Wilson Ranger Post
3-23-15
What's in Your Boca? (Think Visa Commercial)
Many of the other fair teacher folks tended to look down upon this hard working teacher. Mrs. Pottyboca knew that other teachers weren't fond of her but could never figure out why. The day finally arrived when she just had to ask somebody. Determined to get the truth, she approached Mrs. Cashalot, because everyone knew they would always get nothing but honesty from her.
Mrs. Cashalot began to lay out the great many reasons other teachers tended to avoid Mrs. Pottyboca. When in the work hut, she complained of having learners who could never be motivated. When in the salad bar line, she whispered of learners who would never mature. Even in the fair office with many of non fair folk around, she made known when she was just done with a learner..
This saddened Mrs. Pottyboca more that words could ever explain. You see, in her heart of hearts, she loved her students and worked very hard to show them just that.
I guess simple words spoken both in private and public can rip apart even the most beautiful masterpiece.
This is an abridged version of a fable pulled from a great book on my shelf. With stress levels high and expectations of student learning being even higher this time of year, be careful what you say. You never know who might be listening. And even more importantly, another book I read indicates that from deep in your heart come the words of your mouth...
So, what's in your boca?
The One, The Only...drum roll please...Debra Marshall!!!
Teaching an Old Dog some new tricks!
I love the PLN I have through Twitter, Facebook, my library listserv, and the blogs that I follow. After 20 years, I wish I had this librarianship thing down, but through these social media PLNs I am constantly thinking I must be WAY behind and I know nothing!! They keep me on my toes, and I hope make me better at my job and a better librarian to serve you and your learners. Here is a smackeral of the professional learning I’ve come across lately that might be interesting and useful for all of us.
· A walrus and some penguins explain the concept of the flipped classroom: http://ly.tcea.org/eewku
· Only 27 days until the publication of The 39-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths! (Author Andy Griffiths will be at Wilson on April 10 to visit with 3rd and 4th grade!) http://bit.ly/1JVfb73
· The Scholastic Kids & Family Reading ReportTM: Fifth Edition is out and offers a snapshot of where young people are when it comes to reading independently. http://tinyurl.com/qaxsbqh
· From Edutopia - 9 APPS for Poetry Month. April is Poetry Month, and poetry is a BIG party of our GE philosophy. Some of these are free, too! http://tinyurl.com/kk3fq9p
· From author Jessica Brody, heard at the North Texas Teen Book Festival. “Don’t be afraid to write crap. Crap makes great fertilizer.” (Ok, you probably can’t tell the kids this, but you have to admit, she is right!)
· Author Obert Sky had some great advice for Wilson 4th and 5th graders during his visit. He gave them his 3 secrets for success in life. I think he’s pretty spot on! “Secret #1, Have courage. Secret #2 Think big. Secret #3 Be great!”
· The Tejas Star Reading List Task Force annually selects a recommended reading list of bilingual English/Spanish books or books. The list is prepared for use by children ages 5-12. A link to the just announced list can be found at: http://www.txla.org/tejas-current
· Edutopia’s PBL web page. http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning
· 12 Ways Google can Change your classroom on Monday. Presentation at TCEA by Dr. Bruce Ellis. http://goo.gl/38cHw7
· From Lego walls, to MakeyMakeys, I find Makerspace inspiration and advice from Diana Rendina on Twitter. In our library, I want to do what she is doing in hers! @DianaRendina
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!! (Me being the old dog.)