Blogiversary

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

My blog turns two this month! Feel free to click back here to read my reflections after one year of blogging. I continue to be amazed by where this journey has taken me over the last two years.

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The long and winding road…

Since I wrote my year one reflection, a lot has changed and yet much has remained the same. I continue to work in a job that I love. I am one year closer to achieving my goal of earning my doctoral degree. Through my recent studies I have renewed my passion for social justice and I see, firsthand, the critical importance of developing a growth mindset and cultural proficiency within a school community in order to ensure that all learners succeed.

At the beginning of 2014 I decided I needed a change, a focus, for my blogging. I embarked on creating more Mentor Text Monday blogs (one of my favorites). I hope to get back to this again soon. I also began my reflective journey through my Abecedary of Reflection.

I look forward to the next year of blogging. You never know, as a writer, where inspiration will come from next!

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[Mentor Text Monday] Author’s Craft

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

Have you ever finished a book and didn’t want to put it down? I just finished a great YA book and I was so sad to reach the end. The story ended well, but I wasn’t yet finished with the characters. I was so invested in their drama, I didn’t want to part ways with them quite yet.

We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart, was a haunting, well-written novel. I’ve chosen to highlight a few elements of author’s craft that the writer used throughout the story. Any one of these could be a mentor text lesson for young writers looking to expand their narratives.

  • Opposites: Similar to my last mentor text post about what should be, Lockhart uses opposing statements to describe characters and events in striking contrast. Here are just a few examples:

“I used to be blond, but now my hair is black. I used to be pretty, but now I look sick. It is true I suffer migraines since my accident. It is true I do not suffer fools.” – page 15

  • Nouns as descriptions: Throughout the novel, the author describes the characters using nouns as descriptions- two sentences, four nouns, a vivid picture.

“He was contemplation and enthusiasm. Ambition and strong coffee.” – page 22

  • Personification: Another element of craft this author uses is personification. So many inanimate objects come to life with human qualities, giving the reader a sense of everything that is going on in a particular moment.

“The bright shame of being unloved soaked the grass in front of our house, the bricks of the path, the steps to the porch. My heart spasmed among the peonies like a trout.” – page 17

As much as this study makes me want to use this mentor text to work on my own narrative techniques, I instead want to discuss author’s craft.

There were so many smart moves the author made while writing this novel. This reminds me that the best teachers of writing are not only those who write, but those who read. When you read like a writer you can’t help but notice what an author does to keep you entertained.

The Reading Standards 4-6 in the Common Core State Standards fall under the domain of “Craft and Structure”. In order to ensure that students meet the expectations of these standards, reading and writing need to be integrated strategically. You can’t discuss the craft and structure of what you are reading without considering how it was written. The best mentor texts do not come from a list you find online. Rather, they come from your own personal library, with texts that impacted you as a reader.

  • What mentor texts have you discovered lately?
  • What great books have you read lately?
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[Abecedary of Reflection] X Marks the Spot

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

X: X Marks the Spot

This may not be the best x word for my abecedary, nor the best use of the familiar phrase, but it has meaning to me (and it’s my alphabetic journey and my friend Barb modeled how easy it is to break rules on your own journey!).

CCC licensed work by Flickr user Nic Redhead

CCC licensed work by Flickr user Nic Redhead

This blog marks the spot where I honor my own learning and my passion for writing. This abecedary marks the spot where I have committed to weekly reflection for myself, as a learner and a leader. I am so grateful to my friend Barb for inspiring me to write more, and for putting the idea of an abecedary in my mind. I was going to write and reflect about something over the last six months, and following the alphabet through my thoughts has been both interesting and challenging.

There are actually a few “x” spots in my reflective life- in addition to this blog, I continue to write in a leadership journal, I occasionally write in a personal journal at home, and I use my very amateur pictures to tell stories as well. If only I could spend all day and all night writing for fun!

CCC work by azhaan.deviantart.com

CCC work by azhaan.deviantart.com

Reflective questions to consider:

  • Where does x mark the spot in your life?

Abecedary of Reflection

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[Abecedary of Reflection] Walking

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

W: Walking

I do some of my best reflecting while walking. Walking is not only exercise for the body, but for the mind and soul as well. Anyone who knows me knows that I talk a mile a minute. I walk just as fast, just trying to keep up with the million thoughts running through my mind at the same time. But every once in a while, a contemplative walk helps clear my mind and provides the closest thing to meditation I have found.

Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses, or catch the snow flakes and hail that surprise you on a spring hike!

While walking it is important to look ahead at the terrain you will encounter, to look back at the ground you’ve covered, and to look inward, for reflection.

Bridge Dancing When I’m on a hike, dancing across bridges is mandatory!

I will continue to walk, to reflect, and to attempt to teach myself meditation. What will you do for yourself?

Reflective questions to consider:

  • Do you use walking to reflect?
  • How do you find ways to meditate?

Abecedary of Reflection

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More summer pics

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

I am participating in the #30summerdays photo challenge. While I prefer to tell stories using words (lots and lots of words!), every once in awhile I enjoy the challenge of trying to tell a story using pictures. This particular journey came with very specific prompts, which makes it easy and fun. Here are some of my pictures from Week 2 and 3.

What gives me a case of the Mondays? June Gloom!

What gives me a case of the Mondays? June Gloom!

Treat yourself

Treat yourself

Flag Day

Flag Day

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father’s Day!

Monday motivation

Monday motivation

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[Mentor Text Monday] What Should Be

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

I recently began to listen to an audiobook during my work commute- A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban. From the first chapter I was thinking about the writing as a possible mentor text (which was especially hard considering I was driving and unable to make notes for myself!). The author set up the first two chapters as polar opposites. The first chapter was about “What should be” and the second was about “What is” a reality for the character. She continues to tell the story by sharing descriptions of reality juxtaposed alongside what the main character wishes would happen in her life.

CCC licensed work by commons.wikimedia.org

CCC licensed work by commons.wikimedia.org

I liked that dichotomy so much I decided to try it on for myself as a mentor text for realistic fiction.

What should be…

The mother daughter weekend tradition that began five years ago continues annually. Each year the pair selects a new-to-them city to visit, explore, and of course to shop their way through. The mother and daughter get closer with each trip, like two peas in a pod.

What is…

The mother and daughter started the tradition, which they borrowed from other family members, with a weekend in Santa Barbara and then a trip to Seattle. Before the third trip was planned, the cancer took over. The only trips possible were when the daughter traveled from California to New Jersey to visit her sick mother. Then those trips ended too.

Then as a mentor text for informational writing.

What should be…

There is no need for social justice leadership because all students, regardless of their race, language, economic status, parent education level, abilities, or anything else, are treated equitably and are able to learn and succeed. All the world respects educators and praises their hard work. The top of each graduating class fights for the rights to become teachers, and every teacher is also a lead learner. We are educating global citizens prepared to push our country to the top in every way possible

What is…

Everyone feels they are qualified to criticize education and educators because they have all had some experience as a student. Educators fight to recruit people to enter the profession and cling to them a few years later, begging them not to leave. Teachers are exhausted. Leaders are stressed out. Not all students are successful, for a variety of reasons. Social justice leaders fight to give students a voice, to matter, to provide equity.

 

  • What should be versus what is in your world?
  • What might students do with this mentor text idea?
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Things I’m Loving Friday, Volume 6

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

I love writing these posts because they force me to stop and think about what is making me happy as a learner and a leader. Similar to the idea of a happy file, I find these lists remind me of the reasons I am in education and the purpose and importance of our work. This week seemed to lend itself to technology-related leading and learning tools.

  • Infographics: I know this is not a brand new trend, but I am still loving infographics. I like reading and viewing them. It is a new kind of author’s craft to find the right words and graphics to tell a visual story. Recently I wanted to create my own infographic and I wasn’t sure where to start. So I turned to my helpful PLN and tweeted out the question. Within minutes I received the following helpful suggestions.   Stay tuned for my first infographic (to be posted with the final day of my Abecedary of Reflection).
  •  Google Drive: This is another tech-related tool that is not new to me or to most educators. However, I continue to learn new tricks that make my life even more efficient. For instance, while visiting a professional development workshop facilitated by two of my colleagues today (to support our 1:1 Chrome book initiative), I learned how easy it is to upload entire files from my desktop into my google drive. Life/time saving tip #1! I also learned to consider whether or not to upload files as their current state (i.e. PowerPoint or Microsoft Word) or to convert them to google docs. Life/ time saving tip #2. Even more powerful was witnessing 50 teachers spend the first day of their summer learning this and SO MUCH MORE during this PD!
  • Quick learning: While doing some homework for my law and finance doctoral class, I stumbled across information about the Vergara v. California court case, which for those of you who haven’t heard about it, as a suit brought by students to challenge three state statutes that relate to teacher tenure, dismissal, and seniority lists. Having never heard of this case before last week, I did some quick learning, using Twitter, YouTube, and a variety of educational list serves. In fact, when I knew the ruling was supposed to be delivered at 10:00 AM earlier this week, I turned to Twitter to read the verdict because the news outlets weren’t updating quickly enough. I appreciated the voices speaking on behalf of social justice, and equity for students of poverty and color in our school system.

 

What are you loving today?

How does technology help you lead and learn?

Previous Things I’m Loving posts:

Volume 5, Firefighters, Twitter & Feedly

Volume 4, Connections & PLN (Stand up desk fun!)

Volume 3, Math, ASCD, Anticipation

Volume 2, Protocols, colleagues, reading to students, Slice of Life blogs

Volume 1, Elena Aguilar, PD, Outlook calendars, blogs

 

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[Abecedary of Reflection] Voice

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

V: Voice

One of the best parts about blogging is that it provides me with a chance to find my voice as a writer. I’ve written before about how important I think it is for for learners (both children and adults!) to have a voice and choice in their learning paths.

Each time I sit down to draft a blog post (or read someone else’s post) I learn something.

  • I learn about myself as a reader, writer, thinker, and analyzer.
  • I learn about topics that interest me.
  • I learn how much I don’t know about certain topics.
  • I ask questions and add to my lists of future blog post ideas.
  • I wonder who will read the post.
  • I think about how to expand my voice.
  • I consider how to make a blog post that is more interactive, more like a conversation than a lecture.
CCC licensed work by flckr user Howard Lake

CCC licensed work by flckr user Howard Lake

One aspect of finding your voice is recognizing your audience. Writers write for a variety of purposes and audiences. Well-known writers are recognized by their strong, authentic voice, the craft that makes them unique in a sea of books, articles, and blogs. Unknown writers use their craft to ensure that their voice matches their audience. This is not an easy task for a blogger who sends words out into the void, never sure who might be reading on the other end.

It’s not easy for young writers either, but author’s craft is important to honor in all writers. Voice and choice are important when teaching writing too!

Reflective questions to consider:

  • What is your leadership voice?
  • How do you help others find their voice as leaders?
  • What writers do you admire and why?

Abecedary of Reflection

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Photo Challenge, Week 1

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

I’ve been participating in the #30summerdays photo challenge, which I learned about from two of the healthy living bloggers I follow (Tina and Julie). I’ve been posting my pictures on my personal Instagram account, but wanted to do a round up of the first week here on the blog. Below are the prompts for the photo challenge, which was started by Staples for a new camera campaign (no affiliation here).

staples.com

staples.com

 

lucky red

June 1- What brings me luck? Red shoes!

Monday fuel

June 2- Monday’s fuel

student reading 2

June 3- What made me smile? Hearing students reading and collaborating!

 

June 4: Look up!

June 4: Look up!

June 5: TBT to last summer's fun!

June 5: TBT to last summer’s fun!

June 6- No donuts here!

June 6- No donuts here!

 

June 6: How I spent my Saturday

June 7:  How I spent my Saturday

 

How have you spent the first week of June? Are you participating in the #30summerdays? Is summer here yet?!

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[Abecedary of Reflection] Unwritten & Unspoken

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

U: Unwritten & Unspoken

CCC licensed work commons.wikimedia.org

CCC licensed work commons.wikimedia.org

One of the ideas I have been reflecting on are the rules and norms in our communities that are unwritten or unspoken. Whenever you accept a new job, building relationships and learning the culture of your new community is an important first step. Some aspects you can learn by reading documents (district/ site plans, meeting minutes, agendas, etc.) and others you can learn by listening and observing in as many situations as possible.

Despite all of those options, there are still cultural aspects you cannot learn right away, at least not explicitly. The unwritten and unspoken norms. Sometimes these become the elephants in the room. That-which-we-shall-not-discuss.

To me, strong leaders address the unwritten norms that hurt a culture. True leaders recognize the unspoken agreements that hold back a school from moving forward for the benefit of all students.

While it may not be easy, it is important. When I think about the values I hold for social justice in our school system, I think about the unspoken norms I have seen in some communities- the unwritten belief that not all students can learn, or that not all students deserve a full, rich, engaging educational experience each and every day.

So now I think about how we, as leaders, can cultivate a growth mindset culture. How we can support systems that expect the best from everyone- students, staff, parents, and leaders. What can we do to address the unwritten or unspoken norms that are holding us back?

Reflective questions to consider:

  • How do you learn and address unwritten or unspoken norms?
  • What examples of unwritten norms have you experienced?
  • How are you infusing growth mindset into your work?

Abecedary of Reflection

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