Learning to speak, therefore, and the power it brings of intelligent converse with others, is a most impressive further step along the path of independence.
—Maria Montessori
Meaningful Conversations
I’ve been reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. In it he writes, “The phone-based life makes it difficult for people to be fully present with others when they are with others, and to sit silently with themselves when they are alone.”
This gave me pause the first time I read it. I thought about the way school is designed for us to learn with others and to sometimes sit silently and develop understandings on our own. As I read over the lines from Jonathan Haidt again, I realized how the phone-based life many students have outside of school makes it difficult for them to engage in conversations in school.
Then, when I was searching for a quote for the epigraph of this week’s newsletter, I came across the words from Maria Montessori—“Learning to speak, therefore, and the power it brings of intelligent converse with others, is a most impressive further step along the path of independence.”
Juxtaposing these quotes written decades apart makes me realize the importance of helping students learn to have deep, meaningful, and helpful conversations with one another. When we do this, we are empowering them to be knowledge seekers who can talk with others and draw conclusions independently.
As articles rolled in this spring, I was delighted to see the way many contributors are intentionally teaching students to engage in lively and forward-thinking conversations. In a world of chaos, it is reassuring to know that in our classrooms we still value listening to others, sharing different perspectives, and respecting one another.
In our Leaders Lounge, you don’t want to miss Hannah Tills’ honest and raw writing about a difficult conversation that took a turn for the worse. Any leader who has wished a conversation had gone differently will be glad Hannah took the time to share her experience and a handful of ideas to make sure the next conversation goes a little better.
It’s not easy to develop sophisticated discussion skills, but like you, our contributors are working to help all students know how to be fully present, listen, and learn from one another. This week we focus on developing conversation skills—plus more, as always.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
Jen Vincent scaffolds conversations to help students discuss their independent reading books in small groups…even when everyone is reading a different book! Download and print a copy of the guide to support students in their small-group conversations.
Amy Ludwig VanDerwater from The Poem Farm is forging a new path for National Poetry Month. She is spending the month writing from the voice of Little Red Riding Hood. Make sure to check out her first poem, as well as the resources if you (and your students) want to write a few poems this month, too.
If you’re an instructional coach, we’d love for you to join our FREE coaching network, Coach-to-Coach, led by Ruth Ayres. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 23, at noon EDT.
New members-only content is added each week to the Choice Literacy website. If you’re not yet a member, click here to explore membership options.
Tammy Mulligan shares the step-by-step process she uses with her fourth-grade students so that their small groups are fully managed by students and her teaching is focused on their needs as readers. This is the second installment of a three-part series.
Melissa Quimby offers structures to help elevate readers’ thinking through book club conversations. You’ll love putting these practical ideas into play in your own classroom—and be awed by the depth of your readers’ understandings.
Choice Numeracy | Jodie Bailey shows how representations and models help students understand complex math concepts. By participating in vertical conversations, teachers can strengthen our own understandings of skill progressions and help students develop essential connections and deeper understandings.
NEW VIDEO | Gigi McAllister reminds us of the special way picture books can open the doors of conversation.
New members-only content is added each week to the Choice Literacy website. If you’re not yet a member, click here to explore membership options.
Hannah Tills writes an authentic reflection of a difficult coaching conversation that did not go well. In this must-read for all leaders who have wished a conversation went differently, Hannah shares reminders of how to approach the tough conversations so they will be (more) effective.
Heather Fisher helps her father create a pizza pie in his new outdoor pizza oven. Through trial and perseverance, they finally taste success. Heather connects this experience to the importance of encouragement and presence as instructional coaches.
Lisa Mazinas offers a variety of “viewing lenses” for coaches to use when working alongside teachers. She shares practical advice as well as a variety of possibilities to help instructional coaches tailor their feedback in specific and useful ways. Download several templates you can use.
Quote It:
Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.
—Margaret Wheatley
That’s all for this week!
