The Teacher Mom

      This is a guest post, written by Christine Flowers!  She is a fantastic 3rd grade teacher at Hiawatha School, and part of our #D100BloggerPD crew.  Today she is sharing with us what inspires her.

What inspires me?

     Being a mom is tough. Being a working mom is tough. Being a teacher working mom is NUTS!! Thank goodness my daughters inspire me to be the best me and accept my shortcomings. There is always tomorrow to try again, get it right. I finally try to live my life by the mantra: Don’t sweat the little stuff but cherish the little moments.

     Becoming National Board certified made me a much more reflective teacher on my practice. Becoming a mom made me a much more reflective teacher on my individual students. So many times I ask myself, “Did I try to listen and really hear what my students were saying?” “Did I make my students feel special today? “ Did I greet and smile at each student individually?” Because that is what I want for my daughters.

     Everyone can learn if they feel safe. However what we need to feel safe is so varied. Growing up in the exact same household, that set of needs is so very different for each of my daughters. Huh, guess it would be in the classroom as well. So as I try to quell another meltdown at home while understanding what caused it and what might alleviate it, I think about my classroom and how to apply that strategy. Practicing the piano, completing a book log, heck even brushing our teeth…major productions some days in the Flowers household. Okay, okay…let’s teach self motivation, natural consequences, consistency…wait! I think that all applies in my classroom as well. Kids just don’t want to do it because someone “told them to”.

 

Every day my Alexa Gabrielle and Alyssa Ann inspire me though their words and actions..and my REACTIONS….to be a better person and a better teacher. One day at a time!

Catch up with the rest of the #d100bloggerPD #whatinspiresyou posts below.  

Just click on a circle in theThingLink!

On Wednesday, look to Nancy at @TeamHealyK-2 for our next post of inspiration.

3 Days of Inspiration!

I love him! (or, alternatively, I love her!)

That came out of my mouth a lot over the last few days.

I was at the Reading Recovery conference this Thursday and Friday in Chicago, where I saw Ralph Fletcher, Christopher Lehman, Cris Tovani, Baruti Kafele, Ruth Quiroa and Amy Huftalin. Then I spent Saturday at a CARA event with Kristin Ziemke and Katie Muhtaris.

Perhaps just saying "I love him/her!" is a simple way to express some other, more thoughtful responses.  Maybe I "really" meant...

I deeply respect the work they do in education.

I admire their impact on students across the country.

I celebrate the way they use their voice to make a positive change in students' lives, or in the world.

I hear their thinking, and it helps me reflect on my own practice.

I can be a better teacher if I believe in things the way they believe in things that matter to them.

I don't want to be them, because you can only truly be yourself, but I can channel their work to be the best ME I can be.

So, with that being said, here are the compilation of my #sketchnotes from the last three days.   I urge you to take a look, and if something in the notes speaks to you, then act on it.  We can only control the things that we do, and becoming the best teacher we can be is within that control.

I hope you also find a little love hidden in there, too.  Because, when there is passion, there is heart.  Our kids need our hearts as well as our minds.  

Maybe you won't shout, "I love him!" like I do, but maybe you will.

Ralph Fletcher, Keynote


Ralph Fletcher, on Using Mentor Texts


Cris Tovani, on Balance between Content and Reading


Christopher Lehman, on Writing From Sources


Baruti Kafele


Christopher Lehman on Close Reading


Wordless Picture Books, with Ruth Quiroa and Amy Huftalin


Kristin Ziemke and Katie Muhtaris



Kristin Ziemke Break-Out Session

Optimism (Mindset #1)

Mraz and Hertz

     January begins, and learning gets serious. We re-evaluate the first half of the year, and push forward.  My principal, +Karen Marino, wanted to start 2016 off with a session during our Institute Day about goal setting.  She is an avid reader, so when she prepares for things it often involves reading a book or some articles.  This time, she couldn't have found a more perfect match (in my opinion, at least.)

     My district adapted a standards based grading system this year, and we are in the midst of a major shift in thinking about learning and grading.  Karen wanted us to create SMART goals as teachers, and while introducing it she showed us the 5 "mindsets for learning" that we should have developed in our learning communities.  Rather than jumping to students setting goals, we really need to embrace the mindsets that learners have.  We can't focus just on learning standards and the CCSS when we set goals.  They have to have a growth mindset mentality that embraces the process of learning, and we can develop that through modeling and directly naming the mindsets that will make us successful learners.  I think we embraces this at Hiawatha a few years ago, but how much time do we actually spend beyond the first few weeks talking about learner behaviors?

     After her presentation, a group of us got together at our district EdCamp and created a "slow chat" on Twitter.  A slow chat is where you give a question, like in a Twitter chat, but instead of only having the standard 8-10 minutes to answer it, you stretch out the time that you accept answers.  We decided to take answers for a week.  We created a calendar to introduce one mindset per week, either in morning meeting or throughout the day.  As a staff, we would share the books, resources, and lessons we used with our building hashtag, #hiawathapride.

     Thanks, +Lori Horne, +Tyler Haar, +Katherine Whisler, +Kathryn Wallace, +Theresa Carrillo, +Virginia Burdett, and +Karen Marino for meeting during edCamp to work out the details.

     We are now starting week 1!

OPTIMISM

     Here is a "one sheet" that I created for our staff to use during Morning Meeting or when introducing it to their class.  It is based on the ideas in A Mindset For Learning.  There is so much more in the actual book!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6nSB6nXSloXWnlxZmVmUlNXMDA/view?usp=sharing

     When I think of optimism, I think about having the ability to see the positive side of things.  I think that people who are optimistic tend to be willing to face struggles, because they can see the possibility for success on the other side.  I think that it is a mindset that we can have that can really change our perspective on the way we see things. Many people see things as "glass half empty" and other see it as "glass half full."  I saw this image of a giraffe, and thought, "Exactly!"  We all have, within ourselves, the ability to see things from a positive or a negative perspective.  Those that are optimistic and see the positive side of things are more likely to overcome the challenges and succeed.  One person (or in this case, one giraffe) can choose to be optimistic or not.

http://penelopeillustration.com/portfolio-items/optimism/

     How can we help our students at Hiawatha (or in the world beyond) be optimistic?  Let's follow the #hiawathapride hashtag and find out.  Once we introduce "optimism" we don't forget about it, so we can answer this question for the rest of the year.  Mindsets work together to make a learner successful.

     Two of my favorite books for optimism?  An old favorite, given to me by +Diona Iacobazzi, is Beautiful Oops.  It is about seeing mistakes as opportunities.  A new favorite, written by the wonderful Kevin Henkes, is A Good Day.  It is about a bad day turning around.

     Also, as we wrap up MLK weekend, I can't help but think of Dr. King as a person who showed optimism (as well as many of the the other learning mindsets to come).  He was willing to take a risk and stand up for what he knew was right.  There were many challenges and problems back then that deterred reaching equality, and there still are many today.  But, he worked to bring change anyway.  He was optimistic that his voice could make a difference for millions of people.  

     Ok, Hiawatha!  Let's explore OPTIMISM!  #hiawathapride

How does your classroom embrace optimism?  

How do students show optimism?

I'm Exhausted

I'm exhausted.
I am.

I could tell you about the massive cold I started the week off with.
I could tell you about how I thought I lost my wallet at Chuck E Cheese and spent a whole day worried about it.
I could tell you it was because I had to drive to CCD in the snowstorm.  I hate driving in snow.
Or, I could tell you about the skin biopsies that my husband and I both had this week, and required me to walk around with a giant bandaid on my head for most of the week.  That was awesome.
I could tell you about the dental cleaning for my kids that required serious mom bribery and a PlayPlace mid week, and ended with a busted lip.  I'm sure the slide was clean.  :(
I could tell you about the multiple traffic problems that made my already long commutes even longer.
I could tell you that now that my son is over his cold, my daughter is starting the weekend coming down with something.

I could.  It was a loooooong week personally.  But, it's not why I'm exhausted.  I did a #g2great Twitter chat with Kari Yates on Thursday night, and something she said spoke to me.

Instead, let me just describe my Friday at Hiawatha.

I'll tell you that I started my day with a second grade team that has done some serious unpacking of Standard 3.  We had a thoughtful conversation about how we interpret the standard, and their goals for instruction and assessment.

I'll tell you about the writing sample that I saw a 5th grader produce after their field trip to MSI yesterday, and writing is a struggle for him.  He had an experience that motivated him to WRITE!

I'll tell you about the conversation I had with a teacher about books for his next unit.  We shared titles and thought about the bigger ideas across texts that his students could explore.

I'll tell you that I went to a 4th grade class to watch reading workshop in action, and I got to watch children taking notes and sharing their learning with their classmates.  They even taught me a few things.

I'll tell you that I got to see our ESL teacher return students after ACCESS testing, and how proud they were to have finished the big test, doing their very best.

I'll tell you that I got to observe a mini lesson by the wonderful +Meg Hanisch using some strategies that I have not yet had time to explore.

I'll tell you that I got to spend lunch working with a 3rd grade team who was so flexible with me that they rescheduled their ELA time because I couldn't meet with them the day before.  They gave up their Friday lunch to plan for their students, and talk with each other about #d100bloggerPD and #D100chat.

I'll tell you that I got to stop into a 4th grade room and see how their literary essays were going in the drafting stage, after stopping in a few days before.  I was able to see the changes the teachers put in place, and the effect it had on students!

I'll tell you that a teacher showed me her plan to tie visual literacy into her weather unit, using close reading of images, articles, and videos to explore their 4 research topics.  I made her promise to invite me in.

I'll tell you that I met with a teacher to talk about visiting classrooms to see Passion Time in action, and then we discussed her own next steps unrolling it in her room.

I'll tell you that I set up some observations for new teachers to visit classrooms across our district.

I'll tell you that I talked with my AP and my principal about "optimism" as our first building wide mindset for learning, and then talked to a few teachers about it before sending out the information on our "slow chat" on #hiawathapride to highlight "optimism" across our building.

I'll tell you that a teacher and I finally got a chance to talk about her own reflections of herself as a teacher this year, and last year.  We have been trying to do that in person for a few days!

I'll tell you that my principal and I discussed standards, and goals setting, and SBR.

I'll tell you that I met with a teaching team to figure out how to get science research clubs going in their room next week, and how to merge that with guided reading.  We also talked about mini lessons, and lessons, and how to balance the two.

I'll tell you that I went into a classroom to see their first Passion Time research in action!

I'll tell you that I talked to our secretary about the books that we need for Battle of the Books, which I am so excited about doing with our fantastic librarian.

I'll tell you that I didn't even get to talk to the three people who wanted to talk to me about things that I just couldn't fit in today.  Sorry about that...  I'll have to "stop, collaborate and listen" with them next week (or this weekend perhaps...)

I'll tell you that, after the bell rang, I talked with some teachers about some next steps they can have in reading, and in their next unit.  We also may have teared up over the passing of Snape this week.  Well, 2 of us teared up while the other one worked on Guided Reading plans.

I'll tell you that 2 teachers wanted to talk SMART goals at 4:30 on a FRIDAY, and another stopped in to see if I had had time to read the excerpt of the book she had reflected on and texted me.

I am exhausted, because that all happened TODAY.

I am exhausted, because I am a literacy coach in a building that is on fire.  Our teachers are just out of this world, and I get to spend all my days helping them do whatever it is that will move them along.

Thank you everyday for planning with me, creating with me, reflecting with me, teaching in front of me, teaching with me, reading with me, and being an educator with me.

Man, am I blessed to be a Hiawathan.  

Much #HiawathaPride

(This post was inspired by Theresa Carrillo.  Happy Birthday!  I thought I'd honor you by writing in your style!  Read her post here: http://learnteachgr0w.blogspot.com/2016/01/im-exhausted.html)

Out of This World!

Take a peek at this set of astronauts!

To infinity & beyond! My astronauts traveled all the way to see our solar system! #hiawathapride pic.twitter.com/ITrvNaQl4E

— Kayla Kaczmarek (@Kaczmarek_D100) January 8, 2016

At Hiawatha, we believe in balanced literacy.  We believe that teaching reading, writing and content areas (and, if we can, math) all fit together.   We believe in promoting literacy through units that have essential questions and provide experiences for our students.  We believe is starting from the standards and backwards mapping, planning with the end in mind.

This year, we are exploring a new format to plan our essential understandings for our units.  Below is what our talented first grade (+Amelia Sheers, +Vianney Sanchez +Kayla Kaczmarek +Shianne Gillespie +Melissa Alper) team created for their Space Systems unit.

After they created their essential understandings and unpacked the essential CCSS and NGSS standards into single point rubrics, THEN they began planning the activities for their unit.  It is so much more targeted to plan for great activities when you have the end in mind, rather than just finding lessons about space and hoping they hit the target.

But, what about the beginning of the unit?

 

So often, we launch into units, but don't take time to invest our children in the content.  When we have an emotional or physical connection to something, it makes our learning experiences much deeper.  So, our first grade team planned to send their students into space!  They turned our 100+ year old gym stage into the universe, and their 70 or so students into astronauts, and blasted off!

Do you want a little glimpse of what it would be like to be a space explorer?  If so, it's your lucky day!

They then went back to class.  But, they didn't just take out their math books and move on.  Oh no!  They used the excitement that they had gathered and started sharing what they already know for their space unit!  They started a Padlet wall and reported all that they already know about the sun, moon, earth, and outer space.  

I can't wait to watch this set of astronauts as they continue on their journey through space.  After all, this was only the BEGINNING of their unit.  With teachers as out of this world as theirs, they can go anywhere.  To infinity, and beyond!

The Darkness

There I was, lying in the darkness.  The literal darkness of night.  Today was a long day, and I should be welcoming the darkness and allowing my eyes to rest.  And yet, there is was.  Staring back at me.  Fear and anxiety wrapped me like the blanket I was under. 

So, I opened my laptop.

I had just finished facilitating a Twitter chat on growth mindset, with my wonderful #D100chat PLN.  Once again, I was reminded of the glorious people that I work with.  They elevate me, and inspire me.  I finished the Storify, then read my email, and the darkness came.

I hate budget problems.  I don't *hate* many things.  But, the seemingly annual panic over budgets in schools in Illinois is starting to wear me down.  I do my job the very best I can, and then somehow my role is reduced to a dollar value, considered as a possible cut to balance a budget that the STATE broke.  It is a weird thing, to walk around and feel like you have a dollar sign on your forehead.  Do I "add up" to that value?  Am I good enough to fight for? And, the darkness surrounds me.  I feel like crying, and screaming, or both.

I love my job.

I love my Hiawatha family.

I love my D100 PLN.

I. LOVE. OUR. STUDENTS.

I hate budgets.

So, darkness was covering me, and tears were spilling. But, I chose the light.  

I reached for my computer, and opened an email from Kayla Kaczmarek.  She sent us a quote from a book she was reading yesterday, and I just needed to read it again to restore myself. It is this:

"Progress. Just make progress. It's okay to have setbacks and the need for do-overs. It's okay to draw a line in the sand and start over again--and again. Just make sure you're moving the line forward. Move forward. Take baby steps, but at least take steps that keep you from being stuck. The change will come. And it will be good."

Unglued: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Raw Emotion by Lysa Terkuerst.

I cannot control things out of my control.  Change always comes.  I just need to keep moving forward.  I need to trust that the job that I am doing matters, and that will fuel me.  I need to remember that being stuck is not an option for me, and that I am not going to let the state of Illinois stop me from making an impact.  It is my job to help others, and I cannot do that if I give up on myself.  For as long as I can, I will just keep doing what I do.  BECAUSE IT MATTERS.

The students in my school deserve my very best, every single day.  I can't let the state of Illinois stop me from doing my best for even a single day.  

I am a literacy coach.  I am a teacher.  I make a difference.  

A Mindset for Learning: Teaching the Traits of Joyful, Independent Growth (Mraz and Hertz)

I am going to choose to have the mindsets for learning, and life, that our staff is beginning to focus on this month with our precious Huskies.

Please watch this video from @TheEdCollabGathering, at about 15 minutes in, and it will help you find the light.  Kristine Mraz and her words will remind us that what we do is bigger than us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-r3JT6rVYA

I am choosing the light.  

I hope our state chooses that path as well. 

One Word

Time to draft some possible words:

Responsive
Joy
Blessings
Aware
Present
Organize
Warrior
Thankful
Value
Hope

OK, that't ten.  This is some tough stuff, picking ONE tiny word for the whole year.  To be honest, I have never been good at resolutions.  Resolutions don't last for longer than a few weeks, but I suppose that is because I am the type of person who prefers goals to resolutions.  Goals change more fluidly (at least in my definition).  To me, resolutions seem to be about fixing something broken in my life.  Goals seem more about getting better at something.  More #growthmindset, less #failure.  Like I said, perhaps that is just my definition.

But, as the big picture person I tend to be, picking a word to be a big idea theme of my 2016 seems right up my alley.  A word that could be at the heart of all my goals for the year?  Sign me up.

But, how do I pick just one?

I would pick responsive, but that was my unofficial word for 2015.  I didn't know about #oneword then, but I did use it to focus my job a bit.  It worked well for me, too.  But, it would be cheating to pick the same one twice.  Plus, while I was responsive at work, I don't think I was as responsive in my personal life.  Time to pick a word that fits my life, not just my career.

I would love to pick organize, but that really feels like a "resolution" type one word.  I would pick it more to "fix" something I feel is broken.  But, my life is cluttered.  I need to work on that.

So, I went to the online dictionary and read the definitions of some of those words.  And, the one that struck me, was PRESENT.

2016 is the year I am going to try to be more PRESENT.  I want to be more able to enjoy the things that are currently happening in my life.  I want to be more present for my kids, my husband, my students, my friends, my coworkers.  I want to be able to be more aware of the blessings that are with me as they happen.  There is no time like the present to make more time for the things that matter when then matter.  I suppose you could call it balance, in a way, but I want to figure out a way to be more able to live in the moment as the moment happens.  This big picture person wants to be able to focus on the moments in the year 2016.  

If you look on Urban Dictionary, you see this definition:

I do not have a problem seeing the forest.  In fact, I always see the forest.  Perhaps it is time to be a little more present and take a moment to see the trees within the forest.  I want to be present.  

It sounds like I am going to start close reading life again.  Watch out, when I do that, I tend to take more photographs, too.  Perhaps my one word should be snapshot.  OK, I need to hit publish before I change my mind AGAIN.  

I suppose my one word in itself isn't as important as the desire to make 2016 the best it can be.  So, here we go!  Happy New Year!