Bertie+Hunt

Reflections 6/26: Today was completely awesome! I cant believe i am getting an I Pad and paid to learn how to be a better wtiting teacher. I think that this class might really help. I can count on one hand the usefeulness/ helpfulness that I've encountered through PD or classes that I have taken which makes me sad. All of the time and money that I have put into them makes me fell frustrated, but i think this class will be different. I am really looking forward to working with a coolague of mine that works at my school, i think we will create an awesome unit.

6/27: Wow I got my IPAD today. The tech guy that came was really nice. I felt not so dumb because some of what he was saying I already knew. I like that he wasnt too technical. The video app we downloaded was cool. I could see myself using it if I dont let the the technology itself intimidate me. Some of that stuff seemed a little complicated. I think if i wasnt so pressed for time always then maybe I could figre more stuff out. Even in our PLCs I feel we accopmplish nothing because of time and then I'm stuck on my own cursing and crying to try and figure stuff out, then befoere I know it thaat time creeps into my other time to do stuff... so annoying and frustrating! I am know reflecting on the outside wirk and how it is all going on this wiki page, YIKES! I sure hope I can figure this out. Everytime technology is involved I end up with so much stress and practically having a nervous break down. If my brother was in town instead of in NYC finishing his masters I could get him to help. Pitiful:( well lets hope it's not too bad.

6/28: OK now I'm really worried, I think I expected to magicall transform into this awesome writing teacher overnight. I was all set for class, read my chaptersand was ready for the lesson, but felt bummed because I saw what our instructors did in their class and I read what good old Kelly the author of the book did, but I'm not sure how it will help me. Their stuff was cool and I'm sure they have great classrooms, but I keep asking myself how will it make me better? Truthfully hearing what they did made me feel pretty insecure about myself, but taking this class is suppose to give me confidence. I do some of the things but it always seems to be a BUST. The personality test for instance I did. I had the kids take a character test, reflect on the personality types and tell what they agreed or disagreed about it. I also did it with learning styles. I guess when I really think about it the students did use to like to do these things, but my students now are so different and I just want them to get it. Maybe it just needs to look different when i do it....we will just have to see.

7/1: Today I think I got it, but it didnt seem to happen until a few hours after I got home. When I left my head was hurting and spinning, can you say information overload!!!!!! Seriously! How on earth will I remember all of this and apply it to my classroom I just kept thinking. I loved the strategies, but could not see the them in context of my curriculum. Like how and when will i use them and how does this fit in with that unit? Boy I was wishing they made an ididots guide to teaching writing... frustration which seems to be my mantra and mentor; I wish that and fear woud stop stalking me. I just kept writing a Unit plan plan, you know like brainstorming and then I felt a light bulb came on in my head and Bam I got it! When Ella and I tried to "apply" our new found knowledge it just was not lining up to our KUDs and learning maps that our district worked three summers to create, oh and I lost my partner because Ellla is going in a different direction. Either she is as clueless as me or she is like cant work with the twilight zone. Funny because she keeps saying, "I'm behind and will just hold you back. " CODE for it's me not you... no i'm pretty sure it's me , but thanks for being sweet about it. Well any way as I was saying I was working on drafts(yeah I'm currently in draft form myself) and started to see how the KUDs and the learning maps aligned... crazy thing I was "Writing " when it happened.... Coincidence or not...hmmmmmmm!

7/2: UGGGGGGGGH!! Just got punched in the face...guess what didn't get it! I left this place really feeling frustrated, hey there is that word again. Will it get off my back already? I spent every free minute well they were totally stolen moments because my kids wont let me do anything and my husband coaches football so good luck getting him to help. I even hd an awesome dinner to hive me some brain power and energy. I have even been praying, but still confused. OMG ehat will I do this unit iot on I keep thing hey got a plan and then flatline! I think I should just hand over my IPAD make sure they ripp up my account information and quietly step away!!!! Good Grief Charlie Brown! I know I can't be a quitter, I seem to get very frustrated easily and don't want to fail, and I certainly cant quit and I am pretty sure i just heurt my self on some toys that are all strewn acroos my house, but the bump on the head may have just helped. I am going to go to my classroom tomorrow and see if being there will help give me some inspiration, plus I sure could use the LFS learning manuels because I think it's only going to get woerst before it gets easy...should I quit?

7/3: Ok do I dare say it again? I swear this time I really got it. Going to my classroom helped. Being in the place where I will be implementing things and looking at all of the writing stuff that I have and use good and bad gave me a good starting point at where I want to go for my unit. Plus, my instructors(who I definitely want be like when I grow up) really helped me today. Sometimes when you ask the right question you get the right answer that just makes everything oh so clear.That's exactly what happened to me today. I realizes something so valuable about the pre test and the extending activity. Genius, after having the kids write an argument, have them label the parts. This way I'll know if they understand what is needed in the argument as well as how to write it, pretty awesome! Also I got the idea to teach tjis unit to my honors class, and see what needs to be tweaked for grade level later. I also got the courage to start with argumentative writing (which is all over the core standards) even if last year was a train wreck and I pulled my hair out and had to be talked off the edge, I'll do it again. now that's a scary reflection. So now I feel like I finally have a starting position, the KUDs and maps I've connected with; however they will need some tweaking, I finally have a starting point! Now onto unit planning and writing of lessons LFS style..bring on the frustration!

Writing Assignments











Lesson Plans

Letter to Principal