Angela's Page

Establishing a new online community is an exciting venture. We've been happy and comfortable watching activity begin to bubble up in small but meaningful ways here and eager for this to evolve as a true community that isn't really led by any one person. This is a learning experience for all of us. Discovering how to engage purposefully with one another is a big part of that learning.

Sometimes, when we are new to engaging in online spaces, we aren't sure what the expectations are or how to part… Continue

When Rob Currin contacted me a few weeks back eager to begin connecting himself and his students to a global community of writers, my first thought was to send him this way. I first met Rob in a workshop that I was leading around establishing personal learning networks almost a year ago. I was inspired by his enthusiasm and his energy, and it's been an honor to support him as he's begun this work in various ways. We've been collaborating around how he might align the work of his Global Poetry Pr… Continue

Hi all--quick question for you: has anyone here ever led or participated in a fundraiser to provide relief to a family in need due to natural disaster or unexpected tragedy? One of our closest friends suffered the loss of both of her parents last week. They were killed during a home invasion. The family is now facing a mountain of unexpected expenses and a long legal battle. I would like to establish a fund and a donations process that can help them out, but I want to make sure I do this effecti… Continue

In my work with teachers and kids this year, so much of what we are discussing has everything to do with the pursuit of meaningful essential questions and the creation of real products. I'm realizing that it's possible that all great learning truly IS service learning. If we are asking our students to pursue essential questions and create things that can be of use to others in this world, then their learning comes to make a difference in this way. Incorporating service learning within a curricul… Continue

I'm not sure if some of you saw already, but Sylvia Martinez's latest post and attached article provides some compelling perspective and strategies for those who are eager to welcome students into the conversations that unfold within the field and beyond it. Her focus is on student presenters and conferences, but the points that she makes apply in so many other settings. For exa… Continue