Ok, I’m going to give this a try. Not quite sure if I have anything too terribly interesting to say, but it’s worth putting myself out there and finding out!
Today was the Omaha Public Schools Fall 2009 ESL Conference. I had the opportunity to team with the keynote speaker Angela Maiers. Angela’s workshops this past summer were beyond motivating for me, so it was great to get a boost of her right before a week of parent-teacher conferences. In the afternoon session, she discussed Literacy Now: Fiction, and I shared a lesson that I did with my students about a fiction text. I then answered some questions and discussed what I’ve noticed about my students in introducing the Book story and Life story of a fiction text. I brought some of our anchor charts to show as well, and fellow teachers were taking pictures of them afterward. It all went so well! I loved being able to share my application of Angela’s ideas in a real classroom, and I think other teachers saw that it was truly possible.
I am an Angela Maiers believer, because I’ve seen it work in my own classroom. She is truly someone I look to for great insight into the 21st Century learner’s mind. If you haven’t met her, you should! She will transform the way you look at teaching your students! http://www.angelamaiers.com
So, I’m starting this blog to give you an insight into the happenings of my life inside the classroom…and outside sometimes too. I look forward to posting my thoughts and seeing if anyone out there cares to hear them. As an artist in my spare time (like I really have any), I am always looking for quotes for my artwork, so I will try to leave various quotes on my posts. Here’s one from today’s presentation that stuck with me…
” If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow” – John Dewey
An AZ and NE girl living in a DC world. 
Wow! I give you two weeks and you take two hours. I LOVE it! Remember this – If it’s interesting to you, it’s interesting to others. Go with your gut.