READICIDE

There are several ways that we, as educators, kill a child's love of reading. Our intentions are good, but sometimes the practices we employ leave little to be desired. Rather than leveling, timing, and signing kids (and parents) to death how can we employ strategies that encourage students to not only see the value, but also to fall in love with reading. 

Limiting Students by Level:What's our goal in this? If they love robots they'll compensate. Give students opportunities to read what they love and they will astonish you! When my boys first fell in love with Minecraft Weston was in 2nd grade. He was reading articles and how-tos written for adult readers. He is smart (good genes-HA), but not that smart. He muddled his way through because it was meaningful to him. When my 6th grader wanted to create iMovies he googled it. He read the Apple articles and prevailed with an impressive documentary.  Fountas and Pinnell, the Queens of Reading in my opinion, never meant for levels to somehow become badges of honor (or dishonor). 

Reading Logs: Do we want to limit the number of minutes/books students read? Do we want it to seem like a job? And what is the impact of the reading log on students who always or never read? Is  it changing the behavior? I promise, if we encourage reading and make it something students want to do, not have to do, a reading log is a moot point. Do we ask students to get their iPad log signed? Do we ask our Lego fanatic to jot down how many minutes he plays? No-we encourage them because we know that they are meaningful learning activities. Reading should be no different. 

Test prep & worksheets: Definitely necessary at some point, but they don't encourage students to want to read or allow students to dig deeper. Of course we have to give standardized assessments so a healthy amount of test prep is critical. Healthy, people! Testing materials should be taught as a genre, because really it is just another format. Just like we teach students to reframe their thinking for  non-fiction we have to give them the tools needed for test materials. 

Skipping the Read Aloud: I still love to hear great readers read. Who doesn't love a good audio book? There's just something comforting about a read aloud. And there is so much great literature. Read books aloud often. I'll never forget when my high school English teacher read us parts of the classic. Her passion for literature was contagious. 

I hope this inspires you to do something differently. Stop wasting paper on reading logs and start encouraging students to read deep, read wide, and read often!

What If?

If we don't share the great things happening in our building, who will? If we don't tell the true story of CKC, who will?

I read this quote on Twitter recently from George Couros (@gcouros) and it really struck a nerve. I began to wonder how that would change the perception of what really happens in schools, and in particular our school? What if everyone could see what we see? What if they knew our story? What if they saw the amazing things that three, four, five, and six year olds accomplish on a daily basis? What if they knew our struggles and celebrated with us in our triumphs?

Then I went to the ballpark this weekend! You hear so many things there about schools. It can be a little scary. I spoke to both a parent and a grandparent of two of our students. The mom raved about how her child's teacher used Remind to keep her in the loop. The grandparent thanked me immensely for the pictures on Facebook. What she said was really telling. She said that she checked Facebook everyday in hopes of seeing pictures of her grandchild. She said that she often asks questions or extends her grandchild's learning based on what skills we are working on at school. She knew the skills based on the posts. Social media is a game changer!

And then it hit me! We need to be sharing more. Not to make ourselves look good, but to show all of the great things our students are doing. We need to tell our own story!

So I am joining Beth Hill (@bethhhill2829) and issuing a challenge.  I challenge you to post two amazing things your students do this week (and every week)! Add @crosbykinder to your tweet and I will share your post so that all parents can see!

Ideas are Scary!

What is a SuperBowl without a great commercial!? And what kind of leader would I be if I couldn't turn that great commercial into something to share!?

Change is scary.

The process to a new normal is messy.

The balance of moving from good to great is fragile.

However, the hard work you have put in is something beautiful.

Each idea, like each child, must be valued, nurtured, and loved. Nothing is ever perfect the first round. It takes time, patience, and practice.

I am excited I get to come to work and be a part of the great things you all are doing. I get more excited with each new idea that you share.  The latest idea, a district wide Twitter party, is about to take CISD by storm. I cannot wait to host fellow CISD staff members at CKC and show them the power and value of Twitter. Thanks to Dr. Kay, this learning will be rewarded with Professional Development credit.

Make plans now to join us February 12th at 5PM at CKC. I am super thankful to the "Crazy Ones" who are working hard to make this a reality! Let's come together and share the power of connectedness!

Motivation Monday

Motivation comes in many forms. Family, quotes, and Sundays are my greatest source of motivation. 

I am fortunate to have a family that is so supportive of my goals and dreams. Through it all they are encouraging and empowering. My two boys are a constant reminder that I cannot be settled with status quo. I am charged with setting an example of excellence for them, but I also feel compelled to push the norms of education because of the resulting impact. I want their leaders and teachers to get out of what used to be and start thinking about what is and is to come. We have to work together to feed their curiosity and creative natures. 

Sundays are a great source of motivation and inspiration. My first dose comes in morning worship. I am so blessed to have found a church home with amazing examples, teachers, and leaders. Replacing our church will definitely be one of the hardest parts of the move. From the music to the ministry everything about Sourhside compells me to change the world. In the evening NBTchat has my attention. This wild idea of Jonathan Kegler's was brilliant and I'm grateful he brought me along for the ride. Since it's inception in February I have learned and grown from amazing educators worldwide. 

Lastly, words are a huge source of motivation for me. I have quotes and sayings everywhere, in my home, office, car and on my phone. 

Thank you to Jennifer Hogan for the Motivation  Monday challenge. http://thecompellededucator.blogspot.com/2014/08/motivation-monday-31-link-party-august.html?m=1

 

A Careful Combination

Phonics or Whole Language? Which produces the best readers?

Ask that in any elementary staff meeting or teacher's lounge and you're just looking for a fight!

However, I see the merit in both approaches. Throughout literacy  research "best" practices are sited (depending on the researchers agenda:). I propose that we move past what was "best" ten years ago, three years ago, or even one month ago. Let's move into the "next" practices. These practices aren't in a BOXED program. These practices are well planned by the teacher who is looking at the readers in his/her classroom. These practices are developed and refined year to year based upon each student's needs. 

Check out our week two summer newsletter. There's a fun teamwork video and an article.

Please share your takeaways with me via text, twitter, email, or in the comments below.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

I recently read this article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/06/02/you-wont-believe-these-kindergarten-schedules/

The author seems to be concerned about the amount of time students spend on structured learning activities rather than constructive based play.  I am an advocate for developmentally appropriate practices. However, I am also keenly aware of the research that ties long term achievement to students' earliest success in school.

What are your thoughts?

How do we find balance between work & play in the kindergarten classroom?

I can't wait to hear from you!

Weekly Newsletter #1:

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! :)