I’m not one of the those people who possesses the natural ability to learn another language. We lived in Austria for seven years back in the late 80s-early 90s. I’d taken two years of German in high school and two years at the university level and I still embarrassed myself on a fairly regular basis …
I’m dating myself, I know, but years ago when I read Ellin Keene’s Mosaic of Thought (1st edition) and she included Billy Collins poem, First Reader, I had a moment. A really nostalgic moment. A sobering moment. “…forgetting how to look, learning how to read.” First Reader I can see them standing politely on the …
Most of my teacher friends here in Texas are headed back to school sometime this week. There’s a lot of excitement mixed with a little dread. And that’s completely understandable. Before the name tags are printed and the bulletin boards are perfected, please take a few minutes to be as nurturing to yourself as you …
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 …
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 …
