Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.
—Epictetus
Rocky Ground
Recently I learned that grape vines need rocky soil to produce the best fruit. When the soil is smooth and perfect, the vines produce copious amounts of big beautiful leaves but no grapes. It is from tough conditions that fruit is produced.
It’s not a far reach to extend this metaphor to our work as educators. It is the time of year when the routines have been established, the newness has worn off, and things are getting a little rocky. It’s the time of year when our stamina is waning and some challenges feel insurmountable. It’s the time of year when we wonder if any of our work is going to bear fruit.
Let’s be comforted by the grape vines. Vineyard owners around the globe are grateful for the rocky ground, because they know with time and care, bountiful fruit is going to be produced. The same can be said of our classrooms. The obstacles that seem to be detrimental may be just what are needed to create the conditions needed for growth to occur.
This week we are thinking about digital learners—plus more, as always!
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
Matt Renwick pays tolls the old-fashioned way on a long drive, and ponders connections between his experience and teachers’ resistance to tech innovations. This article was first published in 2016.
Mandy Robek reflects on her identity as a digital and print reader and offers strategies to support students reading digital texts. This article was first published in 2020.
Bitsy Parks shares how she integrates technology into her workshops with first graders in a way that is simple, effective, and natural. This article was first published in 2020.
Don’t miss our NEW live virtual events. Join our contributors in a live virtual series to sustain your professional learning all school year and have access to the recordings (and additional resources) until June 30, 2023. These events will nourish your professional heart and provide practical ideas you can use now.
Stella Villalba teaches us how to discover, honor, and share student stories throughout the school year. With special attention to English learners, Stella walks educators through a process to intentionally honor the past and present of all students.
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 the power of an anchor chart in a digital world.
As teachers we do many things to get to know our students as readers and writers and mathematicians. Josie Stewart and Hannah Tills lead us to consider how to get to know our students as digital learners.
Choice Numeracy: Bitsy Parks shares the importance of counting and a booklist of picture books that lend themselves to counting opportunities.
In an encore video, Staci Revere helps her middle school multilanguage students learn to visualize by discovering images through a web search to understand the text in a deeper way.
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.
Matt Renwick gives three tips to build relationships that will open doors to receive feedback.
In a new Coaching Minute, instructional coach Jonathan Winslow gives insight into staying the course in difficult coaching situations.
In this encore article, Gwen Blumberg outlines the way sharing an asynchronous minilesson with teachers allowed her to share instructional insights in a relevant and useful way.
Quote It:
Technology is best when it brings people together.
—Matt Mullenweg
That’s all for this week!
