Counting ON

Students and smiles above are from Robert Seaman Elementary school in  Jericho, NY. 

Every day counts. 

We know that there are special first days and last days. They should be celebrated. Yet, when we celebrate firsts and lasts, there tends to be an emphasis on the beginning or ending of an event. As life long learners, we know that every day has its own endless opportunities. 

Some teachers count down the days til the end of the school year.  Let's count on. 

Every day counts. 

Let's count on the number of days we have to make a difference. 

Let's count on thoughtful and reflective teachers who make every day count. Let's count on teaching and learning.  Let's count on learning and planning for more learning.  It doesn't end in June. 

Let's count on learning for, with and from our students. 

Let's count on learning and growing together. 

Let's count on smiles and celebrate moments. 

Every day counts. 

Thankful for the teachers and students that I can count on. 

What do you count on for your learning community? 

Grateful that I can count on the readers and writers in the Two Writing Teachers community. 

Let's Dance

It's happening...
Did you hear? EdCamps are everywhere!  

EdCampLDRNY 7/13/15
EdCampLI 10/3/15

nErDCampLI 11/7/15

You may be wondering what's up with all of the EdCamps? Free unconferences for educators?  Weekends at schools? Working?  Some people may think it's crazy.  But the answer is simple, it goes back to one word... Love. 

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be satisfied is to choose great work.  And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."  -Steve Jobs 

Join the movement and the magic. It isn't crazy, it's just a celebration of learning and collaboration. It's about dancing together. 

Leadership lessons and dancing guy: 

If you are reading this, you already listen to the music of Twitter. You have your own rhythm going. Join us and let's dance together. 

Love what you do? Want to be inspired by others that are passionate about teaching and learning? Attend an EdCamp or nErDcamp. Dance with us.   

Here on Long Island, the following events are happening in collaboration with Hampton Bays, Jericho and the East Williston School Districts. Grateful for the support from these learning communities. 

July 13th join the EdCampldrNY to be held in Hampton Bays, NY. 

October 3rd attend EdCampLI to be held  in Jericho, NY. 

And super excited to announce the 1st annual nErDcampLI to be held November 7th in the East Williston, school district.  Inspired by #Nerdybookclub founder,  @ColbySharp's #nErDcampMI, these nerdcamps are EdCamps with a literacy twist. The focus is for book- loving, literacy-loving educators and include connecting with amazing  #RockStarAuthors! 

If you are #NerdyOnLI or a Tri-State Nerd- join us and spread the nerdy word: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-1st-annual-nerdcampli-tickets-16444262231?ref=estw

I look forward to a crowded dance floor. Please save me a dance. 

Crazy Love

Regie Routman has gifted our profession with books like, The Essentials Series: Raising Expectations and Results in Reading, Writing and Transforming our Teaching.  Regie has given us Invitations: and encourages educators to reflect upon their practice and participate in conversations that lift the level of our teaching and learning.   

Last month, at #ASCD15 I had the opportunity to spend a day with Regie. 

We celebrated  reading, writing, teaching and learning. Regie's most recent "must-have" PD book, is Read, Write, Lead.  "This is a book about hope, learning energy and possibilities. It is also a book about joy in teaching and learning." Regie's book is filled with quick-wins and asks all educators to see themselves as teacher-leaders and leader-teachers.  Regie asks us to reflect: 

"It's not how to get students career and college ready.  It should be how do we engage students' hearts and minds."

One way to reach the hearts and minds of our students is to tap into their passions and to celebrate their learning journeys.  It was thrilling to reflect on the power of read alouds as part of our learning journey.  Regie said, "Every administrator, teacher and educator should start their meeting with a read aloud."  I knew I loved her, but loved her even more when she read to us from Kwame Alexander's Newbery winning title, Crossover.  

 

I love Regie because her work has always supported my beliefs about teaching and learning.  I spend every day as a life-long learner and an all-around nerd. I try to demonstrate my passion for reading, writing, and learning.  Regie consistently reminds us about the culture of celebration.  

It's funny people think I am a little crazy- hyper- geeky- nerdy- over the top.  Although there may be some truth to that, I think it is important to spread a little crazy.   I think we all have a little crazy in us. Ok, maybe the word passion is better.  Isn't crazy/passion that drives us to do better, read more, write more, share more.  As lead learners, we need to tap into that crazy. 

Regie talks about the optimal learning model: a cycle of reflections, responsive teaching and celebrations. Regie asks us to be reflective about what matters and what seems important to us.  What do we celebrate? What do we value? What fuels our passions?  Just as we model process of learning for our students, we must engage in purposeful, planned, celebrations too.  Having the opportunity to participate in conferences, share literacy snapshots with others through social media, be part of personal and professional learning networks, this helps me to sustain this feeling of joy and spread a little crazy... #PDlove. My passion grows and is energized by the collaboration from the communities that I work with and learn from.  

"Working hard for something we don't care about

 is called stress.  

Working hard for something we love 

is called PASSION." 

- Simon Sinek

Regie has gifted us with professional books like Read, Write, Lead and reminds us that it is the collective responsibility of  educators to create a culture of trust, collaboration and enjoyment. Learning should be engaging, enjoyable and relevant.  When it is... it is like a vitamin B shot. Celebrations lead to agency.  When we shift our focus to discuss the joy and the heart of our teaching... that empowers all learners and lifts everyone and everything.  That is what inspires my work daily and fuels my crazy. 

With a nod to friends like, Chris Lehman and Kate Roberts, I try to celebrate learning through the lens of love and joy.  Is it crazy to want to spend a day in PJs and learn?  This past weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in a very joyful learning experience. It was a "pajama-pd day" also known as #TheEdCollabGathering (guided by Chris Lehman and the Educator Collaborative friends).  This online event offered a variety of " vitamin shots" with voices and choices for PD opportunities.  All were live streamed but have been archived here: https://gathering.theeducatorcollaborative.com/.  

Save the date, the next gathering is happening September 19th with Penny Kittle! 

I am grateful for the inspiration and the "vitamin B-shots"  I receive from educators like Regie, and from gatherings in real life and virtually, that make this crazy love all a reality. 

ASCD15 Swag Bag: Love of Learning 

Happy learning and spreading #PDLove!  Where do you get your daily dose? 

For more on Crazy #PDLOVE check out my post for The Educator Collaborative on #LiteracySnapshots.  

Share a Smile

A Slice in Memory of my Grandmother

               Thank you to Two Writing Teachers for the invitation to share 

with this community of writers.  

This week marks the anniversary of my grandmother's death.  I know I was extremely blessed to have her in my life for as long as I did. My grandmother was an amazing woman. Grandma had a major impact on my life.  She was grandmother, friend and teacher.  She taught me so many things. We have "Sarah-isms" in my family. Some translate better in Italian. :)

Grandma touched the lives and hearts of everyone she met.

Grandma was a NYC school crossing guard. She was there for countless number of children during rain, shine, sleet and snow. Bitter temperatures didn't affect her warm heart. A crossing guard is defined as someone who helps people cross intersections. Life has many intersections. She touched so many lives, those known and unknown.  There are births, deaths, marriages; crossroads at all ages and stages.  Grandma was always there with an ear to listen, a hand to hold, and a meal to fill our bellies.  More importantly, she filled us with her love.  And at every intersection her heart was open. 

"Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart." - D'Angelo

I can picture her standing over her stove countless hours to prepare our favorite meals.  It gave her pleasure to watch us eat.  It made her smile. Nothing made her happier than sharing a smile.  No matter what,  no matter where, she always had a kind word for someone or a smile. Even strangers. Grandma would share stories about how her smile changed someone's day.  

It is pretty simple. Give a smile, get a smile. Smile and the whole world smiles back at you. Grandma used to say, "It doesn't cost a thing to give a smile."

This week is Random Acts of Kindness Week:

https://randomactsofkindness.org/

Share kindness. 

Give a smile, get a smile. 

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

Here's a link to an older post with a book list of mentor texts that make me smile: 

http://mccarthyjoellen.blogspot.com/2014/12/universal-language-of-kindness-ward.html

#SOL15 Snowflakes

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for sharing the invitation to participate with this community of writers.

Faced with two blizzards in two weeks... snow has been on my mind.  Inspired by the exciting Newbery win for  Kwame Alexander and Crossover (his brilliant MG novel in free verse poetry) I thought I'd play around with a little slice of poetry.



Snowflakes
UNIQUE
No two alike
Each flake
f
 a
   l
    l
     i
      n
        g
on their individual journey

Like our students
             g
           n
         i
       w
     o
   r
g
at their own pace

Snowflakes
UNIQUE
Yet as they travel together they thrive

We watch
warmed 
by their bright lights
they stick together
and overwhelm us with their beauty
they
*S*P*A*R*K*L*E*

Snowflakes
UNIQUE
We want them to
R                E
   I             S
    S          I
     E      R
       and

Congratulations Kwame! 

#BookLove all around for the authors and their snowflake books for readers. 

  For a complete list of all of the #ALAMW15 winners: 

http://www.slj.com/2015/02/awards/alexander-and-santat-win-2015-newbery-caldecott-medals/#_

http://t.co/gvFKQ3t8Qb  (PDF version) 

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