"You're in 8th grade, and that's not an 8th-grade book." I can picture myself in the library, looking at a student with a book in their hand, saying, "Choose something else." When I first started as a teacher, I had certain thoughts about what literacy instruction was supposed to be. About holding students to "high standards". … Continue reading What counts as reading?
When I realized it was #NoWorksheetWeek, I decided to jump right in with something I've been thinking about for awhile - #BookSnaps. (This idea originated with Tara Martin - Check out her website for the details.) At this point in the year, I have spent a lot of time working with my striving readers on the skills they … Continue reading Just Jump In! – #BookSnaps
I was at a meeting a few weeks ago where a few leaders from my school's community were presenting. One thing the mayor said stuck with me. "You have to know what's important to your people." This got me thinking about what is important to my students. So - I made a three-question survey to … Continue reading You have to know what’s important to your people.
I think kids should want to be at school. All kids, in all grades, should want to be there. Kids spend so much time between Kindergarten and 12th grade in our care. It should not be a torturous experience. I feel like people have accepted that the older kids get, the less they like school, … Continue reading Is your classroom a place where people #WantToBe?
I just finished reading a tremendous book From Striving to Thriving: How to Grow Confident, Capable Readers by Stephanie Harvey and Annie Ward. I cannot say enough great things about this book; I think it would be good for all teachers, whether you teach reading or not.I think I put a sticky note on almost … Continue reading From Striving to Thriving – My Action Plan
As teachers, we continually ask students to get out of their comfort zones. We are pushing them every day with new information and experiences.Several years ago, I was embarking on my first 40 book challenge with my Tier 3 reading intervention students. I was going to be challenging them to set a goal (we didn't … Continue reading How do you challenge yourself?
During the school year, I don't watch much TV, but I do indulge during the summer.For those of us who love dance related of shows, World of Dance (WOD - the one with Jennifer Lopez) was an exciting new program this summer. The question among dance fans became - which is better - WOD or So You … Continue reading From Reality TV to Growth Mindset
A few days ago, I was given the incredible opportunity to attend ASCD's Leader to Leader (#ASCDL2L) conference as part of the Emerging Leader Class of 2017. The Emerging Leaders are an incredible, inspiring group of people. Each person I met was as accomplished and successful as the next. I just kept thinking - how … Continue reading Just a Teacher
Real talk.I'm late to the game on equity in schools. I've started reading, and reading, and reading. I've taken coursework examining pieces of the problem like racism, poverty, and privilege. I seek out my own resources - getting books after they come up at Edcamp conversations, on Twitter chats (thanks #EduColor), blogs I've read, or … Continue reading Real Talk – RtI and Equity
About this time last year, I discovered Breakout EDU, and I've been hooked ever since.If you're not familiar, it essentially turns your classroom into an escape room environment where students solve a series of puzzles to get INTO a box. (That part confuses them at first, but they get over it).The best part is that … Continue reading Assessing Students with Breakout EDU
