It's a big, big world out there...Twitter

Last weekend, I went to EdCamp Plano. It’s a grass-roots movement sweeping the country - a time when amazing educators simply collide on a designated day and share their ideas. Educators can show up with a presentation they’d like to give, sit/listen/learn or simply hang out and connect with other educators. I went to a class on brain-based research (a topic I always love) by Diane at fortheloveofteaching.net. (You can check out her presentation there.)

I also gave the idea of creating my own PLN (Professional Learning Network) by joining Twitter a try - to see what educators are talking about...so I joined! Feel Free to follow me!

nsmithk4

Kevin Henkes

This month I’m posting an entire writing unit as the ‘Spring 2011 Newsletter’. It focuses on using quality literature for children to model their writing after and then use it to springboard into their own writing style. I chose Kevin Henkes (since many teachers already own several of his books) and I’ve always enjoyed his style and voice.

Happy Writing!

(This unit can also be found under the Lessons tab and downloaded as a PDF.)

State Testing Time

Are you ready?

Is it just me or has this whole thing gotten way out of hand?

Jump Around

Jump around

Jump around

Jump up, Jump up and get down

Spring break, Baby! While I have a break from my job - I still have schooling to attend to.

(I know, right?! What kind of college doesn’t have spring break?!)

Oh well, still VERY happy to have some extra time to play and JUMP AROUND!

photo source: unknown, lyrics: house of pain

The Writing Process

The class I am taking now is actually called ‘Teaching the Writing Process’ and I am soaking up every delicious morsel! We get to free write about personal experiences everyday, then at the end of the week, we post our writings and all the students read each other’s writing and discuss. Free feedback on my writing - GREAT! Don’t people usually have to pay editors for things like that?!

So I’ve been having a blast trotting down memory lane and snickering at all the wacky adventures I got myself into as a child. Seriously, I don’t know how my parents and teachers put up with me! God bless them!

Maybe after my first critique, I’ll post a couple of the stories for your own amusement.

Happy Weekending everyone! :-)

Photo source unknown

Internet to the rescue!

I’ve finished my secondary lit class (yippee!) and have two days before my next starts (the writing process). I have plenty to keep me busy around the house, but this darn internet machine keeps drawing me in like a moth to the flame. I find myself doing random things like reading every blog I’ve ever bookmarked, dreaming of different nail polish colors, virtually trying on glasses, watching a baby audition and just about anything else to avoid anything on the ol’ to-do list.

Sick Day

I only wish I was home faking it. :-(

Don’t you wish some days you could feel as carefree about missing school as you did as a teenager. All I can think about today is the parent conference (I am not prepared for) tomorrow, the assessments reports that are also due and the last bit of report card prep that is hanging over my head.

Oh well, back to bed for me.