It's amazing how quickly ten weeks of summer can fill up with plans! For me, this summer is full of professional development, spending time with friends and family, and relaxing in Barcelona. Here's what I'm up to:
*Writer's Workshop at ASB
*Visiting Tessa in Prague with a stop in Slovakia
*Lauren visiting in July
*Spending time in Indy and Denver with friends and family
*Technology PD in Boston
*Reader's Workshop in NYC
*Spanish classes in Barcelona
*Linsey and Chris visiting in late August
*Back to School!
I have no doubt that time will pass quickly. I can't wait for all this summer has in store! :)
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Ten Years of Teaching - wow!
It's hard to believe, but I just wrapped up my 10th year of teaching! Where has the time gone?! Every year has been a bit different - the kids, the teachers, the content. Some things get easier, some get more difficult, but at the end of each year I feel so lucky that I truly love my job as much now as I did ten years ago.
For me, the end of a school year is always a time for reflection. Thinking about what went well, what didn't, and why. I always love to hear what students have to say, too. These are some of my favorites- how reflective kids can be!
"Another thing that I worked on throughout the year is writing good stories. At the beginning of the year I wrote awful stories, but now that Ms. Jenny told me some strategies to make my stories better I also improved by writing more at home."
"In fifth grade this year I learned how to write really good stories. In the past years I wrote simple and boring stories, but with the help of Ms.Jenny and with all her good tricks and strategies I learned to write great stories and I improved a lot (in my point of view)."
"One of the things I have learned this year in fifth grade is: writing good stories. Thanks to all those lessons we have reviewed, now I know how to write good stories."
"I learned many more ways to be nice to people. In fifth grade there are usually many problems with friends, teachers and maybe even family. I have learned how to solve these problems. I have also learned so much about science, math, and LA. Ms.Jenny has a special way of teaching where she makes everything fun and listens to all the suggestions. She also has a very good way of teaching LA."
"What I learned in 5th grade is Fractions, Geometry, Poems, Water Cycle, Heredity and lots more. But what I really learned socially is most important: Treat people the way you want to be treated.I already learned that in 1st grade but in 5th grade I learned the true meaning of it."
Hearing that kids came to see themselves as writers and learned how to treat one another makes me happier than I can say. Although there is so much we hope kids learn in a year, I feel that I've done my job when I read responses like this.
This class was definitely more challenging than my first ASB group of kiddos. However, it's their craziness and energy that I came to love the most! I was exhausted at the end of almost every day, yet exhilarated, too. I feel like I built some strong relationships with these kids and I know I'm actually going to miss them over the next few months - crazy, right?! Luckily, I'll be able to spend my 11th year of teaching with them as well. :)
For me, the end of a school year is always a time for reflection. Thinking about what went well, what didn't, and why. I always love to hear what students have to say, too. These are some of my favorites- how reflective kids can be!
"Another thing that I worked on throughout the year is writing good stories. At the beginning of the year I wrote awful stories, but now that Ms. Jenny told me some strategies to make my stories better I also improved by writing more at home."
"In fifth grade this year I learned how to write really good stories. In the past years I wrote simple and boring stories, but with the help of Ms.Jenny and with all her good tricks and strategies I learned to write great stories and I improved a lot (in my point of view)."
"One of the things I have learned this year in fifth grade is: writing good stories. Thanks to all those lessons we have reviewed, now I know how to write good stories."
"I learned many more ways to be nice to people. In fifth grade there are usually many problems with friends, teachers and maybe even family. I have learned how to solve these problems. I have also learned so much about science, math, and LA. Ms.Jenny has a special way of teaching where she makes everything fun and listens to all the suggestions. She also has a very good way of teaching LA."
"What I learned in 5th grade is Fractions, Geometry, Poems, Water Cycle, Heredity and lots more. But what I really learned socially is most important: Treat people the way you want to be treated.I already learned that in 1st grade but in 5th grade I learned the true meaning of it."
Hearing that kids came to see themselves as writers and learned how to treat one another makes me happier than I can say. Although there is so much we hope kids learn in a year, I feel that I've done my job when I read responses like this.
This class was definitely more challenging than my first ASB group of kiddos. However, it's their craziness and energy that I came to love the most! I was exhausted at the end of almost every day, yet exhilarated, too. I feel like I built some strong relationships with these kids and I know I'm actually going to miss them over the next few months - crazy, right?! Luckily, I'll be able to spend my 11th year of teaching with them as well. :)
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| Such a beautiful message (and rose)! |
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| Each student and I drew a name and had to write a letter to that person (a great idea borrowed from Anne!) . The letter was supposed to be full of memories and positive experiences from the year. We read these aloud on the last day and had to guess who each letter was written to - they were amazing! This is the one a student wrote to me - so thoughtful! It was a great way to end the year. |
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Ruta de Tapas
Last night Tessa and I joined Hayley, Carlos, and lots of others on the Barcelona Ruta de Tapas. I wish I had known about this sooner - I have no doubt I would have been checking it out all week if I had!
There were than 40 bars/restaurants around the city participating. Each bar offers a set tapa and a caña for 2.40 euros! Such a great price! This is such a great way to visit new places and see what they have to offer. We stopped in a number of places I've walked by hundreds of times, yet never visited for a variety of reasons.
Although we didn't get to enjoy as many places as I would have liked (too many people!), it was great to get a new taste of Barcelona! I will be sure to look for more opportunities like this one :)
There were than 40 bars/restaurants around the city participating. Each bar offers a set tapa and a caña for 2.40 euros! Such a great price! This is such a great way to visit new places and see what they have to offer. We stopped in a number of places I've walked by hundreds of times, yet never visited for a variety of reasons.
Although we didn't get to enjoy as many places as I would have liked (too many people!), it was great to get a new taste of Barcelona! I will be sure to look for more opportunities like this one :)
Amsterdam
In the span of a week, I was able to visit two completely different, yet equally amazing, European cities. (I love my life. :) After visiting Rome with Tessa, Emily, and Shannon, I headed to Amsterdam to meet up with Anna, Emily, Amy, and Kelly. What a city!
I didn't know much about Amsterdam, other than the common stereotypes - the Red Light District, accessibility of drugs, beautiful Dutch people, and the idea that just about anything goes! All of these stereotypes proved to be true, but I was also impressed by what a beautiful city Amsterdam is. We had gorgeous weather for three straight days, which always makes a place seem even better. Because it was so sunny and warm, people were out on their boats, cruising up and down the Amsterdam canal system, as well as out enjoying drinks in every possible plaza. It was fantastic!
The art and museum scene was equally wonderful, as well as the variety of food - Indonesian food is quite popular there and it was so nice to have truly spicy dishes! Overall, it was a great weekend with great friends. I hope to make it back someday soon!
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| Red Light District |
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| Such beautiful homes! |
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| In Museum Park |
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| Gorgeous Canals |
Rome
I fell in love with Italy the instant Anna and I arrived in Venice two and half years ago. I've been lucky enough to visit Florence, Milan, Sardinia, and Cinque Terre since then and have consistently been amazed by just how different,yet wonderful, each city is. A recent weekend trip to Rome confirmed this yet again.
In addition to the Coliseum and Roman ruins (everywhere!), the religious importance of Rome was equally amazing to experience. It's so interesting to me how such different, yet pivotal, events in world history happened in this one city! Visiting Vatican City, admiring Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and actually seeing the Pope are events I won't easily forget.
In 40 hours, we packed in a lot of sight-seeing. Although I saw all of the main places I hoped to visit, I have no doubt a return trip to Rome is in my future. It was incredible!
The history in Rome has always fascinated me - movies/shows like Gladiator, Spartacus, and Rome make life at that time seem so violent, intense, and interesting. Watching those scenes is one thing, but actually seeing the ruins in reality was jaw-dropping! Walking through the Coliseum is easily one of the most memorable moments I've had in Europe so far. It's easy to imagine the battles taking place inside, the people shouting, the much-anticipated thumbs-up or thumbs-down. It was amazing to see how a building built in 69 A.D. is actually still recognizable and so well-preserved.
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| The Coliseum |
In addition to the Coliseum and Roman ruins (everywhere!), the religious importance of Rome was equally amazing to experience. It's so interesting to me how such different, yet pivotal, events in world history happened in this one city! Visiting Vatican City, admiring Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and actually seeing the Pope are events I won't easily forget.
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| Wow |
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| The Pope! |
In 40 hours, we packed in a lot of sight-seeing. Although I saw all of the main places I hoped to visit, I have no doubt a return trip to Rome is in my future. It was incredible!
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