What have we done that I have enjoyed during the writing project and why?
Sacred Writing must come first. It is my favorite, because it is has inspired me to think of things and remember things that would otherwise not have occurred to me. The writing prompts have all been very meaningful, although my response to the prompt about my concerns about the future of public education made me feel sad and angry. I have daily concerns about the problems my students have, and the future they will face. I pray that it will be rich, meaningful, and full of all of the joys and sorrows we all experience during our lives. I realize that I cannot bless them all with the goodness and rewards in life that I would hope for them.
Each Morning of Sacred Writing has inspired me to examine some aspect of my heart and teaching and my life. Who takes the time to do this, if not prompted? What I hope, and what I plan is to contimue Sacred Writing as part of my daily life. I can work it into a personal prayer , as a meditation on paper. Think about how much cognition has taken place if I write every day about what I think. I will become more real to myself. I know this is getting goofy, but it is real.
Sacred Writing has prompted me to think about things I care about deeply, so I will have lots of beginning ideas for the papers for SI.
It has been a delight to have Laura Bentley as our Writer in Residence. What a great resource! She is so warm and kind, and she has helped me know how to make my thoughts clearer. She does this in just a few succinct words. She is a poet, isn’t she!! I am totally focused each time se speaks to us – she is captivating, and makes me feel like a poet also.
The afternoons with Karen and Jennifer instructing us on using technology are probably the most beneficial to me. Now – remember that there is not a minute of each day that I don’t think I am benefitting during Writing Project, but I feel my lack of technological competance is a serious flaw in my professional skills. This is where I need to improve most critically!
So, thank you profusely, Jennifer, Karen, Ian, Eliot, and others! Thanks also for your kind patience with my use of Powerpoint. I am aware of it’s lack of sophistication, but I am so proud that I could do it.
I have learned from each demo. Just a few highlights here:
Jennifer St: the reminder to make learning relevant to the students lives.
Eliot:
I will use both of the writing strategies you used. I was impressed at how thoroughly you prepared students, and the appropriate timing of when you told them information aboutwhat to do. You prevented them from being overwhelmed. I can really benefit from thinking about this.
Amanda:
I will work on using more self assessment and on preparing better rubrics and using them most effectively.
Dustee and Mary, I had so much fun during your demo. I learned some strategies for differentiating learning in my classroom and some ideas for activities to use. I want my grandchildren to be in both of your classroms, if I ever have grandchildren.
My writing group is wonderful. Thank you Beth, Mary and Dustee for your perspectives, your kindness and your wisdom.
I appreciate the history we are producing in the Ethnographys. Hearing the review of the previous day from another person’s perspective helps imprint each day in our brains.
There is nothing that I have not enjoyed. Every coach, instrutor, lunch preparer and co-fellow has been helpful and kind.
