I see your true colors shining through.
—Cyndi Lauper
True Colors
One year for Halloween I dressed up as Cyndi Lauper. It started with a wig that could have been straight out of her “True Colors” video. I remember the weeks leading up to Halloween because my mom brought home pieces that could be added to my costume: a chunky gold link bracelet, a palette of metallic eyeshadows, giant sparkly earrings—they were true relics of the ’80s and brought out my inner rock star.
As was tradition, we dressed up on Halloween and went to visit my grandparents. They were our only Halloween stop, far out in the country on a farm. The Cyndi Lauper year was the final year before my brother and I “aged out” of the tradition, and we pulled out all the stops, going big with our costumes.
We knocked on the back door of my grandparents’ farmhouse and stood back to wait. We knew the routine. Grandma would answer the door and say, “Oh my, what do we have here?”
We waited for what seemed longer than usual. My brother and I looked at each other, giggled, and smiled, because we knew our costumes were some of the best ever.
I’m not quite sure exactly what happened next, but there was a gentle shift behind us, an unsettling gliding of white, and a low moan that was supernatural. This is the point where the details are murky for me, but if my brother were to take over the story, he would tell you—
Ruthie’s eyes were huge and her face turned white. I didn’t know color could drain out of someone’s face like that. And then—BAM!—Ruthie went down. She crumpled like a dead tree and smacked the concrete.
It is true. I fainted, although I like to think it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as my brother makes it sound. When I blinked open my eyes, my brother, mom, grandma, and a ghost face were hovering over me.
That’s when my brother started laughing. I rubbed the back of my head, and my mom and grandma pulled me up so I was sitting. “Well, that was something,” said the voice behind the white sheet with three circles crudely cut out for eyes and mouth.
Grandpa pulled the sheet off of his head, but my heart was still pounding a ridiculous rhythm. I could feel my face turning red.
“Look! Your color is back!” My brother laughed and helped me stand up.
Halloween is a time when many of us dress up inspired by the things that intrigue us: Whether it’s an ’80s punk rocker or a spooky ghost, we often tap our interests when selecting a costume. This week’s newsletter is all about noticing and cherishing special moments and true colors in our classrooms—plus more, as always.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in. Chief
Gretchen Taylor explains why it’s important to get less “judgy” of the colleagues around us.
A celebration is the pause that refreshes between writing units for many teachers. Melanie Meehan shares suggestions for creative celebrations.
Join Ruth Ayres and Stephanie Affinito for The 10-Minute Reset That Keeps Coaches from Burning Out. In just 45 minutes, you’ll experience what it feels like to
- pause the noise with a guided writing prompt that clears your mental clutter.
- restore energy by learning the simple 10-minute habit that builds margin into your day.
- reset in real time so you walk away calmer, more focused, and in control.
Choose the time that works for you.
- Saturday | Nov. 1 | 9:00 a.m. (EDT)
- Thursday | Nov. 6 | 3:15 p.m. (EST)
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.
Students are entering our classroom with passions. Tara Barnett and Kate Mills consider how to tap students’ excitement and create space for them to share their interests as part of the learning community.
Choice Numeracy | Mandy Robek reflects on the post-assessments in a new curriculum, and the way students were making simple mistakes that lowered their scores. Mandy experimented with using “I can” statements as part of students’ self-reflection and was impressed by the influence this simple shift had on the post-assessments.
Stella Villalba shares books that will fuel your creativity and nourish your imagination.
Sometimes, we ask students to conform to tools that we’ve already created or have found success with when working with former groups of students. However, one size does not fit all. Melissa Quimby shows us how we can be inspired by moments of productive struggle and consider how to help a tool fit our students rather than the other way around.
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.
If you’re tired of professional learning sessions falling flat, consider using a picture book to launch discussions among colleagues. Stephanie Affinito clearly outlines the steps to facilitate lively professional conversations.
Julie Cox is candid about the struggles of navigating a new curriculum. She is also hopeful and offers three approaches to help teachers adjust to new curricular expectations.
Teacher Educators Teach is a neighborhood in our Leaders Lounge just for teacher educators. Julie Johnson shares how she tackled the problem of engagement and discovered practical ways to make connections.
Quote It:
You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure.
—Zig Ziglar
That’s all for this week!
