It's Thursday and I'm wearing Saturday pants.
Seriously, that's what they are called. I bought them from Old Navy a year and a half ago. Their name makes me smile, and they are so comfy! They are perfect for wearing while I read, watch tv, you name it.
Last week I mentioned a book I was reading. It is The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. Amazing read! And today I finished chapter 2. But I'm also reading Teaching with Intention by Debbie Miller (finished chapter 2 yesterday). And I spent two days early this week getting training in Project Based Learning by Aaron from The Buck Institute for Education.
So, the books, conversations and studying have mushed up in my brain and I have lots of synthesizing to do.
Here is what I know today:
1. To be a learner, a student has to be a problem solver and a believer in his abilities.
2. To have a classroom that is "just right" for learning, I must create that environment (books everywhere, high expectations for reading, authentic and good literature for kids to read for enjoyment and to practice skills taught, authentic reasons for reading--and not just to become a better reader).
3. Authentic literature for first grade looks different than at fifth grade. I must reach out to my primary teacher friends and begin to create a library that is organized and covers the entire classroom.
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And my selfish plug... Time is running out on my Donor's Choose project for Hokki Stools. Please pass the word, all donations are tax deductible. Just follow the link to my project page.
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I leave you with this question...
Do you believe that reading is worth learning how to do well? Why?
well it's so nice that we're facebook friends now, because this link came up in my feed!
ReplyDeleteAnd Saturday pants on Thursday.... #winning!
Of course I believe kids should (and all of us, really) should learn to read well. It's up to us to share beautiful books with them so they know how powerful reading can really be! :-)
I really love BIE and the resources it offers. Thank you for the part about literature! I tend to forget that and think I should be able to hang in there with other grade levels, but that is just not true for me or my students!
ReplyDeleteHow do you find out about These trainings you do in the summer? Our school doesn't promote anything like that. I do love all your reflecting about what you are learning. I believe reading is SO important. Just like you reading Book Whisperer and learning, we can learn things, 'go' places, 'meet, people -- I personally can not imagine a world without reading.
ReplyDeleteGreat reflections! I love the idea of Saturday pants! And good luck with your DC grant-it looks like a good one! :)
ReplyDeleteNot Just Child's Play