Hello Everyone,
Thank you for taking the time to experiment with this blog. Each week I will post something for you to respond to. This will allow us to keep our conversations going on line and make another place for us to share ideas, thoughts and interests. This week I want you to think about our Integration Experimentation. Is there something in your life you have always wanted to know more about, but have not made the time to do so? Here is your chance. Through this process we will look at the connections we make in the world of literacy as we become more aware of what it is we are interested in and how those connections allow us to have meaningful learning experiences.
Why The Sea of Literacy? Well, in thinking about it I was struck by the fact that all of the water sources eventually end up in the larger sea. We have looked at some of the smaller bodies of water in detail. We have looked specifically at reading and writing. This year we are looking more globally at the big picture, or what I think of as the sea of literacy. As you know things come and go in terms of instructional practices, best practices, reaseach-based as quickly as the tides change. What though, remains constant for you in your teaching? What are the parts of the Sea that always ring true for you? What is literacy and how do we become literate?
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My integration experimentation is on blogging. It all started when I was invited to a blog. I found it to be another place where I could be a part of an artist's community in the privacy of my own home. I became interested in starting my own because I did not like the flow of the conversations.
After some researching,reading and trial and error here we are.
The one thing that I will not give up is the art of conversation and dialogue in my teaching. The more I am in this the stronger I see the need for us and for our students to have conversations within our learning environments. It creates connections, generates questions, creates a sense of community and the list goes on!! That is the one thing that I will NOT compromise on regardless of what the latest waves are in education.
My integration experimentation is on gardening. As a little girl, my grandmother's love of the wild rose and my father's tender care of his lilac trees touched me. I love flowers, both wild and cultured, and I can arrange a display very artistically. But I have never been able to cultivate them inside. Nor have I had my own yard to create a garden outside. Next summer I will be moving to Newburyport with the opportunity to begin my own garden. So now I need to learn.
I consider myself literate. The dictionary says that literacy is the ability to read and write, educated. I have read some information on gardens, but although literate, I end up confused, having more questions. It was clear to me this weekend, as I stood dumbfounded in the garden section of Walmart, that as literate as I may be, there is much more learning to be researched and swallowed. I am looking forward to the process.
Ok...so this is my first time blogging and it took me a moment just to get to this place. Thanks for opening our "sea" of knowledge, Tomansen!
When Tomansen and I spoke last week we talked about this subject together. We talked about
practices and learning environments that we KNOW to be authentic and meaningful. We can tell in our gut when our lessons are successful by the way we feel when we teach using our best practices and by the reaction of our children to these meaningful lessons. At the end of a day we feel fulfilled and accomplished.
First and foremost, I feel that children need to feel connected to the act of reading...know what it is and isn't. It isn't just reading words that are strung together. It is understanding and interacting with print on a personal level, and for a variety of reasons/purposes. Loving books, words and stories is the start of a lifetime of learning. Enthusiasm is contagious. My goal every year is to turn children on to books and reading...for the love of it. Some of what we are asking children to do now moves away from that enthusiasm, and I'm realizing that I will not NOT allow this to happen.
Since lunch is over and the children are back in the room, I've got to end this blog, so that's it for now.
This is my first time blogging too, and I always feel like I am signing my life away when I agree to terms of service. As we only live once I agreed, so here goes. Maybe I'll get as much enjoyment out of blogging as my son seems to do with his IMs.
My integration experimentation is going to be on Hawaii. It is hard to believe, but 30 years ago my parents took me to Hawaii as a graduation present. It was probably the best, and most meaningful vacation I ever took with them. As my kids are getting older, I too would like to give them a vacation that they will never forget. As my parents have both been gone for quite a while now, I still value those memories and hold them very dear.
As I am definately a research person, and as I want to get the most out of the vacation that I can, I want to plan some of the things that I would like to do and see. I bought a few books and using the internet there is more information than I could ever hope to process. I have also started emailing some friends who have gone to Hawaii to get recommendations. They are often the most helpful. It is a lot of information to process, but the anticipation of going on a big trip is half the fun. I will enjoy exploring information to help me determine what my boys might enjoy doing, what me and my husband would enjoy doing, and what we will all be able to do together. I am looking forward to it all.
The older, and more courageous, I become, I realize I am much more likely to take risks. The advantages of being over forty (Oh, OK, almost 50!) are that I feel free to say and do more things without worrying what people think of me or if I look foolish. Case in point, it has been reported that I have recently been spotted as a participant of the karaoke craze! I am often more willing to "tell it like it is" and "see it for what it really is." Hey, man, I've been around!!!
So, for my project I knew I wanted to do something creative that I've never tried before, but always wanted to do. I've always wanted to be in a play or sing in a musical of some sort...but alas, that is too lofty a goal to take on for this class.
Liked Cory's idea of photography. No, don't want to steal her thunder. Finally settled on using my creativity and humor to write my own children's book, possibly illustrating it as well, if time allows. Authors are always saying that they get many ideas from real life...well, I have a hamster that has given me many stories in her short life. Why not write a humorous book about a girl who begs for a hamster, an overwhelmed mom who does not know how to say no, and the chaos a tiny creature can cause in a home much like yours and mine. Does it sound like a book you might read to your class?
Well.. just like Sandy I read the 16 "laws" of blogging, well maybe glanced at them, well actually it was more like read the bold print only. One popped out at me - "Intellectual" Property Rights. At least we're all blogging in the right place.
My project will be on the Boston Red Sox, surprise surprise! I'm very passionate about the team, but haven't always been. I know about the rivalry between the Sox and the Yankees, but would like to know more about the "curse" . I'm going to research the teams/players history regarding the curse. I'll probably link it to the supernatural because I'm intrigued about the spiritual world, even went to see John Edwards (the psychic) once.
My integration experiment is two-fold. I will be explore the history of beadwork particularly with seed beads, and I will also look at the techniques used to create different types of seed beads.
I started beading about a year ago when I took a class at a bead store in Concord, NH. It took about 3 hours to create a beautiful Swarovski crystal wreath pin and I was hooked! With just a needle and a special kind of beading wire, I created, in my mind, a little work of art.
Since then I have taken several classes and spent a lot of money on beads. I have always wondered why some tubes of beads are so much more expensive than others? How are the different finishes made?
In addition to being a teacher, I also sell antiques. I actually sold antiques and made a living at it for seven years, before going back to school for teaching. This is where my curiosity about the history of beadwork comes into play. I have handled and sold several antique beaded pieces and would like to know where the idea of beading originated?
I have begun the research process and I am completely enthralled with the information I am finding. I look forward to learning more and eventually sharing it with the class.
Count me in as a NKOB (New Kid on the Block for those whose children missed the craze) in the world of blogging (sounds like a social faux pas). This will blow my daughter right out of the water! I feel empowered! Thanks for teaching an old dog new tricks!
Literacy, as others have said, relates to the ability to read and write, educated (thanks, Darlene). But it seems to me we can not leave it there as there is no reference to gained understanding, improvement, redirection, etc. through the process. To me, literacy has to mean not only the process of being able to "take in" (read) or "give back" write clearly, but also the added element of being "changed" by the experience. The dictionary definition sounds so flat to me. True literacy is multi-dimensional, is layered like the proverbial onion, and leaves a little something in your gut.
Tomasen made reference to conversations and dialogue in teaching,and Corey said that we all instinctively know when a lesson has sailed. Yes! Yes! Yes! The past two days have provided just such a moment with me in discussing the slave trade with two classes of fifth graders. Their incredulity and disbelief that such horrors could have happened is amazing. Our conversations were emotional, angry, powerful, and, would you believe, more important than recess in one class! Trying to predict where I will be in any subject more than two days in advance is so difficult because dialogue is the most essential part of meaningful teaching. Through it we all connect, grow, and develop trust and understanding.
Integration experimentation is such a foreboding term! I'm leaning toward an Ireland based research exploration. Although I have not a drop of Irish blood in me,I have been married twice to Irish purebreds, adding up to 33 years of being "Irish through marriage." My three children all considered themselves 100% Irish (sorry Dad, they never seemed to reach out to their English, Italian, German roots) and of course, every pet I've ever had has had an Irish name! Enough! I've been fortunate enough to have traveled to Ireland, but hope to return sooner rather than later. To this end, I would like to research the 2/3 of the country I haven't seen yet, digging deeper into the culture, the mystery and the legend of the land.
I too am new to blogging. So far so good.....I am still working on an idea. I am thinking of doing something connected with food and recipes. Food is one of my passions, but I am a "safe cook". I am trying to think of something more challenging. Stay tuned.
Tomasen, thanks for learning to do this. It is actually pretty cool. I think my kids will be impressed when I tell them I have taken technology to another level! Sara
Me again. I obviously didn't read Tomasen's email closely enough the first time because I didn't answer the question about literacy. So, here goes...
What is literacy and what does it mean to be literate? Well, I did a little research and found a very interesting quote. According to the National Literacy Act the definition of literacy is, “an individual’s ability to read, write and speak in English, and to compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one’s goals, and develop one’s knowledge and potential. I agree with this quote in that I of course do feel that it is necessary to be literate in order to function in today’s world. However, the requirement for reaching a level of proficiency is constantly changing. Does one consider a gas station attendant and college professor, both who perform very capably at their work, literate? Have they both reached the level of proficiency described in the aforementioned National Literacy Act? As I write about this subject, I find myself having more questions than answers.
As a teacher of reading and writing, my goal is for each student to reach his or her full potential in these areas. At the end of a school year, I might have two students who look very different on paper but in my mind have both reached a level of proficiency because they have both grown. Most importantly, as Corey said, I want kids to come away from the year with a love of reading and writing.
When my two teenagers heard I would be blogging, Casey blurted out that I was a real hipster! I must admit I do feel a sense of connection to their world of IM since this is my first attempt at sailing in uncharted waters.
My integration experimentation is exploring my mother's family tree. I look forward to researching and compling the different strands of her life that have been woven together to make this woman my heroine. I want to learn and master the moviemaker computer program while creating a memory that will serve as a reminder to my children, my six siblings, and seven nieces and nephews of the special woman we all have come to appreciate, respect, admire and love. This will be a gift to my family they will never forget!
Every day as I drive to school, I count my blessings to have the opportunity to work with the greatest team of teachers. As we work together to foster a love and appreciation for reading and writing , I am reminded of how each of you enable me to widen and extend my own knowledge to grow in our literate world. It is through these conversations that we bring authenticity into our student's world of literacy!
Blogging – another new computer “thing” for me. I thought I was quite smart and smug, when I told my youngest son that I was blogging. He said, “Mom, blogging is nothing new. I’ve known about it for years.” Didn’t I feel like ______. I think that it’s real cool. Speaking of computers. I’m doing something very challenging for me. As most of you know, technology is not my thing (right Sara?). Out of my 4 children, my youngest Adam, does not have a “baby book.” So I thought I would try my hand at making him a digital movie of his life. He’s really into technology and I think he’ll be shocked that I even attempted such a project. Here goes …
Tomasen, I love your analogy of the Sea of Literacy. I think what is always constant for me is “humor” and “real talking.” All practices come and go, but for me having and using humor (if only to survive these re-cycled practices) and truly talking with the kids is the essence or base of a true education. I can really teach once I’ve formed a connection with the kids and them with me. To me, these key ingredients can be the base for literacy success/happiness. After all, don’t solid personal connections with humor make great book characters?
The one thing that I will not give up is the art of conversation and dialogue in my teaching. The more I am in this the stronger I see the need for us and for our students to have conversations within our learning environments. It creates connections, generates questions, creates a sense of community and the list goes on!! That is the one thing that I will NOT compromise on regardless of what the latest waves are in education.
Why The Sea of Literacy? Well, in thinking about it I was struck by the fact that all of the water sources eventually end up in the larger sea. We have looked at some of the smaller bodies of water in detail. We have looked specifically at reading and writing. This year we are looking more globally at the big picture, or what I think of as the sea of literacy. As you know things come and go in terms of instructional practices, best practices, reaseach-based as quickly as the tides change. What though, remains constant for you in your teaching? What are the parts of the Sea that always ring true for you? What is literacy and how do we become literate
I was recently introduced to the "BLOG" by my sister in law. I have to say I love it. I would do a personal blog if I thought I had the time and people interested in reading it! Reading and responding to Melanie's (my sister-in-law) blogs are part of my literacy. Do you ever really stop to think of how much reading and writing you do every day? from emails, parent letters, responses to parent letter, notes to colleagues, memos from administration; shopping lists, to-do lists.... What did we do before computers, and let's be honest...it really wasn't that long ago when we did not have computers on our desks.
For my integration project, I am working on photography--trying to learn what all the different settings are on my camera and how to take the best picture given the situation, light, focus, etc.... I am also tagging this into my continued project from last year--digital storytelling. I will admit that I did retain what I learned last year, probably because I learned things the hard way--through countless mistakes and continued practice! What does that say about me as a learner?
My integration project is on antiquing. I hope to research some items of my mom's as we go through the things that belonged to her mom. I am struck by a vase that has been around for years. I never looked at it in quite this way. I do LOVE the things from the past. As I get older I feel more nostalgic.
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