The Write Brained Teacher

11 for 11: THE END

2011-10-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

This year I'm writing about 11 things that are on my mind as we begin the 2011-2012 school year. THE END is a lousy way to end a story. Likewise, "Put your books away and finish questions 2-5 for homework" or "Look at the time, we need to get to lunch" are lousy ways to end a lesson. Lesson closure means that we set aside 3-5 minutes at the end of a lesson so students can reflect on learning

11 for '11: The Great Homework Debate

2011-09-02T08:50:00.001-07:00

You've likely seen the controversy around the "homework" shirt that JCPenny wisely pulled from their inventory. But even before the shirt, homework has always been a controversial subject. Marzano advocates for homework, while Alfie Kohn makes compelling arguments against it. But it's Fisher and Frey who suggest that the homework debate can't be answered with a yes or no. Before you assign

11 for '11: Less is More

2011-08-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

It probably started with good intentions. At Parent Information Night, one teacher disputed a list of class rules, 55 to be exact. Let me say that again...55. I thought my friend was joking until she sent me a copy. The rules ranged from "If someone gives you something, say thank you within three seconds" to "Be the best person you can be." Just reading the rules was so exhausting. I can't

11 for '11: Doing Away with Student Engagement

2011-08-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

This is post four in the 11 for '11 series. I'm writing about 11 things that are on my mind as we begin the 2011-2012 school year. I've decided to delete the phrase "student engagement" from my vocabulary. I think it confuses more than it explains. Is the boy sitting in the back row, doodling in the margins of his notepad, engaged? Maybe he is. Maybe he's connecting and synthesizing new

11 for '11: What's Your Plan?

2011-08-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

This is the third post in the 11 for '11 series. I'm writing about 11 things that are on my mind as we begin the 2011-2012 school year. Last week, on the second day of school, I heard a teacher say that she already felt behind. It's true. At the end of the day there will always be one (or ten) more things that you could do before you go home. But should you? Priorities are fragile.

11 for '11: Charting Our Progress

2011-08-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

The second post in the 11 for '11 series comes from Alan Wright, an educational consultant and blogger from across the big pond. His blog is a favourite of mine. (I much prefer the Australian spelling of this word. It seems so much fancier.) I loved this post when it was originally published and I'm thankful that he has allowed me to share it with you as a reminder to document your learning

The ONLY Resource You Need to Teach Writing...

2011-08-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

is a library card. I know there are plenty of products out there that promise to help your students write proficiently. The problem is that it's a promise a pre-packaged product can rarely deliver. If you want your students to love to write, and write well, the best investment you can make is in yourself. Until you become cognizant of the thinking processes you use when you interact with a

How's It Going?

2011-07-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Your summer, that is. Mine has been wonderfully busy, mostly in preparation for last week's Teachers' Writing Academy. The Teachers' Writing Academy was held concurrently with our Young Writers' Academy, so teachers spent the first few days observing our demonstration classroom. After the young writers went home at lunchtime, we spent the afternoon reflecting, learning, and collaborating.

WANTED: A New Friend

2011-06-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

When our students fall in love with a character, they become an important member of the classroom community. We talk about them as if they're old friends and miss them after the last page is read. Shared friends and shared experiences become a part of our reading history. I've read some insightful and thought-provoking books lately, but it's time for me to meet some new friends this summer.

Packing Up

2011-05-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

So if you're following my journey on facebook, you already know I opted to leave my hair dryer at home so I could carry-on my luggage. Well...I'm going to have major problems figuring out how to get everything home considering that I've purchased a few--ok, let's be honest--a ridiculous amount of new books. Why, just today I found these books that I couldn't pass up.And dry erase crayons, who

Not Exactly Twitterpated

2011-05-09T04:34:00.000-07:00

Friend Owl: Why, don't you know? They're twitterpated. Flower, Bambi, Thumper: Twitterpated? Friend Owl: Yes. Nearly everybody gets twitterpated in the springtime. This weekend I logged into Twitter for the first time in months. My verdict is still out on Twitter. You can't deny that it's a powerful tool for collaboration, but I worry about a tool that blends the line between our professional

Orlando or Bust!

2011-05-07T14:06:00.001-07:00

I'm off to Orlando to attend the International Reading Association Convention. I'll be sharing my daily reflections and preparing to present on Wednesday. If you're also headed that way, please let me know. I'd love to meet in person!

What's the Point?

2011-05-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

There's a chance some of your students are asking themselves the same question. "Why do you think I want you to do this?" one teacher asked her students. It was a well-designed and engaging lesson. Despite the fact that the teacher had a clear objective in mind, the students concluded that she wanted to see if they were paying attention. I can't help but think of all of the learning time

Real kids. Real conversations. Real professional development.

2011-04-27T06:44:00.000-07:00

The blog has been a little neglected lately as I've been working out all of the details for this summer's Teachers' Writing Academy. It's going to be an amazing week! var FCProAccountId = 'fa9b701d-3907-4f67-8620-07dac41cc61e'; var ServerName = '

Three is a Magic Number: Follow-Up Thoughts on Astro the Stellar Sea Lion by Jeanne Walker Harvey

2011-04-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

When a book is well written, more teaching possibilities seem to emerge with each reading. I've read Astro the Steller Seal multiple times and it's definitely a text that I'll use again and again as a model with students. I had the opportunity to chat with Jeanne Walker Harvey and learn more about the writing decisions she made while crafting Astro. Jeanne pointed out how she utilized the "Rule

Astro the Steller Sea Lion by Jeanne Walker Harvey

2011-03-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

REVIEW COPY PROVIDED BY THE AUTHORMeet Astro, a Steller sea lion. Astro might be Steller by species, but his tale is truly stellar. Jeanne Walker Harvey tells his incredible story in her new book, Astro The Steller Sea Lion. Astro was only a few days old when he was discovered off the coast of California. No one knows what happened to his mother and since Astro was too young to care for

Awakening the Imagination

2011-03-02T20:12:00.000-08:00

I used to be opposed to story starters... but reflecting on my own writing habits causes me to continuously question my beliefs about writers and writing. I write on most days. Some days I have a clear goal of what I want to accomplish during my writing time. Other days it's harder. When I'm stuck with writing words, I usually start by reading someone else's words until I find my own. One of my

Reading Like a Writer

2011-02-20T20:01:00.000-08:00

Writing is all about making choices. The author didn't start the sentence with "And" on accident. It was a choice. A deliberate decision. (Even though he probably had a teacher along the way who taught a false truth that you should never start a sentence with and or because.)Why do you think the author made that decision?It's one of the most important questions we can ask. We might never know

Picture Writing (and a Good Blizzard Laugh)

2011-02-02T15:31:00.000-08:00

For beginning writers, pictures are an important step in the prewriting process. (Actually, picture writing is beneficial for all writers, but it's a must for beginning writers.) For your earliest writers, the next step after the picture is labeling. As students label the details of the picture, they gain authentic practice applying letter/sound knowledge.Sometimes teachers tell me that

The Smorgesboard Effect

2011-01-30T22:29:00.000-08:00

I was never a fan of the "All You Can Eat" buffet concept for two reasons. First, I could never eat enough food to to justify the price. Secondly, I watched an investigative report on Dateline and WOW, that episode stayed with me for a long time. But I digress...A hotel in Singapore offers an express version of the all-you-can-eat buffet. Eat all you can in less than 30 minutes and you'll

The Snowy Day: a Timely Mentor Text

2011-01-23T13:38:00.000-08:00

Or maybe a more appropriate title for this post would be The Snowy Month. Around here we've had more snow days than school days, so your students will surely connect with the Ezra Jack Keats classic, The Snowy Day.I love this book for a hundred different reasons. Ezra Jack Keat's storyline is simple, but the text is artfully crafted and full of teaching possibilities. I recently used it as a

Reading and Giving (and a Website You Won't Want to Miss)

2011-01-18T09:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had a Google TV tutorial from my 4 year old. (I am completely serious.) Her newfound technological capabilities include navigating through the apps, finding her favorite YouTube videos and making video calls to her grandparents. She also loves to read books online. Now, I've been a little slow to embrace the Kindle. The idea is growing on me, but I'll admit that it makes me a

13%

2011-01-02T19:26:00.000-08:00

“Surveys have proven that only about 13% people set goals and write them down on paper. If we don’t have a goal then we are NOT aiming for anything! Random acts produce random results. When people do not have a goal in mind, they literally sabotage themselves from the get go.”~Brian Tracy, author of Eat That FrogA conversation at our breakfast table on the morning of January 1, 2011:Me: So

Day by Day: An Interview with Ruth Ayres

2010-12-08T09:57:00.000-08:00

I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. I was a first year teacher, struggling to reach the writers in my classroom. As I shared my frustrations with my mentor, Suzanne, she offered the following advice:You can’t eat an elephant in one bite. I reflected on her words often while reading Day by Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice by Ruth Ayres and

Eliminate 99% of Writing Problems

2010-11-30T20:16:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here with a lengthy to-do list. It's big and overwhelming and I'm not even sure where to start. Some of the writers in your classroom have the same problem. "My Weekend" is a pretty big topic. Taking time to narrow a big idea to a specific and manageable topic will eliminate 99% of problems later in the process. That's a bold claim, but I know from experience that it's true.

In November...

2010-11-14T22:26:00.000-08:00

Fact #1: I love November. Fact #2: I love Cynthia Rylant. So it should come as no surprise that In November is one of my favorite Mentor Texts.I recently used In November to help students notice how Rylant uses the repeating refrain "In November..." to transition from one idea to the next. Of course, her words worked their magic and there were other things they noticed, such as Rylant's use of

Day by Day

2010-11-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

Online Preview...FreeShipping...Free180 days of Expert Advice...Priceless Teaching writing is hard, no doubt about it, which why I'm so excited that two of my favorite bloggers, Ruth Ayres and Stacey Shubitz (also known as the Two Writing Teachers) have poured their passion and expertise into a new book, Day by Day. I'm also excited to share that Ruth and Stacey will be stopping by The Write

I've Been Writing, Really

2010-10-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

According to the date of my last post, it's been almost a month since I've last written. However, I've been doing lots of writing, just not pencil-to-paper writing. I have a running list of topics in my Writer's Notebook and someday these will turn into blog posts. (But probably some won't.) I've thought about the words I will use and considered the best way to put them together. My ideas

Friday Spellers

2010-09-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

You know the type...students who successfully spell most (or even all) of their words on a weekly spelling test, yet misspell those same words in their everyday writing. If you've found this to be the true, ask yourself:1. Can your students identify words they've misspelled? Do they have spelling consciousness to know which words don't quite look write? If not, how will you help them develop

Are You a Storybird?

2010-09-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

On tomorrow's to do-list: Natalie's first Storybird. Maybe you've already heard about it. Just in case you haven't, I thought I would share. It's brilliant, really, and you'd be doing your young writers a disservice if you don't check it out.

5 Fabulous (and Wordless) Picture Books to Inspire Writing

2010-09-07T03:40:00.000-07:00

A picture makes a great starting point for writing and it doesn't always have to be our own. These wordless picture books are sure to get your writers thinking. The Mysteries of Harris BurdickIn true Chris Van Alsberg fashion, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick contains beautiful and imaginative illustrations. Each individual black and white illustration has a title and caption that never fails to

They're Never Too Old

2010-08-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

“Why do the children only have four fingers, but the adults have five?” Natalie asked as we were reading about Clifford’s day at school.I looked and sure enough, the poor little children of Birdwell Island have only four fingers. Now, I’m a firm believer that answering a question with a question nurtures creativity. It’s also a great strategy for times like this, when I have absolutely NO idea

The Biggest Obstacle to Teaching Writing...

2010-08-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

Isn't that your students can't write a complete sentence or spell correctly. As you're planning your writing instruction for this new year, know that your biggest obstacle is convincing writers that they have something to say and that it matters. Once you've accomplished this, the rest will take of itself.

Getting Started

2010-08-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

What's the best way to start my Writing Workshop? I get this a lot and my answer is always the same. By reading. One of my new (well, new to me) favorite books for inspiring writers is My Head is Full of Colors by Catherine Friend. Long story short, the lesson here is that your head is full of ideas. We used this book at the Young Writers' Academy Summer Camp and following the story, students

Yours, Mine, or Ours?

2010-08-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

Last year I experienced Back to School night from the other side for the very first time. I know that my daughter's teachers spent countless hours preparing the room prior to our arrival because I've done the same thing. It was important to me that every corner of the room looked absolutely perfect, but guess what...I can't tell you a single thing about the physical environment of Natalie's

You Can't Hurry Love...

2010-07-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

Or young writers.I spent last week with an amazing group of kids at an Artist/Writers' Workshop Summer Camp. Throughout the week, our lessons were anchored by a mentor text. We followed the literature with a related art project and finished each lesson with a Writers' Workshop. On the second day, during conferencing, I sat down on the rug next to Angie. Her head was in her lap and her arms

Catching Curiosity

2010-07-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

On vacation, I learned (at the amazing Magic House) that the average 4 year old asks 473 questions each day. (Although I'm not sure if this statistic takes into account the same question asked over and over and over and...)Our vacation began with a four hour drive across the state and at least 473 questions. When will we be there? (In a few hours) How much longer until we get there? (Still a

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

2010-06-29T19:36:00.001-07:00

Our vacation starts tomorrow and I'm already exhausted. The bags are packed and two little girls are sleeping soundly, unaware of the adventures that await them. St. Louis is not the most exotic location we've ever visited. In fact, I've been there many times in my life, but I have no doubt that things will look a bit different when I get to see the world through the eyes of my children. We

A Trip to Birdwell Island

2010-06-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

Last week we took the girls to the "Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog" exhibit at Crown Center. Our home library boasts a large collection of Clifford books, a side effect of having a daughter named Emily Elizabeth. (If you're wondering, she is not named after the character from the Clifford series. However, the fact that they share a name has encouraged her grandparents to gift her

Stealing the Joy

2010-06-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

Or subtitled: An Important Lesson I Learned from a Recent Bout of Writing FatigueI don't know if it's the end of another school year, or my upcoming blog-a-versary, but lately I've been thinking a lot about blogging. The madness of May found me with little time to blog. While I was sad, I also found myself feeling suprisingly relieved. I missed the habit of daily writing. (I haven't been

So You Wanna Be a Better Writing Teacher?

2010-05-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

5 Tips for Becoming a Better Writing Teacher (and Writer) This SummerYou wouldn't take swimming lessons from someone who couldn't swim, yet countless students are taught to write by teachers who admittedly don't write. If you find yourself wishing for more inspired writing instruction, here are five easy ways to ensure that next year's writing time is more enjoyable:1. Read, Read, ReadStephen

Chasing Rainbows

2010-05-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

As a little girl, I dreamed of finding a rainbow. A real one, with a real pot of gold at the end. As a big girl, I fully realize that the pot of gold doesn't exist. Yet, I continue to chase after something just as impossible to find or acheive...balance. The problem is that the word itself implies equal distribution and proportion and the roles we assume sometimes require more than their fair

A Big Fresh Fan

2010-05-18T10:59:00.000-07:00

If you don't already subscribe to Choice Literacy's Newsletter, The Big Fresh, you are missing out. Besides the fact that it's free, I love receiving top-notch resources and information to my inbox every Friday. Below is just a sampling of the good stuff you're missing:Are you looking for the perfect way to close out the year with students? We are too. We've been working on a feature about

The Push (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-05-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

Because of your coaxing, loving, and nudging...students are flying. Because of you, their view will never be the same.

Jumping Tracks

2010-05-10T20:17:00.001-07:00

Jumping tracks. That's what my grandma calls it when her mind shifts from one topic to another. One thought or idea can seemingly randomly lead to another...and another...and another. We can use this same concept to help students generate ideas. Letting the mind wander from one memory to the next is a great way to capture a list of potential writing topics. To get started, write a word on a

This is it. (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-05-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

Long-distance running is as challenging mentally as it is physically. One strategy that helps distance runners to overcome the mental obstacles is to visualize the end of the race. They imagine how they’ll feel to see loved ones at the finish line, cheering them on. Often, this support encourages a runner to give it everything they have left and end the race with strong finishing kick.Our

Wondering Wednesday: Interview (Part 2)

2010-05-04T21:01:00.000-07:00

Last week I shared the first part of my interview with Sarah, an education major with a passion for writing. This is the second, and final, part of our interview. Remember, if you have a question that you would like answered by me, and other educators who read this blog, please email it to karren_colbert@comcast.net. *How do you recommend introducing the notebooks to students?I think it's

Do This, Get That (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-05-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

“What do I get if I eat all of my green beans?” Natalie asked.“You get energy to play and strong muscles to help you grow." I replied.“But what else do I get?” she insisted.I knew she’d eat every green bean on her plate with the bribe of a single M&M, but I don’t do bribes. It’s not a matter of what’s right or wrong. It’s a matter of what works versus what doesn’t work. One M&M would buy me

Wondering Wednesday: Interview

2010-04-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

I recently received an email from a reader named Sarah, who also happens to be an Elementary Education student. She was required to interview an educator and asked if I would be willing to help with her project. I happily obliged. I thought I would share a few of her thought-provoking questions for today’s Wondering Wednesday post. I know that you will think of all the great things that I

Monday Morning Motiviation: ONCE HOMELESS KID NOW TIRELESS CEO

2010-04-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

So often, kids are written off before their ending is even written. Last week I was flipping through the paper, something that I don't usually do on account of a low tolerance for bad news, when a headline caught my eye: ONCE HOMELESS KID NOW TIRELESS CEO. Children aren't doomed, even if the odds are stacked against them. Bill Kyles is proof. Read his story HERE. Inspiring stuff, for sure.

Poetry Friday: Dusk by Melissa

2010-04-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

I've had the pleasure of spending the past few weeks in a second grade classroom helping students discover the relationship between pictures and words. Today I would like to share Melissa's beautiful writing, as well as her watercolor picture that inspired it. DuskDisappearing, darkening sunUnder the blanket of the nightSky.Kids finding fireflies.~Melissa, Age 8

Wondering Wednesday: Helping Students Discover the Voice Trait

2010-04-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

This post is the third of a seven part Wondering Wednesday series. "What is the best way to teach the Voice Trait?" Whenever I get an email from my friend Mindi, I can almost hear her reading the words aloud to me. She accomplishes something that many people find incredibly difficult...When the smiley face icons and the non-verbal communication are stripped away, it’s easy to lose the

Worry Might Be Wasteful, But Action is Not

2010-04-18T20:44:00.001-07:00

Let it go. If it is a situation that you have no control over, it's not worth the worry. Just be sure that you don't underestimate how much influence you have on this world. It only takes one person...What do you believe in? I hope you'll dance with me in support of Senate Resolution 478. You can click HERE to show your support of the National Whole Child Resolution.

Monday Morning Motivation: Your Greatest Power

2010-04-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

Lately I’ve talked to a lot of worried teachers and they're all asking themselves the same question: Will I become one (of thousands) who’ll get a pink slip before the school year ends?It might happen to you. Then again, it might not. The bad news is this...I can promise you, with 100% certainty, that bad things are going to happen in your life. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can know

Fun Find Friday! (Best EVER)

2010-04-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

Normally I save Fun Find Friday for the Facebook page, but this is just too good NOT to share. (By the way, I hope that you'll consider joining us over at the Write Brained Learning facebook page. It's a fun and different forum for sharing ideas. It's also a helpful place for me to gather feedback input for future blog posts. On Fun Find Friday, I share something spectacular that I've come

Wondering Wednesday: The Organization Trait

2010-04-07T17:03:00.001-07:00

I'm happy to report that I survived the Slice of Life Writing Challenge over at Two Writing Teachers. It was an amazing experience, one that I will fully reflect on soon. But for now, it's time to return to the regular programming with a new Wondering Wednesday. I'm going to pick up right where we left off:Do you introduce the traits together or individually?If you watched the first Idea Trait

Can You Bend Without Breaking? (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-04-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

During a famous TV interview in 1981, Barbara Walters asked Katherine Hepburn a question that will be forever remembered: "If you were a tree, what kind would you be?" Hepburn answered oak, because “they have great strength.” With that as our foundation today, I have a similar question for you. When you find yourself in a disagreement with someone in your life, do you typically react as an oak

Is it Time to Make a Change?

2010-03-31T11:18:00.000-07:00

Considering that you spend more waking hours with your teaching colleagues than you do your husband, or wife, or children, it's crucial that relationships with our teaching family are built on mutual trust and respect. If your colleagues always agree with you and never stretch your thinking...If your colleagues value competition over collaboration...If your colleagues never ask questions because

My 10 Favorite Words

2010-03-29T22:06:00.000-07:00

As a kid, I always wanted to start a collection. My brother collected baseball cards. My neighbor collected stamps. I started many collections-rocks, buttons, postcards-but lacked the passion necessary to maintain such a collection.Years later, I realized that I was already a collector. I had a treasured collection that I was passionate about...words. Last week I worked with a group of teacher

Can You Hear It?

2010-03-28T19:21:00.001-07:00

At the end of class, each student teacher was asked to reach out to their most challenging student, in terms of classroom management. One young man shared his plan to invite the student to have lunch together. At our next class, he reported back."He said no," the teacher shared, clearly disappointed that the student wasn't interested in lunching with him. But I bet if the little boy's heart

Letters I Never Sent (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-03-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Today I’m dreaming of sunshine and slides. I'm wishing for spring days at the park, instead of the foot of snow that is sitting on my back deck. Last week I bought a kite for the girls. As I was searching for the perfect first kite, the words of Erma Bombeck rang in my ears.Children Are Like KitesYou spend years trying to get them off the ground.You run with them until you are both breathless.

Herding Cats, I mean, First Graders

2010-03-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today is officially the first day of spring, although it's hard to see the budding grass beneath the four inches of snow. Yesterday we were outside without even a coat. Today, well...Missouri weather adds a much needed element of surprise to my life.Nonetheless, today is the end of winter and I welcome spring with open arms. Several years ago, a student teacher shared a story with me on the first

Time for a Winner!

2010-03-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

First, thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway! I appreciate you all so much and wish that I could send a special prize to each of you! Now, time to announce the winner...arowson! Please contact me (karren_colbert@comcast.net) with your mailing address. I know that both your preschool class and your 6 year old will love it! Also, an extra special thanks to Acumen Associates for

An Ounce of Prevention

2010-03-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

Today my husband was gone before the girls woke up. He won’t be home until long after books are read, prayers are said, and two little angels are sleeping soundly. It makes for a long day, but being married to a policeman is like this. While most of my mornings start with a relentless search for the right outfit or necklace, I'm jealous that he gets to throw on a uniform and be out the door.

Even Hemingway Needed a Little Inspiration

2010-03-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

This post is part of the Slice of Life Story Challenge. "Wondering Wednesdays" will resume in April, but you're still welcome to submit your questions to karren_colbert@comcast.net. Tonight’s personal challenge: Spend the next twenty minutes drafting without hitting the backspace button. Spend the following fifteen minutes revising. Ready, Set, Write…I’ve been thinking a lot about the writing

Living Like a Writer

2010-03-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

I’ve been participating in the Slice of Life Writing Challenge hosted by the Two Writing Teachers. The challenge…write every day during the month of March. I seriously dare you to check it out and not get pulled into all the great blogs you’ll discover. I’m learning so much about writing and myself through this challenge. For instance,1) I am an obsessive revisor. (My spell check is telling me

Monday Morning Motivation: Encouragement...

2010-03-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

Pass it on this Monday morning.

What Makes a Great Teacher?

2010-03-09T21:39:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading "Building a Better Teacher" and I have to say, I feel worried. I’m worried that people in the business of teaching teachers claim that successful teaching depends partially on an innate ability. The un-teachable teacher…is that not the ultimate oxymoron?I’ll agree that some people seem to possess natural talent for teaching, but I think that’s true of most professions.

Do Fish Have Feelings Too? Finding Stories in Questions

2010-03-09T18:22:00.001-08:00

"Mommy, is that fish grumpy?" asked Natalie during our visit to the nature center."I don't know. Do you think the fish is grumpy?""Well, it looks grumpy. Why isn't it smiling?"As I contemplated a response, I was thinking as both a mommy and a writer. Do fish have emotions? What would make a fish feel grumpy? Or happy. Or frustrated. There were so many possible stories in the answer to her

Monday Morning Motivation: Taking Out the (Head) Trash

2010-03-07T22:22:00.000-08:00

I'm not what I think I am and I'm not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am." ~George H. MeadeWho do you think you are? More importantly, who do you want to be and what barriers are preventing you from being that person? My friend, Allison, refers to these invisible barriers as head trash. We all carry around doubt or fear that prevents us from moving in the direction of our

Howdy

2010-03-06T22:36:00.000-08:00

Yee-haw! These will be the first words I hear tomorrow morning. By the time Natalie comes to our bed, she's wearing her cowGIRL boots, repurposed galoshes that have been the shoes of choice for the last week or so. She insists that we call her Jessie, you know, the cowgirl from Toy Story.She'll join the three of us already in bed. (Don't tell Grandma that Emmy still ends up in our bed every

Time for a Giveaway!

2010-03-06T20:47:00.000-08:00

Erudition:extensive knowledge acquired chiefly from books: profound, recondite, or bookish learning(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)It's been a long, cold winter in Missouri and I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little case of the winter blues. Since the best way to cheer yourself up is to do something nice for someone else, I've decided it's time for a giveaway!The folks at Acumen

Needles, Biting Frogs, and Dryers, Oh My!

2010-03-06T18:52:00.000-08:00

I'm probably the only thirty-something year old woman who has never had her ears pierced. EVER. The problem is that I'm terrified of needles. My brothers and I have a genetic predisposition to fainting whenever we come into contact with one. (Thank you, Dad.) I've tried REALLY hard not to pass this phobia along to my daughters, but I didn't get off to the best start. When Natalie was a

A Mile in Their Shoes (Slice of Life Story Challenge)

2010-03-04T22:49:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time, I vowed that my kids would never eat in the car. That was before I had kids. Genetically speaking, you would expect the offspring of a cop and a teacher, two professions who shovel meals down their throat, to be efficient eaters. However, each meal at our house is approximately one hour long. (I think it must be along the same lines as the math rule of a negative times a

A Vocabulary Lesson with a Three Year Old (Slice of Life Story Challenge)

2010-03-04T09:44:00.000-08:00

Natalie and I were riding in the car and although the radio was on, only one of us was paying much attention to it.Natalie: Why does that song say "poke her face?"Me: Honey, it's not saying "poke her face" it's talking about a card game that grown-ups play called poker.Natalie: That still doesn't sound like a very good choice.

Slice of Life: On Today's To-Do List...

2010-03-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

is a trip to the car wash. If you don't have kids, you're probably thinking "big deal," but to me, it's a big deal. A trip to the car wash requires well-organized strategery (Thank you, George W. for adding that word to my vocabulary.) and a little bit of luck. First, the weather has to be just right.Sunny + Warm Enough - Future Precipitation = Perfect Car Washing WeatherIn Missouri, I think

Wondering Wednesday: Introducing Ideas

2010-03-03T04:57:00.001-08:00

You know how it's awkward listening to yourself on the answering maching? Your voice never quite sounds like you want it to. It never quite sounds like the real you. Well, I'm trying something new today and while I'm excited, I've discovered that watching yourself on video is 100 times more painful that listening to your voice on the answering machine. I have no problem getting up in front of

A Slice of State Testing Life

2010-03-01T22:02:00.000-08:00

A true story about our state assessment...Several years ago there was a math problem where students had to imagine they were on a car trip that would take xxx minutes and xxx miles. Students had to show two different ways to share the front seat with their imaginary sibilings. I can't recall the exact wording, but the gist of them problem was assessing students to see if they could divide the

Happy Endings (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-03-01T04:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a little confession... if I'm really into a book, I sneak a peek at the ending before I get too invested in the outcome. Knowing what happens in the end, good or bad, allows me enjoy the journey. One thing that's hard about teaching is that we rarely get to see how the story ends. The time we spend with the little people who share our classrooms (and hearts) is just one small chapter of

Won't You Join Me...

2010-02-26T05:44:00.000-08:00

on facebook:on Twitter: (I finally did it!)at Two Writing Teachers:I'm excited to participate in the month-long writing challenge at Two Writing Teachers. Write and share a story about your day, every day, during the month of March. Writing makes us better writing teachers and it's good for our souls. Find more details here.

Assessing Writers: Learning from Mark Overmeyer (Wondering Wednesday)

2010-02-24T04:02:00.000-08:00

"Assessment must encompass so much more than grading."~Mark OvermeyerCan you suggest a writing rubric or scoring guide to assess writers?I used to think that rubrics were a good alternative to grading young writers. I've since come to believe that developing a common language about writing is much more important than a scoring guide. Rather than explain, I'd like to share a post that Mark

A Smile in my Pocket (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-02-21T22:05:00.000-08:00

"What is in your pocket?" I asked Natalie. She had recently discovered the joy of storing small trinkets in her pockets. (I discovered her new habit after a tube of melted Chapstick wrecked havoc on a load of laundry.)"I only have a smile in my pocket," she replied with a smile. I couldn't help but smile myself. Sometimes little people have the biggest ideas.I'm mean, why shouldn't I keep a

Rethinking Grades and Effort (Wondering Wednesday)

2010-02-16T21:01:00.001-08:00

Should effort be a part of a student's grade?Earlier this week I attempted to answer this question with a brief response. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that such a big question was deserving of a big response, so here's my long answer. I think effort is important, REALLY important. The reason that I had such a hard time answering this question is that I really, REALLY think

Does Effort Matter? (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-02-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

"Should effort be a part of a student's grade?"I've been following conversation around this question at Classroom 2.0. My short answer is yes and here's why:1. Thomas Edison 2. Walt Disney 3. Abraham LincolnWhat do these three men have in common? See for yourself...Failure forces each of us to make decisions about how much we value effort. Are we willing to exert effort until we evenutally

5 Teacher Movies That Motivate

2010-02-11T19:44:00.000-08:00

Grab some popcorn, a soda, and one of these inspiring flicks to renew your educational energy:1) The Miracle Worker (This movie has been remade several times, but the Patty Duke version is my personal favorite!)2) To Sir, With Love3) Finding Forrester (Not a teacher movie in the traditional sense, but still fabulous and it stars Sean Connery, which in my book is reason enough to watch. Connery

A Double Dose of Writing Instruction: Using Interventions for your Struggling Writers

2010-02-09T18:23:00.000-08:00

I teach third grade and my students have a such wide variety of needs. I use the process writing approach, but I don't look forward to writing time. Where do I start? It takes time for students to develop into proficient writers. One thing that complicates writing instruction is that there are prequesite skills that are required if students are to master more complex aspects of writing. For

Dreaming Big (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-02-08T05:31:00.000-08:00

Just checking in to see how those new habits are coming along. I regretfully report that I'm not doing well with my new habit of keeping a gratitude journal. I'm certainly more mindful of the blessings in my life, even if I'm not yet in the habit of documenting them. Sometimes when we are working to develop a habit, it's helpful to establish goals. Being the data-loving geek that I am, I'm a

Don't Work Harder Than the Kids (Teaching Commandment 6)

2010-02-06T11:18:00.001-08:00

I put this commandment on my list and removed it--several times. I wasn't sure that I wanted to leave it for the world to see without first having a chance to explain, but in the end I decided to leave it and explain later. So let's start there...First, a disclaimer: I believe in hard work and I know that you do too, or else you wouldn't be a teacher. There is plenty more work to do than we can

Wondering Wednesday: How do I fit more writing into the day?

2010-02-03T06:12:00.000-08:00

Do you have a writing question? Would you like input from hundreds of other teachers who visit each week? You can submit your questions to karren_colbert@comcast.net.How do I fit more writing into the day? When I think about teaching writing, I first think of the writing process. However, thinking beyond the writing process helped me to see that writing is also a valuable engagement strategy in

Building Trust (Monday Morning Motivation)

2010-01-31T20:10:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like you're taking two steps forward and one step back in your relationship with a student? This video clip reminds us that building trust takes time and patience and most of all, perseverance. Here are a few of my favorite lines..."This is where a lot of people give up. This is where I get strong.""You can lose your confidence and start saying, 'What I'm doing isn't working.'

My Teaching Commandments

2010-01-28T21:03:00.000-08:00

I consider myself a pretty happy person, but am I as happy as I should be? Writer Gretchen Rubin set out to answer this question in a science fair style experiment. The end result wasn't a "Best in Fair" blue ribbon, but a bestselling book titled "The Happiness Project." Gretchen's book, as well as her blog, made me happier right away. Reading about her journey toward happiness inspired me to

Wondering Wednesday: To Friend or Not to Friend?

2010-01-27T18:35:00.001-08:00

Notice that the title doesn't say "Writing Wondering Wednesday?" Today's question isn't necessarily about writing, but it's definitely a hot topic for teachers:I don't have facebook at this point and I am beginning to ask educators how you use it. Do you "friend" parents from your classes? Or is it more for other educators? I am just trying to figure out what the boundaries are for this newer

Round Penning

2010-01-24T20:57:00.001-08:00

I've been thinking a lot about the similarities between animal trainers and teachers. Animal trainers, teachers in their own right, rely heavily on body language and other non-verbal cues to communicate with their students and we can learn a great deal from them. As I watched the following video clip of horse training expert Jay O' Jay, I thought about the parallels between Jay's first

Slice of Life: Think Small

2010-01-24T13:26:00.000-08:00

This week's Slice of Life was inspired by the writing of Whitney Terrill, author of The Huntsman and The Kings of Kings County. Last week I used his work as a mentor text during a teacher workshop. We borrowed his theme of "Thinking Small" as a big idea for our writing. It's easy to get lost in the big things. When I think about the earthquake aftermath in Haiti, a war that seems

Fun Find Friday!

2010-01-21T21:28:00.000-08:00

Write Brained LearningPromote Your Page TooIt's Fun Find Friday at The Write Brained Learning Facebook page! Are you already Facebook friend? (I'm not a fan of the word fan.) If you haven't stopped by yet, come and join us! I hope to meet you there!Karren

Writing Wonderings Wednesday: How do I fit more writing into the day? (Part 3)

2010-01-20T11:17:00.000-08:00

“Grammar is something to be explored, not just edited."~Jeff Anderson, author of Everyday Editing There are two schools of thought on the best way to teach a person to swim. Some believe that if you toss someone into the water, human instinct will take over. Others have a less-threatening approach that involves gradual skill development. Either way, you can't learn to swim without being in the

Slice of Life: My Wish

2010-01-18T19:52:00.000-08:00

My wish for you Is that this world becomes all that you want it to.Your dreams stay big, Your worries stay small, You never have to carry more than you can hold. ~"My Wish" (Rascal Flatts)Dear Natalie, On the morning after your third birthday, you woke up and asked if you were four yet. That is just like you, such a grown-up spirit. The years are already going fast enough, so let's not wish them

A Servant's Heart: Monday Morning Motivation

2010-01-18T07:57:00.000-08:00

"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." ~Martin Luther King,JrBecause no matter the grade level or subject you teach, you do so with a servant's heart.

All Over the World

2010-01-14T21:27:00.001-08:00

Whoever you are,Wherever you are,There are little ones just like you,All over the world.~Mem Fox, Whoever You AreMy heart is breaking for the people of Haiti. Two things that blogging has taught me: 1) The world isn't nearly as big as it seems 2) Our similarities are far greater than our differences. The missing people of Haiti are just like you and me. They are mothers and brothers, sons and

Writing Wonderings Wednesday: How do I fit more writing into the day? (Part 2)

2010-01-13T18:13:00.001-08:00

By far, this is the number one concern of teachers that I visit with. This post isn't necessarily about fitting more writing into your day, rather it is about maximizing your writing time to provide deeper, more meaningful instruction. As I mentioned last week, developing a common language for how we talk about writing is critical. A common vocabulary demystifies what good writing looks like and