- To learn better teaching practices and techniques to use in my classroom
- To better understand myself as a teacher of writing in order to develop more confidence
- To share with others on the NWP website and through a personal blog
- To share the techniques and practices I have to offer with other teachers by creating an online lesson plan on readwritethink.org
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Summer Institute Reflection Day 2 Week 3-Morning
This morning we developed our goals we want to achieve during the Summer Institute. My goals are as follows...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Summer Institute Reflection Day 1 Week 3
Today I feel as if I am beginning to understand the flow of the writing institute. I still feel I need clarification on some elements but overall I am feeling more comfortable.
The morning writing was a great reflection on where we have come from as writers. My rough first draft is as follows...
My love for writing began at a very young age. I remember sitting at the oak desk in the family room, playing school with my imaginary students, and asking Mom how to spell my name. Once I conquered the pattern once, I insistently wrote it over and over again. I loved the feeling of my pencil smoothly gliding over the soft paper, and I love that people could actually read what I was writing. I loved this because I so desperately wanted to be able to write like an adult, to sign the checks and write the notes that I had seen my parents create numerous times daily.
From the repetitive writing of my name grew a love for writing pieces with substance and meaning. My sister and I used to write our own riddle-games and songs, and then we’d share them with anyone who would lend us even a second to listen. As an elementary student my love for writing continued to grow. I craved the creation of stories of magical characters in mysterious places, loosing myself in this world much more interesting that my classroom. The love for sharing my writing continued through my middle school and high school years as well. During these years my craving shifted to poetry, a deep form of writing that would express to others my emotions at that current state, a type of writing that allowed me to disguise my shyness and embrace my talent. My passion for writing spilled over into the lives of my teachers as I was published through those years in both school publications and broader works. My best friend Colby and I even created a poem together during Homecoming Week our senior year of high school as we decorate our hall that touched our principal so much he asked us to share it at graduation.
As a college student my love for writing dwindled. The talent still existed as I effortlessly wrote essay after essay, procrastinating each one because of the ease I felt with the task. The desire and passion for writing no longer existed. It was a chore; there was no time to share my thoughts. I was too frequently required to reflect on others words and not allowed to share my own life experiences. There were those few times I was allowed my own opinion, and I could feel a glimmer of the joy light my soul as writing had previously made me feel.
As a teacher I am gradually embracing my love of writing once more. Reading my student’s work excites me and taking the time to write and share with my students excites me just as much. I want to rekindle this passion for writing in order to instill this same passion in my students.
I plan to continue developing this piece.
I learned to day that I am sensitive to others comments on my writing as I received the first two comments on my poem on NWP. This could also be because the piece was so personal, but I did gain some insight on how I can improve upon this piece and create new piece from within this one.
I greatly enjoyed the demos presented by Kathy and Laura today. With each demo I am inspired to become a better teacher of writing, as well as a better writer myself. I hope I can inspire the group with my demo as well.
The morning writing was a great reflection on where we have come from as writers. My rough first draft is as follows...
My Journey as a Writer
My love for writing began at a very young age. I remember sitting at the oak desk in the family room, playing school with my imaginary students, and asking Mom how to spell my name. Once I conquered the pattern once, I insistently wrote it over and over again. I loved the feeling of my pencil smoothly gliding over the soft paper, and I love that people could actually read what I was writing. I loved this because I so desperately wanted to be able to write like an adult, to sign the checks and write the notes that I had seen my parents create numerous times daily.
From the repetitive writing of my name grew a love for writing pieces with substance and meaning. My sister and I used to write our own riddle-games and songs, and then we’d share them with anyone who would lend us even a second to listen. As an elementary student my love for writing continued to grow. I craved the creation of stories of magical characters in mysterious places, loosing myself in this world much more interesting that my classroom. The love for sharing my writing continued through my middle school and high school years as well. During these years my craving shifted to poetry, a deep form of writing that would express to others my emotions at that current state, a type of writing that allowed me to disguise my shyness and embrace my talent. My passion for writing spilled over into the lives of my teachers as I was published through those years in both school publications and broader works. My best friend Colby and I even created a poem together during Homecoming Week our senior year of high school as we decorate our hall that touched our principal so much he asked us to share it at graduation.
As a college student my love for writing dwindled. The talent still existed as I effortlessly wrote essay after essay, procrastinating each one because of the ease I felt with the task. The desire and passion for writing no longer existed. It was a chore; there was no time to share my thoughts. I was too frequently required to reflect on others words and not allowed to share my own life experiences. There were those few times I was allowed my own opinion, and I could feel a glimmer of the joy light my soul as writing had previously made me feel.
As a teacher I am gradually embracing my love of writing once more. Reading my student’s work excites me and taking the time to write and share with my students excites me just as much. I want to rekindle this passion for writing in order to instill this same passion in my students.
I plan to continue developing this piece.
I learned to day that I am sensitive to others comments on my writing as I received the first two comments on my poem on NWP. This could also be because the piece was so personal, but I did gain some insight on how I can improve upon this piece and create new piece from within this one.
I greatly enjoyed the demos presented by Kathy and Laura today. With each demo I am inspired to become a better teacher of writing, as well as a better writer myself. I hope I can inspire the group with my demo as well.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Summer Institute Day 3 Reflection-First Field Trip
I really enjoyed our time at the Carl Sandburg home. I visited his home as a child many years ago while taking part in a student writing camp. As a child the home seemed enormous. I remember being so enthralled by the size of the house.
My experience at the Carl Sandburg home as a adult was much different. The beginning of the trip was the biggest release for me. I enjoyed sitting and observing nature, an activity I never take the opportunity to do. It was relaxing to allow the tranquility of the moment consume me. Touring the house this time I was not focused on the size of the house but with the personal elements in the home. I was able to relate different elements in the home to my family members. I was also able to empathize with the stories of tragedy in Mr. Sandburg's life. I have a greater appreciation for this author.
My experience at the Carl Sandburg home as a adult was much different. The beginning of the trip was the biggest release for me. I enjoyed sitting and observing nature, an activity I never take the opportunity to do. It was relaxing to allow the tranquility of the moment consume me. Touring the house this time I was not focused on the size of the house but with the personal elements in the home. I was able to relate different elements in the home to my family members. I was also able to empathize with the stories of tragedy in Mr. Sandburg's life. I have a greater appreciation for this author.
A Cool Summer Morning
A cool summer morning,
Calms me as I sit,
Admiring the golden sprinkles of sun,
As she peeks through the tress,
The crisp green leaves part like a curtain,
to welcome the golden glory.
The crystal dew drops,
Shine like diamonds,
Adorning the lush curtain.
The soft brown soil below,
A blanket to protect,
the fortress of those curtains.
A cool summer morning,
Calms me as I walk.
The short wet grass,
Paints my barefeet a glistening silver.
The wind caresses my face,
Whispers in my ear,
And dances with the locks of my hair.
The waterfall sings to me,
Removing my anxieties of this world,
And the flock of geese
Guide me onward to a place of tranquility.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Summer Institute Day 2 Reflection
It was another successful day at Summer Institute 2009! I greatly enjoyed the first two demos we saw today. We wrote scripts and created a video from these scripts. We also embraced the importance of finding a closure in our writing. I also enjoyed tech today. It is great to learn about new technology in a nonthreatening environment, laughing at our mistakes and the crazy turns technology likes to take. I'm looking forward to our field trip tomorrow!
Summer Institute Day 2- WORDLE!
Experiencing wordle for the first time was fun! I posted a stanza from the poem we wrote yesterday with Dr. Kaminski.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Summer Institute Day 1 Reflection
I enjoyed this day of the Summer Institute more than the Summer Pre-institute days because of the more relaxed environment. I especially enjoyed the extended time we were given to write. I enjoyed Dr. Kaminski's teaching demo, and I look forward to using this strategy at the beginning of the school year to learn about my students and to build a sense of community. I enjoyed the topic so much, I used my writing time to elaborate on my "I am From" poem. It was enjoyable to revisit the carefree days of childhood because it provided me with an escape from the hectic schedule I now keep.
Carl Sandburg's Craft
Listening to Carl Sandburg’s writing as an adult is quite a different experience than the stories I remember as a child. As a child I would become consumed in his stories, in the imaginative elements that he describes. I could so easily picture the crazy characters and places he paints with his words. I enjoyed getting lost in this imaginary time and place so different than the dull world surrounding me.
To my dismay listening to the excerpt of Carl Sandburg’s writing as an adult and a teacher was a completely different experience. I was too caught up in the nontraditional grammar usage and word choice to enjoy the story behind them. I was focused on correcting the story and not embracing the story. This saddens me because I let mechanics inhibit my love and understanding of the story as I sometimes do with my students. I hope to embrace my inner child as I read more of his writing, to simply listen to and enjoy the story and not to critique it.
To my dismay listening to the excerpt of Carl Sandburg’s writing as an adult and a teacher was a completely different experience. I was too caught up in the nontraditional grammar usage and word choice to enjoy the story behind them. I was focused on correcting the story and not embracing the story. This saddens me because I let mechanics inhibit my love and understanding of the story as I sometimes do with my students. I hope to embrace my inner child as I read more of his writing, to simply listen to and enjoy the story and not to critique it.
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