Mentor texts are the perfect scaffold for young writers. Mentor texts are always available. They do not care how often they are used for support. They don’t over-scaffold or rescue. They are great with wait-time. They are open-ended and allow the writer to use craft...
A wise mentor once told me to think about gardening when it comes to curriculum. Many literacy leaders and educators fall into the trap of continually adding new programs, ideas, and initiatives without deciding what needs to go. While each may have merits unto itself,...
Ode to a Teacher Drink what’s meant to be hot when it’s cold And what’s meant to be cold when it’s hot Eating lunch at one’s desk A relaxing experience it is not The words “Please may I quickly …” Accompany most requests Adult conversation Happens rarely at best Hydration never happens No time to...
NCTE invited all of us to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Children’s Book Week by sharing text sets that create space for our students to make connections across human experiences. So many texts immediately came to mind when I read this invitation. I started creating stacks. Moving texts around...
NCTE #BuildYourStack is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Children’s Book Week. I was looking for ways to join the celebration. I posted my favorite (current) children’s book quote on Twitter yesterday. Then I saw the invitation for today. Tuesday: Paving the Way to Reading through Song (Broadway...
Books became our language. Books became our home. Books became our lives. We learned to read, to speak, to write, and to make our voices heard. I love this quote from Dreamers by...
You're slicing again … I thought it was over. This was my family’s reaction as I sat down in my chair this evening to write this slice. It is 9:30pm which is very late for me to post. I have routines. I have systems. One day off and it...
Every year, at the moment of truth, just as I pulled my hair back, bent down, closed my eyes and inhaled, my dad would whisper, “Careful what you wish for.” Laughter or my retort would cause me to start all over again. This time...
Hey. I turn and see him moving toward me. It’s like a game of Frogger is being played down the hallway as he leaps his way between students. I slow and step to the side so he can catch me. I saw you and I wanted to talk with you. Sure,...