Writer's Well--A Gathering Spot

My hooray!

2009-10-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

I heard a wonderful sound the other day. Usually when it comes to my ears, its a sound that makes me cringe and remember patience is a virtue and that I am responsible to hold my tongue but this time my heart went a-flutter.

Let me take a moment to set up the scene before I explain this magical sound.

We have been doing a short writing time since nearly the beginning of school. My students are very used to the routine and have jumped right into the concept of making writing about taking ideas out of our head and just putting them on paper. We started with white sheets of paper that could have anything put on them. Words were optional but encouraged. The students then graduated to white paper divided into two sections. The top for illustrations and the bottom for words. No lines, no rules, just words. I also set up specific procedures for how writing time works. The rules are simple. You cannot say, "I'm done" until the timer goes off and so each student may draw, write, review their work or add details but they must be involved in their own work. The timer is set for 10 minutes and the students get five more minutes after the timer dings to finish up any ideas they need to close-up. I also don't answer most spelling questions because right now ideas are more important than conventions. Finally I set the mood. In the background I play some soft, but energetic, classical music.

So now back to the beginning.

We had been working through our writing time for nearly three weeks and I finally felt the students were understanding the flow of this time. We had just started a new project, writing a story about different things at school when the magic happened. The timer had gone off, I had reset it for five more minutes and all the students chose to continue on with their current projects. The time flew and once again there was a sharp "DING" that came from my timer and all across the room I heard a heart satisfying...

AWWWWWWWWW

What is Working?

2009-10-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
I read a comment on Tara's Facebook page that she was investing in new ways in her classroom. What about the rest of you? I would love to see a post about what is working or even what isn't working. I have tried using the techniques learned about conferencing and I think it has helped immensely with student revision and what ends up at the end with the final draft. I hope this sunny fall day finds all of you well. Christy

I Have Been Remiss!

2009-09-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

Hello, all!
I'm excited to see that the blog is active! For some reason, I thought I signed up for e-mail notifications, but I hadn't. I thought no one had been posting, but that was just me not even bothering to check! Good to hear many of you are doing well, and that you are putting our summer experience to work in your classrooms. I'm starting teaching on Monday, and as I go through writing my syllabus and talking to my colleagues, I find myself constantly referencing NIWP! I'm sure they will all eventually get tired of me yammering on about it, but I can't imagine getting ready for this quarter without the bedrock you all helped me form in July. I can only say, again, thank you!

P.S. Timothy! Lets connect soon. Congratulations on the job! (Although, I like to think I knew you would get it. They would have been fools not to hire you!)

Would love to hear from you all via e-mail

2009-09-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Fellows, my new e-mail address at Ferndale is: tlucas@windwardhigh.org

I would love to hear from you outside of the blog, as it appears that there is not much blogging going on.

Smooth sailing so far here at Windward High School (Ferndale S.D.'s "magnet" school).

Went to Port Townsend Saturday (Sept. 12) to a wooden boat show. Warren, you would have loved it. I'm still thinking about buying a boat, but leaning towards one I can move on a trailer--one I can sail on Lake Samish and the Sound without a lot of trouble.

Gloria and Mercedes, Ola!

Glad to hear that many of you are applying what you learned immediately.

Hope all is well with each of you. What a summer we had!

Timothy

Second Grade and Growing a Love for Autumn

2009-09-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

I have recollections of school earlier than second grade, but while reading Ted Kooser's American Life in Poetry the other evening, the poem below brought back strong images of a special day from second grade. Perhaps my imagery wouldn't have been as stunning in my poem, but I certainly could have written a similar recollection.

Gathering Leaves in Grade School

They were smooth ovals,

and some the shade of potatoes—

some had been moth-eaten

or spotted, the maples

were starched, and crackled

like campfire.

We put them under tracing paper

and rubbed our crayons

over them, X-raying

the spread of their bones

and black, veined catacombs.

We colored them green and brown

and orange, and

cut them out along the edges,

labeling them deciduous

or evergreen.

All day, in the stuffy air of the classroom,

with its cockeyed globe,

and nautical maps of ocean floors,

I watched those leaves

lost in their own worlds

flap on the pins of the bulletin boards:

without branches or roots,

or even a sky to hold on to.
-Judith Harris

One sunny, warm fall day we took a walking field trip in second grade. We were studying Neighborhoods in social studies and Mrs. Meyer led my class exploring the blocks close to the Sunnyside School in Kellogg, Idaho. The leaves had turned yellow, orange, and red and crunched underfoot as our single file line followed our teacher down the block. Our young minds learned that day about house numbers. She patiently explained how the numbers on the block work with even and odd numbers. For a long time after that I always studied the street numbers when we drove down a block uptown, in Spokane, or Orofino. It always worked that way. It was a pattern that always made sense to me . When I helped my brother deliver papers one summer on those blocks north of Sunnyside school I once again checked that pattern of numbers. I did the same when I sold Camp Fire mints in those same neighborhoods a few years later.

Mrs. Meyer also tied science in on that walking field trip as we studied the turning leaves on the trees and were given permission to pick up the leaves on the sidewalk. I studied those leaves with curiosity, noting the veins of color, the unique shapes and various sizes. Breathing in the crisp air and feeling the warm autumn sun on my face is a memory I go back and revisit. Could life have been simpler than on that day in September on the blocks surrounding Sunnyside School? Could there have been more joy than picking up leaves and carrying them with care back to the second grade classroom?

Art was also connected with this project. We arranged our leaves between sheets of wax paper and displayed them proudly on the windows looking out to the playground. Each afternoon the next week the sun would stream through those windows causing the yellows, oranges, and reds to glow like crown jewels. She also taught us to paint those colors. With large pieces of butcher paper, a fat paint brush each and paint bins of yellow, brown, red, and orange each second grader created a tree of their own that was displayed on the tile-like glass above the windows.

Knowing Mrs. Meyer I am sure we learned a poem about autumn leaves or she read us a story to tie in all up nicely. Fall is now my favorite season of the year. That love for the season may have started that day I learned about house numbers, experienced pure joy while collecting leaves, and felt that warm, afternoon autumn sun on my face.

Professional Development

2009-09-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hello, all--hope this finds you well!

Looks like I'll have the chance to put my Summer Institute to good use soon. My building's professional development team has asked me to present at our next school improvement day in early October, and I'm planning to use the Image Grammar presentation. It'll be the first time I will have had the opportunity to do something like this in the district, and I'm looking forward to it.

Hope everyone had a wonderful three-day weekend. I had a chance to go sailing, and we enjoyed some great breezes between rain showers. Sailing is always good!

Take care,

Warren

Life Right Now

2009-08-28T15:28:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! Miss you already! It's fun getting to hear how everyone is doing and how their first day of school have gone. As for me, because I took so many credits over the summer I only have two classes and my masters project left for this semester then I am done with college (at least until I need to recertify).

With my free time I have decided to get my private pilot's license!! I am loving it! I have always wanted to be a pilot, ever since my mom took me in kindegarten to our local airport to watch the planes come in and out. I am finally realizing one of my dreams! I love it so much I might want to be a flight instructor some day. . . who knows?

Other than that, life is pretty normal, nothing else too exciting going on.

Keep on posting what you are doing group! We gotta keep this blog alive!!

Britt

A New Year

2009-08-27T19:26:00.001-07:00

What a difference a year of experience makes. My school year has started strong; I'm being insistent but not overbearing. Firm but not nit-picky. Kind and caring. And the students seems to be responding. I've learned how to support my constructivist views with practical wisdom. And the year--the new year--has started well!

Warren

Congratulations, Timothy!

2009-08-24T06:23:00.000-07:00

Way to go, Timothy--now I know you're within sailing distance--and I understand that your area is close to the water, too. You're going to be a true asset to the Ferndale district--they're lucky to get you!

Well, it's back-to-school day for me. We'll attend our normal district first day presentation, then head back to the classroom to prepare. I've already been there quite a lot, so I feel ready.

By the way--did anyone save a copy of the power point presentation I sent out? My copies were deleted accidentally.

Warren

The Mysteries of Providence

2009-08-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

Dear NIWP cohorts:

I am pleased to announce that I have accepted the Media Technology position for which I interviewed last week at Ferndale. Woo hoo!

Honestly, the offer took me by surprise, as I was sure I had fumbled the interview altogether. At some point while trying to answer a very simple question, it felt as if my brain had frozen over and I was unable to articulate my thoughts. I was so befuddled at the moment that I felt like bolting from the room and never coming back!

I was told that I would receive word by Friday of last week. When Friday passed with no phone call (I was on my way to Missoula, MT that day), I wrote the whole thing off and went back to looking for a job.

Late yesterday, however, I got a phone call from the principal with a job offer. I was so overwhelmed by the news that I had to think about it overnight. Today, I am getting ready to pack a few things, and make plans for the move.

I want to thank each of you for your encouragement and input during our program. I feel like I can move into the classroom with confidence and poise. Thanks for making my July one to never forget.

All the best,

Timothy

P.S. Anna, let's try to connect!

Summer's End

2009-08-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hi, All--hope this finds you well!

I was listening today to A Prairie Home Companion, thankful for the chance to work with Marti this summer. The entire episode was devoted to poetry, and in one skit, the characters continued to refer to "the red wheelbarrow." So, thanks to Marti, the skit was made even funnier due to our introduction (my introduction, anyway!) to Williams Carlos Williams.

In other news, the sailing has been great. And very wet. My friend Dave and I sailed to a campground called Whiskey Rock and enjoyed beautiful weather...until 4:30 in the morning when a freight train of wind brought torrents of rain. We sailed back to Bayview--7.5 miles--chilled and wet to the bone, even in August. But, we still managed to have a great time.

School looms ahead, but I've put in enough hours getting ready to feel like the year will get off to a great start. I am really looking forward to installing a true writer's workshop this fall.

Warren

Where I'm From

2009-08-03T10:25:00.000-07:00

(click collage for larger view)

to the 2009 Teacher Consultants of NIWP

Where I’m From

I am from a circle of laptops,

from brewed coffee and a carton of half-and half,

I am from a pan of delicious flan.

(Golden, shimmery,

With a taste of caramel.)

I am from cherries, grapes, chocolate and

One large muffin

Whose evaluation I remember

As I designed an effective rubric.

I’m from a smart board and birdwalking,

from Marti and Lucy.

I’m from remarkable writers

And reflective bloggers,

From I’m Done ! And Cut the Deadwood !
I’m from “ Rodney replenished our souls

with a homemade grilled chicken lunch”

and a new chapbook we can read ourselves from Timothy.

I’m from Sangria and pizza and subway sandwiches,

Vitamin Water and Seattle’s Best.

From the eyesight lost by staring at the

small print on the articles

the eyesight I hope will return before school starts.

Inside my canvas bag is a 4 “ notebook

spilling Sommers, Dix, and Moffett,

A sea of warm smiles

to carry me back to my classroom.

I am from these last four weeks

filled with “Good Writing is Good Thinking”

Moving forward with my writing life.

By Christy Woolum

with thanks to

George Ella Lyon

Your energy, wisdom, and amazing writing was an inspiration. CW

I Am A Teacher Leader

2009-07-31T10:52:00.001-07:00

I am a teacher leader-
the house has been framed, sided, roofed-
and the fire burns.

NIWP Summer 2009 Fellows

2009-07-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

It has been a treat to learn with and from all of you. Thank you for all that you have added to my learning and even personal life!!

Blessings on the road forward. I look forward to hearing about what all of you are incorporating in your teaching.

I Love NIWP

2009-07-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hey fellows, soon to be consultants!! Hope you know how special and awesome you are!
Sunny Day!

B Keller

Visit the Well

2009-07-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

This is a place for rest and reflection. A place to gather, to visit, to just check in. It has been established as a way for the participants of the NIWP summer institute fellows to continue writing and learning together.