Tweet at #CelebrateLu!
I had a guest post/poem share on Thursday at Michelle H. Barnes' blog, Today's Little Ditty. You can find "What Does A Child Know" here. Everyone might want to write one of the 'deeper wisdom' poems. It wasn't easy, but fun!
It was a good and busy, busy and good, did I say busy? kind of week. Our Expo, time-to-share-learning-so-far-this-year evening is coming on Feb. 12th! Tri-folds and large foam core boards, boxy dioramas and paintings, bridge-building and cloning carrots all are in the mix. I am tired, but quite proud of the work accomplished all week, in the midst of other work like math, blogging, all kinds of sports games and music lessons, etc. We're on our way!
Side-note! You may remember my granddaughter Ingrid is in the youngest class at school, and her personal unit topic is manatees. This morning her teacher sent an e-mail saying if I were to walk the hall outside the classroom, I could see a life-size manatee painted by Ingrid. I did, I saw, I went in to find Ingrid so I could hear about how she managed it, why the colors chosen, etc. I celebrate my granddaughter, already a big learner, and her wonderful teacher, leading these young five and some six year olds in learning how to do research and how to show what they've learned. (no picture-sorry)
In the midst of this, I'm celebrating that I'm on my way this coming Thursday. Friday and Saturday to my state reading conference, the CCIRA, Colorado Council of the International Reading Assoc. (I guess now that the IRA is the ILA-International Literacy Association, the states will need to change their own names.) When I moved out of the classroom, I began attending this wonderful conference because I then finally had the time. Our Expo is always right around Valentine's Day, and the conference right before-bad timing for us. This time I had already registered before I took over this class. So, with heavy planning, a wonderful assistant and substitute, I am still going. I hope to blog during this time, or at least tweet some of the learning! Think: Georgia Heard, Jan Richardson, Monica Brown, Kelly Gallagher, Chris Soentpiet, Harvey "Smokey" Daniels, and more! I'll celebrate all the days waiting and then 'being' there!
I hope you have had a good week, and are looking forward to another one! Monday-the ALA awards!
Haven't you noticed that once you are busy it always gets a bit busier before calming down? Enjoy the conference. The students and subs will be fine. I wonder how much publicity does your school's EXPO get. I have seen the pics from previous years and I always wish to shout out to the whole world to see how giving ownership of learning to students brings impressive results.
ReplyDeleteExpo is a huge thing with those closest to the students attending, alumni students as well as parents interested in coming to the school next year. It's so crowded I'm not sure we can allow more. But thanks for the thought, Terje. I am nervous about leaving, but have to 'let go' and 'let it happen" too.
DeleteGo Ingrid! Must be an amazing feeling as Grandmother to watch her learning and process. Good luck with the time crunch Linda. I am feeling it too . . . reports looming, preparing for a presentation and workshop, trip to a literacy conference. Breathe . . . in, out deeply!
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for telling me that it's the 'right' feeling. I feel very stretched... Good luck to you, too, Carrie. And yes, love seeing these parts of Ingrid!
DeleteI might be Ingrid's biggest fan! (Just kidding...I know it's her Grandma!) I love hearing about her adventures! I also love research in the primary grades! It's so important and authentic as we are developing readers and writers! Send lots of Tweets from the conference if it works out! I would love to peek at what you are learning!
ReplyDeleteWill do, Kendra, & I'm glad to hear you're a big fan of Ingrid too. It's such a delight to see her & her classmates talk about what they're learning!
DeleteI really hoped to make it to the CCIRA this year but then I decided to give myself the huge treat of traveling to Washington at the end of Feb for the Western Washington Children's Literature Conference (though we know I'm actually going because I'll get to meet Carrie!). Because it's so hard for my son when I travel, I try to limit conference attendance to no more than 2-3 per year. Hard choices to make there! Hopefully next year for CCIRA--there's always an impressive line-up of presenters, I've noticed. I can't wait to read about it on your blog. And I can empathize with feeling stretched thin. I'm feeling it right now too--trying to remind myself to be present (which I decided will be my #olw for 2015.)
ReplyDeleteSorry to miss you, but your conference sounds awesome too, Elisabeth. I remember when you wrote about going to NCTE & the challenges with your son. Being present helps me a lot, when having really important challenges in life, staying in the "now" kept me going. Great OLW!
DeleteThis sounds like the good kind of busy and some amazing learning too.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, & when I get a "little" time to relax, I see that clearly. Thanks!
DeleteBusyness is a bit like a fork in the road: it can be great and rewarding (like what you wrote about), or it can be exhausting and a bit depressing as well. I'm glad your busyness is also feeding your passions!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaana, you've helped me put it into just the right frame of mind!
DeleteLinda, the celebration that stries me the most of your week is your upcoming conference.Since you missed NCTE, you will have the opportunity to listen to literary luminaries (as I call the literacy rockstars). Enjoy the time and I look forward to your tweets of new learnings.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol, will send good learning as much as possible!
DeleteLove that Ingrid is in your school and you can celebrate her learning with her! Enjoy the conference, sounds fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katherine, both delightful!
DeleteHave fun at the conference! I love having that chance to learn and grow. I just returned from ALA and it was an amazing day! No learning, but lots and lots of books! So wonderful that you're able to get to see some glimpses of your granddaughter during the day!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see Ingrid & give her a hug once in a while. I've love to go to ALA once, Michele. Lucky you!
DeleteLove the pics of your students hard at work and can't wait until we get to see Ingrid's manatee (after Expo). If I remember correctly, Tara is coming to the conference. Great list of presenters. Keep us in the loop! Glad you still get to go.
ReplyDeleteYes, will get a pic of the manatees. And sad to say, Tara had to cancel because of some personal things. I was excited to see her again, but maybe another time. Are you excited about the awards tomorrow?
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