Responsive Writing - Student Blogs

http://kidblog.org/home.php

This website is wonderful. You can set up an account for a teacher blog and then allow each of your students to set up their own blog, which only the teacher may view. Very, very handy.

Ideas:
Students write responses to guest speakers, events in the news, a class topic etc.
Writing prompts
Letters

The teacher is able to leave comments that are private for each student or public for the entire class. The teacher can offer suggestions on how to improve writing, ask for revisions in a new post from the student, and use all the writing as EVIDENCE for student learning.

I would probably use this on a rotating schedule with a weekly theme or question. 5-6 students per day write for 10 minutes in their blog, so that all students will have a blog entry by the end of the week. Or once per week in the computer lab or laptops in the room. Whatever works best.

This also eliminates the need for students to be responsible for another journal.

Forward March

"I want to raise the bar for my students, so while their looking up at the bar, they notice the stars up there for them to reach." Mrs. O'Nan

I had some rough days with my kids this week. I had to get tough with three in particular. I need them to trust me, so I have to follow through and be consistent. They pushed the envelope, so I signed, sealed, and delivered their consequences. In the long run, I KNOW that I did the right thing, just hard in the moment.

My days were filled with some self-doubt and worry. I find myself constantly reviewing what I've done and questioning myself. I may be taking self-reflection a bit too far. So, I'm backing up a bit now and trying to recenter myself.

I am proud of how much I am making use of the little amount of time I am given. I finally found a way to have seven kids read to me, listen to the story, take a pre-test, and squeeze in Lexia over the course of 2 thirty minute periods. GEEZ!

I started tutoring J this week. His home life is AWFUL. I managed to have him reveal way more to me than he probably realized. I know we will make progress. I understand kids like J, and I work very well with them. Sometimes I question why I would want to knowing that he will be one of those kids headed to J.D. But I always want to fight for these kids who are so HARD HEADED and so beat down by poverty and parental drug abuse and neglect. They need some kind of window to let the light in. Even if its just to get their GED. At least if they ever hit a bottom from their self-destruction as young adults, they will have a platform to stand on. That's me: Platform Builder.

I probably come off as negative - but my heart sure doesn't feel negative. When I stop and think of all those kids in Alateen who had EVERY card stacked against them: genetics being the Ace of Addiction: I think of myself as a realist who better get in there and make a meaningful impact on their future lives before its too late. The ability to read and write AND know that someone cared enough about you to make sure you could do it, and do it well, could be a kid's deal breaker.

My Life, Day 2 as a REAL Teacher:

I am in love with life presently. I know this is ridiculous, but I am giddy over my bookshelf, my white board, my partition, my trash can (thank you Mr. Frank) and my eight little chairs. I love my teacher's edition, my pen with a flower on the end, and most, most, most of all my NEW STUDENTS. I have 3 K's and 7 5th graders. I pulled them into groups for the first time today. I have a little file for each, all their scores, and my own stash of tiger bucks to pass out for good behavior. This is like playing school, but way more serious because I am responsible for helping these kids get back on track in reading. I LOVE THIS!!! I love all the teachers who have been so helpful and welcoming. This is a very nice way to ease into a full blown teaching career. I get to practice with small groups and make a REAL difference in their lives. I cannot seem to express how excited, grateful, and happy I am at this moment.

Best thing of all, all day yesterday and today, people keep asking me, "Who are you here for?" I keep answering, "me!" and I keep thinking "my kids!" I have NEVER subbed for myself before now - pretty funny. I think I will be all official come Monday as the recommendation has already been put in.

Wow

Today while visiting the Warren County Board of Education, I noticed a framed teaching certificate from the early 1900's. This teacher's average testing score was an 88 percent. She was tested in about seven subject areas. Her "arithmetic" score was 66 percent. Sixty-Six. She was certified to teach in the state of Kentucky.

That One Moment

My SOE arrived by mail a couple of days ago. I felt so relieved and anxious all at once. I know someday I will look back at this part of my teaching journey and laugh at myself, but I must admit the unknown future is frustrating. So many possibilities, so many potential leads, so many folks e-mailing and texting about the "slight" chance that something will open up. I'm ready to teach. Now.

Graduation

I am about to graduate.
I am THRILLED!!!!
THRILLED, do you hear?
THRILLED!!!!!!!
December 17 - Here I come!!!

What I know right now about my heart and teaching.

Rigorous, Relevant, Real-World
Teach Vigorously!(Give every ounce of your energy and focus to the moment)
Teach Tenaciously!(NEVER give up on a student - ever!)
Every student deserves consistent love, respect, and opportunities to learn.
Don't hang out with complainers or people who are not passionate about teaching and pushing their students higher and higher.
Love your students as if they are your own children (even when you don't like them)
Fight for what you believe in.
Take chances.
Learn from failures.
Don't take it personally.
EXPECT nothing less than each student's very best academically and socially - call them out on it when they try to get by!
Repeat that for yourself.
Listen to each student, look them right in the eye and HEAR them! Be with them.
Form a family in the classroom where each member is accountable to the family.
Get out of your comfort zone.
Support your fellow teachers when they stand on the side of students, have the courage to disagree diplomatically when they don't.
Say thank you and please to your students.
Never stop learning.
Always be willing to teach it differently.
Be vigilant and remain student centered. It's all about them.
Be willing to be uncomfortable (physically, emotionally, socially) for them.
Always strive to remember that you are teaching in unconditional loving service to humanity - it's not just a job.
Quit if you ever waiver on any of the above. Just quit, and make room for the next real teacher.