― Benjamin Franklin
Join Us!
Did you know that less than 5 percent of the population sets goals? This is staggering to me, because I know that goal setting and habit building are anchors to creating the life I want to live.
I also know that it takes commitment to keep our goals a priority. Each school year brings energy for growth, and excitement for the work ahead. We have zeal and create momentum for positive change.
No matter our best intentions, often our energy wanes for the good work that’s been set in motion. On the brink of February, it can be difficult to muster the courage to continue pressing onward.
That’s why we partnered with The Lead Learners and invited in-the-field contributors Gwen Blumberg and Brian Sepe to join me in delivering a professional learning event that gives instructional influencers a shot of energy when we need it the most.
On February 1, Gwen, Brian, and I will carve out space to recapture the excitement and momentum for our school initiatives. We will refresh our understandings of the change process and celebrate small wins.
It is refreshing to hear from in-the-field practitioners because they bring an authenticity that we cannot find in other professional learning experiences. If you’re looking to be refueled, I hope you join us on February 1! Just click here for more information and to register.
There is a special discount coupon just for Big Fresh subscribers! Use BigFresh40 to get 40% off your Winter Refresh registration!
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
We are meeting Tuesday, January 30, at noon Eastern for the FREE Coach-to-Coach Zoom Network. Join us and build professional friendships that will help you strengthen the skills and confidence needed to be a changemaker in your school.
On the A Bit of Optimism podcast, Simon Sinek interviews James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits. They break down James’s powerful approach to forming better habits, breaking the bad ones, and living the life we desire.
Matthew James Friday teaches academically honest research skills to help first graders learn how to collect, organize, and interpret information.
Are you looking to engage with a community of instructional influencers? Join me on LinkedIn to continue conversations from the Big Fresh and connect with other educators who are just as smart and funny as you are.
In this professional learning event with The Lead Learners, join Ruth Ayres, Gwen Blumberg, and Brian Sepe to
- consider three anchor habits to be a force for positivity,
- explore the way change technically works and be guided by hope,
- avoid some sticky leadership traps, and
- find traction in “small wins.”
There is a special discount just for Big Fresh subscribers! Use the code BigFresh40 to get 40% off the registration cost! Just click here for more information and to register.
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.
Mandy Robek encourages young writers to collect information about an informational topic. She provides whole-class and individual structures for students to learn that their understanding can change, as well as to be able to access information when they are ready to draft. Don’t miss Mrs. Robek’s digital class book.
Leigh Anne Eck gives advice to her middle school writers for collecting research notes.
In this video, Staci Revere helps her middle school multilanguage students learn to visualize by discovering images through a web search to understand the text in a deeper way.
Choice Numeracy | Mallory Messenger is intentional about monitoring and supporting cognitive engagement while students use online practice tools. Use her tips so your students are engaged too!
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 encourages school leaders to be brave and engage a teacher as a thought partner. This helps leaders construct a better understanding of school-wide instruction.
Gwen Blumberg describes a five-step filtering process of student assessment data designed to help make true data-driven decisions in an efficient amount of time. Download a visual guide of the data-filtering process.
Are your writers talking? In this PD2Go Stella Villalba confers with first grader Jocelyn about the informational text she is writing about bunnies. Jocelyn is an English language learner, and this conference demonstrates the value of oral rehearsal for young ELL writers.
Quote It:
Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.
—Barbara Hemphill
That’s all for this week!
