As I have written before, little satisfies me more than working with my writers. And as I have written before, nothing stretches me more than working with my writers. It is the most gratifying but demanding thing I do.

Of course, the work is more than getting kids to put pen to paper. It also involves getting kids to think about writing differently. It’s hard for them to learn and hard for me to teach that which they find little value in. And when they find little value in something so hard, it creates dispositions that get in the way of our work. So, I address those dispositions.

Oh, not all my kids hate writing. In fact, some love it. More like it. Some are neutral. Many hate it. Too many. And like a lot of things in school, they learned their dispositions from us. Well, mostly from us. We can’t shoulder all the blame, I suppose. But we have to own our share, for it is here in the hallowed halls of our institution where we have created largely artificial, transactional experiences for kids, and when they experience such inauthenticity year after year, they wisen to the game, and many simply learn to game the game, or they just won’t play it anymore.

So, with this reality in my face each year, I try to find ways to get kids to think about and experience writing differently. Yesterday, I made an effort to get kids to see it in its simplest form, and to check their most important asset–their attitude. They do or do not by their belief.

I suppose some see it as a cheap, cheesy sell, and I imagine some of my kids saw it as such, but I believe in belief; I believe in them. And if I continue to talk and walk that, maybe–just maybe–they will buy what I am selling. I haven’t always believed in the things I have sold over the years, and I am sorry now that I even tried, but I do believe in this. I just hope my kids come to believe it, too.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…writing as an art, writing as way of being.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Thursday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.

Are you Magic School Bus kids?

“YES!” resonated ’round the room. They loved the Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus when they were kids.

And why wouldn’t they? Ms. Frizzle and the gang did some pretty out-of-this-world things together. And though I could never give my kids what Ms. Frizzle did, I want to. I want to.

Yesterday, that desire welled up and found its way out. And I tweeted this from the Starbuck’s parking lot.

Some day maybe we will break beyond the mundane existence of the institution of education, and we’ll find a bigger better–we’ll find the missing magic of what could be, of what should be.

Some day.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…making first impressions in our writing as we begin our introductions.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Wednesday, all. Hope you find some magic beyond today.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.

As I venture further into the year with my feedback-only approach, I am trying to find and refine better ways to deliver feedback to my kids. Having recently written feedback on my kids’ latest Learning Checks, which focused on identifying, stating, and supporting theme, I decided to give them a “key” to help explain some of my common comments.

Of course, I believe the ideal approach is always a conversation, but the “real” of the situation is that there’s just simply not enough time. So, until I can get around to them, I want them to know a bit more about what my comments mean as they attempt to complete their Response to Feedback (RTF) forms, completing the Learning Check (LC) process. Here’s the RTF we used for our latest LC.

I recognize that I could simplify and make more efficient the process with codes, etc. But part of me believes feedback has to have a bit of a human feel to it. Maybe I am being old-fashioned, but I feel the need to consider and speak to my audience (each kid) on the other side of my comments, which inevitably makes the process slower. But does it make it better? I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not? Part of the deal is I am not only helping them meet the standards but I am also helping them write their chapters for their Learning Stories, so I feel like I have to give them more “material” than codes to help them capture their journeys. I feel like codes are kind of a fast-food meal, and I want to give my kids some home-cooking every once in a while.

I imagine, as with most things, there’s a middle ground to be found between the efficient and the human, so I will keep seeking that sweet spot as I feed my hungry little humans along our journey this year.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…considering the “what, so what, now what” of our latest text.

…sharing our name histories.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Tuesday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.

Long list. Short post. Too much left to do on a Monday morning. Despite trying to catch up this weekend, I only managed to get a little less-behind. So, I am going to neglect my duties here a bit so I can get a few loose ends tied up before school. Sorry.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…reconnecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…responding to feedback from the latest Learning Check.

…discussing last week’s Text of the Week.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Sorry for the lame post, all. Happy Monday.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.

We often see it before they say it. And more often, they never say it, so what we see is enough. Kids face things they shouldn’t have to, things they did not choose, things they cannot escape. And even though we’d like to live in a world where every kid shows up ready–academically, socially, emotionally–that’s not the world we live in, and just because they walk through our doors, it doesn’t mean they can leave their world behind. Their world follows them, wherever they go.

Yesterday, she entered with her world on her shoulders. I saw. She shared some of it during Smiles and Frowns. I heard. And so, when she hid away in one of her drawings for the rest of the period, I understood. There where she hid, I did not know how to help her. I think we both knew this, so we agreed tacitly that she knew best what she needed in the moment. And in our shared understanding, we each made our way. Sometimes, even in the classroom, that’s all we can do for each other. Sometimes, we just have to acknowledge the weight of the world we all carry, and in that, we may all find that we are not alone. That others see. That others hear. That others understand.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…struggling (productively) with our ideas for our narrative essays.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Friday, all. May the weight of your world be less heavy today. Have a great weekend.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.

Had our first snow day of the year yesterday. In early October!

No way. Not October. Too early. Though we did get our first real snow on September 26th this year, so maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise. Either way, I had the day off yesterday.

Once upon a time, I would have gone into school to get less-behind, but I have learned to take better care of myself, so I just enjoyed my day yesterday, making a big breakfast for my family, hiking with my dog Daisy, taking a long nap, and finally climbing two trees.

But, sadly, yesterday was borrowed time, for we will have to make it up in June. But, I will worry about that then. For now I will just worry about today’s plan which will be yesterday’s plan, and that’s why I am calling it Day 25 again.

Happy Thursday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.

Every day we write the story. Every day we add lines, pages, verses, and chapters. You do. I do. We do. We are the human experience. And though our days are different, our stories are often the same as we find ourselves in others and they find themselves in us. We are human. We are the story.

Our work so far this year has let us listen in on others’ stories. From Calvin’s Snowflake to the young boy without a pencil to Ms G. and her Freedom Writers, we have heard stories from the human experience. Now, you will have a chance to add your words, your story to our story. The human story.

Inspired by our work with the movie Freedom Writers, we are beginning our own project today, which we are going to call, “Wisdom Writers.”

Above is the introduction/overview I will share with the kids today as we begin our work. I want to compel them to believe that their stories matter, that their stories have a place. As I have learned from my twenty-four years in the classroom, kids have real experiences, kids have real wisdom, and I want them to capture and share that wisdom.

Though this is an entirely new path and we are still seeking the best routes as we journey forth, I am excited by the possibilities of Project Wisdom Writers. Here’s the introduction to the project.

This is the planned route for the next two days. We’ll see how it goes. As always, if things are not working as planned, we’ll find a better way to do it. I can’t wait for the kids to share their wise words with the world.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…searching for and capturing ideas for writing.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.

Twenty three days in and not a single point or letter has been exchanged between my kids and me. Only feedback.

That’s the “different I dared” this year. I have long believed and others have previously proven that feedback, not numbers or letters, support learning. But to get here, where my long-held beliefs are becoming my long-desired reality, I had to get beyond grading. And that has been a long journey of trial and error. And though my journey is far from over, I believe I have found a sweet spot between what is and what could be. I have discovered different. And it’s working.

Yesterday, as I was giving kids feedback on our latest Learning Check, I felt a feeling. I had a moment. And while, yesterday, I couldn’t put a finger on exactly what I felt, today, I think I can name it freedom. There’s something liberating about moving beyond the pretense of grades and engaging in the honesty of feedback. Situated in the context of a learner’s work, success criteria, and a teacher’s assessment, feedback comes to life. It gives life. It feeds the learning. And, it feels right. It feels good. It’s simple. It’s supportive. It’s…well, super. I have had a few “this-feels-right” moments over the past three years with Project 180, but nothing has quite matched where I find myself right now: liberated, free and full of energy to work with my kids.

Have I arrived, then? Of course not. And I would hope those who’ve been with me on this journey for some time now, would never expect or accept such a pronouncement from me. Chasing better has no ends, but there are a few betters along the way that prompt a brief pause, so one can enjoy the moment. And for the moment, I am going to enjoy this moment.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing with grammar.

…analyzing character.

…creating interview questions.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Tuesday, all.

Do. Reflect. And Pause to Enjoy the Better Sometimes.

Tired. Slept late (if 4:14 is late). Not much in my head this morning. Coffee is slow to charge. Gonna be one of those mornings maybe.

Thought I would share something one of my connections on Twitter, Jakob Gowell, brought to my attention about activities like Smiles and Frowns. It’s from The Journal of Experimental Education.

Though I have always found my leanings and sentiments towards Smiles and Frowns more humanitarian than “scientific,” it is nice to see some academic support for that which is at the center of my work. Not that I needed it to know. I know every day. The resulting “empathic concern rather than anxiety, envy, or rivalry” has been exactly my experience with Smiles and Frowns as barriers are broken and connections are created. It’s why I do what I do. In principle. In practice. In spirit. Thank you for seeing my spirit, Jakob.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…checking our learning with identifying, stating, and support themes from the Freedom Writers Diary.

…publishing our cross-sections.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Thursday, all. Last post for the week. No school tomorrow. For us it’s a Professional Learning Day in our district. Back here Monday. Have a great weekend.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.