Tuesday, March 14, 2017

I would have paid big money for this book!

Today I experienced something that was out of this world. If only I would have had this years ago!

Years ago I would read a book on writing but something would get lost in translation. I could never make the jump between what it was telling me to do and actually being able to do it in my classroom with actual kids. I would try but the books just seemed too wordy, I just couldn't picture myself doing whatever it was with actual people.

Today I was a part of a small group of teachers. Our task was to look at a piece of writing and using a flow chart see where we might start with a writing goal for that student. I have not taught writing in ten years so I was pretty sure what I had picked would not even be close to what the student needed. To my shock, we all picked the same exact thing!

I don't think it was some magical ability that I have but it was through the power of this book that made it happen.

If I would have picked this goal when I was teaching I would have struggled to find the exact lesson or plan to help that one student with their issue. Through the magical book we were able to turn to a perfect min lesson that was just what this student needed.

The book, The Writing Strategies by Jennifer Serravallo, alone would not have brought me all the answers. While I watched the webinars, the facebook live chats and listened to a few Heinemann podcasts they could only get me so far. The class that I am in is being taught by one of our mentor teachers. I have learned more from her in the last few weeks than I have in the last ten years. No joke.

While I am not in the classroom, other than teaching a PLTW class to some 5th graders, I'm sure some wonder why I am in this class. I think the minute we stop learning is the minute we start dying. Learning for the sake of learning is pretty sweet and I'm fortunate to have this opportunity. The other thing is I am curious about how writing is being taught in the classroom.

8 comments:

  1. Love that you are still curious, still learning, and still enthusiastic about finding new books! I agree--these things are the very things that make life worth living. Go, you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love that you're enjoying this writing class. This post shows your love of learning, "Learning for the sake of learning is pretty sweet." And now one question, what's a PLTW class?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love Jen's books, too. The Reading Strategies Book has been such a gift to all of us teaching reading, and I'm sure the same is true with her Writing Strategies Book. What's most wonderful in your post is how you allowed your inspiration and enthusiasm for learning radiate outward to your audience here. Bravo! And thanks for sharing this!

    -Lanny

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love Jen's books, too. The Reading Strategies Book has been such a gift to all of us teaching reading, and I'm sure the same is true with her Writing Strategies Book. What's most wonderful in your post is how you allowed your inspiration and enthusiasm for learning radiate outward to your audience here. Bravo! And thanks for sharing this!

    -Lanny

    ReplyDelete
  5. The book is great, such a wonderful resource. Stay curious, always learning!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can feel your excitement from your day through your words. YAY for lifelong learning and the books and mentors that inspire us! Woohoo!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so glad you're part of this class! I really value your perspectives and contributions (and I'm beyond flattered that you've learned from me--you have no idea how much I've learned from you, not just in the past few months but over the past ten years!). I love that you never stop learning--and find myself sitting here being so thankful that we're in a place that allows us some great opportunities to do so. And, if you ever want to see writing in action in a classroom, I'm positive anyone would happily open their door for you to come in and watch! Thanks for this post! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jen was my first reading teacher back in 2009, at the TCRWP summer institute. At that point, she only (LOL10 had one book under her belt. I have worked with her in later years, and now she is our literacy consultant. The teachers are thrilled to be learning from her. These past two books have been extremely supportive. Love your line - "I think the minute we stop learning is the minute we start dying. Learning for the sake of learning is pretty sweet and I'm fortunate to have this opportunity." Learning is for life!

    ReplyDelete