"How am I supposed to read these if I have no idea what they are?"

(from an awesome student)

A little over a week ago, I got the pleasure of observing the day in the life of my professor while she was at work as a literacy specialist. However, that title isn't necessarily fitting. She was WAY more than a literacy specialist... she was a sense of comfort, a comedienne, a teacher, and of course a yoga instructor amongst other things. Stepping outside of my bubble and into a new setting was exciting, and below I will describe what I learned!


First session: Multitasking at its finest!
The two girls were there for a quick session since they had other obligation but Dr. Ferreri wasted no time! She engaged them by looking at the maple syrup they were making which related to a book they recently read. Then it was time to hear them read... different words/lists...while making sure they were on task... and listening attentively to the one reading... WHAT? The scene I just described sounds chaotic but it wasn't at all. Dr. Ferreri used non-verbal cues to keep the students on track. The fact that she differentiated even though there were only 2 children made me wonder why I am not differentiating for my 10 kids?

Session Two: My favorite line of the day/week/month/year/life 
 Out went the girls and in entered two boys! There was no time for slowing down! This is where the boys were reading nonsense words. ( Words that are "real" but that the students wouldn't know the meaning.) One of the boys, halfway through the list said, "How am I supposed to read these if I have no idea what they are?" I sat there, reflecting on the work my students do, and wondered if I should cry or laugh! I chose to do the latter of the two, however, why should I expect my kids to read words in isolation that have no meaning for them?

In this session, Dr. Ferreri also taped the boys reading and asked them to reflect on their reading. What a great idea! They could easily identify where they were struggling and what they did well... an important tool in improving! This session was even more eye-opening than the first... and I couldn't help but think about my own teaching the entire time.

Session Three: "Old Mrs. Ferreri, when will you ever learn?" (patting her on the head)
Why did this young man say this to my professor? I honestly forget! But, it was just so funny! The comfort level between the student and teacher was evident. Students enjoy their time with Dr. Ferreri! This lesson involved the use of pictures to drive instruction. They were discussing the setting, characters, characters' feelings, etc. all by interpreting the pictures. Picture walking is truly essential to comprehension!

Session 3.5: Brief Meeting w/ a student
Teaching isn't perfect. Enter the cutest curly-haired girl! After beginning a running record earlier in the day, and being interrupted and forced to stop, the girl picked up right where she left off. She proved that she was ready to read at this text level independently even though the record was taken at different times. Teaching isn't perfect. We do what we can, when we can!

Session Four: FULL on fun ;)
I must admit, I had the most fun at the end of day, in the session with the two boys who were in the room for "Resource Room." I thought, I didn't know Resource Room was in the job description for a literacy specialist!? This was such a treat! The boys, who were eager and ready to learn worked together on a (horrible) map worksheet. One of them even said, "Let's work together so we don't get anything wrong!"

Then, it was yoga time! What an exciting way to end the day. The students and teacher switched roles after reviewing the poses, given the students the reins. They had to recall the moves and instruct us respectfully. I loved taking off my shoes, stretching on the carpet and relaxing to end a hectic Friday.

REFLECTIONS
Stepping outside of my literacy world was an amazing experience! I was exposed to different facets of instruction and the crazy busy schedule that literacy specialist face! (How does she eat lunch!?!) it is important for future literacy specialists to observe as many settings as possible since we don't know what setting will be our final destination. Overall, I had a great day and learned a great deal about balancing, practicing, instructing, and reflecting!

Reflecting on this semester

 Writing has become to mean more to me than it has at anytime in my life/ career. And here I find myself with one of my last assignments...writing a reflection about writing that reflected my thoughts at the time. Woah.

This semester was a challenge to say the least. Finding time to eat and sleep was hard enough, let alone doing work for grad school. When I found out that I would have to do extra writing outside of class, I will be honest, I was less than pleased. At first, I thought it was because I didn't have time to write and this would take me away from doing work for other classes or for my job. Looking back, I wasn't happy about it because I was scared.

I was scared to put myself out there! Scared to take a risk! Scared to be judged by my peers (and professor)! I thought that what I had to say would be rendered meaningless to others. I've always been somewhat gutsy and I told myself that if I was going to "do this," I had to "really do it." So I took a chance... and my peers and professors liked what I had to say! That feeling, of having a comment on my blog or having a classmate tell me they enjoyed my piece really meant a lot to me.

Then it hit me... why don't I do more "sharing" with my students? I started sharing my writing, and as a result, they wanted to share theirs. I let go of needing the work to be perfectly punctuated and grammatically correct, because really, writing isn't perfect.

Dudley-Marling and Paugh stated, "Teachers who do not write themselves may have difficulty appreciating the struggles of novice writers. They may be more likely to insist on a writing process for all students, such as demanding that all writing be revised... It will always be difficult for anyone who does not write to be an effective teacher of writing." (Dudley-Marling & Paugh, 11)

Wow. Rereading this tonight once again hit me like a ton of bricks! I must write more to be more effective... it is a causal relationship.

Writing was never "my thing" and truthfully, I would rather curl up with a good book than write. However, if it will make me a better teacher, then you better believe I will write!!!

My New Year's Resolution this year was to try and read for leisure as often as possible. Thus far, I have done that and couldn't be happier. I want to make an "End of the Semester/Grad School Resolution(s):" 

1)Write more!!!

2) Give my kids CHOICE (even if it isn't allowed!)

3) Let them do an essay and don't correct them for spelling and grammar...look at their ideas

4) share, Share, SHARE... let the students read their pieces

Truth Is...

I always hear about kids posting this and finally decided to confront them and ask them what it meant. Apparently, if someone likes your post that says "Truth is" you have to post something truthful about them on their Facebook wall/ Twitter feed/Instagram.

Sounds sweet and innocent yet mature and conniving all at the same time!

I have decided to do this "Truth is" for myself; so hear it goes!

"Truth is"

I'm nervous for my observation tomorrow.

I'm nervous for my observation Friday.

I just want to put all of my work to the side and read one of my new books.

I'm afraid of not getting everything done for work tomorrow.

I'm afraid of not getting everything done for grad school this semester.

I'm afraid of not getting everything done that I want to do in life.

I'm sad that school is coming to an end.

I'm happy that school is coming to an end.

I love my kids and fear that next year's class won't be as "good."

I want to be a role model and confidant for my kids.

I'm afraid I won't find the one.

I have insomnia and sleep 4 hours a night.

My life is crazy.

My life is beautiful.

My life is wonderful.

A Year In Review

I can’t believe this school year is coming to and end. It seems like just yesterday I found myself appearing in the room for the first time, looking at everyone else’s faces and finding my place in the class.

But that was months ago. Eight months ago to be exact. And now, it is all coming to an end. Yes, I still have two months left with the class, but I can’t help but feel nervousness as to what next year’s class will be like.

The teacher was amazing. Talk about being loved by your students and idolized! I remember the first day of school. She walked in, dressed to the nines in J. Crew with the perfect smile to compliment her outfit, tanned skin and not a hair-out-of-place do. They all immediately felt connected to her; the boys, and the girls.

She greeted them with an inviting voice; one that was both stern and warm, serious yet casual. I can’t explain it, but she had it. The day went smoothly, and when the kids left, Mikey, a student who was depressed the previous year according to my friend said, “I think this is going to be a good year,” which says a lot for him. His gapped-tooth smile and fidgety nature warm her heart.

The other students have been darling…but not everyday. The teacher struggled on certain days as expressed on her face, in her body language, or in her tone of voice. Some days she looked defeated. Some days. Maybe a handful to be exact. Most days, she looked thrilled. As have the children.

There is something to be said about a relationship between a teacher and her student. Each one of her relationships is different. Take Ava for example. The new girl was shy at first but now, the teacher can’t get her to be quiet! She tells the teacher everyday, “You’re my favorite teacher ever. I miss you when I’m not around you.” The teacher wants to tell her “You’re my ‘favorite’ student. I miss you when I’m not around you.”

Then there’s John; a true boys-boy who communicates his respect for her with a simple head nod and toothless smile. She reciprocates the respect…something he finds funny!

William follows suit. He does however get her corny jokes quicker than anyone in the class and they usually share a laugh before the others know what’s going on. They silently laugh and relish in that moment of hilarity.

Jimmy is another story. Always two steps behind (or more) he always apologizes for the need for repeated directions, and the teacher always obliges. I can tell she is frustrated, but he can’t and thanks her constantly.

She and Q have the intellectual conversations. Discussing current events and world issues, they go toe-to-toe without crossing the line. He can do a mean jazz and shimmy too which cracks her up during snack.

Luke, another new student, is her rock. She looks at him with her big brown eyes and smiles with them; thanking him for being a model student. He looks back at her wondering how he got placed with this crew!

Dan, a boy that knows wayyy more than he should at age 12, constantly tries to get her attention! He talks with her during snacks, makes music and movie suggestions, and even asks her if they can be friends on Instagram (which of course she turned down.) Dan has a bit of a crush according to the talk on the playground…on the teacher and two of the three girls in the class.

That brings me to Jamie; the tomboy that the teacher admires for being so comfortable in her own skin. Most of the time, Jamie can be found attached to the teacher’s hip. Literally. She always wants to hug her and be near her. The teacher, who always requests a personal bubble, allows her to hold on for a few seconds feeling the admiration.

Then there’s Anne; the perfect student, athlete, and person. Every girl and boy want to be her friend. I can tell that the teacher sees herself in Anne; as if she is looking back to her middle school days. Although Anne is constantly doodling, and the teacher is constantly asking her (nicely) to stop, Anne doesn’t… because Anne is making a book for the teacher; a goodbye present since she is leaving the school.

Even though there is less than two months left of the year, this has been the best yet.

For the students.

For the teacher.

And for me…

a fly on the wall.

Day 10: Challenge?

Okay, I have to admit that I thought this ten day challenge of writing everyday would be just that... a challenge. And to be honest, at first it was! The first day or two I had to remind myself to write. But as I continued on my blogging journey, it became less of a task and more of a relaxation and outlet to express myself.

I felt very surface level with my first couple of posts because I was testing the water and determining exactly how much I wanted to put myself out there. I still have more to divulge and maybe at some point I will get there, but I think this is somewhat what my professor was talking about when she said she discovered a secret about writing not so long ago herself.

It becomes easier over time!!! And quite enjoyable at that. I have learned that writing, like reading allows me to "escape reality" for a short amount of time. I can remove myself from the craziness of my life, and take a moment to reflect. I have determined that I am a night blogger. I like to blog after my "day is over" and use it as a time to look back at my day, week, or year.

Writing is amazing. Writing is fun. I have come to enjoy myself. I wold be lying if I said the feedback didn't make me feel like a child receiving positive feedback from my teacher.

I am glad I embraced this challenge with arms wide open! It has really paid off.

Who says it has to end after 10 days...?

Day 9 Challenge: A December Bday Party in March

* I saved this entry to notes on my mom's phone last night on my way home from the party since my phone had 1% battery and no Internet access! Then, hers died too! *

Tonight we celebrate the birth of a good family friend! She turned 55... in December! Why was the party so late? I still don't know the answer to that, but frankly it didn't matter because it was so much fun and an excuse to get everyone together.

The party was held at Sur La Table at the Westchester Mall where we were the chefs and cooked our own dinner from scratch. This included pasta, sauces, and a cake. At first, I was incredibly nervous because to be honest, I do not spend a whole lot of time in the kitchen. But after a couple "glasses of courage" I realized that it wasn't meant to be a cooking competition, it was meant to be fun!

Luckily, the birthday girl's middle son and girlfriend (both a year older than me and my good friends) were there as well as we represented the youngins. Our team was pretty much doomed from the beginning. As we added lemon juice to a way to hot skillet, it exploded everywhere and we were all covered! Luckily we had on our aprons.

Of course there were many more mistakes along the way in this adventure. Sauce was burnt, pasta was too thick, then too thin, then nonexistent at all. The meat wasn't shredded finely enough and I refused to touch the fatty pieces. Therefore, half of it got thrown into our "garbage bowl" even though it was perfectly usable. But we didn't care. Half the time we didn't even pay attention to the food. The people were the sources of entertainment. And we did pay attention to the food, we did it together as a team.

My last couple of posts have been about family/friends. At this point of my life, I have begun to realize how much I treasure my time with loved ones. I often discuss the need to be out on my own, but in reality I love being surrounded by loved ones as often as possible.

Needless to say tonight was great. Way better than sitting home doing work or out partying with strangers in the city. Call it a coming of age tale if you will, as I have come to realize what life is all about... being with the people that make me happy and make me a better person!

Happy birthday Pat... 3.5 months later! :)

Day 8 Challenge: Family

Finding the right balance between family, friends and alone time is incredibly hard to balance. Many times I find myself unsure of what is really my time best spent.

Recently,  I have been helping my cousin Erin decide on a college. She is a senior and increibly well-rounded and really has her pick. She is such an amazing person with an incredible spirit. We often discuss how we would like to trade lives... he becoming older and established in her career, and me ready to embark on the journey known as college.

We are spending time together tonight for the first time in 3 months! With our buy schedules, we had to pencil this day in forever ago. Hanging out with her and divulging our current highs and lows makes me realize how important family time really is. Just the other day, playing a game with my family I had this same realization. And now this realization is reaffirmed.

Family time is curcial, especially as I get older and look forward to starting my own in the somewhat near future.

And because this time is so important, I must esxcuse myself to hang out with my cousin/friend.