y3G2ZxXPy77EVNFPJCeK6vl0-HxGxXuINXc49URIRaIXmceOSZVCdQoa9MW9zUlw6fVK5klVvdckTj6LGJCXaBGzzrrTxp8CRlseR4LbOztfQzLsc/s2554/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.46.00+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="2554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUitV3DPfhlK8w_yzE2qKzepEbv_y3G2ZxXPy77EVNFPJCeK6vl0-HxGxXuINXc49URIRaIXmceOSZVCdQoa9MW9zUlw6fVK5klVvdckTj6LGJCXaBGzzrrTxp8CRlseR4LbOztfQzLsc/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.46.00+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Although reading these books was the right and best place to start, they still left me with numerous questions. </p><p>What does inquiry look like on a daily basis?</p><p>How does it look different at the beginning of the year as opposed to the end? </p><p>How do I scaffold the research process with young students who can't easily access texts or resources?</p><p>How do I still teach required curriculum?</p><p>How do I find comfortable and manageable routines, while at the same time, keeping it fresh?</p><p>It's a good thing there is expiration date on finding answers to my questions. Next year, I plan to continue iterating and building on all that I've put in place. Though I have very few answers, I choose to take David Wolfe's advice when he says, "Until further notice, celebrate everything."</p><p>
<img align="left" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/jennwarwick1/TammysSig2.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
</p>
Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-53763710296546225442021-05-14T16:59:00.005-07:002021-05-31T23:39:53.520-07:00Curious and Empowered > Engagement<p>Engagement is one thing, but to be curious and empowered is what I've been striving to nurture and provide for my students the past few years. It's been a journey of more questions than answers, yet I know I'm moving in the right direction, much aided by the support of The Idaho Coaching Network. This post is a short and sweet depiction of my journey.</p><p>My narrative begins with the following essential question:</p><p>How can I empower my students by creating more opportunities for inquiry, curiosity, and research? </p><p>I don't mean to give engagement a bad rap. Engagement can be a good thing but it doesn't necessarily put students in the driver's seat. It simply increases the chances that they'll willingly get on the bus. My quest is to move them towards the front of the bus as much as possible. </p><p>My essential question led me to the following books.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51L8MKRPKkL._SX389_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="391" height="277" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51L8MKRPKkL._SX389_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="217" /></a><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TEpbq-bML._SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="220" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TEpbq-bML._SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51zb4hm9fwL._SX408_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="410" height="267" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51zb4hm9fwL._SX408_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="219" /></a><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519o5rW8ijL._SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="220" height="268" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519o5rW8ijL._SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These books led me to the following inquiry projects.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C09n3gygGD1fj5A4HmRPNpCyZdccBdn3iWNaNDpt-XE5Akdzaz6Ua7kczdWABjGaLfQeR0P6OKzHjorYF_CPRGm1GfiR_NvX-WLrLTrvHxJxzgCydiLpWaEtCZIwhSoKIAgsbijEj1M/s1366/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.16+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C09n3gygGD1fj5A4HmRPNpCyZdccBdn3iWNaNDpt-XE5Akdzaz6Ua7kczdWABjGaLfQeR0P6OKzHjorYF_CPRGm1GfiR_NvX-WLrLTrvHxJxzgCydiLpWaEtCZIwhSoKIAgsbijEj1M/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.16+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLDOBiNv2hWPJJzLApM1R7SykjrdWgPzIrQaJXYD4PPLkmsgHrlEiPynK6n6vgFoAa394nkuJCIXpSpoS6yXyaSaYj7fpbU_kElA8vc9i0qy0fhYJcp8AttgvPblL_07xQboiY2LgBGE/s1136/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.46+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLDOBiNv2hWPJJzLApM1R7SykjrdWgPzIrQaJXYD4PPLkmsgHrlEiPynK6n6vgFoAa394nkuJCIXpSpoS6yXyaSaYj7fpbU_kElA8vc9i0qy0fhYJcp8AttgvPblL_07xQboiY2LgBGE/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.44.46+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqURYrzdo77FJMKMqQZ0f-01zoxWYYyjEqsI90GoNewuSH5S4Ctl-sQpsicfvlF2CTIbEQqrZGxeBDEC5BRByxzJdOLGsXbSlTo1zbY088I2H_O-mTGTp4xiT4PjSHhWc3bwAnktObR20/s2554/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.46.00+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="2554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqURYrzdo77FJMKMqQZ0f-01zoxWYYyjEqsI90GoNewuSH5S4Ctl-sQpsicfvlF2CTIbEQqrZGxeBDEC5BRByxzJdOLGsXbSlTo1zbY088I2H_O-mTGTp4xiT4PjSHhWc3bwAnktObR20/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.46.00+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLliTfSlQhZ3fIfi07wLiEgEqL6kRAdabipK5bV0XAZG2NSEU6jsb2-JlB1jsi3W88cAI_Kzcwj79WpXsxNrK_2n1AFnWOWL8jxTSI3aluQ-OB1g_6DWdRrgnp52CevBWG3NiHDDcFBq4/s2548/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.45+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="2548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLliTfSlQhZ3fIfi07wLiEgEqL6kRAdabipK5bV0XAZG2NSEU6jsb2-JlB1jsi3W88cAI_Kzcwj79WpXsxNrK_2n1AFnWOWL8jxTSI3aluQ-OB1g_6DWdRrgnp52CevBWG3NiHDDcFBq4/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.45+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39vxEsA3_w2IlFNiT4JkhZB68d9k32rHIzY6ev6bTkoBp815b26Sw5eETlTEGTHucsRF76XV9SvYjmr4elfjKwqCPnWpXwLCkm2CMPl4lKBoldVinZyReUKPYO0tPRXekBKbD98B8fUA/s1538/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.16+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39vxEsA3_w2IlFNiT4JkhZB68d9k32rHIzY6ev6bTkoBp815b26Sw5eETlTEGTHucsRF76XV9SvYjmr4elfjKwqCPnWpXwLCkm2CMPl4lKBoldVinZyReUKPYO0tPRXekBKbD98B8fUA/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.16+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTeqS_N5AlfWd1kaYwT6EYY8_njWf5Qb6aw96y7MdNp93VCnWQCluG9p8lXvt1HqyS3NEFrXNu65qid0DGbj8EtI6se9cAJggbFkI2fyp39vJNz375WoDG0pEoxyKFJ70obBN8Rp0YQE/s1574/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.32+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTeqS_N5AlfWd1kaYwT6EYY8_njWf5Qb6aw96y7MdNp93VCnWQCluG9p8lXvt1HqyS3NEFrXNu65qid0DGbj8EtI6se9cAJggbFkI2fyp39vJNz375WoDG0pEoxyKFJ70obBN8Rp0YQE/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-05-08+at+9.45.32+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /></div>Although reading books and jumping into some projects was the right and best place to start, they still left me with numerous questions. <div><br /></div><div>What does inquiry look like on a daily basis? </div><div>How does it look different at the beginning of the year as opposed to the end?</div><div>How do I scaffold the research process with young students who can't easily access texts or resources?</div><div>How do I honor inquiry and curiosity and still teach required curriculum? </div><div>How do I find comfortable and manageable routines, while at the same time, keeping it fresh?</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a good thing there is no expiration date on finding answers. Next year I plan to continue iterating, building on all that I tried this year. Even though my questions outnumber answers, I will take David Wolfe's advice when he says, "Until further notice, celebrate everything."</div><div><p><br /></p><p>
<img align="left" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/jennwarwick1/TammysSig2.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
</p>
</div>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-17719765446417113232020-10-24T14:59:00.006-07:002020-10-24T15:08:35.159-07:00You're the Kind of Kid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51maxe94YLL._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="328" height="289" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51maxe94YLL._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This summer I read <i>Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World</i> by Michele Borba. It did not disappoint. If I could require all parents to read it before giving birth to their children, I would. Of course, teachers of all grade levels should read it too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There are many valuable and practical takeaways from this read, but one of the most powerful, yet easiest to implement, only requires our intentional and repetitive words.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Borba says, "What we say about our children helps define who they are and the type of people they believe themselves to be."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">She offers the example, "You're the kind of person who likes to help."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Eavesdrop in my classroom and you'll hear, "</span><span>You're the kind of kid who..." quite often.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">You're the kind of kid who...</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">cares about our community</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">values kindness</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">values being ready</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">values being brave</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">values being safe</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">wants to do your best</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">wants to help others</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">etc.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">How would you finish Borba's sentence?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It all depends on what you want the children in your care to believe about themselves. Feel free to borrow her phrase and repeatedly tell your students who they are. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">They're ready to be those people.</span></p>
Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-32940707661779923802020-07-31T16:00:00.002-07:002020-07-31T18:42:55.487-07:00Permission Slips<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In my experience, being a one on the Enneagram means that I have an unwavering sense of right and wrong that permeates all facets of my orderly life. For example, my conscientious mindset does not allow me to drive 65 until the sign says I can, and you can bet I won't be pushing to go faster. Receiving permission is important to me. (Well, except for how I run my classroom, but that's complicated.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But sometimes the most important permission I can receive is from myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thanks to The Idaho Coaching Network, I've been ruminating on the idea of permission slips but not the kind that I remember from my days long ago at Meridian Junior High. This kind of permission slip is one that I write for myself – to myself. And I'm not sure there could ever be a better time to write one (or several) than now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I struggle to process how last school year came to a close and how up in the air this new year is beginning, not to mention how the rest of the following nine months might turn out, I'm recognizing the need to intentionally give myself permission to feel some things, as well as plan for what I physically, mentally, and spiritually need in order to be at my best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So I've literally written myself some permission slips. I'm keeping in mind that the road ahead is like driving Highway 55. It's a windy one. I don't know precisely what I'll need until I get around the next bend or two. But this list is a start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I, Tammy McMorrow, give myself permission to...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">be sad about the loss of what I know school should be.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">take as much time as necessary to establish community and culture.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">take it slow and not worry about what we don't get to.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">make mistakes along the way.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">make time for hobbies that bring me joy.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">make my health a priority. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Grab some paper and do yourself a favor. What would your permission slips say?</span></div>
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-3399635708987409302019-07-30T11:16:00.002-07:002019-07-30T11:16:42.307-07:00Minimize Your Own Space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYXYoddREwgGn9_KF0W0GK_aW0mjWmOK0pbZ6Vq0ugn6oDxkdNVmSHREfT1QYjsZogB93Ns0FCMlDUIHB_wG3DJmLhVNVatxVqunpBFcXAx96vRMRkhyphenhyphen6Wf8Rjqg3iwx0b4-R35v5aqs/s1600/thumbnail_20190730_112124_0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1280" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYXYoddREwgGn9_KF0W0GK_aW0mjWmOK0pbZ6Vq0ugn6oDxkdNVmSHREfT1QYjsZogB93Ns0FCMlDUIHB_wG3DJmLhVNVatxVqunpBFcXAx96vRMRkhyphenhyphen6Wf8Rjqg3iwx0b4-R35v5aqs/s320/thumbnail_20190730_112124_0000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't know much about real estate, but I do know that it's a commodity people will spend an insane amount of money to call their own. And though we inhabit a big, big world, I wonder how long it will take before we run out of said commodity. Society seems to gobble it up with abandon. The classroom is not much different. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I could give new teachers (and veteran teachers alike) advice about moving into their rooms, I'd tell them exactly what Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz recommend in <i>Kids 1st From Day 1. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Minimize your own space.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After 25 years of teaching, I admit to still owning a teacher desk. Though I never sit there unless the children are absent, I feel like I need an organizational space of my own. But, my desk is small. It's out of the way. It's at the back of the room. It's not taking up prime student real estate, which is something I don't want to run out of.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As teachers think about their rooms this coming year, I challenge them to resist the urge to move in and monopolize prime student real estate. Might I suggest that corners and areas at the front of the room are exactly what we need to protect. Obviously, I'm not here to tell anyone to rid themselves of a desk or space of their own. Let's simply minimize it.</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/jennwarwick1/TammysSig2.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-62434251552075634382019-05-31T11:43:00.000-07:002019-05-31T11:46:07.239-07:00Straight and True<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Can I have a break?" she said. I was in the middle of putting out myriad fires and patting backs all within seconds of each other. I motioned her to follow me, wondering how much longer I could keep all the plates spinning, hers being one of them. As I jotted "break" on a post-it for her to take to the office, she rather insightfully stated, "I understand teaching is hard work." I'd often described her as an emotional being. She feels things to the extreme. Could she feel the desperation behind my smiling exterior? Could she sense how hard I was working to hold my world together?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Teaching is indeed hard work. If I were to list all the reasons, they would be varied. Yet for me, the one that rises to the top is the one I faced on a daily basis during this 25th year of my career.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My vision did not equal my reality.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vision is a powerful tool in a teacher's hand. It inspires. It motivates. It provides direction and purpose. And it results in disappointment when it's obvious from even the first few days that the vision and reality cannot coexist. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reflection demanded change, and though I might have wished it so, it wasn't coming from the children. It was me. It was my expectation. It was the grand picture in my head of what I needed to accomplish by May 30th. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My cousin Kevin offered wise and life-saving perspective. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The arrow will be launched straight and true. The target has moved and you many not achieve all that you set out to achieve, but there is a river of life pouring forth from you and it touches everyone with whom you come into contact.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking back on year 25, I admittedly mourn the relocation of my target. It was hard to accept, not just once, but repeatedly throughout the year as new obstacles arose and the target moved yet again. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I miss the sense of satisfaction that comes from reaching the intended goal.</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kevin was right though. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I launched my arrow. It was straight. It was true. I'm striving to believe that it made contact, made a lasting impression. In faith, I walk away from year 25 knowing that I hit my target.</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="https://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/jennwarwick1/TammysSig2.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-20607169208180426052019-03-04T16:34:00.002-08:002019-03-04T16:46:14.937-08:001-2 Nim (Videos included)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I don't fully understand the name of this game called 1-2 Nim, but I understand how much my mathematicians enjoy it. I also understand how much it helps develop not only their mathematical minds, but their love for math. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(I learned it from Dan Finkle who provided a math games webinar on Christina Tondevold's </span><a href="http://buildmathminds.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Build Math Minds</span></a><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> site. Please consider following her work if you're an elementary math teacher.) </span></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grab a partner and a collection of counters. (I use cubes, but it really doesn't matter.)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A player has to take 1 counter on his turn but can take 2 if he chooses.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The player who takes the last counter wins.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ways to change it up:</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Use more counters.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Play 1-2-3 Nim. (The player can take 1, 2, or 3 counters on his turn.)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Poison: The player who takes the last counter loses.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Use a ten frame. The player who puts the final counter in the ten frame wins.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My kids have the stamina to play this game and its variations for a good while. Though simple to play, it's so engaging. It's easy and fun enough for kids to teach family members at home too. </span></div>
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Here are two videos of 1-2-3 Nim in action. Enjoy. :)</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LuAeyGmjyc8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LuAeyGmjyc8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GxH_2a4-cnk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GxH_2a4-cnk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Give Nim a shot, and don't be surprised if a little person beats you a time or two! (Not that I would know anything about that.)</span></div>
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<img align="left" src="https://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/jennwarwick1/TammysSig2.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-86924912923075378322019-03-02T07:20:00.000-08:002019-03-02T07:20:25.411-08:00Stand Up, Sit Down<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">When the children cheer at the mention of a game, you know it's a good one. I learned Stand Up, Sit Down from Dan Finkle when he offered a math games webinar on Christina Tondevold's site, </span><a href="https://buildmathminds.com/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Build Math Minds</span></a><span style="color: #45818e;">. (If you're an elementary math teacher, you should be following Christina's work.) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Stand Up, Sit Down is basically a quick </span></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">mathematical brain break. It sounds so simple that it almost seems impossible that my students love it so much. Tis true though.</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The teacher picks a number. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The teacher then states other numbers one at a time.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If the numbers are above the original number, the students stand. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If the numbers are below that number, the students sit.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For example:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">T: 9 is my number.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">T: 4</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">S: sit</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">T: 14</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">S: stand</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's that simple.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But wait, there are variations.</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Choose a smaller or larger first number.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">State the numbers in the form of an equation. (ie. 4+4, 8-1) </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Play the game with multiplication, division, fractions...</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Give this one a try. Maybe your students will end up cheering too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks Dan and Christina!</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="https://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/jennwarwick1/TammysSig2.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-45031873997294951472019-02-28T17:50:00.002-08:002019-02-28T17:50:24.911-08:00March Madness #4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AvwnaFi72VZerGPlCz8lh4QPUuNuNmDcm3-hmkZZapeqPHPBfw_fxzVuzO6n-feMOeWcghvxol5l3U9mwuh4N4hBeDASpeIqHzr6uFonZtvcYIleMpP8BEaK4-nwI5PoP8VEFO4RcE0/s1600/thumbnail_20190227_074902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AvwnaFi72VZerGPlCz8lh4QPUuNuNmDcm3-hmkZZapeqPHPBfw_fxzVuzO6n-feMOeWcghvxol5l3U9mwuh4N4hBeDASpeIqHzr6uFonZtvcYIleMpP8BEaK4-nwI5PoP8VEFO4RcE0/s320/thumbnail_20190227_074902.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes I say smart things. For example...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Preventing the summer slide starts on day one. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yeah, I made that up. I believe it too. I believe in giving my students daily reasons to fall in love with books, and that has everything to do with reading irresistible books everyday starting on day one.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, my class is heading into day 115, and I'm still playing matchmaker. March is a perfect month to fall in love with reading all over again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So welcome to my fourth year of March Madness. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm excited to say, "Meet your new favorite book," 16 different times during the next few weeks. I'm even more excited to watch these books repeatedly loved on and adored.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(If you'd like to know more about how March Madness works, please check out my other March Madness posts here on my blog.)</span></div>
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<img align="left" src="https://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/jennwarwick1/TammysSig2.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-55984632990217720462019-02-10T18:23:00.000-08:002019-02-10T20:33:56.586-08:00I Build Floats<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You don't have to build the whole float.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is what Maria Goff told me this morning as I read her book, <i>Love Lives Here</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She doesn't know I teach first grade - that I basically build floats for a living.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She <i>does</i> know that float building is hard work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When she describes the painstaking, time-consuming, but rewarding process of gluing one rose petal at a time to the floats of the Rose Parade, she is describing what I do on a daily basis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, I build floats.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I glue beautiful and delicate petals onto floats. I watch them transform and grow up right before my eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some floats are more time consuming than others, though. There are days when it seems like all my attention is demanded by a particular float or two or three.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm at times disappointed about the lack of progress I'm making. For every petal I manage to convince to stick, three others fall at my feet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And in my frustration, I can't quite seem to envision who some of these floats might become.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In fact, do they even want to be in our parade?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After devoting much of my attention to the few, it's easy to doubt whether the others will even be ready in time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I feel the weight of this float-building job. I feel the responsibility, the burden, to prepare each one for this parade we're part of. I want to see each one on glorious display, ready to show their greatness to the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The truth is I might not ever see the parade. In fact, I probably won't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I simply, in faith, in love, glue petal after petal after petal and trust they'll stick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I build floats for a living.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't have to build the whole float.</span><br />
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-60927123103600942212019-01-04T16:18:00.003-08:002019-01-04T16:18:50.935-08:00The Gift of Affirmation<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christmas break has been a much needed gift for this teacher who doesn't believe in counting down the days yet really struggled not to count down the days. (That's another story for another day.) So against my lower back's better judgment, I've literally lived on the couch for two weeks and read sixteen books. Call me crazy or amazing. Either one. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But long after I've forgotten the characters and plots from the many books I've inhaled (which doesn't take long), I will remember with fondness the email I received on the morning of January 2nd from the grandmother of one of my students. As a past elementary teacher and principal, she's been following our classroom journey and watching her grandson's growth, both emotionally and academically. And among other things, she wanted me to know, "You are the teacher I would love to have hired for my school." </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Affirmation. It's a priceless gift. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Though I, like all teachers, basically put my life on hold for nine months in order to teach the little people in my care and do it without an expectation that the world will acknowledge my sacrifice or expertise, it is so gratifying to be noticed. Affirmation encourages, sustains, and even heals. In fact, it leaves behind a much longer list of beneficial adjectives than I have space to mention. Maybe that's why Mark Twain once said, </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I can live for two months on a good compliment." </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm hoping I can stretch mine into five. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As much as I yearn for affirmation, I understand the need to give it. My superintendent is accustomed to hearing from me when I want to brag about the amazing people at my building. She's not the only one who's received emails regarding my principal, instructional coach, or even custodian. I've made it a practice to speak up about the excellence I see. (It's when I'm quiet that, well, there might be a problem.)</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I say all this as a challenge to whomever might be taking the time to listen. Notice. Speak up. Call out the greatness, and why not share with the boss while you're at it? That person doing her thing with excellence most likely isn't looking for a pat on the back, but if she were to get one, she might just have found the strength to continue on for another two months or possibly five.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. As I was writing this post, I was reminded of one of the mothers of a previous student. She's an expert at affirmation. She regularly sends me stories - stories of how my words and love from over two years ago still impact her daughter. Wow, am I blessed. I hope to be more like her someday.</span><br />
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-18828630295069713742018-12-22T07:14:00.003-08:002018-12-22T07:27:11.919-08:00Celebrate and Celebrate BIG<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">This is just one of those years. I'm surviving but don't always feel like I'm handling my challenges gracefully. I take them to bed with me. They're there when I wake. It can be consuming at times. Though I purposefully look for the </span><a href="https://foreverin1st.blogspot.com/2014/10/beautiful-things.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">beautiful</span></a><span style="color: #45818e;"> in each day and take notice of what's going well, I recognize the need to be more intentional about the space my thoughts inhabit. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recently I found myself reflecting on the word "embolden." Though I only knew its meaning in general terms, it felt like a word I was meant to embrace. I looked it up and found I was right. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAXvjnKIx-M619bEtEGedTjQg3TTW0JjJlt3LHP0HnbSpeIL9e4qp-OJMNmT4gaO3OM5J8vwAffpeqQdljHrVHdjCFnSCjjhPEc7UIEqbfa_0G9MoVn5uVNIKHwKZhiv7i4dIOLYjuac/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-12-22+at+6.50.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="608" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAXvjnKIx-M619bEtEGedTjQg3TTW0JjJlt3LHP0HnbSpeIL9e4qp-OJMNmT4gaO3OM5J8vwAffpeqQdljHrVHdjCFnSCjjhPEc7UIEqbfa_0G9MoVn5uVNIKHwKZhiv7i4dIOLYjuac/s400/Screen+Shot+2018-12-22+at+6.50.45+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As a Christian, I am well acquainted with the story of David. Though he was greatly distressed, the Bible says he strengthened himself in the Lord. I'd like to think he emboldened himself. Though there are many people on my side, cheering me on, reminding me that I'm the teacher God is with, sometimes I simply have to embolden myself like David. </span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Personally I know what encourages, fortifies, heartens, invigorates, emboldens my teacher heart - celebration. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So Tam, be emboldened. There is no such thing as a victory too small. Recognize and celebrate each one. They will be your lifeline when it seems like you're simply surviving. As Wendy Hankins says, "Celebrate and celebrate BIG."</span><br />
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-2041129670629421182018-12-19T18:47:00.002-08:002018-12-19T20:19:49.662-08:00How to Prep For a Music Program<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My class sang their little hearts out at our Christmas music program today. I was so proud of not just their singing but their behavior. It's obvious how very amazing our music teacher is. She pulls the greatness right out of them. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even though she's as wonderful as they come, I know she appreciates how classroom teachers support her. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I feel like it's my responsibility to do just that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Before our program rehearsal, I intentionally prepped my kids.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">1. We watched this short </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-llYph8vArc"><span style="color: #b45f06;">video</span></a><span style="color: #45818e;"> of a children's choir from America's Got Talent.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. I asked the kids to notice what the performers were doing and not doing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. We created the following anchor chart. The ideas totally came from them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AGs01kPZ-eYCegAou4mBmPv7f7PyF4TFJyqNdFxLlg6He73R7VpiQH8QyDpw4qbi95u8HO3_tRQKz8KEEQnEA8D5ivfngwCMzgPBsD2D5zCYVyWhyphenhyphenWFZ4zl4YK-Y4Gg6iPX82doXB5U/s1600/thumbnail_20181219_113340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AGs01kPZ-eYCegAou4mBmPv7f7PyF4TFJyqNdFxLlg6He73R7VpiQH8QyDpw4qbi95u8HO3_tRQKz8KEEQnEA8D5ivfngwCMzgPBsD2D5zCYVyWhyphenhyphenWFZ4zl4YK-Y4Gg6iPX82doXB5U/s400/thumbnail_20181219_113340.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. I took the chart with me to the rehearsal and the program.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The moral of this tale is be intentional and clear about expectations. We can do so without telling. Use mentor texts (yes, videos are mentor texts) when applicable. Let kids notice. Document what they notice. Make sure the chart is visible.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And doesn't it seem obvious that our music teachers would love us forever if we all took fifteen minutes to do something like this before a performance? I think so.</span></div>
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-40763197979692331752018-12-15T06:37:00.000-08:002018-12-15T06:42:01.735-08:00To Wait or Not To Wait<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Teachers, we can do better when the recess bell rings and the kids line up. Here are all the reasons why I believe it's wise and professional for teachers to walk out the door the second the bell rings instead of wait three or so minutes for them all to line up and then walk out the door.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. It's good modeling. - I teach my first graders that when the bell rings they should say, "See ya!" to whatever they're doing and hustle to the classroom. I should be modeling the same behavior. Why should they hustle if I don't?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. It's not my time anymore. It's theirs. - When the bell rings, my time is over. Period. If I'm not instructionally ready for them, I need to make adjustments to how or when I prepare. It's their time now.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. It's preventative. - Bad things happen in an unattended line. Proximity will prevent most of the problems that might have occurred if I weren't present.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. It's professional. - If I'm not out there, who's actually watching the children? The duty person can't. She's doing 12 other things while at the same time trying to get back to her classroom and her own children. Legally speaking, I have a responsibility to be present.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. It allows me to teach. - All the stuff that happens in an unattended line follows the class inside, leaving me poor behavior to fix and conflict and drama to resolve when I should actually be teaching. Talk about frustrating.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. It saves time. - There are four times throughout the day when the bell rings and kids line up. If I wait to go outside during each of those times, how many instructional minutes have I wasted? It might not seem like much, but it adds up fast. (A new teacher once spent a day observing my classroom. She noticed how quickly I got outside and brought my class in. She did the math. According to her numbers, I saved about 20 minutes of instructional time.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If we stop to examine the wallpaper, we'll see that there are way too many reasons why the norm of waiting inside after the bell rings is not best for our students. Don't wait inside simply because that's the way it's always been done. If it's the norm at your school, be the change. Start on Monday.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Signed,</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This Seems Really Obvious To Me</span><br />
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-16398029667007797532018-12-08T13:32:00.000-08:002018-12-08T15:03:53.579-08:00Finger Flashlight Friday<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks to the Units of Study in Reading from TCRWP (Teachers College Reading and Writing Project), there's something called Finger Flashlight Friday in my room.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/32PCS-Bright-Finger-Flashlights-Lights/dp/B008RU93L2/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1512094584&sr=8-14&keywords=finger+flashlights#customerReviews"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3HC8xH2Uu0vPB_ST3j8HtwlY9ont6YcaBfCgH0XM3gMEKvI_8VSN9cKF4FnyglTp5obhpySRR81P-kc9sjmd1ASDSkPEaHaDW65wPzzp72KZSBTTrpLXj90vFnMA3CTy0wF75mc5R2g/s320/thumbnail_20181208_082646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I bought mine last year on </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/32PCS-Bright-Finger-Flashlights-Lights/dp/B008RU93L2/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1512094584&sr=8-14&keywords=finger+flashlights#customerReviews"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Amazon</span></a><span style="color: #45818e;">. A few died, so I just restocked for less than $6.00. It's a great deal.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">As I mentioned, TCRWP inspired me to use them. They come in very handy in the first-grade reading unit, </span><a href="https://www.heinemann.com/products/e08896.aspx"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Word Detectives</span></a><span style="color: #45818e;">, which I just finished teaching and would highly recommend. Now the flashlights come out every Friday during reading workshop. As one can imagine, they're a hit.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And because I own a soap box about most things educational, I have to say something about reading workshop. To my knowledge, there aren't many basal teacher's manuals that:</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">stress or make time for independent reading. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">recommend children have their own baskets or boxes full of books.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">plan for teachers to sit down in a community space with the children at their feet and teach a short mini-lesson on how to be a better reader before sending the children off to read by themselves.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every. Single. Day.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm going to refrain from quoting all the gurus who explain why daily independent reading is a game changer. Instead I'm here to say, whether the basal says to or not, every child in every elementary classroom should experience a reading workshop every day. Period. Yeah, hang around me long enough and you'll know I'm not a basal fan, but this post isn't about bashing basals (at least not this time). Instead I'm calling all teachers to know what's best for readers and make instructional decisions based on them. Manipulate the basal to fit what's best for kids, not the other way around. </span><br />
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-32855407054253366462018-11-02T17:51:00.003-07:002018-11-03T10:06:30.231-07:00Commonly Held Beliefs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">This summer I read Regie Routman's newest book, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1625310374/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0"><i><span style="color: #e69138;">Literacy Essentials</span></i></a><span style="color: #45818e;">. </span></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The book overflows with poignant stories, quotes, research, and suggestions. I found myself especially drawn to the chapter titled </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Embedding Professional Learning</i><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Her wisdom helped launch my school into the year with a focus on learning and growing professionally together in a new and refreshing way. Regie has perfect timing</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">We began the year with this quote in mind from Regie's book. "</span></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Perhaps more than any other dynamic, positive and lasting change in a school accelerates and takes hold only when the principal and staff come together on commonly held beliefs that align with research-based practices." Based on Regie's work, my brilliant instructional coach and I designed three PD opportunities that led our staff to create six to seven common beliefs for reading, writing, and math.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For example, following a DBI on balanced literacy (borrowed from our generous Idaho Coaching Network friends), staff members individually brainstormed their reading beliefs. Vertical teams then created posters of their common ideas. Each person used sticker dots to vote for her top six beliefs. After some revisions, staff members had the opportunity to provide feedback.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwalnlMrtwZqb-J7Zz4AYwn3Ye0HpNUPdZ9rLZkpI9tyrVhbcJzyK79s9NZQW0OG6XP3ki-fiPQOny6Ku1EU_48mWvIknyKEjbbJxFNfxCqoJewXVhfA6gAzE0qJyHtPvdx278acoknbg/s1600/thumbnail_20181003_172755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwalnlMrtwZqb-J7Zz4AYwn3Ye0HpNUPdZ9rLZkpI9tyrVhbcJzyK79s9NZQW0OG6XP3ki-fiPQOny6Ku1EU_48mWvIknyKEjbbJxFNfxCqoJewXVhfA6gAzE0qJyHtPvdx278acoknbg/s320/thumbnail_20181003_172755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhiERy0Jb9pDP6KYLXsvM1WWAhaZoqlM11tCQdcD_11yGF8sOY4bUVRbYKOKlQITxt2hiy004yxlRF8t-iYpiA99bM5QHQFyhktdT5jh9k29ucrV3bBLgHRz_5VdsOwqsQMMC-71U744/s1600/thumbnail_20181003_172544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhiERy0Jb9pDP6KYLXsvM1WWAhaZoqlM11tCQdcD_11yGF8sOY4bUVRbYKOKlQITxt2hiy004yxlRF8t-iYpiA99bM5QHQFyhktdT5jh9k29ucrV3bBLgHRz_5VdsOwqsQMMC-71U744/s320/thumbnail_20181003_172544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zZNhtbB7pvFF1pCacpacm-Z40jYvyr0CtsGR5wZjcUrM1Zo8sLFEAxvqgqKw-1VP0PB92So8QLBIPEtKiPTs_48x4YbW_4Kxtzn4VhHdRXp-SIb-WBiaZcxA6LdqLpc9p47h0vo-mIA/s1600/thumbnail_20181003_172820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zZNhtbB7pvFF1pCacpacm-Z40jYvyr0CtsGR5wZjcUrM1Zo8sLFEAxvqgqKw-1VP0PB92So8QLBIPEtKiPTs_48x4YbW_4Kxtzn4VhHdRXp-SIb-WBiaZcxA6LdqLpc9p47h0vo-mIA/s320/thumbnail_20181003_172820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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math</div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The final beliefs for all three areas are now on our wall where we will be able to intentionally interact with them throughout the year. I'm excited to see where these important building blocks lead us.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 952px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 952px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-3029041223784784852018-10-27T06:18:00.000-07:002018-10-27T06:19:07.781-07:00Saturday Sayings: Lead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2MgGNMyWBmkWH-8aKKSVFeqV99BJWDsICGVuIq42VBsrOcwIrptSAKz-fbw-OH5C1NZ1LCZIjHIk8lUdLkev4qHSU6Y5RSo1muMu4IBS3N8GdHpm7GblZI9TvP_Dt6PgQDxGT-MImkU/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-04-07+at+9.22.02+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="222" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2MgGNMyWBmkWH-8aKKSVFeqV99BJWDsICGVuIq42VBsrOcwIrptSAKz-fbw-OH5C1NZ1LCZIjHIk8lUdLkev4qHSU6Y5RSo1muMu4IBS3N8GdHpm7GblZI9TvP_Dt6PgQDxGT-MImkU/s200/Screen+shot+2012-04-07+at+9.22.02+AM.png" width="199" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today's Saturday Saying comes to you from my cousin, Kevin Roberts. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once upon a time he was my earth science teacher, but he's been one of Meridian Middle School's assistant principals for many years. He's gracious, tender hearted, and abounding in practical wisdom. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He dances a mean polka, and he's one of my favorite Father of the Bride speech givers. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I always enjoy our educational conversations whether in the kitchen at church camp or via text messages, so </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm especially honored to share this space with him today. Without further ado...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was reading some Bob and Maria Goff Saturday morning and was reminded of a lesson my friend and mentor Gerald Bell taught me years ago on the dirt track at Meridian Jr. High. It struck me that I used the lesson again yesterday with a student and that I implement it all of the time as a tool in my administrator tool box.<br /><br />On that day Gerald, a world class athlete and former member of the Canadian Olympic team, watched me run an interval with the boys and in my youthful enthusiasm I pushed hard and crossed the finish line first. Gerald approached me gently and suggested that a better strategy is to push them, but not beat them. Then he modeled the strategy for me and I enjoyed using the strategy with him while running with our team. I discovered that the satisfaction of pushing them and watching them improve was so much greater than having them think I was faster than them.<br /><br />As an assistant principal part of my job is to help students identify the reason they are spending time with me. But I don’t beat them to the finish line, I lead them to it. Like running intervals, this can be hard work and it may require repetition, but it is rewarding and worth the effort.<br /><br />Grateful for my teacher, my coach, and my friend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gerald, thanks for pushing me to grow and learn, even after all these years.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I finally just have to say it. I'm not a fan of the word "craftivity." If you're an elementary teacher, you probably know of what I speak. Somewhere along the line, a very creative and lovely teacher invented this word. It stuck. It spread. I'd like to point out some reasons why it hasn't done so with me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. It seems like "fake" art to me. F</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">inished pieces basically look the same.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. I've noticed that craftivities are often loosely integrated with language arts, and I understand the good intentions. Yet w</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ith the limited time we have, language arts doesn't need to be cutesy. Activities and crafts muddy the waters and steal precious time away from authentic reading and writing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. One of the advantages to art is that it demands a growth mindset. It's two for the price of one. Making the 3D cats in the picture below was a perfect opportunity to practice optimism, persistence, flexibility, and resilience. I don't see any of that taking place when students are asked to glue pre-cut pieces together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25FzB0-NcpTKDyySHYf8NPat8Xd3HQWSnvja98hmbc1qEw1qhX1MovxKWhZltuBjWoM13bLHcnGFCdxovEfkIzUGxWvcaeWZyuGbQFIA1PAGlZ3fV2zSP37WjkvbnVaO2BWzaKpuSJ74/s1600/thumbnail_20181026_161756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25FzB0-NcpTKDyySHYf8NPat8Xd3HQWSnvja98hmbc1qEw1qhX1MovxKWhZltuBjWoM13bLHcnGFCdxovEfkIzUGxWvcaeWZyuGbQFIA1PAGlZ3fV2zSP37WjkvbnVaO2BWzaKpuSJ74/s400/thumbnail_20181026_161756.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I realize that craftivities are not ruining our students or their education, and my opinion is simply just that - an opinion. Yet there's always room to ask "Why?" </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Right?</span><br />
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-16867292435228812292018-10-21T13:45:00.002-07:002018-10-21T13:50:50.117-07:00Trust<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even though I tell my students that mathematicians love to count things, I also make sure to let them know the other side of the story. Sometimes there's literally just way <i>too</i> much counting. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes counting is the last thing a mathematician should do.</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year I have been emphasizing trust during math time. In fact, it might be my new favorite math word. Trust is the thing that can keep kids from counting when it would be inefficient to do so. Trust helps them recognize five-ness and ten-ness. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Trust helps them subitize.</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Trust makes them more efficient. Trust takes away some of the guess work. Trust helps them see that math makes sense. Trust shows them that numbers can be very predictable. Trust is a necessary piece of the puzzle.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I can thank Christina Tondevold from </span><a href="https://buildmathminds.com/" style="color: #b45f06;">Build Math Minds</a> <span style="color: #45818e;">for helping me understand the importance of explicitly teaching my mathematicians to trust. </span></span><br />
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-37300028879628365582018-10-13T19:22:00.000-07:002018-10-13T19:23:16.889-07:00Celebration, Collaboration, and Learning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I've been saying for a while now that I'm in charge of my own professional development. I've never waited around for my district or school to develop my pedagogy and practices. In fact, with the very best of intentions, sometimes, just sometimes, district PD can feel like a drive-by shooting. Shoot lots of professional bullets and with crossed fingers hope to hit something good. Regie Routman says it like this in her newest book </span><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Literacy-Essentials-Engagement-Excellence-Learners/dp/1625310374"><span style="color: #e69138;">Literacy Essentials</span></a></i><span style="color: #45818e;">. "Much of what is called professional development in schools today is actually what one principal labeled 'random acts of professional development.'” </span></span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-f0172764-7fff-78c6-6f81-1136d975b3c1"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Regie counters that description with this statement. "<i>According to research, to be effective and sustainable, professional development must be ongoing, composed of at least thirty to one hundred hours of time over the school year, connected to classroom practice, and geared to fostering collegial collaboration</i>." I wonder how many schools can say that this is their story.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This year, with the wise leadership of my amazing principal and the backing of our leadership team, we're allocating two of our early release afternoons per month to 90 minutes of staff professional development. This excites me to no end. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">My ever so smart instructional coach, Dani, and I are drawing wisdom from our experiences with The Idaho Coaching Network as we've thought through a PD arc for the year. The Network is a living and breathing example of how to develop a culture of celebration, collaboration, and learning. Check out some of the favorite strategies we've stolen from them that are essential elements of all our PD this year. (From what I hear, imitation is the highest form of flattery.)</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyLcbM5-Qd2_qDux0Q5TfqeMc-aBiRvNNsICIyXlSZjqC5OKAY03enTRrz-3Dfvju2jqP5pcambintT3xWKdGJxSOo8KHF-JC3sdMrcpItN1rKvJes54Q2BSqi_njr4Y3WhnTlPpTOJU/s1600/thumbnail_20180921_133215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyLcbM5-Qd2_qDux0Q5TfqeMc-aBiRvNNsICIyXlSZjqC5OKAY03enTRrz-3Dfvju2jqP5pcambintT3xWKdGJxSOo8KHF-JC3sdMrcpItN1rKvJes54Q2BSqi_njr4Y3WhnTlPpTOJU/s320/thumbnail_20180921_133215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOuhavb2dnGA6iH8Z3FbAZPYna2LixON1p_VtUeNWbVsnzsJh8Zj1dOoGCqjxpmYnsi-07Te5mZcS4fSQIdCZrgsfQBsAaapjD-6Yg7xMTg7nH6Cfxy3jDxUX_FaF8vqkhMX21fBpRTQ/s1600/thumbnail_20181003_172654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOuhavb2dnGA6iH8Z3FbAZPYna2LixON1p_VtUeNWbVsnzsJh8Zj1dOoGCqjxpmYnsi-07Te5mZcS4fSQIdCZrgsfQBsAaapjD-6Yg7xMTg7nH6Cfxy3jDxUX_FaF8vqkhMX21fBpRTQ/s320/thumbnail_20181003_172654.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every staff member has an interactive notebook.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vJqKeBF8z_t4eLdw1XyX9QFLUVS_Kd7VfEqkPKcxYTwDH5YidKyCWG1Usj9CGyAq_8UEMS5UcLNhYEmEEqMLkogr9v7Hgi-oJsJEdkWyLUiyh7wDJdbgQOJ51ByW7Xn0PDKUzoSI-xA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-10-13+at+8.09.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vJqKeBF8z_t4eLdw1XyX9QFLUVS_Kd7VfEqkPKcxYTwDH5YidKyCWG1Usj9CGyAq_8UEMS5UcLNhYEmEEqMLkogr9v7Hgi-oJsJEdkWyLUiyh7wDJdbgQOJ51ByW7Xn0PDKUzoSI-xA/s200/Screen+Shot+2018-10-13+at+8.09.15+PM.png" width="185" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We intentionally use and document effective strategies.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9QqzM2GcJgKBxO6ww9P-JpvKrLe4nMhSRXMtTVhg31NHDH4q0_2soat5nD1jcUf_qcr7w-ZVdSyI124217hlJZZLbN3gPVfGNxxHFb1myClc_NlEmrfTDLF8CI4z5kB4KpgUUAVm00w/s1600/thumbnail_20181003_172702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9QqzM2GcJgKBxO6ww9P-JpvKrLe4nMhSRXMtTVhg31NHDH4q0_2soat5nD1jcUf_qcr7w-ZVdSyI124217hlJZZLbN3gPVfGNxxHFb1myClc_NlEmrfTDLF8CI4z5kB4KpgUUAVm00w/s320/thumbnail_20181003_172702.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So even though each teacher is in charge of his or her professional development, schools have a responsibility to find the time and space to learn together. I'm so thankful to Regie Routman for spelling it out and to The Idaho Coaching Network for providing an example of what this can look like at its very best. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1026px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 193px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1026px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-62274584909991410572018-09-23T16:06:00.001-07:002018-09-23T16:06:57.149-07:00Glitch, Bummer, Disaster<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Christine Hertz and Kristine Mraz are quickly becoming some of my favorite people. They are helping me beef up the social emotional ways I teach my kids. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">If you're unfamiliar with them, please please please read this </span><a href="http://foreverin1st.blogspot.com/2018/09/kristine-and-christine.html"><span style="color: #e69138;">post</span></a><span style="color: #45818e;"> where I reference three things they've recently written that will likely transform your thinking and teaching.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">This coming week I'm going to tackle problem solving in my classroom. I'll be using the following two charts that Christine and Kristine use.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aren't those some brilliant charts? I'm going to combine them into one chart and build it piece by piece until we've learned about each problem over a three-day period. (I actually wrote three lessons that will hopefully help me do this efficiently and effectively.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the language that Christine uses once the chart is complete and kids are having problems.</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It seems like you're really upset about that. I hear you.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What kind of problem do you think that is?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you have any ideas of how you might solve it?</span></li>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have I convinced you to go read what Christine and Kristine have to say? Do it now.</span></div>
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-64095387398448603282018-09-22T08:51:00.000-07:002018-09-22T08:51:05.429-07:00Saturday Sayings: If He Could, He Would<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"What's your mantra going to be?" That's what my secretary asked me the day I stood in the office and told my story - the one about a student's perplexing and frustrating behaviors. Haven't we all told that story a time or two? It's usually one that can't easily be resolved, but my secretary's question was the perfect response. She's heard my classroom mantra PD. She knows how strongly I believe in the power of words. And so began a quest for the words that would help me stay the course on behalf of this little person while hopefully preserving my own peace of mind. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I turned to <i>Kids 1st From Day One</i> by Christine Hertz and Kristine Mraz who have been my guides on the side since day one of <i>my</i> school year. I'm in love with and challenged by the words they share from Katherine Reynolds Lewis. Can't behaving a certain way vs. not wanting to are two very different things. I can say from personal experience that the latter is an easy copout to embrace. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hertz and Mraz encourage teachers to believe that if a child could do something, he would. That mindset demands a different approach to challenges. Empathy and grace come to mind and maybe even a sliver of hope - hope that with the right scaffolds and supports, a child can be taught the skills necessary for social and emotional success, just like he can be taught to read or write. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So my mantra? If he could, he would. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been teaching long enough to know that five words aren't going to magically resolve any issues come Monday morning, but I know they have the power to change my mindset for the better. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If he could, he would.</span></div>
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-13334875816708378342018-09-21T17:57:00.004-07:002018-09-21T17:57:58.980-07:00Sensory Path #2<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I'm here to say that a sensory path doesn't have to be expensive, elaborate, or hard. It can be cute, fun, <i>and</i> fairly easy. Today a crew from my school created our second path. Since we have two playgrounds, it seemed like the thing to do. Read about path number one and the finer details </span><a href="http://foreverin1st.blogspot.com/2018/09/our-sensory-path.html"><span style="color: #b45f06;">here</span></a><span style="color: #45818e;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy hopping!</span><br />
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Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-41128966503638048472018-09-08T13:00:00.001-07:002018-09-15T20:12:23.961-07:00Our Sensory Path<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Last spring or summer I saw a </span><a href="https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/antsy-kids-in-school/"><span style="color: #b45f06;">video</span></a><span style="color: #45818e;"> on Facebook of a little person hopping his way along a colorful and creative path down a school hallway. The more I thought about it and the more I saw it reposted, the more I knew it was something that my school needed. </span><i style="color: #45818e;">"We should do this,"</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> recently turned into </span><i style="color: #45818e;">"Can I do this?"</i><span style="color: #45818e;"> and my principal gave me the thumbs up to take it on. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I basically mapped out the path from the video I saw from Facebook on a piece of paper, which saved me a whole lot of creative thinking time. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We only have one hallway in our school, and I can't imagine trying to walk my students to music or library in any kind of orderly fashion with a sensory path on the floor, so we put our path on the playground. Plus, all students can access it during recess time. </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I grabbed three teacher friends and this morning in about 2 1/2 hours we made it happen. I rolled. My friends followed and touched up my lines.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think our students will love it. I can already imagine taking my whole class outside for a brain break. I also hope the path becomes a welcome break for those individual students who need a quick getaway from the world.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grab some paint. Grab some friends, and you can have your own sensory path too!</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. FWI: It really wasn't that hard. I simply drew a map on a piece of paper. Then I used a small roller to roll it onto the ground. No taping or drawing the plan on the ground first required. (It helps that I have a very steady hand.)</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="https://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l604/jennwarwick1/TammysSig2.jpg" style="border: 0px;" />
Tammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.com22