Tag: Reading

  • The Extra Words Are Worth It: It’s Time to Stop the Assumptive Labeling of Children

    Struggling reader, at-risk, disadvantaged, a level M, low reader, below grade level, striving reader, nonreader, these kids, those kids, initiative kids, program kids, label, after harmful label… the list could go on. Did you have a reaction as you read this list of commonly used labels in school? I definitely had a reaction as I…

  • It’s Monday! What are you reading? 11/12/18

    As I prepare to head off to my favorite weekend of the entire year, the annual NCTE convention, I am revisiting a few books that have played a role in shaping my path as a literacy educator. Today, I am giving much of my attention to two texts that have had a huge impact on…

  • Book Mingle!

    I’ve been thinking lately that my fifth graders need more opportunities to talk about books that they are reading  and learn about books that may be new to them. We often do book talks as a whole class and partner talks, but I wanted to incorporate a more fun and casual way to chat about…

  • Wonder: The First Few Days of Reading Workshop

    My first four days of school have come and gone. It’s now the weekend, and I am back in my beloved, currently fog-draped, city of San Francisco for a couple days reflecting on the past week and planning ahead for the days to come. This morning, I’m thinking about our first few days of reading…

  • What Kids Remember…

    Small Writing/Big Idea Think back to your days in school. What is it that you remember most as a student? Field trips, assemblies, friendships, great teachers, reading, writing? You might be wondering why I tacked on reading and writing to the end of this list. Recently, in casual conversation at school, a couple people were…

  • Planning for Summer Reading: Read Aloud!

    With only 9 days of school left, we’re in the midst of making plans for summer reading! Today, I invited my fifth graders to recommend a book to others in class for potential summer reading. They were so excited as they raced through the classroom library to find loved books that they had read previously…

  • Personal Bookshelves

    I’d venture to guess that no reader ever was excited to jump out of bed after reading to fill in their assigned reading log. I’d also venture to guess that many readers have unhappily left the comfort of their beds to do so. I, for one, would not leap out of the warmth of my…