NEA Report #5 -- Meet the Candidates

All of the presidential candidates were invited to address the delegates of the Representative Assembly. Today we heard from Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, and Christopher Dodd.

Hillary Clinton was an amazingly dynamic speaker. She focused almost exclusively on the importance of public education. In the question and answer session following her speech (just two questions for each candidate) she clarified her stand on charter schools -- making clear that she supports public charter schools, but not (NOT.in.any.way.shape.or.form.) vouchers.




John Edwards embedded his comments about the importance of public education within his campaign focus on ending poverty and eradicating the "two America's" and the "two public school systems" about which he often speaks. The look on Edwards' face was priceless when he was asked how NCLB can close the poverty gap. He simply couldn't answer that question! (Who could?!?!)





Christopher Dodd doesn't just "talk the talk" on education issues, he "walks the walk." He pointed out to us that in his 30 year career in the senate and congress, he has a 100% voting record with NEA. His belief in organized labor drives his candidacy, and his answer to the question, "What's the number one problem in America?" has been, for 26 years, "The education of America's children."

NEA Report #4--Day One: The Representative Assembly

I took pictures as the meeting hall was filling up with the 15,839 people who are attending the NEA RA.

I took pictures of the signs the Communications Committee members carry up and down the aisles of ever delegation to remind the members what the recommended vote of the caucus is for each issue (red C and arrow up or down), or, in the case of an issue that comes up on the floor, the on-the-spot recommendation of the leadership team on an issue (green L and arrow up or down).










And I took pictures during the opening speech of NEA President, Reg Weaver.


But it's a bit like taking pictures of the Grand Canyon. If you aren't here, you simply can't completely imagine the enormity of the room, the noise of the cheering, the vision of the confetti fountains in the lights, and the feeling that you're a part of something huge.

NEA was started 150 years ago in Philadelphia by 43 teachers. There are now 3.2 million (MILLION) members. NEA is one of the largest democratically elected representative bodies in the world. NEA's history is entwined with the history of civil rights and women's rights in our country. NEA elected a woman president before women had the right to vote in our country.

As President Weaver said, "You didn't join because we fight, you joined because we fight for what is right."

NEA Report #3 -- The State Caucus Meeting

Every morning from 7:00 to 9:00, before we leave for the Representative Assembly at the convention center, we attend the state caucus meeting. At this meeting, we receive the recommendations of the state's leadership team, aka the resolutions committee. They have studied the new business items, and the amendments (to bylaws, standing rules and the constitution) and they make recommendations about how our state should vote on each issue. After they make each recommendation, there is lots of debate amongst the membership. (All strictly following Robert's Rules of Order!) Ultimately, each member decides how he/she will vote, regardless of the recommendation.

Lest you think this is all work and no play, I submit the following photos of our state association president, sporting topical headgear. A hat from Sunday on the theme of "When Pigs Fly," and a hat from today, Monday, that recognizes the 15oth anniversary of the formation of the National Education Association here in Philadelphia:

No Talking by Andrew Clements

I was excited to see this new book, NO TALKING out by Andrew Clements. Since I teach a multiage class of 3rd and 4th graders, Andrew Clements' books are usually perfect choices for read aloud. I love the school issues that his books address and the issues are always so well handled for this age group.

In this new book, the 5th graders have always been a chatty group. The teachers have even named them "The Unshushables". Another issue with this class is that the boys and girls don't get along. So, these two issues become the anchor for a no talking contest between the boys and the girls.

One of the things I enjoyed was reading about various teachers' reactions to the contest that caused a bit of unpredictability to their days and lessons. It was so interesting to read about the ways the adults in the building handled the problems. Andrew Clements seems to really have teachers figured out. The diversity of reactions was interesting and very realistic.

I am not sure I will read this one aloud. It is a good one but some of his others may be better for read aloud. I liked it because I thought the talking issue was a really good one that would be interesting to talk to kids about early in the year. But, I didn't feel like I got to know the main characters as well as I knew the main character in some of his other books. It is definitely one I'll add to my classroom library. The whole fun and challenge of not talking makes for a pretty quick, fun read. Since it is boys against girls, it will easily be enjoyed by both genders. I'm not sure which of the two issues (talking at school or gender issues) would be more of a focus for 3/4 graders but both would make for interesting talk.

Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel

I just picked up a copy of ELLIE MCDOODLE: HAVE PEN, WILL TRAVEL by Ruth Barshaw. I had it on my list of books I wanted to read and saw it at the bookstore yesterday. So glad I picked it up!

I have always been drawn to books that were like journals. Much of this book is Ellie McDoodle's sketch book. Ellie McDoodle is a great character. She is fun and honest.

The plot is one that lots of kids (and adults:-) can probably relate to--Ellie is forced to go camping with relatives that she does not always enjoy. She "observes" these relatives on their trip, and she lets us know (quite often) how very annoying they all are. The trip continues and Ellie learns that she actually enjoys time with her family and they aren't really that annoying.

Fans of the AMELIA'S NOTEBOOK series by Marissa Moss will enjoy Ellie. Ellie's sketchbook is fun and detailed. So much thinking goes into her sketches and notes. The book is chapter book length and seems perfect for kids in grades 3-5ish. It seems like it can span the upper elementary grades pretty easily. Lots to love for many ages.

I remember reading about this book on the Class of 2K7 website. So many great books are coming out of that group of authors!

The author, Ruth McNally Barshaw, has some great websites for readers. Her author website is full of great info. She also has a great blog about the process of creating the books--what a fun read! I am always on the lookout for great books to serve as models for kids' own writers' notebooks. This is one I'll add to my collection.

Sounds like Ellie McDoodle might be a series--I couldn't find information on any future books about Ellie, but it seems like the perfect book to be the first in a great new series.

NEA Report #2

I am starting to get some idea of the enormity of this event. There are 350 in the Ohio delegation. We are housed in two hotels. Here is a glimpse of our caucus this morning. Today's caucus was more of a briefing. The rest of this week we will be hearing about/discussing Ohio's positions on various items that will be covered that day in the Representative Assembly.



We met a woman from California as we left the convention center after registering. There are 1800 (EIGHTEEN HUNDRED!) members in the California delegation. They are housed in 10 (count 'em -- TEN) hotels!!

Tomorrow we will have our first day of the Representative Assembly where we'll see all these people in the same room at the same time.

Because we all had the afternoon free today, it was like touring with a small city's worth of other teachers. Here are the highlights:

Great interpreters throughout the city. These are at the Visitor Center.

Christ Church.

Elfreth's Alley. Our nation's oldest residential street.

Betsy Ross' house.

Liberty Bell. Worth the half-hour wait in line and having our bags searched before going in.

Independence Hall.

New Professional Resource on Adolescent Literacy

I had to share this new professional book published by Heinemann... ADOLESCENT LITERACY: TURNING PROMISE INTO PRACTICE is edited by Kylene Beers, Robert Probst, and Linda Rief. It is an amazing collection of the best new thinking about adolescent literacy in this critical time.

I am not usually a big fan of edited books where lots of people write short pieces but this one is AMAZING! I have been reading about adolescent literacy for years and this book is an opportunity to hear so many experts in the field talk about their latest thinking on the topic. So many great voices all in one book--lots of my favorites as well a few people whose work I wasn't familiar with before I read their chapters.

In my role as Curricular Support Teacher, I am always looking for short articles/pieces to share with teachers. This is a great resource since every single chapter would serve as a great conversation starter or anchor for a study group. Every chapter has so much to think about.

An amazing book that I keep going back to already. I find myself telling others about various chapters often and I haven't had the book all that long! I think I will have to buy a few extra copies of this one--it is such a great compilation of the best and most current thinking in adolescent literacy. A must have.

NEA Report #1

Uh...nothing to report. Got here. Went to a reception for all the Ohio reps. Great food.

Today is our first caucus meeting. I'm still not clear about exactly what we'll do for 2 hours.

Then we have our only big block of free time for the week, so Roomie and I are off to hit the pavement, see the sights and find us a for-real Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Lots of history...except for the sandwich...we're going for fresh for our sandwiches.

Poetry Friday--POEMS IN BLACK AND WHITE

Sorry this Poetry Friday Post is late!
But here it is:

A fun new poetry book that I found at Cover to Cover last week when we visited with Lisa Yee. I am looking for anthologies for my classrooms--books kids can study and think about how collections go together.

POEMS IN BLACK AND WHITE by Kate Miller is unique in that all of the poems are about things that are black and white. The illustrations, of course, are black and white. The variety of topics makes it fun--First Steps (baby's first footprints), A Fly in February, The Cow, Bowling, Tic-Tac-Toe, and more. It is an anthology with good variety in the way the poems are written, their tones, and the topics.

A New Friend for Moxy and Clementine

Just Grace
Still Just Grace
by Charise Mericle Harper
Houghton Mifflin, 2007

When Mindy, at propernoun, said she loves Grace more than Clementine, my eyebrows shot up (left higher than right). How could this be possible?

How?

1. There are whole chapters in Just Grace that are lists. Like the first chapter. "I Did Not Get To Be."
2. There are adorable sketches and comics sprinkled about in the text.
3. Grace's nemesis, Sammy Stringer, is obsessed with poop. What are the chances that I'd come across another poop-filled book?
4. Grace has the superhero superpower of empathy, just like Clementine.
5. Don't worry, Grace is not a rip-off of Clementine, but Grace does solve problems in unique ways that threaten to become worse problems, like when she makes a life-size cardboard Crinkles (her neighbor's cat) with photography and cardboard and glue. She takes pictures of cardboard Crinkles in different places around town and makes postcards and sends them to her neighbor to cheer her neighbor up. Except her neighbor thinks they are ransom notes from the person who stole Crinkles. Except Crinkles wasn't stolen, he was...

...well, you better read it yourself.

Grace is a fun girl character with a unique voice. This book would make a great mentor text (take note, Literacy Teacher) because of the super short chapters that are almost like notebook entries and the chapters that are lists. I'm thinking that my beginning-of-the-year 4th graders next fall will be relieved to see that they can satisfy their inner doodler by adding sketches and mini-comics to their writing and get away with it. I was already planning to start read aloud with Clementine, and Just Grace will make a great compare/contrast second book.