The Literacy Super Bowl #NCTE15

My 3 sons...on the field with Odell Beckham.

Imagine having field passes to the Super Bowl.  Let's imagine (really imagine, based on the Giants season thus far), getting to be front and center to watch Eli, Odell  and the rest of the NY Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 2016.  I mean, what would be better than that? As a mom to three boys, I get the football craze.  I live it.  I also know the intensity of fantasy football leagues.  Well, fantasy becomes reality for learners this week, thanks to the annual National Council Teachers of English, #NCTE15.

Luckily, it happens every year. Like the Super Bowl, parties are planned, tickets are purchased,flights are arranged, hotels are booked and on and on.  Last year, I wrote about NCTE as THE Literacy Super Bowl and you know what? It never gets old.  Once again educators, lead learners,  readers, writers and mentor educators will come together for this event.  #NCTE15 is the best ticket around.   I can't actually speak to being at the Super Bowl.  But I can imagine the feeling. People are literally jumping and cheering with enthusiasm.  There are smiles as far as the eye can see.

I have to be honest, even if I went to the Super Bowl, I probably wouldn't know Odell Beckham if he passed me in the hallway.   But at the Literacy Super Bowl, passing the GIANTS of education and literacy idols at every corner, I could probably pick out authors from across a crowded room.  In fact, speaking of picks... the lineup for NCTE  is ridiculous.  You may pass Penny, Kelly, Kylene, Donalyn, Lester, even Kwame, names bigger than Madonna and as recognizable as Odell's.  Crazy fan girl moments.  The Literacy Super Bowl is electrifying. No big half time show required.  

You get to meet friends from your professional learning network in real life!   Hallway conversations, nerdy meet ups, title talks, book love, scanning name tags for Twitter handles, avatars and.. aha moments. Connections are made - old and new! The exhibit hall visits?  Talk about your nerdy swag.  It is almost hard to put into words.  Rock star authors signing books, getting ARCS... did I mention the ARCs (advanced reader copies)? It's like getting to know the final score and winning every Super Bowl pool.    

"A key to growing as a teacher is to keep company mainly with teachers who uplift you, whose presence inspire you and whose dedication drives you."- Robert John Meehan

The learning, oh, the learning. Learning from dawn til dusk... and beyond!  Teachers pack power bars for energy.  There's no stopping to eat for fear of missing a session. That would be like going to grab a hot dog on a 4th and goal with 20 seconds left in the game when the score is tied.  Who would do that?  And who would want to skip a session at the Literacy Super Bowl?Strategic planning, plotting play by play which sessions to attend. It is amazing to see so many passionate educators all in one place, collaborating to share their craft and their love for teaching and learning.    No need for QBs when everywhere you look there are CIOs (Chief Inspiration Officers). 

There are some downsides too.  There are cloning issues.  How can one be on the sidelines for every play? Have no fear.  At the Literacy Super Bowl, we even have our very own ESPN Red Zone: Twitter.  At home, I used to watch in disbelief as my boys bounced from game to game via the Red Zone.  But I get it now!  Twitter can provide instant replays.  You don't have to worry about missing anything.  Twitter feed and friends help you keep up with sessions happening simultaneously. Thankfully, there is limited #FOMO (fear of missing out).  Friends like, Franki Sibberson, Katherine Sokolowski and Kristin Ziemke will be sure to have their Tweet Decks locked and loaded.  I think they could beat Howie Long, Ronde Barber, and Erin Andrews any day.  I bet Kristin could give Terry Bradshaw a run for his money.  Actually, I'd be psyched to see Kristin and Michael Strahan as NCTE commentators too.  Just sayin'.  

#NCTE15  Let the games begin!

Can you feel the excitement?   

Chief Inspiration Officer - My Ed Collab Post

An Invitation to Notice and Inspire

What’s the first job you ever remember having? Think back... When you were in elementary school, what jobs did you get? Message carrier? Trash collector? Line leader? If you were like me, you might remember the thrill of getting picked for the coveted job of class librarian.  I remember another favorite was attendance runner.  Yes, back in the day, we had to race to the nurse to hand deliver the attendance.  Now fast forward to student-centered classrooms where all students have more of a voice and choice.

Which brings to mind a new job title called, CIO. Yes, CIO.  Not a CIO, Chief Information Officer, not even a CEO, but a CIO…Chief Inspiration Officer. That’s right, Chief Inspiration Officer. The CIO’s job is to motivate the learners in the classroom. The Chief Inspiration Officer is one who also gets to choose the wondrous words and quote of the day. Chief Inspiration  Officer, now that’s a job title that requires kind words and provides smiles.  

The CIO was a job title created in Mrs. Sokolowski’s class, a colleague and friend who teaches in Farmingdale, Long Island. You can follow Kathleen at @MrsSokolowski or through her awesome blogging for Two Writing Teachers.

How eduawesome is that? For the past few years thanks to the inspiration from a  glittery reading teacher colleage, Robin Willix and mentor authors like, RJ Palacio, I have been sharing the idea of using glitter boards for writing and celebrating inspirational quotes.  However, it was usually the teachers selecting the quotes.  This year, after reflecting on our practice and collaborating with teachers like Kathleen and other edufriends, it has become an important aspect of student voice and choice.  Inspired by Kathleen’s class and PDLove titles like, Paul Solarz’ Learn Like a Pirate (on empowering all students to lead, collaborate and succeed) Chief Inspiration Officer became a job for the students.   The job speaks to the importance of strong learning communities who take the time to be notice the awesome in life and in learning together.  We learn from our students, for our students and with our students every day. We all learn when we collaborate to share and grow ideas.  

In our professional learning communities we need Chief Inspiration Officers too.  I’m grateful to work as a coach who gets to work and learn alongside teachers and students as we adopt and adapt ideas.   When there is ownership of the learning and collaboration, magic happens.   We lift each other up.  Isn’t that what inspires us all? The best part of our job is that not only do we share the learning community, but we also share ideas. Sometimes it isn’t a motivational quote but a great idea that inspires us.   In our learning communities, we come together to be active participants in our own learning.  Learners have choices.  What better way to teach about responsibility than to invite students to be part of motivating others.  The opportunity to inspire and mentor always involves communication and is relationship based.  And mentors come in all shapes, sizes and ages.  Anyone can be a mentor and anyone can inspire.  

It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. –Ann Landers

Where do find your Chief Inspiration Officers?

An invitation to notice and I.N.S.P.I.R.E.

Invest in relationships, time and energy and inspirational picture books of course!

                           

“What will your beautiful hands do today?”         Friends come in all shapes & sizes.

Nourish the mind and the body.  Try Bagels & Books, Lunch and Learns or host treats and tweets, appy hour.  Take the time to attend an EdCamp (or nErdCamp),  join a study group, or a virtual think tank like The Ed Collab Study Series.  Recreate your own personalized PD opportunities.   

Share quotes use #glitterboards like those found in the 365 Days of Wonder.

The Daily Wonder App

Check out Random House's Daily Wonder of the Day App.

Participate in  book clubs or read for yourself and for your students.

Some favorite inspiring #PDLove titles:

• Mindset for Learning - Christine Hertz & Kristi Mraz

• Learning from Classmates: Using Student Writing

• Teach Like a PIRATE- Dave Burgess

• Learn Like a Pirate: Empower Your Students to Collaborate, Lead and Succeed- Paul Solarz

• Teaching with Intention- Debbie Miller

Participate in Twitter chats. Edufriends take the time to write, reflect and share ideas.  All. The. Time.

Invite others in your room.  When we open the doors to watch each other teach…

Record #LiteracySnapshots that celebrate teaching and learning, share ideas and watch the ripple effect.  

Explore videos and resources from Values.com like Optimism...Pass it On: 

 http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/99-The-Greatest

Or  take a lesson from Chief Inspiration Officer, Kid President, Robby Novak.

Be the reason someone smiles and learns a little more each day.

Proud to be #NerdyOnLI

Thanks to Kristin Bond from A Bond With Confections for our nerdy cake!

How can you beat a Saturday with passionate educators, rock star authors and illustrators all connecting as kid lit advocates?  Yes, there was even a cake. But we had sweet treats all day long.  

We are nerdy on Long Island.

Whether you were an EdCamp veteran or a newbie, didn't matter.  What mattered was the sharing, learning and collaborating that was done by all.  Inspired by the EdCamp movement and the #nerdybookclub (EdCamp + Nerdybookclub = nErDcamp), we wanted to bring that opportunity here to edufriends that are Nerdy On LI. We had Tri State nerds and even some special guests from Maine and Massachusetts!  Colby Sharp's #nErDcampMI (the original nErDcamp) has inspired nerd camps to pop up all over the place.  How fantastic is that?  EdCamps with a literacy twist.  Enter authors, illustrators and edufriends on "NerdVember 7th" at the Willets Road Middle School.  (Thanks to the East Williston School District for hosting.)

#nErDcampLI was/is all about the kids.  Each and every session went back to the relationships we have with our students, ideas to grow those relationships, build connections and create life long learners.  As we've heard before,  "The love of reading is caught not taught" and at #nErDcampLI it was an epidemic. We were extremely lucky to have amazing authors and illustrators join us, share their craft, and share their love for books and kids.  Check out our guest list here. Thrilled by the individuals that attended and those that supported along the way, it was a day that will not be forgotten.  

If you are nerdy like me, the day could almost bring you to tears.  Happy tears, of course, but tears.Teachers learning from teachers.  Authentic PD.  A great day of meeting authors, (fan girl moments), and the books!  Glorious book talks, hallway conversations, autographs for students, did I say fan girl moments? One comment, from my friend and colleague, Chris Lehman, said it all. "I feel so moved by this experience. So many inspired to share and learn." I agree.  It was a nerdy dream come true. And most importantly, it was a day filled with love.  Love for our profession, love for each other, love for our kids, and it doesn't get any sweeter than that!

True Love: 1g teacher Diane Harris spending the day learning with her son, assistant principal, Derek Harris.

http://nerdcampli.weebly.com/ 

Here are the links to sessions and a storify which captured some of the love.

https://storify.com/McCarthyJoEllen/nerdcampli

Thanks to all for making the day happen.  Truly grateful for all.

#B2SWonder W.O.N.D.E.R.

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”   -Socrates

It's the most wonderful time of the year.... Schools are opening, students and teachers are wondering and getting ready for a new year of learning. All learners need to be part of safe places to experiment, make mistakes, try new things and wonder about the world around us. We must all make our learning lives public and contagious. There is no end to what we can learn and no end to wondering.

As a coach/consultant, I spend my days teaching and learning with other educators and students. A huge part of our collaborative conversations go back to the best ways to support students’ choices and voices in their own learning communities. There are many possibilities that all begin with a wonder of the day. Wonderopolis provides the initial wonderings and we collaborate to find wonders to pair with other texts: poetry, nonfiction and more. We talk, read and write across texts to grow ideas. With these wonderful possibilities, we can question more, read more and write more. So as you are planning for back to school what better way to start the year then to celebrate with wonders and paired texts that strengthen our community and touch the hearts and minds of all learners!

Looking for a  #B2SWonder? Check out this list of wonders and paired texts that supports W.O.N.D.E.R.

W-Wonder, investigate and celebrate ideas

O- Open the world of possibilities

N-Navigate new worlds through the wonderful world of books

D-Decide to make a difference

E-Explore student voices and choices

R-Reflect on the power of words

Wonder, investigate and celebrate ideas

Wonder of the Day Are you a good observer ?

Wild Ideas: Let Nature Inspire Your Thinking

What do your students wonder about? What investigations would they like to make this year?  How can we model and lead curious lives?

O- Open the world of possibilities

Wonder of the Day Are You Talented?

   

The OK Book- Amy Krouse Rosenthal

What are your strengths?  What would you like to learn more about?  What are your goals for the new year?

N-Navigate new worlds through the wonderful worlds of books

Wonder of the Day Are you a Bookworm?

How to Read a Story by Kate Messner

Reading can take you places.  Imagine the possibilities. What authors do you love? What do you want to read this year?

D-Decide to make a difference  

Wonder of the Day: How Can You Make Someone’s Day?

           
            

Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome

Looking for wonderful ways to support your community of learners?

Kid President knows how to make the world a little more awesome. His book and videos are great ways to reflect on how we can be “a difference maker and a day maker?”  How can we #Choosekind every day?

E-Explore student voices and choices

Wonder of the Day: How Do You Have a Voice?

Ralph Tells a Story by Abby Hanlon

How can we get to know our students as readers and writers?

How can we get our students to share their voices and tell their stories?

Bonus wonder and pairing:

Wonder of the Day: How Does Your School Use Technology?

Goodnight iPad- Ann Droyd

What tools do we have access to?  What digital tools do we want to learn about and use more? How can we navigate and use new tech tools to enrich our  learning? How can we use tools that empower our students?

  R-Reflect on the power of words

Wonder of the Day: Do you like to play with words? 

The Word Collector – Sonja Wimmer

Words can inspire.  How can reflect, collect and celebrate the power of words?

And a favorite #B2SWonder:  
Wonder of the Day: What Inspires You? 

              

365 Days of Wonder RJ Palaccio

Love using #glitterboards (photo frames with glitter as instant dry erase boards) to celebrate wonder-ful words and inspirational quotes.

Kindness can spread like glitter and w.o.n.d.e.r. can be contagious.  Happy new year of wondering!

#PB10for10

If you love picture books, then check out the hashtag: #PB10for10.  Thanks to @CathyMere and @MandyRobek for hosting this exciting event where nerdy friends share top 10 list of their "must-have" picture books.   

This year, I have decided to connect titles that support launching a year of reading, writing and thinking.  Happy Reading!

Bernard Waber with Suzy Lee Ask Me

Ask Me is a simple picture book that celebrates student voice.  I love this book for so many reasons.  "What do you like?  What else do you like?"  The conversation continues between a father and his daughter, but serves as a wonderful mentor text to get to know students in the beginning of the year. 

Let's Paint by Alborozo

This is a favorite picture book in my #growthmindset collection. Celebrate the possibilities.  What better way to start the year then to talk about learning being messy. Let's Paint, allows readers, writers and thinkers to take risks and celebrate the joy of learning, growing and having fun.  

If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson

Author and illustrator, Kadir Nelson, never disappoints.  This is a "must-have" to reflect on with all ages.  Younger students will appreciate the illustrations and the message about choosing kind.  Older students can discuss the impact of our actions and non actions.  If we plant seeds of kindness, the ripples are endless.  

Wild Ideas: Let Nature Inspire Your Thinking - Kelsey

This book is a perfect example of literature that helps foster investigations.   This gorgeous new picture book is a favorite read aloud that celebrates wonder.  We can celebrate curious minds and also helps set the tone for a year of "wonder-ful" investigations.  Here's a recent  padlet to further celebrate the joy and wonder of nonfiction... #NFJoy!

My Pen by Christopher Myers

"All you need is your imagination. There are a million pens in the world and each one has a million worlds inside it.  Let those worlds inside your pen out!" 

That is exactly why- this is a must-have to kick off writing workshop.  What a great way to launch a year of writing possibilities.
  

Inside this Book (are three books) by Barney Saltzberg 

Another book to explore writing possibilities.  This book is a great introduction to writing workshop or our primary authors.  What I love about this mentor text is that it celebrates student voice and choice.  We can write about our everyday life.  We can writer about our observations of the world.  We can write poetry (anytime of year) and we can make our writing exactly what we want it to be... and then share it with the world.  The last page says, "Because books are better when they are shared."  

Check out the author reading from this book trailer.  

Rufus the Writer by Elizabeth Bram

Yes, that is story stand.  Who needs  a lemonade stand when you can read and write stories instead?  Yes... that is exactly what Rufus does.  Celebrate reading, writing and community all in one.  Rufus had me at hello.  

Have I Got a Book for You - by Melanie Watt

This is not a new title, but it fits the category for my #pb10for10 theme.  Getting to know our students as readers and knowing how to help "sell" books and match books to our readers, is one of our most important jobs as reading advisers (nod to Teri Lesesne).  The narrator is a "salesman" who can help facilitate the conversation around finding good fit books, book reviews, book talks or just support all around book love.  

How to Read a Story by Kate Messner

Honestly, Kate Messner is a genius!  I am so in love with this book.  If you haven't already seen this gem, you must run to your local indie book store today.  I would say hit the library, but there is no way that this book will remain on any library shelf.  This is the book that every teacher must own.  Sorry... but not really.  I love the way that this book demonstrates the process of reading.  From finding a comfy spot, to finding a buddy, finding the right book, reading and starting all over again.  Share this book and help your students fall in love with reading.  

I am Yoga--- comes out September 8th 

Finally... reading, writing, and thinking... involves the heart, mind and body... so number 10 is a soon to be released title by Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds ( an original #heartprintbook author).
This book is  a wonderful addition to a list of launching must-haves.  This latest title, like most of Peter Reynolds' books, touches the heart and minds of its readers. The author's note includes a NF twist- defining yoga poses and listing the benefits of yoga.   Students can benefit from the study of yoga or the ideas and journey through a range of  emotions and situations, using playful imagination, being creative and calming the mind and body.