Literacy Conference 2016
So yesterday was the conclusion of the 21st Annual Literacy Conference at Region 16. This has traditionally been one of the best conferences I have attended, and this year did not disappoint. The two keynote speakers were Katherine Bomer and Matt Glover who both spoke on writing. Ms. Bomer had some great information on how to conference with your writers. Her message was on finding the "hidden gems" in your student's writing. Mr. Glover discussed using mentor texts to teach writing, something I have done for quite some time but new perspectives always inspire! Unfortunately, I was torn because the fabulous things they were speaking over are the best practices but are not feasible with the way we have to teach now.
The breakout sessions I attended were also excellent! Let me tell you, these ladies knew their stuff! Lots of great information on interactive writing, shared reading and mentor texts. Kudos to these ladies for stepping up and showing off their skills.
I, too, presented this year. However, I came very close to dropping out simply because I let myself be defined by a number. My test scores did not come back they way I was hoping. In fact, these were the lowest scores I have had in many years. So what, right? Well - if you've been in this kind of environment before, you know what that means. You feel labeled. Not as a teacher who gave it her all and worked tirelessly for her students. Not as wife and mother who missed meals and bedtime to complete requirements for school. Not as a person, but as a number. In turn, I felt completely inadequate to present on writing to an audience of teachers. With the encouragement of my friends however, I decided to do it anyways. Just because I failed does not mean that others cannot succeed through my ideas! In light of my word of the year, JOY, I decided that it was better to share my JOY for writing than to allow my disappointment to cast its shadow.
My topic was "Can You Giggle With Grammar?" We examined research regarding the teaching of grammar and the benefit of novelty for students. Then we played with Comma Chameleon, Conjunction Junction Day, Apostrophe Rodeo, Body Commas, and other fun ideas! I'm trying to find a way to get these documents to those who have requested them but they are too big to email! As soon as I have a way, I will get them to you.
Finally, I have to say that doing this presentation was a satisfying way to wrap up this season of my career. I will be moving on to become a Reading Recovery teacher. I am absolutely THRILLED to be stepping into this new role. While it is daunting to leave behind what I know, I feel that God has opened this door for me and his plans are always perfect! To everything there is a season, so ready or not, here I go!
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven - Ecclesiastes 3.1
The breakout sessions I attended were also excellent! Let me tell you, these ladies knew their stuff! Lots of great information on interactive writing, shared reading and mentor texts. Kudos to these ladies for stepping up and showing off their skills.
I, too, presented this year. However, I came very close to dropping out simply because I let myself be defined by a number. My test scores did not come back they way I was hoping. In fact, these were the lowest scores I have had in many years. So what, right? Well - if you've been in this kind of environment before, you know what that means. You feel labeled. Not as a teacher who gave it her all and worked tirelessly for her students. Not as wife and mother who missed meals and bedtime to complete requirements for school. Not as a person, but as a number. In turn, I felt completely inadequate to present on writing to an audience of teachers. With the encouragement of my friends however, I decided to do it anyways. Just because I failed does not mean that others cannot succeed through my ideas! In light of my word of the year, JOY, I decided that it was better to share my JOY for writing than to allow my disappointment to cast its shadow.
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| That's me (and my big old nose) talking about apostrophes! |
Finally, I have to say that doing this presentation was a satisfying way to wrap up this season of my career. I will be moving on to become a Reading Recovery teacher. I am absolutely THRILLED to be stepping into this new role. While it is daunting to leave behind what I know, I feel that God has opened this door for me and his plans are always perfect! To everything there is a season, so ready or not, here I go!
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven - Ecclesiastes 3.1
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