My First Post- A Pirate’s Life for Me!

Yoho, Yoho, A Pirate's Life For Me

Here it is: My First Post!

     I am so excited to start this blogging journey!

     As I set up my blog, I find myself really wondering, where do I start? How will blogging impact my classes? What will I ask my students to blog about first? Will they enjoy blogging as much as I hope they do? Will anyone care what we are saying?  Will my students find their voice through blogging? I am nervous for the answers to these questions, but fear of the unknown is normal in any new adventure, and adventure is just what I am looking for this year. 

     This past May, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop at West Liberty University with Dave Burgess covering his AMAZING book, Teach Like a Pirate. I had heard excellent things about Dave and had followed along silently in a few of his Twitter chats, but was advised to read his book after attending his seminar. From the moment he began, I was captivated. I was instantly inspired. I couldn’t wait to get back to work from my maternity leave and reconnect with my students. My wheels were constantly turning and thinking of ways to meet my students’ learning goals and needs in fun ways. Yes, FUN! That can happen in an English classroom, contrary to what a bad experience may have told you.

     I finished the year strong with my students, and set off into the summer sun with high hopes of planning an “experience” for each unit I would cover in the next year. I have enjoyed my summer, but I am totally ready to get  back in the classroom and get to know my new students. I have so many amazing ideas that I know will soon form into experiences for my students. I am looking forward to revamping and upgrading my teaching style to really, deeply impact each and every one of my students. I know then, and only then, will I truly create the learning environment I am passionate about creating: A community where each student feels safe, valued, and appreciated while growing and experiencing English Language Arts in a life changing manner. 

     To my students:This brings us to the start of the year! I hope you’re ready to experience English in a way you haven’t experienced yet. My hope for each of you is to grow to appreciate literature and writing in a way that will make you lifelong learners of language. Let’s set sail on our Pirate’s journey through the 2014-2015 school year!

     To my fellow educators: I would LOVE your suggestions! Please tell me how you use blogs in your classroom! What do you say is the, “must know” info for my first year blogging? How can I TLAP while blogging? 

 

6 thoughts on “My First Post- A Pirate’s Life for Me!

  1. Like the blog so far – nice picture, enjoyed the comments. The font is a little hard to read, and makes it hard to see the paragraphs. My only criticism. The hard part is keeping it going – good luck, and have fun!

  2. My advice would try to blog every week or so about what you are doing. Don’t be afraid to blog about failures and reflect on them. Be passionate, be connected, and reflect. There are no wrong ways to blog.

    For students I like the idea of reflective blogging about learning, but you can probably find some great ideas from other English teachers. I teach self contained elementary. Great to connect with you. I am @mrdonnelly3 on Twitter. I look forward to following your journey.

  3. Stacy, I was also at the Dave Burgess workshop at West Lib! My wife Julie was there as well. @mr_oldfield and @mrs_juloldfield. It’s probably buried in my tweets, but I dressed up as a Pirate on day 1 and later came as a superhero, Bloggerman, to talk to the students about safe, effective blogging. A pirate’s life for me too!

    1. Hi, Derek! I can’t believe I missed Thursday’s chat! I was in Pittsburgh for the evening getting a new computer. Hopefully I will make it next week.

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