The One With Another Fab Year and an NCTE Recap! #sol15

Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here. 

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I'm so woefully behind in everything on this blog but I like the better-late-than-never philosophy and best-laid-plans and all that so I'm going to write my NCTE recap post with my 2015 end-of-year post. 

I can't believe 2015 is over! I looked back through all my pictures and posts from 2015 and it was definitely a fun-filled year. I went to a blizzardy ALA in January/February, we went to Disney World, we did our summer park challenge, I went to and presented at Nerdcamp MI, I left the district I had worked in for my entire career (13 years) and I started at a new district (closer to home AND where my own kids go to school), I went on an rejuvenating yoga retreat, I finished the first draft of another YA novel, and I went to and presented at NCTE in Minnesota. It was an awesome year! Here's more about the awesomeness of NCTE.

I was so excited to present with a colleague from my previous district. Deb is an amazing science teacher, she was even teacher of the year in Illinois. Love it! So I picked Deb up on Thursday morning and we drove up to Minneapolis. Those six hours flew by as we caught up and talked about teaching and teaching and teaching. I'm always learning from Deb and amazed by her passion for teaching.

We went straight to Wild Rumpus. I visited last year when we took a trip to Minnesota and I fell in love. It's an adorable independent bookstore with so much charm you just want to bottle it up and stick it in your purse and sneak little peaks at it all day long.

Me and Deb in front of Wild Rumpus

Thursday night we found a cute little co-op for dinner. They had awesome vegan options but the conversation made my night. It was great to catch up with Alyson and Ruth. 

Deb, Aly, me, Ruth

Last year, Brian was off getting married and I so missed him at NCTE. It was good to have him back! Shout out to my Maquizga! (Go Teachers Write!)

Brian and me

 Of course, I always have to get a pick with my almost-neighbor Gary Anderson. Somehow we see more of each other at conferences miles and miles away than we do when we live only a few towns away the rest of the year.

Gary and me

Friday morning, I presented with this great group of ladies! It was an honor to share the stage with them and to hear each of them speak about how passion fuels their work. I could have listened to them all talk all day. Our presentation was called Passion Driven Research.

Laura Purdie Salas, LeUyen Pham, Kate Messner, Me, Laurel Snyder, Deb Perryman

I caught up with a few other amazing Nerdy Book Club friends! Love seeing these great people in real life and sharing memories with them. It's truly like family. 

Suzanne, me, Melissa

Jilian and me

Me and Teresa

Cynthia and me

Franki and me

Colby and me (I'm still #teamrabbit, btw.)

Me, Brian, John, Laura, Melissa, Suzanne, Lynda

I was able to meet and/or catch up with some of my favorite authors and illustrators too!

Me and Sonia Manzano

Me and Alex London

Jenni Holm and Me

Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Me

And the highlight of my entire NCTE was getting to spend time with this lovely lady. I've known Danielle since before I even started Teach Mentor Texts. She has always been so supportive of me then and now. We met IRL when ALA was in Chicago earlier this year and then I got to see her again at NCTE. It was like a super-mega-bonus. Hooray for NCTE!

Danielle and Me

Looking back at 2015 makes my heart feel full. It was such a great year despite being a year of change. I'm so looking forward to all the fun we'll have in 2016!

The One Where Perdita Moved In #sol15

Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here. 

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One week ago today I led an introduction to a book study and discussion about Ruth Ayres' book Celebrating Writers. Afterwards, I went home and worked on my NaNoWriMo project while my husband took the kids to a Chicago Bears event. I had the house to myself for a little while before running over to the library to pick up books that were waiting for me on hold. 

It was a nice night but nothing like what my after school life looks like now. 

We brought home a puppy on Saturday. I saw her on the adoption center's Facebook page Friday before last and filled out the application to adopt her. But then i didn't hear anything else and they took her page down from the website so I assumed she was already adopted. 

Then on Wednesday, I got a call asking if we were still interested in adopting a puppy. I set up an appointment to meet her on Thursday. After I met her (and fell in love), we took the kids over to meet her too. We were approved to adopt her and went in on Saturday to take her home. 

Saturday morning, we went to swimming lessons, went out to breakfast, and then went shopping for all the dog supplies we would need. As we walked from breakfast to the pet store, both Little Bean and Peanut were literally hopping and skipping with excitement like I've never seen before. 

I've wanted a dog since before I was married. I've waited a really long time. But I'm glad we did. Little Bean is five and in kindergarten and Peanut is eight and in third grade and it just seems like a perfect time for them to have a puppy to take care of and love. 

One week ago today I had no idea how different my life would be today. I run home at lunch and as soon as school is over to take care of her, I have dog treats in my pocket, and I find myself thinking about her curled up next to me all day. 

Her and her brother were at the rescue shelter and because they think they might be part Dalmation, they called them Pongo and Perdita. We weren't sure if we were going to keep her name or not but the more we called her Perdi, the more we loved it. And when I looked up the meaning of Perdita, it seemed even more fitting than ever. 

Perdita is a character in Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale whose name means lost. She grows up without realizing she has royal heritage and falls in love with a prince. His parents don't approve of their marriage because she isn't royalty...until they find out she is and they live happily ever after. Perdita was rescued from animal control in southern Illinois and I like the idea that we've found her and she gets to live out her happily ever after with us. 

One week ago today I didn't realize how full our hearts would be with Perdita in our lives. 

The One Where I Proceed Into The Construction Zone #sol15

Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here. 

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For the past couple of weeks I've been reading Terry Thompson's The Construction Zone: Building Scaffolds for Readers and Writers and reflecting on the work students and teachers do in classrooms everyday and how I support them as a technology integration specialist.

Here's how Terry talks about scaffolding, it's "...a pattern of teaching that shifts the level of responsibility for the learning from the more knowing other (you!) to the less knowing other (your student)." (p. 2)

Doesn't he make it sound simple? But it's so not. Teachers juggle so much and make countless decisions throughout the day. But the best teachers are able to break down their practice - reflect on what they do and why they do it. This is the art of teaching and Terry captures it so well.

"Teaching consciously is a practice - moment by moment, day by day. Just like our students, we learn from our success and our failures. Learning to craft effective scaffolds is an ongoing practice that starts now and grows from here. This is where we begin - teaching with intentionality and reflection, in full awareness of what we're doing and why." (p. 11)

In my work with teachers, I do my best to engage teachers in thoughtful conversations that help them think through where students are now, where we want students to go, and then we look at designing learning experiences to get them there. A focus on where we need to go and what the students really need is powerful because it makes it possible to see what is necessary and (hopefully) a little easier to shift because the students and their needs is at the center of it all. 

Terry offers a close look at scaffolding and provides many examples and things to think through in order to best plan support for students that moves them towards independence. He also shares some ideas for questions to ask when planning and how to maintain a focus on students when designing lessons. Teaching is demanding on so many different levels but it's also important work and The Construction Zone is a perfect tool to keep moving practice forward.

The One Where I See The Forest #sol15

Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here. 

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Little Bean adores my mom. He always asks to go to Gramma's house and oftentimes will turn to me and say, "I miss Gramma". We'll Facetime Gramma or assure him he'll see her again soon. I'm super lucky to have both of my parents in my life and I'm so thankful that my kids get to know them and grow up spending time with them. 

Today, my mom sent me a Vox. 

(Yes! My mom uses Voxer, she's cool like that.) 

She said:

"I just wanted to let you know

while I'm thinking of it

and before I forget

Danny was watching a show over the weekend

when he turned around and looked at me

and he head tears in his eyes

and he said

'I miss my Mommy'."

Of course, I know he loves me and I'm so happy to be his mom and do the best I can to help him have a great childhood. His face lights up when I pick him up from school and he loves to sit near me and snuggle. As much as I try to notice these moments and cherish them in real time, they still come amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees 

but today wasn't one of those days. 

I'm so glad my mom sent me that message and reminded me again that being a mom is an amazing gift I've been given. 

In teaching, it's easy to get lost in the trees - the paperwork, the deadlines, the assemblies, the homework turned in with no name - and not see the forest. But if we stop and step back, we can see that the work we are doing is powerful and that the forest we've tended is beautiful. It's an amazing job we get to do. And it's worth it. 

Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees

but today doesn't have to be one of those days.

Smile, laugh, take a deep breath, let it out.

Focus on the forest and find fulfillment.

The One With Lost Teeth #sol15

Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here. 

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Last night I dreamt that two of my teeth fell out. No big deal. There wasn't any blood. I can't remember the details but I think I was playfully wrestling someone...rough housing...joking around. And one tooth fell out, right into my hand. And then other one fell out too.

I used to love dream interpretation when I was in high school. My best friend and I would tell each other our dreams on the way to school in the mornings and try and decipher them. We each had dream interpretation books and would sometimes look up the meaning of our dreams, overanalyzing ever detail like teenage girls tend to do.

It's been a long time since I paid attention to what my dreams me but this morning the complete clarity of my dream - the two teeth nestled gently in my palm - seemed overwhelming meaningful.

So I looked it up.

Guess what?

Losing your teeth in a dream can be symbolic
of going through a major change,
a time of transition
or of letting go
or starting a new phase in your life.
My dream was spot on.

It's been about two months since school started. I love my new job. I'm doing similar work but now I'm close to home and impacting the schools where my own kids go to school. The people are great. The conversations are fulfilling. But it's still change.

It's still new people and making friends and figuring out where I fit in. I so miss my friends who were like family in my previous district but I trust that I'll get there in my new district. I keep reminding myself that even if it's hard, I have to keep going. I'm positive I'll look back on this post and think how silly I was.

But it's not silly. I'm feeling these emotions so strongly that even my dreams are begging me to acknowledge them. To recognize that this is a huge shift in my life. It's amazing in so many wonderful ways but still of epic proportions.

Students start a new school year or a new school, move to a new place, make friends, figure out where they fit in. Getting to know students, fostering an environment where all students feel safe and respected, showing them you care in the slightest of ways, is so important. That's where it all starts. And when they sense the sincerity, it's the beginning trust.

It's a pretty important job we do as educators and parents. We feel the pressure to do as much as we can as quickly as we can as best as we can. But we need to remember that it all starts with helping kids feel connected so they know they have us - a support system that believes in them - whenever they have to face something new.

The One With a Surprise from Scholastic #sol15

Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here. 

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I'm thrilled to share that this week Scholastic launched Scholastic Teacher! It's a beautiful magazine full of great articles and tips for teachers. This issue has articles like My Best Lesson Ever and Crazy for Chromebooks and others with a math and STEM focus. There's something for everyone and you're sure to find a new or refreshing idea!

Scholastic Teacher has evolved since 1891 when it was first published as "Normal Instructor"!

To celebrate, Scholastic is offering a discounted rate for a one-year subscription to Scholastic Teacher. You can subscribe here if you are interested. And they've also offered me the opportunity to offer a subscription to one of my lucky readers in exchange for spreading the word about Scholastic Teacher.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The One With Bringing the Fun #sol15

Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here. 

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Last Monday I had a tickle in my throat. 

Last Tuesday I had a saws in my throat and my head felt like a brick. 

Last Wednesday I stayed home from school to rest.

Being sick is no fun. 

Every time I'm sick, I hesitate to stay home. 

I want to be at school. 

So on Thursday when I did go back to school and it was a day to meet with my middle school teams, I shared a quick reminder with them. I gathered up all sorts of gift bags and grocery bags and tucked in a secret to share with them. 

I told them I wanted to share the secret of teaching with them.

One by one, 

I pulled a bag out

of another bag

out of another bag

until we got to the 

heart of the matter.

I revealed a handheld mirror and walked around to make sure everyone looked into it to see his or her face smiling back. 

Teachers make all the difference.

When we shows students we care and respect them, they care and respect us.

When we are passionate about our subject matter, the students will be too.

When we are excited about learning, our students are excited, too.

Our energy and enthusiasm is what we want to be contagious in our classrooms!

The best we can do is take care of ourselves - physically but also mentally - so we can bring our best selves into our classrooms. 

Over the weekend I dressed up like a pirate with Peanut and snapped a few shots of Little Bean at a park and on a jumpy slide we visited. Then I came to school yesterday and danced the whip and wrote in my writer's notebook with 5th graders. I'm sharing a few pictures now and asking you to double up on your hand sanitizer use and remember to have fun in and out of your classroom! 

Take care of yourself! 

The One With Lots of Words From Jim Averbeck #sol15

Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here. 

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Earlier this month, I reviewed One Word From Sophia by Jim Averbeck with illustrations by Yasmeen Ismail. Today I'm thrilled to share an interview with Jim Averbeck where he shares some great words and ideas about writing. Welcome, Jim!

TMT: Sophia is a character who loves her words! What are your top five favorite words and why?

Jim Averbeck: If you mean individual words then:

• Serifobia - When I saw the new Google logo, this word popped into my mind. I’m sure I’m not the first to utter it. I love portmanteau words.
• Dipsomaniac - because “alcoholic” sounds so clinical and this word has a great retro vibe to it.
• Curmudgeon - because it just sounds like what it is and I am well on my way to being one.
• Idyllic - because I want more of this feeling in my life.
• Diligent - because it sounds like intelligent, but let’s you know right up front that intelligence is not enough. In fact diligence sounds twice as important.

If you mean five words together, then my favorite is:

I loved reading your book.

TMT: Throughout the book, Sophia has to try, try, and try again. I love her story of perseverance. When it comes to writing and the revision process, can you share any strategies that work to help you persevere?

Jim Averbeck: The best way I’ve found to persevere is to split all the tasks of writing and revision into little pieces, so I don’t get overwhelmed. I feel a sense of accomplishment even when I am a long way from finished.

Brownies can also be broken into little pieces (and eaten) to help you persevere.

TMT: In a Kirkus interview you shared how your critique group writes a story to a theme every year. This sounds like a lot of fun and a way to challenge each other. Can you tell us more about this?

Jim Averbeck: The Assignment, as we call writing to a theme each Christmas, came about because we have a holiday party every year, and we didn’t want to critique while eating, drinking and making merry. I’m pretty sure it was Yuyi Morales’ idea. Her book VIVA FRIDA that won a Caldecott Honor this year was from the theme “baby book” — the same as my own book EXCEPT IF. In fact, four of the six members sold books on that theme. ONE WORD FROM SOPHIA was also an Assignment book —the theme being “one word.”

We haven’t picked a theme yet this year. Last year’s theme was “bad uncle.” I have a book by that name that seems close to being picked up by a publisher. Cross your fingers.

At a meeting two week before our Christmas meeting, we each call out a few ideas for the theme. The theme is not a story idea or plot, but just a few words to prompt writing. We like themes that can be interpreted in several ways. We usually end up with several to choose from, so no one feels stymied. Then you have two weeks to bring a completed story. It’s my belief that the tight time constraint and lack of expectation that the story will be good somehow result in excellent stories. Probably eight to ten published or under-contract books have been a result of The Assignment.

TMT: Can you share any other ways your critique group challenges/supports you?

Jim Averbeck: My critique group is an integral part of my creative process. From high level things like concepts and ideas right down to punctuation. Oh - and one of them had a snoring dog, which gave me the inspiration for the sequel to ONE WORD FROM SOPHIA.

TMT: What is the best writing advice you have received and what advice would you give student writers?

Jim Averbeck: My concrete, practical advice is to join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It is a great organization that costs very little to join. The dues will easily be paid off with the amount of time you save by not having to research editors and agents. They’ve done that for you. And you can attend conferences and learn a lot about the craft of writing, as well as network with people in the industry. They’ve launched a number of hugely successful careers.

Also: Creators spend a lot of time, when we are recharging through interaction and observation of the world, creating nothing, or when we are experimenting, creating garbage. These are both essential to the creative process. Don’t feel guilty about the former or discouraged by the latter.

TMT: At Teach Mentor Texts, I'm all about promoting literacy and spreading the love of books. How would you finish these statements: Reading is... and Writing is...

Jim Averbeck: Is it okay if I use stronger action verbs here? Like:

Writing enables you to soar through time, space, and other dimensions. 

Reading enables you to bring others along - even when it’s raining.

Thank you so much to Jim for sharing these great insights into his writing life! I know I would love to hear what his writing group comes up with for a theme this year. It sounds like a great activity for student writers!

The One With A Perfect Candlestick #sol15

Every Tuesday, I participate in the Slice of Life challenge at Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post on Tuesdays or you can just head on over there to check out other people's stories. For more information on what a Slice of Life post is about, you can go here. 

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I'm a huge fan of the Carol Dweck's work about the growth mindset. I know the idea of the growth mindset is a buzz word in education and one some people roll their eyes at, but I see fixed mindsets all over the place and it's real. 

The thing about the growth mindset is that it's more than being open to new ideas. It's about knowing how to tackle something new, how to persevere when it gets sticky, and how to know that if it isn't difficult, we aren't necessarily growing. 

This summer, I had a huge growth mindset revelation during my motorcycle class. During one of the drills, it became hard and I was frustrated. I talked to my instructor and I held back tears. It felt like there were too many things to be able to remember how to do all of them at once. Pulling in the clutch and rolling off the throttle and look over my shoulder and swerving to the left and gently squeezing in the brake and shifting down and putting my feet on the ground - the right one first. It was a lot! 

I wanted to give up. This wasn't for me. It was too hard. But my instructor cheered me on, believed in me, told me to try again, smiled. So I took a deep breath, started up slowly, and got back in line to try again. 

Once I was in line, I closed my eyes. I visualized being able to do it. I calmed myself down and I tried again. In my head, I repeated, "I believe I can and I will" over and over again. I passed the class - it wasn't with flying colors, I still have a lot of practicing to do - but I passed. I didn't give up.

It's one thing to quote the growth mindset and to know how the brain works. But it's another thing to know how to help kids take risks, persist through challenges, and get themselves through a struggle. We need to have discussions with kids about what helps them, what works when they get frustrated, what resources they can call upon. 

Living the growth mindset is so much more than it seems. This weekend, I was at an amazing yoga retreat called Sukhava Bodhe. It was awesome. I did acroyoga, handstands, slacklining, bellydancing, SUP yoga, a candlelight labrynth, kirtan, Thai bodywork...it was wild. After the first day I was overwhelmed. It was mental and physical overload and all I wanted to do was take a shower and sit in our yurt and read. And so I did. But then the next day, I got out and tried new things again. I thought a lot about the growth mindset and the images above are some ideas that stuck out to me this weekend.

Here are a few pictures from the acroyoga intensive I did on Friday. This pose is called candlestick. I don't claim to have mastered this at all...but I did it as best as I could and that makes me very proud of myself. For me, it was a perfect experience.

Trusting in the people I was working with made this possible. They were supportive and helpful and patient. They didn't let me give up and they gave me tips along the way. I think having cheerleaders or balcony people makes staying in a growth mindset easier.

Here is my Haiku Deck that outlines elements of having a growth or fixed mindset in case you haven't seen in yet. I like using it to introduce how different mindsets have different outlooks but it seems like I need to think through how to help teachers and students have conversations to maintain a growth mindset. Any ideas you have or use are welcome. Please share! What helps you when you find yourself facing a challenge?

Growth Mindset And Teaching - Created with Haiku Deck, presentation software that inspires