We’ve been exploring the ways in which writers draw upon the Dispositions of Practice to improve their process and their craft in Studio this week. This morning’s crew participated in a collaborative writing activity that led to some meaningful discoveries about what can happen when we step back and let kids think, write, and problem solve together rather than taking over this work ourselves. So often, students enter classrooms and position themselves as empty pitchers…
Today was the first day of our Studio summer sessions, and it was wonderful in about a thousand different ways. The veteran fellows of our community are incredibly talented teachers and kids, and nearly all of them have returned this year. They’ve found company in a large cohort of new fellows as well, and it’s been inspiring to watch new friendships quickly form while we begin easing into our work and conversation. Our home at…
Over the last year, so many people have asked for a “snapshot” of what the WNY Young Writers’ Studio is really all about, and every time I’ve been asked to share this information, I haven’t done it justice. Over the last month though, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with many of our Studio fellows as well as members of my own learning community, and finally, we’re finding just the right words to describe who…
I’ve been spending this morning planning my literacy coaching work for the year ahead, and I’m realizing that the way I approach technology integration as a coach has everything to do with how likely teacher efforts might truly improve student learning. Those in my learning network often question the effectiveness of leading these efforts by focusing on tech tools first, and I couldn’t agree more. Facilitating processes that enable teachers to identify the learning needs…
I arrived at the Communities for Learning Summer Institute Sunday evening, just in time to welcome my friend and new fellow, Ellen Gray. I met Ellen earlier this year, and over the last few months, I’ve come to enjoy the perspective she lends to the work that I do as a professional and as a mom. Spending a week immersed in thoughtful planning and discourse with her and with all of the fellows who are…
So…….as I was chatting with Alyssa and Sarah last weekend, they spoke to what many of us call authentic learning. Of course, they didn’t use that phraseology–they spoke in their native tongue, describing how some of what kids are asked to do in school is “boring” or “rushed” or “just for a grade”. They weren’t exactly giving their work with me great props either (just in case you thought I was getting off easy), and…
I meant to start this series of posts last week, but like many in my corner of the world, I’m finding myself caught up in the swirl of June. Each day seems to bring another softball game, school concert, field trip, assembly, or party of some sort for my kids. Couple of all of that my own end of the year program evaluation and planning for the year ahead, and the whole blogging thing kinda…
I’ve been thinking a lot about this post lately. It’s an important one. Go read it. It makes me think about the not-so healthy level of competition that sometimes exists between people. It astounds me that so many people can’t appreciate this simple truth: there is a lot of work to be done in this field. There is plenty for all of us to do. Trashing colleagues we disagree with and belittling those we feel threatened…
I’m finding that one of the more dramatic shifts that takes place when learning communities come together is around purpose. I’m not just referring to the work of professional learning communities that are populated by educators. I’m also referring to the work of the learning communities that are populated by the students in our classrooms and the parents in our communities. Things are changing. Suddenly, it seems that more than a few people are realizing…
Providing choice, time, and access to great books goes a long way toward motivating kids who would rather not be reading, but as @steveshann reminded me on Twitter last night, community is everything and conversation is where it begins. Informal conversation. Communities build around books and reading rapidly when we invite kids to share their honest opinions about what they’re reading. I remember watching this happen with Go Ask Alice, the Harry Potter series, The…