First Day Of Set Up

Today is the first day I can get in my brand new classroom. I can't wait! I'll post pictures later :)

Guided Reading...Two words I have grown to hate

Ok, don't nail me to the cross yet, just listen.

Lately I've been thinking and I've come to the conclusion that Guided Reading has become institutionalized. I've been trying to explain the Workshop Model to many colleagues and their #1 question, hands down, is " What about Guided reading, How do I fit in all my groups?" I feel that it's become less and less about the READER and more and more about "well we have to fit in guided reading". What does that mean??? Are we teaching "guided reading" or are we teaching READERS?

I guide my students through text everyday in conferences. When I look at their Conference notebooks at the end of the week I plan a few guided groups based on need (NOT ABILITY). I consider this guided reading, but some do not. Just because I'm not with 4-5 kids at a horseshoe table reading the same leveled text, im not "doing" guided reading? Who made it like this? Did we do this to ourselves? Did the Sunshine Guided Reading Kits make us feel this way? It's just madness.

Reggie Routman says it best, "guided reading is anytime a teacher guides a student through a text" It is not about 5 books all the same, going through the motions of the pre-printed lesson (that was made by people that don't know your kids), IT'S ABOUT THE KIDS!

Guided Reading is not meeting with your "low" group 4 times a week, your "middle of the road" kids 3 times a week, and your "high" kids once or twice. Guiding Readers is about knowing their strengths, building on them and guiding them to be life long readers, in ANY WAY THAT BENEFITS THEIR GROWTH!

end rant.

Teaching With Intention... PART 2

I just finished the book and all I can think about is how I wish someone would have handed me this book in Undergrad or when I was hired. In my opinion this is the easiest book to follow. It clearly, but in a pleasant way that only Deb can, gives the message that without firm beliefs our teaching is meaningless. She never comes out and says it, but through her stories and comments the reader can see that the learning that CAN take place (once you get your beliefs in order) is REMARKABLE!

Her constant theme: keep it simple, is fantastic. Often I try and try to explain how easy it is to do a Reading Workshop, but the nay sayers never believe me. Debbie reassured me that I am not crazy and that I am on the right track.

Most of all I find great comfort knowing that Debbie wasn't always this good! She used to teach "from the teacher's manual" AND her students were kept busy by worksheets and literacy centers. When I look back on the days I followed the BASAL, had no beliefs, and was just collecting my paycheck, I feel sick and sad that I didn't do more for those students. When people ask me how long I've been teaching I always say, "Well I've been a teacher for 5 years, but I've been truly teaching for 2". Often people look stunned and confused, but in my heart of hearts I know that those 3 years were not teaching. I was "getting by", and so were my kids. We didn't talk about our thinking, we were too busy "doing" worksheets and "doing" guided reading (based on ability only of course). I didn't know what a reading conference was or who Debbie Miller was. But I am thankful everyday I found her and countless other mentors; Collins, Calkins, Taberski and Keene. Not to mention my mentors close to home: Theron, Tim, Aliscia, Jen & Steph

I surround myself with teachers, administrators and authors who keep me motivated to be the best I can for my students.

I leave you with a quote from Miller that keeps ringing in my head, and will be my mantra for this year and the years to come. While admitting to her past teaching practices she talks of two voices: the one that tells you to keep up with the curriculum and "get through it" and the one that tells you to listen to your heart,

"When we consciously and consistantly CHOOSE to listen to the voice that serves children best, that other voice becomes more and more distant and less and less insistant, and we began to wonder why we ever gave it the time of day"

So True Deb, so true.

Rain Gutter Bookshelves

I'm really excited about these.  I plan on mounting them on the backs of my existing bookshelves and at the bottoms of my bulletin boards.  Only $7 for about 8 ft. of gutter at Home Depot!  This is the best idea yet...Thank you Jim Trelease!

Taking the Plunge

Yesterday I decided to start practicing what I preach.  For 180 days of the year I teach kids to be readers and writers.  However, I ....get ready people...have never finished a book in my life, let alone bought one for pleasure.  

Yes, I've read countless professional books, but have I ever read for leisure? Absolutely not.  I know, I know...How can I teach kids a love of reading if I myself have never loved reading? Well, that's why I'm here.

Yesterday I went to Barnes and Noble in search of my first book.  I felt like a one of my First graders on the first day of Reader's Workshop.  Not knowing themselves as readers yet, not knowing which book would fit them best.  I needed a teacher to come help!  "Can I get a conference?" I thought to myself.  I usually bank left as soon as I walk in (the Children's section and Education section).  Today I was making a right, and I was lost.  

I walked around the fiction section thinking and browsing.  "What was that book that my cousin was reading on the beach last week?"  "Hmm...this one is alright." "Ok, what did she just grab, she looks my age"  I was literally like Goldielocks, the character I use in my Readers Read Just Right Books Minilesson.  I felt lost as I watched others around be grab exactly what they knew they wanted.

I wanted to be them.  Knowing the book they wanted.  Looking forward to it, like i look forward to Project Runway every Wednesday night.  Knowing what they wanted before they even walked through the door.  They were living the life of a reader, and that's where I wanted to be.  

Then it happened.  A lady in her mid forties approached the "Summer Reading" table and with a gasp grabbed a book.  Now this wasn't a "oh good here it is" gasp.  This was and "Oh My God I've been waiting for you" gasp.  I looked at her.  She looked at me.  "Have you ever read Ann Patchett?"  "No I haven't, is she good?"  Her eyes rolled back into her head as she closed them, "Ohmygod", she said as if it were one word.  She went on to tell me the background of Patchett's book Bel Canto.  I could feel the emotion in her voice and could see the goosebumps on her right arm as she clutched the newest Ann Patchett novel.  Our discussion was short, but powerful.  She talked about Ann Patchett with me like I talk about Debbie Miller with other teachers.  This was the one.

As I approached the shelf Authors by Last Name Pa-Pe I got nervous.  This was THE BOOK, I felt it.  As I thumbed through the books my heart sank.  It wasn't there.   I went to the comupter and sure enough I was in the right place and there were multiple copies in the store.  I found a sales rep and she pointed me in the right direction.

"Where are you" I mumbled.  Where was THE BOOK.  I wasn't going to have a run in with another person like the one I had just had.  "Here you go" the sales rep said.  

There it was.  The cover a mixture of blues swirling together.  Looking like a cool swimming pool begging me to dive in.  So I did.  I'll let you know how it goes.