The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.
― Socrates
What’s Different in Post-Pandemic Classrooms?
Name seven things that are different in post-pandemic classrooms. I bet you can generate a list in the time it takes to read this sentence… and you won’t be out of ideas when you reach seven.
We are in uncharted territory, and one of the things that has changed significantly is professional learning. Educators are lifelong learners, and yet often we groan at the idea of professional learning.
It’s not that we’re against learning. We’re just tired of going through the motions and not learning relevant information. Or we’re tired of canned ideas that look good on a slide but tank in the classroom. Other times we just want to hear from someone who has walked the walk after the shutdown.
It’s getting harder and harder to hear from educators who are carrying school contracts and walking the daily grind with the same people day after day.
This has a lot to do with the high energy it takes to be a full-time educator. In a world where there is a lot of noise and promotion, full-time educators need to take a step away to refuel. Energy is reserved for meeting the needs of students, not promoting and packaging engaging and meaningful ideas. Not only that, but they don’t have time to hop on a plane and deliver a workshop…They want to be in their classrooms, not writing sub plans.
For me, this is one of the biggest concerns since the pandemic: We have fewer opportunities to learn from those on the front lines. They are the ones with the experience and the knowledge of how to pivot, adjust, and meet the unique needs of post-pandemic students.
To offer opportunities to learn from some of the best full-time educators, Choice Literacy has redesigned professional learning. We listen to what teachers are saying they need, and then we reach out to those who spend their days (all day, every day) in classrooms finding solutions.
Rather than drop the problem at their feet and ask them to lead a workshop, we create a team to discuss, research, and share solutions. Together they design a seamless professional learning experience led by teachers for teachers.
Then their energy returns to meeting the needs of students while Choice Literacy handles the logistics of putting together a workshop based on their work.
That’s how we created the NEW Live Event: Making Sure Kids Grow in Small Group Reading Instruction. It began with a vision as an in-person workshop, but as we’ve shared content and received raved reviews, we realized we could make this workshop accessible as a virtual experience.
Gwen Blumberg, Tammy Mulligan, and Dana Murphy took the plunge to create meaningful professional learning based on their experiences with students. You’ll receive three recorded keynote sessions, a handbook with guided reflection, and three live Zoom meetings to interact with Gwen, Tammy, and Dana as well as other participants. It turns out this format is a great way to refuel our energy levels.
One participant, literacy coach Mary Brower, said this:
Workshops facilitated by educators with their boots on the ground in classrooms are priceless! They bring authentic strategies that fit what we are working with everyday, and the format gives us the time to implement the strategies. We are better equipped and ready to grow kids instead of full of great ideas with no time to implement.
This week we hear from more in-the-field contributors about supporting writers—plus more, as always.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
Join the FREE Coach-to-Coach Zoom Network for a monthly conversation. You’ll build professional friendships that will help you build skills and confidence as a grassroots leader.
Upcoming conversations:
– November 21: A 30-Day Coaching Challenge
– December 14: Mid-Year Reflection
– January 30, 2024: Transcripts as a Coaching Tool
The Heinemann Blog shares the power of writing minilessons and intentional ways they can strengthen literacy skills.
What’s the difference between a lesson and a minilesson? Christy Rush-Levine finds that flexibility is just as important as length in making minilessons work well.
If you want to bring everyone in your school together around writing, you can’t beat the simplicity and fun of six-word memoirs. Jennifer Schwanke describes how she sparked enthusiasm for the project in her school.
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 Live Event, join Gwen Blumberg, Tammy Mulligan, and Dana Murphy as we dive into the nitty-gritty of analyzing data for small group instruction, making instructional plans, and ensuring that all readers are growing.
You’ll get all this:
- Three keynote videos
- Guided practice throughout and after each session
- Three live Zoom sessions with the contributors and other participants to widen perspectives and strengthen understandings
- Reflective practice experiences to guide you in tailoring the next steps for your school
- Additional resources paired with each session
- Unlimited email support for six months
Gwen, Tammy, and Dana are in-the-field educators who attend to the needs of all readers by using the five pillars of reading instruction.
Click here for more information about Making Sure Kids Grow in Small Group Reading Instruction.
This workshop is great for teachers on their journey in building flexible groups to ensure students are getting exactly what they need on the walk to becoming proficient! It’s a 10!
—Jonathan Winslow, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
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.
Plagiarism is an age-old issue, but with the emergence of AI tools, it’s plaguing our classrooms again. Vivian Chen offers three practical (and essential) approaches when working with writers.
Katie Linder reminds us of the importance of writing lessons to be predictable, efficient, and student-centered.
In this Choice Numeracy article, Molly James is inspired by the book Friends Beyond Measure to use math practices to strengthen the bonds of friendship in her kindergarten classroom.
In this video, Nawal Qarooni Casiano outlines the process for empowering students to lead lessons for classmates.
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.
Brian Sepe defines a leader as someone who balances ambition and humility. While ambition and humility may seem like opposing forces, the most effective leaders are those who skillfully blend these two traits.
Stella Villalba questions the traditional practices of parent/guardian-teacher conferences. She offers a reflection and a call to action for everyone to consider the possibilities for more connection and equity during conference nights.
Tim Elmore shares how to reframe your vision to capture people’s imagination.
Quote It:
As a leader you have the power —and the responsibility—to raise the level of ambition in your organization.
—Dominic Barton
That’s all for this week!
