Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.
― Maya Angelou
Constantly Learning
This week’s issue shares the latest thinking about reading instruction from our contributors. I admire their commitment to constantly learning and strengthening their instructional practices. Additionally, they care deeply about colleagues and finding common ground. This week we are considering the science of reading—plus more, as always.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
Gretchen Schroeder supports her high school students to think deeply about the complexities around them, beginning with themselves and pop culture, and then moving to the texts they are reading.
Maria Nichols makes a case for slow reading.
Join the Coach-to-Coach Zoom Network for monthly conversations, great resources, and professional friendships that will help you build skills and confidence as a grassroots leader. You belong in this group!
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 course, Ruth Ayres shares a wealth of resources from Choice Literacy contributors focused on the power of giving and receiving student feedback.
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 names two practices that made a big difference in her work as a reading specialist. You may be surprised at the simplicity and smallness that led to powerful gains in her readers.
Matt Renwick defines three archetypes of personalities he has observed who have incomplete understandings about the science of reading. Matt offers approaches to each person, and notes that no one person neatly fits into a simple archetype.
In this course, Christy Rush-Levine takes you into her middle school classroom and shares the strategies and techniques she uses with her students to deepen their reflection and understanding of books while conferring.
In this video, Gwen Blumberg teaches an asynchronous lesson for a spelling strategy.
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.
Mary Brower shares a professional learning experience that peels back the layers of Sold a Story podcast to help teachers find common ground in reading instruction. Download a template for a guided conversation.
In this encore article, Matt Renwick helps leaders navigate science of reading conversations with these three powerful tips.
Keeping excitement for the next book to read can be a challenge. This PD2Go offers two ideas to sustain energy for independent reading. Melissa Quimby shares a creative and practical idea for students to name their reading identities. Christy Rush-Levine offers a tried-and-true practice of offering book talks so students can create a robust “To Be Read” list.
Quote It:
There are three things I’ve learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.
—It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
That’s all for this week!
