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 …
That Thing You Do! Carolyn Davis–It Only Takes One Book
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 …
Committing to a Pedagogy of Listening
One simple question– Who lives at your house? “My dad is in jail. It’s far away where he is so we don’t visit him very much. He’ll get out when I’m in high school. That’s about 8 years—it feels like a long time.” “I have a baby brother who is five. He doesn’t go to …
Four Teacherly Things I Learned in 2017
Four things I (re)learned in 2017: PLN Within and Without Professional Personalized Learning Network “is a tool that uses social media and technology to collect, communicate, collaborate and create with connected colleagues anywhere at any time. Participating educators, worldwide, make requests and share resources.” (Whitby, 2013) Being a life-long learner requires a lot of effort …
That Thing You Do! Dr. Mary Howard–Breathing New Life into our RTI “HEART”
This is a repost of Dr. Mary Howard’s guest post earlier this year. There is much to discuss about RtI and Mary is one of the best to lead that discussion. I’m so honored that Mary shared her thoughts here. Dr. Mary Howard and I have never met in person, but she has had …
Supporting Readers and Writers–It’s About More Than Scripted Programs
We wring our hands and lament that so many of our students are not learning to read and write. We wonder and debate. We study data and brainstorm solutions. We talk and plan and work and stay late and plan some more. I’ve been accused on more than one occasion of offering overly simplistic solutions. …
That Thing You Do! Jill Davidson and Kim Stewart–A Taste for Books
This is a repost from November 2016 that I’m so excited to share. Jill and Kim are book-pushers and this is the perfect time for anyone who loves kids to catch up on titles for next school year. It’s also time to think ahead about ways to get more titles in front of teachers and …
That Thing You Do; Kari Yates Shares Conferring – A Conversation Between Readers
This is a repost from earlier this year. Kari’s book, Simple Starts, has helped me and so many of the teachers I work with and so it’s absolutely worthy of repeating Kari’s thoughts here on TTYD. Thank you @Kari_Yates. Heartfelt thanks to Kari Yates, author of Simple Starts for sharing in That Thing You Do! …
That Thing You Do! Lisa Eickholdt–Student Mentor Texts
This is a repost of a piece that Lisa Eickholdt wrote for That Thing You Do! Using student writing as mentor texts for our kids is powerful practice and the best way to honor their work. Thanks again to @LisaEickholdt! Lisa Eickholdt is guest blogging for today’s That Thing You Do! segment. She has spent …
Six Tips for Teachers on Eliminating Negativity Bias
My dad was not one for giving unsolicited advice while I was still living at home. That changed however, when I left to start my first year of teaching. “Stay out of the teacher’s lounge.” Of all the counsel he could’ve given me, I thought his advice a bit odd. I thought for sure it …