“I love the idea of writer’s notebooks,” she sighed. “The problem is, my students begin using them with the best of intentions at the start of every school year, but by the end, they’ve been neglected. I send home empty writers’ notebooks nearly every year. It’s such a waste. I think I’ll just let the whole thing go.” Don’t do that. Notebooks are far too important to abandon, and it takes time to tap their…
This inspiration board hangs on the wall right beside my desk. It’s become a catch all for ideas that are brewing, kindnesses paid by friends and students, and pictures that bring back wonderful memories. These are the things that are inspiring me right now. The board is important, because sometimes in my work-a-day life, things feel very orderly and tight and controlled. This is no way to think. It’s also no way to create, and…
Writers tend to be quietly reflective, and the ones that I work with will tell you that it can be hard to find company inside of their schools. Over the years, many of them have turned to online communities for support, and every time, I learn a little bit in the process. These are the writing communities that I’m happy to recommend, based on their experiences. One word of caution: I always let writers know…
Crafting quality writing curricula that provides writers just enough guidance to consistently propel them forward without threatening their autonomy is no simple task. Many teachers consider their vision, standards, the writing process, the elements of writer’s craft, and the production of specific forms as they chart a course for their year and aligned, multi-grade level maps for their buildings and districts. Day after day, year after year, these same teachers put their plans into motion,…
Let’s call her Nadia. I’ve been working with her one on one for a little over a year now. “I suck at reading,” she told me bluntly, when she approached me for help toward the end of her sophomore year. “I do too sometimes,” I admitted, inviting her to sit with me a while so that I could learn more. We’ve learned a lot together, Nadia and I. It all started with frank conversations like…
At the risk of beating a dead horse, I’ll admit: I agree with those who suggest that close reading isn’t a strategy, and I’m grateful to them for sustaining this particular conversation, even as some are beginning to grow weary with it. It’s an important one. If we fail to understand and honor the intention behind the call for close reading, we’ll likely fail to accomplish what is most critical: distinguishing readers who are strategic…
This weekend, someone asked me who I read online. Here’s who I read, in no particular order. I’m wondering whose words inspire you. Who makes you think? Who should I add to my feed? Kim Cofino’s Always Learning Brene Brown’s Ordinary Courage Design Thinking–Thoughts by Tim Brown Brainpickings The Burkins and Yaris Blog Gretchin Rubin’s Happiness Project Make Christopher Lehman’s Blog Zen Habits National Geographic Vicki Davis’s Cool Cat Teacher Blog Papershine (quiet for a while now) Richard Byrne’s…
From Daring Greatly, which I have on loan from my oldest, dearest, and wisest friend. It’s provided me much needed perspective and company this month. Some of what I highlighted: “I believe that feedback thrives in cultures where the goal is not ‘getting comfortable with hard conversations’ but normalizing discomfort. If leaders expect real learning, critical thinking, and change, then discomfort should be normalized: ‘We believe growth and learning are uncomfortable so it’s going to…
On Sunday, I offered up this quick post about what I’ve learned from facilitating data dialogue in different schools over the years. Starr Sackstein caught wind of it on Twitter and connected my reflections to an earlier conversation that she began on her blog about the testing dilemma. As I chatted with her in the comments below her post, this thought emerged: “I tend to see trend data from standardized assessments like markers in a…
So, a few weeks ago, Paul Thompson from Shmoop approached me, interested in sharing a sample of what they have to offer right here on my blog. Shmoop is a great place to begin exploring new topics and pieces of literature. Recently, fellows of the WNY Young Writers’ Studio took Shmoop to Shakespeare in Delaware Park via their iPads, where they could access summaries of each of act of the Merchant of Venice, revisit character…