The folks over at Common Craft have gifted us with another gracefully simplistic video–this one is about augmented reality. This has everything to do with literacy. It has everything to do with learning. Imagine the possibilities. They already exist.
Last week, I invited a fellow of the WNY Young Writers’ Studio and literacy-coach-in-training to accompany me on a visit to Long Island, New York, where we met with junior and senior high school writing teachers. A portion of this visit was spent exploring the Studio model and some of the more powerful practices that guide our work with teachers and young people. On the last day, we had the opportunity to co-teach inside of…
As an independent literacy coach, the districts that I serve contract with me to provide coaching inside of their schools as they work to identify those who may want to assume these positions internally over time. Part of my work involves supporting potential coaches as they learn more about what this work entails and how they might approach it themselves. Over the last two years, I’ve put several different opportunities in place for those who…
I spent the better portion of last week on Long Island, introducing Studio to junior and senior high school teachers and exploring writing instruction and practice with them in a variety of settings. Part of our work unfolded in workshop sessions, there were several conversations with diverse groups, and we spent extended time coaching in both buildings. I learned a great deal from this experience and will probably devote most of this week’s posts to…
So last week, I was planning my work with teachers in a district that is beginning to design curricula. At one point, I knew we’d be taking a peek at the draft of the new Core Standards, and I wanted to provide everyone the opportunity to highlight different aspects of the draft that they were interested in discussing together. My inclination was to show them Awesome Highlighter, a nifty little tool that allows for highlighting…
So……now what? Seriously. Scores have improved in many of our local schools over the last several years. What does that even mean anyway? If all of the professional development initiatives teachers have been a part of, all of the learning community work they’ve participated in, and every formative assessment they’ve “given” students inside of classrooms was heavily motivated by a thirst for improved student performance on tests of any kind…..what will happen now that this…
I’ve been spending more time in nings than anywhere else online over the last long stretch of time. Some of my favorites include the English Companion ning, Working Together 2 Make a Difference, and the WNY Young Writers’ Studio ning. This weekend, I stumbled upon another place that you might consider visiting as well. Making Curriculum Pop is a community for those interested in teaching with or about pop culture. Some interesting conversations unfolding over…
Young writers and educators are invited to join the fellows of the WNY Young Writers’ Studio at our first annual Celebration of Writing, which will be held on June 5th from 9:30am until noon at Pinnacle Charter School in Buffalo, New York. This year’s theme is A Celebration of Writers and Teachers in Progress. What makes this event special? All of the kids who are helping to facilitate it and the possibilities that our format…
….is to accept people exactly as they are.” Carl Rogers
Although I may not be spending quite as much time blogging this year, I’ve been finding myself far more active elsewhere online, and in my travels, I’ve found much to recommend. I’ll still be reflecting on what I’m learning and discovering here, but much of that is happening on the ground inside of the classrooms that I get to work in and in some of these spaces: The WNY Young Writers’ Studio is about to…