handwriting

Thanks to everyone who was interested yesterday. It is like "preaching to the choir", when in front of a group of such wisdom. I didn't have the words to express my true feelings of being with the initiative. Now after some sleep I do. Nine years ago, MRI came to my school. The first year I remember being absolutely swamped, tired, overwhelmed and yet energized for something new. I worked with a group of teachers that I knew were one of a kind. True life long learners. Women who were doing right things, but yet longed to do more. That kind of environment is definitely contageous. So as we grew with litacy over those years, I admired the trainers who took us on that journey. I knew they were so knowledgable and steadfast in their desire to do what is best for kids. So now that I have the opportunity to actually "be" a trainer, I am honored. There are sometimes that I still have to pinch myself and say yes you are here. So next year looks extremely scary and I know that I will have moments that I will be on the edge of breaking, but I go back to the fact that I do want to be here more than anything and this is the path that I dreamed I would take long ago. Providing PD to teachers. Now that I am on that path, I have to take the sharp curves ahead!

So I did think of some other topics I wanted to discuss, but as you know got side tracked a few times with discussion. (but that's where a lot of learning takes place, so it was perfectly fine!) One big issue that I am facing is with a district who uses D'Nealian handwriting. I am attacking it very delicately because they already feel as though "everything" they were doing is changing. What I want is some research/documentation that supports more traditional print. I have been looking at some online places and found one piece on Eric that gives 6 questions teachers should ask when adopting handwriting. This is a good one, but doesn't give any documentation to really back it up.
http://www.indiana.edu/~reading/ieo/digests/d124.html

I have learned with this group they must experience, discuss, digest information before the change is effective. So I do like the questions which will give them something to think and talk about instead of me charging in and saying STOP YOUR RIDICULOUS D'NEALIAN, which is exactly what I want to say. If anyone has anything else or any thoughts that could help me I am all ears (or eyes)....LOL I hope we all put our noses in some books for pleasure other than just to stretch our brains this summer, because we'd look funny with big heads.

Love you all and thanks for taking me under your MRI wings this year :)

Video Storytelling: Taking Katie To Class!

I always wanted to take my dogs to school with me, but since I'm not the Dog Whisperer, and none of my dogs mind me, a weblog or video photo story is probably as close as we'll get. I just wanted to share Katie's recent story with you. It's still a work in progress if you have any suggestions!
~ Barb