SI Final Reflection

It's hard to believe that this is the last day of the summer institute.I have learned so much from Lil, Lacy, Sally and everyone here. Here is what I wrote on the first day of our summer institute (it seems so long ago):

"Well here we go...The first day of the summer institute.As I look at this photograph, I think about this institute with a sense of nervousness, excitement, where do I fit in? Will I fit in? The sense of individuals, a community yet to be built.Even as an adult, it's hard to begin that first day of something new, different."

The community and support that has been built is amazing. The overall lesson that I have learned is from the Purification poem by Wendell Berry. I need to always "be" in the moment. I need to be attentive to the wonders around me. I need to RE-Vision the way I see and do things.

Teacher as Writer
This is how I started out with applying this concept to myself:
"Do I see myself as a writer? This is the question that Megan made me ask myself today in her demo. As I made my list of who is a writer/who is not a writer, I was forced to look at my self-selected writer criteria. My list of Writers included: Amy Tan, Stephanie Meyers and my good friend. I was the only person on my non writer list. In my head, writers are published people that are good at what they do. That was my initial thinking. I don't consider myself a good writer. As I listened to the conversation though, I thought...I do have a blog, I DO post on Facebook, I do write grants and do paperwork. I start everyday with a text/email to my husband since we keep such different schedules. The question posed by someone else...does it have to be habitual? also got me thinking. I do write everyday. But is it WHAT you write everyday that makes you a writer?"

Through Lil, I realized what was holding me back in claiming in the writer identity. During her Grammar discussion, this is what I wrote:
"The grammar discussion really tied it together for me. I thought about my earlier post about my definition of a writer and it hit me. I think that grammar is tied into our identities. People perceive you through your grammar, judge you through your grammar. My fear of grammar is why I do not consider myself a writer."

Through this institute, I have discovered that I AM a writer and I AM claiming it.

Teacher as Inquirer
I think that a teacher is inherently an inquirer--in class and in life. We are always thinking "How can I make this better?What went well?What could I have done early?What if I did this, what would happen?" I know that the summer institute has made me think this way everyday. I want to bring this curiosity and momentum with me into the new school year. I discovered through my inquiry into movtivating students to write for social action:
I Believe
Even in These Dangerously Beautiful Times

I believe in the power of the sun
In the notion that ideas can change the clouds’ formations
A snowflake’s aim and determination
To comfort a lonely, barren mountain peak
I believe in the recklessness of love
The ameliorative benefits of human connection

I sense hope in the certainty of death
Despite the tragedies of senseless ambitions
The citizens shout fire and gas and chains
And the pulpits do not hide their bold intentions
I sense hope in a journey through the birth canal
And in the selfishness of procreation

I hear change in the wind between guitar strings
In verses, in strokes, in midnight proclamations
In parked cars abandoned by hungry, eager feet
In a city street, in a mass amalgamation
I hear change in the measured responses to unanswered questions
Because even the patient have their limitations

- Ernest Morrell

I DO hear change in the measured responses to unanswered questions and want to focus my inquiry on that for this school year.

Teacher as Professional

This is synonymous with collaboration. This is what SI is all about. We are a powerful group of intelligent voices that can make a huge impact by working together. I am thinking now of pursuing teachers as the focus audience of my inquiry...motivating teachers in some way through creating a teacher community within my school, social action with teachers. I will need help from my fellow SI'ers.

I look forward continuing to learn from the National Writing Project and each other.

Starting Line--A poem in two voices

Starting Line

Let’s do it. You can do it! It will be fun. What if I come in LAST?
The first step is to set up a committed training schedule. What if I couldn’t finish? What I was last?


What if I had to go to the bathroom on the bridge?
Too bad! You will have to pee in your pants.

What were the chances of the bus driver letting me ride

back to the parking deck with him?
Really? We are all here to run with you.
Not a chance. Surely I could stand at the finish line and cheer on my

friends.

10k? That was 6 miles right?
That’s 6 miles. That’s 6 miles.

If some of these people here can do it, then couldn’t I?

What if I come in LAST?
Then we both come in last. We drove the round about way to get here, right? That’s not

the actual route, right?
No.
Breathe,you can do it. Come on, I think I can do it.

Evolution vs Revolution is messing with my Inquiry

After reading Carrie's blog and Megan's blog,I am inspired and energized. I go back to today to the writing into the day,Revolution vs. Evolution. Why not revolt? Within the community that we created, we ranted about all the things that bother, anger, and frustrate us. Why keep ranting? Why not change things instead? We are powerful and intelligent group of people. Together our voices could make a huge impact. Any issue we choose to work on together (teacher respect,creating teacher communities, the public perception of teacher), we could change together! So my original inquiry idea was motivating students to write for social action. The more I blog and twitter stalk as well dialogue with my fellow SI'ers , the more I am changing my thinking. I am thinking now of pursuing teachers as the focus audience of my inquiry...motivating teachers in some way through creating a teacher community within my school, social action with teachers. Does this make sense?

Identity--SI Day 7

Carrie's demo got me thinking about my identity and myself as a writer. I think that you create your identity through your thoughts, words and actions, both intentionally and unintentionally. Your identity is also created through the perceptions of others, how others may perceive you. You adjust to these perceptions whether consciously or subconsciously.Megan remarked that when looking at people "You still remember who they were but it deepens who they are now." I think it works that way when you are thinking about yourself.Your experiences shape your identity and always remain with you. You may see yourself one way one day and it changes the next--evolves.The grammar discussion really tied it together for me. I thought about my earlier post about my definition of a writer and it hit me. I think that grammar is tied into our identities. People perceive you through your grammar, judge you through your grammar. My fear of grammar is why I do not consider myself a writer.

SI Day 6 --Part 2

We started the day by looking at ourselves as writers, teachers, and inquirers. By trusting in the moment and being there, we revisited the three strands as well as our assessment discussion from yesterday and created a living tableaux. We portrayed what assessment means to us. I must say it was not a very uplifting picture. The mood brightened considerably though as we processed our tableaux and reworked what assessment could mean for us and how we could use it to strengthen our community. Rashid's demo was next. We started with writing into the demo and discovering our own "tipping point" ala Macolm Gladwell. Exploring social media inspired revolutions, we walked through integrating writing with social studies. Museum Box (http://museumbox.e2bn.org/) was the perfect container for our thoughts. Rashid had us get with a partner and create Museum box about a current revolution.

Ashley's demo was next. She expanded on the theme of social action with her demo, Critical Literacy Using Technology. Using the 5 critical literacy practices outlined by Ciardiello, we explored the social justice theme of homelessness. Through our exploration of homelessness, we were asked to answer the call of service and draft a piece of writing addressing the issue. Her glogster was inspiring and provided us with weeks of lessons.

After a writing lunch, we energized with Shakedown. Arms and legs were flailing as we counted down to zero. Megan then followed up with her demo, What does it mean to be a writer? We revisited our writing mission statements from a demo earlier in the week and investigated where our ideas of writing identities originated. We made lists of who we considered writers and who were not writers. Our non writers lists were whittled down to nothing by the end except for Lacy's cat.

We wrapped up the day with more discussion about the expectations and options for our portfolios and how we can do them, both collaboratively as well as retain our individuality if we want to. Another great day! I say that together at SI ,let's start a revolution as writers!

SI Day 6 Part 1:What is a writer?

Do I see myself as a writer? This is the question that Megan made me ask myself today in her demo. As I made my list of who is a writer/who is not a writer, I was forced to look at my self-selected writer criteria. My list of Writers included: Amy Tan, Stephanie Meyers and my friend, Intisar Hamidullah. I was the only person on my non writer list. In my head, writers are published people that are good at what they do. That was my initial thinking. I don't consider myself a good writer. As I listened to the conversation though, I thought...I do have a blog, I DO post on Facebook, I do write grants and do paperwork. I start everyday with a text/email to my husband since we keep such different schedules. The question posed by someone else...does it have to be habitual? also got me thinking. I do write everyday. But is it WHAT you write everyday that makes you a writer?

SI Day 5

Where do I begin? Ranting was the perfect way to get back into the week--to clear my thoughts and get my head into the game. The demos were great. The discussion of grammar as power did connect to my inquiry in the aspect of are all voices being heard? or excluded intentionally vs. unintentionally? The socratic semminar from this afternoon also lent itself to this dialogue.

Tonight is about reflecting on the portfolio and playing with inquiry.