tales from the classroom: writing workshop

It’s back to school today. That day off yesterday was heavenly. Love surprises like that. It’s what keeps life interesting. I ended up doing just about half of the to-dos on my list, which was exactly my prediction. It was nice to be able to get some things done on Monday that I planned on doing next Saturday. I feel like I’m really ahead of the game now, and I love that feeling.

Today we’re “fancy-ing up” our writing. In my classroom we do writing workshop, which basically means the kids are learning writing through listening to books with superior writing, watching me model good writing, and most importantly doing writing. They write for 35-45 minutes a day. They’re first graders. And they’re serious.

I love this part of our day. Every afternoon the kids looks forward to writing, and get bummed out when something gets in the way.

Here’s an excerpt from a parent email I got recently:

I also wanted to let you know that Gabe really enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt you did, and that he’s missing writing workshop–he was lamenting the lack of time for it over breakfast this morning.  I loved hearing that!

See? They’re serious.

Anyways, most days we just use pencil during workshop. They sketch their pictures and work on the words of their stories. But the colored pencils, crayons, and markers are coming out today because on Wednesday, we will have our publishing party. We will share our “finished pieces”, read aloud, give compliments, and take pride in the work we have done. And then… then, we will dance.

DANCE PARTY. We dance to Black Eyed Peas and Taio Cruiz. We jam, clap our hands, and throw our arms up in the air. Like I said, it’s serious.

And fun, and rewarding, and deserving, and awesome.

It’s why I’m a teacher, and I love it.

Back to School Night

Tonight is Back to School night!

Basically this means I need to stand up in front of all the parents in my classroom and talk for 30 minutes about what I do with their kids all day long. When I was in high school and college and even grad school the thought of public speaking made me feel like throwing up. I would definitely have a shake in my voice, my hands would be clammy, and my face would resemble the brightest strawberry in the patch. I think I might have broken out in hives once too. Not pretty.

Last year I was SUPER nervous for the parents to come in on Back to School Night. It was my first year and I knew my history of talking in front of groups. But somehow, once I started, I felt like I could go on forever. It felt easy, and I felt confident, and instantly I knew that I would be just fine. Better than fine, even. I rocked it.

The thing about giving a presentation in my classroom is this:

I discovered that I am an expert at talking about what I do all day because I know what I am doing, I am good at what I am doing, and I love what I am doing. I know how I feel about teaching and can easily explain what my beliefs are. I am confident that I run my classroom in an efficient way and I know that I am trying my hardest to see that every child grows to their highest potential. Talking about my teaching is easy for me because it’s what I was meant to do.

And so this year, I am excited about back to school night.

I’m ready to show them my stuff. You know, knock their socks off and all that good stuff. Bring it ON.

 

back to work (kinda)

Yeah, yeah, I know the picture doesn’t fit the title of this post, but I just wish I was chillin’ out on a ferry to some island instead of heading back to school today. It’s not the first day of school for the kiddos, only for teachers in my district. It’s a professional development workshop week to prepare for the new writing program we’re implementing this year. I’m excited, but there’s a huge part of me that’s still wanting to be on the beach.

I have to remind myself that some people don’t get a summer vacation at all. I’m one of the lucky ones in that sense. Teacher’s have got it good come warm weather, but we deserve it, too. It’s no easy job, even on the best days. I’m ready to tackle the new year and excited for the fun and challenges teaching brings. I love what I do, but it still doesn’t make seeing summer go any easier. My days of freedom are over until next June.

And so, I leave you with a song:
So long sweet summer.

for the love of reading.

 

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” — Jacqueline Kennedy

My cousin Karyn (married in, if we’re being specific) posted on the Book of Faces the other day just how much fun she had reading Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends to her son Jack. She stated, “I really couldn’t tell you who enjoyed it more, him or me….”. I loved reading this. I loved reading this because, of course, I’m a teacher, and hearing about parents reading to their kids makes me giddy. I feel this happiness in my heart about reading to children. Children’s books are gold. They are fun. They are interesting. They are outrageous. They are magical. And reading aloud is something special, for all people involved. I know that when I love a book, it shows, and my students inevitable love it too. Reading is contageous. If you believe a book to be delightful, the children you’re with will delight in it too.

I know this to be true.

I read aloud numerous picture books and a bit from a chapter book every school day the whole year through. We are readers in my classroom and we’re proud. Besides reading aloud I encourage my kids to read what interests them. There’s time every day for independent reading and book exploring.

Every single kid in my class last year thought reading was the coolest.

I did what I set out to do.

Reading is the best. This is why I am a teacher. Reading is knowledge and reading is awesome.

Teach your kids to love to read. There is no lesson more important than that.