Afternoon 6-29

Monday afternoon, our last Monday and my eportfolio seems to be complete, woo hoo!! :) Today we wrapped up a lot of things today and it felt really good. We've had so many things in progress and now its all starting to come together which is a cool feeling. I must decide what to share tomorrow and make sure we have our collaborative piece. In the morning we went over our professional development chart and then discussed the upcoming conferences and all that. I am honored to be asked to be a presenter for NDW and I am looking forward to this great event.
I feel at a loss for words because this has gone so quickly and I am looking forward to having time to really soak up all that I learned and experienced. I have a feeling tomorrow at Table Rock will be an amazing conclusion to an extremely fast paced but exhilirating couple of days. Perhaps more later when my mind is a little less cloudy. Below is the group piece we shared on Friday at Coffee Underground:
30 questions for Andrew Wyeth
All- Hey Andrew, we’ve got some questions for you

Kevin- 1. Why all the smashing pumpkins? Who are the people on the cliff?
2. Where did the pumpkins come from?
3. Why so many pumpkins?
Laura- 4. Why were you choosing these colors, why so dull?
5. Why is your color palette all the same?
6. What influenced your perspective?
Donna 7. How long did Hilda model for you?
8. Where did your fascination with hats come from?
9. How were you related to the person who drowned (hands out of ice)
Stacie 10. Did you mean for the painting apron to look like that or is it unfinished?
11. Where was the paper for the man in the painting the letter, was it a man?
12. In the painting 4 posters, is that your bedroom?
RK- 13. Was the painting fenced in a metaphor for your life at the time?
14. How did you divide your time between the seacoast and the farm?
15. How did you choose who to use as your female model?
Shelly 16. Are your paintings intended to be as sad as they appear?
17. Do your paintings parallel your life?
18. What are you trying to say through your painting?
19. Did the portrait of the woman in the glass house reflect her confidence?
20. What is the story portrayed in the letter?
21. Why did you choose the winter season to portray the glass house?
ALL- Andrew Wyeth your paintings inspire us to question, reflect and write!

Morning 6-29

This has been an unbelievable couple of weeks. I came into the summer institute excited and ready to learn a lot and aware that I had a lot of work to do. 6 credit hours sort of gives that away. :) I am learning to get over writing shyness and just write and share and be okay with it. I tend to share often but I still struggle with feeling like a better writing teacher than a writer. That is slowly shifting...
We have created a lot of writing, collaborated a lot, and I have been taken outside of my comfort zone which has been great. I mentioned in my reflection how I enjoyed being part of a writing community. I am always working to create that community in my classroom for my students and it was really fantastic to be able to truly experience it. Makes me remember why I want it so badly for my kids.
I am not sure what my role will be with the UWP. I am open but I am not sure that my current demo will fit with their current need. I am grateful for the experience and the group that I am now a part of and I look forward to continuing to grow as a writer, researcher and leader.

Fieldtrip to Downtown Greenville

Our last fieldtrip of the institute is already over. I cannot believe it. I live in Greenville so I have been downtown numerous times but it was fun to go as a writer this time around.

We started the morning responding to the Mice on Maine book and just being down by the falls in general. From there we had lots of fun wandering around. I wrote a lot in the museum about Andrew Wyeths paintings but it was rather all over the place. I was intrigued by his colors and dullness and what his state of mind might have been.

Our group spent a lot of time at Trio's eathing delicious food and creating our collaborative piece to share later. Then we wandered around the Mast general store where we all wished to have this sundress. :) But at nearly 60.00 we settled for a picture. :)

It was a great day full of lots of writing, laughing and sweating!! We ended the afternoon at Coffee Underground where I enjoyed a THIRD cup of coffee... Stacie made sure our group won the writing marathon with all her pages and many great pieces were shared! I love this group!!

Afternoon 6-25

I cannot believe that all our demos are done. This time has flown by. Jennifer started us up with a great demo on helping our students create enticing leads. I really enjoyed her variety of books and the way she let us work through the different steps. Kevin finished off our demos with a fantastic letter writing strategy. I loved his choice of books and the way he worked his students through the writing style. I can tell he offers his students a lot of choice and they feel safe in his room. After the demos we moved into our own writing. I am really scattered when it comes to my article because I have had so much feedback and have spent a lot of time working on it. I feel like I still have a whole lot to do but it'll happen.
Our video is done and it looks pretty good.
Erika and Jason brought us sundaes to ease tech time. :)
I like all the reflecting but I can feel my brain shutting down... so I am compiling a to -do list and we'll see how far I get with all of this. The weekend is coming and tomrrow is our fieldtrip downtown. I love our fieldtrips because we really have time to hang out and laugh with each other in a different environment. We have a great group!!

Afternoon 6-24

Life is crazy busy right now but I feel like I am doing a pretty good job of not freaking out. :) We started the day looking again at how much we want to be involved with the UWP as far as in-service goes and then we were able to interact with the young writers camp members. That was super fun for me because we got to see these young students having the chance to really express themselves. They aren't little kids writing random things they are WRITERS and it was amazing to hear what they have written so far. Justin had an amazing twist on the Titanic. Olivia get making me laugh with her disclaimers. She didn't want us to be worried about anything being real. She has an amazing imagination and her writing was SO powerful. Gabriella wrote about daily drama but her writing had a lyrical quality to it w/her use of various repititions- she likes to sing so this made sense. Lily is an extremely powerful poet. I was really impressed by her ability to use a few words create an amazing story and rythm. Nicole was a bit more timid but when she shared her writing was so unique and fun to listen to. Having the young writers also was good for my teacher heart becasue I was able to experience the joy and power of writing through their eyes again and was reminded why it is important for us, as teachers, to give them time and opportunities to write. I have a feeling that we will hear great things from these writers. Lily already has plans to be published. :)
After that time, Amanda shared her demo and did a fantastic job. I really enjoyed the activities she had us do and I will definitely use this strategy in my own classroom. Even if I don't teach English 1 next year.
Time to write, write, write... here is where everyone's stress comes to the forefront but only a few tears were shed and I think we'll get it all together. I am at the point right now where I feel like I am stuck. I need a printer, I need feedback, I need to know what to do. But other than feeling like that, I think I am okay... we shall see. Perhaps I need to write another to do list, must go figure out what to put on that list. :)

Morning 6-24

In-service-
That word ususally makes my stomach turn as I remember the countless hours of sitting through meetings that makes me crazy. :) However, I know from experience that in-sevice w/ the UWP would be time well spent. I can see myself presenting my demo wherever if asked but I am also quite happy to go behind the scenes. I know that I have some good ideas but sometimes I worry about teaching teachers who have been doing it so much longer. I know that age and experience don't necessarily equal good ideas but still...
I know we will be involved with the fall conference and I imagine I will do some other things if my demo fits. I am looking forward to pariticpating in all that the UWP will let me. I am hoping that as time goes on presenting will not be so scary. :)
They say if you don't like how things are being run or happening, change them. I think working with UWP could be my way to help bring about change.

Afternoon 6-24

What a jam packed day!!! Anna and Mindy both presented today and they were fantastic. Anna pushed through even though she didn't feel well and showed us a great strategy to help our students develop setting. Mindy got us out of our seats and let us have fun role playing. I always want to do that w/my kids but sometimes I get overwhelmed with actually doing it.
We worked at connecting the different pedagogy books that we are all reading and then we launched into tech. I am looking forward to podcasting in my classroom. It was fun to play around w/audacity and publish our work verbally. :) My head just keeps filling up w/all the cool things I can do w/my kids. I hope I remember it all.
I am a little overwhelmed w/the amount of work I have to get done in the next few days but I know it'll happen and I got a lot of work done on my article w/Inga assisting with the editing I just might have something. :) Once that is set I am onto the reflection.
Our movie is coming along and I know everything will be great. Woo hoo!! :)

Podcasting :)

Dandelion Wishes

Afternoon 6-22

I feel like a sponge and at times I get oversaturated but for the most part, right now, its like I cannot get enough. :) Donna was amazing today. I really enjoyed her demo and I am so excited to adapt it in my classroom. My kids will learn research so much faster and probably enjoy it a whole lot more through this strategy. Linda's was also wonderful. I could see her passion for her students and loved seeing all the things she is pushing her sweet kids to do. Her strategy is also one that I can adapt for my 8th graders. I am really appreciating the chance to write so much and I love feeling even more like a writer. I have a lot of things which are in process which is rather overwhelming but I am confident it will all come together.
I never would have thought that I would be attempting to publish to a journal, I mean who cares what I have to say? People still may not but the point is I am trying.
I need to get better with making decisions but I think a lot of my struggle has to do w/a lack of information and having no idea how busy my life is going to be and what I can fit in... so there is that. But here we are ending day 9 already, where is the time going?? Technically we are at day 12, craziness?! I am excited for tomorrow's demos and to see how our video footage assignments turn out. The creative juices are flowing. :)

Morning 6-22- Involvement in UWP

I have been extremely excited about becoming involved in the UWP. I do not know that I am "techy" enough to do Thursdays but I really want to help w/the conferences in whatever capacity I can. I am not sure exactly where best I fit in the UWP and I know that my life gets super busy especially with school (like everyone) but I know that I want to be a part of what happens here. I am not sure what happens at writing marathons but sounds great. :) I know we'll be at the National Day of writing and I am planning to be at the spring conference.
I would be willing to assist in tech thursdays and well, I am getting redundant.
I sound like I cannot make a decision, which is sort of true, but basically I am willing to work in area of need or where ya'll thinkI fit best. :)

Botanical Gardens, Clemson, week 2

I am sitting here on my couch on Saturday remembering that I must blog about yesterday while my mom putters through the jewelry she brought (she sells it) I cannot believe that we have one more full week and then just a few days. I feel equal parts sadness and panic. Sadness because it will be over already and then panic because I have A LOT to do. This has been a crazy week for me with family visiting and being sick and so I feel behind but I will catch up. :)

I really enjoyed the botanical gardens but was really distracted. I kept seeing all these things to take pictures of- hence my perspective writing about the photographer and here is one sample- so that was distracting... my mom was at my apartment and I was excited to see her but also working in my head all that needed to happen, etc... it was hot and well I was a bit brain-dead.

Many of us felt this way and were discussing how it was good for us to experience that because its the same things our students go through and we need to be cognizant of the fact that they don't always have a thought to write about or cannot get focused enough to get it out. That being said. I still tucked away several ideas and I m re-visiting a short story that I started with my students. Always focused on the horse because that is the other part of me but still. Its good... this week started with my demo, I got sick and then we ended with a lot of heat. But I also got to spend quite a bit of time w/ Ann, Ashley and Donna because we all rode down together and that was such fun. We are here to write and write a lot and to hone our craft so that we can increase our student's abilities but we are also here to network, build friendships and learn with each other. I felt for me, that a lot of yesterday was focused on the relationship aspect and it was sweet! 

Afternoon 6-18

Two more demos went well today and I was able to keep my eyes open, head feels so much better. Eyes were not closed due to boring yesterday but to pain- just to clarify. :)
Ashley was so nervous but she did really well. She has been teaching for just a small amount of time and I am so excited for her and how much she will grow as a teacher. Awesome!!
Dee was also amazing . I really appreciated his demo because it gave another genre of writing that is so needed. Our kids not only need to be creative but they also need to be able to analyze.
Our reading group met for the first time which was pretty fun- all the crazy upper grade teachers. :) Tech time went well, I enjoy using photo story and I am lookikng forward to tomorrow's fieldtrip. This is short because all I can think about is that mom is coming!! Woo Hoo!!

Afternoon 6-17

SI day 8- Plans change

Pain resounds in my brain, thumping
At some point will I lose brain power to these storms in my head?
“Why is this happening today” I groan
My vision is getting foggy; I hope in vain that it is just my allergies.

I walk into the conference room to tell Rebecca, Dawn and Shasta
My heart sinks as I realize the next few hours are going to be a lot of
pain and back and forth in my bodies attempt to heal itself.

I listen to fantastic demos- eyes closed to ease pain
Migraines- what causes them? Why do I get them?
Wish I knew… So little time, so much to do, the pain thumping in my
Brain is not part of the plan.
Once again reminded I am not the one in control… sigh.

Writing like Ron Rash, morning 6-17

I am going to try and write through the fog that is filling my brain right now. The blurry vision is faded but now the migraine, the pain begins... why am I getting one today??
Dawn said to look at a poem and see what image arises. I looked at my Things I carry and unfortunately I am mostly seeing a figure slumped over. Carrying too much stuff, tired and wanting to make sure things are okay for the future. Most of that has to do with the fact that I feel awful.
Okay, try again...
She turns slowly, dancing in the rain and humming a tune. her world is busy and filled with care but if not for these moments of forgetting, she would surely crumble under all the weight.
Filled with eagerness and passion this young woman tackling the demands of her day. Making sure everyone is okay. The world is her playground and those who dwell here, her obstacle. Often times there is a struggle that seems to come moving in like a cold front to warm weather. The wind howls, branches sway and at the end there is a lot to clean up and make new. This process, this jouney, this is what she carries.

Afternoon 6-16

Tech day number 2 is complete. I have the conundrum of which computer to use... shouldn't be a big deal but for some reason I am struggling. :)
Patsy and Shelly did an AMAZING job on their demos this morning. Even though Patsy teaches kindergarten- I could definitely use her strategy with my 8th graders. I love all the ideas I am gathering for my class this year.
Shelly had such a clever idea and I kept thinking of all the practice they could do w/expression and voice overs and all the figurative language they could practice- so cool. What an amazing bunch of teachers this group contains.
So, tonight amidst all my company I need to read, and write and try and get my mind clear. But this is a good kind of fog, one of learning. Hopefully tomorrow I will get a bit more time and well, this is fun and that is what I will remember! :)

Afternoon Reflection 6-15-09

Today was the momentous day of my demo... I survived and was not crazy nervous! :)

I have been so excited to become a part of the writing project and had so much stress this past school year that I am constantly reminding myself how much I was looking forward to this and I do not want to be stressed about it. So far that is working. As much as teaching adults freaks me out its encouraging to teach the other teachers in the UWP- they are so positive, so ready to jump in and participate and give feedback which just really makes the process so much better.

My family is coming into town this week starting tomorrow and so even though I have a lot of tweaking to do on it and a lot of writing to do I am glad that the demo is out of the way. I was relaxed but definitely still thinking about it. 

The thing is, I like to teach, I think I have good ideas, occasionally but I still feel like such a little kid which I guess I need to get over since I will be 30 this fall... sigh. 

We need teachers who are innovators and desire to find new ways to increase student learning and ownership of their work. 

I think, in a nutshell that is what the UWP is trying to do, teachers teaching teachers.

Today was really positive for me but I am glad my part is over. :) 

I am excited to try out Kathy's strategy on feature stories. I feel like I am going to leave at the end of June and have so many ideas to start creating my curriculum for this school year. Each year we hope to improve and get better. 

I took a writing workshop class w/ UWP, this presentation went better than that one- thankfully :) but just a year later I was so much more at ease doing writing workshop in my busy middle school class and I know that this year will be even better. 

Morning 6-15

I have always kept a journal and was raised loving book and knowing the power of words. I was amazed at the way black ink could create images in my head and evoke so much emotion: laughing, crying and even feeling like I'd lost someone or something when it ended...

I was a very reluctant English student, my mom is still in shock that this is what I teach, but in looking back most of that had to do with the fact that I felt fenced in. I hated essays and being bored.

In my freshmen year of college I had a professor who gave me a workable structure that allowed me to use my creativity within the bounds of structure. The last week of class I received a 100% on my last essay with her. I still didn't love the essay format but I did understand it. This would prove quite helpful in my college career. 

My sophomore year my English professor fed my creative side and taught me the value of revision and how a piece is never done. I had, theoretically, learned all of this in high school but it college I was more aware. I had a lot of money to lose. 

I write a lot, not always anything significant, usually just rambling. As a writing teacher if I'm asking my students to do it, I must do it first. 

I don't consider myself a good writer, not at all but I do know I am better off because I write. 

I ask my students on a daily basis to write out their anger and frustration, fold the page down so I don't read it, if necessary and then come and talk to me. This helps them stay out of trouble and gives both of us time to assess. It helps us think!

Connemara Fieldtrip

I was sitting on my bench rambling and here is what I came up with, seemed an appropriate reflection - 

I am sitting on a bench underneath a canopy of leafy green trees. All around me are scenes begging to be captured with my camera's lens. There are two white gates containing fields of long grasses and the air is heavy with the threat of rain. 

I am not sure what it is about gates that intrigues me. Perhaps it falls into the same fascination I have for windows and doorways- the promise of  possibility, the idea of something new.

So much of this summer is about new ideas and possibilities and so in many ways I am walking through all these various doorways. I am giving into my worries of writing and not being good enough. I am allowing myself to write poorly so that I can get better in this slice of time that I have been granted. 

Experimenting with new ideas , new thoughts, new freedom. 

Carl Sandburg was a man of substance. Very grounded but with a head full of knowledge as shown by the variety of what he read. As a reader I envy all of his books, bookshelves and time to read. 

As a writer I am humbled by his ability to use all that knowledge and create writing for the masses. His writing is honest and poignant and completely attainable. 

Its amazing to me to be able to wander his property, witness the amazing relationship in photos  that he shared with his wife and see what his life might have been like at one time. What a sanctuary he found for his writing soul. 

Now, this sanctuary is used to restore many souls. I listen to the voices of little children, so excited to see the goats. Families exploring together, oder couples ambling along the paths hands clasped still deeply in love all these years later. This was a home and it must have been happy because places have memories... 

Afternoon Reflection 6-11-09

Way to go Keisha and Stacie!! Our first TC's went today and did a fabulous job. I am excited to use both ideas in my classroom this year. :) I need to get my demo under control but I think that will happen... We jazzed the text w/Rebecca and I was reminded again of how much I liked that strategy and how powerful it truly is. 

Afterwards we played around w/wordles, you can see my groups on my blog. Then we dove into crazy tech time which actually went okay although I'm sure I've forgotten something. 

I am loving getting to know everyone, having the time to write and just getting new ideas. Its a really nice break from teaching. I can feel myself getting re-charged already. :) 

Tomorrow is our field trip which I am looking forward to and I have a lot of demo work to do this evening. Fun times! 

Wordle

Afternoon Reflection 6-10-09

Day one of the intense SI begins- love it! We started this morning listening and reflecting on the work of Carl Sandburg with Dawn. 

From there Rebecca walked us through a demo on Where I'm From using the book, Mama Where are you From? I have done this exercise so many times with my students but I really enjoyed getting to go through the process as just the learner/writer. I really liked the web that Rebecca did with us to narrow our topic and will definitely do that with my students this school year. 

The coaching session gave me time to hear what other people were doing and really solidify what  will be doing for my quickly approaching demo.

We have lost 3 people in our mentor group and so with just 3 of us we really knocked out what each of us were going to do. I was really glad that Anna got a chance to really hash out her ideas. 

Our writing groups makes me laugh and also really think with the variety of stories that come out from each of us. I love listening to how each one of us processes differently. 

I have some work to do this evening and the next few to get my demo ready to go but that is okay... I am tired but excited. A very successful day 1 although I guess it is really day 4. :)

Morning Journal

Carl Sandburg’s writing June 10, 2009

 I love the expression of they work hard because they are wearing overalls. The overalls hold the power that fuels them. So reminiscent of childhood and the way that children equate an object to equaling power. The security blanket or hat, the favorite shirt all of these portray some type of power to the child. I remember my little brother and his cowboy boots and how for a year straight those were the only shoes he would wear, that was it. I don’t know that we could get him in any now. At the age of 22, I don’t know how much he would love me remembering that, either.

When I was little I took ballet and so my mom would put my hair in a bun. I have never had the greatest posture and I remember her saying that I had to stand up straight so that the little birds wouldn’t fall out because she called the bun a bird’s nest. I was little and I believed her and was horrified of ever dropping one of the little birds.

The power of thought and stories.

But I still love the overalls. The idea that putting on a garment gives power, energy or whatever is needed. We have specific clothes for many different things but as adults I don’t know that we think they possess any power. Or do they? The power suit, the slamming black dress,  the comfy sweats, etc… maybe putting something on is powerful because we say so.  They say perception is reality… 

May 2 reflection

Our last Saturday before the real part of the institute begins. :) Dawn and Shasta both shared demos and I enjoyed gleaning ideas from them. I especially liked the idea of actually cutting out words to create the found poetry that Shasta demonstrated. 

Tech time was fun making absurd videos :) Rebecca is quite the actress. :) I am really looking forward to growing in my craft and getting to know new teachers.

* I thought I posted this earlier, so I am sorry- its quite short!! *