Let’s not forget how beautiful simply washing dishes can be.
—Noah Hawley
What Official Title Do You Need?
I am the Official Kitchen Cupboard Closer in my house. It started many years ago because after the kids emptied the dishwasher, every cupboard was left open. I would call them back to the kitchen to close the cabinets, but it felt futile because the next day after the dishes were put away, all cupboards remained opened.
One day I gave myself the title: Official Kitchen Cupboard Closer. It became my job to close the cabinets. I didn’t ask someone else to do it. I just shut the drawers and doors. If Andy left the spice cabinet open, I smiled at my job security. In fact, usually when I entered the kitchen, my job was waiting for me. No longer was I annoyed because a cabinet was left open. I just closed it and moved on with life.
A friend was frustrated about wet shower towels always being left on the bathroom floor. She lamented that no matter how much she asked, the towels were never hung up. “It’s time you became the Official Shower Towel Hanger-Upper,” I informed her.
Living with kids who had hard starts to life gave me a new perspective on responsibility and respect. Tasks don’t have to be completed perfectly to be done well. It’s okay if the forks are put away, but the drawer is left open. It’s okay for me to be the Official Kitchen Cupboard Closer.
What position should you officially embrace to make life a little less agitating in your corner of the world? What can you officially handle so no one else has to worry about doing it? You’ll be amazed by the way it adds a little bit of peace to your soul.
One thing we can all do is help nurture a community of readers. You’ll find lots of ideas in this issue about nourishing students’ identities as readers—plus more, as always.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
Matt Renwick is surprised when his son completes a reading quiz that isn’t required, and finally realizes it’s all about reading response.
Jen Vincent outlines a twist on book talks—the Emoji Book Talks. This is a fast and fun way for students to share books and build their Books to Read lists.
Join over 200 colleagues already signed up for Coach-to-Coach, a supportive and inspiring network just for instructional coaches. Meet virtually once a month to keep your professional goals fresh and stay accountable for your next steps as a coach. This free community is inspired by Choice Literacy articles each month and led by Ruth Ayres. The next meeting is Monday, October 21.
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.
Melissa Quimby offers structures to help elevate readers’ thinking through book club conversations. You’ll love putting these practical ideas into play in your own classroom—and be awed by the depth of your readers’ understandings.
Gigi McAllister discovered that using indoor walks is a way to help students engage in their learning and strengthen their learning community through conversations.
“Pick one!” These are the words that begin to grow a community of readers. When students say, “I’m done,” kindergarten teacher Becca Burk points toward the classroom library and encourages them to pick a book and begin growing strong roots as a reader.
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.
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.
Ruth Ayres and Becca Burk share ways to strengthen our teamwork and help lower the stress levels of adults in the school when students exhibit dysregulated behaviors. This is the first installment of a two-part series.
Hannah Tills and Josie Stewart discovered a template to help boost accountability after a planning session with a teacher.
Shared read aloud books are not just for children. Gwen Blumberg outlines the power of reading aloud with faculty.
Quote It:
What I love most about reading: It gives you the ability to reach higher ground. And keep climbing.
―Oprah
That’s all for this week!
