tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28994470290996884862026-03-09T03:49:11.068-04:00 Between the By-Road and the Main RoadExploring the intersections between art and learningMary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.comBlogger1867125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-4013525046750135022025-07-01T22:45:00.004-04:002025-07-01T22:45:43.747-04:00Think of Others “Think of Others” by Mahmoud DarwishCandles (M.A. Reilly)As you prepare your breakfast — think of others.Don’t forget to feed the pigeons.As you conduct your wars — think of others.Don’t forget those who want peace.As you pay your water bill — think of others.Think of those who have only the clouds to drink from.As you go home, your own home — think of others — don’t forget those who live Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-90733058387051042322025-02-25T10:48:00.027-05:002025-02-25T10:58:12.844-05:00Trump Targets Instead of using the term, “diversity program,” to describe who is and has been targeted in the federal work force, we should say everyone who is not a white male, loyal to Trump federal employee. DEI is too ubiquitous an acronym. Likely, it means you. The “enemies of the Trump administration” and everyone else who is not a white guy, represents those being removed to from federal jobs. The Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-86280209185478851512025-02-18T14:32:00.001-05:002025-02-18T14:32:20.279-05:00A Great ELA Curriculum Does Not Equal Achievement: Designing for ExcellenceChildren at workSo, you have invested in the development of a new ELA curriculum. You have procured all the necessary materials, reviewed with teachers the written lessons or units of study, and the measurements and exemplars. You agree that the work done by teachers, administrators, and consultants is excellent. You can see how the documents achieve cohesion across the school year and that thereMary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-59003392394894353432025-02-15T13:13:00.001-05:002025-02-15T13:14:21.802-05:00Cohesive Teaching and Learning Grade 2 Student’s Written Response to a Daily Instructional TaskTeaching young children, in this case second graders, to define the key term they are writing about allows them to better select evidence to support an assertion. I have embedded this kind of structure into primary and intermediate grade curriculum. In the example below, I modeled composition instruction in response to a text from a Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-61422823258055129672025-02-12T11:59:00.002-05:002025-02-12T17:31:30.744-05:00Driving Without a Map: How Kendrick Lamar's 'This Is Bigger Than Music' is a LocationI. ExpositionIn the late 1980s, I disconnected from television, turning it off. Literally. My husband still watched his beloved Giants, on Sundays, but beyond that, our lone TV stood quiet in the corner. Yes, we flirted with Twin Peaks sometime in the early 90s, but it wouldn’t be until 2015 when Rob so sick from stage 4 lung cancer ‘discovered’ The West Wing and we momentarily engaged with TV Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-58427910356694645822025-02-10T11:36:00.002-05:002025-02-10T11:36:44.333-05:00A Child is DeadI.Yesterday evening I read a post on Linked In by a woman I do not follow. I cannot recall how I found the post as it disturbed me so greatly. This mom was writing to say her beloved trans-daughter was dead. Her daughter no longer felt safe in the United States of America given the relentless attacks on trans-girls and women in particular, by Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Trump's Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-88627001861934373282024-12-31T12:28:00.003-05:002024-12-31T12:28:51.301-05:00One Little Word for 2025EmbraceLearning to say, yes. Learning to embrace the unknown. Habits to build on in 2025. Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-42703382877693558572024-12-08T11:00:00.004-05:002024-12-08T11:00:40.451-05:00#Learning2BRetiredThe Champs at Night (December, 2023)A year ago I was in Paris, newly retired and on holiday. A year later I can say that I am learning how to be retired: how to balance ordinary days at home, family and friendships, consulting, events, and travel in mindful ways. I couldn’t be more grateful. One thing that is clear is how routine matters. When I worked full time, work ate up so much time Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-21314258942041237292024-11-25T20:50:00.004-05:002024-11-26T06:49:58.848-05:00"Long, too Long America" - Where Now America? from Wheatley's Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future. I. Direst FateFrom when I was a young teenager, I've had an ongoing love for Walt Whitman. In tough times, especially, I'm draw to poetry. Poets tend to see with a clarity I admire. So it won't be too much of a surprise that since the presidential election occurred, I've been rehearsing a line Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-53839864641494062442024-10-15T22:50:00.004-04:002024-10-15T22:50:33.583-04:0025 Reasons I'm Voting for Kamala Harris and 82 Reasons I'd Never Vote for Donald Trump Kamala Harris from 2024Why I am voting for Vice President Kamala Harris:1. Vice President Harris has a written and an evaluated plan to boost the US economy and according to the Wall Street Journal her plans are better for the USA than anything proffered by Trump.2. Vice President Harris is mature, job-ready, experienced, and youthful with a clean medical record allowing her to be physically, Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-49428239647073038192024-10-13T19:16:00.003-04:002024-10-13T19:17:47.455-04:00Listening to a Trump VoterI was listening to a pro Trump voter today who said he is voting for Trump because he knows “he will support me 200%. He will have my back.” I imagine he’s right. As a white conservative man he is likely safe in Trump country. Many of us are unsafe under Trump. I am so sad to say that Trump’s rhetoric will likely continue to cause harm to my only child. I wish this was hyperbole, but itMary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-50700572673911798082024-09-10T16:00:00.001-04:002024-09-10T16:02:45.273-04:006 Books I’ll Be Reading this FallI am anticipating reading 6 books that are or will be newly published this fall. Here’s the list:1. Yuval Nosh Harari’s Nexus Harari asks, “How is it that we have the most sophisticated information technology in history and we can no longer hold the conversation? We can no longer talk with each other.”2. Richard Powers’ Playground (Booker Prize Finalist)Full disclosure: each book he writes, Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-49766285523757480722024-08-25T15:05:00.001-04:002024-08-25T15:05:32.221-04:00Freedom Lately, Donald Trump in rally remarks keeps mentioning communism attempting to align that ideology with Vice President Harris and Governor Walz. I have found this attempt at sleight of hand ironic given that a definition of communism is the absence of individual and societal freedom. The current iteration of the Republican Party, headed by Donald Trump, is the anti-freedom party as they Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-1026687671368332902024-03-08T06:00:00.002-05:002024-03-08T06:00:00.133-05:008 YearsAt the Paterson Falls (acrylic, ink, pencil, papers)Yesterday I photographed at the Paterson Falls. After all of the tumultuous storms we’ve been having, the falls were powerful, awe-inspiring. Being in Paterson, once again, had me remembering William Carlos Williams’ Paterson. I first read it in its entirety with Rob. Prior to that (like Joyce’s Ulysses) I read parts. Rob loved to read aloud andMary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-88467641552363053532024-02-13T00:09:00.000-05:002024-02-13T00:09:44.756-05:002.10.2016Edges (Nome, Alaska)The days get muddled together when I recall. 8 years is a long time in many ways especially when I think of all the living that has happened from then to now. On this past Saturday, I would remember the hospital room, the quietness of the floor so early in the morning, the oncologist. I would recall all of this and more, almost to the minute. 5 a.m. and the Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-14731288735018703332024-02-09T19:14:00.003-05:002024-02-09T20:48:49.162-05:00Six Works by Black Authors to ReadA few books authored by Black writers that I’m looking forward to reading this February, including a most anticipated book (James) that will be published March 19, 2024.1. The Trees: A Novel by Percival Everett —I’m reading this now. A tough opening of a book that tells of a series of brutal murders that take place in Money Mississippi. At each crime scene there is a second body of a man who Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-40625167034676308762024-01-21T12:05:00.003-05:002024-01-21T12:05:46.166-05:00One Addition to Better Writing in Grades 2-8Article 4th graders were Writing About Often I see hardworking teachers trying to ensure their students compose clear, meaningful writing by relying on mnemonics, like R.A.C.E. (Restate question, answer question, cite evidence, explain evidence) and failing. The issue with this strategy is that the single most critical aspect of writing, especially for younger learners is missing! MostMary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-83309263808595190882024-01-21T09:33:00.001-05:002024-01-21T09:35:37.389-05:00Grade 3 Reading Challenge: A Key Action to TakeDeveloping reading stamina helps third graders comprehend grade level text. Reading stamina is the ability to read increasingly longer texts with ease. It develops through consistent (daily) practice. Building to 30-minutes of sustained reading daily ought to be a goal both schools and parents champion. Parents and teachers can invite children to chart the number of minutes of reading Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-16807602767696749102023-12-31T14:25:00.007-05:002023-12-31T14:25:56.302-05:00Books Read in 2023Will be published in 2024Hester - Laurie Lico AlbaneseOutlive: The Science of Longevity- Peter Attia MDThe Book of Baraka - Ras BarakaBuild the Life You Want - Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah WinfreyKrantzman: A Memoir in Stories and Poems - Rob Cohen (will be publish in 2024)The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - John Mark ComerThe Botanist - M. W. CravenThe Year of Magical Thinking - Joan Didion Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-42269835419196425882023-04-08T09:59:00.002-04:002023-04-08T09:59:27.410-04:0072 HoursIt’s not uncommon to think of inhumane historical events as non-repeating. The last few years in the US and frankly beyond our borders should awaken all to the idea the history is repeatable, especially outrageous acts of inhumanity. Women’s control of their own bodies is severely under assault by GOP-led politicians, judges, and pundits. The stance that a woman cannot determine her own wellMary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-57619209634480218592023-02-25T03:38:00.000-05:002023-02-25T03:38:09.447-05:00Teaching Editing: A Few Favorite ResourcesAbstract, (M.A. Reilly, 2022) Below are a few professional resources I have found helpful when teaching students how to edit their own writing. Profesional Resources: 1. Teaching BooksAnderson, J, and W. LA Rocca. (2017). Patterns of power, grades 1-5: Inviting young writers into the conventions of language. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.Anderson, J. & W. la Rocha. (2021). Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-54724564984394099062023-01-04T20:02:00.004-05:002023-01-04T20:02:40.164-05:00‘What will be the sacred words?’Childhood (M.A. Reilly, 2022, collage)I visited an after school program today and had an interesting conversation with four fourth grade girls who were discussing an article about Dr. King and the pain of racism today. They were at most 10-years-old. One girl said that her mom had talked with her about a white police officer who shot a Black boy (16-years-old) because he thought he had a gun. TheMary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-51761680705111122092023-01-02T21:49:00.000-05:002023-01-02T21:49:30.367-05:00A Baker's Dozen: Foggy Images from 12.31.22 Images made 12.31.22 in Ringwood, NJOn the Reservoir (Ringwood, NJ, 12.31.22)Shoreline (Ringwood, NJ, 12.31.22)Kayak and Bird (Ringwood, NJ, 12.31.22)Bird (Ringwood, NJ, 12.31.22)Fog Weaving through Trees (Ringwood, NJ, 12.31.22) Drifting (Ringwood, NJ, 12.31.22)One Man in a Boat (Ringwood, NJ, 12.31.22)Blue Kayak (Ringwood, NJ, 12.31.22)Bridge (Ringwood, NJ, 12.31.22)Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-71662806546532557142023-01-01T13:57:00.011-05:002023-01-01T14:03:06.200-05:00#OLW: unhurryUnhurry (Ringwood NJ, Dec. 31, 2022)What can anyone give you greater than now? - William StaffordI. Recently, I read John Mark Comer's The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. It was an unusual choice given how religious the text is. That said, it was also what I most needed. There last 6 years have fundamentally changed me insomuch as I understand loss and living in ways I could not have Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2899447029099688486.post-41575246428714815852022-04-12T02:00:00.000-04:002022-04-12T02:00:45.294-04:00So Much Happiness Tuscany (M. A. Reilly)So Much Happiness-Naomi Shihab NyeIt is difficult to know what to do with so much happiness.With sadness there is something to rub against,a wound to tend with lotion and cloth.When the world falls in around you, you have pieces to pick up,something to hold in your hands, like ticket stubs or change.But happiness floats.It doesn’t need you to hold it down.It doesn’t Mary Ann Reillyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14349201167828984708noreply@blogger.com0