Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Third Teacher

I recently finished my 11th book of the summer.  I'm on a book reading frenzy of sorts, making up for all the books I didn't read while being a teacher the past nine months I guess.  


One of my favorites out of the 11 reads was Smarter Charts by Marjorie Martinelli and Kristine Mraz.  It's filled with powerful tips that show teachers how to envision, make, and use charts in more powerful and engaging ways.  The charts they talk about are not time-consuming.  Nor are they cutesy, but they're so very eye-catching.  They're meant to be engaging tools that students will repeatedly use to become independent problem solvers.  These kinds of charts take on the roll of teacher as stated by the authors themselves in the quote below.

"Consider this book a consciousness-raising effort aimed to elevate charts to a level of necessity - not just because we teachers are told to, but because we have found them to be incredibly helpful tools, full of information, and truly the third teacher in the room."

The book also contains several photos of charts for those of us who live on the visual side of things, as well as a handful of lesson plans so we can envision the making and use of smarter charts in action.

You can find the authors of this book on Facebook.  Look up Chartchums or click on the picture below.


The authors also blog about charts.  Their posts include excellent ideas, descriptions, and photos from teachers who are creating smarter charts with their students.  The posts are excellent.  Click on the link below to see for yourself.

I'm looking forward to putting the ideas from this book into action next year.  I'd definitely recommend it if you'd like to see charts become the third teacher in your room as well.


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12 comments:

  1. 11 books! You are really moving through the books. :) Thanks for the links on this book. I didn't know they had a FB page!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, you're welcome. These gals really know what they're doing. I could learn so much from hanging out with them for a day.

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  2. Your posts make me want to start teaching older kids. Do you think the book would be appropriate for me (since I teach non-readers)?
    Lyn

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    1. Lyn, it's such an inspiring book. It seems like you could read it and find all kinds of possibilities in it.

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  3. I like the sounds of that book. What's the point of a chart unless you're referring to it LOTS!
    Thanks, Tammy.

    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

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    1. Barb, and the book made me aware of this - what good is a chart if the kids aren't using it?

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  4. I've never read the book, but I stumbled upon their blog last year. It is terrific!

    Kelly
    I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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    1. Kelly, yep their blog is great. You should check out their book too.

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  5. This one is on my list. :) I have it.... just need to get it off the shelf.
    You're amazing! :)

    Maria

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    1. Maria, I think you'll enjoy it immensely.

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  6. You're my hero! I've read 11 books too - I think - but by Karen Kingsbury, John Grisham, etc. and now I've picked up a Sophia Kinsella book - light reading for sure!
    And I wished you lived close enough to borrow from you. You talk about so many books that sound so good! Thanks for sharing another one! And their website - amazing. But I couldn't find a way to follow them. Do you just get them by email?
    Have a great Friday! Sara

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    1. Sara, it's a great website and yep, I follow my email. (I'd definitely let you borrow my books if we lived closer.)

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