In the wake of common core....wondering what anyone's thoughts are on this idea. I keep getting excited about what appears to be more freedom in our teaching realm, but also see a lot of colleagues struggling to pull up the rigor and balance the fluff factor. Cute vs complex! I see opportunity wide open to possibilities....I just need time to make these units!
Inquiry, Wisdom, & Wonder is my motto this year, pretty fitting in these changing times.
Carolyn
Friday, August 10, 2012
Getting back to school!
In the craziness of life, I left my blog last fall in hopes I would get back to it. Well based on my last post...somewhere in 2011, that never happened. I commit, that over the next few months there will be some big changes here. I am looking to add a TpT store, and pintrests links and more classroom photos and more web presence. Look for it!
It's all about owls this year and apparently I am not alone. My colorful owl decor is back ordered so off to Etsy.com for some creative clip art. I will post pics and updates.
Carolyn
It's all about owls this year and apparently I am not alone. My colorful owl decor is back ordered so off to Etsy.com for some creative clip art. I will post pics and updates.
Carolyn
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Kid Blogs
Really considering using Blogger for my Kids Electronic Portfolios ( E-Portfolio) this year. As the school year begins, I wonder what is the best way to start this. Our district requires that all content be posted through our district portal and linked to our websites in a certain fashion.
Carolyn
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Teacher store
Don't you love the teacher store? That magical place where it's all about you, your classroom and your students. What better excuse to spend money for which you know you'll never be reimbursed?
This is place of inspiration, deliberation, frustration and imagination. My summer feels just about over as I make the trip to mecca. With a friend in tow, we plan, plot and organize our way through the store. In a little over 3 hours, we have new vision for a new school year.
I realize that this journey I take every year is a catalyst for planning what (hopefully) becomes the most successful year I have had.
This year's trip was no different. Keeping this optimism alive is a very important key to a successful year. In the current education climate of Florida...merit pay wars, loss of tenure, mandatory loss of 3% salary, more and more budget cuts, moves to privatize public education, it would be very easy to remain negative. What good would come of it?
My teacher store trip reminded me that there are a lot of tools out there to make my job easier, my classroom systems more efficient and help me work smarter not harder.
This is place of inspiration, deliberation, frustration and imagination. My summer feels just about over as I make the trip to mecca. With a friend in tow, we plan, plot and organize our way through the store. In a little over 3 hours, we have new vision for a new school year.
I realize that this journey I take every year is a catalyst for planning what (hopefully) becomes the most successful year I have had.
This year's trip was no different. Keeping this optimism alive is a very important key to a successful year. In the current education climate of Florida...merit pay wars, loss of tenure, mandatory loss of 3% salary, more and more budget cuts, moves to privatize public education, it would be very easy to remain negative. What good would come of it?
My teacher store trip reminded me that there are a lot of tools out there to make my job easier, my classroom systems more efficient and help me work smarter not harder.
Friday, July 22, 2011
I didn't know, what I didn't know
So I'm on Twitter last night, participating in a chat with educators around the world wondering, "What if my students could be doing this too?"
It is rather large idea to consider...yet....knowing what I didn't know (then) that I know (now)...how much learning one can receive from this type of interaction.
There is so much going on in the 'cloud' up there. We tell our kids to get their heads 'out of the clouds' and I think we need to tell them to stick it right back up there..... It's not, can they....They NEED to be doing this with other students around the world.
I realize that my district, while cutting edge at one time in many areas of technology, is quite restrictive in it's ability to allow this type of interaction. But then I read an older post from a lovely lady from my PLN and realized the theme of our district technology instructors is changing from a "DO THIS.... THIS WAY" mentality to the "UNLIMIT YOURSELF" mentality.
This is not a change, it's a paradigm shift! I love this! Could this really be happening?
I wonder what fantastical things will happen this August?
(in a Willy Wonka, sort of manner)
I'll let you know...my brain can hardly stop spinning over these thoughts!
It is rather large idea to consider...yet....knowing what I didn't know (then) that I know (now)...how much learning one can receive from this type of interaction.
There is so much going on in the 'cloud' up there. We tell our kids to get their heads 'out of the clouds' and I think we need to tell them to stick it right back up there..... It's not, can they....They NEED to be doing this with other students around the world.
I realize that my district, while cutting edge at one time in many areas of technology, is quite restrictive in it's ability to allow this type of interaction. But then I read an older post from a lovely lady from my PLN and realized the theme of our district technology instructors is changing from a "DO THIS.... THIS WAY" mentality to the "UNLIMIT YOURSELF" mentality.
This is not a change, it's a paradigm shift! I love this! Could this really be happening?
I wonder what fantastical things will happen this August?
(in a Willy Wonka, sort of manner)
I'll let you know...my brain can hardly stop spinning over these thoughts!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Connecting
In the past few weeks, I have really seen the value in getting connected with others via the web. I recently joined Twitter to keep up on what is happening on the cutting edge of education policy. There are some amazing people out there teaching and researching, their creativity and knowledge far exceeds what my brain even imagined! Inspiring.
However, I still love the connection with others face to face and look forward to reconnecting with my school colleagues whom I work with on a daily basis. I find that I really miss them as we all decompress from a rather difficult school year. At a celebratory dinner a few nights ago, it was about relationships, not about curriculum and planning. We were women, mothers, wives....not just teachers, and it was lovely.
Staying open and learning from all the people in your professional and personal life makes us better educators.
However, I still love the connection with others face to face and look forward to reconnecting with my school colleagues whom I work with on a daily basis. I find that I really miss them as we all decompress from a rather difficult school year. At a celebratory dinner a few nights ago, it was about relationships, not about curriculum and planning. We were women, mothers, wives....not just teachers, and it was lovely.
Staying open and learning from all the people in your professional and personal life makes us better educators.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Welcome to Wonderschool
For years I have read countless blogs of many talented educators. I am finally taking the plunge and sharing my love for teaching and learning with others.
I have had a distinct shift in my experience as an educator. I have always been a rule follower and lately, I feel like taking more chances, getting outside my comfort zone and pushing myself in many directions I may not have done just a few years ago.
Several months ago I went to a seemingly benign training given by a local curriculum specialist. It was a training on bringing inquiry into the classroom. It does not seem radical, we all use inquiry strategies, but this 5 hour training ROCKED MY WORLD.
One phrase that she quoted - We should be creating wonderschools, verses knowledge factories. I do not know from which resource this blessed phrase came from, but as it came through her lips, it hit me square in the chin. I have meditated on this phrase over and over the past few months and it has changed me.
I realize, the idealistic, young teacher I was, had matured into a well oiled machine of curriculum planning, resource hunting, technology instructing, state mandate following, building and district policy making and political strategizing. What I have seemingly lost in these 13 years is the ability to allow my children to Wonder! I realize I am asking more questions than they are...shame on me!
Is it TIME?
Is it MANDATES?
Is it STATE TESTING? (FL)
Is is ADMINISTRATION?
No, it is ME, I allowed, ever so slowly for others to influence that I ignored what is best for children.
This "wonderschool" epiphany, has allowed me to return to my roots, trim my philosophy and sharpen my skills as an educator. I feel empowered, no longer controlled by the things I mentioned above, I am working with them, not against them and soon they will be working for me. A shift in perspective is a rare gift, I intend to take full advantage of this time.
This year I will leave the 3rd grade classroom I became so comfortable in, and I will take on a new and exciting challenge. I will be teaching a 2nd grade full inclusive/self contained gifted students. The challenge I face this year is planning for the unique gifts and needs of the gifted learner.
I am looking forward to the journey that it takes me and how my fellow teachers inspire the "wonderschool".
Happy Planning!
Carolyn
I have had a distinct shift in my experience as an educator. I have always been a rule follower and lately, I feel like taking more chances, getting outside my comfort zone and pushing myself in many directions I may not have done just a few years ago.
Several months ago I went to a seemingly benign training given by a local curriculum specialist. It was a training on bringing inquiry into the classroom. It does not seem radical, we all use inquiry strategies, but this 5 hour training ROCKED MY WORLD.
One phrase that she quoted - We should be creating wonderschools, verses knowledge factories. I do not know from which resource this blessed phrase came from, but as it came through her lips, it hit me square in the chin. I have meditated on this phrase over and over the past few months and it has changed me.
I realize, the idealistic, young teacher I was, had matured into a well oiled machine of curriculum planning, resource hunting, technology instructing, state mandate following, building and district policy making and political strategizing. What I have seemingly lost in these 13 years is the ability to allow my children to Wonder! I realize I am asking more questions than they are...shame on me!
Is it TIME?
Is it MANDATES?
Is it STATE TESTING? (FL)
Is is ADMINISTRATION?
No, it is ME, I allowed, ever so slowly for others to influence that I ignored what is best for children.
This "wonderschool" epiphany, has allowed me to return to my roots, trim my philosophy and sharpen my skills as an educator. I feel empowered, no longer controlled by the things I mentioned above, I am working with them, not against them and soon they will be working for me. A shift in perspective is a rare gift, I intend to take full advantage of this time.
This year I will leave the 3rd grade classroom I became so comfortable in, and I will take on a new and exciting challenge. I will be teaching a 2nd grade full inclusive/self contained gifted students. The challenge I face this year is planning for the unique gifts and needs of the gifted learner.
I am looking forward to the journey that it takes me and how my fellow teachers inspire the "wonderschool".
Happy Planning!
Carolyn
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