If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.
―Old Folklore Saying
Notice the Changes
There’s a joke in Indiana that if you don’t like the weather, just wait 24 hours and it will change. In the last week I’ve experienced warm sunshine, angry thunderstorms, hail, a tornado warning, and a few snow flurries.
I’m reminded of the old folklore saying about March: If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb. Spring is the season of change.
This is true not only for the weather but for our teaching lives, too. Spring is the season of change. It can feel a little overwhelming, and I find myself wishing that things would just slow down so I can steady myself and those around me.
Spring isn’t much for slowing down. Yet I can pause myself. I can open my eyes and take the time to really see what’s happening around me. I can notice the sparkle of the snowflakes that are swirling in the sunshine. I can see the bits of green pushing through the earth. I can relish the color of the sky that hints at a new blue.
The same is true in our classrooms. Spring offers a time to see the changes happening. Some are small; others are obvious. This week we expand what we see by looking at literacy connections in all content areas—plus more, as always.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
Tara Barnett and Kate Mills slow down the “Article of the Week” nonfiction reading activity, making space for more reflection and thoughtful discussion.
Matthew J. Friday shares how teaching poetry can be an effective way to encourage students to thoughtfully consider their experiences and build connections with peers.
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.
Begin with the 2024 Caldecott winner…
Big, written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison, is the story of a young girl who receives many messages about what it means to be big and which of those messages she chooses to own.
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.
In this installment of the morning message series, Ruth Metcalfe unlocks a wide range of opportunities to support learning in any content area.
Mandy Robek is on a quest to make writing about reading feel natural with her elementary students. She shares practical ways to help students change the way they approach writing about reading to lift the level of comprehension and conversation.
Choice Numeracy | Jodie Bailey focuses on the importance of an asset-based lens when conferring with her students in math—and all content areas.
In this encore video, Katherine Sokolowski helps fifth grader Jack build a next-read stack of nonfiction, highlighting a variety of text features and historical references.
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.
Instructional coach Jenn Ross explains the importance of being vulnerable. By modeling the expectations for phonics minilessons, she risked failure in front of her colleagues and was reminded of a powerful way to build strong relationships.
Ed Cosentino offers ideas for sharing student data with parents.
Quote It:
To fly we have to have resistance.
—Maya Lin
That’s all for this week!
