Emily Dickenson Poem

It was given to me by the Gods --
When I was a little Girl --
They given us Presents most -- you know --
When we are new -- and small.
I kept it in my Hand --
I never put it down --
I did not dare to eat -- or sleep --
For fear it would be gone --
I heard such words as "Rich" --
When hurrying to school --
From lips at Corners of the Streets --
And wrestled with a smile.
Rich! 'Twas Myself -- was rich --
To take the name of Gold --
And Gold to own -- in solid Bars --
The Difference -- made me bold --

What I See

The Art of Writing-Lucy Calkins

There is certainly a reason that Lucy Calkins is considered an authority on writing in the classroom. I was pulled in quickly to this article (chapters). The examples and explanations of mini-lessons were practical and could be used right away.

What I am most excited about is that over the summer, as I slaved away at NIWP, another teacher at my school, informed me that she was reading Lucy Calkins' work over the summer as a way to enhance her students' writing in the classroom. The practices and skills I learned in this workshop and reading this article can be brought in to my school and I get to know that there are compatriots to discuss these great thoughts!!

Grading

First grade grading is certainly different from high level grading. I do not give out letter grades and we do not operate on a 4.0 system. Everything is based on pass or fail---essentially does the student have the skill, is he/she growing in that skill, or is there little to no evidence of that skill yet.

I think it is helpful for me as an educator to have that broad view but it certainly does not give the detailed picture.

As I read through these articles, related to the topic of grading, I made some connections. I value the concept of expecting that a student is always working towards a best product. I like thinking that a child is never given the option to do C work. However, I also feel that it is an intimidating way to manage a classroom (for the teacher). You really have to have a firm understanding of the purpose in the work you ask students to do. You also need some very specific organizational pieces in place to make this program effective.

There are a few projects I would like to present to my students with this expectation of "best work". I will have to revisit these articles and see what matches up and what I need to rethink.

Dix

The first thing I noticed about this article was on page 1 when Stephanie Dix states, "it helps the writer reflect and clarify his or her thinking with the goal of improving the writing."

The idea of looking at writing as a piece that will gradually be improved was very freeing for me. I tend to look at writing a very black and white manner and often don't write because I'm not sure how to make the final product RIGHT.

Of course this new perspective will translate into my classroom teaching practices as well. I should have responded to this article quite some time ago but I am glad that I didn't only because revisiting it helped me to see what changes have occurred in my thinking since that first day in July.

"Take Joy" by Jane Yolen

This summer I had the privilege of reading Jane Yolen's book on writing, "Take Joy". In this short text she outlines the many reasons to write, the heartache that needs to be embraced and the reasons why writing only to publish will likely destroy your life (she uses softer words).

I walked away from this book recognizing the value of writing, revising and editing for my own sake; seeing myself as the primary audience. Too many drafts have been dispensed to the round garbage by my desk because "no one will really like it". There is a time for abandoning a work but it needs to be because my heart is no longer in it.

I recommend this book to anyone rethinking the writing process in their own life. If you are remembering stories you wrote in elementary school and thinking you might enjoy trying that again then please pick up a copy of "Take Joy". You will be encouraged and inspired to make writing a regular piece of who you are.

5 Ways to View Stairs

He races those stairs
Though all the world stares
He trains passed the pain
It's a championship he can't share

The moving stairs disappear--
Where do they go?

We went to see "People Under the Stairs" and
"like it totally rocked my world, dude!"

As the little boy, in red socks, stumbled then tumbled
and crashed down the stairs after the puppy.

You can either go up
Into the sweltering heat of the sun
Or go down
Into the cool damp air of the ground