Been looking into the 6 traits of good writing and found a good site with rubrics.
http://www.thetraits.org/scoring_practice.php?t=4
Now I need to check back in with Vermonts' writing expectations and see how these rubrics written simply for students can help can support my students.
I need to set up my year long planning grid soon. I have ideas in too many places and don't want to forget sites before get to certain topics.
I'll check out the resourse shelf in my room for Writing and For Literacy

Writing to know what I think

I'm already seeing how hard it will be to keep up with my site and follow the sites of others. I I use this as a place to try on ideas I'll be more inclined to post. It was good seeing Deb at the Farmers' market today and having a chance to talk about class, a stolen wallet and Tulip poplar trees.
I am feeling good about the possibilities of using the tools we explored in class to investigate, integrate, explore and choose curriculum.
I was disappointed to go back to the "Two Women who Write " blog and find it had closed discussion on the topic of 'Story Matters Here' before anyone had a chance to respond to my thinking. I still can use their blog for ideas about writing. They referred to a name and system I can't recall at this moment the way I refer to Botels' system of reading together, reading alone writing together and alone and working on language and structure. I wonder if our school has, "Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction"?
Just like I have to meet students where they are I need ot allow myself to do the same for myself. I need to work from my areas of expertise, comfort and structure as I return to a self-contained sixth grade.
I think i've leared to link in this blog....

Website

Today I changed my banner in my website so that it is legal. I added in a pic of Joel and I. I have a video of nitro racing I uploaded to add in once approved at teacher tube. I'm trying to link to a surfer safety video as an example ... It was fun learning about the art pad to Obama ize my picture.

I was really excited to find teachers who also were also intrigued by the Story Matters Here for the class theme. Their site in word press is quite sophisticated. I will use them as a model. I am jealous of their partnership ansd in awe of the links to links to links existing out there.

Staying focused is important but hard when there are so many new avenues introduced everyday. Trying to think about how to have productive worksessions in school continues to mean goals, incremental steps, check ins and deadlines for sharing.

Gizmos, Sheesh...
Discovered a fascinating set of interactive online simulations that support Math and Science standards for 3rd through 12 grade. I believe they would be a great resource for my students. Called Bobby in Dallas and got a possibility short of spending $800 if I can learn about them and share my explorations with other professionals.
I am interested in having an ubiquitous computer environmentand this course is helping make that possible. Computer as tool, but a tool engaging students at ever increasing levels of sophistication.

Today I explored Webquests. I believe I have one to open the year based on student date of birth. I have one to use to introduce realistic fiction and I'll base that on Sparrow Hawk Red. Then small crews can self pick a book to read. I have an excellent way to intro math using two kids books that should be very engaging. It is hard to be thinking about a year on my lonesome but once I have the skeleton done I'll be able to work with others.
This week is a help....

Day 1

I'm interested in connecting this class to my life in 2 main ways. First is by becoming more tech savvy in my personal life. Second is to figure out how to support my teaching with technology. I see this support in 2 ways. First strengthening what I now do and second to broach new ways of helping students and makers of their own futures.

I'm trying to develop the theme, Story Matters Here. I want to use this as a vehicle to link
Standards content and skills
Student interest
My interests
Technology
Story matter
Needs of the world/community IF Stone.

I'm stopping to test how to post