PD Love

When I received an invitation to an engaging professional development opportunity from a longtime friend and colleague, Sue Baum of Baum and Beaulieu Associates, I immediately cleared my calendar. What's better to a lifelong learner than being immersed in a day of learning with engaging and knowledgeable presenters? 

Yesterday, as I traveled to Bayside, Queens to hear Chris Lehman and Kate Roberts present on close reading, I felt both the light crispness and brilliance of an October Indian Summer day. I usually like to observe nature when I travel to a workshop, training, or conference but basking in the wonder of autumn is a bit hard to do when driving on the major highways of Long Island that reach into Queens. Luckily, the traffic was mild and the commute an easy one. I eagerly anticipated PD love being spread by the two favorite, enthusiastic presenters to the audience at the Heinemann Professional Development Workshop.

Pleasantries were exchanged upon arrival, followed by a light, delicious breakfast. I had looked forward to meeting up with the hosts of the workshop, Sue Baum and her daughter, Jamie Garippo. Their warm smiles always lend a cheery note to any event. I also enjoyed a lovely chat with Kate and Chris whom I've known professionally for several years. I am a fan of their book Falling in Love with Close Reading so much so that as part of the NYEDChat team had them guest moderate one of our chats. I've seen both Chris and Kate present at NCTE, Kate at TC, and Chris at ILA. One of the most enjoybale PD experiences to be a part of was what we refer to as Chris' Saturday in Pajamas PD with The Educator Collaborative. 

Needless to say, I was excited to be present in the audience for the start of the Heinemann workshop. The topic, Fall in Love with Close Reading, would extend my knowledge bank on close reading as I continue to consult with teachers on Long Island. As the workshop started, I settled down next to a Long Island colleague, Dr. Laquita Outlaw and a young teacher, Jessica Romano from Brooklyn. We formed a triad and spent the morning involved in learning, collaborating, and sharing our thoughts on the engaging exercises created by the presenters. 

Laquita and I started tweeting and promised Jessica that we would have her on Twitter by the end of the workshop. Twitting from conferences is always a great way to allow others to learn virtually. Chris and Kate were also retweeting learnings and comments sent out by the audience. The presenters led us through a series of collaborative conversations based around print, audio, and visual texts displayed. I noticed educators from the tri-state region openly conversing with each other throughout the workshop. I attributed the positive energy in the room to the high level of engagement established at the onset that led to the formation of a thriving community of learners. I tweeted that out because it is important to establish rapport during any professional development workshop.

Here are some inspirational quotes from Chris and Kate that I gathered during the professional development experience:

• Close reading is a human act. It does not have to be only an academic act.
• Close reading fills us with energy.
• Students need to practice close reading with texts that they can read.
• Text has layers.
• Word choice impacts text. 
• Develop student's literal and interpretation understanding of text or ability to critique the text.
• We are the author of the words we use to talk about ourselves.

Chris and Kate created their own definition of close reading. 

My favorite inspirational quote of the day: 

Good reading work is life work.

During the course of the workshop, we read through lenses, jotted our thinking, used lenses to find patterns, used patterns to develop new understanding, and shared. We grew as learners based on the amount of knowledge and facilitation provided by Chris and Kate. We also talked about the importance of student watching (historically referred to as "kidwatching") as a vital form of assessment. 

Did we walk away with new learnings and English teacher chills, a term coined by Kate Roberts? Absolutely! Here are some take-aways that I jotted down in my notes or tweeted across the Twittersphere with the hashtag #FILWCloseReading:

• Images convey meaning! They are wonderful ways to empower students, especially at-risk learners who need images to build vocabulary.
• Accountable talk in collaborative conversations is important to build thinking and meaning.
• Start with a pop song to immediately engage students in close reading. Use the Top 10 list and find the lyrics to accompany the song.  

Passion and energy flowed throughout the Falling in Love with Close Reading workshop. My table got those English teacher chills as we moved through the series of texts and presenter interactions. We learned strategies, tips, and techniques to have students closely read and transfer that learning across narratives, informational, and argumentative texts. We talked about assessment and how the work we engaged in becomes life work. Lastly, we left with the understanding that close reading is not the curriculum but one part that provides a foundation for students to become meaning makers. 

*****************************

Since today is Tuesday, the site Two Writing Teachers encourages educators to share their Slice of Life. Please visit the community of bloggers to read other's slices. You can also access some slice under the Twitter hashtag #sol15. 

Reflecting on TCRWP's 86th Saturday Reunion

There is a distinct  energy and feel to New York City when spring begins to peek its head out from a long winter. Streets come alive; people move freely, unencumbered by the weightiness of winter; smiles abound. March 22, 2014, was one of those magical days in the city. Not only did spring tip its hat to greet the day but eager anticipation filled the streets around 120th Street and Broadway. It was a day to celebrate the best of learning from literary luminaries, engaging presenters, and a time to turn and talk with colleagues in the field. Saturday was the TC Reading & Writing Project's gift to educators as it opened the heavy doors of the majestic Riverside Church to the 86th Saturday Reunion. It is with a sense of eager anticipation that I traveled to Teachers College for the day of free professional development that drew over 3500 educators to soak in the magic of spring and mill through the hallowed halls of Teachers College. Credit for the professional development opportunity available to all educators went to Lucy Calkins, who along with the support of distinguished colleagues and staff, planned the day of learning. 

From years of traveling to the Saturday Reunions, I learned that arriving early is a prerequisite. First task once you are on the Columbia campus is to pick up a flyer on the street corners surrounding Teachers College or in the foyer of Riverside Church. The early birds are able to relax into the experience of the day's ongoing learning by perusing the extensive flyer and planning their schedule before the crowds arrive. They are also able to secure a spot in the magnificent church where notable theologians and political figures, such as Martin Luther King and Bill Clinton, have spoken. 

From the moment I stepped into the majestic Riverside Church, I felt a sense of eager anticipation. Collegial and welcoming TCRWP staff greeted guests. Luckily this year, I was able to find a seat close to the front and make acquaintances with first timers from Maine. We chatted about education and ways to maximize the days' workshops before Lucy Calkins' began the day. As I began to reflect on the new learning that would come my way, I started reading the Tweets marked #TCRWP that were filling the Twitter channel. Everyone was there for a singular purpose: to learn new information, strategies, tips, and practices to hone their craft and impact their students' reading and writing lives. 

The program at Riverside Church began with Lucy Calkins speaking about the new site, testtalk.org, that she and other influential people in the field of literacy will open. Next, she introduced Diane Ravitch, historian of education and author of Reign of Error, whose speech was dedicated to defending public education "in the storm of the American public schools crisis." Several of her key statements were well-received by the audience, as evidenced by the number of tweets. 

• We need to find ways to recruit, support, and prepare teachers. 
• Standards should be reviewed continuously.
• Testing reflects socio-economic status. No matter what the test, the pass/fail pattern mirrors family income. 
• Tests don't close the achievement gap; they measure it. 
• What is the plan for children who do not get a diploma?

The last thought left me pondering what indeed is the plan and how will each state resolve this issue. If you would like to see a detailed summary of Diane Ravitch's speech, you can go to a blog post provided by @teachcmb56 at wp.me/p1FPEO-24K.

After this rousing speech, I joined the crowd of teachers who were moving at a fast-pace to the next venue, only to find several sessions closed, including the one that I wished to attend, Maggie Beattie Roberts' workshop, "Teaching Perspective, Author's Intent, and Critical Reading in Nonfiction Text Sets." Luckily, I found one spot in the back of the room and I slipped in just in time to hear the link for the handout, http://buff.ly/1jyrLYN.  We started with a quick look at Standard 6, Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text, and subsequently led through an activity using feeling words as entry points for understanding the point of view of a nonfiction text. I lingered on the following quotes from Maggie: 

• Critical reading is a stance.
• Explore nonfiction as a viewpoint, not just a text. 
• All text have power, perspective, and position. (from Stephanie Jones' book, girls, social class, & literacy)

For more information about nonfiction reading, point of view and perspective you can read the blog post at www.kateandmaggie.com.

Because I thoroughly enjoyed this session, I stayed for Maggie's second workshop, "From Writing Information Books to Designing Websites: A New Unit of Study (and Book) in Information Writing for Middle School." I was not disappointed in my choice for I was introduced to the new Unit of Study in Information Writing for Middle School that Katie co-authored and work from the Riverhead School District's 6th graders. I learned that the goals of this new work are to expose and teach a variety of writing forms from an essay to a book to a website, develop healthy research practice, and incorporate research into writing. 

Next, I went to Kate Roberts' session, Teaching Students to Write Powerful Literary Essays Across 6-8. Kate was particularly animated during her discussion and very engaging.

An important point made was, "Lift the level of literary essay work through claims and thinking." Kate provided examples of the process that she used with 6th grade students to lead them toward independence in writing. She mentioned John Hattie's work on the important factors in student growth. "Kids need to have clear goals and see a clear pathway." She provided examples of Elaborate our Evidence prompts to push analysis, such as:

• This illustrates...because ______________.
• ______________ means ___________. Therefore, ______________.

Because of the short time between sessions, I was not able to speak with Kate and thank her for guest hosting of #nyedchat on March 3rd with Chris Lehman, so I joined the group taking the stairs to exit the building. 

My next and last workshop of the day was led by Stephanie Harvey. Her presentation, Thoughtfully Connecting Technology to Instruction, centered around these key words: connect, create, communicate, collaborate. During the presentation, Steph warned of the risks of technology when using iPads in the classroom with students. There can be an isolation factor. Therefore, teachers need to refocus on talk in the classroom, bringing collaboration to the forefront. A closing thought was to "nurture curiosity by living a curious life." The word curiosity has become a powerful and common thought in Stephanie Harvey's presentations over the years.

With the power of Twitter available and many tweeters recording thoughts from various sessions, I added additional memorable quotes from TCRWP presenters:

On Twitter:
Twitter is the most powerful platform for educational professional development.  -Stephanie Harvey
Twitter profoundly changed my professional life and career.  -Maggie Beattie Roberts

On Saturday Reunion:
As always, the Saturday Reunion Conference reminded me that I'm proud to call the TCRWP my professional home. -Carl Anderson
Reunion is so comfortable to present. -Maggie Beattie Roberts

On Reading:
Any text you read should trigger perceptions, feelings, thoughts. The DNA of reading. -Kathy Collins
Even 5 minutes of talk time after reading improves comprehension. -Lucy Calkins

On Writing:
We don't assign writing. We TEACH it. -Cornelius Minor
Revision is a disposition to be nurtured. -Shana Frazin

On Students:
Students is a word for school. Children is a word for life. -Kathy Collins
Whoever does the work, learns the most. Teachers do less. Kids do more. -Stephanie Harvey

As with every memorable experience, the day came to a close, but the energy for learning remained, and so at the end of a uplifting day of TCRWP collegial conversations and pertinent talk, I bid New York City good by. 

Escape the Blizzard Blues-Engage with NYEDChat

By now, most of the country has felt the repercussions of the extreme weather conditions that are causing what some have termed, the Blizzard Blues. 

Yes, WINTER, you hit us hard this year. 

It seems that the constant barrage of snowstorms, freezing ice, and rain has been a source of concern in New York State, as is the case across the country. Hazardous road conditions, dropping temperatures, and potholes are the driver's worst enemy and you even have to watch where you walk for fear of falling.

By now, everyone has a story to tell of the Winter of 2014? 

My short tale is: within the past month, I traveled to Albany during the BIG snowstorm; got hit two days later in Albany with another  BIG storm, and traveled back to Long Island for a few more BIG snowstorms. After one of these storms last week, I backed out of the driveway only to land in one of the snowbanks. Needless to say, I had to dig myself out. There was one brief moment when I thought the big, white, fluffy snowflakes falling outside my window looked beautiful but that thought did not last long because the snowy particles kept fluttering at such a pace that it became difficult to manage a day outside. Sadly but true, snow shovels and salt bags have become the artifacts of the season, replacing the lovely decorations that once graced my front porch. 

-And-

By the way who predicted that the weather station and meteorologists were going to be my constant go to advisors each day? 

So, I am thinking that those suffering from the Blizzard Blues

Need an Intervention

How about a cup of hot chocolate, a cozy fire, and a NYEDChat conversation?

JOIN US 
This Monday, February 24, 2014
for a lively and engaging discussion on 

"Teaching Writing to Children"

with

Peter Catalanotto, Author/Illustrator 

http://www.petercatalanotto.com/

@P_Catalanotto

UPCOMING EVENTS

8:30 PM

Mar. 3, 2014      Chris Lehmann & Kate Roberts, Authors/Consultants 

 "Teaching Reading in New York State: Where We Are Now, Where We Could Be"                      

Other Dates and Speakers for March and April will be announced.

  

Watch for more information about our Live Streaming Event 

Tuesday, May 6th, 8:30 PM 

with Pam Moran and Ira Socol

Teachers as Constructors of Exploration

**************************************************************************

SEND IN YOUR THOUGHTS

Why tweeps should join the NYEDChat conversations.

Some colleagues already responded.

CONVERSATION CORNER: 
Why Join NYEDChat?

I truly enjoy NYEDChat. It is one of my favorite chats on Twitter. This group generates a real feeling of passion, energy, and positivity in education. There is clearly a love of teaching and children. Thank you for coming together and creating a space for collaboration with such wonderful moderators and educators throughout NY and beyond!

-Lisa Davis @ lisaodavis

I look forward to the NYEDChat and its connections because I can connect directly to colleagues in NY who are juggling similar demands and can often find solutions and inspirations from the shared approaches.

-Lisa Meade, @ LisaMeade23

NYEDChat expands the school walls. My PLN (colleagues & friends) are there to support, teach and guide me at any time, anywhere!! I have learned so much from NYEDChats & look forward to expanding that on Monday night. Thank you NYED moderators!

-Emily Peterson, @emilyhpeterson 

NYEDChat features a distinct brand of educators who are tenacious, focused, and have a "New York State of Mind" - just what the circumstances call for in best supporting success in our schools today.

NYEDChat is the perfect supplement to the face-to-face relationships we nurture daily - a community of committed educators, dedicated to providing the support, enrichment, and nourishment our professional spirits need, to meet our challenges...with success...together.                                                                            -Dennis Schug, @DJrSchug

See The Power of the Professional Learning Community for Carol Varsalona's thoughts on why NYEDChat?

Please send in your thoughts on why you joined NYEDChat for a future posting.

My co-moderators, Bill Brennan, Vicki Day, Blanca Duarte, Starr Sackstein, and Tony Sinanis, and I look forward to connecting with you online to make NYEDChat a strong voice for the educational community.