it’s a quiet place
a little sun
a little shade
a willow tree reaches for the sky
the weeds weave in and out
sounds of the summer abound
morning doves cooing
robins chirping
cicadas singing a summer song
but a hideaway
just to sit
to relax
to read
a reading nook
just for me
my reading nook
~~~~~
Slice of Life
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Slice of Life
#cyberPD 2015
Some may think that when the students are away the teachers will play, but that’s not the case! At least in my PLN it’s not. Last week #cyberPD embarked on yet another year of bringing educators together for the reading and discussing of a hot topic in the world of literacy. And, I’m happy to say that this year I am not going to be just lurking or stalking. I too will be posting and promoting the book of choice for 2015, Digital Reading What’s Essential in Grades 3-8 by William L. Bass ll & Franki Sibberson.
#cyberPD 2015
Now, just in case you were wondering what else I have been reading this summer here is a peek at my professional reading.
professional reading
And, here are the books I am going to read so that I can share with my students and colleagues when the school year begins in August.
summer reading
Last but not least, I needed to mix in some “just for fun” adult reading!
just for fun reading
So it goes without saying, a little reading plus a little writing (a.k.a. blogging) equals summertime!
A special thank you to Cathy Mere of Reflect and Refine, Michelle Nero of Literacy Learning Zone, and Laura Komos for hosting #cyberPD 2015. Click here to learn more about #cyberPD.
~~~~~
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I see…
a preschooler of yesterday,
a college student of today,
beauty of a young lady with ambition,
the nineteenth birthday of a remarkable daughter!
I feel…
proud to be your mother,
a rush of happiness hearing your laughter,
excitement every time I see your warm-hearted smile,
how quickly those nineteen birthdays have elapsed!
I hear…
your giggles as a toddler,
a young adult sharing her future,
a voice of creativity,
the tune to nineteen years of singing “Happy Birthday”!
I love…
your kind and caring heart,
the determination you have to succeed,
independence that you have embraced,
knowing those nineteen years have been a treasure!
Happy 19th Birthday, Maddie!
~~~~~
#digipoetry
April is National Poetry Month!
Please check out the hashtag #digipoetry on Twitter
to find more poems written by fellow bloggers.
~~~~~
Slice of Life
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bounding down the hall
following the yellow brick roads
off to room 230 they travel.
yes, it was time
for reading in the wild
bringing words to life,
because, well, word nerds they are
stepping into the reading zone.
no teaching reading in small groups today
working independently they would
notice & note,
use strategies that work,
and their notebook know how.
sharing their love of reading and books
certainly it is true
book whisperers they are.
~~~~~
#digipoetry
April is National Poetry Month!
Please check out the hashtag #digipoetry on Twitter
to find more poems written by fellow bloggers.
~~~~~
Slice of Life
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Monday’s celebration,
dinner out
for my parents’
47th wedding anniversary.
celebrate!
Tuesday’s celebration,
a field trip for me
to visit
our middle school
1:World initiative.
celebrate!
Wednesday’s celebration,
the warm weather
finally arrived!
celebrate!
Thursday’s celebration,
three workouts complete
running, strength training, and yoga.
celebrate!
Friday’s celebration,
date night,
sushi night!
celebrate!
Saturday’s celebration,
a day at the SPCA
advocating for
animal adoption.
celebrate!
Sunday’s celebration,
ran 18 miles,
completed week #11
of marathon training!
celebrate! celebrate! celebrate!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Slice of Life
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Did you know…
I attended college as a non-traditional student. My teaching career began in 2001 and when I began teaching I taught 3rd grade. I thought it was the best grade in the world! Today I am a reading specialist for students in grades 4-6 and I love grades 4-6 too.
Now you know!
Did you know…
My favorite authors for professional development are Kylene Beers, Maureen McLaughlin, and Aimee Buckner. Currently, Jennifer Sarravallo is on the top of the list. For my students, some of my favorite books are Storm Runners, Love that Dog, and Firegirl. My kiddos are in love with the I Survived series. I Survived the Shark Attacks is an all-time winner!
Now you know!
Did you know…
Our district is embarking on a 1:World initiative and next year all students in our building will have their own iPad mini device. This transition has made for major changes in the way I deliver my instruction. Since I have already made the 1:World transition, I began using the Learning Management System (LMS) Schoology and I truly think it is fantastic!
Now you know!
Did you know…
I love my students and my colleagues. It really is true that I teach in the greatest school in all the land!
Now you know!
My Classroom
~~~~~
Slice of Life
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The warmer days of spring and summer are right around the corner! For me, one of the perks of the warmer days ahead is being able to break out my Vitamix and make a delicious smoothie. They are perfect for breakfast or as a post-recovery treat after a long run. Actually, they are perfect just about anytime!
Now, the kitchen certainly is not where I enjoy spending my time (due to the fact that Matt is the chef of the house), but I can successfully whip up a smoothie. So, today I would like to share this delicious and nutritious treat with you!
Without further adieu, here is what you need to do to create this warm weather treat.
Materials
Ingredients
Pour ingredients right into the blender
Blend until a nice consistency. Add more liquid if necessary.
Enjoy!
Voila!
There you have it, my favorite blueberry smoothie.
Now you can see why I’m just a bit anxious.
~~~~~
Slice of Life
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tick tock
it’s five thirty o’clock
time to rise
time to shine
~~~~~~
tick tock
it’s nine o’clock
students are here
time to teach
~~~~~
tick tock
it’s twelve o’clock
lunch-time
a sandwich, fruit, & veggies
~~~~~
tick tock
it’s twelve thirty o’clock
time to read
time to write
~~~~~
tick tock
it’s three forty-five o’clock
buses are here
the school day is done
~~~~~
tick tock
it’s six o’clock
five miles on the treadmill
the marathon is near
~~~~~
tick tock
it’s seven o’clock
dinner-time
a glass of wine
~~~~~
tick tock
it’s eight o’clock
reflect on the day
plan, plan, plan for another
~~~~~
tick tock
it’s nine o’clock
blogging time
comment here
comment there
~~~~~
tick tock
it’s ten o’clock
out of time
tuesday is done
~~~~~
Slice of Life
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I almost wrote about the signs of spring,
but I didn’t.
I almost shared about my classroom,
but I didn’t.
I almost posted about my daughter,
but I didn’t.
I almost scribbled about standardized testing,
but I didn’t.
I almost dropped a line about our family pets,
but I didn’t.
I almost didn’t publish a slice of life,
but I didn’t.
~~~~~
Slice of Life
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I am at the pinnacle of marathon training (week #10) and today’s run gives a whole new meaning to the word exhaustion!
{why, why would I want to run a marathon?}
You see, the long run on the training plan for week #10 was 17 miles. I spent yesterday trying to wrap my mind around those 17 miles and, well, I told myself that I would run 15 and be happy with that. Basically, because I bonked on my last long run that was outside! (You can read about it here.) I am happy to report that I did not have a repeat of that outside run from several weeks ago.
{do a happy dance!}
First off, the weather was ab·so·lute·ly beautiful! It was like a runner’s gift compared to the weather just two days ago.
Snowday!
Runday!
And then, I was fortunate enough to break my run up into three smaller runs. I ran the first 7 miles on my own. Then, for the second segment I ran 6 miles with my soul(run)mate and my BRF-best running friend. And finally I wrapped up the last 4 miles with my soul(run)mate. Running buddies are the best!
{BAM! Just like that 17 miles were history!}
Those stats!
That weather!
Finally, time to relax and recover. A post-run snack and a spa treatment for those feet.
protein, sugar, and salt
LAX ball massage and some essential oil
{Gotta keep those feet happy!}
So now that week #10 is history I have an entire week to wrap my mind around the long run for week #11. And, in order to do that I’ll leave you with a little saying that is going to help me prepare.
What the mind can conceive, the body will achieve.
~~~~~
Slice of Life
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Runner, Reader, & Rockin' Mom 