Every year when we start writing workshop, we start with "What can we write in our writer's notebook?" Every year students make heart maps and territories and write about what they like. I think this works for a short period of time, but then students "run out" of things to say. What other options can we give them to help them be independent when writing so that workshop can run smoothly?
Aimee Buckner's Notebook Know How was recommended to me by the director of the Spartanburg Writing Project. It's the first book that really made sense to me about how to launch the notebook. The heart map is part of that, but students also learn to write/answer questions, make lists, go back and look for patterns in their notebook, expand, and more.
Another thing I love about this book is that it works at any grade level. We've used it within the first weeks of school to launch 6th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st grade notebooks. I've received a lot of positive feedback from teachers. My second grade teacher told me today that her students are able to write 15-20 minutes independently and she feels like she has a handle on the notebook for the first time.
It's a great quick read. It's practical and you can take the suggestions and implement them the next day. My favorite kind of text. Check it out if you are looking to expand your professional resources on writing!
https://www.amazon.com/Notebook-Know-How-Strategies-Writers/dp/1571104135/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472695238&sr=8-1&keywords=notebook+know+how+aimee+buckner
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Using a Coach Menu to Differentiate Coaching
I got the idea to use a coaching menu through Twitter and connecting with other coaches. My menu is based on the menus of other coaches.
Here is the link to view:
Coaching Menu
A word of caution based on my experiences this year.
If you want the time to work with teachers in other opportunities other than rounds/cycles, be careful how many rounds/cycles you take on. I am very grateful to be "booked" at the beginning of the year this year and I am in classrooms or planning with those teachers constantly, but I am feeling the pinch of available time. The beauty of coaching in a school is the flexibility to meet teacher's needs with your time; however, if you stretch yourself too thin, you'll have a hard time being effective.
I started the year with four cycles and a mentee. It is a lot. I'm enjoying it, but it's not leaving me a lot of time to get in other classrooms. At the end of the month when I send coaching invitations again, I'm only going to take 3 for next round. Lessons learned!
Here is the link to view:
Coaching Menu
A word of caution based on my experiences this year.
If you want the time to work with teachers in other opportunities other than rounds/cycles, be careful how many rounds/cycles you take on. I am very grateful to be "booked" at the beginning of the year this year and I am in classrooms or planning with those teachers constantly, but I am feeling the pinch of available time. The beauty of coaching in a school is the flexibility to meet teacher's needs with your time; however, if you stretch yourself too thin, you'll have a hard time being effective.
I started the year with four cycles and a mentee. It is a lot. I'm enjoying it, but it's not leaving me a lot of time to get in other classrooms. At the end of the month when I send coaching invitations again, I'm only going to take 3 for next round. Lessons learned!
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
The New First Day of School
When you are a classroom teacher all the anticipation leads up to when those smiling faces walk through the door. You've prepped your room by adding personal touches to make it feel like home because it will be the place where you and your students spend the most time for the next 180 days.
What about when you leave the classroom? As a coach, there may not be students waiting to come in the door, but there are teachers. On the first staff development day in August, I feel a lot like I did when I was expecting new students and a lot has gone into preparing for that day as well.
Teachers, we've worked hard to plan a day that will build our professional learning community. There are those business "have tos" but we try to balance that with something that will excite you for the year ahead and make your first day back special. We know it's hard to leave summer behind. Our slides and agenda have undergone many revisions and we've really talked about this day since even before your last one back in May.
The night before, I'm a little nervous. Does the room look ok? Was there something I forgot to do? Who's getting the biscuits?? When the morning finally arrives, I can't wait for you to get there. I can't wait to show you what we have waiting for you and all the great things we'll do together this year.
So, no I won't be walking in a classroom of my own with 22 little people. I'll be walking into a group of some 35 faculty members who will touch the lives of 420 children. Wow. What an opportunity. I can't wait for your first day of school! Welcome Back!!
What about when you leave the classroom? As a coach, there may not be students waiting to come in the door, but there are teachers. On the first staff development day in August, I feel a lot like I did when I was expecting new students and a lot has gone into preparing for that day as well.
Teachers, we've worked hard to plan a day that will build our professional learning community. There are those business "have tos" but we try to balance that with something that will excite you for the year ahead and make your first day back special. We know it's hard to leave summer behind. Our slides and agenda have undergone many revisions and we've really talked about this day since even before your last one back in May.
The night before, I'm a little nervous. Does the room look ok? Was there something I forgot to do? Who's getting the biscuits?? When the morning finally arrives, I can't wait for you to get there. I can't wait to show you what we have waiting for you and all the great things we'll do together this year.
So, no I won't be walking in a classroom of my own with 22 little people. I'll be walking into a group of some 35 faculty members who will touch the lives of 420 children. Wow. What an opportunity. I can't wait for your first day of school! Welcome Back!!
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