Angela Maiers Educational Services

Celebrating Mema Wordle Style

Yesterday, we said goodbye to my grandmother, my hero, and my best teacher. In the midst of sadness the day was filled with joy via stories about her life, and of her life shared with my grandfather who passed several years ago.

They were known to all as "Mema & Pepa" and I wanted to find a way to capture the essence of those stories and Wordle seemed a perfect way.

These were the words that came up over and over as both friend and stranger shared on how my grandma and grandpa touched their lives (click to enlarge image).

There's been lots of talk on how Wordle can be used -- reflection being one of those. It helped us all focus on her life, not her death. And in creating it, that's what we celebrate.

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Celebrating Blog Day 2008 with a Blogiversary

It's been a year. And what a year it's been. I'm celebrating my first ever Blogiversary (my blog's anniversary). Last August, I entered into the blogosphere. Here's what I found: Relationships around the globe; learning across disciplines; opportunites all around me.  Together, We Are Smarter.

I vividly remember wondering if anyone would ever read my blog. One day, Troy Worman awarded me with an Oustanding Blog award -- and the readership and relationshps started to escalate from there.

I believe a big part of blogging is putting others first, so rather than toot my own horn -- I'm going to blow some link love on others. Because it's also Blog Day 2008, a great way to celebrate new blogs or blogs outside of our own niche.

Here are the guidelines:

BlogDay posting instructions:               

1. Find 5 new Blogs that you find interesting
2. Notify the 5 bloggers that you are recommending them as part of BlogDay 2008
3. Write a short description of the Blogs and place a link to the recommended Blogs
4. Post the BlogDay Post (on August 31st) and
5. Add the BlogDay tag using this link:
   http://technorati.com/tag/BlogDay2008 and a link to the BlogDay web site at http://www.blogday.org

Here are 5 blogs to celebrate this year (some may not be new, but they may be new to you):

• Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds - Garr probably doesn't know this, but his work has transformed my work. I've become a better speaker, a better teacher, and a better listener because of his brilliance. Every teacher should read his site (and his book).
• Growing, Changing, Learning, Creating by Tom Haskins - Tom has such a passion for learning! His curiosity and willingness to use blogs and comments as a whiteboard for his ideas continues to be an inspiration.
• Successful Teaching by Pat Hensley - Pat shares so many resources and tips she is one of the first sites I look for when reading my RSS feeds. She's also a great community builder -- an important trait in the classroom, yes?
• Chaos Scenario by Cam Beck - Not chaos in the classroom please (though I can think of lots of scenarios). Cam has a passion for learning and most every post, idea, and skill can be transferred into a classroom setting.
• Laura4Literacy by Laura Hecht - My student, my colleague, my friend. She has just launched her own blog -- almost a year to the day of my own launch. She has such a passion for kids, especially in Africa.

Do I have to stop at five? No, but I'm going to ask you to help build upon this day and celebrate five blogs too -- on your site.

Happy Blogiversary:-)

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Chalk Talk - 08/29/08

Chalk Talk Friday represents conversations and brilliance I've discovered traversing my way through the Blogosphere.  From professional to personal development, these are the posts and links have in some way touched my head or my heart!

• If you love to sketch, paint, or doodle, you're going to love art.com's ArtPad. You can use SnagIt or other screen capture to grab and post.
• If you love history, you're going to love Digital History. A great tool to teach, learn...and maybe even foresee.
• If you love information, you're going to love using Google Reader -- and here's a simple video to teach you how to use it.
• If you love comics, you're going to love Comiqs. Create and share a photo strip, Comiq-style. What a grat digital storytelling tool.

If you love ChalkTalk (and who doesn't?) use these links, browse the archives...and by all means -- share the resources with others.  Together We're Smarter, yes?

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The Language of Learning

This morning I received an email from a local administrator. I have been working with his staff on setting up the First 20 Days of literacy and learning conversations, emphasizing the alignment of our beliefs with the language and actions we use with students.

Teachers have planned and prepared intentional mini lessons, aligned with the following:

• Reading and learning are not skills of mastery-they get better over time across increasingly more complex text
• Comprehension is not a commodity-it is an active, reflective, problem solving process
• Lifelong learning is a habit requiring stamina and endurance, and everyday students get stronger the longer we can sustain the work
• Reading is lifework not deskwork

You know that these are not just statements of rhetoric, when you hear the following:

Angela,

Thought I would pass along a 1st grade quote I received on the 3rd day of school.  While the first graders were eating lunch, I approached a table and asked how things were going. "Great!!" they responded.  So, I continued...."are you learning lots of new things this year??" 

A cute little girl named Zoe responded..."not too much yet because we are just trying to build up our stamina.  We are only at 5 minutes, but on Monday we will move up to 6 minutes and then we can learn more.  It just takes some time to build up our stamina!!!" 

Thought you would appreciate the conversations happening at [our elementary school].  These types of things were NOT happening a few years ago.  I LOVE IT!

Out of the mouths of babes! What are your students saying today about literacy and learning?

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Teaching With Intention: What Real Readers Do

Often the actions and activities readers engage in during the school day do not mirror the actions and behaviors of real readers outside the school walls. To make my case that comprehension is NOT a commodity-(something readers do/get after reading), I set out on a quest to interview real readers in the act of comprehension.

What Real Readers Do

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: books readers)

As you view this slideshow, think about what can be learned from seeing real readers in action:

• How do real readers choose books?
• What do real readers talk to one another about?
• What questions do real readers ask? themselves? others?
• What makes entices, engages, and keeps real readers actively seeking meaning?
• What are the reasons real readers read?
• What guides real readers decisions about books, genre, content?
• How are real readers supported in their work?
• What are the different kinds of real reading you see in the world outside of school walls?
• How is writing, speaking, listening related to real reading?

These are the foundational lessons and conversations we should be having with our students. As we engage in dialogues about text selection, organization, and book choice, use these photos to make your teaching more authentic and intentional. Think of the possibilities!

Related Posts-

-What do they do when they finish a book?

-Is Comprehension a Commodity

-Active Reading

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My Real Life Lessons

This weekend started out like any other-catching up on housework, getting  kids to practice, running errands, etc... How quickly life can change.

After a middle of the night call, we rushed my grandmother to the emergency room,transported her to two hospitals, and were informed today she has an inoperable liver tumor rapidly progressing leaving us only a few short weeks to be together.

As I left the hospital, I was struck by this sign posted on every floor and along every corridor:

We are what people see when they arrive. We are the eyes they look into when they are frightened and lonely. We are the voices people hear when they ride the elevators and when they try to sleep and when they try to forget their problems. We are what they hear during their appointments that could effect their destinies. We are their voices after those appointments.

We are the intelligence and caring that people hope they will find here. No visitor, no patient, ...can ever know the real you, the you that you know is there unless you let them see it. Let them see what you know, see you do, and most importantly see how you care. Let them see you.

I could not get these words out of my head. What I know got me through this difficult time, were the people surrounding my family-not their knowledge, although we were grateful for expert advise, not their credentials, but their hearts.

In all life throws at us, I believe, there is always something to learn, and for me it was this:   Who we are matters. It matters far more than what we do or what we know.

My grandmother lived her life showing others how much she cared-both stranger and friend saw her love by the way she looked in their eyes, by the sound of her voice, and through her generous actions.

Even now, in her most difficult moments,she is still teaching me how to live my best life possible.

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Big Universe- A World of Online Children's Books

Recently, I shared Lookybook, a wonderful online resource for picture books.

I have found another must see/share site- Big Universe adds an additional dimension to the literacy process-opportunity for authorship.

At Big Universe you and your students are able to read hundreds of the best childrens picture books online for FREE and if you like, create and publish your very own picture e-book.

What a great way to bring reading and writing workshop into the 21st century-I love it!

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Chalk Talk - 8/22/08

Chalk Talk Friday represents conversations and brilliance I've discovered traversing my way through the Blogosphere.  From professional to personal development, these are the posts and links have in some way touched my head or my heart!

WOW- it still amazes me everyday how much there is to know! Learning really is an intoxicating experience-Enjoy, friends!

• I hate it when I have a song in my head and can not remember the words-not a problem anymore with MixTurtle - a great new search engine for songs and lyrics.
• TumbleBooks is wonderful place for our youngest 21st Century readers-enjoy a library filled with talking picture books that will teach the joy of reading in a format kids will love!
• This one hit home with me!(literally) Mike writes eloquently about the power our students have to engage and interact with the world outside of school , and the need to do the same within the classroom walls. It is a must read for parents and educators: Creativity Trumps Clever Everytime.
• Whether you are a new teacher or an expereinced veteren, the Teachers Network, is a one-stop shop for support and resources. With Web mentors, professional development, and lesson planning support, it is a great place to be.
• What your story? This is the question Robert McKee answers in his best selling book. Presentation Zen does a great job of showcasing Roberts Talents with insights from the book, video interviews, and a peek at his corresponding slideshow. Thanks, Garr,great post!
• This one is for the science teachers-you are gonna' love this. The Periodic table of Videos-it is truly amazing!

Okay, okay-I'm stopping. There was just so much I learned this week! Don't forget to share your great finds as well-on your blog or mine! Have a great weekend!

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Teaching With Intention: The First 20 Days

Imagine a set of guidelines that reach beyond the classroom, guiding behavior, building character, and teaching attitude and values that stick with the students the rest of their lives? Imagine a classroom that prepares students for the world by giving them the tools they need to become responsible decision makes, better problem- solvers, and self regulated learners. Sound like Eutopia?

This is absolutely possible when our policies and procedures are aligned with our principles and values about teaching and learning.

In preparation for the new school year, I have invited teachers to think explicitly about what they value most about the learning they wish their teaching to produce. Here's the shortlist:

• Students will become lifelong learners
• Students will STAY curious and imaginative
• Students will become self regulated-managing their time, resources, and talents
• Students will take and manage risk as they strive to become fearless as learners
• Students will engage in discussions about Big Ideas and Essential topics
• Students will become powerful questions "askers" not "answerers"
• Students will engage and understand the world outside of the classroom walls
• Students will find, value, and share their voice
• Students will practice being adaptable and flexible

We have spent the week turning these "Eutopian" statements into real life classroom conversations by creating a series of mini lessons that could be modeled and demonstrate for students during the first twenty days of school. ( Click here to download Habitude Mini-lessons).

Effective, intentional teaching begins with a strong set of beliefs, and even the best, most dedicated teachers struggle to make sure that their classroom practice consistently reflects their core convictions.We hope that our work, will inspire your own conversations with students as you ask yourself:

• What do I value most?
• What do my students value?
• How do we communicate these beliefs to one another in explicit and intentional ways?

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The First Day of School-Get To or Have To?

Today marks another first day of school for my children. Ryan, 13, is beginning 7^th grade, and my youngest, Abby, a fifth-grader.

We have had the same routine every year: pictures on the front porch, breakfast together, and mom crying after they are dropped off (yes, even after all this time-it still gets me!)

The tears are a blend of emotion and excitement, anticipation and hope, for what the year will be like. As they get older I am seeing the dreaded change that I talk to parents and educators about; school is becoming a place where they "have-to"go rather than "get-to" go.

As I look back at this first day in years past, I remember their excitement and anticipation. I still find myself asking the question-What happens?

Unfortunately, I know exactly what happens. School becomes just that: a "have-to" not a "get-to".

Students "have-to" read, "have-to" complete assignments, "have-to" listen, "have-to" sit, raise their hands,etc...

Please do not mistake what I am saying, in life there are definitely "have-to's", but in my life, the "get-to's" far out weigh.

Here’s my hope, my wonder: Do "our" kids "Get-To":

• Ask Questions- not only content but one another
• Collaborate-with one another, other classrooms, and other worlds that exist outside of their classroom walls
• Create-not with cotton balls and pipe cleaners, but with their minds. Is their imagination ignited, will their curiosity be peaked, will creativity be a valued ingredient in their classroom?
• Talk-about issues that matter most, about big ideas, and things that can change the world
• Feel Proud-real pride comes with ownership. Who "owns" their classroom?  Who owns the learning?
• Think-not just memorize and regurgitate, but really think! Do they "get-to" grapple, struggle, and experience the breakthrough that often follows?
• Share-their opinions, their thoughts, their wonders, and most importantly share their hearts. 

As a parent sending their best, I hope for their best. I believe that school can be a "get-to" while still accomplishing the "have-to".

Imagine with me the day all students walk through the classroom doors on the first day saying:

"I am soooo lucky-I "get-to" do this everyday!"

 

 

 

 

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