I double dog dare you to try this. It's a humbling but helpful experience. After looking at my lesson plans, I believe a pattern emerged. The things my students did that actually helped them become better readers and writers were the experiences where they were authentically engrossed in real reading and real writing. The things that did not get a star were the few activities that were about literacy. Regie Routman calls this "stuff." Activities about literacy aren't necessarily evil, but I can't say for sure they moved my students on the literacy continuum. I simply hope they did. My goal is to increasingly do less of what I hope makes them better readers and writers and more of what I know will guarantee their growth as members of the literacy club. Hope just doesn't cut it.
Now it's your turn to get out the lesson plans. Be brave! I promise it won't hurt...too much.
I consider myself blessed today to share this Saturday Sayings post with a few other wonderful teachers. I know Kimberley and Crystal will have some inspiring words to share with us all. I'm off to be inspired!
Kimberley
Humbling but helpful ... I like that! I had a new third grader in peace class yesterday and on his way out he thanked me and said, "That was pretty good for my first time here!" It warms my heart when they thank me.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, being reflective can definitely be humbling and helpful all at the same time, huh? (I love being thanked too.)
DeleteGreat reminder, Tammy, to keep our focus on the important activities of real reading and writing! :)
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, real reading and real writing are much better than anything we hope will work. I know you know all about this!
DeleteGreat saying! I am entering into "testing" mode....none of that is authentic reading and that makes me sad! However, they get to read, when they finish:-)
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Laurie, I bet they'll be looking forward to reading when they're done! :)
DeleteTammy,
ReplyDeleteYou WOW me every Saturday, and today you are Double-Dog daring me so I take that challenge (with love) and when I do my planning tomorrow, I will follow these words of wisdom! I think I am in for an EYE OPENER! Thank you for challenging me!
Hugs,
Julie
Ms. Marciniak's First Grade Critter Cafe
Julie, I imagine that your lesson plans are full of what makes kids better readers and writers! Thanks for taking the challenge though!
DeleteGreat thoughts, Tammy. I kind of did this as I did the Daily 5 book study this summer. I really had to evaluate what I was doing and some of my teaching methods.
ReplyDeleteCrystal
Teaching Little Miracles
P.S. Thanks for letting me guest post. It was fun!
Crystal, great books like Daily 5 do push us to reflect and evaluate what we do in our classrooms. P.S. i'm so glad you joined me. It was fun for me too!
DeleteWhen I read your title, I was thinking about what your blog was going to be about. I didn't miss it by much. It really will make me stop and re-examine my teaching methods when I look past what I hope will help them and what actually did help them. Thanks for the thought provoking post!
ReplyDeleteKelly
I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher
Kelly, I love that you were trying to guess the content of my post from its title. :)
DeleteI did a lesson last week that was ABOUT literacy (I like how you phrased that) and it wasn't very good. I was frustrated with it and so were the kids. I appreciate this reminder!
ReplyDelete❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Barbara, Regie helped me with that phrasing. I know the feeling that you're talking about!
DeleteMy frustrations this year are because my current job is about watching teaching, so I can't tweat and change like I am used to. I want to look at my lesson plan, but I don't have one. Must teach next year. Thanks for the great language around teaching literacy and teaching ABOUT literacy. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteKimberley
First in Maine
Kimberley, I think we can sometimes get caught up in teaching about stuff. I'd like to thank Regie for that thought. I bet you're chomping at the bit to get your own classroom back!
Delete