A Little Bit of Peter H. Johnston

Tuesday Slice of Life is hosted by Ruth and Stacey at Two Writing Teachers.  Come enjoy all the summer slices!

     “Language is the essential condition of knowing, the process by which experience becomes knowledge.”  Michael Halliday

         With my book sharing buddy and colleague, I attended a workshop last Thursday to listen to Peter H. Johnston talk about his latest discoveries about how using language precisely can make huge differences in students' ability to learn and trust, and just feel so comfortable in their skins.  It was an exhilarating day of some table talk, but mostly listening to this author of Choice Words and Opening Minds.  We spent much of the day enjoying parts of Peter's stories from Opening Minds and our own conversations as we applied the questions and ideas to our individual experiences.  I’ll share some of the highlights I thought important.  As I re-read this second book, I may add more another time.

       Early in the book, Peter writes:  “My intention with this book is to offer a basis for choosing more productive talk—how to make the most of these opportunities children offer us.” 

Some Treasures This Week!

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen and Kellee at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS.  Head over for some awesome book reviews!  And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS that offers more reviews of all kinds of books, adult and children. 

  

              Tweet at #IMWAYR

             It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen and Kellee at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS.  Head over for terrific book reviews!  And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS that offers more reviews of all kinds of books, adult and children. 

  

              Tweet at #IMWAYR

Poetry

Pug and Other Animal Poems – poems by Valerie Worth, illustrated by Steve Jenkins

         I’m so envious of Steve Jenkin’s collage talents.  The illustrations amaze.  When examining the details, I always want to see his studio, with the unimaginable patterned and textured papers he must have.  This book of 18 of Valerie Worth’s poems both informs and entertains.  From learning of the MIA life of a fox to the interesting “home” of a toad Steve Jenkins, each of the poems show that Worth certainly knew what she was writing about. Having numerous rabbits in my new garden, a favorite is the poem titled “Rabbits.”   In it, Worth.   She speaks of rabbits staying ‘along the/Grassy fringe/ unhastily, in peaceful thought, it seeks.  I realize many have read this book, so for those you haven’t, please check it out.  It’s a perfect example of the creative way to use non-fiction research.                            

Picture Books

         I won this book, The Great Lollipop Caper, written and illustrated by Dan Krall, and am so happy I did!  Who would have ever imagined that capers could become a great storyline, but in this book, they are.  After figuring out that lollipops seem to be loved by children the world over, Mr. Caper want in on the action too, because he feels so ignored.  The “lollipop caper” plan is hatched, but the plans unfortunately do not turn out as expected.  The illustrations are funny, cartoon-like with speech bubbles and outrageous expressions that must make the audience giggle and giggle.  I can’t wait to read this to a class of younger children in the fall to see their reactions.  It will also begin a good discussion for the start of the year about feelings and solving problems in positive ways. 

A Workshop Takeaway

 Thanks to Margaret at Reflections on the Teche for hosting Poetry Friday.  Read her wonderful post about writing camp and the ekphrastic poetry written during writing marathon.  Then check out all the other posts linking up!

          A quote from my experience Thursday:  Language is the essential condition of knowing, the process by which experience becomes knowledge.         Michael Halliday

        In a workshop Thursday, A colleague and I enjoyed listening to Peter Johnston, educator and author of Choice Words. Through examining his recent book, Opening Minds, he created a day of conversation about words, the way we use them as we speak with students/family/friends.  It was an educator’s day, yet also one of conversation about good ways to live one’s life.    Some of Peter’s philosophy reminded me of that of Haim Ginott, a psychologist of years ago whose books and influences live on.      

Summer Time - #Cyber PD Time!

      I'm excited to link up with Cathy Mere at Reflect and Refine: Building A Learning Community, Laura Komos at Our Camp Read-A-Lot, and Jill Fisch at My Primary Passion are hosting #CyberPD.  We'll share our plans for reading Professional Development books, and then Cathy, Laura and Jill will choose one for us to read together in July.  

Commenting Can Mean Teaching

Slice of Life Tuesdays are hosted by Stacey and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers.  Come see!

Tweet at #slice2013

      I’ve described in other posts that the students at my school each study an individual topic, called units of study.  Activities within the units include creative writing like fiction and poetry, along with communication of questions answered through research and multiple kinds of reporting.   Sometimes the “answers” are three-dimensional projects and numerous other kinds of responses.  Students also create magazines, newspapers and pamphlet for topics, along with the expected basic reports.  

        The teachers with whom I work and I have spent time talking about the challenges of evaluating the “answers” students turn in.  There are a number of ways to do this, but one that is a critical question for the teachers is how to save time because one on one conferences about everything is simply not possible.  Particularly in the upper age groups, there are so many products for teachers to evaluate.  One approach that helped me both teach and save time is the way I comment on the products, and keep track of them.