The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.
―Maya Angelou
Press On!
Did you know today is National Fun at Work Day? It falls on the last Friday of January and is designed to give a break from the tedium of the workday and have fun within the workplace.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but consider adding a bit of fun to the workday. Tell a joke, read an extra picture book, share some poetry. Lighten up and be happy.
I need to hear those words more than anyone, which is why this issue is important to me. I hope it is special to you, too. It is a collection of articles about pressing on in the middle of the muddle.
Vivian Chen writes about reclaiming instructional minutes that are too often swiped by a teacher’s guide lesson that lasts way longer than the allotted instructional minutes. Vivian offers four steps to streamline the lesson while making it more engaging and meaningful.
Gretchen Schroeder shares her experience with kintsugi, a Japanese art form of breaking china and rebuilding it. She writes a compelling article about the importance of instructional practices being broken and rebuilt as a means of growth and innovation for educators.
Matt Renwick offers an insightful perspective on how anger arises in educators, often stemming from a loss of power. Matt gives ideas about where the anger comes from and what to do about it.
Don’t miss our collection of free articles. Gwen Blumberg inspires us by relaying her experience joining the Boston Roller Derby and immediately makes connections to the way students must feel when learning the complexity of reading. It is a powerful article about the importance of learning something new (especially something we aren’t good at) and the priority of joy in learning.
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.
Gwen Blumberg joins the Boston Roller Derby for a series of skills classes and immediately makes connections to the way students must feel when learning the complexity of reading. She shares how the importance of learning something new (especially something we aren’t good at) helps us remember the importance of joy to learning.
Julie Cox invites us to take risks 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.
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.
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.
Given an assignment to break a china bowl and rebuild it allowed Gretchen Schroeder to engage in the Japanese art of kintsugi. What surprised her were the lessons she learned about growth and innovation in her teaching practice.
In this video, Ruth Ayres cautions us to not let our pet peeves get in the way when working with student writers.
Choice Numeracy | In this encore article, Mary Lee Hahn rethinks her math workshop structure to more closely align with the choice and problem-solving in her reading and writing workshops.
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 offers an insightful perspective on how anger arises in educators, where it comes from, and what to do about it.
Stella Villalba shares her process for developing plans with teachers for intervening and supporting individual students. Stella works with English language learners, and the principles are applicable to any child.
In a time when lives are showcased on highlight reels of social media, Gwen Blumberg reminds us of the importance of highlighting ordinary moments as worthy writing topics.
Quote It:
Admire those who admire others.
—Simon Sinek
That’s all for this week!
