In the Zone

A sampling of the views from my two different Upper West Side accommodations.

Residence 1 was heavy on practical amenities like a kitchenette, two closets, and blessed with old world charm = old world plumbing, (double flusher), and a slooow elevator.

Residence 2 had sparse, classic elegance with few, but modern amenities, and, well, a view of the Hudson River.

Coffeemaker with Wolfgang Puck coffee "available upon request."

Keynote this morning by Kathy Collins, author of Growing Readers and TC leader extraordinaire.

Kathy’s regiment for a positive outlook in light of our nation’s current state of education:

1. Search for “charm points”, (Japanese concept), - a person’s most appealing physical, (or beyond), feature

2. Be on Team Kid every moment – How is this good for kids? In kids best interest?

3. Find partners in fun and opportunities for laughter EVERY DAY – “Oh, no you didn’t” stories or “Would your rather…?”

Jen Serravallo section:

Compared assessment responses between level K and level N readers.

Then compared assessment responses between level N and level Q readers.

Barb Golub section:

(that's a typewriter on her bicep)

Crafting Teaching Points

Read Aloud lessons to deepen non fiction comprehension

Non fiction Book Clubs

Note about college classes - Remember when you had to go and buy "the reader" at Kinkos or the Copy Center so that you had all the articles and handouts that your professor wanted you to read? Way back when we did the Masters program in 2003-05 we were given a CD that we were expected to install and read. Nowadays, when the instructor wants you to look at a chart or handout, she emails it to you on the spot. No laptop, tablet, ipad? - you'll get to share one of the hard copies with your neighbor.

Best lunch of the week - with S!

Short but sweet.

Huffin' 'n puffin' 'n sweatin' along the Hudson River, waiting for my close up...

Asked directions by two strangers while I was running AND was able to accurately direct them to their desired destinations! What a star!

Lovely Greek dinner. Best grilled octopus I've had since Santorini, 1985.

Night views from the two hotels.