Toolkit Training

I was asked by my reading coach and principal to provide a training to our staff on The Primary Comprehension Toolkit after break. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity - thrilled that we were going to beginning the implementation of these amazing resources which I have been raving about since my interview. So over break I've been rereading the teacher's guides, going through my supplemental resources, and even picked up a copy of Staff Development with Comprehension Toolkits: Implementing and Sustaining Comprehension Instruction Across the Curriculum. So needless to say - by desk has been covered with these bounteous texts.

After many hours of reading, highlighting tabbing, digesting, quoting, typing, revising, and editing I've ended up with a pretty good presentation. Because I used some of the slides from the Staff Development book I can't publish it here.

But to sum it up my presentation included:
- An Introduction to Comprehension Strategy Instruction
- An overview of each strategy, with a activity to launch it that teachers could take back to their classrooms (most came from Comprehension Connections), and an opportunity to look at and discuss student work with the strategy
- A walk through of the Toolkit components
- A modeled lesson
- and  time for PLCs to dive into the materials

This will be my first formal training at my new school and I am so excited to be sharing a resource that I love! Here it goes .  . .

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UPDATE:

So . . . the training went great even though I was dragging from being up all night with the flu. But I feel like the teachers walked away with some ideas to use when students get back next week as well a better idea of why and how we can teach comprehension strategies.

Thank you to my literacy coach, Christy Patriarca, staff developer Angela Butler, and authors Stephanie Harvey and Tanny McGregor for your help in putting this together! 

Reflection and Resolutions

"Reflection allows us to improve, revamp, and revise. Reflection is essential."  

- Harvey, Goudvis, Schroden

As the year comes to a close and we embark on 2015 - I find myself reflecting on all the successes and setbacks of 2014 as I begin writing my resolutions for the new year. So lets start with some reflection.

2014 was a whirlwind, both professionally and personally for me. It was my first full year back in Ohio and I feel like I really began settling in to both my home and my position at Perry Schools. Along with the "settling" came some amazing opportunities as well as some painstaking hurdles. So here are my Cheers and Jeers of 2014. Professional to Personal.

Cheers

Jeers

Traveling to NYC for Teachers College Participating in the Planning and Training of PES Staff in Reading and Writing  Hosting Mentor Schools for Staff Development in Writers Workshop Participating in Instructional Rounds Introducing Primary Comprehension Toolkit to my school Reforming ELA curriculum for 1st Grade Having a best friend, +Alexa Farmerie  join my team Buying a home in Ohio Making it "my own" Being a Playhouse Ticket Holder The "Cleveland Independents Deck"  Electric Run Road Trip with my sister +Kristina Ambrosia-Conn and good friend Holly Visiting a childhood favorite vacation spot - Ocean City, NJ The marriage of one of my besties, Jenna

Having to drive home from NYC on the 4th of July because flights were cancelled Extensive, tiring, sometimes under appreciated hours of work of new math and reading curriculum Renovating my new home and finding that their is still a ton to do Replacing the furnace that blew Time Warner - enough said Family Illness  The lost of my beautifully inspiring Aunt Margie

The table is a nice graphic, forcing me to remember that they year had more highs than lows and to be grateful for all the amazing opportunities and people in my life. 

So moving into the new year. I have decided to follow my sister's lead and do 15 for '15. 

1. Complete the 2015 Reading Challenge

2. Run in the Color Run - which means I better start conditioning now! 

3. Complain less, encourage more - which also might mean biting my tongue 

4. Begin Weight Watchers, hit my goal weight, and love my body - LESS McDonalds!

5. Start pursuing my Masters - so I better decide if I want to go into Ed leadership or Curriculum . . . can't I do both?!?

6. Rally my favorite couples ( +Linda Teese, +Alexa Farmerie +Ashley Mingoy +Derrick Braden +Michael Licata , +Sarah Rhoades) together and go on our own version of a "Couples Retreat".

7, Blog More - I promise to try! Starting small with once a month, but hope to up that especially come summer time

8. Less Social Media - More Developed Personal Relationships. This means I'm vowing to put down my phone when in the presence of others

9. Be a more gracious daughter - calling regularly, showing my appreciation, returning the favors

10. Be a more attentive wife

11. Be a more playful pet owner

12. Work towards achieving/doing something from my vision board

13. Do something entirely for myself, by myself

14. Be a better listener - putting the phone down should help

15. Avoid a midlife crisis in Feb - when I turn the big 3 - 0

So there it is. Hoping that at the year of this year I can also have a longer list of Cheers than of Jeers. Happy 2015 and good luck on your resolutions! See you next month - or sooner! ;-)