Inspiration from my Edu-Hero!

Principal ponderings...
This past week, I had the chance to see one of my edu-heroes speak at the MESPA Conference.  This was a conference where elementary principals from across the state had a chance to come together and learn from each other.  I am on the Board at MESPA and helped to organize the conference.  I was so excited when we were able to schedule Todd Nesloney to come and give the keynote.  Todd is a principal of an elementary school in Texas, and he is also one of the co-authors of the book Kids Deserve It.  I wish I could share everything he said to us with all of you, but I definitely don't remember everything word for word.  I am pasting in some of the tweets that I wrote and others as he was speaking.  I literally could not type fast enough, and there were moments when I was tearing up because his message is so important - we have to do everything we can for every kid and make sure that we are connecting to each of them.

You can read through some of these tweets or you can go directly to the chat page and read everyone's posts from the conference: #MESPAchat

So pumped to hear @TechNinjaTodd tell his story! #mespachat #principalsinaction #momsasprincipals pic.twitter.com/KsyFUT0Euk

— Liz Garden (@PrincipalGarden) March 23, 2017

You can't reach a head until you reach a heart ❤️ YES @TechNinjaTodd #mespachat #principalsinaction #momsasprincipals

— Liz Garden (@PrincipalGarden) March 23, 2017

This video is a must see for educators we must provide authentic experiences for children https://t.co/Y8kue6IaIc #mespachat #kidsdeserveit

— Julie Vincentsen (@jvincentsen) March 23, 2017

Our job is 50% emotional and 50% academic .. often we focus to much on the academics #MESPAChat pic.twitter.com/WefMsCPluv

— Mike Leander (@mleander23) March 23, 2017

As a lead learner you need to learn every day- so true! @TechNinjaTodd @KeimDavid #MESPAChat

— Brenda Maurao (@bmaurao) March 23, 2017

Try Mystery Skype to connect your kids to other classrooms! https://t.co/e93mNSX7jS #mespachat #mysteryskype

— Julie Vincentsen (@jvincentsen) March 23, 2017

“I’m not going to let the local paper tell my story - they sometimes don’t tell it correctly or as positively as I want” #mespachat

— Julie Vincentsen (@jvincentsen) March 23, 2017

Transform your classrooms and give kids an emotional memory experience - they will not forget what they learned that day! #mespachat

— Liz Garden (@PrincipalGarden) March 23, 2017

When you put a child in a class w/a teacher who does not love kids, you waste 3 years of a child's life. This.can't.happen. #mespachat

— Liz Garden (@PrincipalGarden) March 23, 2017

Would kids pay $1 to come to your classroom? Your school? It should be so awesome they would pay for it! #MESPAChat #kidsdeserveit

— Heather Leonard (@HLeafLeonard) March 23, 2017

Would kids pay $1 to come to your classroom? Your school? It should be so awesome they would pay for it! #MESPAChat #kidsdeserveit

— Heather Leonard (@HLeafLeonard) March 23, 2017

Who will you inspire? #kidsdeserveit #MESPAChat pic.twitter.com/1ZntXxxUqO

— Heather Leonard (@HLeafLeonard) March 23, 2017

I could add so many more, but this is enough for now.  Hopefully some of the comments will make you think and maybe you will want to go to the link and read more!  If you want to borrow a copy of the book Kids Deserve It, I have a few!  It's a quick read, but important read.

Currently reading:
At the conference I just attended, they were having a used book sale.  I might have picked up a few books or maybe actually a whole box of books!  I am excited that I got a copy of Fish! This is a quick read all about bringing energy, passion and joy into the workplace everyday.

And I also picked up the book Fish! Tales which is real life stories about people using the Fish! philosophy. 

Events this week:
Groton FD Safe House all week during gym classes. 
Monday - Make sure all report card info has been inputted into SchoolBrains
Tuesday - Report cards available to parents in the afternoon
Wednesday - NRWA Presentation in Kindergarten, SPED teacher PD with Kelly and Karen - 9:00-12:00, 3rd grade chorus @ 2:25, Liz and Zoann at JFK Library for writing workshop
Thursday - 2nd grade field trip to the New England Aquarium
Friday - Liz and Dianna at SLT from 8:30-10:30

Great things I noticed last week:

• Ms. Kinneen hosted parents all week in gym class and there was lots of jumping! 
  
• On Thursday evening, the 1st graders entertained us with their singing and poetry reciting. 
  
• I caught some of Ms. Hoke's and Ms. Johnson's students diving into books during independent reading time. 
  
• Thanks to everyone for donating food for our community drive!  Loaves and Fishes was grateful for the donations! 
  
• While I never got a chance to pop in and see them in action, Mr. Smith's class had fun doing their math stations this week. 
  

Check it out:
Check out this blog post by Peter Reynolds about his book about ADHD...correction...book about Amazing, Delightful, Happy Dreamer: https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2017/03/26/you-have-a-gift-not-a-label-by-peter-h-reynolds/

A Little Writing Inspiration

Principal ponderings...

If you remember, back in February, I told all of you about how I was going to challenge myself to participate in the March Slice of Life Challenge.  I wrote about in this post in case you forgot and wanted to read about it again.

So now, it's the middle of March and I am proud to say that I have made it more than halfway through the writing challenge.  I have written a short slice of life story every day so far.  Some days, like today, I don't exactly produce a lot of writing, but I at least sit down and devote some time to writing. And now I can see the finish line, have to keep writing.  Good news is that now, it is part of each day for me.  I can't let a day go by without working on a slice of life story.  If you want to read any of my posts, you can find them here.

Besides getting me to write, the challenge also encourages you to read what others write and comment on their posts.  I know I have loved seeing what people have to say about my writing, and I enjoy getting inspiration from what others write.  There are also some classrooms across the country where students are writing a slice of life story each day.  I thought I would share some individual posts as well as links to some classrooms in case you want some inspiration to do more of your own writing!

Classroom bloggers:
Here are some 3rd grade bloggers in NY! https://kidblog.org/class/mrs-sokolowskis-third-grade-learners/posts
Here are some 5th grade bloggers in Saudi Arabia! http://yis5lblog.blogspot.com/2017/03/classroom-slice-of-life-march-20th.html
Here are some 1st grade bloggers: http://www.behindthescenesinfirstgrade.com/index.html

I am going to paste in a few links to other blogs.  It's hard to choose because there are so many people blogging.  This is going to be a rather random list!
Individual bloggers:
http://sweetwritinglife.blogspot.com/
https://ateachinglifedotcom.wordpress.com/
http://couragedoesnotroar.blogspot.com/
http://livinglifetwice-alwrite.blogspot.com.au/
http://blogs.ksbe.edu/legerboc/2017/03/19/sol-day-20-my-brother-in-law/
http://responsiveliteracy.blogspot.com/
https://jarhartz.com/

If you want to learn more about the slice of life challenge and getting educators and students to write everyday or check out other daily posts, check out the website https://twowritingteachers.org/.

And now maybe you are inspired to do some of your own writing?

Currently reading:
I have had this book for a while and have heard many teachers and students recommend it.  I am finally starting to read it!  A Snicker of Magic is one of the MCBA books this year.  Looking forward to getting into it more.

I have also enjoyed skimming through the book Some Writer! The Story of E.B. White.  I just love Melissa Sweet's artistic talents, and this book not only tells the story of an awesome author, but it is visually appealing to read it.

Events this week:
**Parents are invited into gym classes this week to join in the Jump Rope for Heart activities.
Tuesday - Grade 1 chorus practice 12-1:15 in the PAC, School Council Meeting @ 3:30
Wednesday - Grade 1 school show @ 9:30 in the PAC, 4th graders doing the pledge at School Committee Meeting @ 7:00
Thursday - Liz @ MESPA Conference, District-wide half day, dismissal at 12:15, no lunch served, multi-part series in the afternoon, 1st grade concert @ 7:00
Friday - Staff attending the Blueprint for Educational Excellence National Institute
**Reminder that report cards will go live to parents the following week.

Great things I noticed last week:

• Thankfully the snow day did not mess up the scheduled Play Preview on Wednesday.  Students got to see just a glimpse of what they would see in the show "Beauty and the Beast."
  
• Teachers had fun solving some math problems in our afternoon word problem workshop session with Karen Gartland. 
  
• I had fun hanging out in kindergarten one morning - It's amazing what these kiddos will come up with unifix cubes! 
  
• A big thank you to the PTA, especially Linda Lee, for organizing Community Reader Days at FloRo!  I had fun going over to Boutwell Friday morning and reading a story to Miss Sheri's class. We even had some furry friends come and listen to stories! 
  
• I brought Emerson to the Sunday performance of "Beauty and the Beast."  Our 3rd and 4th graders did an amazing job singing, dancing and having fun on the stage.  Kudos to all of the kids involved in the play! 
  

Check it out:
Here's a short post I just stumbled across today - all about reminding us to save time for play http://connectedprincipals.com/archives/14560

There are no bad kids

Principal ponderings...

I came across this image this weekend and it made me stop and think.  So now I am sharing it with you in the hope that I will get all of you to stop and think about this statement: 

There are no bad kids.  

Do you share that mindset?  If you think differently, can you stop and think about the impact of that statement?  And when thinking about this idea, how does that change your thought process when working through issues that come up throughout the day?  How does that mindset support or guide your interactions with each child?

The next time a child makes a bad choice, please stop and think about this statement: There are no bad kids.  They are simply trying to communicate their feelings and needs.  

How are we responding to them?

Currently reading:
I spent the weekend with family down on Cape Cod.  We visited a cute little book store in Brewster and of course I had to add to my collection!  Emerson enjoyed reading the picture book A Greyhound, A Groundhog.  We have a greyhound so she was convinced that the book was all about Tom, our greyhound.

The other picture book I purchased is called Antoinette.  This book is written by the same authors who created the book Gaston.   This book is about a dog discovering what her special talent is and how she uses her talent to help a friend. 

I was also excited to purchase a signed copy of Wolf Hollow.  I have heard great things about this book and am looking forward to diving into it. 

Events this week:
Tuesday - Nashua River Kindergarten presentation
Wednesday - Para meeting @ 9:00, Play Preview in the PAC @ 2:15, Staff meeting @ 3:30
Thursday - 2nd grade field trip to Peacock Players, Community Reader Day!
Friday - Community Reader Day!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday - FloRo students put on a production of Beauty and the Beast

Great things I noticed last week:

• I caught some 1st graders working with Audra and doing some recording and creating using the iPads. 
  
• Mrs. Clark's class was having fun filming their weather reports and using the green screen. 
  
• I enjoyed popping in during some 2nd grade mini concerts in music class - lots of talented musicians! 
  
• Family Literacy Night was so much fun!  Lots of families came and played literacy games, read books together in tents, wrote stories, and won books and even a Kindle!  Thanks to the PTA for supporting this event. And thanks to Grace and Holly for all of their hard to prepare for the event.
  
• Apparently it was "bring your own sippy cup" to our leadership team meeting on Friday! :)
  

Check it out:
A short read to go along with my post this week: http://inservice.ascd.org/rethinking-discipline-and-classroom-management/

Don't forget about our community kindness drive that the Student Council is organizing this week...

Book Lists

Principal ponderings...

In keeping with the theme of spreading the literacy love for the month of March, I thought I would post some book lists to give you some ideas of books to read for yourself or read to your class or recommend to your students.

This blog post has a list of books that are "favorite first novels to read aloud with kids": https://amongstlovelythings.com/first-novels/

It just wouldn't be a list of book lists if I didn't include one about Oprah's Book Club: http://www.bestproducts.com/lifestyle/g1939/best-oprahs-book-club-books/?

Here is a list of picture books that are coming out in 2017: http://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-2017/

Check out these winners on Goodreads...these were voted the best middle grade and children's books: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-childrens-books-2016

Just came across this list...top 50 books for teachers for professional development: https://www.fractuslearning.com/2015/04/01/best-books-for-teachers-pd/

We always need a good laugh; here's a list of 46 hilarious books guaranteed to make you laugh out loud: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/funny-books-that-will-make-you-laugh_us_5637d55ce4b027f9b969adc2

Currently reading:
I was excited that I had an Amazon credit from some returns that allowed me to purchase some new books!  I started reading the stories in the book Flying Lessons and Other Stories.  This book is a collection of unique stories celebrating diversity written by many different children's authors.

I also began reading a new professional development book that I am enjoying so far: Your School Rocks, So Tell People: Passionately Pitch and Promote the Positives Happening on Your Campus. 

I am looking forward to diving into another PD book I purchased.  It's called Escaping the School Leader's Dunk Tank: How to Prevail When Others Want to See You Drown.  The authors of the book are actually moderating the #MESPAchat this Wednesday so I am looking forward to learning more from them.

Events this week:
 Monday - Elementary Curriculum Committee Meeting, 12-3
Wednesday - 1st grade chorus practice @ 2:25
Thursday - Curriculum half day, dismissal at 12:15, Family Literacy Night from 6:00-7:30
Friday - Liz and Dianna at SLT in the am @ Prescott

Great things I noticed last week:

• Check out the new bulletin board that Mrs. Fulreader created!  Let's talk about respect! 
  
• Students and staff had fun dressing up for Dr. Seuss days!  Crazy sock day, Hat day and Green day! 
  
• Music class with kindergartners and drumming on containers!? I want to be in that class! 
  
• 4th graders enjoying some awesome yoga time! 
  
• Mrs. Fournier's 3rd graders had fun doing this STEM activity where they had to make the longest chain they could using only one piece of paper. 
  
• I had so much fun watching our principal for the day, Alisa, going into all of the classrooms.  She was definitely a great leader! 
  

Check it out:
We should not be taking recess away from any of our students.  But don't just take my word for it...take a look at some of these articles:
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/10/nixing-recess-the-silly-alarmingly-popular-way-to-punish-kids/280631/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/parenting/wp/2016/03/08/yes-parents-want-recess-for-their-kids-heres-why-they-should-keep-fighting-for-it/?utm_term=.1ecfae0cfd35
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-hanby-hudgens/recess-is-not-a-privilege_b_8505720.html

All You Need is a Book!

Principal ponderings...

March seems like a great month to focus on fostering a love of reading in our students.  March 2 is Dr. Seuss's birthday and National Read Across America Day!  I say let's start the month off celebrating reading and continue it throughout the rest of the month!

Check out this link for some little known facts about everyone's favorite, Dr. Seuss: 

http://thefw.com/things-you-didnt-know-about-dr-seuss/

Since we are kicking off a month of literacy love, let's do some Dr. Seuss inspired dress up days this week:

Wednesday will be crazy sock day in honor of Fox in Socks.

Thursday will be wear a hat day in honor of The Cat in the Hat.

Friday will be wear green day in honor of Green Eggs and Ham. 

During the 2nd week of March, I am excited that we are planning a Family Literacy Night sponsored by the PTA! Thursday, March 9 we will be inviting families to come to school from 6:00-7:30 pm.  There will be lots of fun literacy stations set up in the gym and cafeteria.  And we are planning to have some cozy reading areas set up as well where families can read together.  The PTA is planning to give away a Kindle as part of a door prize, and I am of course going to be giving away...books!  If you are interested in attending and helping out at a station, let me know.

During the third week of March, we will have our annual Community Reader Day.  Can't wait to have different community members come into classrooms and spread the reading love!  Towards the end of the month, I would love for the whole school to participate in a Dictionary Day!  Students and staff will choose a vocabulary word to dress up as for the day.  Look for more info about this fun day later!

How else can we spread the literacy love this month?  Have some ideas or want to share some awesome activities you have done in your classroom?  Let me know.  I am also planning on doing some surprises in the staff room...always looking for book recommendations...this is definitely the month to share recommendations with your colleagues!

Happy reading!

Currently reading:
I was excited to check out some audio books from the library in my town.  One of the books that I have started listening to goes along with my #oneword2017, create.  The book is called Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.  She is the author of another book that I enjoyed, Eat. Pray. Love.  One of the reviews said this book was "a must read for anyone hoping to live a creative life."  And that would be me, so seems like a good choice to read!

Events this week:
Monday - Welcome back!
Tuesday - 2nd grade and 3rd grade math sessions @ Prescott
Wednesday - Workout Wednesday!  Alisa will be Principal for the Day! Kindergarten am math session @ Prescott, Wear crazy socks today, 1st grade chorus practice @ 2:25, Staff Meeting
3:30-5:00
Thursday - Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! 4th grade and 1st grade math sessions @ Prescott, Wear a hat today, Liz at Superintendent interviews - 8:00-11:00, Kindergarten Orientation 6:30-7:30
Friday - Liz at MESPA Board Meeting in Marlborough, wear green today, Liz at Superintendent interviews 5:30-8:00

Great things I noticed last week:

• Even after a snow day, the 2nd grade concert was awesome!  Thanks for Mr. Wiesner for putting on a great school show and an entertaining evening concert. 
  
• I had so much fun watching different stations in Ms. Kinneen's gym class...everything from yoga on the mats to rope climbing to giant block tower building to bug smashing ball throws! 
  
• I managed to pop in and see Mrs. Clark's class decorating some beautiful Valentine's bags.  And I did not get a picture, but I had fun going back into her class for World Read Aloud Day...the students seemed to enjoy listening to Gaston. 
  
• Loved walking down the hall behind these two kindergarten friends on their way to deliver a message to the office! 
  
• I was hanging out in Ms. Hoke's room and listened to some interesting how to books being written. 
  

Check it out:
Check out this great post about rethinking morning work: http://mrdovico.blogspot.com/2017/02/rethinking-morning-work.html
Can't remember if I already shared this with you, love that Obama said books helped him survive the White House years: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/books/obamas-secret-to-surviving-the-white-house-years-books.html
And here's a great image to launch a month of literacy!

Slice of Life Challenge

Principal ponderings...

For many years now, I have been following a blog titled "Two Writing Teachers."  They have several educators who write posts about writing and teaching writing.  In 2008, they started something called Slice of Life Challenges.  They challenge people to write and post short slice of life stories every Tuesday.  Then they started challenging teachers to get their students to spend the month of March writing a short slice story every day.  Every March, people all over the country participate in the March Slice of Life Challenge.  I have read people's posts each year, but I have never participated.

This year...I am challenging myself to do the March Slice of Life Challenge.  My #oneword2017 is create so it's time for me to do more creating in the form of writing.

Here is a link where you can find more information about the Slice of Life challenges: https://twowritingteachers.org/challenges/

March is a long month.  31 days where I am going to try to write a slice of life story every day.  I need to take some time over February break to get myself ready for this challenge.  I plan on setting up some posts early, reading other slice stories for ideas, and building writing time into my schedule.  How about you?  Want to join me in this challenge?  Maybe you can't do every day or maybe you can.  I know I have talked about this before, but it's true...the best teachers of writing are those teachers who are writers and practice writing.  (Don't take my word for it.  Read about it in this article: https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/09/the-best-writing-teachers-are-writers-themselves/262858/)

If you don't have a space where you blog, then set one up.  I use Blogger.  There are plenty of other free platforms like Wordpress, Tumblr, and LiveJournal.  If you are not ready to put your writing out there in the internet word, you could also go the old fashioned route and write your slice stories in a journal.

And then the next step?  Write.

Are you ready for the March Slice of Life Challenge?!  I am!

Currently reading:
All this snow means that I have been enjoying snuggling under the covers with some tea and reading!  I realized I have not been reading as many of the MCBA books this year so I brought home a copy of Bliss to start reading.  There's baking and magic spells in this book.  Seems like a good combination!  I have read about a third of the book and have been enjoying it so far.

Emerson's bedtime request the other night was a classic.  We enjoyed looking at all the ducklings and the different places in Boston as we read Make Way for Ducklings.

Events this week:
Monday - Snow Day!
Tuesday -  Happy Valentine's Day! 2nd grade School Show @ 1:30 in the PAC, School Council Meeting @ 3:30
Wednesday - Liz at DESE Instructional Support Convening during the day, Superintendent Search Meeting 5:30-8:00, 2nd grade Concert 7:00 @ PAC
Thursday - World Read Aloud Day, Learn more here: http://www.litworld.org/wrad/
Friday - Grade 3 Electricity Safety Program, Curriculum Half Day, dismissal at 12:15, no lunch served
**Enjoy your Winter Break!

Great things I noticed last week:

• Everyone was excited after the amazing Super Bowl win on Sunday!  Go Pats! 
  
• Tuesday was the 100th day of school!  I loved seeing some of the creations these 2nd graders were making by turning the 100 on their paper into something else. 
  
• Even with a crazy snowstorm in the middle of the day, no afternoon kindergarten, and worries about getting everyone home safely, I managed a smile on the 100th day. 
  
• Two days with delays and a no school day due to a blizzard all in one week!?!  And how about this surprise...Mrs. Fulreader was teaching PE class! 
  

Check it out:
More info about the Slice of Life Challenge: https://twowritingteachers.org/2014/02/06/teachers-join-the-classroom-slice-of-life-story-challenge-in-march/
Here's a great list of science picture books, good for content and mentor texts: https://twowritingteachers.org/2017/02/10/sciencematters/