June 21 2013

Teachers Write

Good Morning! 

Today I started a “camp” for teachers and writers. I posted some of my writing to get feedback. Oh my goodness, it’s scary to ask other teachers and published authors what they think of your writing. I did it. That’s good. I submitted the beginning of a fiction story and I really struggle with writing fiction. The feedback I’m getting is good, but it can be hard to hear. The reason I’m doing this is to become a better writer. If you’d like to comment, I’d welcome your feedback as well. Does this hook you? What works? What doesn’t work? Here’s my writing: 

 

On a cool Monday morning in late September, the sun streams in as Miss Leone enjoys the silence and a cup of coffee. Soon, students will be pouring into the doors of Stapler Academy and straight to Room 229. 

The bell rings and sixth graders fill the halls. Their laughter reverberates around the locker bay while they gather their supplies for the first block of the day. Miss Leone takes a deep breath, ready to greet her first block.

“Good morning everyone, how are you?” inquired Miss Leone.

In the front row sat Jack and he began everyday peeking through his brown bangs to looking for his new adventure. Jack smiled as Miss Leone asked the question because she was the kind of teacher who really wanted to know. He thought, this is going to be a good day. 

Miss Leone nodded, “It will be a good day today.” 

Weird, Jack thought, I didn’t say anything out loud. Hmmm? Miss Leone ignored Jack’s confused expression and continued walking through the maze of desks and checking in with the sixth graders.

June 18 2013

Bridge to the Ridge!

I am excited to meet the rising sixth graders. They seem so excited to learn about middle school and all of the changes ahead. Each day, the students spend about two and a half hours learning about the changes that are coming.

Organization is the class that I am leading with Matt. Matt is a talented, kind, hard working, and inspired teacher. Oh, have I mentioned that Matt just finished eighth grade? He wants to be a teacher, so he helps out with Bridge to the Ridge and when I say help, he has been leading the classes with a little support from me. Matt inspires ME! Someday there will be a school who will be lucky to hire Matt as a teacher. He has years ahead of him to inspire students and change lives. I’m impressed! 

Students also attend a reading, guidance, and PE class. Watching the students learn about how to use agendas and read schedules and open lockers makes me excited for a new school year. Next year sixth grade should be an amazing year! 

June 17 2013

Back to school for the week

I am spending the week at school. This week is Bridge to the Ridge and I am helping the rising sixth graders prepare for middle school. It’s only been a week since school ended and I know as I walk into the halls I’ll be looking for you (my students), but you’re seventh graders now. Instead, I’ll meet my new “you”, the new faces that will fill my classroom next year.

How’s your summer been so far? I’ve been reading a lot (I’m behind on my reviews here.), but I haven’t been writing as much as I’d like. What have you been doing? Looking for your comments! Miss you guys…

June 11 2013

Perspective

Life perspective changes when I don’t have to be somewhere every morning. I forgot to turn off my alarm on my first day of summer vacation, so I woke up just like it was a school day, but that’s where the similarities end. I ate a leisurely breakfast and took Leo for a longer walk than usual (only a little bit longer, since he’s old). Now, I’m taking a break from cleaning my room. (Yes, even though I’m all grown up…I still have to clean my room.) While sitting down, I looked out the window and noticed the vibrant green tree outside my window.

Tree

I thought about how much this tree has changed in the last five years. It was a baby tree (I think that’s called a sapling) when I moved in and now it’s lush and green and provides me with a beautiful view in the summer time. It’s a new perspective. I’ve noticed something new and I think it’s because my days look different in the summer. What are you noticing that you haven’t before? Remember good writers notice, observe, and record. 

Speaking of writing, I splurged and bought myself a new writer’s notebook. I designed it myself (that means picking out the colors). For the cover, I even created my own quote!  It’s handmade and won’t arrive until the end of June. I can’t wait! Maybe this is where I’ll begin writing my book. I have a picture of the cover…here it is: 

new daybook

I got it from this terrific store on Etsy!

I leave you with these questions:

What new perspecitve are you enjoying?
Create your own quote. What do YOU have to say?
And as always, what are you reading? 
June 5 2013

The Night Before the Last Day…

It’s the night before the last day of school and I’m sitting here with mixed emotions. As I say every year, it’s been a long year and one filled with challenges. I’m tired. The students are tired. We’ve worked hard. We’ve all made mistakes and given our very best and now it’s time for a break. Summer vacation! I’m excited for the warm weather and family vacations and long, uninterrupted hours of reading but I’m also sad. Every day this year, you walked into C10, ready to learn. We got to know each other and trust each other.  It seems just as we know what to expect, things change…but that’s how life is, isn’t it? 

I’m a better teacher today because of YOU…each one of you made me better. You challenged me and helped me grow as a teacher. I’m proud to have spent 2012-2013 reading and writing with you. Next year, there’ll be more students. You seventh graders will visit and hopefully many will read and comment on this blog, but it will never be the same. And that’s ok. Each one of us is better for the time in Room C10. Remember, always do your best. Be kind. Ask questions. Think. Think. Think. And always read! Read! Read! Finally, write! Write! Write!

Know that Y-O-U will be missed. Enjoy your summer. Be safe!