The big news today in my classroom was "We got mail!"  If you've read my blogpost on The Three Ninja Pigs  then you'll know that the author, Corey Schwartz, commented on my post. This led to an email exchange, bookmarks for my students, and her offer to respond to any letters they wrote to her.  What teacher can pass up a real-life writing assignment like that?  So my students went through the writing process, produced their final copy letters, and I took photos of their papers using our document camera in the classroom.  I then emailed Ms. Schwartz the jpegs--easy peasy!

And today, Ms. Schwartz was kind enough to send her replies!  Not just one letter to the class, but a reply to each individual student and our one group letter.  I printed out duplicates so we could keep one of each in class and the students could take their own copy home.  I've distributed half of the letters; the other half will go out later this week, when the students are done with content focus groups.  Ms. Schwartz has asked them some questions of her own; I think we'll be writing more letters soon!

I love this avenue for exhibiting our IB learner profile of "communicator"!

My I-DO modules may be done, but I am still learning from my professional development workshops (see my "Continuing Education" page), from my colleagues, and most of all, from my students.  This past week, we had a collective "wow" moment when an author of a book I blogged about actually responded to my post!  The author of The Three Ninja Pigs, Corey Schwartz, not only offered to send bookmarks to my students, but is willing to respond to their letters, so we spent the latter part of the week forming questions, writing rough drafts, and starting on the final copies of the letters to be photographed and sent to Ms. Schwartz.

As for "library learning", I will be fortunate once again to substitute for my librarian this week.  My principal and librarian are solid supporters of continuing my library practice, and it was my principal's suggestion that I sub for the librarian during some planned meetings she needs to attend.  I have subbed twice already this school year, and it always feels like returning home.  I look forward to blogging about my experiences in the coming weeks.