Dust Storm Inside

Have you ever had your wood floors refinished while living in the house?

I am living this experiment at the moment!!! Why? I didn't really think it would be that bad. After all, they would be done pretty quickly. Right?
Boy was I wrong!

First, we had to empty upstairs. That meant countless stairs as we carried everything to the basement. Then came the dilemma; what to do with the furniture upstairs? There was no way to move everything to the basement. After some creative designing, most of the furniture fit in the bathroom!!  I was amazed. It pays to have good people working for you.

Second, we also had to figure out where to place our living room furniture. Garage would have been the obvious place except we don't have one! Kitchen was the next obvious place. The amazing fact is that even though there is a lot of stuff in the kitchen, there is still room to cook and eat while sitting on a stool.

The noise, however, is totally a different story. I can stand to be inside the house just long enough to make and eat a meal, and maybe check my e-mail. Today I was also feeling the dust reaching my throat. It is great that we have extraordinary  neighbors who give their extra bedroom for us to use! Why would I want to love anywhere else?

Local library is a safe haven at this time. I sat there for hours yesterday finishing my online item writing course assignments for this week. Today I am using a local coffee shop as my escape. I love living in a community where there are people to help, assist and make difficult days just a little bit better!

What is your community like?

Are there jobs in heaven?

Have you ever wondered if we will still be discussing reading, writing, teaching and blogging in heaven? What would that conversation sound like? Would anyone even need teaching in heaven? Would people actually be separated into students and teachers? Would anyone need a second or foreign language teacher?
Hey, maybe I am onto something!
What language will we be speaking in heaven? Everyone speaks their own language and others will understand it no matter where they are from? Or is there going to be a different language in heaven that everyone will need to learn? Will this language include reading and writing or just speaking?
How about tests and assessments? Will there be item writers and test raters in heaven? If so, what will be assessed on those tests and exams?

I was having breakfast with a friend on Monday morning. We chatted about age, getting older (not me of course), changes in our lives, obstacles that we have overcome, hopes for the future, and then suddenly, she asked me, "do you think we will have jobs in heaven?" I did not know what to say! I had honestly never even thought about jobs and heaven in the same breath. Have you?

We started thinking about the whole concept of jobs and heaven. If we will eat in heaven, who will cook the food? Will we still be cleaning toilets in heaven? Will we even feel hunger in heaven? What about families? How big will be the extended families in heaven? Will we all live together? What will that look like? One house per family or a humongous palace for all to live together?

We did not really come up with any answers, but we had fun thinking about different scenarios. If we had a restaurant in heaven, would Jesus come for dinner? Would He leave a tip? What about teaching?  I hope (and believe) that by the time we get to heaven, we will have other, more important experiences to live for.
So, I am determined to be the best teacher I can be here on Earth. I will study the common core, I will attend professional development, I will practice reading and writing, I will learn new technology and collaborate with other educational professionals. At the same time, I want to prepare myself to do those "other things" when I get to heaven. Who knows, maybe I will get a chance to have dinner with Jesus

English Vinglish

Worth Watching!

Last week I wrote about book recommendations for new writing teachers with an emphasis on books for teachers who have ELL students in their classrooms. I have been planning how I can be a better teacher next year; what do I need to or what should I do differently with my students to ensure their progress.
Well, it is vacation time and movies are part of that vacation fun! Like a good teacher on vacation I had visited my local library to peruse new books while eyeing the new movie selection as well. This movie title really caught my eye: ENGLISH VINGLISH!  I could not not take it home with me!

My daughter and I have for years been fans of Indian movies. There is just something special about them. Sometimes they are funny or even boisterous; other times they are touching and they make you tear up (at least me).
ENGLISH VINGLISH had all of those components! But most of all, it talked about how learning a language--being able to communicate--brings new respect and self-worth to a person's life. Learning a language empowers a person to be whatever they might want to be!

As I watched the movie, it made me think about me; how learning English has totally changed my life. I would not be where I am today if I had not persevered in learning English. I would not be part of this blogging community if I had not learned English. 

The movie also made me think about my students; am I a teacher that empowers them or one that points out their mistakes and shortcomings? How CAN I better empower my students? How can I make them fall in love with a language that can then in turn shape their lives and give them unlimited opportunities?  Could I find new ways to irrigate the souls of my students--not just correct and grade their papers? 

I have much to think and ponder this summer. Reading, re-reading, watching movies, reading blogs and learning from others. After all, when I irrigate my soul I prepare the soil that will help grow all those seedlings come September again. This coming year, there will be no drought in my classroom--or my soul!

Writing Books for Writing Teachers

Few days ago Stacey posted a question about the best books for new writing teachers. I have been thinking about the books that I have and use when teaching writing. Which ones would I recommend for new teachers (and for others as well)?
Here are my takes:

• Learner English: A Teacher's Guide to Interference and other Problems  by Swan and Smith (2001) - This is my go to reference when teaching ELL students writing. I can look a language group see what are their typical challenges when it comes to learning English. Are there particular language functions or mechanics that I should focus on? Are some grammatical aspects so similar that I don't really need much time to spend on those but can focus on others?
• Understanding ESL Writers by Leki (1992) - This book combines the cultural practical aspects of writing. As an ELL teacher, it is essential that I know where my students come from, what are their previous educational experiences, and their level of English proficiency when in my class. In addition, I must also understand how students from other countries might view personal writing. How about error correcting? Do I need to correct everything (or should I)? Leki answers these and many other questions in her book. If you are a mainstream teacher who occasionally has a few ELL students in your class, I would highly recommend this book.
• Reading and Writing in More Than One Language by Franklin (1999) - Great resource for mainstream teachers who have ELL students in their classes. This book addresses both reading and writing challenges that teachers face when ELL students enter their classrooms. Full of practical tips.
• iWrite by Wilber (2010); The Digital Writing Workshop by Hicks (2009); When Writing with Technology Matters by Bedard & Fuhrken (2013) - All these books address technology issues in the classroom. I believe that it is an essential component of today's writing teacher. As a blogger, I definitely want to incorporate blogging into my classroom practices as well.
• Real Revision by Messner (2011) -  I have learned so much about revision from Kate Messner! She show with concrete examples both in the book and also on her blog. Here is one example from her blog, and here is another. Kate's examples can be applied to both fiction and non-fiction writing. And at least for me, revision is my biggest challenge with my students!
• Write Beside Them by Kittle (2008) - From Penny Kittle I learned to write when my students are writing. How can I teach writing if my students never see me write? I think this book is essential for secondary teachers who want to make a difference in their students writing lives. We must teach writing by example just like we do reading.
• Write Like This and Teaching Adolescent Writers by Gallagher (2011 & 2006) - both book are a MUST for secondary teachers! Full of examples, suggestions, student work samples and ways to push students to become more fluent writers (just like the common core challenges us to do). These books are on my table/shelf all the time. I am referencing them when writing my lesson plans, designing my handouts and assignments. My students see me use these. And again, modeling, using mentor texts, working with real life situations; this is what my students need.
• Mechanically Inclined  by Anderson (2005) - As a writing teacher, I don't think that I could compose a list and not include at least one book that addresses the mechanics of writing in more detail. I have found Jeff Anderson's book to have a low stress level for the teacher and an easy to approach grammar attitude for the students. Definite keeper for ELL teachers!
• PreK-12 English Language Proficiency Standards by TESOL (2006) - As an ELL teacher, I cannot be without this book! It is part of what I do. I believe that this book is an essential resource for anyone who has even one ELL student in his/her class. In order to make sure that ELL students are progressing on their journey to attain proficiency in English, teachers must educate themselves on ways to implement a program that assures improvement and eventually proficiency in all four domain of English language. 

Which books would you add? Have you read a new book that you believe would be an essential addition?

Lunch, Grief and Time Together

I had not met with Nancy since her daughter's visitation almost year ago.  I have followed her postings, and thoughts on Facebook, but today was the first time that it was just the two of us. After setting the meeting, I was wondering if there really would be things for us to talk about. Would she cry? Would I cry? Would Nancy want to talk about her daughter? How would she feel if I'd ask her some questions?

Neither one of us cried; we came close to it but smiling won today.  We talked about how do you ever get over a child's death (in this case teenage daughter). How do parents deal with the grief? What about the siblings?  Nancy also shared something that really stuck with me. She said that when people would say "just let me know and I will do anything," her response would be: "take me to lunch." Nancy said that usually she would not hear from them again.  WHY??? Are we  as human beings so unprepared to deal with death and grief that we will offer money and empty words, but do nothing that would actually require an effort?

I have never lost a child. I don't know how that feels. I have lost many loved ones and I am familiar with grief. Can I share another person' grief without making everything be about me and how I would feel? Absolutely! I can listen. I can share stories that I remember about her daughter. I can share how differently I responded when my parents died to when my husband died. I can share how my mother-in-law responded when her son died. We can talk about everyday "stuff:" our children's lives, living situations, girl and boyfriends, future plans etc. And we can enjoy good food and time together!

Why did I even worry about my words? I was going to meet a friend! I came home blessed because I had spent time with a friend!

It Is Time to Say Goodbye.......to Another Year

It is time to say goodbye to another school year! I am ready. It has not been an overly stressful year, but I think a break is always welcome
This year saw so many changes: new cut scores for standardized testing, introduction of the upcoming smarter balanced testing, new teachers, new students (every month except June), more testing than we have ever done before, and, of course, teacher evaluations.

My favorite part has always been students. This year I was blessed to be able to teach so many highly motivated newcomers. Students who came to America with no English skills at all, but by spring they were helping other students. Students who came and had never read an English book, but at the end there were the ones with the most AR points at the end of the year.

There were also challenges among my students: I am thinking about the one student who kept falling asleep in my class almost every day. He could not remember to turn in assignments either. His most common reply was, "you never told me I need to do this."  You really can miss a lot while sleeping (or napping in class). Then there were the students who came to America, but had missed two to three years of school. If we had known about that at the beginning of the year, we could have had much better action plan for them. Well, there is always next year.

Colleagues--I could not manage without them. There are the comments in the mornings: "I was wondering where you were this morning." "This is late for you." (And it wasn't even seven in the morning:)) Or the essential questions: "Do you have any extra coffee?" "Does your Internet work?" "How late are you staying today?"
There are also the serious ones: "What can I do with this child? Nothing that I try is working." Or the many discussions that we have about the level of English proficiency of our students and their abilities. I love to brainstorm together with teachers about curriculum and how we can made the common core standards accessible for our ELL students.

I will miss the people this summer (not grading)! I will take the time to recharge my battery and get ready for a new year.  I will have fun!! I will share coffee and lunch dates with friends. I will irrigate my soul. I will walk more. I will read academic books as well. I will travel with my daughter. I will write more.  I will comment on more posts. I will participate in Teachers Write 2013.  I will have fun!!!!!

With One Hand

http://www.reachwc.org/media/ClipArt/hand.jpg

What can you do with one hand?

-I remember holding my daughter's hand when she was still young enough to need her mother when walking in the park

-I open a book, hold it and disappear to a parallel universe for a few minutes (or maybe even a bit longer when school is out)

-I imagine holding my phone while listening to my mother tell all the news from back home. If I close my eyes I can still hear her voice; even the tone she used to use to remind me to send a thank you note or a birthday card to someone.

-I click on the new whiteboard marker and write the objectives on the board

-Then I use the marker or a fancy finger pointer to over the objectives to set the course for the lesson

-I can pick up any color pen and correct all those papers: WAIT!!!  My hand is crawling closer to the finish line. Only ONE more essay assignment to correct before my fingers can relax and let go of the colored pen

-One, two, three, four, five OR yksi, kaksi, kolme, neljä, viisi  OR 

, , , ,    days until the door closes behind me until August

-I can count the months (not yet the weeks) until my daughter's departure for overseas; I can count the years for her return as well!

-with one hand I can move my mouse to make sure I post this blog before  the end of the day today

Therefore, I can be so grateful for my fingers and hands! If I can do all this with one hand, imagine what I could do with both hands?