I've learned lots

I have learned so much over the past four weeks and am so grateful for the opportunity to be here. I will be processing this information and ways to apply it to my instruction for some time to come. I know I can't walk away from this and put all of my new thinking on the back burner - I have to use it. I can see now countless ways to apply writing to learn strategies to my curriculum. I also see how grade contracts could be a huge change in the way I conduct business with students. I loved, loved, loved the daily discussion and so happy to have been exposed to great instruction through Sherrie, Don, Deb and Talinn. Can we come back next summer? I want to learn MORE!

Wow

My head is spinning with ideas and like Cathy, I can't wait to get back to my classroom and implement some of the many ideas I am conjuring up. My classroom will be called "Artists Workshop" and there will definately be opportunities for students to write about the art they create. My only concern is time concerns that may limit my new ideas. I hope to collaborate more with other phenomenal teachers in one of my buildings, namely Cathy, Chris and Bev, and together we will make a positive difference.

Wow

Thanks all...

I just like to take this opportunity to thank our wise and wonderful leaders, Sherrie, Don, Talinn, and Deb. You have all played a hand in bringing us all to this point. I feel a lot more confident in my own writing and being able to incorporate writing, as a whole, into my classroom. I enjoyed reading Cion, and the discussions and writing that were created from the book. I think if you change books next year, that you should stick to books about this specific area. There are many good local writers that often go unnoticed. Keep it local, and keep it real. It is much more relevant to us that way.

Reflections

This class has been revolutionary:) It has changed my concepts of teaching writing, my concepts of revision and the writing process. All of the class discussions have been relevant and made me think (sometimes to the inability to sleep). I have learned so many strategies and I hope I can remember them as I go back this fall. I really want to incorporate writing in all of my classes, especially the low stakes writings that build up and give students opportunities to think on paper. I appreciate the friendships formed, learning about other districts and having opportunities to share our ideas, thoughts and writing. Thanks to all of you!

Closing Time

I love that song, "Closing Time." Though most of this popular Green Day song does not apply - I think this line does, "Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." The song reminds me of that feeling of wanting to linger just a bit longer, and strangely enough, I feel that way today. Just a bit longer, mind you! I still want to get to all those good books I have not had time to read yet this summer! But I find this is a surprising way to feel, the desire to linger longer after giving up four weeks of summer, getting up early, working hard reading and writing!
I wondered at first how I would fit in with the "younger crowd" teachers, but I have continually felt my comments just as valued and relevant. I have learned so much from the demonstrations that I can take back to improve my college classroom.
Some of our discussions have just broken my heart - on one had to hear the love and dedication for students and on the other hand witnessing a system in action through everyone 's stories, full of testing and policies that seems to thwart strong teaching at every turn.

I hear echoing in the words of everyone the "new beginnings" that will be taking place in many classrooms this fall that have come from the end of this institute.

My greatest hope is that through programs such as these we can start to see our teaching of reading and writing on a continuum - each building the work of another all the way to college level, not just the incremental grade level to grade level.

Discussion

This discussion we had this morning about our grade level books was helpful. I enjoyed hearing about the other books that the other two groups read. It was also nice to hear suggestions of books that others have also read. I think my project for the rest of the summer will be to enjoy my time with my son Stewart and get a few of those books mentioned today to read. I've never been so excited to read books for pleasure as I am now. I also can't wait to head back to the classroom and completely change how I've been teaching writing. I've learned so much from this institute. To think how hesitant I was to attend. I'm really glad I jumped in feet first and gave it the good old college try. I'm excited about the people I've met and would love to stay in touch with them as the years pass. Thanks again for the opportunity, it really helped me grow as a reader and a writer and I now have a much better perspective of how my students really feel about writing.

Wow, I can't believe the end is in sight. I am actually excited about setting up my classroom and to begin writing daily with the students. I would never think about skipping math or reading when there were interruptions and now this year I plan to always make sure students are engaged in writing every single day! I will be excited to see and to experience the growth that I am sure will happen just by making sure kids have time to write.

Where did he time go?

It seems like yesterday we were setting here filling out the first survey! This has really been a great experience. I feel refreshed and ready to go back to school with tons of new ideas and beliefs. I would really like to thank everyone for all of their input and understanding. The friendships formed this summer, with others who have so much in common, will last a life time. Thanks for listening, sharing, and all the suggestions. Everyday we go to the most important job in this world, educating children. Never forget what a difference you make! Have a great school year!

Wow! I have so enjoyed our discussions! I am certainly going to miss our "academic dialogue " during the rest of my summer. I hope my brain doesn't shut down. For those of you who love to read, I will bring a reading list tomorrow of the things my book club has read over the last few years. We have tried to keep a running list. Some things I liked...some I didn't. If any of you are "down on the river"...give me a call if you're passing through Gallipolis. Or, feel free to just come there for a visit.

Post Survey Link

Here is the link for the Post Survey. Thanks for your help.

Don

Grading with Contracts

I struggle with the idea of contract grades. While I see the advantage of outlining for students exactly what they have to do to earn a particular grade, I wonder if this doesn't allow students to choose a particular grade because they think they are incapable of achieving a better grade, or if they just don't care, or if they are juggling more than one project at a time. When a child chooses a lesser assignment what are they saying about themselves? I see myself in the role as encourager, facilitator, and believer, in students, so they produce their best work for a project. I just don't like setting "lower" expectations so they can choose that kind of option.

Grading

I really appreciated the lively conversation about grades today. I, as the art teacher, have never believed in grades, even in high school art. It just seems to me that art is the last freedom, excepting maybe music, where assessments should be authentic (portfolio or performance based) and effort should be the only concern. Given enough stimulating activities and chances to succeed most students will become intrinsically motivated. I know this is not true for all children in all subjects but I think there must be a better way of keeping track of progress without grading that can make a child feel like a failure. I empathize with Kris when she tells of how most middle school children have seemingly lost the natural curiosity that keeps learning fun. I think enough bad grades early on would want to make anyone give up.

Elbow - Grades

I found myself really liking Elbow as I read about his views on grading. I liked the fact that he pointed out we don't have to assign grades to everything, and gave ideas as to alternatives such as rubrics, contract grades, and portfolio's. I thought the discussion was lively and it made me feel better knowing that we are all in the same boat; not really embracing the whole concept, but having to accommodate the system and give grades. I am still wondering whether or not I need to do my "grades" differently for math. Should I incorporate contract grades and portfolio's? I already do some with rubrics. But math is more concrete. I definitely want to incorporate writing to learn. So I have lots of things to consider and think about. Any suggestions?

Grading

I remember what I was going to say today during our grading discussion when my brain cells quit. I think the two most valuable things I've learned from this class is 1. doing vast amounts of informal (nongraded) writing and 2. revision. I have never been taught to revise, but I honestly think that just learning and practicing in this class will help me to help my students. That in turn will change how I grade writing in class. My grading will be based more on discussion-conferences and less on the final product. Grades be damned I guess- but then anything can be justified or modified.

Courage to Teach Final Thoughts?

I am missing the discussion in person today, but I thought I would post my comments on our "Divided No More" chapter.  This was a challenging chapter!  I related to the author's description of the despair that sets in when we think that we are powerless to bring about needed changes.  I hear the resignation in the voices of   many colleagues. I remain one of the cockeyed-optimists who thinks change is still possible. So is our AWP summer institute giving birth to a "movement" among southeastern Ohio teachers?  The author lost me a little with his distinction between organizational resistance and movements. I do think survival for the good teacher, the teacher with integrity does come down to the author's idea of centering. Such a bold thing to do --living basically by your own set of standards, not necessarily defined by your institution, but still functioning within but not buying INTO the organizational system. Matt, Deb, what do you think of his both/and analysis for educational reform? 

A Visit to the Cemetery

You all should re-read the cemetery scene in Cion now that we have visited the ridges. I did, and I found that I have a much stronger appreciation for Toloki's work as a professional mourner! Many of you commented on the "feel" of the place, the melancholy that we sensed as we looked a so many numbered, unremembered, unmourned graves. As I re-read the scene again, I had a clearer sense of the power in bringing the family to that cemetery to mourn.
I hope I don't miss the next Cion discussion while I am away! I have enjoyed the way the discussions are so lively because of the different ways we have each experienced the characters in the novel. The dialogue with a character exercise was such a great way to explore the characterization, and I feel like I really was able to get inside Ruth's head!

Sharon Draper books

Dr. Rice mentioned Sharon Draper, and shared one of her poetry books. She is a teacher from Cincinnati and has written some great books for young adults as well. I have her series of "Ziggy" books and they are great. One is about Ziggy and his friends (all the boys are African American, but with different family structures and cultural backgrounds) getting lost in a underground railroad passage under their school. They are all historically based around Ohio. I would recommend them anywhere from grades 3 and up. They are great read alouds because Ziggy's family is from Jamaica, Mon!!! He is a hoot and his language is so funny. She also has a great High school level book, actually is a series, but the first book is called "Tears of a Tiger". Great content and writing style!! See me tomorrow if you want me to share more information on her books...I have several of them.

poetry

Dr. Rice was so inspiring. I was very impressed with her delivery of information, always making her points interesting. Delivery of material is certainly an art, and she has it. I got some great new ideas to expand my already full schedule of poetry information for my students. I hope the "district powers that be" don't want to quibble over my unit plan if I extend it to 4 weeks!!! I enjoyed the sharing of new books and ideas and can't wait until school starts.

Linda Rice and Jayne both made a comment today that sometimes it helps to know the background of the poet. That was so evident when looking at the different poetry books. I know I have done this with artists in order to understand the pieces of art better, and on the 4th grade level we do sporadic author studies. This just brought it home to me that I need to mention the author, poet, or artist more in my discussions, or require the students to learn more about them.