Superpowers

Thank you to Patrick Klocek, Jennifer DeHayes & the learning community at Farmingdale"s  @WWP_Dalers for sharing this literacy snapshot. 

Learning is your own personal journey, but you don't have to do it alone. 

For me, books are my co-teachers, mentors and a source of #BookLove. Lucky for me I always have a sidekick to rely on.  

Check out Deb Pilutti's book and see what your favorite superhero rules to follow are.  I have chosen to highlight following:

• Every superhero has at least one superpower.That's what makes him super!
• Superheroes must rest so that they can recharge...
• Every superhero needs a sidekick. 

If I had a superpower, my superpower would be the strength in learning from and with others.  That is why I am so grateful for my PLN.  I have sidekicks to learn from and with every day.  When we collaborate we grow our ideas, support one another and get better for our students.  I think that is the real superpower.  

Kindness...Pass it on.

NerdybookClub friends know that there are many "must-have" picture books and mentor texts to help teach our students. I like to call these books co-teachers. We search high and low to find best book lists, and these co-teachers give us the vision and models to help with our work.  We search for texts that support reading strategies, craft lessons, word study, and thank you, Jeff Anderson, even texts for teaching the craft of grammar. You name it. We search for the titles that help our students as readers, writers and thinkers. Then there are those "must-haves" that help us support all of the above. 

When we get really lucky, we find a mentor author whose books we buy sight unseen, because  we know their books will touch the minds, the hearts and the hands of its readers.  Trudy Ludwig is one of those authors. An expert in the field of character education, Trudy is a mentor author, children's advocate, parent partner and a gift to all learners. 

                                              

Character Matters: powerful picture books by Trudy Ludwig 

                      

Trudy Ludwig addressing the Oceanside School PTA 

Edufriends know that I try and spread #PDLOVE whenever possible. There is definitely #pdlove for Trudy. But Trudy spreads kindness.  Trudy has said and done so many wonderful things.  Her books help teach our children about character education.  She shares resources, tech tools, research and suggestions to help our children and families when dealing with the reality of bullying issues.  Almost all of these are available on her website: www.TrudyLudwig.com.  

What she spreads is a message that needs to be passed on. 

                                "Let kindness go viral." Trudy Ludwig        

         

                                Thank you Robin Willix for this wonderful glitter board. 

      "Parents (and teachers) need to be social and emotional coaches.  

       Build resiliency." Trudy Ludwig

Trudy at a school visit in Thoreau Elementary in Kirkland, WA: 

 "These are stairs that kids in schools everywhere, as well as adults need to be climbing." 

                

 "Empathy can be taught and books are wonderful tools to do so." Trudy Ludwig

 

Spread kindness teach, love, learn, and listen to our children.  

Kindness...pass it on! 

Nonfiction Picture Book Wed #NFKidlit

Thanks to @Alybee930 for always sharing great #NFKidLit and for the invitation to spread a little Nonfiction #BookLove 

If you like using picture books to teach social studies, then you may already be familiar with Kay Winters work.  Kay Winters has over 19 books published. Included among my favorites are: This School Year Will Be the Best, My Teacher for President and Abe Lincoln, The Boy Who Loved Words- her first historical picture book. I'm so glad Kay Winters decided to "explore" that genre. Her unique book, Colonial Voices is one of my all time favorites. I thought it was a first in that format. See what a little #nerdy research will teach you.  I just learned that was her second in the "series" and Oregon Trail is now her third!  

Kay Winters' first in the "Voices" series was, Voices of Ancient Egypt, published in 2003. Voices is a picture book with unique collection of poems and portraits that give life to ancient civilization. Middle school educators are always on the look out for picture books to connect this time period.  

I completely missed that one.  It is now on my TBR and probably TBP (to be purchased list). Kay Winters wrote Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak which explores one important day of our American Revolution: Dec 16th, 1773. This mentor text is not only great for teaching about the infamous Boston Tea Party, but helps illustrate point of view, voice, and layering texts. It was published in 2008. 

The opportunity to reflect on the multiple perspectives over the course of one day is a wonderful use of Winters' books. Continuing to contribute to picture books for American History, Kay Winters now gives readers and "wonderers" Voices from the Oregon Trail.  The latest in the Voices "series" explores the great Western Migration during 1848 through poetry, images, and voices from the travelers of the Oregon Trail.  This book "breathes live into the story of the Oregon Trail and the many immigrants who traveled there."  

I loved the historical notes written in a Q and A format.  The author's notes revealed how the author and her husband traveled for 18 days visited trails, museums and even participated in the Snake River Crossing Reenactment.  Further readings are also listed for learners of all ages and your explorers could take a virtual field trip.  Also I couldn't resist...here's a text that may make a great pairing from  www.wonderopolis.org: 

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-was-the-lewis-and-clark-expedition/

Check out the "Magic of Story" and back story on Kay's website: 

http://www.kaywinters.com/OregonTrail.htm

"Framily"

This is my first post for #sol and I am thrilled to participate. Thank you Two Writing Teachers for sharing this space and the invitation to join this family/community of writers. 

I was inspired to write this slice after reading Stacey's post: http://wp.me/p2eSsi-t8

Born from the heart. 

  "A teacher takes, a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart."  

Stacy's post is beautiful and touched my heart and my mind.  It is also made me think about my favorite topic: #PDLove. Part of my #picturebookitis  is seeing a text, topic, or a wonder of the day and trying to pair it with a text.  I know I have friends in this support group.  It is like family.

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Roma Downey says it best: Love is what makes a family. That got me thinking.  My PLN- is like family.  We may not look the same, we may not all have the same beliefs, but we share one thing in common: a love for learning.  That love helps to energize, sustain and nourish us in the work we do: #PDLove.

I am thankful for the teachers and lead learners in my life that help me grow ideas and touch my heart.  As my heart grows my PD family grows too. It is more like "Framily"- 

Framily- friends to whom we would actually choose to be related, because the relationship is mutually respectful, close, supporting and affectionate.  

Thankful for my PLN for spreading the love.

"Cherish your human connections- your relationships with friends and family." Barbara Bush

Wondering out loud

Inspired by tonight's #wonderchat and always energized by the interesting wonders shared by Wonderopolis I wanted to wonder aloud with you.  

Each January a new year brings new hopes, new dreams, and new expectations for what is possible.  No matter what time of year, it is important to nurture the whole community of learners. Part of that community is the belief that we all have a safe place to make mistakes, experiment, try new things and wonder about the world around us.  All learners live curious lives.  Wonderopolis gives students access to mentor texts – digital and print that support investigations and wonderings. As a staff developer, I continue to spend my days teaching and learning with others. We often try to layer students'/learners' questions and thinking with wonders of the day and paired texts as we add to units of study.  I also spend  a lot of time adapting and revising curriculum units of study.   I want the curriculum to be a vehicle for collaboration, experimentation, and most importantly to be a living, breathing document.  A dear friend and colleague, @PeteLitCoach. has remarked on the power of continued revision to a curriculum based on classroom application and reflection as "collective thinking." He has also reminded me that "our best curriculum is a curriculum that was co-authored with our students."
 
As we add in hyperlinks and digital texts, teachers often ask for THE list of books that go with each teaching point.  What are the best texts to use for ______.  Now don't get me wrong, I am like any other nerdy teacher... I live for book lists.  But I also know that those "lists" are meant to be spring boards for further investigations.  How can we find the time to reflect, create text sets, be book match makers - for student investigations, noticings, or for craft studies?    I don't have the magic bullet, but I would like to share some thoughts with you.  When we find ways to connect our students' passions, purpose and connect our reading and writing workshops with a deliberate intention, yes, we can be matchmakers.  
Yes, we want to make connections and have parallel focus in our aligned units, but what about letting our wonderings guide the way? Can't we find space for that too?  We find meaning through the sharing and growing of ideas.  Did you know that…?  Did you notice…?What do you think about..? How might this influence our students? When we invite the students into the conversation, the possibilites are endless.   

And to grow ideas...Can't we have a connected reader's notebook and a writer's notebook? Why separate the two?  How about thinking notebooks? Thinking notebooks can be a place to record our observations, wonderings about the world, our reading, our lives.  Like peanut butter and jelly, reading and writing go together and it is hard to separate the two.  Students learn to think and record their thinking on the pages of a notebook.   A natural place to reflect on the beauty of language, students can have a section for WOW words too.  Too often I hear that it has to be done only as part of "reading" units or "writing" units. Wondering about making more connections, we try to include wonders with suggested teaching points that will influence our students as readers, writers and thinkers.   

Below you will find some favorite wonders.  Maybe they will help add to this conversation as you reflect on your work with student readers and writers.  We have embedded these into some of our grade level units of study.  Hope they leave you wondering about the possibilities.  What are you wondering about? 

Are you a Bookworm #577?

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/are-you-a-bookworm/

How do Quilts tell Stories # 124?

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-quilts-tell-stories/

How Can You Become a Better Reader? Get Caught Reading! #226

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-can-you-become-a-better-reader/

 Do you belong to any club #869? (building community)

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/do-you-belong-to-any-clubs/

Can Fairy Tales be True? #926

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/can-fairy-tales-be-true/

What Fairy Tales ending would you change #221

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/fractured-fairy-tales/

How can four legs help become a better Reader #40?

             http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-can-four-legs-help-you-become-a-better-reader/

Why do they call it a tall tale #269?

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-they-call-it-a-tall-tale/

When does nonfiction become fiction #662? http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/when-does-nonfiction-become-fiction/

                    

Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder. – E.B. White

Anytime of year....#BookLove

Meghan Trainor was "All About that Bass" but I think the Beatles had it right.  I also realize looking back and looking forward it's always been all about love. 

My #OneLittleWord goes back to love. #booklove #pdlove.  

Love is all you need. 

Grateful for my PLN, I hope as we continue to grow and learn together, we can spread kindness and love, like glitter from person to person---learner to learner.  

Here's a little #BookLove of titles for setting goals, looking back and looking forward, anytime of year: 

#Nerdlution

Thanks to @mrazkristine and #Nerdy friends for providing the space and support to help us all achieve goals and hopefully create new habits too. 

This year once again friends inspire a time to reflect, re-energize and renew goals for the new year.  

With that in mind, I am going to give #Nerdlution15 a shot with some old and new ideas: They all rely on my discipline to do things on a daily basis. Here it is: the ABC's of  my #nerdlution15:

Adapt or Adpot new tech tools.  Now this may be a little surprising (hint of sarcasm), but I am not very techy.  I am a little clueless and really want to push myself to play more with tech tools this year.  I am going to experiment, reflect and report as I try to add to my tech toolbox.  May be calling on a few friends for help in this category too.


Blog  I will write daily,yes daily.  I am challenging myself to spend more energy writing and reflecting more.  I hope to blog for myself and others and will try to participate in the fabulous communities of bloggers that inspire me.  Cross your fingers, I am going to shoot for twice a week minimum. I hope to add to the SLOL, #NFPB2015, just to name a few.
I will also push myself to continue to post a quote that fuels my work and provides support for my #BookLove & #PDLove using the hashtag: #PDQD.  Hoping edufreinds will join in too.

Commit to exercising and more healthy eating habits -
I may be a fan and one who occasionally does the Jillian Michaels exercise routines..you know the kick your butt- 30 Day Shred and or Ripped in 30, but this #Nerdlution I promise to stick with it daily. Yes, daily. The #nerdlution push helps.  Wish me lots of luck with this one too.  I am also going to steal the idea from @frankisibberson regarding H20. Water, water, water.  Simple concept- yet challenging to drink a gallon a day.

I look forward to the inspiration that comes from my PLN and Twitter "framily". I wish everyone the best of luck with their own goals.

All the best in 2105.

I'm off to get a drink of water.

"A warm smile is the universal language of kindness." - Ward

Pharell’s Happy. Can you hear it?  Can you feel it?  You can’t help but want to dance a little.  It just makes you happy, right?

It might seem crazy what I’m about to say

Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break

I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space

With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way

Because I’m happy

Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof

Because I’m happy

Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth

Because I’m happy

Clap along if you know what happiness is to you

Because I’m happy

Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do….

Come on you know you want to clap along…

Giving props to Pharell, I can’t help but also reflect on the powerful, Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess.  In this energizing professional resource, a quote by Carlos Santana resonated with me:

“There is nothing more contagious on this planet than enthusiasm.  The songs become incidental, what people receive is your joy.”

In keeping with the tradition of Pharell and Burgess, I wanted to share some books that leave readers with that feeling of joy.  I hope the feeling is contagious. Like Scott Campbell's Hug Machine, I could hug each of these books and mentor authors. 
Happy Reading!

 

 

365 Days of Wonder RJ Palacio gifts us again with a “wonder”ful book of precepts.  These daily quotes from songs, famous characters and the original work of students are a celebration of kindness, hope and joy.

Spreading kindness with @WillixReads' glitter board to highlight quotes from RJ Palacio's 365 Days of Wonder
 

       

A is for Awesome- by Dallas Clayton

This is an ABC book with a special twist.  All of the “awesomeness” can be described through affirming words in this alliterative alphabet that is a MUST HAVE for all ages. 

 

 Because Amelia Smiled – by David Stein

David Stein’s book is the perfect illustration of what it means to pay it forward.  One act of kindness can change the world. 

Someday – Eileen Spinelli

Believe in the possibilities.  Expect the unexpected.  Dream- then make it a reality.

 

Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match- by Monica Brown

This is a feel good book that happens to also be a bilingual picture book.  Marisol celebrates her unique qualities and doesn’t care about what others think.   She is proud to be herself and everyone will fall in love with the mismatched Marisol. 

 

Plant a Kiss- Amy Krouse Rosenthal 

Amy Krouse Rosenthal never disappoints. Her books always put a smile on my face. In this book she pairs up with another “heartprint” author/illustrator, Peter Reynolds to show how an act of kindness can grow and grow.

Be Happy- by Monica Sheehan – This is a little text with a big heart.  Simple illustrations and inspirational text that will leave its reader happy.  Fabulous video paired with the uplifting song, New Soul by Yael Naim.* 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbpbYE_hV0s*

As my grandmother used say and sing to me, 
“When you’re smilin’ the whole world smiles with you…” Teach from the heart, spread a little joy, touch some hearts and minds…..Smile. 

What titles make you smile? #smileTweet with the hashtag #smile or share your faves in comments below. Would love to hear from you. 
Keep smiling,
@JoEllenMcCarthy

 

Thought Grenades

Thought grenades? Word wars? The power of an idea! Reflecting on Andrew Clements' Frindle got me wondering…

In our schools today, students and teachers are wrestling with the new Common Core State Standards.  The purpose of these new standards is to have children be career and college ready.  Ironically, career ready for those careers that do not yet exist. In the fictional book by Andrew Clements, “frindles” didn’t exist either.  That didn’t stop the main character, student Nick Allen, from wondering.

Andrew Clements wrote, “Wondering and thinking are not the same things.”  Of course we want our students “to think like detectives, and read like investigative reporters” as per NY commissioner John King.  However, we want them “wondering” too.  There is a beauty that is intangible in thinking about students’ ability to wonder, to question, and to act on that inquiry.  Isn’t that the premise behind all really great ideas?  A curiosity or a passion exists that is so powerful, that it causes our students to act – to want to act: to read the next book by an author, explore a theme or to further investigate an idea, to read more, to write and in turn to think more deeply.

When we provide text sets (a string of texts around a theme, concept or idea of different genres, levels, media and resources) we provide a wider lens to spark deeper thinking.  Layering texts  encourage investigations and thought grenades happen that enable us to reach our students’ diverse interests and learning styles. We can ignite their passions and allow for personalization and differentiation to meet the needs of all learners.  As facilitators of our students’ learning we need to encourage their conversations and collaborations around ideas.   Likewise, as teachers, when we talk with one another, attend conferences, book swap, connect as part of a Professional Learning Network like Twitter  (thanks Nerdy Book Club), our thinking grows and impacts our work with students.

In terms of the power of “thought grenades,” I will leave you with a “wonder-ful”  example.  There has been a gigantic explosion around the book Wonder, by R.J. Palaccio.  Teachers and students all over have reading the book Wonder.  It is also a great opportunity to create a text set around empathy:  Trudy Ludwig’s picture books My Secret Bully,Confessions of a Former Bully, Just Kidding; poetry from Baseball Snakes and Summer Squash, by Donald Graves; nonfiction short stories from Bullying & Me: School Yard Stories; videos from www.stopbullying.gov; or Bully, Patricia Polacco’s newest picture book that explores cyber bullying – to name a few.

We were given the gift of Wonder from R.J. Palacio.  Her idea was triggered as a result of an experience, followed by the encounter of the song Wonder by Natalie Merchant. A thought grenade happened.  Now, all over our country, thanks to R.J. Palacio, she has given us the “choose kind” mantra to wonder about…and hopefully act upon!  

Deep connections across texts and around ideas increase understandings. Text sets and thought grenades both speak to the power of collaboration and connected ideas.  Be connected. Stay curious. Believe. Keep wondering. 

Wonder with us. 

Join the #WonderChat happening Monday night 12/1 at 8pm EST. 

An Invitation to Notice & Wonder

'If a child is to keep his sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of one who he can share it with, rediscovering with him the sense of joy,

excitement and mystery of the world.

- Carlson.

 

I am thrilled to be hosting an upcoming #WonderChat on Monday Dec 1st at 8:00 pm EST. 

Pairing engaging, short NF texts, poetry and picture books with with wonders via www.wonderopolis.org is an absolute joy.  When we layer texts we help students think more deeply. 

 

 "Complexity isn't about words...it's about ideas."- Stephanie Harvey

 

 

We invite you to notice and wonder with us. Join us Monday to reflect on favorite Wonders and share thoughts about text sets: pairing texts of all shapes and sizes. 
 

 

Below you will find an example of  "wonder"-ful pairings and text sets around inventions.  Can't wait to wonder and learn with you.  What are your students wondering about?

 Join us for the #WonderChat Monday at 8EST.  Hope to "see" you there.

 

 

"Big Thinking in Small Packages"

Want students to write about their thinking and learning?  Try poetry. 

Donald Graves called poetry, "Big thinking in small packages."  

"Poetry is a memorable way to provide information."

 

This book of poetry explores inventions like roller coasters, Velcro, Fig Newtons and more. It helps readers look at everyday objects in a new way.

Wonderopolis # 164- What is an acrostic poem?

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-an-acrostic-poem/

 

Lives of the Scientists Experiments, Explorers (and What the Neighbors Thought)

Another "wonder-ful" text in the series by Kathleen Krull.

Still wondering?   Curiosity is all it takes.  

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be an inventor?  Can kids be inventors too?  Wonder #673

 Wonderopolis #673 Can Kids be inventors too?

 

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/can-kids-be-inventors-too/

 

10 Inventors who Changed the World 

 

Connecting ideas and reading across texts, students can think more deeply about a topic.  In 10 Inventors Who Changed the World, read to find the "life links" or chains of influence in this unique series of biographies. Great for older readers and fans of graphic novels.   

Take a look inside 10 Inventors

 http://us.macmillan.com/10inventorswhochangedtheworld/CliveGifford

 

 

 

  

Ever wonder about word origins? 

Hello? Does Thomas Edison get credit for our most popular greeting?   Check this out and explore the interesting connection of events great for link to word study lessons.  

Wonderoplis # 565 Did we always say "Hello"?

 

 http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/have-we-always-said-hello/

  

 

 An Illustrated Timeline of Inventions and Inventors

 

 Visual Literacy:

"Pictures help us see the story" 

 
Wonderopolis # 254 Wonders about picture books

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-dont-all-books-have-pictures/

 

 

 

"By Kids for Kids"  

 

Don Wulffson provides a variety of short engaging well crafted pieces students LOVE.  Discover lots of fun facts about the history behind Popsicles, Post its, and even perfume.

 

Did you ever wonder about the ice cream man? How about the first ice cream truck?

Want to learn more? Great collection of mentor texts for writing in this collection too.

 Wonderopolis #664- A sweet wonder about ice cream

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/who-was-the-first-ice-cream-man/

 

 How about the history of deodorant? How about how post its came to be?   Wulffson addresses these wonders and more in his collection of short texts.   

Have you ever wondered why  some people's feet stink?  Well Wonderopolis explains it all here:

 

A "stinky" wonder of the day.

 http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-your-feet-stink/

 

 

Imaginative Inventions

 

 

 

 Great text to connect to all above as many of the same inventions and inventors are found here in this fun text written in verse.

Wondering about how things work or how things came to be?  How about roller skates or chewing gum?  
Wondering about roller skates?

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-roller-skates-work/

What child doesn't wonder about bubble gum?

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/chewing-gum-101/
Great wonder to also pair with POP! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy
POP!

 

Mistakes That Worked

 

 

 

 How about another "mistake that worked"? Want to know more about who invented potato chips? 
Wondering about potato chips?
 

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/who-invented-potato-chips/

 

  Another great text to explore- but I wrote about this last #NF10for10.  Great piece on George Crum  found in What Color is My World.

 

 

Students LOVE the Gross Factor

  

Students also love learning about wacky, wild and gross foods? How about hairy, scary foods throughout history?  Fun hybrid text with poetry too:

 

 

Great examples of connected texts to read across and  synthesize information from multiple texts.

 

Wonderopolis # 1092- Taste buds

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/do-your-taste-buds-change/

 -----What's the Deal with the 5 Second Rule? -----

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/is-the-five-second-rule-really-true/

 

 

 

I have included this last mentor text because it is filled with examples for our students to explore the ways in which authors provide information and engage the reader.   

This new title from Loreen Leedy  has an interesting text structure.  Your students will find  fun facts, poetry, riddles and it has includes a question and answer format too.  Lots of great models for energizing nonfiction. 

I hope you enjoy finding those mentor authors and mentor texts that are your "co-teachers".

"Emulate those teachers that instilled the sense of wonder and curiosity that inspired you.”
Robert John Meehan

My original post of these text sets ran for the #NF10for10 hosted by Cathy Mere, Mandy Robek and Julie Balen.  I look forward to sharing new thoughts, new ideas and am excited to wonder with you.  Hope to see you Monday at 8!  #WonderChat.