Content Category: Choice Literacy
Results
From Reading to Writing Informational Texts
I first met Sal and Anthony in Mrs. Bean’s second-grade classroom on a Monday afternoon. It was about 45 minutes before school let out, and the class was finishing up...
Enlisting a Student as Coteacher
In this second video in a two-part series, Sean Moore invites second grader Isaiah to present his learning to the class.
The Big Fresh September 29, 2012 Shining a Light
I believe that this corporate machinery of scripted programs, comprehension worksheets, computer-based incentive packages, and test practice curriculum facilitates a solid bottom-line for the companies that sell them, and give...
Trust
As soon as you trust yourself you will know how to live. —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe When the basket of meditation stones was passed to me at the writing retreat,...
Unpacking the Kindergarten Common Core Standards
It had been a long year. Our district was implementing the Common Core and the new content standards for Ohio. We had revised our progress report card to reflect these...
Supporting Young Writers with Opinion Texts
I believe that effective teaching is about hearing all the voices -- making sure that every student is valued, heard and respected and knows that his or her voice can...
Chronology in Nonfiction (Common Core Booklist)
As I try to choose books that will help my students meet the expectations of the Common Core State Standards, I find myself needing to look across grade level expectations...
Do They Care? Empathy Book Clubs
Students are sitting in circles, heads close together, excitedly talking about books, and using the words “I felt empathy when . . .” over and over again. The murmurs of...
Shifting from Spelling to Word Study in 5th Grade
“Look at my word jar, Mrs. Caplin. I made it over the weekend with my friend.” I knew then the shift from spelling to word study had occurred in my...
The Blank Page and Better Teaching
I would be a better teacher if. . . Have you ever thought these words? I would be a better teacher if . . . I’m sure everyone has...
The Joys and Challenges of Co-Teaching
As I began working on my schedule for this year, it seemed like I was missing something. Looking it over and thinking about each class, specials, and planning time, I...
Conferring to Coteaching
In this first video in a two-part series, Sean Moore confers with second grader Isaiah. Sean prepares Isaiah to share what he is learning later in the writing workshop.
The Big Fresh September 22, 2012 Going Through the Motions
All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances. William Shakespeare A teacher once said to me, "A...
The Big Fresh September 15, 2012 Delegation Gone Bad
You can delegate authority, but not responsibility. ...
Revising My Recording Form for Writing Conferences
Writing conferences—the one-on-one conversations we have with students while their classmates are busy writing—are the most important teaching opportunities we have in the writing workshop. —Carl Anderson in Assessing Writers...
Appealing Book Displays for Boys
As I write this, it’s about three weeks before school starts. I walk into my freshly painted room. The smell is a little overwhelming and the walls look bright. My...
On Perfection and Goals
When I began teaching, Mark McGwire was breaking the home-run record in major-league baseball. We sat in the stands and cheered home runs 67 and 68, awed by the consistency...
Without Answers
Dedicated to all brave young English language learners everywhere If you would ask me the meaning of nostalgia I’d tell you it’s a tranquil afternoon A moment filled with dialogues...
The Big Fresh September 8, 2012 Something Better
They say stay in the lines, but there's always something better on the other side. John Mayer I must admit I didn't have high expectations for sushi at the airport....
Dear Eve Bunting
“I’m going to send this to Eve Bunting. Will you get me the address?” Allie shoved a book in my hands, along with a letter. Dear Eve Bunting, it began....
The Power of Music
When literacy coach Heather Rader walked into Sean Moore’s second-grade classroom the kids were already sitting at the carpet. On the chart paper were the phrases “cooler than the flip...
