tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post5315700959117380026..comments2024-03-26T09:20:29.620-06:00Comments on TeacherDance: Going Forwards and Backwards!Linda Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-4254997316409046422013-09-17T16:34:34.939-06:002013-09-17T16:34:34.939-06:00Wow-Janet. First of all, I don't remember how...Wow-Janet. First of all, I don't remember how long it took me to write-probably a few days of messing around. I still see places that aren't quite right, so am still looking at it and deciding. As for the CC and all the testing, fortunately my school is making ourselves aware, but we do not do any testing nor adherence to a set curriculum. It's a big deal with us to take each student and let them 'fly'-no ceilings, just keep going. I am reading others' blogs and articles and am aware of how sad things are, and aware of how anxious my grandson gets at test time-he's now in 7th grade. I want him to be excited about school & except for a few classes, he is not. I'll try to read the article you sent tonight. Thank you!Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-26680075344499370942013-09-17T09:38:40.542-06:002013-09-17T09:38:40.542-06:00Hi Linda,
I came back because I wanted to see the ...Hi Linda,<br />I came back because I wanted to see the other comments here. I have never tried to write a reverso and am wondering if I could do it. I am curious how long it took you to write yours and how your mind can get you to the place where the words can be read in both directions, so you have really piqued my thinking. I also have liked reading the comments of the others. I want to check out Ruth's post and Mary Lee, hang tough! You have to just keep on teaching as you know best and be sure the kids are able to have the stamina to interpret difficult questions. I think stamina, that is going to come from what you already do with how they read and think and talk about books, will set your kids on the path to "good scores". It is going to be interesting to see how the scores fluctuate over time. But for teachers who are under the APPR gun from RTTT money from Duncan and Obama, well, getting on a T.I.P. (Teacher Improvement Plan) when you know if you could teach the way you want, instead of some "other-created" approach that got you the low score ie below effective in the first place.....well, it has to be more than painful. I visit an historically fine school known for its innovation and effectiveness with teachers stressed to the max with "worry" the flavor of the year. I pray in this time of flux for the kids and the teachers. In NY, though, the commissioner has a letter coming out about the scores soon to be mailed to parents that supposedly tries to soften the blow of the lower results. We will see. Anyone can go online in NY State and read the daily lesson plans in the Modules with the scripted language. I have heard, but forget who created them. I would like to find out. Imagine every gr. 4 teacher and kid on the same lesson on the same day across the state. Scary thought. I don't believe the Modules are going to be required and were created to help meet CCSS. However, there is no guarantee that using these is going to raise scores OR turn kids into lifelong readers, writers, thinkers and care-ers. Unless I am missing something. <br />This article was in our local Sunday paper, though. http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2013/09/mesopotamia_too_hard_lets_stop.html<br />There has to be a better balance that is realistic and meaningful. Trying to reinvent the wheel without teachers being given the time and opportunity to learn and plan and try and re-group etc. is not the best approach in my opinion. Education reform. Ugh. Been there, done that, but this is newer and scarier. I recommend Diane Ravitch's new book a lot!<br />Janet F. <br />(Sorry to go on so!)<br />Janet F.skanny17https://www.blogger.com/profile/07488350213473016250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-21185203562609497522013-09-15T21:16:56.927-06:002013-09-15T21:16:56.927-06:00Thank you-all mixed up isn't it? Wishing...Thank you-all mixed up isn't it? Wishing...Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-61737191591778005662013-09-15T19:00:32.863-06:002013-09-15T19:00:32.863-06:00Linda, beautiful poem that really speaks to the ch...Linda, beautiful poem that really speaks to the challenges of being a teacher in today's world. Thank you for sharing this.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16067635552523381142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-3521023299104172482013-09-15T06:52:00.539-06:002013-09-15T06:52:00.539-06:00Thanks Bridget & Renee! I am continually worr...Thanks Bridget & Renee! I am continually worried about those teachers so impacted by new policies. Their work is challenging enough without added pressure!Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-87075824724612809062013-09-15T03:01:41.246-06:002013-09-15T03:01:41.246-06:00I was lucky to teach in an NYC school that was exe...I was lucky to teach in an NYC school that was exempt from the nonsense that plagues public schools. I can't imagine what it's like now with CC and modules and blah blah blah. I really like the form of your poem and it's important message of positivity! Power to the teachers! Renee LaTulippehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13520719663052253627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-17196326871098720062013-09-14T20:08:10.337-06:002013-09-14T20:08:10.337-06:00Your poem and the form are both thought provoking....Your poem and the form are both thought provoking. Thank goodness for teachers - our future depends on them. Thank you for reminding us of this today, Linda. =)Bridget Mageehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18185985167366724404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-63343334721925803522013-09-14T13:37:54.132-06:002013-09-14T13:37:54.132-06:00It is a wonderful group, I agree, Keri. Maybe the...It is a wonderful group, I agree, Keri. Maybe the key word is students first, curriculum follows-don't know if that is wrong in some eyes, but it works for me.Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-86436145004161275852013-09-14T12:47:06.248-06:002013-09-14T12:47:06.248-06:00Thanks for your comment on my blog. Yes, I do kno...Thanks for your comment on my blog. Yes, I do know that book, and I have a copy in my classroom. I agree that it's wonderful! I blogged about it here: http://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/2010/09/eight-days.htmlRuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12463332371535167975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-32783075504803407422013-09-14T08:54:07.887-06:002013-09-14T08:54:07.887-06:00I wish everyone had the benefit of the big-hearted...I wish everyone had the benefit of the big-hearted teachers in this Poetry Friday sphere. My hat is off to all of you as you do such important work with commitment to what you know to be true, in the face of politicians dictating what you "should" do in the classroom. Kerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07754424789728293252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-68338547078052085382013-09-14T08:19:22.598-06:002013-09-14T08:19:22.598-06:00Thanks Mary Lee, you know I wish you all the best ...Thanks Mary Lee, you know I wish you all the best for this school year. I know you are so grounded in your beliefs that you can make it work! Thanks also for the comment on the last post!Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-3604475316008711482013-09-14T06:48:24.392-06:002013-09-14T06:48:24.392-06:00I am struggling mightily this year in a "pass...I am struggling mightily this year in a "pass the test or else" situation, when my heart is all "learn to love reading and writing for a lifetime." Your poem brought me to tears with its truth. How am I going to make it through this year? Through to the end of my career with my beliefs intact?Mary Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078793537148794310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-31638207431628241722013-09-13T22:11:25.290-06:002013-09-13T22:11:25.290-06:00Thanks-somehow I thought that the US was one of th...Thanks-somehow I thought that the US was one of the few taking these testing stances. Whew, poor kids! Thanks, Myra.Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-7871425249982495082013-09-13T22:10:28.559-06:002013-09-13T22:10:28.559-06:00Thank you Ruth!Thank you Ruth!Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-2833729932814034292013-09-13T22:10:15.757-06:002013-09-13T22:10:15.757-06:00It's hard to me to believe that some think tea...It's hard to me to believe that some think teachers can just pick up a curriculum and start. There is so-o much to consider. Sorry for your teachers, and wish you were going to be at NCTE! Thanks, Margaret!Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-67743633742040903202013-09-13T19:33:25.506-06:002013-09-13T19:33:25.506-06:00Hi there dearest Linda, this is a very timely poem...Hi there dearest Linda, this is a very timely poem - especially here in Singapore which is a largely test-driven culture with a great deal of high stakes testing. Your poetry is a reminder of what is truly important in schools and being an educator. :)GatheringBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04477710897574769648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-41977833050940575892013-09-13T18:46:29.865-06:002013-09-13T18:46:29.865-06:00Wow! It must be really hard to write this form. ...Wow! It must be really hard to write this form. Really nice poem!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12463332371535167975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-28688152645056426972013-09-13T16:55:20.607-06:002013-09-13T16:55:20.607-06:00I a little bit jealous reading the comments about ...I a little bit jealous reading the comments about everyone meeting up at NCTE. Linda, your poem speaks to the back and forth of positive and negative in our schools today. I am a lucky in my position teaching gifted kids, but so many of the regular ed teachers are working too hard. They have thrown a new curriculum at them with very little PD to help. Just loads and loads of boxes of paper! I am worried about where the paper trail will lead. Margaret Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04434866104385187658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-36060873527934192882013-09-13T15:10:33.807-06:002013-09-13T15:10:33.807-06:00Yep! I understand completely. In early October w...Yep! I understand completely. In early October we need to get together and look at the program for NCTE-so looking forward to that, Tara! Hope your days have gone well!Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-54253742222163324272013-09-13T15:02:58.459-06:002013-09-13T15:02:58.459-06:00i wake up every day and sally forth to my classroo...i wake up every day and sally forth to my classroom believing that being a positive force for learning and growing up in my kids' life is a sacred duty. I cannot change the political climate, I cannot change the great tides of "reform" that seem to be sweeping through our education system...but I can make my classroom a safe haven for learning and growing up. And that gives me comfort. Thank you for sharing these powerful words with us today, Linda.Tara @ A Teaching Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07195982194362559883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-78435459252272189142013-09-13T13:54:44.361-06:002013-09-13T13:54:44.361-06:00How wonderful that you had such a good experience ...How wonderful that you had such a good experience Michelle. I hope your son has a wonderful year with every teacher, & especially that one! Thank you!Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-41556617746070084252013-09-13T13:53:48.135-06:002013-09-13T13:53:48.135-06:00Thanks Jama-mixed messages for sure seem to be occ...Thanks Jama-mixed messages for sure seem to be occurring!Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-21404761250713899792013-09-13T13:53:19.221-06:002013-09-13T13:53:19.221-06:00Thanks BJ-I really don't have the struggle lik...Thanks BJ-I really don't have the struggle like those in public service do, but there are other challenges as a teacher we all share.Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-34500331683697424792013-09-13T13:52:28.561-06:002013-09-13T13:52:28.561-06:00Thanks again, Janet-I'll look these people up-...Thanks again, Janet-I'll look these people up-sounds good!Linda Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14983144542632353870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319624163132382197.post-45795301996974689252013-09-13T10:10:08.399-06:002013-09-13T10:10:08.399-06:00Oh, wow, that is great to hear! Peter will be here...Oh, wow, that is great to hear! Peter will be here on Sept. 28. I will listen for that connection to Ginott. Opening Minds is something to celebrate and share. I heard him talk at NYSRA last fall, but it was on a different topic. Have you read Vicki Vinton's book and blog? I think you would love her. In the opening of What Readers Really Do (co written with Dorothy Barnhouse) they thank my friend, Brian Cambourne and also Peter Johnston. I bet you are a fan of Brian's. I met him at a small NCTE event and he is a generous, smart, wonderful educator to this day and beyond. He gave the research address at IRA in May and it was radical, called for big changes in ways we look at education research and ideas....I can't wait for the article and book to come out with this idea about research and education. Thanks again for your sharing, Linda. Janet F. Can't wait to see you in Boston!skanny17https://www.blogger.com/profile/07488350213473016250noreply@blogger.com