Silent gratitude isn’t very much to anyone.
―Gertrude Stein
Pen a Thank-You Note
Our youngest son, Sam, graduated high school a few weeks ago, and we celebrated with an open house, favorite foods, including Sam-requested Mountain Dew in 21 different flavors. The sun was shining, and our front yard was bursting with friends and family.
Not only did his siblings from Louisiana and Southern California make the trip home to celebrate, but there were grandparents and adopted grandparents; aunts, uncles, and cousins; work friends and church friends and teachers and coaches; neighbors, new friends, and old friends (even some who attended my high school graduation party decades ago). Sam had train buddies—guys from four different states showed up; high school friends from a variety of social groups and schools; and rail fan friends from different generations. It was a timeline of meaningful relationships gathered and laughing together.
It was an eclectic and happy group. Everyone was there to celebrate Sam. It was overwhelming.
Sometimes an outpouring of love is staggering and can rock our souls. In a rare pause, Sam bent his tall frame down to whisper in my ear. “Mom, I can’t believe all of these people are here for me. I really didn’t think I had many friends.”
I knew what he meant. Sometimes when you are a person who belongs in many different groups and places, it feels like you belong nowhere. I’ve spent too much of my life feeling the same way—like I belong everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
It was when Sam was born that I realized the vast connections and friendships I had. When we adopted Sam, more than 300 cards were given to us. It is a memory that still staggers my soul.
Later that night, just the three of us (Andy, Sam, and I) were reliving the day. “It’s almost too much to think about,” Sam said.
“I’m going to have to order more thank-you notes,” I mentioned.
“You know,” Sam said, “I wasn’t looking forward to writing thank-you notes, but now I’m a little glad I get a chance to tell people thank you. I still can’t believe how many people showed up.”
I was reminded of a Gertrude Stein quote—”Silent gratitude isn’t very much to anyone.” Perhaps there is someone who has staggered your soul with their kindness. May we all be a little glad to pen a thank-you note.
This week we look at fluency in readers—plus more, as always.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
Jen Court gets creative with using materials for more than one skill to layer in additional phonics instruction and practice. Jen provides a guide to think critically about reusing resources throughout the day and across content areas. Download the Planning Tool for Phonics Lessons.
Cathy Mere finds that with young learners, not all issues with fluency are created equal—different needs require different strategies.
Tara Barnett and Kate Mills find an ingenious way in the upper elementary grades to help their struggling readers develop fluency through read alouds.
Do you wish you had more time to share new books with your students? We know you don’t need fluff or pretty activities. Instead we get to the heart of what you need to thoughtfully share new books in your classroom.
NEW! Our book guides are created and vetted by in-the-field educators. They hold true to the tenets of giving students choice and voice in their reading lives, while empowering a teacher to expand the representation of books shared with students. Click here to see all of our new book guides.
How To, written and illustrated by Julie Morstad, is a collection of invitations to do a variety of things that, when paired with the illustrations, offer a unique perspective on some otherwise ordinary actions.
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.
Dana Murphy reminds us of five ways to teach fluency…especially when reading seems laborious.
Leigh Anne Eck tackles fluency strategies with her middle school readers.
Lisa Mazinas offers tips for building fluency in elementary readers.
In this video, Aimee Buckner confers with Amanda about her fluency and comprehension.
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.
When the school doors close for the summer, literacy coaches and school leaders face the landscape of a blank calendar for the new school year. Ruth Ayres thinks through how to prioritize time in a way that supports your beliefs and values.
Stephanie Affinito offers five picture books to end the year coaching strong. Each offers an opportunity for teachers to enjoy a book together, reflect on the year, and walk away with a book to share with their students.
In this Coaching Minute, Jennifer Schwanke finds that one of the biggest changes in moving from teaching to leadership is control (or lack of it) over her time.
David James shares tips to create an optimal elementary building schedule.
Quote It:
Earn your leadership every day.
—Michael Jordan
That’s all for this week!
