The Sunrise Story

Writing this post and sharing it on Discover.Play.Build. This year I'm one of the teachers participating in a pilot program in my county. The name of the pilot program is called TRA: Technology Readiness Assessment. That means the sixth graders on my team (about 150 of them) have laptops in each of their core classes. Math, History, Science, and Language Arts. So many words can be used to describe this experience: exciting, difficult, fun, challenging, valuable! On Wednesday this week, we shared our pilot with a parent group in the county. We presented what we've accomplished so far and what are hopes are for the future. The leader of the project spoke as did my principal,  a couple of parents, three AMAZING sixth graders, and me. I spoke on behalf of the teachers. This is something that's important...very important. I wanted to do my best! I wrote a speech with input from all of the teachers. Rehearsed! Asked for more input. This is something that's important. I...

List 10 books that have stayed with you in some way. Don't take more than a few minutes and don't think too hard — they don't have to be the "right" or "great" works, just the ones that have touched you. Here are mine: Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maude Montgomery The Red Tent by Anita Diamant Love Walked In by Marissa  Marisa de los Santos, Writer Very Valentine by  Adriana Trigiani The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Attwood Writing Down the Bones by  Natalie Goldberg Bird by Bird by  Anne Lamott Twas the Night Before Christmas The Fault in our Stars by  John Green Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz  Looking forward to reading your list in the comments!

Ten days into #Nerdlution. I find myself changing habits, making new and different choices. It feels good...ok, mostly good. More changes than not, but not everything has changed. My daily practice of reading and writing has increased! I've been writing morning pages a lot more and blogging more. I've finished two books since #Nerdlution began and find myself reading instead of watching television. Those two goals...I consider: SUCCESS! Oh, then there's the third one...the one that I was scared of making because I didn't think I'd do it. I was convinced I'd fail. And so far, I have. FAILED! A lot! Twice. I've moved...walked..twice in ten days. I can rationalize and convince myself that shoveling and walking up & down stairs helps...but in my mind...I still think FAIL! My #Nerdlution friends have been kinder than I feel I deserve. @Mhaseltine Silent strong thoughts of encouragement and motivation heading your way. Zingggggggggggggggggggg! #nerdlutio...

Sharing this post on Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Do you ever wonder whatever happened to your students after the year you spend together? I imagine how my students are finding life...are they happy? Successful? Do they still read? Write? What is going on with them?   I taught fifth grade for eight years. Fifth grade was such a fun year to teach because the students were still young enough that school was something they loved and old enough that they could show some real signs of independence. Fifth grade is the oldest grade in our elementary schools, so the students enjoyed their final year before moving onto middle school and the challenges that came with that new adventure.  2007 was a tough year for me personally. My dad collapsed in September of that year and then died in March of that same school year. He lived thousands of miles away, so my mind was definitely unfocused that year...but that year, Catie was in my class.  Catie was a quiet stude...

Happy Birthday  Christine! You are... Brave Kind hearted Smart Tenacious Strong Creative Thoughtful Courageous Christine- She writes with a voice that is strong... She lives with courage and authenticity... She inspires me to risk more and  live my life... She really knows me and  I call her  my friend... A true friend Today I celebrate  my friend,  Christine.  It's her birthday.  She moved away.  I miss her.  Celebrate today dear friend! Celebrate  the life you're creating- the friend you are- the blessings in your life- and all the blessings on their way to you... Happy Birthday!

I love this opportunity to celebrate my week with Ruth Ayres  at her blog on Saturday morning. It's a great way to start my weekend. I'm going to share my celebrations day by day.  Monday:  Today the Nerdlution began! I wrote, read, and walked today. It felt great...like I accomplished something. These were things I'd wanted to re-focus on for awhile and nerdlution gave me the excuse.  Tuesday:   @Mhaseltine you would have LOVED your favorite class of mine setting up their book club rules 😍 #teaching #adorable #litjourney — Miss Ward (@MissWardLCPS) December 3, 2013 My day started off in a different way. I spent half of my day in a different school coaching other English teachers. Getting an opportunity to talk about teaching and books and writing and best practices is a valuable opportunity. I feel like I learn as much from them as I hope they are learning from me. I always feel energized after spending this time together. While I was t...

The week started with much enthusiasm and motivation! Mornings started with writing and reading immediately & long walks after school! Today's Friday...and I'm tired. Not feeling it. Don't feel like writing or exercising today. Here's what happened: @Mhaseltine Silent strong thoughts of encouragement and motivation heading your way. Zingggggggggggggggggggg! #nerdlution support crew — KevinHodgson (@dogtrax) December 6, 2013 @Mhaseltine If the #nerdlution is anything, it’s that we support each other and our endeavors. Right? Have a better day today, Michelle. — KevinHodgson (@dogtrax) December 6, 2013 And there it is...what the Nerdlution is all about. Supporting each other. Helping. Being there when the motivation isn't there. No judgement. Just a helping hand reaching out from the twitterverse saying, "You can do it!"  So here I am, writing. Thanks Kevin ! Thanks to the Nerdlution members! It occurs to me this morning, that as ...