In the last few years, I've become familiar with this saying: trust and step. Anytime I've been up against a big problem, tried something new, or made a big change, I have found myself repeating the words trust and step. The phrase came up in a conversation with a friend and it seemed to stick for me. It reminds me there are tough situations and risks we take, but if we just take a step we are on our way. It's a one-step-at-a-time mantra that helps me to begin to find a way forward.  In our classrooms, learners come across challenges as well. There are times we have to solve problems, ta ..read more

"In a world of possibilities, today, what will you make?"  - Katey Howes Sometimes I need some help getting my creative juices flowing. Recently a friend suggested Courageous Creativity: Advice and Encouragement for the Creative Life by Sara Zarr which was a perfect complement to the book I had just finished: The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion by Elle Luna.  Of course, this made me start to think about books that might spark some creativity in students.  Here are three picture books to inspire your young creatives: Be a Maker by Kat ..read more

A little over a year ago I started j-alking (my word for jog-walking...and there's no way you could call this a run). I have a two mile course I jalk several times a week. I'll be honest, staying consistent isn't my thing. I've learned - the hard way - if I don't jalk regularly, however, there's a price to be paid. If I take a few weeks off from this routine, the first several jalks are not easy. For this reason, I've tried to push myself to be more consistent in this part of my routine. It's honestly easier to be consistent than to start over and over again. Writing is much the same. This mo ..read more

Please note:  You're in the right place. Today's Picture Book 10 for 10 event will be linked here at Reflect and Refine. You will find directions to post with the community in the "Joining Today" section of this post. It's here! It's here! And I'm so excited. It's our annual August picture book celebration. It's our 12th annual picture book event! Can you believe it??? Some of you have been with us from the beginning (and through multiple posting platforms). Thank you for joining us again. You know we love your lists! Some of you are new (or newer) to this event. Welcome. We're thrille ..read more

Yesterday I got a text from my picture book partner in crime, Mandy Robek (and Mandy on Twitter): "#pb10for10? Tomorrow is July 10th." I must admit I was caught a bit off guard. How did it get to be July 9th already? It's a conversation we have every year at this time. Are we both in for another year of picture book fun? Well, of course we are. I mean, who can really resist? Since 2010 our community has been sharing picture books in August.  Picture Book 10 for 10 began from a conversation about must-have picture books for our classroom libraries.  Mandy Robek ..read more

It's National Poetry Month! Those of you who know me know I'm a "poetry all year" kind of gal, but this extra emphasis on poetry in April always brings such joy. I love that National Poetry Month is celebrated in the spring. Even Mother Nature jumps into the action by creating a canvas of beauty for poets to capture with their pens. In the classroom, this celebration comes at a time our learning communities can use a little energy boost.  In walks poetry. For National Poetry Month, many bloggers are writing, or sharing, a poem every day for the entire month. As a classroom teacher, I ha ..read more

Please note:  today's Picture Book 10 for 10 event is hosted by Mandy Robek at Enjoy and Embrace Learning.  You will find directions to post with the community at the bottom of today's post.  Make sure you stop by Mandy's blog to see all of the collections being shared by the #pb10for10 community.  Also, follow the Twitter hashtag #pb10for10 across the day for a big dose of picture book love.  If you're joining us for the first time, please grab your library card as this event can get expensive.  Consider yourself warned.   Today's the day!  It's o ..read more

Well, it's been a decade.  Since 2010 our community has been sharing picture books in August.  Picture Book 10 for 10 began from a conversation about must-have picture books for our classroom libraries.  Mandy Robek, Enjoy and Embrace Learning, and I were going back and forth about our favorite books for our classroom communities when we decided it would be interesting to be able to meander through the libraries of other educators to see what books were on their shelves.  #pb10for10 for short.  Since then, educators, librarians, parents, and book ..read more

For a decade, #cyberPD has been an anticipated summer event to connect educators near and far in collaborative professional conversation. Through blogs, Twitter, and various digital media, participants share thinking around a common professional title featured for discussion. Though the main event is in July of each year, the conversations and connections carry across the year. Since #cyberPD's first event, we've grown from a group of less than 15 to a community of over 150 educators. We have found this community to be powerful and the conversations have helped us grow in our journey as edu ..read more

When the #stayathome began, I asked my son who teaches third grade, "What do you think might make some great read alouds for our students right now?" "Maybe they just need books that will make them laugh," he replied without missing a beat. I was ready to solve the world's problems with picture books.  Isn't that what you do?  However, he had an excellent point.  Our students are away from their friends, there is much uncertainty, and all the joys of being five, seven, or nine have been placed on hold in many ways. Since then, our #stayathome orders have been lengthened.  ..read more