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A Spring Villanelle
Deep in the samadhi of the old pond soft heavenly weather arrives, light seeps into rock, enchanted by the eternal tide. Peepers rise in a chime of bells clear,...
Favorite Wordless Picture Books for Teaching Inference
When children are first learning to read, figuring out the alphabetic system is often so taxing that grappling with letters and sounds relegates meaning to the back burner. Although we...
Breaking Tasks Down into Steps
One summer when I was in college, I had intensive training to work in a camp program that specialized in children with attention and behavior disorders. One of our lessons...
Rethinking End-of-Year Assessments
If an assessment is not lifting the quality of our instruction or helping us understand the needs of readers, we believe we need to question why we are giving it....
Working Hard and Reading Carefully: On Theme and Rereading
I can accept failure—everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying. Michael Jordan How long do you have to watch Michael Jordan playing basketball before you realize...
Redefining Just-Right Books
Recently a friend, Clara, who is a retired literacy coach, told us a story about a visit to her first-grade grandson Trevor’s classroom. With a long face, she explained that...
Supporting Readers with Nonfiction Text
In a recent meeting a teacher spoke about her frustration in trying to find nonfiction resources that work with the standards she is teaching. As the conversation continued, we agreed...
Using Picture Books to Foster Resilience
Each year as we work to build a strong classroom community, my fourth graders and I read several picture books focused on learning and working with others. Many focus on...
Celebrating “The Voice” of Writers
I love writing workshop and the traditional, predictable structure that accompanies it. However, I also love when I hear about teachers incorporating play into their workshop instruction. Recently, one fourth-grade...
Using Padlet with Students
Technology is something I am constantly exploring in my classroom. New websites, tools, devices—all have their place in our classroom. One website that has been integral to our classroom this...
Space to Draft
Powerful writing instruction allows time for students to practice. When we force a lockstep approach to writing instruction, we diminish time for students to practice writing. Sometimes in the quest...
Group Composing
I was nervous when I stood before my class with nothing more than my wireless keyboard and a Word document opened up on the Smartboard. We were about to compose...
Tutoring Carl: Sketching to Draft
I am sitting at a circular library table; this is my learning space. Retired from full-time teaching, I now tutor. Midafternoon is my new kid time. I look forward to...
Empowering Teachers to Share: Leading More Powerful Professional Development Sessions
When our new puppy, Kate, joined our family of six, it was a little chaotic. Everyone wanted to teach Kate something. Hannah wanted her to sit and listen while she...
Good Intentions Gone Wrong
“Oh please, don’t do that!” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew I shouldn’t have said them. It was early Friday morning before school, and...
Coaching Conversations: Carry the Water
In this audio interview, Susan Kennedy chats with Brenda Power about the challenges of starting a new coaching position in a different part of the country, and building relationships with...
Changing Two Words
Teachers can position children as competitors or collaborators, and themselves as referees, resources, or judges, or in many other arrangements. A teacher's choice of words, phrases, metaphors, and interaction sequences...
Professional Development and Personality Types
The better you know yourself, the better your relationship with the rest of the world. Toni Collette As leaders and coaches the biggest and most important part of our...
Empowering the Reading Team
One of our district goals this year is to give our paraprofessionals more in-depth training in some of the work we are asking them to do with our learners who...
Setting Goals with Students
As an adult learner, I always have a set of evolving goals. Some of these goals I have to put on my annual professional growth plan, others I write down...
Student Learning Targets
I recently came across this comic from Baldo by Cantú and Castellanos via a family member whose hobbies include archery. In the comic, a young girl is using a bow...
