Life Requires BALANCE

Many people will argue the definition of success. Dictionary.com defines success as:

suc·cess

/səkˈsɛs/ Show Spelled [suhk-ses] Show IPA

noun

1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals.

2. the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.

 

For me, success is finding BALANCE in those things that make you happy (whatever those things are). Success does not look the same for each person or for the same person in a different season of her life. Success if ever-changing, always evolving, failing, and growing.

 

 

 

When I think about success from the standpoint of a reader I do not see how it is much different. A successful reader takes on a balanced approach. Changing, evolving, failing, and growing are all part of being a successful reader.

 

If we begin to embrace that definition of successful reading how would our reading instruction change?

 

Our goal as teachers is not to teach students to read, but to teach students to love to read. I cringe at the sound of someone saying reading "program." Most reading programs are sequential and rigid. Teaching reading is neither. Teaching reading is MESSY.  Find out what the student is most interested in, peak his interest, give him reading material that is not always a book. The most effective way to not only teach a child to read, but teach a child to LOVE to read is to know the student. Programs don't come with that information pre-loaded in a cute cart with a flash drive! 

 

Reading instruction takes work. Capitalizing on the student's strengths and building on his deficits are the best way to teach students who love to read!

 

 

 

Over the course of the next weeks I will be sharing strategies what I consider to be most effective reading strategies. These strategies are not ordered or rigid...they are BALANCED. By balanced I mean that they incorporate all modalities and take into consideration word study, writing, whole group instruction, small group instruction, fluency, and independent practice.

 

If you want to learn more about balanced or comprehensive literacy please follow myself @JennGRoach and my partner in crime @bethhill2829 as we embark on this journey together. The first week in June we will host our inaugural #complitchat to learn and share all things balanced or comprehensive literacy. We haven't decided a time so please leave us a proposed day or time in the comments or tweet us with what you think would be most convenient.

 

Until next time, READ on! :)

 

 

Nacho Normal Math Night

I was given the opportunity to plan a Parent Education Series this spring. If you'll remember we began with "Fall in Love with Reading" back in February.

http://literacyleadershipandlife.blogspot.com/2014/02/fall-in-love-with-reading.html

While literacy is my passion I definitely wanted a fun atmosphere for our math event. Thanks to the great idea of a 1st grade teacher we hosted "Nachos & Numbers." 

The only parameters provided were that teacher teams had to create math games for families to enjoy together. Our second grade team had students create their own math games, Caine's Arcade style. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faIFNkdq96U (If you're unfamiliar with Caine's Arcade it is a must see.) We had bingo, a real life in & out box, dominoes, card games, trail games, a duck pond, and much more.

After a musical by our first and second graders our families hit the halls to play math games and learn math strategies that would support student learning. Students were asked to visit five math stations, get their punch card punched, and return to the cafeteria for nachos. We had a HUGE turnout.

It was exciting to see our reading teachers embracing math. Math night opened the doors for many conversations about how parents can support math instruction through relevant daily activities...laundry-sorting, shopping-money, driving-measurement.

Parent nights always serve as a simple reminder that these parents love their babies. They send us the best they have to offer-their precious children. With a little insight and some encouragement they are happy to support instruction.

Stay tuned for the remainder of the Parent Education Series:
March Madness SuperSTAARS
Tech Night & Parent Appreciation

Big Bad Test

Last week was the grand finale of our "Testing Season." Throughout the week I began to see an increase of parents and educators posting prayer requests on Facebook about the STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness). While I am all about praying for our students and teaching staff I grew more concerned with each post. And then I opened my big mouth...

 

Many comments ensued and I attempted to help my friends understand that they control the lens through which the assessment is seen. It's all about PERSPECTIVE!

 

I kept getting the same question, "But what if my child has all As and then doesn't pass the test?" For me, this is less of an assessment issue and more of an alignment issue. If your child has all As and can't pass the test that is given over the standards for which he receives As I would have some difficult conversations with the classroom teacher.

 

Another question was asked, "What if my child fails?" To this I say use this as a stepping stone. Work with the teaching staff to devise a plan for success. One failing grade does not have to be a trend.

 

It's all about perspective.

 

STOP allowing numerical data to define our children. No number on any assessment will determine who they are, how much they are loved, or their lifelong potential.

 

Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of standardized tests when they are used improperly. I feel like we expect teachers to differentiate instruction. Therefore we should (and do)  use differentiated assessments to measure understanding of taught concepts.

 

So what is the BIG scare? While I think that we can and should use multiple modalities to assess students I do not think that standardized tests are going anywhere. We are required to complete assessments to drive a car, apply for most jobs, get into college, and become certified for most professions. If schools really exist to prepare global citizens to navigate the world in which we live isn't it important to give them the necessary tools?

 

Special thanks to @DrMattParker for the encouragement! :) Check out his blog for more on testing: http://drmattparker.wordpress.com.

 

 



An Open Letter to "Count Downers"

Being an educator is the most rewarding career one can choose. In addition to the hugs, kisses, and sweet words of encouragement comes lots of responsibility. When I received my first teaching assignment a non-educator friend purchased a gift for me. When I opened it it was appley-teacher sign that said, "Teachers live for June, July, & August." Thus began my despise of the countdown. 

I love countdowns. I count down the days until a fun trip, birthdays, and other exciting life events. But one particular countdown, and I see it more and more with the influx of social media, is the countdown until summer vacation, which I absolutely despise. 

• Yes, I am human. 
• Yes, I have a family. 
• Yes, I love to sleep late.
• Yes, I love the summer. 

However, every student I encounter may not go home to a mom who loves the summer time snuggles of her children. Therefore our beautifully constructed "Blast Off to Summer" bulletin boards may bring about a dreaded time for some. It may remind our students that they won't have books, routines, nurturing, or even food. Is that what we want students to perceive as our celebration?

Furthermore, as educators do we want the world to think we became teachers for the summer off? We, as educators, want respect. We want our voices heard. We love our students. So let's act like it. Take down your countdowns! Celebrate the learning, and quit wishing away your lives and the lives of our students. 

Let's all learn to live in the moment we are in. Live like this is the last opportunity to impact the lives of your students.