Sagetribe- Adventures From Our Village

The Joy of School- A Beginning

This boy

this sweet, sister loving, Lego master, sensitive, fighter for justice, hater of oranges and raisins, and lover of P.E., math, and reading comic books boy,

did something really cool last week.

We are proud of him- he learned how to read, create fractions, tell time, tie his shoes, he played hard, walked to the park everyday, made friends, taught and helped his peers, learned the "art" of Pokeymon, and most importantly he ENJOYED HIS DAY. 

This is so important! Really, for me, it is the most important.

Without joy learning doesn't happen.

I believe in the idea of school- a place of nurturing where children, small and big, come together to be immersed in new things and create.

Oh, but as we know, this isn't always the idea of school...some believe kids just need to do as they are told and get "through it".

Maybe those people loved the school they went to or never struggled, which somehow I doubt. It makes more sense that they just have some morbid sense of the world that it sucks. 

It doesn't matter where a child goes to school, there should be joy; there must be.

So on this day, graduation from what used to be considered the last fun year, we know and will do everything in our being to ensure, it is just the beginning for Clark. There are no illusions here. There will be struggles and challenges. My days are spent helping teenagers find joy and then success in school. I know how it goes. I know there must be joy. 

Here's to 12 more years, Clark! 12 more years of finding your passions, learning and playing hard, making friends, helping and being helped, and most importantly, enjoying your days. 

Clouds

Above: The words of my words- A word cloud of Sagetribe02

The big kids and I have been making clouds!

(or a collage of words pulled together that relate to a topic)

In Writer's Workshop, the big kids are practicing how to argue and persuade (because they need the practice...ahem...) so they typed in their main topic/s to generate a cloud. Their clouds were filled with synonyms to consider adding into their essay and/or vocabulary to research.  

We also typed in our names (this was a hit) and used the generated list to spark poems, lyrics, stories. 

Love sites like these!

Happy Cloud Making!

Sunday Still Life

"Sunday Still Life, created by Erin Goodman, is an evolving photo project; an invitation to explore the beauty and depth of life through traditional still life composition and/or photos and words to evoke inner stillness and reflection."

This week and next, we are only able to chat and be with the big guy through a screen. He's busy- researching, befriending, listening, recording- he's busy doing the things he loves, where he loves to be. 

Lucky for us, he also loves to be home, and home he will be heading in the days to come. 

Lucky for us, we also have a Pop and a Mimi, who are putting in major grandparent bonus hours, working extra hard to help this mama stay sane. 

Lucky, yes, so very much so!

New Year

Last week began my eighth year doing what I love, a new year in a new classroom, familiar faces (going on five years with me for some), new faces, new notebooks, folders, and un-sharpened pencils, all ready (even if they don't think they are) to begin reading and writing, doing what real readers and writers do.

This year I'm thinking about my own creative writing classes starting up in a couple weeks and bringing my re-found writing energy into my classroom.

This year I'm thinking about Hatchet, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Huckleberry Finn, and The Old Man and the Sea to name a few.

I'm thinking about a new Smart Board, IPAD touches, and laptops.

I'm thinking about good old fashion paper and pencil, field trips, and figuring out new ways to make learning stick.

This year I'm thinking about ISTEPS for the first time, and how they are fine guidelines, but one on one teaching, small classrooms, and making learning meaningful is what truly helps a child learn.

This year I'm thinking a lot about

who started on his path as a Kindergartner. Who has been a "student" since he came to us, but who is now officially a "student"- who will be shaped by teachers, lessons, and peers. Who I hope finds joy in school, is never bullied, learns about what he loves and loves what he learns. Who I hope has more good teachers than I had, and is never made to feel stupid or inadequate when he doesn't get it.

This year I'm thinking a lot about

who is embarking on her second year of life with passion and mischief, sentences, and still a LOVE, LOVE, LOVE of shoes. Who now also loves "doggies" and would like to know "WHY" we can not have one.

This year I'm thinking about the handsome guy above who is trying so hard to balance family and research and more family, which is not easy, but who always puts us first.

This year I'm thankful- for good Kindergarten teachers, students who trust me to push them where they need to go, kids who are OK when Mama passes out on the couch at 6pm, and a husband who graciously does bath and bed.

I'm thankful for our home cooked meals at the end of good and not so good days, walks and bike rides for another couple months, McDonald's hot fudge sundaes, and Upland Wheat on the deck.

I'm thankful that even though my rhythm is changing, speeding up, way up, it's still so, so good. 

My New Year

starts in a couple weeks when the big kids slump (even when they're happy they seem to slump) with new backpacks and school clothes back into my classroom. There will be big smiles and hugs, too much talking because so much has happened in two and half months, and they of course will be even taller.

I'll be ready with new books, notebooks, and ways to get them excited about language. I'll be ready with new writing workshop mini-lessons, reader response prompts, SSR books, and ways to get them discussing.

I'll be ready...but right now...not so much.

This summer has flown by too fast, and with the addition of my new one, I'm behind.

I have lots of ideas.

Ideas about colonialism and Avatar, Heart of Darkness, and Romiette and Julio. Ideas about zines and web pages, short stories, and lots of new poetry by Sherman Alexie.

I've been reading like mad, but many of the books I'm finding are not right. I can't picture them loving them like I want them too. I can't picture their discussions or connections with the bigger pictures.

So, I'm still looking and reading and looking.

But the dreams have started so I know I need to hurry. The dreams- after seven years one would think the dreams where I have no control over the classroom, or I'm blind trying to teach, or no one shows up, or insert chaos here would have stopped. They always start a month or so before school starts. They are my nudge- my reminder that summer is on its way out.

It's always bittersweet- I'm sad to see endless days with my children end, but I'm excited to see my other kids, get back into my passion, and a steadier rhythm.

So, with two weeks counting- I'd love ideas! Anyone know any great books, short stories, and/or poems middle school or high school students MUST read. My bookshelves and lesson plans are calling.

This post is part of  Moms' 30-Minute Blog Challenge

Pinnacle

Our school has a new video out to show parents/community who we are. If you're interested, go to www.pinnacleschool.org and at the top of the page click on Pinnacle video. You may see someone you know :)