Becca Burk
Becca Burk is a kindergarten teacher in Maine.
All Content
Using Self-Portraits as an Assessment Tool for Early Writers
Becca Burk guides us in using self-portraits as an assessment tool for early writers. Becca shares a rubric, self-portrait samples, and practical next steps for her kindergarten writers.
Everyone Wants to Write?
Becca Burk reflects on creating a classroom where everyone wants to write. She offers timely advice for creating a community of writers.
Alert! Mistakes in Progress
Becca Burk gives the science behind mistakes and growth, and offers suggestions on ways to use mistakes as a means to help students become critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Validating Students
When an excited young reader interrupts the quiet hum of reading workshop, Becca Burk analyzes the important unseen choices students make as learners, and the powerful messages teachers’ responses send.
Do the Hard Thing
Becca Burk reminds all of us that one of the important parts of being a teacher is helping students believe they are capable. Becca shares three practical ways to uplift student capability.
Good Work, Writer
Becca Burk asserts that every child can become a writer when given materials, opportunity, and authentic glimpses into what it means to be a writer. Most importantly, though, children need adults who believe they are writers.
Building Empathy Through Gratitude
Becca Burk noticed entitlement and discontentment in her students, so she turned to research to discover how to change students’ attitudes. She discovered gratitude can develop empathy, and the Thankful Thursday award was born. This changed attitudes while building literacy skills.
Our Words Matter: Developing Perseverance in Literacy
Becca Burk reflects on the power of intentional language to build perseverance in students. She shares a booklist designed to give students scripts they need to become brave learners.
Fake It ‘Til You Make It
Becca Burk tackles the phrase many educators utter—fake it ’til you make it. Becca addresses the reasons why we feel this way, and gives an alternative mindset that is helpful in adopting anchor habits to thrive in today’s classroom.
Writing Will Help
Becca Burk’s kindergartners had a tough recess. As they were discussing what they could do differently, one student proclaimed, “Mrs. Burk, writing, writing will help!” Becca shares what unfolded as students made a plan and created signage to post around the playground as reminders for self-control.
