Anticipation

#NCTE16 Convention fever is spreading as many of us across the country are anticipating the flight to Atlanta on Thursday. Last minute conversations via Twitter, email, and GHO are happening. Badges are arriving and materials for presentations are being loaded into Google Drive and computers. Needless to say, I am excited. Since I am moderating #NYEDChat on Twitter tonight and we are speaking about "Thankfulness", I am recycling my gratitude-for-conference learning digital.

My badge finally arrived at 4:30 pm today. My husband hand-delivered my mailer from NCTE since he knew I was eagerly anticipating its arrival. I quickly included my Twitter handle since I missed the directions to have it listed on the badge. Then, I printed my Twitter profile photo and included it along with my Long Island hometown on the badge. 

 It's Official!

As I check off my countdown-to-conference list, I am reminded of John Denver's song, Leaving on a Jet Plane. While my bags are not packed and there are still many tasks to accomplish before Thursday, I am ready to learn alongside others, meet up with colleagues, present with my teams, and enjoy four days of educational bliss. 

 

I thank #nctechat for providing a high energy convo last night. There was excitement in the Twitter air, educator friends I know virtually, those I have met face-to-face, and new faces all excited to attend #NCTE16 in Atlanta, Georgia. We even had time to announce our presentations. You can find me at the following:

I.27 1:15 pm 11/20/16 Authentic Voice in a Digital World: Using Technology in Our Literate Lives B215 How can teachers be digital change agents, transforming reading and writing lives in K– college classrooms? Join a panel of authors and educators from varied backgrounds (Michele Haiken, Paul W. Hankins, Holly Mueller, Laura Purdie Salas, Margaret Simon, Carol Varsalona) to explore technology innovation in student-centered learning spaces where choice leads to increased voice. 

K.14 4:15 11/20/16 The Power of Wonder and Inquiry in the Classroom and at Home A404 Wonder and inquiry help develop the will to learn and cultivate curiosity, which leads students to exploration and discovery. How can teachers foster wonder and inquiry while maintaining rigor and meeting standards? Our panelists will share strategies to incorporate wonder and inquiry both inside and outside the classroom! Participants: Brittany Howell, Louise Borden, Georgia Heard, Kristin Ziemke, & Wonder Lead Ambassadors: Jen McDonough, Carol Varsalona

I look forward to meeting my Slicer friends at #NCTE16 but unfortunately cannot attend their presentation since it is the same time as the K.14 that I am involved in as a Wonder Lead Ambassador. 

Tomorrow is Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers, so join me in reading other slicers posts here.

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and families are preparing to give thanks for the bounties of the earth. Nature provides the stage for all to appreciate the wonders of life.

Brianna Hayes' song, Thank You, is a joyous one. Her video integrates the beauty of the outdoor world with uplifting thoughts. It inspired me to create the above digital poetry and take a second look at the gratitude tribute and poem I wrote last year. You can access that blog here.

Thank You by Brianna Haynes

You can read lyrics from Brianna Hayes' song here. The lines that resonated with me are below.

You give us hope.

You plant the seed.

You harvest every heart in need.

Hayes

It is with the hope of continued days of blessings for all that I write this post. At Thanksgiving this year, I will continue to practice an attitude of gratitude, especially after witnessing the aftermath of a horrific accident while my colleague, Jeannette, and I were traveling to a conference. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Please visit Spiritual Journey Thursday led by Holly Mueller to read the community members' thoughts. This week's topic is open-ended.