A Story Blooms from Rich Soil

Kindergarten teacher Laura Eckroat had a book in the works for awhile. When she struggled with the loss of her father the story found life. Teachers will find a resource for their classroom and a role model for building on the teachable moment.
http://lauraeckroat.tatepublishing.net/

New "Nation at Risk" Tells a Different Story

Recall the uproar caused by the Nation at Risk report suggesting our field learn a few things from the business world. Carl Glickman invites us to look through a present-day lens, a "must read" for educators. Enjoy!
http://www.forumforeducation.org/blog/latest-nation-risk-report.

Duke Ellington in the Special Ed Classroom

Today I had the pleasure of observing students in an elementary special education classroom individually interpret the music of Duke Ellington through art. Under the guidance of Helen, a Chinese-American student teacher in an alternative route to certification, children of a variety of cultures explored some of the roots of jazz. Each child drew or painted what the music meant to them. Several children clearly found the beat of the music, displayed in a variety of lines with peaks and spaces, colors and patterns. Others drew dancers, instruments, and musicians. Each picture was unique and beautiful. There were plans for writing about their interpretations and posting of their work in the hallways. I was taken by the honoring of culture across cultures. The uniqueness of their drawings told a story of attention to both the music and each child's own inner drummer. As we walked down the hall after class Helen told me of how tired but satisfied she is at the end of the day. Her smile gave genuine confirmation.

To share a story or no?

A teacher of only a few years called me last week with a question. She gave me permission to post it here for your thoughts.

"It's painful to see my colleagues in such stress. What's worse it feels like the kids are the ones that pay for it." She talked of meetings and faculty lunchroom talk that was negative about kids and their parents. As one whose family had struggled with job loss and frequent moves when she was growing up, she knew how hard times affected kids, families, and their relationship with school. She didn't feel comfortable talking with colleagues in the building about this but she thought she could let kids in her class know she'd been there too. She didn't know if this would open up a can of worms, if she should just stick with the curriculum, or if she had a responsibility to talk about hard times with her students. What do you think?

Stories that light our way

I'm interested in how learning communities large and small are responding to the increased challenges of our times. I want this to be a place to capture the stories of resilience and creativity. I want us to share resources and ideas. Of one thing I'm confident: teachers draw on incredible stores of creativity when looking for the low cost solution with students and families at the center.

Staying connected can help us to stay grounded in purpose and to be there for one another. Click on the books to the right and the links below to see other networks with similar purpose.