Literacy Learning Zone

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ I could write about ... the crazy mixed up schedule and the look of sadness and despair when I informed my friends that small group and book sharing would be temporarily put on hold due to PARCC testing. I could write about ... the excitement that's been building since January is finally happening in the next week and the feeling of anticipation and sense of urgency to  pack, make numerous phone calls, and create checklists for the move into the new home. I could write about ... the daily moments and...

Slice of Life is  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join in and share a slice of your life.  _____________________________________________________ I was that parent. I was  that  parent who overanalyzed a kindergarten progress report. I was  that  parent who carefully crafted an email asking for further clarification of a "progressing" rating (as opposed to a "secure") for my reader and writer. I was  that  parent who asked politely for evidence and questioned how I could continue to help my reader and writer at home. I was  that  parent. I was  that  p...

This summer a  really BIG! group of educators   are reading and learning together online.  I am participating and co-hosting this year's #cyberPD event about digital reading and creating digital readers in our classrooms  with  Cathy Mere  and  Laura Komos .  Don't forget! Next Tuesday, July 28th @ 7 pm CST, we will be participating in a #cyberPD Twitter chat with authors   Franki Sibberson   and   Bill Bass . Digital Reading: What's Essential in Grades 3-8  by William L. Bass II and Franki Sibberson Paperback or ebook can be purchased from NCTE *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * My Thoughts and Reflections Chapter 6: Assessment: Keeping Our Eye on the Literacy "Assessment needs to be the vehicle that moves us beyond defining our reade...

The March Slice of Life Story Challenge hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! I have avoided writing about our testing season.  It has not been a walk in the "PARCC", but I commend the students for trying their best even under the circumstances of hours upon hours of testing.  That's all we can ask for, right?  I have accepted what is and look forward to the conclusion of this testing season before we turn the calendar to find another testing season looming.  As Christy shared in her celebration post   so eloquently,  I am trying to "reimagine testing."     Our testing season began last Tuesday.  Every day since, I have been administering the assessments.  Most days, in the morning I have been working with a small group of two third grade boys, ...

March Slice of Life Story Challenge  hosted  at the  Two Writing Teachers Join us for a month of writing! Testing 101:  The Student's Role  [Previous slice.] Testing 201: The Teacher's Role Standing scanning the room for potential confusions or questions Pacing in between rows of desks without trying to knock over papers Observing how students work independently in a world where we teach them to converse and collaborate Smiling for reassurance letting students know "You can do it!" Providing me time to think, ponder, question, wonder, accept, and want to change. We all want what is best for our students -- that is why we are here every day. Each and every day.  Healthy or ...