Day 25: Inventory Days Part 2: The Writing Inventory

     Here are some useful questions to discover struggling writer's writing history. While these questions appear easy, make sure you or your students/children dig a bit deeper and discover what it really means to be a "good," or even a "struggling," writer. Remind them that everyone starts somewhere and just because something is difficult now, doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile or worth practicing. 

1. When you are given a writing prompt how do you approach it? 
1. I look forward to it
2. I don't know how to begin
3. I'm sure I will fail
4. With a feeling that I can kind of do it
2. What would you consider a writing strength? Even if you currently believe you are lacking it. 
3. What would you consider an area that you could improve in your writing?
4. Describe one of the most interesting writing assignments you have ever been a part of or heard of and why did you find it interesting? 
5. What is the worst or worst type of writing assignment you can recall being a part of?
1. Why was it so terrible? 
6. Do you keep a journal or diary? Have you kept one in the past?
7. What is "Good writing." 

And Remember: 

Just like the different types of cooking, there are many different flavors of writing. Just because you or someone you know struggles with essay writing doesn't mean they will struggle with personal writing or graphic writing or any of the other forms of writing. We all have talents and skills we are proud of and simply need to find our own recipe for success. 

Day 24: Inventory Days Par 1: Reading Inventory

    Reading is one of the most valuable things we as educators/parents can instill within our students/children. As our students/children begin to develop their reading skills, it is imperative that we understand where their attitudes when it comes to reading are formed and how to best foster a pro-reading attitude within our struggling readers.

In order to get a better understanding of your students or child's reading skills, start by asking a few questions about their reading history. Try asking questions like:

1. When you were younger or even now did/ does your parents or someone else read to you or tell you stories of any kind? If so what was your favorite or one you particularly remember?
2. What fairy tales or childhood stories can you remember or recite? 
3. Are their currently books or magazines that you have access to at home? Who reads them?
4. Do you see others reading? Parents? Grandparents? Brothers or sisters? 
5. Did/do you watch TV? If so, have you watched educational segments such as Animal Planet, Sesame Street or any other educational based programs? 
6. What other kinds of shows do you tend to watch on TV or the internet? 
7. Has anyone ever given you a book as either a present or a reward? 
8. What are some of your favorite childhood books?
9. What are some of your favorite books now?
10. Can you remember a teacher that taught y/ou how to read that you particularly enjoyed? What made their way of teaching so enjoyable?
11. When did you stop being read to at either home or at school?
12. Did you ever have to read aloud at school? How did this make you feel? Did others struggle or seem embarrassed? 
13. Are there pressures from either family or friends to not read? In what way do you feel pressured? 
14. Do you have a favorite time or place to read?
15. What was your favorite and least favorite story you ever read or had to listen to? 
16. Do you or your parents buy books regularly? 
17. How do you feel about reading? 

By talking with struggling readers and discovering where the root of their discomfort lies, we can transform reading from a scary and difficult endeavor to an enjoyable and worthwhile activity. 

Look for part two "The Writing," on 12/3/2018.

Day 23: The Age of the Sensory Break

    Greetings my loyal followers. For today's blog, I wanted to briefly mention another aspect of teaching that seems to come up frequently in staff meetings and during professional development days but seems to be missing from your college curriculum. I am of course talking about how to deal with living in the age of the sensory break. 

    Today's students live in the in a fast passed world that never seems to sleep and because of that, they are less inclined to sit in a seat for long periods of time even when fully engaged and invested in the topic at hand. Even during clubs and activities, things students are passionate about, they need to get up and move every twenty minutes or so. These breaks allow students to decompress and reset before getting back to whatever activity or lesson is in front of them. 

    While these sensory breaks pose a problem for the future workforce, they seem to be almost mandatory for keeping a healthy and functioning classroom. So current and future teachers, its time we break out our yoga pants and start stretching because teaching just got a whole lot more active. I don't know about you, but I rather lose five or ten minutes having the class get up and move than complete a whole lesson where only one or two kids were focused enough to follow along. 

Day 22: Star Wars Pajamas

      A few weeks ago I posted a video called To This Day by Shane  Koyczan, that discussed some of the major themes of bullying and the effect it can have on young kids throughout adulthood. I have used this video several times to discuss the ramifications of bullying and have found that it tends to leave my students speechless for several minutes afterward. Today I wanted to share another one of Shane Koyczan's speeches known as The Crickets Have Arthritis. I do not want to get into to much detail, because nothing I could possibly type would give it justice or even come close to the thoughts and feelings it produces. 

     Just remember five days from now your life will be the same and the little things that seem like mountains before you are actually just bumps in the road. We are too quick to complain about our lives and see only the things we do not have and do not appreciate the beauty that comes with simply pulling feathers out of pillows or appreciate the weird girl in our family until its too late. 

Day 21: Not Just For Babies

    When you think back to when you were a kid what memories come to mind. Do you think about freshly baked cookies cooling in the kitchen, family gatherings around a fire or waking up early on Christmas morning to glistening freshly wrapped presents?
    For some of us, these childhood memories are punctuated with stories. Think about it... mom or dad would sit at the end of the bed, reach over to a collection of books we were too young or in some cases too lazy to read ourselves and transport us into a different world of polished and beautifully illustrated characters. For a moment we were flying beside Peter Pan or Falling down the rabbit hole to Wonderland and at that moment we were truly happy.
    Below I have included a few of my must-haves for both young readers and for those young at heart to include among their collections. In today's society, it is too easy to let our children fade into technology. Never stop making connections and share with them the beauty and wonder of a  goodnight story.

      "This story of only 338 words focuses on a young boy named Max who, after dressing in his wolf costume, wreaks such havoc through his household that he is sent to bed without his supper. Max's bedroom undergoes a mysterious transformation into a jungle environment, and he winds up sailing to an island inhabited by malicious beasts known as the "Wild Things." After successfully intimidating the creatures, Max is hailed as the king of the Wild Things and enjoys a playful romp with his subjects. However, he starts to feel lonely and decides to return home, to the Wild Things' dismay. Upon returning to his bedroom, Max discovers a hot supper waiting for him."

    "A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole . . .

Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish."

     "In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight."

     "The book follows the lives of a female apple tree and a boy, who develop a relationship with one another. The tree is very "giving" and the boy evolves into a "taking" teenager, man, then elderly man. Despite the fact that the boy ages in the story, the tree addresses the boy as "Boy" his entire life."

     "Knocked from her mother’s safe embrace by an attacking owl, Stellaluna lands headfirst in a bird’s nest. This adorable baby fruit bat’s world is literally turned upside down when she is adopted by the occupants of the nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits. Two pages of notes at the end of the story provide factual information about bats."

Day 21: Too Darn Cold

     As we move closer to the darker time of year we begin to slowly fall into a pit of depression. The little things that usually wouldn't get under our skin, start to have an effect and students quickly begin to realize that toes are meant on one side of the line and a withering stare awaits anyone that disobeys that law. The one thing I have noticed that always lifts the human spirit is of course food. So for today's blog, I want each of you out there to share a recipe. A recipe that no matter what is going on in your life pulls you out of that funk. Whether that be homemade cookies or a holiday spiced drink, share the holiday cheer. Better yet why not start a teacher cookbook at your school and have everyone join in the fun. Remember hanger is a real thing and you can prevent a needless detention or walk to the office simply by having a hearty bowl of chili with your friends.

   For my own contribution, I offer up my homemade Chicken and Herb Soup. Bon Apatite.

Chicken and Herb Soup

1. 1-2 chicken breasts cut into slices
2. Half an onion 
3. Twenty baby carrots cut in half 
4. Olive oil
5. Spring mix or herb mix salad (remove cilantro) 
6. Three medium potatoes 
7. Two 32 ounce cartons of chicken stock 
8. Garlic (minced or whole)
9. 1 box of noodles (I like to use penne)
10. Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning to taste  

Optional: 

1. One to two stalks of celery 
2. A can of tomatoes 

Directions: 

1. Slice chicken breasts into evenly sliced strips and combine with salt, pepper and olive oil. 
2. Place chicken and seasonings into a pot on medium heat.
3. While your chicken is cooking cut your carrots, potatoes, and onions - stirring the chicken every few minutes till its cooked all the way through. 
4. Place your vegetables, chosen salad mix, and red pepper flakes into the pot with garlic (to taste)
1. Here is where you can add any optional ingredients that you like.
5. Combine ingredients by gently folding them together. 
6. Add chicken stock and bring to boil. 
7. Bring down the heat and let the soup sit until all the vegetables are soft - poke with a fork to test.
8. Either add the noodles directly to the soup and let them cook naturally or make the noodles separately and leave out with a little olive oil to be added later (this way the noodles do not become soggy. 

Chicken and Herb Soup by Sean Winstead 

Day 20: Rambling about Reading

    So today I wanted to begin by discussing what World-renowned author and teacher Kelly Gallagher has referred to as readicide. Mr.Ghallagher’s 150-page book and years of research proves that our young people are simply not reading and that while poverty, English as a second language and electronic entertainment have played a role in this decline, it can also be tracked down to how schools are disregarding the pleasure of reading for the almighty test.

   As a newly appointed special education English teacher, I look around my classroom at the peeling book shelves, filled with the oddest assortment of books imaginable and can’t help but notice that not a single one of my students even glances their way. And I have to ask myself why that is?

   So the shelves are filled with books two and five of a series or yes we have four copies of animal farm and maybe that one book covered in dust is stuck shut with bubble gum, but they are still worth reading right?

   The sad fact is reading is hard and students are looking for something to capture their attention and hold it without all that messy work, similarly to how video games and television shows sooth the mind after a long day at the office. They want something authentic and real to them and simply have not been taught or have had the opportunities to truly engage in reading. And who can blame them, when administration and parents are pressuring schools to prepare their children for placement tests such as SATS, NWEAS and other standardized tests that tell very little about a student’s knowledge or skills. Reading just isn’t a priority.

   For those few teachers that are able to squeeze a book into their daily agendas – they are forced to have students annotate with sticky notes, doodles highlights and a host of other markings as evidence that their students are not wasting their time by sitting and reading. And while this activates are beneficial to devilling deeper into a text for the struggling reader it creates a more unappealing and daunting task.

     So what do we do?

     We as teachers do what we always do and we adjust. Make reading a priority in your classroom. Create blogs and other assignments that engage young readers with things they love, bring back SSR and free choice reading and most importantly teach students about the world around them. Bring in newspapers and magazines, teach them to be critical and knowledgeable members of society and do not accept that there is no budget for high interest’s books for your classroom. Talk to the principal, superintendent school board and community and find ways to get books in your students’ hands and do not for a second think there is less value in books like harry potter or Michael Vey.

Let’s do our best as educators and readers to help our students find a joy in reading.