I've kept a blog on and off for about 10 years now. I've had this blog for about half of that time, though I'm hit and miss on keeping up with posts. I love to talk to people about starting a blog, and I often hear questions like What if no one reads it? What … Continue reading Should You Blog?
Let’s Make Time for #ReflectionEDU
Summer is a great time for educators to take a step back from their processes and think about what's working and what isn't. For me, I usually set lofty goals about what I'll accomplish over the summer. This year it was to read all of the books currently on my desk. I just counted - … Continue reading Let’s Make Time for #ReflectionEDU
What counts as reading?
"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?
Just Jump In! – #BookSnaps
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
You have to know what’s important to your people.
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.
Is your classroom a place where people #WantToBe?
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?
From Striving to Thriving – My Action Plan
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
How do you challenge yourself?
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?
From Reality TV to Growth Mindset
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
Just a Teacher
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
