UWP: Before, During, Beyond

This morning we completed our Teacher Leader Chart which included our professional task before, during, and beyond the Upstate Writing Institute. Now that the before, during, are almost complete, I look forward to the future with UWP!

Writing Marathon Downtown Greenville: 06/26/09

The Highlights of Our Day:

The History of Mice on Main at Falls Park: Dawn read Mice on Main to the UWP participants. Thanks, Dawn!

Greenville County Art Museum: Lot's and lots of writing responses to the elaborate and unique paintings: The Glass House, The Letter, and Shoreline by Andrew Wyth, just to name a few.

Trios: Lunch and more writing!

Coffee Underground: Coffee and sharing writing!

Another great day with the Upstate Writing Project staff and participants!

Thank you, Presenters!

From the Beginning: Using Great Leads to Improve Writing by Jennifer Bryson
This demo inspired me to take a closer look at good and bad leads within each book.
Thank, Jennifer!

What's the Magic Word by Kevin Metz inspired me to write " Your Light Shines Within Me"
Thanks Kevin for encouraging me to write this.

Your Light Shines Within Me

You have given me so much
Words can not say the love I hold fast to my heart for you
You have carried me beyond my wildess imagination
When I am weak, you take me into your bosom
My weeping eyes are comforted by your loving grace
Your precious angels encamp around me
Words can not say the gratitude I have for you
You constantly send your spirit-filled angels of wisdom here on earth to direct my path to the Truth
Words can not say the desire I have to be even closer to you

My Perspective on Your Perspective....Presentation

Anna, great Job! I liked the getting-to-know-you strategy, as well as the Walking in Someone Else's Shoes activity. Based on the students' sample you shared, they enjoyed this too!

The Young Writers....WoW!

It was such a pleasure meeting the prospective authors of the Young Writer's Camp! Janis, Jon Michael, Sara, and Jenna shared an excellent piece of their writing with us, as we shared our writings with them. We collaborated on ideas, and revised our pieces. What a joy!

PEERING INTO THE FUTURE WITH UWP

Let's get to work...

Inquiry Days: I am willing to assist in any available Tuesdays. I do have a few more trainings this summer with Greenville County School District.

Spring Conference: I would love to assist with presenting, setting up, hosting, etc.
Just let me know when and where.

Present your demo:
Back to School Special - Yes
UWP Conference - Yes
UWP Graduate Courses - Yes
School Professional Development - Yes
After-School - Yes
Full Day - Yes

Yes, absolutely! Just let me know.

My Husband

My Husband poem

Morning Demos

Scenic Sounds: Using Sounds to Enhance Setting Descriptions by Anna Roark
This activity shared various ways to enhance setting. One of the main ways was to allow students to listen to different sounds and write/draw what they had visualized.

Emotional Revelations: Evoking Emotions through Reflective Writing in History by Mindy Watson
This thought-provoking activity set the stage for evoking various emotions: Pride, Sadness, and Anger (I only had one M&M after The King's M&M's activity :)
Next we had to write about an historical event that had taken place during our lifetime.

Here's my response:
It was September 11, 2001. I was in my classroom when the principal came to my room and told me the horrible news. A plane has just crashed into the World Trade center. Then another plane hit the other building. At first, I did not quite grasp what had happened. Several other teachers and I believed it was an accident then as news developed throughout the day, we came to the painful conclusion that this attack on our country had been spitefully planned. We were horrified.

I Married a Genius!

I was hoping to fit this in somehow during this morning’s journal entry.

Last night, while recording my son for our National Day of Writing video. Bam! My computer hit the floor. Oh no, I tried not to imagine the damage, my fragile thumb drive was plugged in the back of my computer. Slowly, peering over the bed, I expected the worst. I got it, my thumb drive had broken in two! I tried not to imagine what was on it, for fear of becoming sick to my stomach. How could this have happened? I tried for thirty minutes to put the pieces back together; however, I only made it worst bits of metal kept falling to the bed. My heart sunk deeper into the pit of my stomach. All of my projects, writing assignments gone! Finally, I accepted the fact that I would have to redo most of my writings. I turned my computer off, I couldn’t work any longer. My husband came home around 11:30 last night, and I was still awake moping around the house. I explained to him what had happened. He usually can fix anything, but this I was sure he could not reassemble. The parts were too small, tiny metal pieces were missing, and his fingers are too large to maneuver such small, fragile pieces. Even still, I handed my broken pieces to my husband not actually expecting him to fix it. Guess what, he fixed it with a soldering iron. I was amazed shocked, and relieved. I was able to retrieve all of my work! He never seems to amaze me with his unusual thought-provoking mind-boggling talents.

Reflection of the Day 9 June 22, 2009

The presentation: You Make Me Sick by Donna Coffman was very informative! The FQR sheet, article, and newsletter all added to its formality. Integrating the science topic- Pathogens with Writing- Creating propagandas to influence individuals in the form of a newsletter was highly engaging.
The presentation: Courage to Write: Using Collaborative Writing and Technology to Improve Student’s Writing by Linda Farrell was filled with voice and emotion. Thanks, Linda for evoking passion for collaborative writing.
We are still concerned about our technology piece of our eportfolio. Hopefully, it will become clearer by the end of the day.

Upstate Writing Project: At Your Service!

I have thoroughly enjoyed being apart of the Upstate Writing Project. I would love to serve UWP by working with the Young Writers Camp and/or the Young Writers Tech Camp. Furthermore, I am willing to be of assistance in public relations and preparing/hosting conferences as well. Writing daily during this class reminded me of the necessity of daily journaling. I can’t wait to share my UWP writing experiences with our staff.

Upstate Writing Project: At Your Service!

I have thoroughly enjoyed being apart of the Upstate Writing Project. I would love to serve UWP by working with the Young Writers Camp and/or the Young Writers Tech Camp. Furthermore, I am willing to be of assistance in public relations and preparing/hosting conferences as well. Writing daily during this class reminded of the necessity of daily journaling. I can’t wait to share my UWP writing experiences with our staff at Monaview.

Botanical Gardens, Clemson SC

Spending the day at Botanical Gardens reading a chapter from One Foot in Eden by Ron Rash was a rewarding treat. As a result, I want to purchase some of his books because I love his style of writing. Hopefully, I will be able to hear him speak one day. Our teacher consultants said that he is a great speaker.
How refreshing, I felt like a college student again when we ate at the Hendrix Center. As always, I enjoyed conversing with my writing group. It’s reassuring to be apart of such a supportive group.

Reflection of the Day 7 June 18, 2009

Today was full of reflection, exploration, and of course.....writing. Carol Uhl a 5th Grade teacher from Buena Vista, presented a lesson on using Photo Story in her classroom. Creating a movie with pictures and photo story was very intriguing. We all were hard at work creating our videos. My "special" computer continued to freeze up delaying my process to create a movie- bummer!

Time to Be Reflective; Using Onomatopoeias to Create Poetry, Analyzing Images: The True Meaning behind Comics?

This morning we worked on our biographies and demo abstract- quite a reflective task, yet extremely beneficial.
What Does Your Writing Say presented by Ashley Cloone allowed us the opportunity to create poetry using onomatopoeias- great writing strategy!
Visual Rhetoric presented by Dee Tindal allowed us to analyze several comic strips in search of the meaning behind the picture.
Thanks to all of you, I am learning so many new strategies to share with my teachers.

Reflection of the Day 6 June 17, 2009

Another Great Day @ UWP 2009

Ann Huggins did a superb job on her presentation, Writing With Dialogue. Even the activity, communicating with a partner using the white boards was very engaging. Students at any level would love this activity! I was very pleased with my sample writing (see previous blog inspired by your presentation).

Thanks Rebecca Moore for your lead discussion on Relative Revision! Allowing us time to revise one of our many writings was much needed. I finally feel that I have at least one writing task completed. I believe we all had a sigh of relief when you said "I want you to revise one of your writings you have already started." Revision is a powerful thing when time is allotted for it!

I am beginning to feel like a writer!!!

The Peculiar Child (Morning Journal)

"You know if you have this child, it may not live," the doctor offhandedly barked at the frightened mother who silently prayed for her unborn premature child who would soon arrive. "It’s a good thing it’s not up to you" she quickly replied. The small two and a half pound, bald, and wrinkled infant with huge eyes was quite a repulsive sight; too small to sleep in a crib, like her eight month old brother. After residing in an incubator for several weeks, her grandmother prepared a decoratively cushioned bed, the top drawer of a dresser to protect her small frame. "Keesa made my plants grow just by gooing at them!" her grandmother exclaimed to the little girl’s mother. The petite child grew healthier each day like any other child; her premature features did not last long. Climbing trees with her thick brown hair, plump figure and chubby cheeks was this child’s favorite ritual. As a teenager, she loved to sneak a peek into her Aunt Linda’s sacred romance novels. She later discovered that reading was her profound joy, a way to escape. Eventually, this play-spirited child started having strange visions and dreams. Once she dreamed her Uncle Otis asking for a glass of water while sitting in his wheelchair. Then, he handed her a dollar. When she had awakened she thought "that was strange" and proceeded to the kitchen in search of something to eat. As usual, Uncle Otis was sitting in his wheelchair. Then, he asked for a glass of water. Deja’vu set in and the dream replayed itself write before her eyes! Uncle Otis slowly raised his hand with a dollar bill in it and handed it to her in the same manner he did in her dream. She did not know whether to take it or to scream! Several instances to follow, the girl continued to have these strange episodes. "Mama, I see things when I am a sleep and sometimes when I’m awake and often they come true," cried the young girl. Her mother assured her that she was normal. It’s okay, child you have inherited the sixth sense from me" said her mother. As an adult, she saw a vision of a conversation between a teacher and her husband while they were painting their kitchen. "That’s odd, she thought, what was that all about?" Wanting to satisfy her curiosity, the next morning she asked the teacher if she was painting her kitchen. "Why yes, I am. How did you know?" she asked surprisingly. The peculiar child, now a peculiar adult did not know how to answer. So she abruptly sited, "Oh, I saw it in a dream last night". The teacher was shocked and somewhat uncomfortable from that point on. She continued having visions and dreams, afraid to share her eccentric talent with the world due to the judgment that would follow. Eventually, the little girl with large eyes became a woman with children of her own. Life became too busy, too hectic to meditate or even think about the talent she had once experienced. Often, she looked at her three children and wondered if they possessed the ability to see beyond what normal eyes could see. "One day, I will share my story with them" she thought. Her gift has abated now silently lying in a dormant state. Maybe one day something or someone will revive her ability to roam the spiritual realm again. That unique and timid girl…now a wife, mother, former teacher, and now an instructional coach have come to the realization that her ability was not strange at all. She has encountered other people and read memoirs in which share similar stories. Some of which who have far greater experience! Everyone undeniably gifted with a "sixth sense."
The moral of this true story: The Lord created you for His divine purpose. Your gift is from Him. Never lose sight of it. Use it in reverence of Him.

Reflection of the Day 5 June 16, 2009

I've Got An Idea!
Presented by Patsy McGregor
Great Job, Patsy!

Words for the Wordless
Presented by Shelly Blalock
Thanks for sharing, Shelly!

Today went really fast. Working on our storyboard was very engaging. Our writing group came up with a variety of great ideas!

My Professional UWP Plan

I have decided to create the UWP Online Lesson Plan. This will assist me when I work with the Tech. Campers near the end of July. I like having time to reflect this morning on our UWP goals. Consequently, I have a better understanding of our requirements as prospective TCs.

Reflection of the Day 4 June 15, 2009

The Things They Carry: Reaching Into Student's Histories to Engage Their Present Writing created by Laura Paradis provided us with a sound foundation on how to incorporate student issues into a form of poetry. She used the following scaffolding techniques: quick-write and webbing. Laura modeled each activity in which she wanted us to complete. This was a plus, because guided practice keeps the wondering minds from going astray.

Kathy Berry presented Journey to Becoming a Journalist: Creating a Community of Writers. This form of writing can be implemented across grade levels. Feature stories are extremely engaging. After sharing her student samples, it was evident that Kathy's students thoroughly enjoyed this form of writing. We were like children at an ice cream shop when it was time to share! Based on the 100% participation of highly engaged educators, this demo will be shared again at our schools.

Thanks Laura and Kathy for sharing your expertise with us today!

Donald Graves Did Not Give Up...

It is amazing how negative comments and constant criticism can motivate the best of us. I am glad Donald Graves did not give up his dream to be an author! Often times, I fantasize about being a writer. I would love to concentrate on writing or journaling on a daily basis. Writing refreshes the soul. This is one of the main reasons I want to pursue another degree because writing is at the heart of it. Although it’s a challenging task, researching and writing what one believes is captivating.
I did not always feel this way. I can recall in many writing classes, my teachers reminded me to stay on topic. I was a big rambler, jumping from one topic to the next. I was interested in everything, yet I tried to include all of my convoluted thoughts/interests in one paper. Big mistake! Like Donald Graves, I’m not easily discouraged from writing- even if it doesn’t flow, I can't find the right words, or if its just a bland piece. I write anyway, hoping to find my voice and the best approach to share it with the world.

Reflection of the Day 3 June 12, 2009

The clouds are a dark bluish gray. Carl Sandburg’s house serenely sits just above the hill semi circled by a mass of oddly shaped evergreen trees. The north wind sends a potent smell of fish into my nostrils reminding me of our families camping trip just weeks ago. Consequently, my eyes wonder to the lake in search of signs of life below. There’s a tricolored healthy goose gracefully swimming by. I imagine his nature- he’s not worried, afraid, sad, hungry, or even bored. My eyes follow him until he’s completely out of sight and now I feel a sense of loneliness. Suddenly, a small head protrudes out of the brownish liquid, ten feet away from my location. The rest of its body becomes visible as she moves closer to land. It’s a mother Snapping Turtle, going to deliver her eggs in a grassy area on the side of the bank. After hatching the golf ball sized eggs, the turtle cautiously covers them, and proceeds back into the water appearing almost camouflaged the further she glides out of sight. The dark, heap of clouds are just above my head now. The ferrous wind thrusts its massive hand upon my shoulders and hair. Finally, the wind’s force abates as the sun gradually projects out of the clouds.
My thoughts abandon nature just for a moment to revisit Carl Sandburg’s home. I try to imagine his life here- to be completely immersed around this glorious mass of nature –to awaken to magnificent mountains dressed in an array of uniquely shaped silky, white clouds. Out of no where, the goose that had deserted me earlier has returned. Approximately seven feet from where I write, my plump feathered friend vigorously plucks at his feathers. Abruptly interrupted by a small yet menacing, brown spider, I quickly flick it to its natural habitat, the ground. I try to regain my previous thoughts, when I notice that the goose, unalarmed by my sudden movements, continued to groom himself. I return to my zone again without a care in the world- at least for the moment. The goose and I have become one with nature as we gaze beyond the lake, the clouds, and the trees. Maybe this is simply a snapshot of what is to come in paradise.

Carl Sandburg's Place

Like Carl Sandburg, complete solitude is essential to create passionate, heart-felt writing. This breathtaking scenery causes my senses to become as keen as the pungent smell of roses after a summer rain. The sweet scent of morning mist, the peaceful sound of flowing water, the calming sight of the stagnant lake with the glowing sunlight illuminating only a portion of it, transforms my spirit to a state of trance. I want to put this moment in a jar and take it back with me to my no-time-to-meditate home.
The geese roam freely around us without a care in the world. Even the trees appear to be a vibrant green here, not like the ones I see on a daily basis. Or maybe I don’t see the trees where I live at all. I’m always rushing to work, home, gym, grocery store, and to complete chores -no time to sit and see anything. The cool breeze unwraps my inner being even more causing me to be unusually silent, wanting to savor this moment forever. The occasional droplets of water on my writing pad, and on my skin startle my daydreaming state.
Carl Sandburg, how fortunate you were to discover your chi, and share it with us through your poetry, and this abundant 240 acre terrain. Your presence is still here, in the calming lake, the vibrant trees, and even the carefree animals that dwell here. Now you are blessed to enjoy the eternal awe-inspiring sight of the heavenly palace in which one day you will greet many of us at its gate.

Reflection of the Day 2 June 11, 2009

Wow, what an adrenaline rush-being the first presenter today. Thanks to all of you (UWP participants), we will all work "write" through our demo together. Take 5: How to Become a Script Writer was one of the most rewarding writing assignments for me as well as my prospective script writers. I will be posting their videos on Teacher Tube. Look for "The Clique II Second Edition", and "Fitting In".
Stacie Clark, I really enjoyed your demo on "Writing Detectives". This is an effective way to encourage students to finalize their writing piece. Your "energy" is phenomenal! I hope it rubs off on me before the end of this course.
Technology, Technology, Technology, oh my! I should be really tech savvy after completing the UWP (It should be UWTP-Upstate Writing Technology Project).

Reflection of the Day June 10, 2009

It's very comforting meeting/collaborating with other educators! While we do share a common field (education), we are all unique and valuable to one another when it comes to brainstorming various ways to teaching writing strategies.
Today, we discussed our agenda of the next fourteen days. We all feel a little nervous, yet confident because we have each other. Go Team, UWP 2009!!!

I present tomorrow: TAKE 5-Becoming a Script Writer?
Pray for me.

Carl Sandburg Reflection June 10, 2009

Carl Sandburg and his Rootabaga stories are quite peculiar. However, it did remind me of the bitter, sweet taste of the orange miniature cubes my grandmother, Glendora use to prepare for us at dinner time. She served them so much; I can still taste them as I write! Thanks to Carl Sandburg’s vegetable stories, children (and adults) may be more prone to eat their vegetables. I can actually visualize the corn fairies sewing the husk of the corn into a pair of overalls with their toes pointing directly at the moon mainly because I watch a variety of cartoons with my children.