The wonderful Director of our Citizen Schools program wrote a grant to receive $10,000 in technology funding for our school.
AND GOT IT!
Way to go Chris!
Here is the video that they produced as a part of the grant.
I have many students in it...and I will warn, you it is incredibly cheesy and just as adorable.
Please share it with others, like it, post it on your FB page. EMC deserves big credit for reaching out and helping our school join the technology movement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV2iBIWFyQQ
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
RT and connecting with colleagues
The first month at the Irving was the most intense month I've ever had as a teacher. We implemented so many new programs including RT, Learning Walks, a whole new schedule, Advisory block, online discipline/attendance reports, and there's still more to come!
I have been having a really tough time adapting to the RT way of life. What is RT? It is Reciprocal Teaching. In just a few words, it is students teaching students. Sitting in groups, they RT articles, short stories, and other chunks of text. It is my job to give them the tools do so. Namely, to make sure they carry the 4 Reading Strategies in their toolbox and USE them: questioning, predicting, summarizing, and clarifying. The Irving adds visualization into the mix since so many of our students are ELL and benefit greatly from visualizing words, phrases, or chunks of text.
So RT has not come naturally to me. Until a colleague defined it simply as "interactive annotation." Interactive Annotation! Literally the light bulb turned on, the clouds parted, the light shone down upon me and I had it.
I look forward this week to sharing my newly acquired lack of ignorance and confusion with my students this week!
On another note, I am really not loving this new schedule. It is complicated to learn, and doesn't have the distinct "A,B,C,D" blocks that the previous years' schedule had. Additionally, I just do not see my 7th grade colleagues like I used to. Here's what happens when I need to talk to Johanna or Ernestina, my teaching partners for 7D and 7E about a student.
We let our students out of class and as they are milling past us from class to class, we quickly debrief one another on any pressing student issues. And that's it. In total we get about 30 minutes of authentic time to talk.
It's great that we are getting to meet with our content departments weekly, but it is really taking a toll on the relationship I have with my students' OTHER teachers, and they are across the hall from me!
Perhaps the Irving is trying to do a little too much this year?
I would rather do a couple of things REALLY WELL than 10 things mediocre. What will happen, in my mind, is that programs and relationships cannot be successful unless they are fully supported and that means in terms of time and execution. So what happens to things that are not given the time, patience, and development they deserve?
You tell me.
I have been having a really tough time adapting to the RT way of life. What is RT? It is Reciprocal Teaching. In just a few words, it is students teaching students. Sitting in groups, they RT articles, short stories, and other chunks of text. It is my job to give them the tools do so. Namely, to make sure they carry the 4 Reading Strategies in their toolbox and USE them: questioning, predicting, summarizing, and clarifying. The Irving adds visualization into the mix since so many of our students are ELL and benefit greatly from visualizing words, phrases, or chunks of text.
So RT has not come naturally to me. Until a colleague defined it simply as "interactive annotation." Interactive Annotation! Literally the light bulb turned on, the clouds parted, the light shone down upon me and I had it.
I look forward this week to sharing my newly acquired lack of ignorance and confusion with my students this week!
On another note, I am really not loving this new schedule. It is complicated to learn, and doesn't have the distinct "A,B,C,D" blocks that the previous years' schedule had. Additionally, I just do not see my 7th grade colleagues like I used to. Here's what happens when I need to talk to Johanna or Ernestina, my teaching partners for 7D and 7E about a student.
We let our students out of class and as they are milling past us from class to class, we quickly debrief one another on any pressing student issues. And that's it. In total we get about 30 minutes of authentic time to talk.
It's great that we are getting to meet with our content departments weekly, but it is really taking a toll on the relationship I have with my students' OTHER teachers, and they are across the hall from me!
Perhaps the Irving is trying to do a little too much this year?
I would rather do a couple of things REALLY WELL than 10 things mediocre. What will happen, in my mind, is that programs and relationships cannot be successful unless they are fully supported and that means in terms of time and execution. So what happens to things that are not given the time, patience, and development they deserve?
You tell me.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
First Day of School
First Day of School.
First Day of School.
Wore a cute little dress from Target on clearance and felt very comfortable in it, which was perfect!
I really feel I have made a wonderful group of friends/coworkers. I feel so lucky.
Lots of support this morning and in the past days as we settled back into the routine.
Arrived at 615, worked on my classroom until it was...ok. Still missing a whiteboard and have a broken table. That broken table would come back to haunt me...
My homeroom students arrived, lots of girls; less boys. Opposite of last year. Kids seem sweet. I really like middle schoolers. There is no guise, no veil. WYSIWYG.
While all students were filing this morning to HR I spotted a boy walking toward me.
me:Where are you headed?
him : I don't know. (grim-faced)
You ok?
My heart is pounding in my chest.
I don't blame you, today is a big day.
Yeah.
did you like 5th grade?
yeah. (brightening) I did.
I think you're going to like 6th grade even better.
(looks right at me for the first time) Yeah?
Yeah.
Thanks.
First Day of School.
Wore a cute little dress from Target on clearance and felt very comfortable in it, which was perfect!
I really feel I have made a wonderful group of friends/coworkers. I feel so lucky.
Lots of support this morning and in the past days as we settled back into the routine.
Arrived at 615, worked on my classroom until it was...ok. Still missing a whiteboard and have a broken table. That broken table would come back to haunt me...
My homeroom students arrived, lots of girls; less boys. Opposite of last year. Kids seem sweet. I really like middle schoolers. There is no guise, no veil. WYSIWYG.
While all students were filing this morning to HR I spotted a boy walking toward me.
me:Where are you headed?
him : I don't know. (grim-faced)
You ok?
My heart is pounding in my chest.
I don't blame you, today is a big day.
Yeah.
did you like 5th grade?
yeah. (brightening) I did.
I think you're going to like 6th grade even better.
(looks right at me for the first time) Yeah?
Yeah.
Thanks.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Cha-cha-cha-changes.
I thought my first year of school was the hardest year ever. My second got a little easier, as did my third, fourth. My fifth, last year, was my best year yet, my most confident year yet.
I am terrified of this upcoming year. Leaving the most precious being in the world for 8+ hours a day is all I can think about. How will I cope?! How will I be able to provide for him emotionally and physically when I am 20 miles away from him 5 days a week? What kind of mother am I to leave him. When he needs me most. I can't answer these questions now. I hope I can answer them in a few weeks.
While I am at work, my one concern is pumping. I originally hoped to breastfeed Zeke to 6 months. We've both become quite good at it, I am proud to report! Now, I'd like to go for a year. That means I must pump 2x a day to replace the milk he is consuming while I'm gone. Our 10 day rotating schedule will make that complicated, and I hope I can come up with some sort of reasonable solution.
There are so many changes afoot at the Irving. They are exciting, but the width and breadth of these changes are so grand, and I want them to go grandly. I will be the 7th grade ELA teacher again, and am adding Theatre Arts back into my ingredient list. I am so lucky to get to combine the best of both my worlds, and I look forward to what it brings.
My room is wonderful. Big, on the cooler side of the building, and surround by my friends and biggest supporters: the 7th grade cluster. I am so grateful I get to continue working with them. I have become so close with many of them so quickly. For the first time in my life I feel like I can be totally honest and open with a group of people knowing that we can share a difference of opinion like adults! It is so refreshing and freeing!
So. Here's to SY 2010-2011.
Gulp.
I am terrified of this upcoming year. Leaving the most precious being in the world for 8+ hours a day is all I can think about. How will I cope?! How will I be able to provide for him emotionally and physically when I am 20 miles away from him 5 days a week? What kind of mother am I to leave him. When he needs me most. I can't answer these questions now. I hope I can answer them in a few weeks.
While I am at work, my one concern is pumping. I originally hoped to breastfeed Zeke to 6 months. We've both become quite good at it, I am proud to report! Now, I'd like to go for a year. That means I must pump 2x a day to replace the milk he is consuming while I'm gone. Our 10 day rotating schedule will make that complicated, and I hope I can come up with some sort of reasonable solution.
There are so many changes afoot at the Irving. They are exciting, but the width and breadth of these changes are so grand, and I want them to go grandly. I will be the 7th grade ELA teacher again, and am adding Theatre Arts back into my ingredient list. I am so lucky to get to combine the best of both my worlds, and I look forward to what it brings.
My room is wonderful. Big, on the cooler side of the building, and surround by my friends and biggest supporters: the 7th grade cluster. I am so grateful I get to continue working with them. I have become so close with many of them so quickly. For the first time in my life I feel like I can be totally honest and open with a group of people knowing that we can share a difference of opinion like adults! It is so refreshing and freeing!
So. Here's to SY 2010-2011.
Gulp.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Read more...
I did not include where I gained my information on the Irving's upcoming status change to a feeder school:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury/news/education/x313362061/Roslindale-gets-a-K-8-feeder-school-option
and more...
http://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x427966107/Menino-applauds-Pathway-Program-for-Roslindale-students
http://www.wickedlocal.com/west-roxbury/news/education/x313362061/Roslindale-gets-a-K-8-feeder-school-option
and more...
http://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x427966107/Menino-applauds-Pathway-Program-for-Roslindale-students
Irving is a feeder school.
In a unanimous vote Wednesday, the BPS school committee passed Supt. Johnson's proposal to "bring" a k-8 school to Roslindale. She is doing this by making the Irving a feeder school for Roslindale elementary schools. Essentially, the vote "will give fifth graders who attend the Bates, Conley, Haley, Mozart, Philbrick, and Sumner elementary schools priority admission to the Washington Irving Middle School."
I have mixed feelings about making the Irving a feeder school for students from Roslindale elementary schools.
While I am well aware of the benefits and drawbacks, I still haven't come to my own conclusion about the situation.
Well, the School Committee will immerse me and my fellow teachers in a bit of "reality teaching." The faculty and staff of the Irving will open its doors next school year first to 5th graders attending Roslindale schools, then to siblings of those elementary school students (of middle school age I'm guessing), and third "would go to those students who don’t attend the six elementary schools, but live in walking distance of the Irving."
I am sad because many of my favorite students are not Roslindale residents, and this may seem like a trivial reason to dislike the change, it is, nonetheless, true for me.
Also, while Roslindale is an increasingly diverse neighborhood, it is far less diverse than the city of Boston, which is where all of my students come from now. I even have students traveling from East Boston---ah, perhaps no longer with the new proposal.
What I am hoping will come out of this is 2 things: increased enrollment and increased funding. Simply, our numbers are down, and perhaps those parents who were wary of the Irving's reputation will see this as a reason to send their kids to our school.
What I said above, about our numbers being down, is in fact a bit ironic. While the school numbers ARE down, my classroom sizes are UP. The fact of the matter is, when school numbers go down, Administration cuts positions. When positions are cut, classroom numbers go up because there is one less teacher for each subject area. Last year I had about 22-23 students in a class. This year I have 27-28 in each class. While 5 students may not sound like a lot, it is!
Just one year of this "experiment" may be too little to tell its repercussions. I only hope they are positive for all our students.
I have mixed feelings about making the Irving a feeder school for students from Roslindale elementary schools.
While I am well aware of the benefits and drawbacks, I still haven't come to my own conclusion about the situation.
Well, the School Committee will immerse me and my fellow teachers in a bit of "reality teaching." The faculty and staff of the Irving will open its doors next school year first to 5th graders attending Roslindale schools, then to siblings of those elementary school students (of middle school age I'm guessing), and third "would go to those students who don’t attend the six elementary schools, but live in walking distance of the Irving."
I am sad because many of my favorite students are not Roslindale residents, and this may seem like a trivial reason to dislike the change, it is, nonetheless, true for me.
Also, while Roslindale is an increasingly diverse neighborhood, it is far less diverse than the city of Boston, which is where all of my students come from now. I even have students traveling from East Boston---ah, perhaps no longer with the new proposal.
What I am hoping will come out of this is 2 things: increased enrollment and increased funding. Simply, our numbers are down, and perhaps those parents who were wary of the Irving's reputation will see this as a reason to send their kids to our school.
What I said above, about our numbers being down, is in fact a bit ironic. While the school numbers ARE down, my classroom sizes are UP. The fact of the matter is, when school numbers go down, Administration cuts positions. When positions are cut, classroom numbers go up because there is one less teacher for each subject area. Last year I had about 22-23 students in a class. This year I have 27-28 in each class. While 5 students may not sound like a lot, it is!
Just one year of this "experiment" may be too little to tell its repercussions. I only hope they are positive for all our students.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Go Irving Warriors!
Had the pleasure of stopping by the girls basketball game today. I was really impressed with how aggressive and focused the girls are! I have a couple of the players on my team, and they were AWESOME. Nadia and Irene had some impressive moves. Basketball was never my sport...so I was a basketball cheerleader instead. Needless to say, I know the game as a spectator and I like it that way.
It's really a shame that no students or parents can come watch the games. What was Boston thinking when it built a school with a gymnasium with no room for spectators?!
Some of my fondest middle school moments were spent at basketball games, gymnastic meets, and wrestling meets, all of which took place in the gym.
Before the game, my very own student Cassidy Gorash sang the National Anthem. What a beautiful, clear voice she has. I envy her natural talent and look forward to hearing her grow as a singer. One of my best friends from high school is a professional opera singer now. Once upon a time she was just like Cassidy singing the National Anthem in our middle school.
The staff had a baby shower for me yesterday, and it was just perfect! I was so overwhelmed by the large gathering of people. It gave me such a sense of gratitude and thanks for the community of teachers I work with. Lots of adorable little outfits for our little guy, gift cards and cash to buy those essential breastfeeding devices I've been putting off buying, and a photo album by one of my coworkers with pictures from the shower---so thoughtful!
Hard to believe, but only 12 days of school left before I go on maternity leave---unless my little rock start decides to come early! According to the school nurse, Ms. Brunson, and all the wonderfully wise ladies I work with, "Zeppelin" hasn't even dropped yet...so I have a little while. Hopefully not more than 3 weeks, ok Zep?
It's really a shame that no students or parents can come watch the games. What was Boston thinking when it built a school with a gymnasium with no room for spectators?!
Some of my fondest middle school moments were spent at basketball games, gymnastic meets, and wrestling meets, all of which took place in the gym.
Before the game, my very own student Cassidy Gorash sang the National Anthem. What a beautiful, clear voice she has. I envy her natural talent and look forward to hearing her grow as a singer. One of my best friends from high school is a professional opera singer now. Once upon a time she was just like Cassidy singing the National Anthem in our middle school.
The staff had a baby shower for me yesterday, and it was just perfect! I was so overwhelmed by the large gathering of people. It gave me such a sense of gratitude and thanks for the community of teachers I work with. Lots of adorable little outfits for our little guy, gift cards and cash to buy those essential breastfeeding devices I've been putting off buying, and a photo album by one of my coworkers with pictures from the shower---so thoughtful!
Hard to believe, but only 12 days of school left before I go on maternity leave---unless my little rock start decides to come early! According to the school nurse, Ms. Brunson, and all the wonderfully wise ladies I work with, "Zeppelin" hasn't even dropped yet...so I have a little while. Hopefully not more than 3 weeks, ok Zep?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
After the play, before materinty leave, and a crossroads!
Sometimes I feel like I spend a lot of time at school focusing on the NEXT BIG THING. In past years, it has been things like: a show opening, a cool field trip, MCAS, week long vacations, and the end of a term. This year will be different, as I am the ONLY person gearing up for what I have my sights on: March 19th.
March 19th will be my last day of work this school year. I wish it weren't, as I feel like I'm really getting the hang of being a homeroom teacher and teaching ELA. Although it is 6 weeks away I feel like that time will pass quickly!
Of course I am excited for WHY I am leaving. And apprehensive, and scared, and even a bit ambivalent. But aren't we always filled with so many emotions for that which is unknown to us?
So I have this NBT coming up March 19th and there is so much left to do. With the play I need to get the yearbook page ready for Ms. Pick and have a cast party. With ELA we need to finish our essays on Scorpions, do MCAS prep, get into some poetry, and start Word Generation!
On top of all that, I am at a crossroads once again in my career. The Principal is opening another theatre arts position. Which he would like me to take over starting next year. There are so many opportunities that come with the position that it is hard to even think about staying in ELA!
However, I am reticent to go back to theatre arts. First, because I AM enjoying ELA. I enjoy my coworkers, my collaborators, the bonds I've formed with the teachers in my cluster. I also am grateful for the relationships I've formed with my students; relationships that are so much deeper than I formed with my Theatre Arts students. Those are things that I definitely lacked in my previous position as Theatre Arts teacher. Although, I did have a close bond with the PE teacher, Ms. Griffin, I didn't eat lunch with her daily---it wasn't something I simply fell into (so nicely) as I have with my 7th grade team. My major reason for wanting to stay in ELA is so completely selfish, though. I would like another chance to find out if I'm any good at it! This year I spent so much time learning the curriculum, creating my classroom expectations (ELA and TA classrooms run SO differently!), and creating a high level of expectation for my students and making those expectations clear to myself AND to my students. It would be lovely if I could work in ELA for another couple of years at least to learn more about my abilities and capabilities as an ELA teacher.
Theatre Arts does lend itself to the many things I enjoy about teaching, though! Certainly I get to see students in ways their ELA teachers NEVER do!
With all that in mind, I talked to my union rep from the BTU (Caren Carew) this week about my options. My concern is this: what is safest for me in the long run, to remain in ELA or move back to Theatre Arts? Although I am permanent, BPS is still making cuts to permanent teachers, and as the Superintendent's letter to us said last week, SY 2012 isn't looking any better. Therefore, I've been advised by the BTU to stay in ELA, as there are teachers with less seniority in ELA positions than in Theatre Arts. In fact, I am the least permanent teacher in the Performing Arts in Boston.
Never did I think I would have to deal with the pink slip again!
So, it sounds like to have job security ELA is the way.
the way.
the way.
ELA is the way.
hmmmm....
March 19th will be my last day of work this school year. I wish it weren't, as I feel like I'm really getting the hang of being a homeroom teacher and teaching ELA. Although it is 6 weeks away I feel like that time will pass quickly!
Of course I am excited for WHY I am leaving. And apprehensive, and scared, and even a bit ambivalent. But aren't we always filled with so many emotions for that which is unknown to us?
So I have this NBT coming up March 19th and there is so much left to do. With the play I need to get the yearbook page ready for Ms. Pick and have a cast party. With ELA we need to finish our essays on Scorpions, do MCAS prep, get into some poetry, and start Word Generation!
On top of all that, I am at a crossroads once again in my career. The Principal is opening another theatre arts position. Which he would like me to take over starting next year. There are so many opportunities that come with the position that it is hard to even think about staying in ELA!
However, I am reticent to go back to theatre arts. First, because I AM enjoying ELA. I enjoy my coworkers, my collaborators, the bonds I've formed with the teachers in my cluster. I also am grateful for the relationships I've formed with my students; relationships that are so much deeper than I formed with my Theatre Arts students. Those are things that I definitely lacked in my previous position as Theatre Arts teacher. Although, I did have a close bond with the PE teacher, Ms. Griffin, I didn't eat lunch with her daily---it wasn't something I simply fell into (so nicely) as I have with my 7th grade team. My major reason for wanting to stay in ELA is so completely selfish, though. I would like another chance to find out if I'm any good at it! This year I spent so much time learning the curriculum, creating my classroom expectations (ELA and TA classrooms run SO differently!), and creating a high level of expectation for my students and making those expectations clear to myself AND to my students. It would be lovely if I could work in ELA for another couple of years at least to learn more about my abilities and capabilities as an ELA teacher.
Theatre Arts does lend itself to the many things I enjoy about teaching, though! Certainly I get to see students in ways their ELA teachers NEVER do!
With all that in mind, I talked to my union rep from the BTU (Caren Carew) this week about my options. My concern is this: what is safest for me in the long run, to remain in ELA or move back to Theatre Arts? Although I am permanent, BPS is still making cuts to permanent teachers, and as the Superintendent's letter to us said last week, SY 2012 isn't looking any better. Therefore, I've been advised by the BTU to stay in ELA, as there are teachers with less seniority in ELA positions than in Theatre Arts. In fact, I am the least permanent teacher in the Performing Arts in Boston.
Never did I think I would have to deal with the pink slip again!
So, it sounds like to have job security ELA is the way.
the way.
the way.
ELA is the way.
hmmmm....
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A hiatus!
Oh it has been awhile since I've been able to post!
For now a quick note: The show, How To Eat Like a Child opens next week! The production is Thursday at 230 and 6pm, then Friday at 7pm.
The kids (and adults) have been working so hard to do justice to the show, and after tonight's rehearsal, I think we will do just that!
The perfect test? An early preview Monday at 6pm! We will be performing for the Superintendent and about 50 or so members of the Irving Advisory Group. The Musical Director, Greg Allen, and I are presenting 1 scene and 2 musical numbers: How To Eat Like A Child, Sayonara, and I'm thinking I'll do the "How to Ride in a Car."
Wish us all "Break a Leg!!!"
For now a quick note: The show, How To Eat Like a Child opens next week! The production is Thursday at 230 and 6pm, then Friday at 7pm.
The kids (and adults) have been working so hard to do justice to the show, and after tonight's rehearsal, I think we will do just that!
The perfect test? An early preview Monday at 6pm! We will be performing for the Superintendent and about 50 or so members of the Irving Advisory Group. The Musical Director, Greg Allen, and I are presenting 1 scene and 2 musical numbers: How To Eat Like A Child, Sayonara, and I'm thinking I'll do the "How to Ride in a Car."
Wish us all "Break a Leg!!!"
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