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Welcome! Join me as I share my experiences as a wife, mom, and kindergarten teacher, and my reflections on them all. Come along as I share my crazy journey!


Friday, December 31, 2010

2011: Bring it on!

It's that time of year again when everyone starts thinking about what resolution they will make for the new year.  You know, that one thing that will make you feel most guilty about when you fail to reach your goal.  That seems to be what everyone is thinking and talking about right now.  So, here is a proposal for you.  How about thinking about your hopes for the new year instead?  Instead of writing down a resolution that you may or may not be able to keep, how about writing down your hopes for the new year?  Hopes are kinder to your soul.  If you don't meet your goal, there is disappointment and guilt.  If you haven't yet made your hope come true...you can just keep right on hoping!  Much better.  Much gentler.  What a nice way to start the new year! 


So...what are your hopes for the new year?

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Spelling Wars

My school is in the middle of a tug of war of sorts.  A spelling tug of war.  There are teachers who are using Evan Moore, Rebecca Sitton, Words The Way and a conglomeration of approaches made into their "own way." 

It is my understanding that in order to make spelling relevent to the child, it should be based on his/her own writing.  I look at my student's writing and find the close approximations.  Those become the spelling words for the child.  I'm not into the traditional Friday spelling tests.  That forces a child to memorize a word for Friday's test.  It doesn't commit that word into longterm memory.  My job is to help the child put it in longterm memory where he/she can continue to use it correctly in daily reading and writing.

So what is the right way?  Is there a right way?  What do you do?  Do you have any insights to offer?  I would love it hear it!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Trying my hand at a little poetry...

It’s Time Again

Turn the key.
Step inside.
Musty.
Piled.
Dust covered.
Deep breath.
It’s time again.

Push the tables around.
Try again.
Maybe the third time?
Stacks.
Where to start?
Deep breath.
It’s time again.

Arrange the books.
Big plans, big ideas.
Careful.
Thoughtful.
Intentional.
Deep breath.
It’s time again.

Set up the space.
Plans in place.
Jitters.
New faces.
Butterflies.
Deep breath.
It’s time again.

Game face ready.
Deep breath.
On your mark.
Deep breath.
Get set.
Deep breath.
Go!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Come in, come in!

Come in, sit down and let's have a little chat.  I'm hoping to make this blog about my journey as a teacher, a learner, a mom and anything else that comes along. I hope to share my learning, my successes, my misses, and my reflections along the way.  I love to talk shop, so if you have something to add...by all means, jump in!  I believe talking about our craft is part of what makes us grow as teachers and learners.  So, let's talk!