Last year my family and I picked up and moved across the state from a city of 900,000 to a small town of about 8,000. Originally it was a house that drew us here. An 1837 Antebellum fixer-upper. Not our first old home, but the oldest we have owned. We worked on this house for … Continue reading Simplicity and #smalltownlifedownsouth – #BLOG365 Day 20
Month: September 2016
Museum Monday: Owney the Dog – #BLOG365 Day 19
I have been smitten with this museum object since the day I laid eyes on it. What could you not love about a mascot dog? Especially one from the postal service? As soon as I knew Owney's story I loved this little mutt even more. In 1888 Owney wandered into a post office in Albany, … Continue reading Museum Monday: Owney the Dog – #BLOG365 Day 19
Namaste: Why I Love Yoga- #BLOG365 Day 18
I have had one of those weeks that chews you up and spits you out. It seems like every day I peel back another layer of work for myself. Each evening I come home exhausted. Years ago when I first came out of the classroom I expected to be less tired. I was wrong. Being in … Continue reading Namaste: Why I Love Yoga- #BLOG365 Day 18
Happy Constitution Day – #BLOG365 Day 17
One of the most powerful interactive exhibits I have ever experienced was at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Visitors are invited to sign the Constitution surrounded by life-size statues of the Founders. Given the opportunity, would you have signed the Constitution in 1787?
Here We Go…Again! – #BLOG365 Day 16
My heart is racing. I am a little shaky. Fumbling for my credit card. Clicking through the confirmation buttons. In my mind I am remembering all the stress, the worry, the long hours the last time I did this. But, here I am again. Committing to all that stress and worry and long hours AGAIN. … Continue reading Here We Go…Again! – #BLOG365 Day 16
Write Long and Strong – #BLOG365 Day 15
"Write long and strong." I heard this in a classroom the other day. We adopted a new writing series this year and I have been in classrooms almost every day to see how it's going, offer support, and facilitate the introduction of writing workshop at our school. Being in the midst of writing instruction … Continue reading Write Long and Strong – #BLOG365 Day 15
What’s the Point: A Follow Up – #BLOG365 Day 14
I read Meghan Everette's post What's the Point? -Lessons That Serve No Purpose last week. Her point about looking at the big picture when it comes to lesson design and planning resonated with me. As educators it is so important to know where we are going before we start any journey in the classroom or in … Continue reading What’s the Point: A Follow Up – #BLOG365 Day 14
@gcouros #InnovatorsMindset #IMMOOC – #BLOG365 Day 13
In just a few days I start George Couros' Innovator's Mindset MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). I read the book over the summer and am looking forward to delving into again. I read it on my Kindle which was a bad idea for someone who likes to highlight and write in the margins. I … Continue reading @gcouros #InnovatorsMindset #IMMOOC – #BLOG365 Day 13
Museum Monday: The Feejee Mermaid – #BLOG365 Day 12
When P.T. Barnum took control of Scudder's American Museum in 1841, the American public was brimming with social confidence. Ordinary people were empowered like they had never been. Individual learning was prized and the American Museum in New York City catered to this demand by offering an eclectic collection of natural history, illusion, and entertainment. … Continue reading Museum Monday: The Feejee Mermaid – #BLOG365 Day 12
5,475 Days Later- #BLOG365 Day 11
I started teaching the year after 9/11. In the first few years of teaching I took part in commemoration ceremonies each year. Then those ceremonies became moments of silence. Eventually the moments of silence became classroom lessons. Now, in many instances, it is left up to teachers how 9/11 is taught or if it is … Continue reading 5,475 Days Later- #BLOG365 Day 11
Jill Cross 