☺

Elisa Waingort

—

A Teacher Musing Out Loud

  • Small Reading Group Conversations

        Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/327073991664852654/      This year, I have spent too much time and energy trying to manage a silent 10 – 15 minute daily independent reading time in my grade 7 classroom. I haven’t given up because I value independent reading: I know this is the best way to get reluctant readers to love… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in

  • It’s the little things…

    It’s the little things that matter. The unsolicited hug from a student… The student who watches me intently,trying to read my mind or having already read it,in order to decide how she can reviseand adjust her group’s presentation for the next day. The very simple question, “What was hard about this activity?”And, the very profound… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in

  • One Word

    While surfing the net one day, I came across a very interesting site called http://www.oneword.com It offers a word a day for a one-minute quick write online. There is a built-in timer that tells you when your one minute is up. However, I have started using it as a 10-minute writing exercise for my grade… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in

  • Stuck, stuck, stuck

    This Slice of Life March Challenge is not going well this year. I’ve had issues with internet connection.I haven’t been able to keep up with my students’ slices.I’m not finding small moments to write about every day.I’m experiencing what many of my students go through every day: I don’t know what to write about. I… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in

  • No WiFi

    Missed two days of writing.The WiFi in the hotel was not working when I needed it.So, I had to admit that I was going to miss slicing for two days.I had to let go.It’s not about the prize.It’s about the challenge.Pushing myself to write more.I am behind on commenting, as well.So, now that I’ve commiserated… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in

    , ,

  • Day #2 – #innovategraded, Saol Paulo, Brazil

    It’s 5:00 pm. Throngs of people wind their way across the room to reach the beverage table. They linger there as if mesmerized by the drinks and snacks. Lines snake around and behind chairs, tables, and small groups of teachers talking and laughing. After a day of workshops, the heat has taken its toll. My foot is… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in

  • A Sampling of Student’s Slice of Life Stories

    Yesterday I blogged about how students were resisting the Slice of Life Story Challenge this month. Today, after a full day at the #innovategraded conference in Sao Paulo, I opened up their Google docs and discovered a treasure trove of amazing slices. Please respond in the comments. I know my students would really appreciate that!… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in

  • Project Based Learning with Suzie Boss

    Today was day #1 at the #innovategraded conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This conference is all about innovation in education, and how to start this process both in your classroom and at your school. Today I attended a day-long workshop with @suzieboss on Project Based Learning (PBL). Here are my top 10 takeaways: The teacher must… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in

    , ,

  • Slice of Life – Take #1

    I had a moment of weakness today, and a revelation. I lost my composure with my students. I was desperately frustrated. Is there even such a thing? If there is, then that’s what I was. I had a grand plan: to ignite an explosion of writing in our class. I thought my students would jump… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in

  • Author Skypes

    After six author visits to our classroom, five of them via @SkypeClassroom, I am more convinced than ever of the immeasurable value these conversations bring to students. Listening to authors describe their writing process is priceless. The writing tips and experiences of published writers mean a lot more to my students than anything I could offer them simply… Read more

    —

    by

    Elisa Waingort

    in