Daily Archives: July 22, 2012

Why I’m Joining the Global Read Aloud

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I love to read. As a child, I was fussed at frequently because I was reading when I should be doing something else. In high school I jumped at the chance to take AP English but didn’t even contemplate taking AP Calculus. Before texting and driving – I was reading and driving….yes, I admit it! Then I found out about audiobooks and gave Cracker Barrell a great deal of my business until my local library caught up. Because of my love of reading, I find it unfathomable that there are children in this world who don’t like to read.

Last year, my class participated in a book read with classes out of Mississippi and North Carolina. They loved it! They enjoyed the idea of using Edmodo to respond to other students’ posts in another state. Add to that a Skype experience and I had to beg them not to read ahead – but they did it anyway!

So why the Global Read Aloud? Instead of just two other classes, we will be reading this book with approximately 100 other classes – all over the world!  Multiple opportunities to Skype and use Edmodo (which the children love) as well as get the students excited about READING!

This year, the Global Read Aloud will be reading Charlotte’s Web (for younger children) and The One and Only Ivan (for older students).   Excited – heck yeah I am!  I devoured The One and Only Ivan  in a day with tears streaming down my eyes as I finished (and yes, before you ask I’m a HUGE crybaby) and am still wondering how I’m going to get through it since there isn’t an audiobook available yet.

Have I piqued your interest yet?  I hope I have.  If so check out the Global Read Aloud Blog and Wiki.  Also, you can follow information on twitter by using the hastag #glread12.

Hope to see you soon!

My Real Life Fairy Tale

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Courtesy of disboards.com

Who needs a fairy godmother when my reality is a real fairy tale? I am living my dream life – making a difference daily in the lives of children. I am the fairy godmother that has used chalk, dry erase markers, and now my Promethean board’s ActivWand as the magic wand to change school attire into business suits, medical scrubs, and military uniforms. I am the fairy godmother that uses magical words like, “I believe in you” or “I’m taking nothing less than your very best” to create, not princesses, but scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and best of all – educators.

These words, although cheesy, truly express my feelings about being an educator. As I embark upon my 15th year of teaching, I cannot imagine doing anything else. I have to be around children – I know that it was meant for me to improve the lives of children. And despite the challenges I face on a daily basis (funding, standardized testing, increased pressure to perform, the occasional apathetic child and/or parent), I know that I make a difference.

It’s evident in the hugs I get at the end of the day (even after having received a tongue lashing), it’s evident in the smiles and the high fives, it’s evident in the confidence parents give me to do what’s best for their child.

Who needs a fairy godmother when my reality is a real life fairy tale? I am living my dream life – making a difference daily in the lives of children.

Are you?

In The Beginning…..

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I’ve toyed with this idea for a while now.  Should I?  Shouldn’t I?  But, I’ve done it – I’ve made up my mind to begin a personal reflective blog.  I have one for my parents and students, I have one that focuses on technology (which I’ve sorely left lacking and is another reason why I hesitated creating this blog), but I’m planning so many new and exciting things in my class this year – so why not?

This blog will allow me to not only showcase the work that my students create, but also reflect on these new practices.

I appreciate all the input and feedback I hope to receive as you experience my life as a sixth grade warden teacher!