I love a good challenge. One of my favorites? Convincing middle grade readers that the work of reading is worth the effort. The last couple of years I’ve developed a deep appreciation for Scholastic’s classroom magazine, Storyworks. Each publication contains engaging selections in a variety of genres: fiction, nonfiction, debate, poetry and often a high-interest …
Back to school That short statement evokes differing emotions for teachers. Some are terrified to return to the truckload of teacher-tasks, some are frustrated the summer months seem so short, some may be anxious to meet their students and launch new learning. Whatever the feeling, the start of a new school year is quickly approaching. …
Ever visit a class or see a peer teach and have a little déjà vu moment? It happens to me a lot as an instructional coach on the PreK-6 campus where I work. It happened recently in a fifth-grade classroom during their book clubs. The teacher, Mr. Duke, reminded students that they had several options …
Did you feel a call to action as images of immigrant children were shown being separated from their families? Maybe your action manifested itself in calling politicians, writing letters, leveraging the power of social media; getting your message out based on your values and beliefs about this pressing issue. I know many who took action, …
Holly Ray is the guest blogger for That Thing You Do! today. She has over 14 years of experience in grades K-12 in both public and private school–nine of those years in administration. I am so grateful that Holly is sharing about the importance of leading others through a change process. You can follow Holly …
A few months ago, I talked with a friend who is also an instructional coach and she was troubled by a district meeting she had attended. As she recounted the meeting, I kept thinking, “Wow, that’s a lot of emphasis in one day-long meeting on compliance.” I asked her how the other coaches in the …
“Miss, do I have to use my _____________strategy while I’m reading today?” Fill in the blank, dear teacher, because you know you can. Collectively we’ve taught a million and one nifty strategies for kids to use when they read. Our intentions are admirable. We just want the readers in our care to understand what they’re …
We have a wonderful reading interventionist who is out on sick leave until January. I have the privilege of meeting with her groups until she can return. The first group of kindergarten students I meet with every day are new to school in America and they’re learning how to speak English as well as learning …
My last year of high school I graduated early in February so I could join my parents in Great Britain. The freedom I experienced as an eighteen year old traveling around England after dad’s job took our family there for two years changed me. Even now, many decades later, I still find that I am …
I am thrilled today that Carolyn Davis is guest blogging for That Thing You Do! Carolyn and I met on social media first and then I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at a local conference. There was an immediate connection due to Carolyn’s deep love for readers and writers and her passion …
