#SOLSC23: Choices
Drive time Sunday gave me time to think, organize, and ready my brain for blogging this week on the downhill side of the Slice of Life Challenge.
What can I write about?
- Lady Hawkeyes win and advancement to the Sweet Sixteen
- Driviing Conundrums
- My uncle’s story about the river flooding so quickly that he had to watch his brother dive underwater to unhitch the horse from the wagon so it wouldn’t die stuck in the river bed. Literally watching his brother risk his life for the horse.
- Current quilting projects
- Formatting issues with my blog posts
- “Response-ability”
Each of these bulleted items could be a slice or two or three. What to do? Start writing and see what surfaces? Take a walk and narrow down the topics to just two or three?
So I started typing. And here is my draft.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Saturday I spent five hours in Zoom PD. Willingly. By choice. In years past I’ve wished for Saturday Reunions to have remote access to save time, $ and resources required to travel. Saturday I was grateful for the learning! There was a theme across the sessions whether it was Lucy, Amanda, Brooke, Rachael, Janet, Phillip, Gene or any of the other sessions I attended.
Response – ability
That was the theme! Not to be confused with “responsibility”. In education, responsibility typically deals with accountability and fidelity. Responsibility makes me think of more of a teaming, “We are in this together approach as we work on common goals in similar ways.”
Response – ability
This word conjures up possibilities. Possibilities in the way I respond to students. In the way I respond to parents, teachers, community, and administrators. It also conjures up choices. I’m thinking that this is “freeing” as I can be “responsive” both to and for students.
Responsive to students is a common discussion thread in our #CuriosityCrew group from #G2Great. Our roles deal with students, teachers, and administrators from PK – college. We collectively believe (like many others) that our fidelity is to the students sitting in front of us, first and foremost. Our goal is learning. Students learning.
So what does it take for students to be learning?
Instruction needs to meet student needs. It’s not “everyone on page 40”. Instruction is explicit. Instruction is differentiated. Instruction is designed to move at a pace that ensures students learn and also close gaps where necessary. This is instruction that is “response-ability” for teachers. Teachers are expected to as well as able to “respond” to students. If 75% of the class doesn’t understand concept x, we can reteach and check for understanding again. We make sure that learning and not “coverage of content” is the focus.
Response – ability
New concept
Old belief
Values students.
Values learning.
Embedded in a sense of urgency
But not limited to a pacing guide.
Responsive
To students.
Response – ability.
Additional Resources:
“Recall that response-ability, in its most succinct iteration, is “an ability to respond, to respond to the world beyond oneself, as well as a willingness to recognize its existence” (Kuokkanen, 2007, p. 39).”
link – https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-61299-3_7#:~:text=Recall%20that%20response%2Dability%2C%20in,39)
Poetry: “Response-ability” https://powerpoetry.org/poems/response-ability
What does response-ability mean to you? How does it fit into your life?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum in March. Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC23: Iowa Women
It’s finally here. The big day. The day the tournaments begin. Three Iowa universities have both men and women’s teams in the “Big Dance” – the NCAA Tournament: the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and Drake University.
Is that a common occurrence in other states? Three schools in the same state with both men’s and women’s teams?
But wait . . . it’s even better!
The University of Iowa women from Iowa City won the Big Ten Conference basketball championship (for the second year in a row). https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-basketball/iowa-blows-out-ohio-state-for-big-ten-womens-basketball-tournament-championship-repeat/
The Iowa SU women from Ames, Iowa won the Big Twelve Conference basketball championship. https://www.kcci.com/article/joens-iowa-state-beat-top-seed-texas-to-win-big-12-tournament-cyclones-basketball-champions/43283141
The Drake women from Des Moines, Iowa won the Missouri Valley Conference basketball championship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLzKMwOxfJA
Three conference championship teams represent Iowa in the women’s NCAA Big Dance. We don’t yet know how far they will go but with All-American Caitlin Clark and Ashley Joens . . . we will have fun following the excitement.
In this month of celebrating women, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention equality.
What’s the salary comparison between the men’s and women’s coaches as those six individuals prepare their teams for the NCAA postseason? What’s the payout for NCAA appearances? What’s the payout for conference championships? (Questions for a year that celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Title 9 for Iowa women)
As a Hawkeye fan, I’m excited that the University of Iowa Hawkeye women as a #2 seed will play their first two games in Carver Hawkeye Arena. I’ve personally seen how the team can fire up the fans. Venues matter. The tickets for both days were sold out in 53 minutes. Carver will be electric.
Is it just in person?
Number of hits from google for these winners:
U of Iowa 27,400,000 results (0.48 seconds)
ISU 23,100,000 results (0.68 seconds)
Drake 8,120,000 results (0.88 seconds)
I like this shirt that Raygun has for sale.
Source Link
Have you filled out your brackets yet? Basketball, Wrestling, Books, Poetry. Where will the “bracket busters” be?
2 part bonus: What state am I from? and how many times did you see Iowa in this post?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum in March. Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOL22: Anatomy of a Twitter Chat
And so it begins …
“Would you … Could you …?”
Shared Expectations
“Possible dates are: ___, ___, or _____. Would any of those work?”
Back and forth:
Quotations, questions and a deeper understanding from authors about their goals. Ordered, proofed and developed in Canva.
Pretweeting prep by #g2great (usually @drmaryhoward)
Rest of team is responsible for RT and “likes” as tweets pop up.
Anticipation builds . . . the day of the chat. Questions, questions, quotes, and time speeds up.
…
The chat opens with welcoming comments. An opening quote. The pace quickens as more folks join the chat. Conversations. Friendships. Literally chatting.
And then questions begin to drop. Replies. Volleying RTs and likes. Conversations deepen. Threads develop. Multiple answers. Sometimes with additional pictures, quotes or links for more clarification.
Q1. A1.
Q2. A2.
Q3. A3.
Q4. A4.
Q5. A5.
Q6. A6.
Just when the chat is getting interesting, a final quote pops up. An announcement for the next chat and then a flurry of goodbyes and Thank Yous.
Time’s up!
….
But wait,
There’s a Wakelet where Mary collects the Tweets.
And then a blog post on LiteracyLenses.com
Last week was our chat for The Gift of Story with John Schu.
Wakelet Link
Blog post by Kitty Donohoe link
And then tweeting out the links to share the wisdom.
But there’s always more …
What motivated you to write this book? What impact did you hope that it would have in the professional world?
Oh, so much motivated me to write The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life. In truth, I think more about who motivated and inspired me to write this book than what.
For sake of space, I’ll share three bullet points.
*Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo inspired me to look at my heart and the hearts of others in new ways through her books, the
conversations we had at conferences, her Facebook updates, and the inspirational text messages she sends me.
*Terry Thompson helped me dig down deep through his thought-provoking questions and compassionate heart. He’s a brilliant
editor and friend. I’m so lucky and grateful!
*Most importantly, every child I’ve interacted with over the past 20 years motivated me to write The Gift of Story. The impact
they had on me and my heart inspires me every day. I hope The Gift of Story inspires readers to talk about the affective side of
reading and learning and life.
What are your BIG takeaways from your book that you hope teachers will embrace in their teaching practices?
1. Read aloud every day.
2. Talk about the affective elements of story with their students.
3. Encourage their students and colleagues to finish the sentence starter Story is…
4. Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day with everyone on the campus.
5. Host an author or an illustrator.
What is a message from the heart you would like for every teacher to keep in mind?
Thank you for this wonderful question. I hope every teacher walks away from The Gift of Story feeling encouraged to read and read and read and evaluate wonderful children’s books. When we share our hearts in authentic ways, we inspire those around us to do the same. I hope they think about how every child who walks into their classroom has a story. I hope they establish opportunities fortheir students to tell their stories and find themselves in the stories of others. I hope they smile.
What chats have you been a part of? What part of a chat is intriguing to you?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this weekly forum. Check out the writers and readers here.
Thank you to #G2Great and John Schu for sparking this topic and the quotes.
#SOL22: Talk
Oversell? Undersell?
The waiter was charming. “It’s the best. As a third generation LA resident, it’s the best.”
Tempted to scoff at the claim, I didn’t. And yet, “Tell me more,” did emerge from my mouth.
As a Midwesterner, I was doubting the claim. I was expecting “the sell” on the sea bass so close to the ocean. Seafood, yes. Or the pasta, in an Italian restaurant. Beef, not so much.
A bone-in ribeye, on a patio, with friends, a celebratory dinner.
Tender, flavorful, perfectly done.
Every morsel eaten.
Best steak in Santa Monica!
What talk matters? What talk is convincing? Who are the experts? How do you know the anticipation matches the outcome?
I can’t imagine that I will ever stop asking waitstaff about menu items. It’s truly a pleasure when the “sale” matches expectations. And now my chagrin. After googling beef production, my state lags behind California in beef production. We’re seventh and CA is fourth. Oops. A traveler with arrogance about quality beef is now apologetic. However, I do know quality steak! And you don’t have to be in a steakhouse to find a superb steak. Thank YOU, Il Formo! Thank YOU, Santa Monica!
And this week’s adventures will continue!
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Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOL22: Weekend Recap
Being patient in order for a topic to separate and rise to the top from the busy weekend is difficult.
What should I “slice” about today?
6 seniors on a panel for a Q and A session with the whole group 6 hours of excitement at LFA.
5 years of participating in the Ladies Football Academy at Iowa. 5 family members playing Hand and Foot.
4 family members together most of the weekend. Saturday dinner = 4.
3 football player “lifts” at LFA. LFA and 3 Marek women
2 gooseberry pies made and devoured this week. 2 elder Ruth sisters. 2 Baby Ruths. 2 sisters. 2 from FL 2 winners at Hand and Foot.
1 French toast breakfast created by a chef. 1 glorious day of fun. Best place to relax and unwind.
Which story to tell? Which one wins the story “lottery” for this week?
Revising my list of six. You’ve already seen some of the revisions above.
Revisiting.
Wondering.
Which story?
Maybe it’s not really one of those.
Maybe it’s about being on the front page of the sports section for both the Iowa City Press Citizen and the Des Moines Register on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Moi? On the front page? Of the sports section?
Yes, the Front page of the Sports Section
Do tell!
Here’s what the article looked like in the Des Moines Register.
(picture from the field on the north side of the indoor practice field … 2019)
Here’s a link to the Iowa City Press Citizen. Scroll down to the second picture.
You may have noticed that the picture looked like a pose in the video from last week’s post. Yes, that 2019 photo of us lifting up AJ Epenesa at the LFA with the help of teammate Chauncey Golston made the front page of the sports section in two major Iowa newspapers. (And it was AJ’s idea)
So the new pics from 2022. Riley Moss. Notice that no assist was needed.
Back 2021
Eric Epenesa – (brother of 2019 liftee AJ)
Fun
Camaraderie
Community
Learning
Tours
Drills
Autographs
Petras / Moss Duet of “Piano Man”
Favorite foods, stadiums, coaches . . .
Thank you, #IOWALadiesFootballAcademy #ForTheKids #UIHC
How do you choose just one small moment from a day fillled with joy and occasional raindrops?
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#SOLSC22: 29
Day 29 of the 2022 Slice of Life Story Challenge
Then and Now
THEN
Three girls
Book lovers
Talkers
Cooks
Farm living
And all spaced out
A gap of five
and then a gap of seven –
Twelve from top to bottom
Sharing a room
Similar but not exactly alike
NOW
Mothers
Friends
Book lovers
Talkers
People connectors
Flower lovers
Cooks
Quilters
and crafters
Connected with texts, emails, Twitter and phone calls.
Pictures, jokes, and news flow back and forth.
Similar but not exactly alike.
Today I thank my two sisters who have allowed me to “get it done” when they were more inclined to approach tasks more collaboratively or at a different pace. You’ve taught me so much. Thanks, Sherry and Pat, for being models of grace, a source of inspiration, and the best sisters possible.
How do you describe your siblings? How would you describe them at different points in your life?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 27
Day 27 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge 2022.
Who Am I?
What stories do you know about me?
I have no idea why the “cloud creator” added an “s” to teachers and books lovers? That doesn’t make sense. However, what does make sense is that these are a few of the words that describe Erika.
Thank you, Erika Victor, for your love of family whether it’s your family in the US, your family at your international school or the family of readers and writers that you navigate here!
How have you stayed connected with your family (personal or professional) the last couple of years?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 26
Day 26 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge 2022.
Today it’s a format that will lead to the reveal of an educator.
Six Word Stories
Best Maine guide for clam chowder.
Sparking writing and student literacy.
Using quick writes to improve literacy.
Midwesterner transplanted Maine literacy teacher coach.
Thank you, Paula Bourque, for your books, your passionate coaching, and your instructional expertise.
What formats help you determine the “most important information” to share? How do you know the format is effective?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 25
It began on Twitter.
That’s not a surprise.
It began on Twitter with an #ILA chat.
Also not a surprise as#ILA routinely has chats.
It was my first introduction.
So I researched her on the ILA page here.
We discussed the “Power and the Promise of Independent Reading.”
And then I met her again through work with the Book Love Foundation as she interviewed authors and helped with book selection.
Again, we worked online, at a distance.
In February of 2022, I had the privilege of seeing and hearing Julia in two powerful back to back in person sessions at #CCIRA22. What a joy! And so many new books to consider.
In the beginning . . .
Respect for a master librarian (and teacher) envisioning new possibilities, Julia E. Torres. Thank you for opening up new worlds!
And watch for her book from ISTE out this summer with co-author Valerie Tagoe,
How do you connect with literacy professionals? How do you strengthen and grow those connections?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
#SOLSC22: 24
It’s day 24 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge for 2022. (one week remains!)
One highly researched and effective reading intervention is Reading Recovery. I’ve calculated the cost savings when one student is successful in Reading Recovery and does not enter into special education.
I’m going to use $4900 as the per pupil allotment for each resource student in Iowa. It’s a rounded number for illustrative purposes.
If Reading Recovery helps one student be successful in reading, the student saves:
- grade 2 $4900
- grade 3 $4900
- grade 4 $4900
- grade 5 $4900
- grade 6 $4900
- grade 7 $4900
- grade 8 $4900
- grade 9 $4900
- grade 10 $4900
- grade 11 $4900
- grade 12 $4900
Cumulative savings from grade 2 through grade 12 = $53,900.
Of course there are costs associated with Reading Recovery, but if two students are successful each year, Reading Recovery has paid for itself in savings.
A teacher leader in Reading Recovery leads professional development, teaches behind the glass, and observes teachers teaching. In some ways that work is similar to a consultant’s work: PD, demonstration teaching and classroom observations.
Yay, commonalities.
Our lives also intersect on Twitter, sometimes in chats, or also just some random retweets!
We’ve participated in multiple book studies: Including What Readers Really Do as well as online groups.
We’ve attended institutes where we’ve enjoyed the sights and sounds of The Big Apple.
We’ve shared stories of our families.
We love to learn.
Thank you, Sandy Brumbaum, for helping me strive for both joy and balance in my personal and professional life.
How do you find both joy and balance at work? At home? Who do you use as sounding boards?
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Thank you, Two Writing Teachers, for this daily forum during the month of March.
Check out the writers and readers here.
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