Fifteen years ago in preparation to facilitate a PD session for teachers, I spent hours reading everything I could about text structure in expository texts. I was struck by how much I learned and how little I’d done to adequately prepare students to recognize and use knowledge of the types of structures authors use in …
Kids Who Can’t Read Teacher: “I’m looking at this running record for Andrew (5th grade student) and he can’t read words with multiple syllables. When’s he’s stuck and he tries to decode, I notice he doesn’t even really know vowel sounds.” Admin: “Which STAAR practice group is he in?” Teacher: “He meets with Ms. Pratt, …
I see it every day. Typical scenario– Me: Let’s start by celebrating. Please share with us something you’re celebrating about student learning or you can celebrate about your own learning. *Crickets* Me: What would you share with us that you’re celebrating. *Again, silence* One brave teacher: I think we’re all a little overwhelmed and frankly …
Last week I returned for several days of educational support in a district in the Upper Midwest. The district I support there has been working to get all systems aligned in their Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). It has been about eight weeks since they started their intervention groups using Fountas and Pinnell’s Leveled Literacy …
What a great reading summit Scholastic had in Austin, Texas on July 16. Highlights for me: Jenni Holm being interviewed by John Schu. Donalyn Miller’s keynote. Yuyi Morales keynote to close out the summit. This was the highlight of the summit for me. #brilliantartist #beautifulsoul Getting to meet the 130+ educators in the breakout session …
I’ve followed Dave Stuart Jr. for several years now. He is a teacher, author, speaker and thought-leader. His work has deeply impacted my thinking (and, I hope, my practice) as an educator. Dave started out by exhorting teachers to adopt a common-sense approach to the Common Core. Dave’s message has evolved to address more than a widely …
I’ve been away from this site for a few weeks now. There’s a reason for that absence. An amazing team of people have been working with me to bring something new your way. I’d love to share the details, but that will have to wait for a few more weeks. In the meantime, I’ll be …
All last week I worked with upper elementary reading teachers. We pored over data. We identified standards that must be retaught in the weeks up to our state assessment. We designed mini-lessons. We strategically placed kids in strategy groups and created small group instruction. We made a ton of formative assessments to inform about student …
Turns out it’s both. Recently, I was out of town presenting at our state convention. My husband, Mark, and I talked on the phone each evening to check in and talk about our day’s work. “I’ve got some things to share with you from our leadership training we had at work today,” he said. “These …
Who knew that Jim Cramer, host of CNBC’s show, Mad Money would speak truth to this 30 year veteran educator? Cramer, who is co-founder of TheStreet, Inc., a best-selling author, with previous experience as a stockbroker and hedge fund manager, has something to say to those of us in education. And what he says is worth …
