Do Grades Matter?

It's standardized testing season in our district. You know those tests that don't mean anything but mean everything..

While planning with a teacher she mentioned the book
Report Card by Andrew Clements
The basic synopsis: a gifted child, hides her "giftedness" at school and at home to prove that grades don't matter.

Last night I dreamt I was taking a course where the marks were given online...not just mine but everyone else's, was there to see and compare.

Grades did matter in my dream.

In my dream, it mattered that the highest mark was not my own.

It mattered who got the lowest.

It mattered how many other students did better than me.


BUT...Grades don't matter in the way we would like to think.

They don't make us learn something better.

They don't always reflect what we know.

They don't tell us how to do better.

They don't really tell us what we do well.

So...do grades matter?..they matter to some.
But...should grades matter?...depends who you ask.
Who is the sheriff of grades? and Where can I get a hold of him?

Until Next Time,

Lit Maven out!

Cancer and Literacy?

This title caught my attention today How Literacy is Like Leukemia"WOW...where was this going?" I thought... as a cancer survior.

This article speaks a lot to what is true but not said...There is no Magic Bullet in solving literacy problems.

Students are wholistic beings that require wholistic measures.

Filling in bubbles provides data but not the data that is actually helpful.

What do we know about the rest of these students' lives?

Lots to think about.

Until next time...
Lit Maven Out!

Need a Writing Prompt? Use a TV Synopsis

One day I was checking out Supernatural on TV. I have never seen a full episode although I am sure I would like it. What struck me the most was the synopsis.(The brief episode blurb you find when you hit info on the remote control)
Here is a recent one:
TWO MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT
"Crowley (guest star Mark Sheppard) tells Bobby (Jim Beaver) he will give him the location of Death (guest star Julian Richings), the fourth horseman, in exchange for his soul. Knowing Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) need that fourth ring to stop the Apocalypse, Bobby reluctantly agrees. Sam and Dean confront Pestilence (guest star Matt Frewer), but he unleashes a deadly virus upon them, so Castiel (Misha Collins) must intervene on their behalf. Dean has a meeting with Death to discuss Lucifer, and an unholy alliance is formed at a very high price for Dean"
WOW! And I thought I had rough days!
Truly having not seen this show, I could use this prompt as a writing exercise.
1. Focus on the prequel...what happened before these Shenanigans?
2. Create a characterization...
3. Doodle a picture of the ring and write a story of its origins.
4. Write the dialogue between Death and Dean...or another character of choice.
5. Explain the possible significance of the title..
If you have any others, please leave them in the comment box below.

SO...on days when you are stuck..."What should I write about today?"

Just flick on your TV or search the internet for episode guide. Be sure to pick a show that you have "no clue" about.

Have fun!
Jus stay out of the way of Pestilence!

Until next time..

Lit Maven Out!

What Lady Gaga Taught Me About Writing

1. Start with a catchy lead.....

Ra-Ra-Uh UH Ahhhh

2. Create vivid images.

3. Be a shoulder above the rest.

4. Find a mentor...pick the old guy...not a candle in the wind.

5. Stand out! Highlight what you do well.

I am not suggesting that I am now without any writing issues. It's safe to say that I do feel slightly better about myself...or is that my Poker face?

Until Next Time...

Lit Maven Out!

5 Ways to Put Language Arts on Stage

Sorry I have been away a couple of days...

I had the opportunity to help out at our Districts' Celebration of the Arts (Music, Drams, Art). Amazing does not even touch the surface of the talent in our district. It got me to thinking...how do we celebrate language arts...do we do this enough?

5 Ways to Put Language Arts on Stage

1. Have students create a reader's theatre and perform it in front of other classrooms.

2. Students can write the school plays for the yearly concerts.

3. Many schools in our district have a morning broadcast. Have students create persuasive ads or commercials celebrating upcoming events.

4. Have a section of the school newsletter where students have a place to add their voices.

5. Think outside the "book". Stretch yourself as an educator. There are many forms of writing, presenting and speaking.

Here are some ideas to start with...maybe you have some others to share.

Lit Maven Out!

Mean Girls Meets Mother's Day Tea

Yesterday I was blessed to be honored at my son's Mother's Day Tea...it was lovely...but something still bugs me...one of the moms!

Wit a movie with Emma Thompson, is about a doctor with cancer. She experiences first hand what it is like to be a patient.

As an educator for 10 plus years, I am now experiencing life on the otherside of the classroom door ...as a parent.

SO what was the problem Lit Maven?

Well, at first it was lovely..the tableclothes, the goodies...All Good!

Then finding your nametag on a table...All Good!

Another parent coming in behind...finding her nametage on another table and announcing..."I got the good table!"...Not Good!

Really!!! Thought the Lit Maven..."good" as in your other cronies are with you! (Okay that was dramatic)

She proceeded to chat with the moms at an adjoining table, while the rest of us sat quietly waiting for our children to come in and sing.

SO when did junior high end for these people?

No..The Lit Maven...is not at school everyday to hang out...but is she still fun to be with!

I can make a "good" table.

I thought the feeling of working versus stay at home mom was over...guess not!

SO what did this teach the Lit Maven...what did I learn?

If I had a do-over?

Well you can't go back, but I would have introduced myself and chatted with the other quiet moms..I would have led by example...



Have a great day!
Lit Maven Out

You can Pick Your Friends....and You Can Pick Your Nose...

But you can't pick your friend's nose! Another week and another motivational speech from Rock Thomas. This week's messgage is Peer Group. How do we get better at anything? By surrounding ourselves with teachers/leaders who are better-smarter-more knowledgeable than we are, we can expect some change. When we are the most knowledgeable we can help others and bring them up but who brings us up? Think about it...if the Karate Kid had relied on his friends he would still be encased in a shower curtain. Instead he sought out the help of Mr. Miyagi and real change started to happen. So whenever you are up to learning something new, seek out some new peers. Not just the ones in your city, but reach out on Twitter, join a Ning...You can do it...you can pick your friends...but not their nose!

Until Next Time,
Lit Maven Out!