"The Way We're Working Isn't Working" ...For Teachers

Recently I have been reading books on business and marketing. As usual I find another "favorite book of the week" with a compulsion to share. The latest is:

The Way We're Working Isn't Working by Tony Schwartz, the CEO (Chief Energy Officer) of the Energy Project.

One thing that stuck with me; his stance on willpower. Schwartz references Roy Baumeister and his self-control studies.

"Self control, Baumeister hypothesized, operates the same way a muscle does during resistance training. Exposed to continous stress, the muscle becomes progressively depleted of strength until ultimately it can't exert any more energy and fails. If we have to rely on willpower to sustain a new behavior the overwhelming likelihood is that we'll eventually fail" - Tony Schwartz

So Lit Mavin, what is your point?
Well, I was thinking about our students, especially our struggling learners-socially and/or academically. Some of our students are using all the energy they have to either learn or fight impulsivity. Do we truly appreciate that fact? How can we support them so they don't use all their reserves? Do we have the scaffolds to support them as they learn new strategies to bridge the gap?

Something to think about..

Until Next Time,
Lit Maven Out!

Picture Credit: phaewilk

Creating Anticipation in the Writing Workshop

(Picture by Wallyir)








So...if you haven't heard ...William and Kate are getting married. The most anticipated event in Britain...since...well...forever. There are books, plates, posters, cutlery... all to to create a sense of community with the people of the world.

So...Lit Maven..what is your point??

My point is...how can we create this same sense of excitement and anticipation in the writing classroom?

True. Workshops lends themselves to an ongoing process not a sense of destination. Well, I say with writing, we need to have both.

Here are:

7 Steps to a Writing Event

1) Pick a date.
2) Create the invites.
3) Sign up for snacks.
4) Charge up the FM system.
5) Decorate the classrom.
6) Wear a fancy outfit.
7) Share your favorite piece of writing with the class...or even other invited guests.

Hmmmm...something to think about...
If you have any more ideas to add or have created your own Writing Event...please let me know.

Until Next Time,
Lit Maven OUT!

Ice Cream has Many Flavors...So can Writing...

(Image by Cohdra)





Before I forget...I have to add a post about a recent classroom visit. I had the opportunity to visit a class of wonderfully excited grade ones...but aren't they always exited?

The topic was to make our own Pigeon books. The teacher and I hummed and hawed.

Would the kids write their own Don't Let the Pigeon...story?

Would we do one together as a class?

I don't know what I was thinking...you know how I love choice in topic...

Well...we started writing...the kids were excited...the MANDATORY topic:
Don't Let the Pigeon have a Sleepover....

We brainstormed....
We laughed...
We drew pigeons...
We accessorized pigeons....
We handed out the blank little books...
We conferenced...
We.....HEARD TEARS!!!! (Rhymes with jeers!)

My head nearly swivelled off my neck.

I thought the student was frustrated spelling....NOPE!

"What's wrong?" I asked.
He said," I want to write about....Don't Let the Pigeon Scuba Dive."
I paused..."then write it!"

A smile...the tears evaporated....and another little writer was on the way...

Moral of the story....
Write what you care about and LET THEM do the same!

Until Next Time,
Litmaven Out!

Digital Storytelling in the Younger Grades? You Bet!

Digital storytelling is all the rage! Many teacher resources are geared towards the middle years.

Thankfully I stumbled upon this book....



Make Me a Story by Lisa C. Miller


The 5 reasons I like it...


1. It places a heavy emphasis on the writing process...before the students even touch the technology.

2. Suggests online references...such as Digitales.

3. It is a quick read.

4. A rubric is provided.

5. It comes with a DVD full of age appropriate examples!


If you know any teachers that want a handy, readible and tech friendly resource...this is the one.

Until Next Time,
Lit Maven Out!

Breakdown the Gates...Going GAGA Over Videosharing

Still the debate goes on...video sharing in the classroom YAY or NAY...

As the grownups debate, the youngsters out there are kicking video sharing into high gear.

Remember the struggles that Joey Jeremiah had in efforts to promote the Zit Remedy!




Epic battles were waged to get bands noticed in the 80's 90's and the 00's.

So Lit Maven...what is your point?

My point is...THERE ARE NO GATEKEEPERS....

Why are we continuing to think that we as educators are gatekeepers...serving the common good. Those of us who know better and no doubt reading this article understand the power of videosharing, reaching mass audiences, breaking free from ageism and the sharing of talents at young ages.

There is no longer a legal age to get discovered.

There are no locked towers where cassette tapes are dropped off to some old bitty at the counter.

No...there is one click of the publishers button on your laptop and the audience is right there. A judging of peers...

Check out the latest....

GOO GOO over GAGA

Here is 10 Year old Maria Aragon from Winnipeg.



And 10 Year old Heather Russell from Toronto...recently signed by Simon Cowell.


These young ladies went from commuting to school to communting to cities...overnight!

Their talent is obvious. They did not have to rely on the bus routes to travel down to the local radio station to plead their case.

There are no gates on the web...we must remove the gates at school or the kids won't bother trying to get in!!!

As Ronald Reagan would say, "Open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall!"
Okay different context...but you get the idea!

Until Next Time,
Lit Maven Out!

5 Reasons to Listen to Audiobooks in the Car

Stallone likes to make the best use of his time while traveling.
I spend more time in my vehicle than I care to admit.

Recently I began to listen to audio books.

At first it was to ease my sanity but now I can say that there are some benefits.

SO...Here are 5 Reasons to Listen to Audio books in the Car

1. Talking to myself is now legitimate.

Sure the other commuters think I am crazy but I know I am having a conversation. And whatever I ever I think...is reality!

2. You never get interrupted or lose the flow of conversation.

Turn on the engine and the conversation starts back up again. Rewind if you forget. Heck you can even abandon and try a new book mid-drive...can't do that with a friend.
Well I suppose if you slow down and let your friend out at soft grassy spot...you could...but too many times and you are driving alone.

3. You are much more interesting at work.
"How do you find time to read all this stuff?"
They don't need to know the truth.

4. The supply is endless.
With podcasts, there is no end to the learning or entertainment. Yes you can be educational...but perhaps your afternoon drive would improve with a steamy novel or a comedic rant!

5. What else are you doing?

Until Next Time,

Lit Maven Out!

Don't Use That Tone With Me

Recently I was presenting to a group of Junior High teachers. The topic? Introducing students to Tone and Mood. Tone is defined as the author's intention towards a character or something. Mood is the feeling an audience or reader gets from the author's piece.

I was specically intrigued by the recent explosion of mashups and recut versions of movie trailers. Here is an example from the Shining.

The Original Trailer




Now here is the recut version as... get this...a ROMANTIC COMEDY!



What a great way to present these terms to students.

You can also see this effect in songs.

Check out this common song.


And you can't deny a change in tone and mood with this one.



Until Next Time,
Lit Maven Out!