Theme: A Focus on the Weaker Side to Achieve Gold

I love the Olympics: the fierce competition yet complete respect, the display of God gifts & talents enhanced through hard work, and the gripping stories of human determination in reaching dreams of just even competing in the Olympics. However what is really special for me is the the "cold" reflection that takes place immediately after relishing in a victory or heart-breaking defeat- the post interview. It is at time that we get a glimpse at what went right or what went wrong.

Last night I listened to Aries Merritt after he won GOLD in the 110 M hurdles in his "cold" reflection. His respect to mentors, his confidence, and his passion in his voice caught my attention, but more important his answer to the interviewer NBC Lewis Johnson's last question. Merritt had a weakness; over the past year he worked on his technique of switching from eight steps to seven steps between each huddler. Now the average Olympic fan like me would never notice that slight change, but to Merritt and his coaches that made all the difference between not only a GOLD medal, but achieving his dream.  Merritt said, "Diligence. It took me a long, long time and hours and putting power on my weaker side to balance things out. I think that is why I have had so much success this year because I focused so much on my weaker side and balanced things out and now I have equal power..."

Wow! I know Usain Bolt wanted the world to say that after his victory, but I was saying that after Merritt's on-the-spot reflection. He had perfectly summed up where I would be heading this year in my growth as a person and a teacher: a focus on my weaker side. So what is my weak side? This is one aspect- BLOGGING- opening myself up to have that "cold" reflection. I need to make sure this journey of focusing on my weak side is recorded and shared.This is my first step; my plan - a reflection each month with the theme being on my weak side. Beginning an intense focus on my weak side whether that would be listening and learning with my students, peers, instructional leaders, and data which will help me grow. "Take your marks...."

A dEePeR uNdErStAnDiNg oF mY rEaDeRs

"What have you been doing as a reader?" -A beginning question to start a reading conference. Is that where thinking happens DURING the reading process?

Let me ask questions...let's have a class discussion; let me ask deep thinking questions.....Is that where thinking happens DURING the reading process?

Annotate, Annotate, Annotate! On a piece of paper, hidden by a cover, shoved in a crate; is that where thinking happens DURING the reading process?

Can I peek in your mind? Can I see in real time -DURING the reading process? Isn't that the key to understanding; where did comprehension occur or break down?

As I settle into my first month of Project Connect, I have finally been given the tools to dissect thinking and reading LIVE DURING the reading process. With tools such as screenr, VoiceThread, and GoogleDocs, I am finally getting a deeper understanding of my readers DURING the reading process.