In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.
—Mary Poppins
Wisdom and Whimsy
Four portraits hang in my office: Walt Disney, Harry Houdini, Helen Keller, and Harriet Tubman. As a child in the ’80s, I had a special affinity for encyclopedias and would constantly look up these figures from history. If I had to deliver a book report, it was about one of these people. I read books, watched documentaries, and talked about these figures as often as possible. They became staples of my childhood.
As I grew older, I continued to hold them in a special place of my heart. They became a collection of friends from another era. Their lives were not easy, but they persevered; they did hard things.
Just because we are in a modern century does not mean we are exempt from difficulties. In fact, as the world spins, it seems challenges become even more strenuous, even more grueling. It is not enough to decide we are going to do hard things. We must have more of a plan.
And the plan begins with deciding who you want to be. Once you decide who you want to be, then you can decide what you want to do.
I want to be a woman of wisdom and whimsy—as a leader and parent and teacher and human. I’m reminded of this each time I turn my eyes to the portraits on my office wall. Harriet, Harry, Helen, and Walt faced extreme challenges, and they overcame them with wisdom and a little whimsy.
This week we curated articles about supporting students in knowing they are capable, even when faced with challenges—plus more, as always.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
Julie Cox invites us to take risks in order to encourage students to try new things with their writing and reading. Julie concludes that when teachers are professional risk-takers, we are more available to students, and know how to help them when they fail. This article was first published in 2022.
Jennifer Allen uses commercials to promote the importance of working hard and reading carefully to students while teaching theme. This article was first published in 2015.
Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan discuss the concept of “challenge” in considering what texts are the best fit for advanced young readers who might be able to decode any text but don’t yet have the experiences needed to tackle sophisticated concepts. This article was first published in 2012.
The Lead Learners is reading Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. by Matt Renwick. This is a virtual study group that includes a book club plan, information about facilitating a book club in your school, and resources to support reflective practice for those reading alone. Grab a copy of the book and join us!
(The Lead Learners provides workshops, mentoring, and a supportive community for grassroots teacher leaders.)
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.
Becca Burk reminds all of us that one of the important parts of being a teacher is helping students believe they are capable. Becca shares three practical ways to uplift student capability.
What to do with writers who catch errors in isolation, but not in their own writing? Cathy Mere suggests three ways to help students self-correct their writing.
Heather Fisher considers the research behind gamified experiences and applies it to a lengthy first-grade phonics assessment. Heather challenges us to gamify assessments to maintain the integrity of the assessment while increasing student engagement.
In an encore video, Christy Rush-Levine shares her system for streamlining passing papers and offering a place for private feedback.
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.
Matt Renwick shares 35 actions leaders can take to create a stronger school culture. If you are a new leader, you can use this list and implement one a week throughout the school year.
In a NEW PD2GO, help workshop participants focus on a practical approach to assessing students’ understandings of theme by using a one-page reading response. This PD2Go pairs an article by Christy Rush-Levine with a minilesson video of Dana Murphy.
Laura McKenna reminds us why studying is so hard and what teachers can do to help students.
Quote It:
Of all the things I’ve done, the most vital is coordinating those who work with me and aiming their efforts at a certain goal.
—Walt Disney
That’s all for this week!
